Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday morning, September 22, 2002, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia
THE BREAD OF LIFE
By Michael D. O’Neal Pastor Gospel Light Baptist Church Albany, Georgia
Scripture Reading: John 6:22-35
Text: John 6:35
John 6:35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
Introduction: Although it takes the presence of the Holy Spirit to understand the things of God, the Lord has repeatedly used the tool of comparisons to teach divine truth. Many metaphors are used in the Bible. Some of the metaphors used for our Lord are the door, the shepherd, the way, the truth, the life, the day star, etc. All of these simple comparisons teach us deep, profound truths about the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ. This morning I want us to consider the Bible teaching on the Savior with a message titled,
THE BREAD OF LIFE
If you want to learn something about the Savior, you can do so by considering something as simple and accessible as bread. We all know something about bread. Many of you consumed bread before you arrived here at church today. Some of you will eat bread within the next hour. We all know cornbread, rye bread, white bread, brown bread, whole grain bread, sour dough bread, flatbread, and wheat germ bread. We eat biscuits, buns, rolls, cakes, pancakes, honey buns, angel food cake, devil’s food cake, pancakes, garlic bread, onion bread, cinnamon raisin bread, and dumplings. Are you getting hungry yet?
Jesus is the bread of life. The Bible says a good bit about bread. My computer’s Bible program lists 330 verses that contain the word “bread.” The first one is:
Genesis 3:19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.
The last one is:
2 Thessalonians 3:12 Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.
Today I want to point out a few truths about bread that can teach us important lessons about the Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ.
I. BREAD IS SALVATION TO THOSE WHO ARE EATING IT
Genesis 41:55 And when all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread: and Pharaoh said unto all the Egyptians, Go unto Joseph; what he saith to you, do.
A. Bread is a special food
B. Bread is suitable to all
C. Bread is satisfying
Egypt had a famine and ran out of bread, except for the fact that Joseph had some stored. Typology: Egypt reminds us of the world, and Joseph reminds us of Jesus!
Genesis 45:7 And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance.
Genesis 50:20 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.
II. BREAD IS SWEET TO THOSE WHO ARE ENJOYING IT
1 Peter 2:3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
Some of you have never trusted Christ as Savior, so it is understandable that you do not enjoy Him. It is not surprising that you have such a hard time going to church or reading the Bible on your own. However, once you have tasted of Him, here is how to get the most enjoyment from the Bread of Life, Jesus Christ:
A. Speak about the Bread – you will work up an appetite merely by talking
1. I love bread! And I love Jesus!
2. I love Jesus, baked in the oven of the scriptures
3. I love Jesus, buttered with the oil of the Spirit
B. Study the Bread
1. Look at it
2. Look for it
3. Lick your lips in anticipation!
4. Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith …
C. Save room for the Bread
1. You can’t be filled with Jesus and be filled with junk at the same time!
D. Spend time eating the Bread
1. Quiet time, meditation
Psalms 63:5-6 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips: 6 When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches.
III. BREAD IS STRENGTH TO THOSE WHO EXERCISE BY IT
Psalms 104:15b … and bread which strengtheneth man’s heart.
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
A. It strengthens the worker
B. It strengthens the walker
and runner
C. It strengthens the warrior
Some people have no strength due to
1. Low-carb diets
2. Low-church diets
3. Low-Christ diets
Some people can’t get themselves to the church because they have never trusted Christ as Savior. Others who are saved yet still cannot because they do not draw their strength from him.
IV. BREAD IS TO BE SHARED BY THOSE WHO EMBRACE IT
John 6:11 And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.
We should give out Jesus, the life-saving bread:
A. Because of the peril of others
B. Because of the preparation of it
1. God sent salvation through Jesus Christ
C. Because of the plentifulness of it
1. Anyone can be saved
2. Everyone would be saved, if they would all trust Christ.
3. Let’s tell everyone about Jesus!
Conclusion: Have you had the real bread, the Lord Jesus Christ, or do you just have religion? Perhaps you need today to receive the living bread and trust Christ as Savior (Acts 16:29-31).
Are you feasting on Jesus every day? Do you have a relationship with Him? Are you doing what you do by His strength? Are you living to please Him? Are you in the center of God’s will? Are you looking for Jesus to return and take you home?