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Crowds and CommitmentCrowds and Commitment

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John’s Account of John’s Account of JesusJesus

Review

Peirazo- temptation, test, trial, prove

Jesus always initiates

But to continue in the relationship, we have to respond

Review

Circumstance-controlled vs. God-centered

Crowds and CommitmentContext

Continuing conversation with the crowd

Last time= 5 Witnesses

This time= Motivation and Call to Commitment

Crowds and Commitment

The next day the crowd that had stayed on the opposite shore of the lake realized that only one boat had been there, and that Jesus had not entered it with his disciples, but that they had gone away alone…


…Then some boats from Tiberias landed near the place where the people had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks. Once the crowd realized that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into the boats and went to Capernaum in search of Jesus…


…When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, "Rabbi, when did you get here?” – vs. 22-25


Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill”- vs. 26

What is the function of a sign?


What are the motives?

BToF: It’s not enough to do the right things (seeking out Jesus). God looks at the motives and intents of the heart (reason for seeking out Jesus) (cf. Hebrews 4:12)


Bottom Line: The things I exalt (and seek after most) are my gods


“Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval…”


…Then they asked him, "What must we do to do the works God requires?” Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent”- vs. 27-29

What is Jesus offering? Calling for?


So they asked him, "What miraculous sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? Our forefathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat’”- vs. 30-31


What are they seeking after now?


Exalting: miracles, appetites, people (Moses)


Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world...”


"Sir," they said, "from now on give us this bread”- vs. 32-34

Exalting? Security


Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe- vs. 35-36


Jesus again calls for faith and offers fulfillment

Jesus = ultimate satisfaction


Principle- Exalting anything other than Jesus means missing Jesus and what he wants to do in my life

Missed Opportunities


“The only Christian who isn’t a satisfied customer is the one who doesn’t shop God’s store exclusively” - Nate Leigh


“All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me...”


“…And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day”- vs. 37-40


Jesus makes the offer yet again!


Jesus = ultimate satisfaction

Jesus = ultimate security


In Jesus, the Father will either draw or drive away


At this the Jews began to grumble about him because he said, "I am the bread that came down from heaven.“ They said, "Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, 'I came down from heaven'?”- vs. 41-42


When I exalt my intellect, what I know can get in the way of what’s true


“Stop grumbling among yourselves," Jesus answered. "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day…”


“…It is written in the Prophets: 'They will all be taught by God.' Everyone who listens (OPEN) to the Father and learns (HUMBLE) from him comes to me’”- vs. 43-45


“Prove it, Jesus. Feed us every day and we’ll give you our devotion…” Dictating to God what he must be to earn their hearts


When we overestimate our righteousness, we underestimate God’s goodness

Total Depravity

Because of Total Depravity:

Most of us have the wrong standard of comparison

None of us seek out God on our own

Religion is entirely corrupt and deceptive as a standard of righteousness

Because of God’s Goodness:

We are created to worship

We are drawn to God

We seek righteousness

Because of God’s Goodness:

We all enjoy Common Grace

Restraint of sin

Civilization

Nature

Conscience


When we overestimate our righteousness, we underestimate God’s goodness- and miss the basis for worship


Jesus is calling for commitment

He alone satisfies

He alone gives security

He alone is worthy of worship

He alone is truth and righteousness

Takeaways:

In what or whom do I find ultimate satisfaction? Security? Love? Truth?

Takeaways:

Do my actions and motives agree with what I’ve just answered?

Takeaways:

Have I in any way told God what he must do in order for me to worship him? If so, will I confess it and repent?

Takeaways:

Will I thank God today for his goodness in my life?

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