INTRODUCTION

1. The Feeding of the Five Thousand

a) This Miracle was recorded in all the Four Gospels

b) This was so notable that all the Gospel writers included this in their book

2. John’s Approach

a) More than just a Miracle was presented

b) Deep spiritual lessons were included

 

THE LESSONS THAT MAY BE DRAWN FROM THIS MIRACLE

1. With reference to the Miracle

a) The Power of God

b) The Provision of God

c) The Person of the Lord Jesus

2. Responses to this Miracle

a) The Disciples struggled in their Faith

b) The Multitudes wanted to force the Lord to be their King

c) There were mixed responses

 

VITAL LESSONS WITH REFERENCE TO THE PERSON OF THE LORD JESUS

1. To consider the Food that endures to everlasting life

“ Do not labour for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life,

which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.” John 6:27

a) The Lord Jesus as the Son of Man

b) He has the Seal of God upon Him

c) He can give food that endures to eternal life

 

2. To believe in the Lord Jesus

28 Then they said to Him, “What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?”

29 Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.” John 6:28-29

a) To consider doing the works of God

b) The most vital work is to believe in the Lord Jesus

c) God had sent Him

 

3. The True Bread from heaven

32 Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, Moses did not give you the bread from heaven,

but My Father gives you the true bread from heaven.

33 For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”

34 Then they said to Him, “Lord, give us this bread always.” John 6:32-34

a) Far greater than Moses

b) More than physical bread

c) The true Bread from Heaven

d) Life to the world

 

AN INVITATION TO RECEIVE THE LORD JESUS

35 And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger,

and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.

36 But I said to you that you have seen Me and yet do not believe.

37 All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. John 6:35-37

1. Coming to the Lord Jesus in faith

a) Receiving Him as the Bread of life

b) The believer will never hunger and thirst

2. A Precious Promise

a) All who come to the Lord will be received

b) They will not be turned away or cast out

 

THE WILL OF GOD

38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.

39 This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day.

40 And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life;

and I will raise him up at the last day. John 6:38-40

1. The Authority of God’s Will

a) It is to be accepted

b) It is to be preferred

c) It is to be fulfilled

2. The Will of God with reference to salvation

a) All who come to the Lord Jesus will not be lost

b) They will be raised up one day

c) They will have everlasting life

 

DECISION TO REJECT OR TO RECEIVE

60 Therefore many of His disciples, when they heard this, said, “This is a [m]hard saying; who can understand it?”

61 When Jesus knew in Himself that His disciples complained about this, He said to them, “Does this offend you?

62 What then if you should see the Son of Man ascend where He was before?

63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.

64 But there are some of you who do not believe.”

For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him.

65 And He said, “Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father.”

66 From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more.

67 Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?”

68 But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.

69 Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” John 6:60-69

1. Negative Response

a) They refused to follow Him

b) They rejected Him

2. Positive Response

a) They recognised that the Lord Jesus had the words of eternal life

b) They reaffirmed their decision to follow the Lord Jesus Christ