WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.339 You are listening to a message from Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama. 00:00:06.799 --> 00:00:09.359 Our passion is to experience and express grace. 00:00:10.000 --> 00:00:10.500 Join us. 00:00:13.599 --> 00:00:18.519 Boy, I don't know about you, but I feel like a lot has happened since we were last here 00:00:18.519 --> 00:00:19.000 together. 00:00:19.900 --> 00:00:25.260 Or perhaps a lot has changed, but very little has happened for many of you. 00:00:25.339 --> 00:00:26.260 Maybe you've enjoyed that. 00:00:26.339 --> 00:00:27.600 Maybe that's been really difficult. 00:00:27.600 --> 00:00:33.100 But it's quite possible, it doesn't feel like just last week that we were looking at 00:00:33.100 --> 00:00:37.760 the first half of Jesus' Bread of Life sermon in John 6. 00:00:37.980 --> 00:00:43.719 But that was the first part of Jesus' sermon after feeding the 5,000. 00:00:44.079 --> 00:00:52.439 He announced himself as the Bread of Life, the gracious invitation to us to come find lasting 00:00:52.439 --> 00:00:54.840 satisfaction in Jesus. 00:00:54.840 --> 00:01:04.240 He gave us glorious promises of life, of salvation by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ 00:01:04.240 --> 00:01:13.439 alone, that we might embrace the Savior who has already come to us to give us life eternal. 00:01:15.120 --> 00:01:20.960 Jesus is going to keep reiterating many of those themes in the second half of this sermon, which 00:01:20.959 --> 00:01:24.299 we're about to read together. 00:01:24.299 --> 00:01:32.379 But notice as I read for us, that he speaks now surrounded by increased grumbling from 00:01:32.379 --> 00:01:37.159 his followers, from people gathered in the synagogue to hear him. 00:01:38.479 --> 00:01:45.299 Interestingly, grumbling was what was going on back among God's people in the Old Testament 00:01:45.299 --> 00:01:48.659 when the manna came down from heaven. 00:01:48.659 --> 00:01:55.560 And now the bread of life himself coming from heaven to grumbling. 00:01:57.200 --> 00:02:02.679 As I told you last week, at the end of the sermon, we'll see that people are sharply divided 00:02:02.679 --> 00:02:07.640 over what he preaches and who Jesus is. 00:02:07.640 --> 00:02:15.039 A division of skepticism versus belief that John puts before us and we're going to talk 00:02:15.039 --> 00:02:16.340 about a little bit today. 00:02:16.639 --> 00:02:24.000 Notice that as we read this long section, beginning at verse 41 of chapter 6. 00:02:24.000 --> 00:02:35.120 So the Jews grumbled about him because he said, I am the bread that came down from heaven. 00:02:35.360 --> 00:02:41.259 They said, is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? 00:02:41.439 --> 00:02:45.180 How does he now say, I have come down from heaven? 00:02:46.819 --> 00:02:50.479 And Jesus answered them, do not grumble among yourselves. 00:02:50.479 --> 00:02:57.319 No one can come to me unless the father who sent me draws him and I will raise him up on 00:02:57.319 --> 00:02:58.179 the last day. 00:02:59.000 --> 00:03:03.039 It is written in the prophets and they will all be taught by God. 00:03:03.560 --> 00:03:07.939 Everyone who has heard and learned from the father comes to me. 00:03:08.879 --> 00:03:12.199 Not that anyone has seen the father except him who is from God. 00:03:12.500 --> 00:03:13.839 He has seen the father. 00:03:14.679 --> 00:03:18.280 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. 00:03:18.280 --> 00:03:21.319 I am the bread of life. 00:03:21.620 --> 00:03:24.759 Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness and they died. 00:03:25.439 --> 00:03:30.879 This is the bread that comes down from heaven so that one may eat of it and not die. 00:03:31.360 --> 00:03:34.180 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. 00:03:34.560 --> 00:03:37.719 If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. 00:03:38.319 --> 00:03:43.860 And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh. 00:03:43.860 --> 00:03:50.900 The Jews then disputed among themselves saying, how can this man give us his flesh to eat? 00:03:52.320 --> 00:03:57.460 So Jesus said to them, truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the son 00:03:57.460 --> 00:04:00.400 of man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. 00:04:00.780 --> 00:04:06.680 Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life and I will raise him up on 00:04:06.680 --> 00:04:07.540 the last day. 00:04:07.840 --> 00:04:11.980 For my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. 00:04:11.979 --> 00:04:16.620 Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me and I in him. 00:04:17.300 --> 00:04:24.240 As the living father sent me and I live because of the father, so whoever feeds on me, he also 00:04:24.240 --> 00:04:26.199 will live because of me. 00:04:26.860 --> 00:04:31.240 This is the bread that came down from heaven, not as the fathers ate and died. 00:04:31.579 --> 00:04:35.180 Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever. 00:04:36.500 --> 00:04:40.879 Jesus said these things in the synagogue as he taught at Capernaum. 00:04:40.879 --> 00:04:48.319 When many of his disciples heard it, they said, this is a hard saying. 00:04:48.620 --> 00:04:50.360 Who can listen to it? 00:04:51.300 --> 00:04:56.920 But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were grumbling about this, said to them, do 00:04:56.920 --> 00:04:58.379 you take offense at this? 00:04:59.079 --> 00:05:02.879 Then what if you were to see the son of man ascending to where he was before? 00:05:03.560 --> 00:05:05.100 It is the spirit who gives life. 00:05:05.180 --> 00:05:06.620 The flesh is of no avail. 00:05:06.620 --> 00:05:11.980 The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life, but there are some of you who do 00:05:11.980 --> 00:05:12.840 not believe. 00:05:13.780 --> 00:05:19.019 For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe and who it was who 00:05:19.019 --> 00:05:20.000 would betray him. 00:05:21.019 --> 00:05:26.360 And he said, this is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him 00:05:26.360 --> 00:05:27.480 by the father. 00:05:27.480 --> 00:05:33.800 After this, many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. 00:05:35.000 --> 00:05:39.040 So Jesus said to the 12, do you want to go away as well? 00:05:40.640 --> 00:05:45.160 Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? 00:05:45.939 --> 00:05:51.700 You have the words of eternal life and we have believed and have come to know that you are 00:05:51.700 --> 00:05:53.360 the Holy One of God. 00:05:53.360 --> 00:05:59.860 Jesus answered them, did I not choose you, the 12, and yet one of you is a devil? 00:06:01.100 --> 00:06:07.680 He spoke of Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, for he, one of the 12, was going to betray him. 00:06:09.040 --> 00:06:09.800 Let's pray. 00:06:11.379 --> 00:06:21.860 Father, would you draw our hearts right now, this morning, again and afresh to Jesus. 00:06:21.860 --> 00:06:24.819 Show us our Savior. 00:06:26.580 --> 00:06:33.980 Draw us to him in worship, in need, in desperation for life. 00:06:35.340 --> 00:06:37.879 By your spirit we ask it in his name. 00:06:38.600 --> 00:06:38.900 Amen. 00:06:38.899 --> 00:06:39.019 Amen. 00:06:42.859 --> 00:06:47.719 If you live in Huntsville, Alabama and someone tells you there's going to be three to five 00:06:47.719 --> 00:06:51.659 inches of snow tomorrow, you should be skeptical. 00:06:53.579 --> 00:06:59.579 If you get an email saying you've won a $1,000 Walmart gift card, just put your social security 00:06:59.579 --> 00:07:01.899 number in right here and then you... 00:07:01.899 --> 00:07:04.199 You should be skeptical. 00:07:04.199 --> 00:07:11.920 If the politician promises that if you vote for him, your income will go up and your taxes 00:07:11.920 --> 00:07:14.800 will go down, you should be skeptical. 00:07:15.920 --> 00:07:23.659 It is increasingly popular and praiseworthy, in fact, in our culture to be skeptical, even 00:07:23.659 --> 00:07:24.519 cynical. 00:07:24.519 --> 00:07:30.939 So much so that I read this week that some university professors are now challenging their 00:07:30.939 --> 00:07:34.599 students to have skepticism about their skepticism. 00:07:35.539 --> 00:07:37.219 Think on that one for a minute. 00:07:38.859 --> 00:07:46.500 Skepticism and cynicism is so much the air we breathe these days that I regularly challenge 00:07:46.500 --> 00:07:56.279 just not to be cynical, not to be so quick to feel negative or reject the truth. 00:07:57.920 --> 00:08:03.220 This morning, though, I'd like to begin by telling you that even when it comes to spiritual 00:08:03.220 --> 00:08:08.339 things, in some ways especially when it comes to spiritual things, you really should at least 00:08:08.339 --> 00:08:10.319 be skeptical. 00:08:10.319 --> 00:08:14.719 To be honest, it's warranted. 00:08:15.500 --> 00:08:18.399 It's appropriate in several ways. 00:08:18.680 --> 00:08:24.620 So especially if you think of yourself as cynical, here's your chance. 00:08:25.040 --> 00:08:27.300 Like, this is your day here, okay? 00:08:27.439 --> 00:08:35.519 If you're a cynic, here are groups of people you should be skeptical about. 00:08:35.519 --> 00:08:40.179 Church leaders and preachers. 00:08:41.559 --> 00:08:48.860 I'm thankful for many examples of pastors who seem to have largely lived as faithfully as 00:08:48.860 --> 00:08:49.639 they preached. 00:08:50.360 --> 00:08:59.539 But it is often true of preachers that we talk better than we walk, sometimes scandalously 00:08:59.539 --> 00:09:00.079 so. 00:09:00.080 --> 00:09:06.820 Sometimes we're quick to repent, other times we're not. 00:09:08.440 --> 00:09:16.100 I am really glad most of you could not see or hear the pride, the impatience in my heart 00:09:16.100 --> 00:09:22.460 this week as plans got disrupted over and over, and I often don't respond well to that. 00:09:24.259 --> 00:09:28.460 You should be skeptical about church institutions. 00:09:28.460 --> 00:09:36.960 Many of you have experienced churches where the functional mission of that church seems more 00:09:36.960 --> 00:09:46.000 protective, like a club for them, than altruistic, like a mission for others. 00:09:46.400 --> 00:09:54.060 That has hurt some of you, especially those of you prone to skepticism and questions, 00:09:54.059 --> 00:09:59.359 which churches have often seemed to silence or ignore. 00:10:00.899 --> 00:10:05.039 Let's just go ahead and admit you should be skeptical about church people in general. 00:10:05.679 --> 00:10:06.959 We're a sketchy bunch. 00:10:08.319 --> 00:10:14.079 You should be skeptical about the motivations you hear or perceive behind why we vote the 00:10:14.079 --> 00:10:14.659 way we do. 00:10:15.659 --> 00:10:18.239 Why we spend our money the way we do. 00:10:18.240 --> 00:10:22.399 Why we treat people we disagree with the way we do. 00:10:23.220 --> 00:10:28.399 Sometimes it's not consistent with what we say we believe. 00:10:29.799 --> 00:10:33.320 While we're at it, you should be skeptical about Bible characters. 00:10:34.299 --> 00:10:41.740 I hope you know that David didn't just defeat Goliath, although that was a great moment, but 00:10:41.740 --> 00:10:47.159 he also committed adultery with Bathsheba and had Uriah murdered. 00:10:48.740 --> 00:10:50.580 Father Abraham lied. 00:10:52.279 --> 00:10:58.879 The apostle Peter was really bold with his words, except for all the times he was really 00:10:58.879 --> 00:11:01.759 fearful and angry and self-protective. 00:11:01.759 --> 00:11:10.480 The list is getting a bit long, I think, but I want to include one more person this morning 00:11:10.480 --> 00:11:11.819 to be skeptical about. 00:11:13.439 --> 00:11:14.120 Yourself. 00:11:16.059 --> 00:11:17.819 Spiritually, I mean. 00:11:19.379 --> 00:11:21.580 Especially if you're a Presbyterian. 00:11:21.580 --> 00:11:30.860 Jesus is warning us here in this passage about trusting our own ability to have everything 00:11:30.860 --> 00:11:32.080 figured out. 00:11:32.460 --> 00:11:35.360 All of our theology just perfect. 00:11:35.560 --> 00:11:37.040 To make sense of Jesus. 00:11:37.259 --> 00:11:40.840 To explain it all simply like it's no big deal. 00:11:41.259 --> 00:11:45.879 Often Presbyterians get excited about theological precision. 00:11:46.100 --> 00:11:46.780 Can I get an amen? 00:11:48.140 --> 00:11:51.120 Yes, theological precision is a good thing. 00:11:51.580 --> 00:12:01.460 As long as we remain skeptical about our own ability to get it all right. 00:12:02.960 --> 00:12:05.780 Look at Jesus pointing this out to the grumblers. 00:12:06.840 --> 00:12:14.580 They can't get their heads wrapped around Joseph and Mary's son, the one they've watched grow 00:12:14.580 --> 00:12:18.000 up, say that he came from heaven. 00:12:18.000 --> 00:12:19.500 Come on, Jesus. 00:12:19.700 --> 00:12:22.940 We've been here watching you since you were knee high to a grasshopper. 00:12:23.080 --> 00:12:24.220 What are you talking about? 00:12:25.899 --> 00:12:27.240 Verse 43. 00:12:28.039 --> 00:12:31.100 Do not grumble among yourselves. 00:12:32.539 --> 00:12:36.899 No one can come to me unless the father who sent me draws him. 00:12:36.899 --> 00:12:46.879 It's right here at this most important point about the identity of Jesus that we most need 00:12:46.879 --> 00:12:49.500 to recognize our limitations. 00:12:50.500 --> 00:12:55.220 It's not something you just puzzle out in your head and it all makes easy sense. 00:12:55.459 --> 00:12:57.500 Jesus says it's not how it works. 00:12:57.500 --> 00:13:05.879 You won't come to me by grumbling it out until you understand the father has to draw you. 00:13:06.340 --> 00:13:12.720 Embracing me as the bread of life is a supernatural matter. 00:13:12.720 --> 00:13:19.160 Now, we sometimes struggle to understand how this works, don't we? 00:13:19.860 --> 00:13:26.040 But what is clear throughout this passage is that when we come to Jesus, when we believe 00:13:26.040 --> 00:13:36.680 in him, we are both completely dependent on God for that and completely free in doing so. 00:13:36.679 --> 00:13:44.679 Look at how the Bible holds together truths that we sometimes think compete with one another. 00:13:45.259 --> 00:13:46.719 Verse 37. 00:13:47.359 --> 00:13:51.639 All that the father gives me will come to me. 00:13:52.399 --> 00:13:56.419 And whoever comes to me, I will never cast out. 00:13:57.019 --> 00:13:58.319 Both of those in the same verse. 00:13:58.579 --> 00:13:59.339 Verse 40. 00:14:00.399 --> 00:14:05.759 This is the will of my father that everyone who looks on the son and believes in him should 00:14:05.759 --> 00:14:09.559 have eternal life and I will raise him up on the last day. 00:14:10.000 --> 00:14:18.519 And, verse 44, no one can come to me unless the father who sent me draws him and I will raise him up on the last day. 00:14:19.139 --> 00:14:21.159 Both of those at the same time. 00:14:21.480 --> 00:14:23.639 It's a hopeful verse, right? 00:14:23.639 --> 00:14:28.679 About Jesus raising people up, not about keeping them away. 00:14:28.679 --> 00:14:41.459 But we are utterly hopeless apart from God's grace coming and giving life to a dead and undeserving heart. 00:14:41.839 --> 00:14:44.219 God must draw. 00:14:45.279 --> 00:14:51.120 And then we must come and must believe in Jesus. 00:14:51.120 --> 00:14:59.899 So if you've come to Jesus, if that's your story, then this should prompt deep humility, right? 00:15:00.799 --> 00:15:05.980 And at the same time, deep gratitude to God for what he has done. 00:15:06.080 --> 00:15:09.860 We are completely dependent upon him. 00:15:10.860 --> 00:15:14.899 So we have to be skeptical about ourselves. 00:15:14.899 --> 00:15:20.819 Trusting our own reasoning that we can figure things out. 00:15:20.879 --> 00:15:25.059 That assumes already that we are the final authority over God. 00:15:25.179 --> 00:15:27.699 That we're the ones with the control here. 00:15:30.059 --> 00:15:34.659 Here's part of what Jesus wants us to hear here in his sermon. 00:15:35.840 --> 00:15:41.480 Maybe you're skeptical that we got it right about the age of the earth. 00:15:42.799 --> 00:15:43.679 Some of you are. 00:15:43.679 --> 00:15:59.379 Maybe you're skeptical that your church or that any church has this tough relationship between divine sovereignty and human responsibility sorted out just right. 00:16:00.859 --> 00:16:07.919 Maybe you're skeptical about the problem of evil and the best way to solve it. 00:16:09.399 --> 00:16:10.000 Fine. 00:16:12.000 --> 00:16:13.599 Even good. 00:16:13.679 --> 00:16:23.059 That skepticism may be prompted by an appropriate humility and self-awareness that you have. 00:16:23.679 --> 00:16:29.839 But don't let that skepticism keep you from Jesus. 00:16:30.879 --> 00:16:35.339 Don't let that skepticism keep you from Jesus. 00:16:35.340 --> 00:16:39.180 That's why Jesus keeps saying, come to me. 00:16:39.740 --> 00:16:40.720 Believe in me. 00:16:41.560 --> 00:16:43.320 Why is that so important? 00:16:43.600 --> 00:16:50.580 Why is it so vital that even if we miss everything else and even if we get our theology wrong somewhere, that we don't miss Jesus? 00:16:51.720 --> 00:16:53.780 Well, there are a lot of answers to that question. 00:16:53.779 --> 00:17:01.159 But Jesus gives us at least three reasons to have hope. 00:17:01.159 --> 00:17:07.299 That there is a person worthy of our trust. 00:17:07.299 --> 00:17:08.299 About whom this person. 00:17:08.299 --> 00:17:09.480 This person. 00:17:09.480 --> 00:17:13.159 We need never be skeptical or cynical. 00:17:13.680 --> 00:17:17.200 Uniquely, unlike with all these other religious people I mentioned. 00:17:17.599 --> 00:17:18.539 Myself included. 00:17:18.539 --> 00:17:22.859 We can always trust him. 00:17:22.859 --> 00:17:24.139 Why? 00:17:24.259 --> 00:17:24.539 How? 00:17:25.019 --> 00:17:33.359 First reason is that Jesus offers himself as the source of the life that we can't achieve ourselves. 00:17:33.359 --> 00:17:35.619 We're stuck without him. 00:17:36.039 --> 00:17:38.299 It sounds like what he said last week. 00:17:38.479 --> 00:17:39.599 Listen to verse 47. 00:17:40.039 --> 00:17:48.979 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life, I am the bread of life. 00:17:49.559 --> 00:17:52.500 Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness and they died. 00:17:53.559 --> 00:17:59.639 This is the bread that comes down from heaven so that one may eat of it and not die. 00:18:00.219 --> 00:18:00.599 What is? 00:18:00.599 --> 00:18:05.480 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. 00:18:05.819 --> 00:18:09.740 If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. 00:18:10.519 --> 00:18:11.879 What an offer, right? 00:18:12.839 --> 00:18:15.719 Just for trusting him. 00:18:16.279 --> 00:18:19.240 Just for believing in him. 00:18:19.379 --> 00:18:24.339 We get life that we can get no other way. 00:18:24.339 --> 00:18:31.059 That's the point of what Jesus is saying in verses 45 and 46. 00:18:32.159 --> 00:18:36.519 He quotes from the prophet Isaiah in chapter 54. 00:18:36.919 --> 00:18:39.220 It's the section of Isaiah. 00:18:39.619 --> 00:18:45.000 It's connected to the part we read last week at the beginning of Isaiah 55. 00:18:45.000 --> 00:18:53.059 Where there's this gracious, free offer to come and drink without price. 00:18:53.220 --> 00:18:54.440 It's all free. 00:18:54.819 --> 00:19:03.220 God tells his exiled people to be taught by him of really important, glorious things. 00:19:03.220 --> 00:19:06.460 Of his great compassion. 00:19:07.039 --> 00:19:11.360 Of his everlasting love for them. 00:19:11.360 --> 00:19:17.960 Of his eternal covenant of peace as a free gift. 00:19:18.140 --> 00:19:19.259 I'd encourage you to read. 00:19:19.339 --> 00:19:20.539 It's a glorious section. 00:19:20.660 --> 00:19:22.940 Read all of Isaiah 54 and 55 later. 00:19:22.940 --> 00:19:35.000 But for now, I want to tell you how God describes the people to whom he offers this amazing free gift. 00:19:35.120 --> 00:19:37.100 See if any of these sound like you. 00:19:38.779 --> 00:19:39.620 Afflicted. 00:19:41.100 --> 00:19:42.539 Storm-tossed. 00:19:43.440 --> 00:19:44.160 Grieved. 00:19:44.860 --> 00:19:46.180 Not comforted. 00:19:47.140 --> 00:19:47.580 Widowed. 00:19:48.279 --> 00:19:48.920 Deserted. 00:19:49.440 --> 00:19:50.120 Ashamed. 00:19:50.920 --> 00:19:51.400 Barren. 00:19:52.200 --> 00:19:52.740 Desolate. 00:19:53.500 --> 00:19:54.019 Thirsty. 00:19:54.860 --> 00:19:56.700 Having no money. 00:19:58.580 --> 00:20:03.120 To those people he says, come drink without price. 00:20:03.580 --> 00:20:04.720 No charge. 00:20:05.019 --> 00:20:06.019 It's on me. 00:20:06.019 --> 00:20:20.180 And Jesus here in this passage clarifies that God's true people, all the ones that God teaches about this free gift, ultimately come to Jesus. 00:20:20.180 --> 00:20:25.360 Everyone God teaches comes to me. 00:20:25.359 --> 00:20:27.359 Jesus says. 00:20:28.079 --> 00:20:28.539 Listen to that. 00:20:28.579 --> 00:20:28.699 Listen. 00:20:28.919 --> 00:20:31.219 They may baptize with different amounts of water. 00:20:32.619 --> 00:20:34.599 They may vote differently from you. 00:20:34.959 --> 00:20:36.939 They may talk differently from you. 00:20:36.940 --> 00:20:37.559 But they all come to me. 00:20:37.559 --> 00:20:39.779 They may not come to me. 00:20:39.779 --> 00:20:39.799 They may not come to me. 00:20:39.799 --> 00:20:39.820 They may not come to me. 00:20:39.820 --> 00:20:39.840 They may not come to me. 00:20:39.840 --> 00:20:41.600 Keep coming to me. 00:20:41.680 --> 00:20:44.220 Because you can't earn this life. 00:20:44.340 --> 00:20:45.460 It's amazing grace. 00:20:45.580 --> 00:20:45.799 Right? 00:20:46.400 --> 00:20:46.660 Right? 00:20:46.720 --> 00:20:47.880 That's why we sing it. 00:20:47.880 --> 00:20:51.160 It is by grace through faith in me. 00:20:51.160 --> 00:20:52.900 It's the only way you get this life. 00:20:52.900 --> 00:21:01.160 But you know, preachers are notorious for talking a big game, aren't they? 00:21:02.680 --> 00:21:04.259 That doesn't mean you can trust them. 00:21:05.980 --> 00:21:08.360 Big promises if we follow you, Jesus. 00:21:08.460 --> 00:21:09.500 That sounds cool. 00:21:10.140 --> 00:21:12.620 But will you deliver? 00:21:14.360 --> 00:21:15.720 Can we trust you for that? 00:21:15.720 --> 00:21:19.700 Here's how you know you can trust him. 00:21:21.200 --> 00:21:28.039 Jesus backs up his words by selflessly giving his life to give us life. 00:21:29.000 --> 00:21:31.480 Jesus is not the preacher who says, come to me. 00:21:32.100 --> 00:21:37.819 Give me one million dollars and your life will be successful in return. 00:21:39.000 --> 00:21:39.920 That's not what he says. 00:21:40.579 --> 00:21:42.339 He says, come to me. 00:21:43.279 --> 00:21:44.680 I'll do all the work. 00:21:45.720 --> 00:21:53.860 And you will get life eternal for free as a gift forever. 00:21:54.920 --> 00:21:56.319 End of verse 51. 00:21:57.460 --> 00:22:04.620 The bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh. 00:22:05.620 --> 00:22:09.920 He's going to give his own body as a sacrifice. 00:22:09.920 --> 00:22:16.080 In fact, in the next few verses, you'll see he expands to his flesh and his blood. 00:22:17.680 --> 00:22:19.400 Down to verse 57. 00:22:19.620 --> 00:22:24.900 He says, as the living father sent me and I live because of the father. 00:22:25.680 --> 00:22:25.900 Right. 00:22:26.060 --> 00:22:27.160 My life from him. 00:22:27.160 --> 00:22:32.259 So whoever feeds on me, he also will live. 00:22:32.660 --> 00:22:32.900 How? 00:22:33.300 --> 00:22:33.740 Where? 00:22:34.140 --> 00:22:35.560 Because of me. 00:22:35.960 --> 00:22:38.320 This is the bread that came down from heaven. 00:22:38.560 --> 00:22:40.820 Not the kind, not as the fathers ate and died. 00:22:40.900 --> 00:22:41.480 Not like that. 00:22:42.060 --> 00:22:46.200 Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever. 00:22:46.200 --> 00:22:51.440 However, I need you to think about eating for just a minute because it's a little bit different for us. 00:22:52.000 --> 00:22:56.559 Here is what the people who were listening to Jesus talk would have known really well about eating. 00:22:57.100 --> 00:22:58.539 Eating meant for you to live. 00:22:58.539 --> 00:23:01.000 If something else had to die. 00:23:02.039 --> 00:23:02.200 Right. 00:23:02.839 --> 00:23:10.920 When they chewed on bread or vegetables, they first had harvested the wheat or the crops. 00:23:11.019 --> 00:23:12.440 They had cut it off. 00:23:12.500 --> 00:23:12.740 Right. 00:23:13.059 --> 00:23:16.440 From its life source so that it would die. 00:23:17.539 --> 00:23:22.420 When they ate lamb, the life was in the blood that was shed right there. 00:23:22.420 --> 00:23:28.259 And they saw it probably from a young age, right before the meat was prepared for them to eat. 00:23:28.539 --> 00:23:30.899 And that is true for you and me too. 00:23:30.980 --> 00:23:35.859 But most of us have never met the chicken alive that we eat for dinner. 00:23:36.000 --> 00:23:36.220 Right. 00:23:36.559 --> 00:23:40.460 Or even the lettuce on the plant before it was in our salad. 00:23:40.559 --> 00:23:42.960 That's not something we're intimately familiar with. 00:23:42.980 --> 00:23:44.359 And some of you don't like thinking about it. 00:23:44.399 --> 00:23:44.940 I know that. 00:23:46.240 --> 00:23:49.639 But here's what Jesus is saying that we don't need to miss. 00:23:50.059 --> 00:23:54.039 This talk of eating his flesh and drinking his blood. 00:23:54.299 --> 00:23:56.200 It's making people a little uncomfortable. 00:23:57.139 --> 00:23:58.200 Don't miss this. 00:23:58.539 --> 00:24:05.019 What Jesus is saying is that either he dies or we do. 00:24:06.139 --> 00:24:06.319 Right. 00:24:07.299 --> 00:24:07.940 Something. 00:24:08.799 --> 00:24:13.539 Someone has to die for us to live. 00:24:14.059 --> 00:24:19.059 Jesus is saying the bread he gives for the life of the world is his flesh. 00:24:19.259 --> 00:24:24.299 That is, I will give my life to give you life because that's how it works. 00:24:24.599 --> 00:24:27.359 That's how you find life when you eat. 00:24:27.359 --> 00:24:32.059 I don't think Jesus is talking primarily about the Lord's Supper here. 00:24:32.059 --> 00:24:34.759 He hasn't instituted it yet at this point. 00:24:35.359 --> 00:24:41.240 He's talking about our believing in his death in our place. 00:24:41.240 --> 00:24:46.279 But of course, that is beautifully pictured for us in the Lord's Supper. 00:24:46.279 --> 00:24:55.940 When he does give that to his church to remember and to rest in his body and his blood shed for us. 00:24:55.940 --> 00:25:01.320 What a joy to celebrate that and remember what he has done. 00:25:02.420 --> 00:25:04.759 Jesus' death on the cross. 00:25:04.980 --> 00:25:08.820 One of the most widely attested events in all of ancient history. 00:25:09.680 --> 00:25:13.680 Christians, Jews, the Romans alike. 00:25:13.680 --> 00:25:18.940 His death on the cross shows us that we can trust him. 00:25:19.900 --> 00:25:26.060 Jesus is worthy of our trust because he's not amassing things for himself. 00:25:26.640 --> 00:25:27.680 It's not what he's like. 00:25:28.000 --> 00:25:36.279 No, he is living and dying selflessly so that we get the gift of true life in relationship with him. 00:25:36.279 --> 00:25:47.200 In spite of that offer, though, many of those listening found Jesus' words to be hard. 00:25:48.879 --> 00:25:52.559 This is more of the Bible's honesty that I so appreciate. 00:25:53.059 --> 00:25:55.000 It rings so true, doesn't it? 00:25:55.180 --> 00:25:59.359 Did you not think anything in there that I read just a few minutes ago was hard? 00:25:59.359 --> 00:26:02.819 It did. 00:26:03.679 --> 00:26:06.000 It struck them off balance. 00:26:06.740 --> 00:26:14.359 And after Jesus responds to their grumbling again and he reiterates their dependence on divine grace. 00:26:14.699 --> 00:26:19.279 No one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father. 00:26:19.740 --> 00:26:25.979 After this, many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. 00:26:25.980 --> 00:26:30.039 That group that had followed him, not the 12, but the rest of them. 00:26:30.079 --> 00:26:31.240 Many of them left. 00:26:31.900 --> 00:26:33.360 So that maybe he was down to 12. 00:26:33.640 --> 00:26:35.720 We don't know for sure, but it sounds like it. 00:26:37.220 --> 00:26:40.660 What was hard for them, do you think? 00:26:43.180 --> 00:26:48.900 Well, we know that the divine nature of Jesus coming down from heaven was hard for them. 00:26:49.019 --> 00:26:50.400 We see that here. 00:26:50.400 --> 00:26:55.880 They were, we saw earlier, quite okay with Jesus being one of them. 00:26:55.980 --> 00:26:58.599 Who loved them and had lots of great benefits. 00:26:58.860 --> 00:26:59.460 Free meals. 00:26:59.860 --> 00:27:00.779 They were cool with that. 00:27:01.779 --> 00:27:05.319 But when he becomes someone altogether different. 00:27:06.160 --> 00:27:09.120 Who stands beyond and over us. 00:27:09.319 --> 00:27:10.940 They're getting uncomfortable. 00:27:13.220 --> 00:27:15.640 Perhaps it's the grace alone part. 00:27:16.299 --> 00:27:18.160 That's what's right before this. 00:27:18.819 --> 00:27:19.900 Right before they leave. 00:27:19.900 --> 00:27:26.820 Our complete dependence on God that Jesus keeps hammering here at Greats against our pride. 00:27:27.080 --> 00:27:28.080 And our independence. 00:27:28.320 --> 00:27:30.200 We love our independence, don't we? 00:27:30.880 --> 00:27:32.960 And this is uncomfortable for that. 00:27:35.000 --> 00:27:40.640 Perhaps it's just that many aren't looking for something that is so different. 00:27:40.640 --> 00:27:43.620 So starkly different. 00:27:45.259 --> 00:27:51.220 It's a hard saying because they're realizing that they have to be all in with this Jesus. 00:27:51.360 --> 00:27:55.160 He's talking about eating his flesh and drinking his blood. 00:27:55.360 --> 00:28:02.160 There's a full life, wholehearted participation in him that Jesus is talking about. 00:28:02.660 --> 00:28:05.460 And if we're really going to draw life from him. 00:28:05.780 --> 00:28:06.520 I don't know, man. 00:28:06.520 --> 00:28:08.920 Life's not all that terrible. 00:28:08.920 --> 00:28:12.680 I mean, I just wanted a miracle or two here and there. 00:28:12.779 --> 00:28:14.740 A little bit of extra freedom from Rome. 00:28:14.860 --> 00:28:17.180 And that's enough. 00:28:18.720 --> 00:28:22.980 Maybe you feel that with Jesus today yourself. 00:28:23.220 --> 00:28:28.200 I just wanted some friends and a church to claim when I'm asked about it at work. 00:28:28.259 --> 00:28:30.640 So I can feel like a legit Christian in Alabama. 00:28:32.580 --> 00:28:36.180 I just wanted a place for my kids to be safe and polite. 00:28:36.180 --> 00:28:37.720 And honestly, there was a free nursery. 00:28:38.920 --> 00:28:42.860 Life's not all that terrible. 00:28:42.860 --> 00:28:44.640 I don't need this disruption. 00:28:45.080 --> 00:28:46.700 This all in sort of thing. 00:28:46.860 --> 00:28:49.420 Like life is only found here. 00:28:52.060 --> 00:28:53.740 Jesus would say to you, 00:28:54.180 --> 00:28:56.740 don't walk away from me 00:28:56.740 --> 00:29:02.779 and miss true, abundant, everlasting life. 00:29:02.940 --> 00:29:05.900 Not life that is always easy. 00:29:05.900 --> 00:29:06.720 No, no. 00:29:06.860 --> 00:29:07.820 That's not what he's offering. 00:29:08.120 --> 00:29:11.240 He's promising life that always has joy. 00:29:11.420 --> 00:29:13.340 That always has purpose. 00:29:13.560 --> 00:29:16.140 That always, no matter what happens, has hope. 00:29:19.100 --> 00:29:21.500 So he turns to his 12 disciples and says, 00:29:21.840 --> 00:29:23.980 do you want to leave too? 00:29:25.019 --> 00:29:26.680 Go with everybody else. 00:29:26.680 --> 00:29:31.100 Peter gives the alternative answer to leaving, 00:29:31.100 --> 00:29:32.580 to rejecting Jesus, 00:29:32.940 --> 00:29:36.860 to remaining only cynical about everything and everyone. 00:29:37.980 --> 00:29:41.140 Lord, to whom shall we go? 00:29:42.180 --> 00:29:44.640 You have the words of eternal life 00:29:44.640 --> 00:29:47.400 and we have believed and have come to know 00:29:47.400 --> 00:29:50.960 that you are the Holy One of God. 00:29:52.400 --> 00:29:53.600 You see, Peter didn't say, 00:29:53.800 --> 00:29:54.420 do we want to leave? 00:29:54.540 --> 00:29:55.360 Of course not. 00:29:55.720 --> 00:29:57.300 This is easy and simple for us. 00:29:57.540 --> 00:29:58.600 We understand it all. 00:29:59.160 --> 00:29:59.920 Is that what Peter said? 00:30:02.320 --> 00:30:03.320 That's not what I read. 00:30:03.640 --> 00:30:05.600 Let me translate if I could. 00:30:05.599 --> 00:30:08.259 It's as though Peter's more saying, 00:30:08.639 --> 00:30:10.619 you know, this is hard. 00:30:12.199 --> 00:30:14.899 I'm not sure I understand, Jesus. 00:30:16.639 --> 00:30:21.279 But only you could make the hard parts worth it. 00:30:22.699 --> 00:30:25.319 Only you, Jesus, can help me make sense 00:30:25.319 --> 00:30:27.059 of what I don't understand. 00:30:27.439 --> 00:30:30.459 I can't imagine life without you, Jesus. 00:30:30.779 --> 00:30:32.359 Where else would I find it? 00:30:32.359 --> 00:30:37.359 One of the realities that makes Christianity unique 00:30:37.359 --> 00:30:41.339 among systems of belief and even unbelief 00:30:41.339 --> 00:30:44.459 is that all of Christianity hangs 00:30:44.459 --> 00:30:47.879 on the reality of Jesus, one person. 00:30:49.639 --> 00:30:53.439 Jesus invites us into life in relationship with him, 00:30:53.579 --> 00:30:55.419 not merely a list of things to do 00:30:55.419 --> 00:30:57.399 or what to believe. 00:30:57.979 --> 00:31:00.279 Without him, it's all a waste. 00:31:00.279 --> 00:31:03.879 Islam is fine without Muhammad. 00:31:04.279 --> 00:31:04.899 It stands. 00:31:06.539 --> 00:31:08.720 Hinduism doesn't look to a person, 00:31:09.099 --> 00:31:11.819 but more a combination of principles of life 00:31:11.819 --> 00:31:12.839 or existence. 00:31:14.299 --> 00:31:17.339 The Buddha ended his life by saying, 00:31:17.680 --> 00:31:20.299 work hard to gain your own salvation. 00:31:21.960 --> 00:31:23.740 You can do that without him. 00:31:24.539 --> 00:31:26.639 In fact, you have to. 00:31:27.599 --> 00:31:28.200 Because he's gone. 00:31:28.200 --> 00:31:31.620 But Jesus, 00:31:32.380 --> 00:31:34.360 Jesus says, 00:31:34.759 --> 00:31:35.259 life, 00:31:35.740 --> 00:31:37.059 salvation, 00:31:37.700 --> 00:31:39.660 is found in him. 00:31:40.299 --> 00:31:42.700 To whom shall we go? 00:31:43.700 --> 00:31:44.500 Ourselves? 00:31:45.580 --> 00:31:46.600 Your religion? 00:31:46.759 --> 00:31:47.960 It's just me? 00:31:48.380 --> 00:31:50.140 My own understanding? 00:31:50.680 --> 00:31:52.160 My own efforts? 00:31:52.480 --> 00:31:53.779 My own experiences? 00:31:53.779 --> 00:31:57.819 I don't trust me, y'all. 00:31:59.319 --> 00:32:01.019 I don't want to be stuck there. 00:32:03.019 --> 00:32:06.960 All of those other religions leave us with guidance to do on our own. 00:32:08.539 --> 00:32:11.639 Jesus invites us to come to him, 00:32:11.899 --> 00:32:17.200 the only pure, trustworthy, selfless one, 00:32:17.200 --> 00:32:22.460 to believe that we will live because he lives. 00:32:22.580 --> 00:32:24.500 To bring our hurts, 00:32:24.799 --> 00:32:25.779 our questions, 00:32:26.019 --> 00:32:28.380 even our skepticism to him 00:32:28.380 --> 00:32:29.100 and say, 00:32:29.480 --> 00:32:30.080 Jesus, 00:32:30.340 --> 00:32:31.740 to whom shall we go? 00:32:32.400 --> 00:32:34.180 You know our limitations. 00:32:34.759 --> 00:32:37.299 You understood that I wouldn't understand it all. 00:32:37.299 --> 00:32:41.259 And you gave your life to give me life. 00:32:41.399 --> 00:32:42.399 Right there, 00:32:42.559 --> 00:32:43.519 in my hurt, 00:32:43.680 --> 00:32:44.680 in my doubt, 00:32:44.899 --> 00:32:46.259 in my skepticism, 00:32:46.619 --> 00:32:48.859 you came to me. 00:32:50.720 --> 00:32:52.379 Do you remember the division of labor 00:32:52.379 --> 00:32:54.899 that Jesus lays out 00:32:54.899 --> 00:33:00.960 for our eternal relationship of life with him? 00:33:00.960 --> 00:33:03.620 It is unlike what anyone else will offer you. 00:33:04.120 --> 00:33:04.660 Jesus says, 00:33:04.759 --> 00:33:05.840 here's the deal in our relationship. 00:33:07.600 --> 00:33:09.740 I'll give up all the glories of heaven. 00:33:10.920 --> 00:33:13.279 I'll be born and live a perfect life. 00:33:13.940 --> 00:33:16.420 I will die an agonizing death. 00:33:16.799 --> 00:33:19.400 I will rise from the dead. 00:33:20.860 --> 00:33:24.559 You believe in me. 00:33:26.900 --> 00:33:29.519 That night that he was with his disciples, 00:33:29.519 --> 00:33:30.620 he said that this way. 00:33:30.619 --> 00:33:31.739 He took bread 00:33:31.739 --> 00:33:34.219 and he broke it 00:33:34.219 --> 00:33:36.419 and he gave it to his disciples 00:33:36.419 --> 00:33:38.119 as I, ministering in his name, 00:33:38.199 --> 00:33:39.319 give this bread to you. 00:33:40.019 --> 00:33:40.439 He said, 00:33:40.559 --> 00:33:40.839 take, 00:33:41.239 --> 00:33:41.439 eat, 00:33:41.559 --> 00:33:42.639 this is my body 00:33:42.639 --> 00:33:44.219 given for you. 00:33:44.819 --> 00:33:46.739 Do this in remembrance of me. 00:33:47.979 --> 00:33:48.779 And in the same way, 00:33:48.839 --> 00:33:49.699 after supper, 00:33:49.799 --> 00:33:50.739 he took the cup 00:33:50.739 --> 00:33:51.619 and said, 00:33:51.699 --> 00:33:52.319 this cup 00:33:52.319 --> 00:33:54.500 is the new covenant in my blood 00:33:54.500 --> 00:33:56.000 shed for many 00:33:56.000 --> 00:33:57.599 for the forgiveness of sins. 00:33:57.959 --> 00:33:58.639 Drink from it, 00:33:58.639 --> 00:33:59.399 all of you, 00:33:59.400 --> 00:34:01.180 for as often as you eat this bread 00:34:01.180 --> 00:34:02.560 and drink this cup, 00:34:02.720 --> 00:34:04.720 you proclaim the Lord's death 00:34:04.720 --> 00:34:06.900 until he comes. 00:34:08.360 --> 00:34:09.240 Jesus said, 00:34:09.360 --> 00:34:11.820 I am the bread of life. 00:34:12.260 --> 00:34:14.480 If anyone eats of this bread, 00:34:14.700 --> 00:34:16.900 he will live forever. 00:34:18.200 --> 00:34:20.740 This is a table for skeptics 00:34:20.740 --> 00:34:22.500 who come to Jesus. 00:34:22.500 --> 00:34:25.820 We all have questions. 00:34:26.460 --> 00:34:27.739 We all have struggles 00:34:27.739 --> 00:34:29.199 with our own understanding, 00:34:29.519 --> 00:34:30.679 with our own performance. 00:34:31.739 --> 00:34:32.840 We doubt 00:34:32.840 --> 00:34:34.559 that we are enough. 00:34:35.260 --> 00:34:37.059 But if you bring your skepticism 00:34:37.059 --> 00:34:37.780 to Jesus 00:34:37.780 --> 00:34:40.699 and you trust him for life, 00:34:40.820 --> 00:34:42.300 if you find him to be 00:34:42.300 --> 00:34:43.400 your only hope, 00:34:43.679 --> 00:34:45.840 then come and eat. 00:34:45.840 --> 00:34:49.160 You will live forever 00:34:49.160 --> 00:34:51.260 when you eat this bread, 00:34:51.320 --> 00:34:53.860 when you trust this Savior. 00:34:54.440 --> 00:34:55.780 You don't have to believe 00:34:55.780 --> 00:34:57.360 Presbyterian things 00:34:57.360 --> 00:34:58.680 to come to this table. 00:34:59.059 --> 00:35:01.519 You have to believe in Jesus. 00:35:02.059 --> 00:35:02.460 And that is, 00:35:02.559 --> 00:35:03.160 if I might say, 00:35:03.360 --> 00:35:04.600 very Presbyterian. 00:35:05.460 --> 00:35:07.880 Come to Jesus 00:35:07.880 --> 00:35:09.660 and come and eat 00:35:09.660 --> 00:35:10.800 with us this morning. 00:35:10.800 --> 00:35:14.300 If you are a skeptic 00:35:14.300 --> 00:35:16.820 who has not come to Jesus, 00:35:17.860 --> 00:35:19.500 then I would say to you this morning, 00:35:19.620 --> 00:35:22.539 don't come to these elements 00:35:22.539 --> 00:35:23.380 this morning 00:35:23.380 --> 00:35:25.440 because they are given by Jesus 00:35:25.440 --> 00:35:26.920 to signify 00:35:26.920 --> 00:35:28.780 a wholehearted, 00:35:29.440 --> 00:35:31.920 desperate feeding on him, 00:35:32.480 --> 00:35:34.360 finding life in him. 00:35:34.360 --> 00:35:37.080 And that's not what you believe. 00:35:37.340 --> 00:35:39.519 And that's not where you found life. 00:35:39.519 --> 00:35:41.420 Don't come here. 00:35:41.780 --> 00:35:43.500 But if you're searching for life, 00:35:43.699 --> 00:35:45.159 if you're honest enough to say, 00:35:45.259 --> 00:35:46.440 I'm not sure I've found 00:35:46.440 --> 00:35:47.800 that thing that fulfills me, 00:35:48.219 --> 00:35:49.460 that you're in a great place 00:35:49.460 --> 00:35:51.699 because we're seeking for that too 00:35:51.699 --> 00:35:53.159 and we don't have it. 00:35:53.239 --> 00:35:54.019 It's not us. 00:35:54.960 --> 00:35:55.920 It's Jesus. 00:35:56.519 --> 00:35:57.780 And he invites you 00:35:57.780 --> 00:35:59.619 to come to him. 00:35:59.920 --> 00:36:01.039 He gives you, in fact, 00:36:01.179 --> 00:36:03.480 not a plan to earn life like that, 00:36:03.480 --> 00:36:05.659 but a person to give it to you 00:36:05.659 --> 00:36:06.539 as a gift. 00:36:06.539 --> 00:36:09.800 You come and receive it from him. 00:36:11.779 --> 00:36:13.019 As part of our prayer 00:36:13.019 --> 00:36:14.360 before we come to this table, 00:36:14.460 --> 00:36:16.739 I want us to sing a song 00:36:16.739 --> 00:36:18.400 that is a prayer. 00:36:18.820 --> 00:36:19.559 It's called, 00:36:19.900 --> 00:36:21.360 Help My Unbelief. 00:36:22.619 --> 00:36:24.239 All of us who come to Jesus 00:36:24.239 --> 00:36:26.679 join the man who said, 00:36:26.759 --> 00:36:28.139 I believe, Lord, 00:36:28.599 --> 00:36:31.480 help my unbelief. 00:36:31.860 --> 00:36:33.740 Jesus is the right place 00:36:33.740 --> 00:36:35.639 to go with our skepticism, 00:36:35.980 --> 00:36:37.460 with our unbelief. 00:36:37.760 --> 00:36:39.240 Let's ask for his help 00:36:39.240 --> 00:36:42.380 even now as we come to eat with him 00:36:42.380 --> 00:36:44.420 at the table he has set for us. 00:36:44.519 --> 00:36:45.920 You can stay in your seats, 00:36:46.019 --> 00:36:48.079 but join Ron and Lindsay as we sing. 00:36:50.719 --> 00:36:51.900 For more information, 00:36:52.280 --> 00:36:54.199 visit us online at southwood.org. 00:36:54.199 --> 00:37:16.599 like, 00:37:16.599 --> 00:37:16.960 we're not calling for something 00:37:16.960 --> 00:37:21.619 that could not be