WEBVTT 00:00:00.680 --> 00:00:02.480 Thanks so much for reading, Beth. 00:00:02.839 --> 00:00:05.520 Hi, my name's Archie, pastor in training here. 00:00:05.860 --> 00:00:08.779 Let me just extend my warm welcome on this Easter Sunday, 00:00:09.279 --> 00:00:12.480 adding that to Graham's welcome. 00:00:12.640 --> 00:00:15.900 Do keep John chapter six open in front of you if you can. 00:00:15.980 --> 00:00:17.640 If you can get a Bible in front of you, 00:00:17.660 --> 00:00:19.480 that would be really helpful. 00:00:19.600 --> 00:00:21.480 And as you do that, let me just pray for us 00:00:21.480 --> 00:00:22.960 as we come to God's word this morning. 00:00:22.960 --> 00:00:32.620 Heavenly Father, we thank you so much for Easter Sunday, 00:00:33.000 --> 00:00:38.039 for all that it represents as we look to the resurrection of your son. 00:00:39.439 --> 00:00:42.760 And Lord, I pray that this morning as we look there in your word, 00:00:43.620 --> 00:00:46.640 that your Holy Spirit would be at work amongst us, 00:00:47.359 --> 00:00:51.000 that we might come to him, that we might see him, 00:00:51.000 --> 00:00:55.060 and that we might believe that he is who he says he is, 00:00:55.840 --> 00:00:57.920 that we might have life in him today. 00:00:59.539 --> 00:00:59.939 Amen. 00:01:02.439 --> 00:01:05.659 Did any of you get a really good Easter egg this morning? 00:01:07.219 --> 00:01:08.700 Like, how good is it? 00:01:08.760 --> 00:01:10.019 I love chocolate. 00:01:10.200 --> 00:01:13.000 I love the excuse to eat loads of chocolate. 00:01:13.140 --> 00:01:15.659 But I have to say, I kind of hate to say this, 00:01:15.719 --> 00:01:17.299 but it's just no good for us, is it? 00:01:18.500 --> 00:01:20.879 Like, you probably shouldn't eat all that chocolate, let's be honest. 00:01:21.959 --> 00:01:23.680 You've really got to eat healthy. 00:01:23.819 --> 00:01:26.700 You've probably heard it said, an apple a day keeps the doctor away. 00:01:27.420 --> 00:01:28.400 You are what you eat. 00:01:28.420 --> 00:01:30.579 If you can't pronounce it, don't eat it. 00:01:31.040 --> 00:01:34.019 Our culture is obsessed with what we eat. 00:01:34.960 --> 00:01:37.200 And there's a kind of negative side to that, 00:01:37.260 --> 00:01:41.000 like the lies, take this pill, drink this shake, 00:01:41.099 --> 00:01:43.980 go on this diet, and you'll lose however much weight. 00:01:44.939 --> 00:01:46.000 But it's not all bad. 00:01:46.280 --> 00:01:48.760 Katie and I have this great health food shop that's just opened, 00:01:48.760 --> 00:01:50.320 just around the corner from our flat walls, 00:01:50.420 --> 00:01:52.080 of beautiful vegetables like that. 00:01:52.280 --> 00:01:54.560 Big buckets of brown rice and quinoa. 00:01:54.640 --> 00:01:55.320 I kind of like it. 00:01:55.380 --> 00:01:56.980 It's good to eat healthy. 00:01:58.060 --> 00:02:00.120 Humans have sort of always known that, actually. 00:02:01.580 --> 00:02:04.580 Hippocrates, the ancient Greek philosopher guy, 00:02:04.660 --> 00:02:05.560 apparently said this, 00:02:05.640 --> 00:02:07.460 let food be your medicine. 00:02:08.140 --> 00:02:09.460 Let medicine be your food. 00:02:09.520 --> 00:02:10.939 It's good to eat healthy. 00:02:12.219 --> 00:02:14.340 You're all sitting there like, come on, it's Easter. 00:02:14.340 --> 00:02:15.460 Let me eat my chocolate. 00:02:16.259 --> 00:02:18.860 And I'm obviously not here to tell you not to eat chocolate. 00:02:18.979 --> 00:02:19.700 That's not my job. 00:02:19.780 --> 00:02:21.039 That's not my place at all. 00:02:21.740 --> 00:02:23.319 And I think this is really important. 00:02:23.539 --> 00:02:25.800 Our culture, really all of humanity, 00:02:25.939 --> 00:02:27.460 and this has always been the case, 00:02:27.759 --> 00:02:29.340 this obsession with what we eat, 00:02:29.360 --> 00:02:31.960 it's just a symptom of something much bigger. 00:02:32.080 --> 00:02:33.400 And it's actually super important. 00:02:34.980 --> 00:02:36.860 Because we want to make choices 00:02:36.860 --> 00:02:41.280 that lead to long and happy and healthy lives. 00:02:41.280 --> 00:02:44.080 Obviously, we don't always make those choices. 00:02:44.680 --> 00:02:47.300 But we know that if we only made unhealthy choices, 00:02:47.300 --> 00:02:48.840 it wouldn't go well for us. 00:02:49.680 --> 00:02:51.460 And I want to start by saying, go for it. 00:02:51.520 --> 00:02:52.599 Make those healthy choices. 00:02:52.840 --> 00:02:55.340 Go and live long and happy and healthy. 00:02:55.520 --> 00:02:59.240 But just imagine with me, okay, think about it. 00:02:59.840 --> 00:03:02.400 A bread that doesn't just promise 00:03:02.400 --> 00:03:05.000 incredible guaranteed rapid weight loss. 00:03:05.879 --> 00:03:07.580 It doesn't even just promise 00:03:07.580 --> 00:03:09.800 long and happy and healthy life. 00:03:09.800 --> 00:03:12.760 What if I told you there was a bread 00:03:12.760 --> 00:03:15.740 that promises eternal life? 00:03:18.180 --> 00:03:19.680 We all know how it ends. 00:03:20.340 --> 00:03:22.240 Whether you live happy and healthy, 00:03:22.560 --> 00:03:24.140 whether you live to a ripe old age, 00:03:24.180 --> 00:03:25.820 or you die tragically young, 00:03:25.900 --> 00:03:28.720 or some massive climate disaster 00:03:28.720 --> 00:03:29.780 wipes us all out, 00:03:29.840 --> 00:03:31.820 or the God of the universe who created it all 00:03:31.820 --> 00:03:32.880 calls it to an end. 00:03:32.939 --> 00:03:36.960 For all of us, we know life does not last forever. 00:03:36.960 --> 00:03:40.980 But what if I told you that there was a bread 00:03:40.980 --> 00:03:44.180 that promises new life? 00:03:44.920 --> 00:03:48.200 A bread that promises that you can live forever, 00:03:48.420 --> 00:03:50.719 raised up, resurrected in a new heavens 00:03:50.719 --> 00:03:52.640 and a new earth where you don't need to worry 00:03:52.640 --> 00:03:55.960 about what you eat to live long and happy and healthy. 00:03:57.020 --> 00:03:58.540 Where even better than that, 00:03:58.620 --> 00:04:00.700 you get to enjoy the presence of that God 00:04:00.700 --> 00:04:01.960 who created it all, 00:04:02.060 --> 00:04:04.120 that God who made a way for you to be there. 00:04:04.120 --> 00:04:06.939 That's the promise of Easter. 00:04:07.640 --> 00:04:08.960 Not chocolate eggs, 00:04:09.800 --> 00:04:12.460 but the healthiest bread you've ever heard of. 00:04:13.500 --> 00:04:14.480 That's where we're going. 00:04:15.060 --> 00:04:16.199 Before we get there, 00:04:16.240 --> 00:04:18.360 we're going to play a bit of a game of guess who. 00:04:18.740 --> 00:04:20.840 I'm going to invite Graham back up at this point. 00:04:21.100 --> 00:04:22.040 And as he does that, 00:04:22.060 --> 00:04:23.139 I'll just explain how this works. 00:04:23.199 --> 00:04:23.959 Do you remember the game, 00:04:24.399 --> 00:04:25.560 this game, guess who? 00:04:26.720 --> 00:04:29.139 So the way it works is you choose someone, 00:04:29.139 --> 00:04:31.360 and then the other person asks questions 00:04:31.360 --> 00:04:32.839 with a yes or no answer. 00:04:33.139 --> 00:04:36.300 You eliminate people until there's only one person left. 00:04:36.479 --> 00:04:37.759 So Graham, if you want to come up, 00:04:38.259 --> 00:04:40.419 if everyone who is willing to play 00:04:40.419 --> 00:04:42.419 and is able to could stand up for me. 00:04:44.500 --> 00:04:46.240 And I've got someone in my head. 00:04:48.419 --> 00:04:50.159 And Graham is going to ask questions. 00:04:50.259 --> 00:04:51.120 We're going to eliminate you 00:04:51.120 --> 00:04:53.039 until hopefully there's just one person left. 00:04:53.180 --> 00:04:54.300 So go for it. 00:04:54.519 --> 00:04:54.719 Excellent. 00:04:54.939 --> 00:04:55.180 Okay. 00:04:55.719 --> 00:04:57.639 Was this person born in Scotland? 00:04:57.639 --> 00:04:58.560 No. 00:04:58.879 --> 00:05:01.019 So if you were born in Scotland, sit down. 00:05:01.500 --> 00:05:02.500 Oh, sorry, team. 00:05:02.839 --> 00:05:03.639 Sorry, team. 00:05:04.360 --> 00:05:04.659 Okay. 00:05:05.500 --> 00:05:06.879 Is this person female? 00:05:07.560 --> 00:05:07.979 No. 00:05:08.479 --> 00:05:10.300 So if you are a female, sit down. 00:05:13.159 --> 00:05:13.599 Okay. 00:05:14.060 --> 00:05:16.099 Does this person have blonde hair? 00:05:16.860 --> 00:05:17.300 No. 00:05:18.259 --> 00:05:19.139 Anyone with blonde hair, 00:05:19.180 --> 00:05:20.300 that's a rubbish question, Graham. 00:05:22.560 --> 00:05:23.379 Next question. 00:05:24.240 --> 00:05:25.459 My next question would have been, 00:05:25.599 --> 00:05:26.319 do they like quinoa? 00:05:26.399 --> 00:05:27.120 But I don't know what that is. 00:05:28.439 --> 00:05:29.620 Are they clean shaven? 00:05:29.860 --> 00:05:31.180 I'll let you define that however you want. 00:05:31.500 --> 00:05:33.399 No, this person is not clean shaven. 00:05:33.560 --> 00:05:33.819 Okay. 00:05:33.819 --> 00:05:36.719 So if you are clean shaven, please sit down. 00:05:37.659 --> 00:05:38.060 Okay. 00:05:38.300 --> 00:05:39.039 Still a few. 00:05:39.300 --> 00:05:39.979 We're still a few. 00:05:40.639 --> 00:05:43.099 Is this person over six foot? 00:05:43.919 --> 00:05:44.279 No. 00:05:45.019 --> 00:05:45.879 I don't think so. 00:05:46.019 --> 00:05:47.579 Sit down if you're over six foot. 00:05:47.579 --> 00:05:48.060 Okay. 00:05:48.539 --> 00:05:58.819 Does this person have visions of Ireland winning the World Cup in the rugby in the summer? 00:05:58.919 --> 00:05:59.939 Yeah, I think they probably do. 00:06:00.099 --> 00:06:00.259 Right. 00:06:00.319 --> 00:06:00.599 Okay. 00:06:00.600 --> 00:06:02.980 So if you don't want Ireland to win the World Cup, sit down. 00:06:03.560 --> 00:06:04.400 You can sit down. 00:06:05.520 --> 00:06:05.840 Okay. 00:06:06.580 --> 00:06:07.300 Ireland supporters. 00:06:07.460 --> 00:06:07.760 Love it. 00:06:08.080 --> 00:06:08.340 Okay. 00:06:09.960 --> 00:06:11.340 So I was just... 00:06:11.340 --> 00:06:12.080 No, no. 00:06:12.820 --> 00:06:13.180 Right. 00:06:13.320 --> 00:06:13.900 We're left with two. 00:06:13.980 --> 00:06:14.480 Look at this. 00:06:14.879 --> 00:06:15.220 Okay. 00:06:15.220 --> 00:06:16.920 You can just guess at this point. 00:06:16.920 --> 00:06:17.240 Okay. 00:06:17.340 --> 00:06:17.980 I'm guessing Pete. 00:06:18.020 --> 00:06:18.600 It is Pete. 00:06:18.720 --> 00:06:18.880 Yeah. 00:06:18.960 --> 00:06:19.380 It is Pete. 00:06:19.460 --> 00:06:19.740 Thanks. 00:06:20.020 --> 00:06:21.420 Thanks for playing my little game. 00:06:22.300 --> 00:06:23.240 Well done, everyone. 00:06:24.180 --> 00:06:27.140 It's been a little bit like that as we've gone through John chapter six. 00:06:27.200 --> 00:06:32.240 If you were here last week, we're sort of trying to find the real Jesus by the process 00:06:32.240 --> 00:06:33.280 of elimination. 00:06:34.500 --> 00:06:37.600 Last week, it was the political power Jesus. 00:06:38.600 --> 00:06:42.200 The people wanted a prophet king and a military king. 00:06:42.199 --> 00:06:45.180 Really, they wanted a king who was all about political power. 00:06:45.719 --> 00:06:51.899 We saw this story where Jesus took five loaves of bread and two fish and he fed 5,000 people. 00:06:52.680 --> 00:06:57.139 Just like if you know the Old Testament story, no worries if you don't, but just like this 00:06:57.139 --> 00:07:03.319 story where God, through Moses, had done in the Exodus thousands of years before. 00:07:04.199 --> 00:07:08.240 And so the people wanted to treat Jesus like a new Moses because he was doing something 00:07:08.240 --> 00:07:08.659 similar. 00:07:08.660 --> 00:07:12.320 They wanted him to be a prophet come to lead them out of slavery. 00:07:13.100 --> 00:07:17.140 And they wanted him to be a king to lead an army against the Romans. 00:07:17.360 --> 00:07:18.620 That's the king they really wanted. 00:07:19.439 --> 00:07:21.380 And so we play the guess who game. 00:07:21.540 --> 00:07:23.260 Is it the political power Jesus? 00:07:23.600 --> 00:07:25.060 Answer, no. 00:07:25.379 --> 00:07:26.700 That is not why he came. 00:07:27.800 --> 00:07:30.760 We saw instead last week that he came as the king of the universe. 00:07:30.960 --> 00:07:36.000 So just after he had fed the 5,000, actually on the same day, he walks on water. 00:07:36.000 --> 00:07:41.459 He's in command of that chaos as if to say Jesus is God. 00:07:41.980 --> 00:07:45.740 That I am come to be present with his people to offer himself. 00:07:46.160 --> 00:07:48.560 That's the king that they really needed. 00:07:49.779 --> 00:07:57.180 And what Beth has just read for us is the very next day in the story of John's gospel. 00:07:57.180 --> 00:08:01.259 And the crowd of people that Jesus has fed are looking for him. 00:08:01.319 --> 00:08:05.579 And they've headed back over to the other side of the lake to look for him as they do that. 00:08:05.639 --> 00:08:10.540 And we'll see in their conversation with Jesus, and we'll continue this game of guess who, 00:08:10.980 --> 00:08:12.860 this is the king that they want him to be. 00:08:13.840 --> 00:08:15.620 The we're hungry, Jesus. 00:08:16.899 --> 00:08:19.340 The give us some rules, Jesus. 00:08:20.120 --> 00:08:22.319 And the do a miracle, Jesus. 00:08:22.319 --> 00:08:29.980 And we'll see, just like last week, that the king that they really needed was the king of the universe, 00:08:30.139 --> 00:08:35.460 come to be with them and to offer them a way to eternal life with him. 00:08:36.559 --> 00:08:41.360 So let's start with the first one, the king they really wanted, the we're hungry, Jesus. 00:08:42.220 --> 00:08:47.100 And notice our first question, each of these is sort of structured around questions from the crowd. 00:08:47.100 --> 00:08:49.019 The first question is in verse 25. 00:08:49.019 --> 00:08:51.919 And if you've got it in front of you, verse 25, 00:08:52.799 --> 00:08:54.519 Rabbi, when did you get here? 00:08:55.319 --> 00:08:57.120 Really, they're saying, we've been looking for you. 00:08:57.199 --> 00:08:59.740 Where did you go after that bread and fish miracle thing? 00:08:59.819 --> 00:09:00.539 Where have you been? 00:09:01.819 --> 00:09:03.899 And Jesus sees right through their question. 00:09:04.079 --> 00:09:05.460 He knows what they really want. 00:09:05.539 --> 00:09:07.179 And so in verse 26, 00:09:08.240 --> 00:09:10.539 Very truly, or truly, truly. 00:09:10.659 --> 00:09:14.059 In other words, pay real close attention to what I'm about to say. 00:09:14.059 --> 00:09:18.059 You are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed, 00:09:18.219 --> 00:09:21.099 but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. 00:09:21.879 --> 00:09:25.279 Jesus knows why they're looking for him. 00:09:25.659 --> 00:09:28.479 And it's because on the other side of the lake, he had fed them, 00:09:28.699 --> 00:09:30.419 and they reckon he's going to do it again. 00:09:31.259 --> 00:09:32.859 This is the king that they really want. 00:09:32.919 --> 00:09:35.359 A king who provides for their physical need. 00:09:35.479 --> 00:09:37.219 It's the, we're hungry, Jesus. 00:09:38.339 --> 00:09:39.239 Feed us. 00:09:40.299 --> 00:09:42.539 See how Jesus responds in verse 27. 00:09:42.539 --> 00:09:46.120 Do not work for food that spoils, 00:09:46.959 --> 00:09:50.279 but for food that endures to eternal life. 00:09:50.959 --> 00:09:51.259 No. 00:09:51.439 --> 00:09:53.879 He says, no, I won't feed you. 00:09:54.360 --> 00:09:56.379 Stop looking for food that spoils, 00:09:56.519 --> 00:09:57.519 food that doesn't last, 00:09:57.539 --> 00:09:58.719 because you eat it, 00:09:58.759 --> 00:10:00.139 and then you just get hungry again, 00:10:00.139 --> 00:10:01.539 and you come looking for more. 00:10:02.659 --> 00:10:06.219 Instead, what you really need is food that endures to eternal life. 00:10:06.259 --> 00:10:08.360 This is the bread that I was talking about at the start, 00:10:08.419 --> 00:10:10.419 the healthiest bread in the world. 00:10:10.419 --> 00:10:12.480 Bread that gives eternal life. 00:10:12.539 --> 00:10:14.679 This is what you really need, he says. 00:10:16.299 --> 00:10:18.799 And how current this is for us. 00:10:19.539 --> 00:10:20.759 We all feel it, don't we? 00:10:20.799 --> 00:10:22.360 Every day, I need this. 00:10:22.480 --> 00:10:23.539 I need that. 00:10:23.620 --> 00:10:25.939 Just at the Easter extravaganza yesterday, 00:10:25.939 --> 00:10:29.480 I was hanging out and eating ice cream with JT and his daughter, 00:10:29.639 --> 00:10:29.819 Sana. 00:10:29.879 --> 00:10:32.219 They're away visiting her grandparents today, 00:10:32.279 --> 00:10:33.360 so I can tell you this story. 00:10:33.439 --> 00:10:35.159 Actually, JT knows I'm telling it, 00:10:35.199 --> 00:10:36.860 so it's not like I'm telling it behind his back. 00:10:36.860 --> 00:10:39.120 But Sana had this purple sorbet, 00:10:39.620 --> 00:10:42.700 and she honestly finished this sorbet in less than a minute. 00:10:42.840 --> 00:10:44.180 She's, what, three years old, Sana? 00:10:44.740 --> 00:10:47.139 And most of it was all over her face, but it was gone. 00:10:47.580 --> 00:10:50.200 And no sooner was it gone than she started saying it, 00:10:50.220 --> 00:10:52.279 and the parents in the room will be familiar with this. 00:10:52.500 --> 00:10:53.539 I need another one. 00:10:54.139 --> 00:10:55.899 I need ice cream. 00:10:56.939 --> 00:10:58.419 And in some ways, that's a silly story, 00:10:58.519 --> 00:10:59.639 but we all do it, don't we? 00:10:59.679 --> 00:11:00.459 We do it with food. 00:11:00.559 --> 00:11:01.939 We do it with all sorts of things. 00:11:02.459 --> 00:11:03.980 I need that new pair of trainers, 00:11:04.159 --> 00:11:06.279 or that holiday, or that car, or that house, 00:11:06.319 --> 00:11:06.919 or that promotion. 00:11:07.059 --> 00:11:08.579 Whatever it is, I need it. 00:11:09.319 --> 00:11:10.419 And we chase it. 00:11:10.500 --> 00:11:11.279 We crave it. 00:11:11.339 --> 00:11:12.559 We're hungry for it. 00:11:12.579 --> 00:11:15.059 In the moment, wrapped up in our desire, 00:11:15.179 --> 00:11:17.099 it can feel like our greatest need. 00:11:18.399 --> 00:11:20.860 But we know, and it's pretty obvious when we think about it, 00:11:20.860 --> 00:11:22.699 we don't actually need those things. 00:11:23.539 --> 00:11:25.659 I saw Sana eat loads of biscuits 00:11:25.659 --> 00:11:27.099 before she had that first ice cream. 00:11:27.179 --> 00:11:28.839 She definitely did not need another one. 00:11:29.899 --> 00:11:31.539 What do we actually need? 00:11:32.480 --> 00:11:34.559 I mean, we obviously, we do need food. 00:11:34.699 --> 00:11:35.279 We need water. 00:11:35.399 --> 00:11:38.159 We need shelter when we're hungry, when we're thirsty. 00:11:38.360 --> 00:11:40.779 And those things can feel like our greatest need, 00:11:40.819 --> 00:11:42.000 and in a sense, they are. 00:11:42.339 --> 00:11:45.139 But see what Jesus is saying in John chapter 6. 00:11:45.480 --> 00:11:47.639 You think this is your greatest need. 00:11:48.559 --> 00:11:49.419 It's not. 00:11:49.699 --> 00:11:52.639 You have a much greater need. 00:11:53.539 --> 00:11:57.459 Which is to be restored in relationship to the God who created you. 00:11:57.899 --> 00:12:00.399 To be forgiven and free, 00:12:01.139 --> 00:12:03.439 and to live forever with him. 00:12:04.879 --> 00:12:07.319 And so, as we play the guess who game, 00:12:08.000 --> 00:12:09.259 first question, is it the, 00:12:09.599 --> 00:12:10.599 we're hungry, Jesus? 00:12:10.939 --> 00:12:12.500 Answer, no. 00:12:12.500 --> 00:12:15.419 So next we get the, 00:12:15.779 --> 00:12:17.799 give us some rules, Jesus. 00:12:18.940 --> 00:12:21.740 See the next question that the crowd ask in verse 28? 00:12:23.379 --> 00:12:27.360 What must we do to do the works that God requires? 00:12:28.460 --> 00:12:30.440 So Jesus says, here's what's on offer. 00:12:30.539 --> 00:12:31.419 It's eternal life. 00:12:31.419 --> 00:12:32.259 And they say, great. 00:12:32.320 --> 00:12:34.100 What do we need to do to get it? 00:12:34.100 --> 00:12:38.080 What work can we do that we might get eternal life? 00:12:38.139 --> 00:12:40.519 It's the, give us some rules, Jesus. 00:12:41.220 --> 00:12:43.300 Answer from Jesus in verse 29. 00:12:43.759 --> 00:12:45.200 The work of God is this, 00:12:46.100 --> 00:12:49.100 to believe in the one he has sent. 00:12:49.820 --> 00:12:53.080 In other words, there is no work that you can do to get this bread. 00:12:53.159 --> 00:12:54.480 You can't earn it. 00:12:55.080 --> 00:12:56.100 It's simple, really. 00:12:56.279 --> 00:12:58.220 Believe in me, Jesus says, 00:12:58.220 --> 00:13:00.540 that I am who I say I am. 00:13:01.220 --> 00:13:03.360 That the signs that you've seen me do, 00:13:03.460 --> 00:13:07.080 that they really point to something much bigger about who I am. 00:13:08.300 --> 00:13:10.300 Again, isn't this familiar for us? 00:13:10.340 --> 00:13:13.040 It's the question that every major religion asks. 00:13:13.560 --> 00:13:17.620 What's on offer is basically always eternal life of some description. 00:13:18.240 --> 00:13:22.040 And basically every religion gives you a sort of path to get to it. 00:13:22.480 --> 00:13:25.700 Basically every religion gives you a set of rules or works 00:13:25.700 --> 00:13:28.980 or things to do in order to get eternal life. 00:13:29.700 --> 00:13:30.980 See what Jesus says? 00:13:32.440 --> 00:13:34.220 This is how eternal life is given. 00:13:35.240 --> 00:13:37.300 Simply by believing in him. 00:13:38.740 --> 00:13:43.120 We so naturally slip into the give me rules, Jesus mindset, don't we? 00:13:43.180 --> 00:13:46.060 Give me something to do so that I can earn it. 00:13:46.620 --> 00:13:48.259 I think that's just the way that we're wired. 00:13:48.379 --> 00:13:49.820 It's the way our culture works. 00:13:49.980 --> 00:13:54.160 Rewarding hard work with good exam results and promotions or whatever else. 00:13:54.159 --> 00:13:57.679 And so easily we apply that mindset here to the Christian life. 00:13:59.039 --> 00:14:00.539 But Jesus says, no. 00:14:01.159 --> 00:14:02.799 You think this is how you'll get it. 00:14:02.879 --> 00:14:03.659 It's not. 00:14:04.000 --> 00:14:05.759 It is so much better. 00:14:05.879 --> 00:14:09.740 He says, look to him and believe that he is who he says he is. 00:14:11.159 --> 00:14:12.279 So guess who? 00:14:13.459 --> 00:14:14.939 Is it the give us some rules, Jesus? 00:14:15.899 --> 00:14:17.579 Answer, no. 00:14:17.580 --> 00:14:22.280 Finally then, the do a miracle, Jesus. 00:14:23.500 --> 00:14:28.259 Jesus tells them to believe and so they ask one final question of him in verse 30. 00:14:29.020 --> 00:14:32.120 What sign will you give that we may believe in you? 00:14:33.460 --> 00:14:34.639 What will you do? 00:14:35.080 --> 00:14:38.379 They're like, do a miracle, Jesus, and then we'll believe in you. 00:14:38.620 --> 00:14:40.680 Even more specifically, they continue, 00:14:40.679 --> 00:14:43.419 Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness. 00:14:43.639 --> 00:14:46.899 As it is written, he gave them bread from heaven to eat. 00:14:47.139 --> 00:14:51.299 They want a sign, specifically a sign like the manna in the wilderness. 00:14:51.459 --> 00:14:55.639 If you know the Old Testament or if you were here last week, as we've said, 00:14:55.739 --> 00:14:57.799 God had led his people out of slavery in Egypt. 00:14:58.120 --> 00:15:03.219 They're in the wilderness complaining about being hungry, just like these guys are. 00:15:03.519 --> 00:15:07.500 And God provided bread for them, manna for them to eat. 00:15:07.500 --> 00:15:10.600 And now thousands of years later, they're like, do it again. 00:15:12.000 --> 00:15:16.500 The irony, of course, is he just did exactly that sort of sign. 00:15:17.419 --> 00:15:19.200 In fact, it was literally the day before. 00:15:19.320 --> 00:15:20.740 If you were here last week, if you weren't, 00:15:21.019 --> 00:15:23.519 you can just have a look back at the start of chapter 6. 00:15:23.960 --> 00:15:25.019 Same crowd of people. 00:15:25.759 --> 00:15:28.299 He miraculously gave them bread to eat. 00:15:29.240 --> 00:15:31.159 But they still want a sign. 00:15:32.100 --> 00:15:33.360 Do a miracle, Jesus. 00:15:34.559 --> 00:15:37.059 And this is how he responds in verse 32. 00:15:37.059 --> 00:15:40.519 Again, very truly, truly, truly, listen closely. 00:15:42.119 --> 00:15:44.619 It is not Moses who has given you bread from heaven, 00:15:45.139 --> 00:15:48.679 but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. 00:15:49.219 --> 00:15:54.159 For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world. 00:15:55.219 --> 00:16:00.659 Notice that they're looking for a physical miracle, for physical bread. 00:16:00.659 --> 00:16:05.600 And Jesus responds by pointing to a much greater spiritual reality. 00:16:05.600 --> 00:16:09.440 That his Father gives true bread from heaven. 00:16:10.060 --> 00:16:12.600 They're looking for an impressive physical miracle. 00:16:12.779 --> 00:16:17.240 He points to a much deeper and greater spiritual reality. 00:16:17.240 --> 00:16:20.759 And this is just so important for us. 00:16:21.919 --> 00:16:24.940 If you're not a Christian here this morning, maybe even if you are, 00:16:25.060 --> 00:16:27.180 what would it take for you to believe, 00:16:27.580 --> 00:16:31.100 to be certain that Jesus is who he claims to be here? 00:16:32.259 --> 00:16:35.879 If he suddenly appeared right next to me in the flesh, 00:16:35.879 --> 00:16:40.620 if he miraculously provided lunch for all of us after the service, 00:16:40.620 --> 00:16:45.840 if he wrote his name across the night sky with the stars this evening. 00:16:47.960 --> 00:16:49.960 But that is what he has done. 00:16:51.700 --> 00:16:53.240 That is what he has done. 00:16:53.320 --> 00:16:57.820 We have everything that we need, for he has revealed himself to us. 00:16:57.820 --> 00:17:01.560 God came to this world in the person of Jesus. 00:17:01.720 --> 00:17:02.820 He walked on the earth. 00:17:03.060 --> 00:17:04.380 He even walked on the water. 00:17:05.100 --> 00:17:08.480 All serious historians agree that he died on a cross. 00:17:08.840 --> 00:17:10.299 That he rose again. 00:17:10.640 --> 00:17:11.440 It's history. 00:17:12.120 --> 00:17:14.240 And these accounts of his life that we have, 00:17:14.299 --> 00:17:16.380 like John's gospel that we're reading this morning, 00:17:17.380 --> 00:17:19.120 they're really good history. 00:17:19.279 --> 00:17:21.039 They're incredibly well written. 00:17:21.200 --> 00:17:22.180 They are verifiable. 00:17:22.400 --> 00:17:23.920 I believe that they are true. 00:17:23.920 --> 00:17:28.420 And I often hear it said, well, that's fine for you to believe. 00:17:28.519 --> 00:17:30.160 I just don't believe it. 00:17:31.240 --> 00:17:34.080 But see, the people in this account that we're reading this morning, 00:17:34.200 --> 00:17:34.860 they're the same. 00:17:35.380 --> 00:17:37.940 They had everything that they needed to believe. 00:17:39.039 --> 00:17:42.120 Jesus had already done signs to show them who he is. 00:17:42.180 --> 00:17:46.380 I mean, he fed 5,000 people with a few loaves of bread and a couple of fish. 00:17:47.800 --> 00:17:51.160 And we, we have everything that we need to believe. 00:17:52.360 --> 00:17:53.140 It's here. 00:17:53.140 --> 00:17:54.180 It's history. 00:17:54.320 --> 00:17:56.480 He has revealed himself to us. 00:17:56.540 --> 00:17:58.960 We saw it in Psalm 22 at the start of our service. 00:17:59.320 --> 00:18:00.680 He has done it. 00:18:02.020 --> 00:18:03.660 The do a miracle Jesus. 00:18:04.960 --> 00:18:06.880 You think this is how you'll believe it. 00:18:06.960 --> 00:18:07.580 It's not. 00:18:08.840 --> 00:18:10.100 It's so much better. 00:18:10.240 --> 00:18:12.840 He has already done it. 00:18:14.160 --> 00:18:14.700 Guess who? 00:18:15.640 --> 00:18:18.400 Is it the do a miracle Jesus answer? 00:18:19.380 --> 00:18:19.720 No. 00:18:19.720 --> 00:18:24.620 And so finally, let's see the king that they really needed. 00:18:25.259 --> 00:18:27.420 The king that all of us really need. 00:18:28.180 --> 00:18:30.519 It's the bread of life, Jesus. 00:18:31.720 --> 00:18:34.519 See how the crowd respond in verse 34? 00:18:34.519 --> 00:18:37.519 They say, always give us this bread. 00:18:37.519 --> 00:18:38.599 They want it. 00:18:38.680 --> 00:18:39.920 They want the bread of life. 00:18:40.039 --> 00:18:43.180 The healthiest bread in the world that promises eternal life. 00:18:43.680 --> 00:18:44.740 They want it. 00:18:45.119 --> 00:18:49.700 Because they want to live happy and healthy and forever. 00:18:49.700 --> 00:18:53.420 And then Jesus says it, verse 35. 00:18:55.160 --> 00:18:57.920 I am the bread of life. 00:18:58.920 --> 00:19:01.259 We touched on this briefly last week. 00:19:01.360 --> 00:19:03.420 But that is a massive thing to say. 00:19:04.460 --> 00:19:10.860 It's the first of seven moments in John's gospel where Jesus says, I am dot dot dot. 00:19:10.900 --> 00:19:12.380 It's a massive thing to say. 00:19:12.580 --> 00:19:12.900 Why? 00:19:13.320 --> 00:19:14.800 Well, again, it's the Old Testament. 00:19:14.940 --> 00:19:16.000 No worries if you don't know it. 00:19:16.039 --> 00:19:17.680 I mean, you should go and get to know it. 00:19:17.720 --> 00:19:18.180 It's great. 00:19:18.240 --> 00:19:19.820 And it really helps us understand the new. 00:19:19.819 --> 00:19:28.539 But for this morning, I am is the name that God uses to reveal himself to his people through Moses in the Exodus. 00:19:29.059 --> 00:19:31.519 He says, I am who I am. 00:19:31.980 --> 00:19:38.259 And each of these I am's in John reveal something about who God is in Jesus. 00:19:39.319 --> 00:19:42.439 Here, I am the bread of life. 00:19:43.619 --> 00:19:44.679 It's me, he says. 00:19:44.779 --> 00:19:45.559 Come to me. 00:19:46.000 --> 00:19:46.819 Believe in me. 00:19:46.919 --> 00:19:48.419 And you will never be hungry. 00:19:48.420 --> 00:19:50.340 You will never be thirsty. 00:19:50.539 --> 00:19:53.660 In other words, what is this saying about God in Jesus? 00:19:53.900 --> 00:20:03.480 He's saying that your greatest need, which is to know me, and your deepest desire, which is whether you realize it or not, to know me, 00:20:04.220 --> 00:20:11.320 that that will be fulfilled and satisfied in me for I am the bread of life. 00:20:12.000 --> 00:20:15.560 It's not just happy and healthy and forever life. 00:20:16.320 --> 00:20:18.000 That's not all that is on offer here. 00:20:18.000 --> 00:20:20.400 What's on offer is Jesus himself. 00:20:22.319 --> 00:20:28.519 We've all seen the depiction of heaven, a sort of floaty in the clouds, harp playing sort of image. 00:20:29.460 --> 00:20:35.500 The image of eternal life in the Bible is much more solid and earthy and concrete than that. 00:20:35.559 --> 00:20:36.940 It is a recreation. 00:20:38.259 --> 00:20:40.880 New heavens and new earth as it's described. 00:20:40.880 --> 00:20:44.540 And see at the end of verse 39, we get this phrase. 00:20:44.640 --> 00:20:46.320 It's repeated at the end of verse 40. 00:20:46.320 --> 00:20:50.240 I will raise them up at the last day. 00:20:50.980 --> 00:20:54.440 The promise here is a resurrection promise. 00:20:54.440 --> 00:20:54.900 It's a promise. 00:20:54.900 --> 00:20:57.160 It's a promise that though we will die. 00:20:57.160 --> 00:21:05.600 We will, if we believe in him, live forever with real, raised up, physical resurrection bodies. 00:21:05.720 --> 00:21:06.940 It's a wonderful promise. 00:21:06.940 --> 00:21:17.799 And it's a promise that he can make because not only did he die in our place, but as we celebrate today on Easter Sunday, he rose again, 00:21:18.500 --> 00:21:28.400 smashing the grave to bits, proving that he is who he says he is and paving the way for us to walk through the same death to eternal life path that he walked. 00:21:28.400 --> 00:21:31.440 It's really what we celebrate today of all days. 00:21:32.560 --> 00:21:39.840 If you're here this morning and you're not a Christian, if you don't believe that Jesus is who he says he is, we're so glad that you're here. 00:21:40.360 --> 00:21:45.280 And can I just say that this is really where you should start if you want to explore this Christianity thing. 00:21:45.860 --> 00:21:47.940 This is what it really hangs on. 00:21:48.019 --> 00:21:50.060 You've got to decide, is this true? 00:21:50.940 --> 00:21:53.000 Is he really who he says he is? 00:21:53.280 --> 00:21:55.140 Did he really come back to life? 00:21:55.140 --> 00:21:59.520 There are lots of ways that you can do that if you want to do that. 00:21:59.800 --> 00:22:04.020 And let me suggest, first thing you could do is grab this book on your way out by Rebecca McLaughlin. 00:22:04.140 --> 00:22:06.340 They're free and it's a really helpful. 00:22:06.460 --> 00:22:09.920 She just answers some of those questions that you might have about the resurrection. 00:22:10.900 --> 00:22:12.900 Equally, go and read John's gospel. 00:22:14.060 --> 00:22:18.080 Feel free to grab me or Graham or anyone that you've seen up front today. 00:22:18.080 --> 00:22:23.000 Or if you've been brought along by a friend or a family member, they would love to talk to you about this stuff. 00:22:23.000 --> 00:22:28.140 You have got nothing to lose by asking your questions and exploring this thing. 00:22:29.039 --> 00:22:31.900 It might just turn out to be the best thing that you ever do. 00:22:32.539 --> 00:22:34.500 That's my story and it could be yours. 00:22:35.519 --> 00:22:37.039 It's a wonderful promise. 00:22:38.319 --> 00:22:42.000 Physical, eternal, resurrection life. 00:22:42.000 --> 00:22:47.619 And you know, it's even better than that because we can't separate it all from the purpose of it. 00:22:48.220 --> 00:22:52.160 Much more than that, it will be a place where Jesus is. 00:22:52.839 --> 00:22:57.640 Where we are restored to a perfect relationship with the God who created us. 00:22:57.980 --> 00:23:01.299 Which means that it will be a place where all evil is destroyed. 00:23:02.059 --> 00:23:03.579 Where there is no suffering. 00:23:04.319 --> 00:23:05.319 No pain. 00:23:05.900 --> 00:23:06.980 No abuse. 00:23:07.180 --> 00:23:08.920 Where bones won't break. 00:23:08.920 --> 00:23:11.180 Where cancer doesn't exist. 00:23:11.320 --> 00:23:13.140 Where broken relationships are restored. 00:23:13.300 --> 00:23:14.620 Where there is no racism. 00:23:14.820 --> 00:23:15.820 No sexism. 00:23:16.560 --> 00:23:19.560 Where whatever pain you've faced in this life will be reversed. 00:23:19.740 --> 00:23:22.140 Where every tear will be wiped away. 00:23:22.800 --> 00:23:23.080 Why? 00:23:23.240 --> 00:23:28.019 Because relationship with him does away with all of those things as he is the goal. 00:23:29.180 --> 00:23:31.980 And that relationship can start today. 00:23:33.140 --> 00:23:36.700 Notice back in verse 32 of John chapter 6. 00:23:36.700 --> 00:23:40.819 He says, my father who gives true bread from heaven. 00:23:40.860 --> 00:23:42.400 That is present tense. 00:23:43.160 --> 00:23:46.160 Bread that gives life to the world. 00:23:46.279 --> 00:23:50.400 We can experience something of the spiritual reality of resurrection today. 00:23:50.960 --> 00:23:53.080 If we look to him and believe. 00:23:54.819 --> 00:23:57.819 You think this bread is going to be your ticket to heaven. 00:23:58.480 --> 00:23:59.819 And it's not just that. 00:23:59.880 --> 00:24:01.400 It is so much better. 00:24:01.400 --> 00:24:05.640 It is resurrection life in relationship with Jesus himself. 00:24:07.040 --> 00:24:08.100 So guess who? 00:24:09.300 --> 00:24:12.320 Well, it must be the bread of life, Jesus. 00:24:14.200 --> 00:24:16.060 This is where we started. 00:24:16.840 --> 00:24:20.060 Humans have always cared about what we eat and drink. 00:24:20.220 --> 00:24:20.519 Why? 00:24:20.900 --> 00:24:24.820 Because we want to live long and happy and healthy lives. 00:24:24.819 --> 00:24:30.639 In fact, we often think that that is our greatest need and our deepest desire. 00:24:32.079 --> 00:24:35.759 Jesus would say that there is something that we need much more. 00:24:36.619 --> 00:24:39.399 Something actually that we desire much more deeply. 00:24:40.159 --> 00:24:42.779 To be known and to be loved. 00:24:43.439 --> 00:24:45.559 To be loved and to be known. 00:24:45.559 --> 00:24:51.299 What we need, what we really desire is to be restored to the God who created us. 00:24:51.779 --> 00:24:56.539 And to live forgiven and free and forever with him. 00:24:57.519 --> 00:24:59.119 And this is how we can. 00:25:00.419 --> 00:25:03.519 Promises at the start, the healthiest bread in the world. 00:25:03.859 --> 00:25:05.839 Bread that promises eternal life. 00:25:06.399 --> 00:25:06.960 It's Jesus. 00:25:08.639 --> 00:25:14.000 You might think that what you want is the we're hungry Jesus who provides for all your physical needs. 00:25:14.000 --> 00:25:19.359 You might think that you want to give me some rules, Jesus, that shows you the way how to get there. 00:25:20.160 --> 00:25:25.299 You might think that you want to do a miracle, Jesus, who reveals himself to you right now. 00:25:26.480 --> 00:25:30.960 But he simply says, see me for who I really am. 00:25:32.279 --> 00:25:33.220 Come to me. 00:25:34.039 --> 00:25:39.599 He says, believe in me and you shall have eternal resurrection life with me. 00:25:39.599 --> 00:25:44.699 I'm just going to invite the band back up as we close. 00:25:46.539 --> 00:25:49.379 As I do that, let me just say this one final thing. 00:25:49.459 --> 00:25:51.699 Would you see him this morning? 00:25:52.359 --> 00:25:54.339 Would you come to him this morning? 00:25:55.039 --> 00:25:58.319 And would you believe in him this morning? 00:26:00.099 --> 00:26:00.939 Let me pray. 00:26:00.940 --> 00:26:10.820 Heavenly Father, we thank you so much for all that you have promised us in Jesus today. 00:26:12.759 --> 00:26:16.480 Lord, we thank you that he went to the cross in our place. 00:26:17.940 --> 00:26:20.539 We thank you that he rose again. 00:26:22.059 --> 00:26:24.160 Showing us that we might do the same. 00:26:24.160 --> 00:26:30.360 Lord, we thank you for the simple promise that we can see him and come to him and believe in him. 00:26:31.759 --> 00:26:35.800 And I pray that you, by your Holy Spirit, would help each of us to do that this morning. 00:26:37.759 --> 00:26:40.500 Lord, help us to understand who he is. 00:26:41.660 --> 00:26:44.000 And to live in light of who he is. 00:26:45.820 --> 00:26:47.660 For we pray in his precious name. 00:26:48.779 --> 00:26:49.180 Amen. 00:26:49.180 --> 00:26:49.240 Amen.