Is Jesus Enough? - "I am the Bread of Life"

Listen to the sermon delivered on February 21st, 2010 by Pastor Danny Houze. 

 IS JESUS ENOUGH?
"I Am the Bread of Life"
John 6:25-71

INTRODUCTION TO THE GOSPEL OF JOHN:

Comparing John with the Synoptic Gospels:

• John doesn't include Jesus' genealogy, birth, baptism, temptation, casting out of demons, parables, transfiguration, instituting of the Lord's Supper, Gethsemane or his ascension. 
• John's Gospel stresses Jesus' ministry in Jerusalem, the feasts of the Jewish nation, Jesus' relationships with people in private conversations and his ministry to his disciples.  The Gospel also contains 7 major miracles or "signs" which proclaim and prove Jesus as the Messiah.  The distinctiveness that we are going to concentrate on for the next several weeks are the series of "I am" statements made by Jesus. 

Purpose of Gospel of John: 

• John 20:31, "But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. 
• The key word in the Gospel of John is "believe" and is used 98 times.  The meaning of the word in the Greek language stresses an active, continuous and vital trust in Jesus.

JESUS' SEVEN "I AM'S" IN THE GOSPEL OF JOHN

1. "I am the Bread of Life" (Jn. 6:35).
2. "I am the Light of the world" (Jn. 8:12).
3. "I am the Gate for the Sheep" (Jn. 10:7).
4. "I am the Good Shepherd" (Jn. 10:11, 14).
5. "I am the Resurrection and the Life" (Jn. 11:25).
6. "I am the Way and the Truth and the Life (Jn. 14:6).
7. "I am the true Vine" (Jn. 15:1, 5)

"When we get our spiritual house in order, we'll be dead.  This goes on.  You arrive at enough certainty to be able to make your way, but it is making it in darkness.  Don't expect faith to clear things up for you.  It is trust, not certainty." - Flannery O'Conner

Some wrong reasons people turn to or reject the gospel:

1. Many seek Jesus to "meet their needs" which are almost always physical or material (Jn. 6:30, 34).
2. Many want a Savior on their terms (Jn. 6:28, 30).
3. Many would rather have a god in their image rather than submit to a God who conforms us to His image (Jn. 6:31).

What does Jesus say about Himself?

1. The "Bread of Life" is a Person (Jn. 6:32-40).
2. The "Bread of Life" is eternal not temporal (Jn. 6:44-51).
3. The "Bread of Life" gives empowerment by the Spirit (Jn. 6:61-64).

TAKE AWAY:  The Bread of Life invites us to trust Him in spite of our doubts, confusion and questions because there is no place else to go (Jn. 6:68-69). 

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION AND PRAYER:

• If you were raised in the church, has your "familiarity" with Jesus been a struggle for you to see who he really is?

• How would you articulate your motive for believing and following Jesus? 

Is Jesus Enough? - "I am the Light of the world"

Listen to the message delivered on Sunday, February 28th, 2010 by Pastor Dan Houze. 

IS JESUS ENOUGH?
"I am the Light of the world"
John 8:12-30

The light metaphor of the Messiah is steeped in Old Testament scripture.  The glory of the very presence of God in the cloud led the people to the Promised Land (Ex. 13:21-22) and protected them from those who would destroy them (Ex. 14:19-25).  The Israelites were trained to sing, "The Lord is my light and my salvation" (Ps. 27:1).  The word of God, the law of God, is a light to guide the path of those who cherish instruction (Ps. 119:105; Pr. 6:23); God's light is seen in His revelation to man (Ezk. 1:4, 13, 26-28) and in His salvation (Hab. 3:3-4).  Isaiah tells us that the servant of the LORD was appointed as a light to the Gentiles, that he might bring God's salvation to the ends of the earth (Is. 49:6).  The coming future age will be a time when the LORD himself would be the light for his people (Is. 60:19-22; Rev. 21:23-24). 

John's prologue of the gospel (John 1:1-9)

Setting of chapter 8:  The Festival of Tabernacles in the Court of Women commemorating God's guidance of the Israelites in the wilderness by the pillar of fire. 

What is the Biblical purpose for "light?"

• Exposure (John 3:20)
• Illumination of truth for the purpose of salvation (Is. 49:6)
• Guidance (Ps. 119:105)
• Protection and provision (Ex. 14:19-25; Rev. 21:23-24)

Biblical references to "darkness" in our world:

• Those who choose darkness over light (John 3:20-21)
• Those who believe they are in light because of outward appearances but are blind (John 7:24)
• Those who say they believe but will not follow (8:31ff)
• Those who have been deceived by Satan as an "angel of light" (2 Cor. 11:13-15)

How does the Light change us?

• We no longer feel the need to hide.
• We move from objective, intellectual belief to "following" belief (John 8:12; 15:4).
• We become "the light of the world" (Matthew 5:14,16).

TAKE AWAY:  Genuinely following Jesus Christ is not only the way to heaven; it is the only way to escape the darkness of this life.

QUESTION FOR REFLECTION AND PRAYER:

Have you come to trust in Jesus as the Light of your world?

Is Jesus Enough? - "I Am the Gate for the Sheep and the Good Shepherd"

The people of Israel had been looking forward to the coming of the Messiah whose leadership would be like that of a shepherd.  The leadership and care of the Shepherd of Israel is described in many Old Testament passages (Ps. 23; 80:1-2; Ecc. 12:11; Isa. 40:11; Jer. 31:10).  In Jesus' last public discourse he makes the bold claim that he is indeed the Shepherd Israel has been waiting for setting off violent opposition against him. 

1. (vv.7-10) Jesus, as the "Gate" is characterized by...

• Salvation
• Freedom
• Provision
• Abundant life

*In contrast to false messiahs who deceived and caused violence.

2. (vv.11-18) Jesus, as the Good Shepherd is characterized by...

• Authority over life and death
• Self-sacrifice
• Intimate knowledge of his Father and followers
• Concern and love for all people

*In contrast to the "hired hand" who is self-serving and abandons the flock when things become difficult.

3. (vv.25-30) The "sheep" (true believers) are characterized by...

• Sensitivity...............They "hear my voice"
• Relationship..........."I know them" (see Luke 13:22-30; Mt. 7:21-23)
• Obedience.............."They follow me" (John 15: 1John 2:3-6)
• Life..........................."I give them eternal life"
• Assurance..............."they shall never perish"
• Security..................."No one shall snatch them out of my hand"

TAKE AWAY:  God has designed the church so that the needs of His people can be met in the context of the Good Shepherd, the under-shepherds and the flock.

QUESTION FOR REFLECTION AND PRAYER:

How is being part of God's flock changing your life? 

Is Jesus Enough? - "I Am the Resurrection and the Life"

Listen to the message delivered on Sunday, March 14th, 2010 by Pastor Dan Houze. 

IS JESUS ENOUGH?
"I Am the Resurrection and the Life"
John 11:1-44

As the Resurrection and the Life, Jesus...

1. May initially seem disconnected from our pain or concerns (vv. 16, 21-22, 32, 37)

2. Challenges us to believe beyond the circumstances (vv. 14, 23-25, 40-41)

3. Does enter into our pain (vv. 33-36)

4. Insists that we move (vv.38-41)

5. Proves he is the master of life and death (vv. 41b-44)