Old Llantrisant Hill
Introduction
- Reading John 6:26-29
- Overview of looking at questions in John's Gospel (with explanation):
- Do you want to be made well?
- Where shall we buy bread?
- Does this offend you?
- Today: a question from the crowd (v28)
- "What shall we do, that we may work the works of God"
- The crowd had asked various questions:
- Example of the rich young man
- Example of the lawyer
- It is good to come to God with questions
- Are you seeking answers - ask of God
- The context to this question
- Jesus had fed the 5,000
- Jesus has said they were following Him simply for the material blessings
- Jesus advised the people not to pursue material things ... but everlasting life given by Him
- The people wanted to work the works of God - to perform miracles
- Overview:
- Its Irony
- Its Implication
- Its Answer
Its Irony
- Because many people (disciples) turned away from Jesus
- Because Jesus was criticised for working on the Sabbath day (John 5:16-17)
- John 7:21-24 – their hypocrisy
- Examples - Jesus called out their double standards
- As human beings we can be like this
- Like the people in v26
- Example from James
- Example from John
- We must search our hearts - examples
- Are we one thing in Church but another thing outside Church
- Are there inconsistencies in our lives?
- What are our motives?
Its Implication
- The people were fascinated by miracles (John 6:30)
- Their whole mindset was of a work-based religion
- To please God by their hard efforts, their religiosity, their good, their deeds
- This is true of religions the world over - works and striving
- Christianity is about grace
- Their pursuit of miracles
- You may think this does not apply in the Church
- False teachers on the internet
- People often want to bypass Jesus - they simply want to be healed (Example of the Ten Lepers)
- Examples
- God can perform miracles but they do not often occur
- The people felt they were worthy before God
- We are not worthy - it is Christ who is worthy
Its Answer
- To believe in Jesus - this is the work of God (v29)
- It was hard for the people to see Jesus as the God Man
- Despite His miracles
- Despite His lack of sin
- He was not just another prophet
- Belief and faith - trusting your life and salvation to God
- Example of Blondin
- It is not of ourselves but of God - Eph 2:8-9
- Christianity is not 'do' but 'done' - explanation
- Rest in what God has done for us
- Trust in Him for the promise of everlasting life
- Why turn your back on Jesus Christ and lose out on heaven?
- Believe in Jesus Christ