August 6, 2006am    Wonder Bread?   John 6:24-35

By Ronald E. George Jr. at the Fayetteville Baptist Church

Cruel “Bread” Of China

During the great famine of China , the people made “bread” from a kind of edible earth. But this ingredient was devoid of any nutrients, so those who ate the loaves, starved. Meyer also refers to the nardoo plant which grows in Australia . The spores of this clover fern can be made into bread and porridge. But they contain no proteins, carbohydrates, or vitamins—the essentials for sustaining life. Those who depend upon it for food will have their stomachs filled, but they’ll eventually die.^[1]

Scripture Text:  John 6:24 (NIV) Once the crowd realized that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into the boats and went to Capernaum in search of Jesus. 25 When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, "Rabbi, when did you get here?" 26 Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. 27 Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval." 28 Then they asked him, "What must we do to do the works God requires?" 29 Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent." 30 So they asked him, "What miraculous sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? 31 Our forefathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written: `He gave them bread from heaven to eat.' 32 Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who 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 "Sir," they said, "from now on give us this bread." 35 Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.

Do you want a free lunch?  Is there such a thing as a free lunch?  Do you pay for it?  How?   How do you receive it?  Jesus said come follow me.  Believe in Him and in Him who sent Jesus.  These are the works of God.   Do you want to see a sign? God gives you bread from heaven.  It gives life to the world.  The people said:, Sir, give us this bread always.   Jesus is the bread of life or the wonder bread.   You will never be hungry and you will never be thirsty.  You must come to Jesus and you must believe.

Wonder Bread:

1. It is bread from heaven. 

2. It is bread that doesn’t spoil.

3. It is bread that is given as a free gift from God.  It gives life to the world. 

4. It is bread that satisfies the hungry belly  and  the hungry soul.

5. It is bread that satisfies.

6. It is the true bread.  Compares to many who make false claims about their bread.

7. It is the bread of God. 

8. This bread is he who comes own from heaven and gives life to the world. 

9. It is the bread that causes you to never become hungry or thirsty.

10. Jesus is the bread of life.  He is the wonder bread. 

Have you tried this wonder bread? 

1. The people wanted this wonder bread.

2. The people wanted to know what they had to do to get this bread.

3. Work for the bread that doesn’t spoil. Why not get the best possible bread?

4. The work that God requires is to believe in the One who God has sent.

5. Jesus is one who was sent to give you the wonder bread. 

6. If you believe in this wonder bread then you will eat this bread and live. 

7. If you believe in the wonder bread then will never get hungry and thirsty. 

8. Have you eaten this bread?  Will you today?

Father With Son In Attic

A father had told his son he would send him to sleep in the attic, with only bread and water for his supper, if he broke the laws of the home once more. The child disobeyed again and was send to the attic: The father could not eat. He had the boy on his mind and his heart. His wife said: “I know what you are thinking. But you must not bring the boy from the attic. It would cause him to disobey again. He would have no respect for your word. You must not cheapen your relation as his father by failing to keep your promise.”

To which her husband replied: “You are right. I will not break my word. To do so would cause my son to lose his respect for my word. But he is so lonely up there.” He kissed his wife good-night, entered the attic, ate bread and water with the boy, and when the child went to sleep on the hard boards, his father’s arm was his pillow.   He who knew no sin suffered for the sinner. —Wilbur Nelson^[2]