Sermons by Art Davison

SERMON ON THE BREAD OF LIFE–JOHN 6:22-71–LESSON 15

The theme of the message is Life Sustained. Jesus told the crowd about food the “which endureth unto everlasting life,” v. 27. Those who are sustained by this bread “shall never hunger,” v. 35. Jesus also promised to sustain a relationship with those who trust Him, vs. 56-57.

I. “I AM THE BREAD OF LIFE,” vs. 32-40.

A. Moses did not give Israel the Bread of Heaven, v. 32.

B. Jesus sets the record straight. God the Father gave the manna to Israel, v. 32, “Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven.”

C. This is the first of the “I AM” declarations that Jesus made.

1. Jesus is the bread of God divine bread, v. 33, “For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.”

2. “Bread of life” is that which provides life.

3. That bread is the “true bread from heaven.”

a. The manna in the wilderness sustained life only for a while.

b. The “true bread” is spiritual bread and sustains life for eternity.

4. That bread give everlasting satisfaction, v. 35, “And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.” The “never” is emphatic in the Greek text, “no, never.”

5. Jesus states the will of the Father, v. 40, “And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.”

II. THE JEWS SAW JESUS AS A MAN ONLY, vs. 41-42.

A. The Jews saw Jesus only as “the son of Joseph.”

B. They did not see the incarnate Son of God, John 1:14, “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”

1. They did not see the WORD, the Son of God, John 1:1-3, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2-The same was in the beginning with God. 3-All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.”

2. They did not see “Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” of John 1:29 as John the Baptist saw Him.

The did not see Him as the PROPHET OF GOD, John 4:44, “For Jesus himself testified, that a prophet hath no honour in his own country.”

3. They did not see Him as the “Bread of Life,” as He claimed. v. 41, “The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which came down from heaven.”

III. “NO MAN CAN COME TO ME, EXCEPT THE FATHER WHICH HATH SENT ME DRAW HIM.” vs. 43-46.

A. God reveals His Son to whom He wills, Matthew 11:27, “All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.”

B. God educates a man regarding his need of Jesus Christ, v. 45, “All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.”

IV. “YOUR FATHERS DID EAT MANNA IN THE WILDERNESS AND ARE DEAD.” vs. 47-51.

A. The Jews had eaten manna in the wilderness, but they died because it was only a type of the Bread of Life.

B. Jesus is the Living Bread, v. 50, “This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.”

1. This bread came down from heaven, v. 51.

2. “The bread that I will give is my flesh.” v. 51.

V. “EXCEPT YE EAT THE FLESH OF THE SON OF MAN, AND DRINK HIS BLOOD, YE HAVE NO LIFE IN YOU.” vs. 52-59.

A. As often happens, Jesus’ teaching was not understood, John 4:15, “The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw.”

B. Jesus is saying that a man must IDENTIFY himself with Jesus Christ in order to go to heaven. He must TRUST HIM AS SAVIOR!

1. In the OT the sinner had to identify himself with his offering by putting his hand on the head of the animal as he confessed his sin, Leviticus 1:4, “And he shall put his hand upon the head of the burnt offering; and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him.”

2. Only then did the priest accept the offering.

VI. THE JEWS ARE OFFENDED, vs. 60-71.

A. As the people began to understand His teaching, they found it to be totally unacceptable.

B. Many of the Galilean disciples turned away from Him, v. 66, “From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.”

1. The popular enthusiasm for Jesus as a political Messiah was then over, v. 15, “When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.”

2. They saw that He was not going to deliver them from Rome.

C. They were offended at Jesus and His teaching, v. 41, “The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which came down from heaven.”

1. Paul wrote that the crucified Messiah was a “stumbling block” (skandalon) to the Jews, 1 Corinthians 1:23, “But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;” The same Greek word translated “stumblingblock” is the word used for offend in verse 61.

2. Many have been offended over the year and have rejected Christ as the Jews did that day. They died just as the Jews died in unbelief in the wilderness.

D. Jesus questioned the Twelve; “Will ye also go away?”

1. Peter responded for the group, v. 68, “Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.”

2. These twelve knew who He was, Matthew 16:16, “And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

3. 6:70-71. Jesus then asked, Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? John’s Gospel does not record Jesus’ choice of the Twelve. He assumed his readers knew the Synoptics or common church tradition (cf. Mark 3:13-19). This choice was not election to salvation, but was Jesus’ call to them to serve Him. Yet, He said, one of you is a devil! In the light of John 13:2, 27, Satan’s working in Judas was tantamount to Judas being the devil. In 6:70 the Greek does not have the indefinite article “a,” so it could be translated “one of you is Satan (devil).” Jesus’ knowledge of Judas (who was called Judas Iscariot because his father was Simon Iscariot) was still another example of His omniscience (cf. 1:47; 2:24-25; 6:15, 61). Later in the Upper Room, Jesus again said one of the Twelve would betray Him (13:21). John called Judas “the traitor” (18:5). The disciples later could reflect on this prophecy of His and be strengthened in their faith. Judas was a tragic figure, influenced by Satan; yet he was responsible for his own evil choices.

THE LORD’S KINGDOM AND POWER–JOHN 6:15-21–LESSON 14

Introduction:

The Lord had just manifested His power by feeding 5,000 men plus who knows how many women and children that were with the men. The disciples were amazed at this great miracle. The people took note also and were about to move to crown Jesus their king. However, the Lord had other plans and moves to avoid this from happening.

As the disciple cross the Sea of Tiberias a storm causes them to fear for their lives, but Jesus is near to manifest His power once again.

I. THE LORD’S KINGDOM.

A. They were going to take Him by force, v. 15, “When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.”

1. Jesus knew their thoughts on the subject, John 2:24-25, “But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, 25And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.”

2. All things are open before the Lord, Hebrews 4:13, “Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.”

B. Their intent was to crown Him King over Israel.

1. They had seen what He could do with a few fishes and two loaves of bread, vs. 5-13.

2. They knew of the miracles that he had done.

a. The water turned into wine, John 2:1-11.

b. The healing of the nobleman’s son, John 4:43-53.

c. The healing of the impotent man on the Sabbath, John 5:1-9.

3. They wanted a King that would free them from the Roman domination.

C. My kingdom is not of this world, John 18:36, “Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.”

1. The time was not yet, Acts 1:6-7, “When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? 7-And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.”

2. However, the time for the coming of the Lord is near when He will set up His Kingdom on this earth.

a. John the Baptist preached that it was near, Matthew 3:2, “And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

b. Today we preach that the kingdom of heaven is at hand also, Romans 13:11, “And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.”

II. THE LORD’S POWER.

A. The Storm affords an opportunity to teach the disciples a lesson in faith, vs. 16-18.

1. Jesus’ disciples go down to the sea and take a boat to the other side, vs. 16-17, “And when even was now come, his disciples went down unto the sea, 17-And entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them.”

2. They leave without Jesus and get into trouble, v. 18, “And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew.”

3. The Sea of Tiberias or Galilee is infamous for its storms. Perhaps it is a symbol of the storms of our life.

a. Jesus can calm to storms of life, Mark 4:39, “And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.”

b. Jesus can also raise a storm in your life, Psalm 1107:25-26, “For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof. 26-They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble.”

B. Jesus is always near when needed, vs. 19-21.

1. Just when all hope was gone, Jesus appears, vs. 19-20, “So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid. 20-But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid.”

2. He is there to comfort, John 14:18, “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.”

THE FEEDING OF THE FIVE THOUSAND–JOHN 6:1-15–LESSON 13

Introduction:

The miracle of the feeding of the 5,000 is the only sign recorded by all four Gospels with the exception of the Jesus’ resurrection. This fact alone points to its importance. The significance of the sign was expounded by the Lord in a long discourse in verses 22-71.

I. EVENTS OF THE TIME.

A. Herod Antipas had killed John the Baptist.

1. John was not in prison earlier, John 3:24, “For John was not yet cast into prison.”

2. By this time Herod had already killed him, Mark 6:14-16, “And king Herod heard of him; (for his name was spread abroad:) and he said, That John the Baptist was risen from the dead, and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him. 15-Others said, That it is Elias. And others said, That it is a prophet, or as one of the prophets. 16-But when Herod heard thereof, he said, It is John, whom I beheaded: he is risen from the dead.”

B. The disciples had preached throughout Galilee, Mark 6:7-13, 30-31.

C. Multitudes of people were curious about Jesus and Herod Antipas was seeking Jesus. Luke 9:7-9, “Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by him: and he was perplexed, because that it was said of some, that John was risen from the dead; 8And of some, that Elias had appeared; and of others, that one of the old prophets was risen again. 9And Herod said, John have I beheaded: but who is this, of whom I hear such things? And he desired to see him.”

II. PLACE

A. The Lord had gone to the Northeast side of the Sea of Galilee with his disciples for some rest, v. 1, “After these things Jesus went over the Sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberias.”

1. The Sea of Galilee was also called the Sea of Tiberias, name for a town east of the sea built by the Romans, John 21:1.

2. It is also called the “lake of Gennesaret” from the flat district lying on its west coast, Luke 5:1, “And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret,”

3. In the Old Testament it is called the “sea of Chinnereth,” Numbers 34:11; Joshua 12:3; 13:27.

B. The multitudes had followed Jesus to the hillside.

1. Even in this “solitary” desert place, Matthew 14:13, “When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart: and when the people had heard thereof, they followed him on foot out of the cities.”

2. It was a very “remote” place, Matthew 14:15, “And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals.”

III. THE TIME

A. About a year before the Lord was crucified.

B. The Jewish Passover feast was near. This is the second mentioned by John, John 13:1, “Now before the feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.” (This is the third Passover mentioned).

C. The thoughts of the people were on the theological aspects of the season, thinking in terms of blood, flesh, lambs and unleavened bread.

D. They longed for another MOSES who would deliver them from Roman bondage.

IV. THE MIRACLE

A. “Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?” vs. 5-6. The question was put to Phillip.

1. Phillip was from Bethsaida, the nearest town.

2. He would know the conditions for acquiring so much bread.

B. The answer to the question was that it was impossible, humanly speaking, to feed that many people under their conditions.

1. The amount of money needed was equivalent to 8 months wages.

2. Secondly, there weren’t enough ovens to bake that much on the short notice.

3. The Lord was testing Phillip to refine his faith, 1 Peter 1:7, “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:”

C. Andrew, in contrast with Phillip, had gone into the crowd to determine its resources, vs. 8-9, “One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, saith unto him, 9-There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?”

D. The Lord begins to act, vs. 10-11, “Make the men sit down.”

1. The number was 5,000 men plus the women and children, Matthew 14:21, “And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children.” Perhaps there was as many as 10,000 people.

2. They were seated in groups of 50 and 100, Mark 6:40, “And they sat down in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties.”

3. Jesus gave thanks and distributed the food, Mark 6:41, “And when he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and brake the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before them; and the two fishes divided he among them all.”

E. The disciples learn that the Lord is more than adequate for their needs.

1. Everyone eat to his full satisfaction.

2. Twelve baskets of fragments left over was part of the disciple’s education, Mark 6:42-43, “And they did all eat, and were filled. 43-And they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments, and of the fishes.”

F. Seeing this miraculous sign the people recalled Moses’ prediction that a PROPHET like him would arise, Deut. 18:15, “The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken;”

G. Understanding the sign, the people wanted to make Jesus their King.

1. Jesus was at the height of His popularity.

2. Could He have the kingdom WITHOUT THE CROSS? NO!

H. Jesus’ kingdom would be given Him by the Father, Psalm 2:7-12.

1. It would not come from the world, John 18:36, “Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.”

2. Before Jesus can be the REIGNING LION of Judah, He must be the LAMB WHO BEARS THE SIN OF THE WORLD, John 1:29, “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”

THE THREEFOLD WITNESS TO CHRIST’S DEITY–JOHN 5:30-47–LESSON 12

Introduction:

There are three witnesses that testify to the fact that Jesus is who He says he is.

I. THE WITNESS OF JOHN THE BAPTIST, (vs. 30–35).

A. The people listened to John and even rejoiced at his ministry.

1. John was sent from God, John 1:6-7, “There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.”

2. John preached the Kingdom of God, Matthew 3:1-2, “In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, 2And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

B. But rejected him and his message.

1. John bares witness of Jesus, John 1:15, “John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me.”

2. Only a few believed John, John 3:28, “Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.”

3. John accomplished his mission to prepare a people ready to meet the Lord. Luke 1:17, “And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

II. THE WITNESS OF THE WORKS THAT JESUS DID, (v. 36).

A. A greater witness than John the Baptist, v. 36, “But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.”

1. God testified through the “signs and wonders” which Jesus did. Hebrews 2:4, “God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?”

2. Peter declare that God worked through Jesus Christ, Acts 2:22, “God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?”

B. The miracles were so numerous and completely successful that no one can deny them.

1. Water turned into wine at the marriage at Cana, John 2.

2. The healing of the impotent man in John 5:1-9.

3. The raising of Lazarus from the dead, John 11.

4. The restoration of the sight of the blind, Luke 18:35-43.

III. THE WITNESS OF THE FATHER’S WORD IN THE SCRIPTURES, (vs. 37–47).

A. The Old Testament Scripture are the Father’s witness to His Son, v. 37, “And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape.”

1. The Jews searched the Scriptures, thinking that their studies would save them, but they read with eyes that were spiritually blind, v. 39, “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.”

2. These Jews were not willing to find Christ in the Word of God as were the Bereans, Acts 17:11, “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”

B. God was pleased to bear witness of his Son himself.

1. By a voice from heaven at his baptism, Matthew 3:17, “And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

2. At His transfiguration, Matthew 17:5, “While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.”

C. These Jews were not interested, v. 40, “And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.”

1. The love of God was not in them, v. 41, “But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you.”

2. Jesus did not accuse them, but Moses did, vs. 45-46, “Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust. 46For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me.”

CONCLUSION:

The conclusion to all of this is believing the Word of God. Jesus said in verse 47, “But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?”

CHRIST IS EQUAL WITH THE FATHER–JOHN 5:17-30–LESSON 11

Introduction:

The Lord had healed a man on the Sabbath and the Jews were trying to kill Jesus for this violation of their law. “But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.” Now they have another charge against Him, that is, that He made Himself equal with God. To the Jews this was the last straw, however, we can substantiate Jesus’ claims.

I. THREE WAYS THAT JESUS CHRIST IS EQUAL WITH THE FATHER.

A. Jesus is Equal in WORKS, v. 17, “But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.”

1. They sought to kill Jesus because He had healed the man on the Sabath, v. 18.

2. They also sought to kill Him because He made himself equal with God.

B. Jesus is Equal in JUDGMENT, v. 22, “For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:”

1. The Son’s ability to give life is coupled with His right to judge mankind, v. 27, “And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.”

2. The Father has placed this responsibility in the Son’s hands.

C. Jesus is Equal in HONOR, v. 23, “That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.”

1. “Jesus’ unity with His Father is so complete that the honor of God is tied to Jesus.”

2. “To reject or dishonor God the Son is to reject and dishonor God the Father.” (Edwin A. Blum)

II. THE THREEFOLD RESURRECTION.

A. The resurrection of dead sinners today, v. 24, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”

1. Present tense, “He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life,”

2. Future tense, “and shall not come into condemnation.”

3. Past tense, “but is passed from death unto life.”

B. The Resurrection unto life, vs. 28–29a, “Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 29-And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.”

1. The resurrection unto life, v. 25, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.” v. 29a, ”And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life;

2. This is the First Resurrection, Rev. 20:4-6, And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5-But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6-Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.”

C. The Resurrection unto death. This is the second resurrection where the unbelievers shall be raised to be judged before Jesus Christ. Rev. 20:11-12, “And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12-And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.”

1. This is the great white throne judgment.

2. There the unbeliever is judged.

a. He is not judged to see if he merits hell.

b. He is judged regarding the degree of his punishment or suffering in hell.

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