What's In It For Me? (John 6:24-35) Ordinary 18 Year B

Summary

In this week's video talk, the speaker discusses John 6:24-35, where Jesus reveals the true motives of the crowd seeking him for material gain rather than spiritual enlightenment. He emphasizes that genuine belief in Jesus involves trusting in his teachings, recognizing his unique kingship through the cross, and embracing his sacrificial love. The speaker also reflects on the challenges of pleasing everyone in ministry and encourages trusting Jesus for eternal life, beyond physical needs.

Takeaways

• 📖 The script begins with a recap of the previous week's discussion on John chapter 6, where Jesus fed the 5,000 and the subsequent events.
• 🔍 The crowd's search for Jesus and their motives are questioned, with Jesus pointing out that they seek Him for the wrong reasons, not for the signs but for the loaves they ate.
• 🍞 Jesus introduces the concept of 'true bread from heaven', emphasizing the spiritual nourishment that comes from believing in Him over physical sustenance.
• 🙏 The work of God, according to Jesus, is to believe in the one He has sent, highlighting the importance of faith over seeking signs or miracles.
• 🤔 The crowd's desire for a sign like the manna in the wilderness is contrasted with Jesus' teaching on the spiritual bread that gives eternal life.
• 💧 The speaker takes a moment for a personal aside, mentioning a sabbatical and reflecting on the 'what's in it for me' attitude prevalent in society.
• 👑 Jesus' rejection of the crowd's desire to make Him king by force and His emphasis on spiritual leadership rather than temporal power is discussed.
• 🕊 The concept of discipleship is explored, with Jesus allowing those who do not truly believe to go, showing the importance of genuine faith over forced adherence.
• 🌐 The speaker challenges the modern church to consider its approach to pleasing people versus staying true to Jesus' teachings.
• ❤️ Believing in Jesus involves trusting in His teachings, which often challenge societal norms and require a radical shift in perspective.
• ✝️ Trusting in Jesus' kingship means recognizing His authority and the transformative power of His sacrifice on the cross.
• 💖 Trusting in Jesus' love involves embracing His teachings and His sacrifice, understanding that His actions are for our benefit and the world's transformation.

Q & A

What event in John chapter 6 is the speaker referring to at the beginning of the video?

The speaker is referring to the event where Jesus fed the 5,000 and then escaped with his disciples across the Sea of Galilee to avoid being made king by force by the crowd.

Why did the crowd in John 6:24-35 go to Capernaum?

The crowd went to Capernaum in search of Jesus after realizing that neither he nor his disciples were present where they initially were.

What does Jesus imply about the crowd's motives for seeking him in John 6:26?

Jesus implies that the crowd is seeking him not because they recognized the signs he performed, but because they were satisfied by the loaves they ate and were looking for more physical benefits.

What is the 'true bread from heaven' according to Jesus in John 6?

The 'true bread from heaven' is Jesus himself, who gives life to the world and offers eternal life to those who believe in him.

What is the work of God that Jesus mentions to the crowd?

The work of God, according to Jesus, is to believe in the one he has sent, which is Jesus himself.

What does the speaker imply about the attitude of people seeking benefits from following Jesus?

The speaker implies that people often seek Jesus for personal benefits rather than genuine faith, similar to the crowd in the scripture who were only geographically following Jesus.

What does the speaker compare the crowd's attitude to in terms of seeking from Jesus?

The speaker compares the crowd's attitude to the 'what's in it for me' mentality often found in wider society, including politicians during elections.

What does the speaker suggest is the main difference between Jesus's kingship and the one the crowd imagined?

The speaker suggests that Jesus's kingship is spiritual and heavenly, expressed through his sacrificial death on the cross, rather than a military or worldly power as the crowd imagined.

What are the three aspects of trusting in Jesus that the speaker identifies?

The three aspects are trusting in Jesus's teachings, trusting in his kingship as seen at the cross, and trusting in his love for humanity.

What does the speaker suggest is the proper attitude for Christians during worship?

The speaker suggests that the proper attitude for Christians during worship is one of giving rather than getting, focusing on the act of worship itself rather than personal benefits.

What does the speaker imply about the church's approach to pleasing people?

The speaker implies that the church should not soften or redesign its message to please people but should maintain the integrity of its teachings, even if it means people may leave.