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Pastor Brant Seacrist

NOVEMBER 8, 2020

"THE WORDS OF ETERNAL LIFE
"

TEXT: JOHN 6: 60-71
READING: PSALMS 34: 1-22

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SUBJ: The spiritual knowledge of Christ and the spiritual life in men that recognizes that Jesus is the Christ.

AIM: That we should realize that apart from a spiritual identity there can be no true knowledge and the world is offended at such a thought.

INTR: The text before us is the expression of the consequences of the Bread of Life sermon in which Christ reveals the true reason of unbelief and the distinguishing cause of true belief.
1. It is evident here that many, if not all, of the disciples (learners) had the beginnings of a physical kingdom in view (see v. 26)
2. These were offended at the declaration of Christ that they were to see Him as the "greater" of whom Moses had spoken.
3. The design of God is that Jesus should be seen as the Christ and as the only source of life and in control of life as the only true sovereign.

THESIS: The lesson for the true disciples (Apostles here) was that they must know that it is He alone Who can reveal the Words of life and Who can impart life - a total dependence on Him is necessary.

I. A hard saying (v. 60)
1. Compare: Psalms 60:3 Thou hast shewed thy people hard things: thou hast made us to drink the wine of astonishment.
2. Consider a careless approach to the scriptures: 2 Peter 3:16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
3. The danger of preconceived notions as opposed to confirmed matters of faith - that which is known versus that which is trusted.
4. The reaction here is one of opposition as if to say, "we will not listen to this stuff."

II. A Profound revelation (vv. 61-64)
1. He knew what was going as to their murmuring.
1) Consider the emptiness of "God knows everything" and the failure to apply to self.
2) The fact is that not only does He know, but also, that He knows why!
2. What if you see? (v. 62)
1) The hesitancy and doubt that arises about that which men cannot control.
2) The fear of the personal upheaval of our lives in seeing the miraculous workings of our Lord. See again v. 26 and the miracles.
3. Do we know that He is ascended on high as a matter of experience?
4. A difficult passage (according to most commentators)
1) That Christ is here distinguishing between His Spirit and His Body
2) That Christ is here speaking of the work of He, the Holy Spirit
3) That the life that we know in Him is by virtue of spiritual life in us and consider the reference to the perception of His words in us
4) Perhaps all have an element of truth
5) It is evident that it was beyond those who were questioning Him.
5. Consider that He fed them and ministered to them and all the time - He knew.

III. A hard saying indeed (vv. 65-66)
1. A restating of vv. 37, 44 with more finality than explanation - they were already angry
2. We note that the word "time" is added by the KJV. It may be said as well that it was at that saying they went back - perhaps this was the "straw that broke the camel's back."
3. The issue of "walking" with Him and remember Amos 3:3 Can two walk together, except they be agreed?
4. This states a most hated truth since the pride of man is completely laid low. (They are after all His words which are spirit).

IV. A precious revelation (vv. 67-71)
1. An unexpected response to the departure
2. One of the most searching questions in the entire Bible in that the whole course of one's life is herein defined.
3. The design of our Lord was one of "discovery learning"
1) They had to search their hearts to answer
2) It was understood that there must be a reason for staying
3) The answer was one expressing exclusive hope and trust
4. Thou art that Christ - the One of Whom Moses and the prophets spoke
5. A reason for asking this question over and over - Judas!
6. Why do men stay? They are convinced in heart and mind that Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.