WOW: Women of Wisdom
W.O.W. (Women of Wisdom) is a Bible study for women, sponsored by The Shepherd's Church in Cary, NC. This Bible study, taught by women of The Shepherd's Church & guest speakers from The Shepherd's Seminary, aims to lead women to Biblical Truths to grow in their relationship with God through His Word. Each week has daily lessons for personal study, followed by "iron sharpening iron" in small group discussions and finishes with a lecture that seeks to apply Biblical truths to our daily lives.
WOW: Women of Wisdom
John 6 The Bread of Life | Caleb Cruse
The Bread of Life
John 6:1-71
Theological Proposition: Jesus provides eternal, spiritual satisfaction for those who trust Him.
Homiletical Proposition: Jesus satisfies.
Sermon Purpose: To help the women of WOW understand that only Jesus can satisfy their deepest desires and encourage them to keep trusting Him.
INTRODUCTION
1. Image: Every morning, I crave a cup of coffee.
2. Need: What do you crave?
3. Subject: Can our cravings teach us something about our Creator?
4. Text: John 6:1-71
5. Preview: 5 Scenes
BODY
I. The Sign (1-21)
A. Location: Sea of Galilee (v. 1)
B. Miracle: Jesus feeds 5,000 (only miracle recorded in all 4 gospels)
II. The Search (22-24)
A. The Crowd’s Searching - Image: Bread in Ancient Israel
B. Our Searching
III. The Sermon (25-40)
A. Location: Synagogue at Capernaum
B. Characters: This hungry crowd, some Jewish leaders, 12 Disciples, and Jesus.
C. Jesus’s Sermon reveals 4 Truths about the Heart (25-35)
1. Jesus knows our motives (25-26)
2. Jesus challenges our priorities (27)
3. Jesus reveals our responsibility (28-29)
4. Jesus satisfies our desires (30-35)
Jesus Makes 4 Claims about Himself (35)
1) A Claim of Exclusivity – It’s been noted that “Our faith is centered on a Person, not a program or principles.” (paraphrase, D. Johnson)
2) A Claim of Deity – “I Am”
- I am the Bread of Life (6:35)
- I am the Light of the World (8:12)
- I am the Door (10:7)
- I am the Good Shepherd (10:11, 14)
- I am the Resurrection and the Life (11:25)
- I am the Way and the Truth and the Life (14:6)
- I am the Vine: (15:1, 5)
- Before Abraham was, I Am (8:58)
3) A Claim of Necessity – the Bread
4) A Claim of Eternity – of Life
Big Idea: Jesus satisfies. There’s an inherent restlessness that we all possess.
Quote: St. Augustine (a man full of desire) famously said, “You have made us for
yourself, Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.”
Psalm 107:8-9
D. Other Comments (36-40)
IV. The Starved (41-66) *Response of the Crowd & Jewish Leaders
A. They were unconvinced. (41)
B. They were puzzled. (52)
C. They were upset. (60)
D. They were done. (66)
II. The Satisfied (67-69) *Response of the 12 Disciples
A. They were committed. (67)
You may not fully understand everything about Jesus... you’re questions
might not be fully answered (this will take a lifetime) but at some point,
you have to take the bite ... take the leap, and trust God to catch you.
That’s why we call it faith.
Psalm 34:8 – Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!
CONCLUSION
2 Ways to Feast on the Bread of Life
- Admission of Faith (one-time for salvation)
- Expressions of Faith (ongoing for sanctification)
What are ways to express our faith in Jesus? Well, what did the 12 disciples do?
- They walked with Him.
- They talked with Him.
- They got to know Him.
- Thy meditated on Him.
- They observed His work and ways.
- They ate with Him (Lord’s Supper).
- They worshipped Him.
Feast...
- Feast on his timeless word.
- Feast on his fixed promises.
- Feast on his unconditional love.
- Feast on his unending mercy.
- Feast on his divine approval.
- Feast on his unmatched power.
- Feast on his wonderful presence.
- Feast on his perfect friendship.
What happens when we’re satisfied with the Bread of life? (Satisfaction is a
cousin of contentment.)
- We have freedom (from obsession with sin)
- We have peace (not anxious)
- We have energy (to fulfill God’s work/calling)
- We have joy (pleasant to be around)