Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost

August 11, 2024

Sermon Text: John 6:24-35

Other Readings: Exodus 16:15-31 and 1 Corinthians 10:1-5,11-13

 

Note: Verse 35 is the first of Jesus’ so-called “I Am Statements” in the Gospel of John. Others include “I am the light of the world” and “I am the Good Shepherd.” These “I Am Statements” are rooted in what the pre-incarnate Son of God said to Moses at the burning bush, “I am who I am” (Exodus 3:14).

1. Jesus said to the crowd that they did not see the signs that he had performed (v. 26). Obviously, he does not mean that the crowd did not physically witness the feeding of the five thousand; after all, they were there! What, then, did Jesus mean when he accused them of not seeing the signs? What application is there for us?

 

2. Speaking about himself as the Son of Man, Jesus said, “On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval” (v. 27). When did God the Father place his seal of approval on Jesus? Which of the following options seems best to you? Explain your position.
   1. When John the Baptist’s testified about Jesus
   2. When Jesus was baptized
   3. Whenever Jesus did a miracles
   4. All of the above
   5. Another option

 

3. The crowd asked, “What must we do to do the works God requires” (v. 28)? They asked this because they were taught that human works can make people right with God. In Jesus’ day, what were some of the works that were emphasized as things that please God? In our day, what are some works that people think will especially please God?

 

4. Jesus answered the question above by saying that “the work of God” is “to believe in in the one he has sent” (v. 29). In what sense is faith work? Explain why faith is a work of God.

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1. Jesus meant that they did not see with faith what the miracles signaled. The miracles signaled that they should take Jesus’ words as the truth because Jesus is clearly the Son of God. The people saw the miracles simply as a ticket to more stuff. The application for us is that we should be aware of the ways that our earthly blessings signal the goodness of God and that he wants us to take seriously what he says to us.

 

2. It seems hard to definitely suggest one answer over the others. However, perhaps letter “b” is the strongest contender since at Jesus’ baptism the Father proclaimed him the beloved Son and the Holy Spirit descended on him. Either way, the point Jesus made is clear: you have ample evidence to know that you should listen to me and trust in me.

 

3. The religious leaders of Jesus’ day especially emphasized a strict observance of the Sabbath day rest and of tithing even the smallest thing. As for our modern time… perhaps it’s whom you vote for, how you provide for the family, how you run your home, etc. The answers are myriad. And there are so many answers because we love the idea that we can point to so many things as self-justification.

 

4. Faith is work because it is something we are to constantly exercise. To believe in God is to respect, love, and trust in him above all things and all people at all times. Martin Luther said, “Faith is a living, active thing.” But faith is a work “of God” in two different respects. First, it is God who begins and strengthens this work in us. It is true that we do the believing, but God is the one who gives us the gift and then empowers us to keep believing. Secondly, this is the work that above all others pleases God because all other good works flow from faith.