Why are there so many ingrates? Luke 17:11-19

 America didn't invent Thanksgiving, but we do it the best. Christians have been giving thanks for centuries. We are so blessed and yet we complain so much. We are materially rich, but spiritually poor.

Luke 17:11-19 (ESV) "On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. And as he was entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices, saying, 'Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.' When he saw them he said to them, 'Go and show yourselves to the priests.' And as they went they were cleansed. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus answered, 'Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?' And he said to him, 'Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.'"

I. When we have it good we forget about God.

Deuteronomy 8:11-14 (ESV) "Take care lest you forget the LORD your God by not keeping his commandments and his rules and his statutes, which I command you today, lest, when you have eaten and are full and have built good houses and live in them, and when your herds and flocks multiply and your silver and gold is multiplied and all that you have is multiplied, then your heart be lifted up, and you forget the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery."\

When we get all the things we sometimes forget about God. When you get to the "Promised Land" don't be surprised when God has to remind you how you got there. The Israelites did this many times after they left Egypt. God would save them and in no time they would think they could make it on their own. Christians today do the same thing. When times are good don't forget who helped you get there...God.

II. Physical health is a poor substitute for eternal security

10 men were healed, but 1 man was saved. The Samaritan man knew what was really important...his spiritual healing. Christians should care about their physical health, but their spiritual  health is much more important. The Samaritan man was not worshiping how he should have been, but he was the 1 man who came back and gave thanks. Every true gift that we have is not deserved. Our salvation is an undeserved gift. 

2 Corinthians 4:18 (NIV) "So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."

Americans gather around the table and generically give thanks but do we truly give thanks? We tend to gripe about the meal, a game or someone also sitting around the table. Are we really thankful? 

III. You can't truly be thankful unless you know who to thank!

James 1:17 (ESV) "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation of shadow due to change."

Our greatest need is our salvation. God's offer of grace is for everyone.

Galatians 2:20 (ESV) "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."

2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV) "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."

IV. Thanksgiving/gratitude is a mark of spiritual maturity.

Colossians 2:6-7 (ESV) "Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving."

Seek to grow in gratitude everyday. Practice gratitude. Start every day with prayer and end everyday in prayer. Make it a habit. 

ACTS Prayer

A...Adoration

C...Confession

T....Thanksgiving

S...Supplication

Write out your prayers. Keep a prayer journal. It helps you stay on task and you can see your answered prayers. Walking outside while praying, pray before eating.

V. If you're truly thankful...it should flow out to others.

The Pilgrims who came over on the Mayflower were not perfect. They faced tough times, but they were trying to honor God. They were separatists. 102 set sail on September 6, 1620. The first Thanksgiving was in the fall of 1621. Almost 50 died before the fall of 1621, yet they gathered to give thanks. Their numbers grew and grew. New arrivals came and they were fruitful. They numbered in the thousands in just 71 years. They then merged with the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1691. They were Puritans and the two groups would form what would become Massachusetts. 10 million of the 340 million Americans are descended from those on the Mayflower. They suffered but God blessed them.

Closing Scripture

Psalms 67:1-3 (ESV) "May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, that your way may be know on earth, your saving power among all nations. Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the people praise you!"

The Ministry of Encouragement 11-16-25

 People tend to avoid the word ministry. Most believe that ministry only applies to pastors, preachers, church officials and clergy, but ALL Christians are called to minister. 

The definition of ministry- to attend to needs/to give aid/serve/assist

Philippians 2:3-7 (NIV) "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of  others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness."

Matthew 23:11 (ESV) "The greatest among you shall be your servant."

Jesus came to minister and we are called to minister as well.

1 Corinthians 12:7 (ESV) "To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good."

To this you are called....For this you are gifted. Everyone is given a gift and you are called to share it.

Today we are focused on a ministry, a much needed ministry, a ministry that EVERYONE can do...The Ministry of Encouragement.

The English word "encouragement" comes from 2 French words "en" which means to put in and "corage/coeur" which means the heart. Put together it means to put into the heart.

New testament Greek has several words that are translated encourage/comfort/console/strengthen. Many of these words are also translated Exhort which is encouragement on steroids.

Synonyms of encouragement.... strengthen/ comfort/ console /urge forward/ inspire/ assure/ reassure/ nourish/ mature/ stir up/ provoke to better things/ assist/ motivate/ bold confidence.

To create or develop a sense of self worth.

Everybody needs encouragement at some point. Some people need it desperately...those going through a rough time, overwhelmed, beaten down. These people need encouragement to keep going, to push ahead. Anybody can do this. You can either be an encourager or a discourager.

God encourages His people

Isaiah 41:10 (ESV) "fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Hebrews 13:5 (ESV) "Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."

His people are called to do the same thing!

1 Thessalonians  5:11/14 (ESV) "Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing." "And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all."

2 Timothy 4:2 (ESV) "preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching."

Throughout Acts Paul and Barnabas and the other apostles were encouraging believers.

Go deeper....

John 14:15-17a (ESV) "If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him or knows him."

Jesus is going away. He has had a fabulous ministry but it was limited to space and time, but when he goes away, he will send a "helper" to continue his ministry- the Holy Spirit, who transcended time and space. The Holy Spirit can go anywhere at any time.

The Greek word for Holy Spirit is a compound word "para" (alongside) and "kaleo" (to call). i.e. the Holy Spirit is "called alongside to help". Also translated counselor/ comforter/ advocate/ helper/ intercessor/ strengthener/ stand by.

When you encourage you are doing the same thing as the Holy Spirit. You are not replacing the Holy Spirit, but you are allowing the Holy Spirit to work through you.

1 Peter 4:10 (ESV) "As each has received a gift, use it to save one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace"

Some people are gifted at encouragement, it comes easily, but you can do it even if you are not gifted. Barnabas was his nickname, means encourager. His real name was Joseph.

One Another's in Scripture (New Testament)

Love one another, greet one another, encourage one another, edify one another, bear with one another, serve one another, admonish one another, confess (your sins) to one another, forgive one another, pray for one another. Also be devoted to one another, honor one another (above yourself), prefer one another, live in harmony with one another, stop judging one another, accept one another, be kind to one another, be compassionate with one another, submit to one another, offer hospitality to one another.

Summary verse... Romans 13:8 (ESV) "Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law."

One Another's NOT found in scripture... criticize one another, ridicule one another, make fun of one another, put down one another, belittle one another, ignore one another, discourage one another

Obviously it is not just Christians need encouragement. When properly (Biblically) encouraged lost people are more likely to consider Christ.

I. To Encourage 

1. To instill a sense of self worth. (significance)

2. To build confidence. (not ego) Biblical hope

Philippians 1:6 (ESV) "And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."

3. To urge forward. (onward/upward)

Hebrews 10:23-24 (ESV) "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,"

4. When you encourage someone you make a difference in them and it will make a difference in YOU!.

II. Ways to Encourage (beyond cards, calls, cakes and candy)

1. Notice- sensitive to others not just self.

2. Be present- don't avoid people with serious problems, because you don't know what to say.

3. Listen- encouragement is about them, not you. Pour into their heart.

4. Assist- in small things, medium things and big things.

5. Be patient- it takes time to heal

6. WHEN APPROPRIATE offer biblical advice. There is a time for offering Romans 8:28, make sure it is the right time.

III. Helpful things in developing a ministry of encouragement 

1. Sensitivity- watch for signs of abuse

2. Sincerity- not flattery, sincere and honest complements

3. Intentionality- you may not be gifted at encouragement, you have to work at it.

4. Practice- it can become second nature

People are more apt to be encouraged if they have multiple people encouraging them at the same time.

IV. Octavia Baptist Church should develop a "Culture of Encouragement 

1. Attendance- It is encouraging to walk into a full church or see a full parking lot.

Hebrews 10:24 (ESV) "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works"

2. Greet guests- You might not think you are good at that, but how hard is it to offer a handshake and a "glad to see you" "A Holy Howdy"

Granted some people won't be encouraged, but most people welcome it and benefit from encouragement. You cannot encourage everyone, but you can encourage someone.

V. Options 

1. Pour into (Encourage)

2. Take out of  (Discourage)

3. Do nothing (Ignore the needs of others and focus on self)

It can be life changing and it can be ETERNALLY changing for someone.

Closing Scripture

Mark 9: 33-35 (ESV) "And they came to Capernaum. And when he was in the house he asked them, 'What were you discussing on the way?' But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, 'if anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.'"

John 11 The Resurrection and the Life

 This story is only found in the Gospel of John. Death is difficult and will affect us all at some point in our lives. The story of Lazarus is a crucial story and the last miracle before Jesus' crucifixion. The story of Lazarus' resurrection should be encouraging to all believers. Jesus had fled from Jerusalem because the Jews were going to stone Him and it wasn't "his time yet"

John 11:1-3 (ESV) "Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill. So the sisters sent to him, saying, 'Lord, he whom you love is ill.'"

Jesus and the disciples had a close personal relationship with the family of Lazarus. His sisters were Mary, who was relationship driven and Martha, who was task driven. Jesus loved this family.

John 11:4-6 (ESV) "But when Jesus heard it he said, 'This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.' Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was."

Jesus says that the illness will not lead to Lazarus' death. Jesus "knew" something. It is possible that by the time Jesus and the disciples got word of his illness Lazarus could have already been dead. Jesus still waited 2 days before leaving. He knew that the result would bring glory to God. Jesus sees the big picture, we don't. Jesus knows all things. 

I. Jesus sees the big picture. We don't 

John 2:25 (ESV) "and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man."

John 16:30 (ESV) "Now we know that you know all things and do not need anyone to question you; this is why we believe that you came from God."

John 18:4 (ESV) "Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, 'Whom do you seek?'"

John 21:17 (ESV) "He said, to him the third time, 'Simon, son of John, do you love me?' Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, 'Do you love me?' and he said to him, 'Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.' Jesus said to him, 'Feed my sheep.'"

Suffering leads to God's glory.

II. Jesus has great love for us. 

Ephesians 5:2 (ESV) "And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."

Romans 8:38-39 (ESV) "For I am sure that neither death or life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." 

If not true these verses wouldn't make sense. Trust God even when hurt. He's going to do something so much better than they expected. God had a great plan. Many would believe because of Lazarus, but also put into motion the events that lead up to Jesus' death.

John 11: 7-14 (ESV) "Then after this he said to the disciples, 'Let us go to Judea again.' The disciples said to him, 'Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone you, and are you going there again?' Jesus answered, 'Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. But if anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.' After saying these things, he said to them, 'Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I go to awaken him.' The disciples said to him, 'Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover.' Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that he meant taking rest in sleep. Then Jesus told them plainly, 'Lazarus has died,'"

Jesus is in time with God's timing. The cross is so close, but Jesus was focused on the task at hand.

John 11:15-16 (ESV) "'and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe, But let us go to him,' So Thomas, called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, 'Let us also go, that we may die with him.'"

For thee sake of the disciples and those attending to Lazarus' family so that they may believe. Jesus knows that His disciples  needed to learn to see His power. Was Thomas speaking heroically, sarcastically or pessimistically? They were scared!

John 11:17-27 (ESV) "Now when Jesus came, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles off, and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them concerning their brother. So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary remained seated in the house. Martha said to Jesus, 'Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.' Jesus said to her, 'Your brother will rise again.' Martha said to him, 'I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.' Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and  everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?' She said to him, 'Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.'"

Martha and Mary sent for Jesus because they believed that He could heal their brother. Probably frustrated Martha knew that Lazarus would rise on the last day. This belief came from the end of the book of Daniel. The Pharisees believed in the resurrection on the last days, but the Sadducees did not.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 (ESV) "But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep."

If you are in Christ you do not really die. This life is the worst it is going to get for the believer. For those not in Christ this life is the best that it will ever be. It is not a cliché. It is the truth. Christians never truly say goodbye. No greater comfort. We cling to this life because it's all we know, but something so much greater. This is Martha's confession...is it yours?

III. Jesus IS the resurrection and the Life.

This is the 5th of the 7 I am statements found in John, Jesus is not a conduit. He is the source. There had been 3 resurrections found in the bible....Elijah, Elisha and Elisha's bones. Jesus has recorded 3 in detail  and this 3rd one; Lazarus had been dead for 4 days. He stinks! Jesus is more than the other prophets. Jesus is God in the flesh.

John 1:1-4 & 14 (ESV) "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men."  "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, ad we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth."

You have a decision about Jesus. No neutrality. Jesus asked Peter "Who do you say that I am?"

Matthew 16:13-16 (ESV) "Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, 'Who do people say that the Son of Man is?' And they said, 'Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.' He said to them, 'But who do you say that I am?' Simon Peter replied, 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.'"

John 11:28-35 (ESV) "When she had said this, she went and called her sister Mary, saying in private, 'The Teacher is here and is calling for you.' And when she heard it, she rose quickly and went to him. Now Jesus had not yet come into the village, but was still in the place where Martha had met him. When the Jews who were with her in the house, consoling her, saw Mary rise quickly and go out, they followed her, supposing that she was going to the tomb to weep there. now when Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet, saying to him, 'Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.' When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled. And he said, 'Where have you laid him?' They said to him, 'Lord, come and see.' Jesus wept."

Jesus does really care. There would have been tears and loud wailing from the Jews there attending to Mary and Martha. Mary fell at Jesus' feet and he wept. We see his compassion and his love in this moment. Poor Lazarus had to die twice. The worst part of death is dying!

John 11:36-43 (ESV) "So the Jews said, 'See how he loved him!' But some of them said, 'Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man also have kept this man from dying?' Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. Jesus said, 'Take away the stone.' Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, 'Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days.' Jesus said to her, 'Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?' So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, 'Father I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.' When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, 'Lazarus, come out.'"

Jesus prays before telling Lazarus to come out, what a miracle! Many believe.... the Jews wanted to put Jesus to death... and Lazarus, because  his testimony was powerful and many believed because of that testimony.

We all have a testimony...we should serious about our testimony and following Christ. Why don't you become dangerous like Lazarus.

Challenge...Invite someone to church this week

Closing Scripture

1 John 2:15-17 (ESV) "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world-the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life-is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever."

5 Loaves 2 Fish Many Lessons John 6:1-15

 5000 men + women and children. Jesus did a lot and taught a lot through 5 loaves and 2 fish. This story was recorded in all 4 Gospels.

John 6:1-15 (ESV) "After this Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias. And a large crowd was following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing on the sick. Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with the disciples. Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews was at hand. Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, 'Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?' He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do. Philip answered him, 'Two hundred denarii worth of bread would not be enough for each of them to get a little.' One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to him, 'There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?' Jesus said, 'Have the people sit down.' Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number. Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted. And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, 'Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost.' so they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten. When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, 'This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!' Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself."

I. Jesus has compassion for the multitudes 

When we see Jesus, we see God as a person. Through Jesus we see God's heart.

Matthew 14:14 (ESV) "When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick."

Mark 6:34 (ESV) "When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things."

Compassion led him to meet their physical, but also their spiritual needs. Jesus doesn't just love us to meet our physical needs. He wants to meet our spiritual needs as well. He draws from the Old Testament especially Psalms 23. He healed the lame, the blind, he raised the widows son, he touched and cleansed the leper, but he didn't stop there.

Romans 5:8 "but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

Jesus demonstrates great love... Do we?

In Luke 10 Jesus describes the story of the good Samaritan. A Priest, a Levite and a Samaritan, the one who showed great mercy was the Samaritan. 

II. God can do a lot with a very little 

5 loaves and 2 fish...5000 men had "Eaten their fill" "All ate and were satisfied" It started with a boys lunch and ended with 12 baskets of leftovers.

Proverbs 28:20 (ESV) "A faithful man will abound with blessings, but whoever hastens to be rich will not go unpunished."

We will not out give our faithful God.

III. God gives good return on our investment 

Malachi 3:10 (ESV) "Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need."

This is tied to financial giving, but God blesses all of our giving...time, talents etc. Sometimes we don't give our best to God. All that we have belongs to God. God can use what you can give.

IV. God wants to work through his people 

Mark and Luke Jesus passed out the bread through his disciples. God doesn't need us. He wants us. God does love you and He wants to work in and through you.

Philippians 2:13 (ESV) "for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure."

Edward Kimball lived in the 1800's. Through his ministry hundreds of people have come to know the Lord. He was a school teacher, a carpet salesmen and a volunteer Sunday school teacher. He volunteered for youth ministry. He taught a boys Sunday school class. Mr. Kimball had a 18 yr. old Sunday school student who was kind of rough. He went to visit the boy's uncle's shoe store where he worked and led him to the Lord. This young man was Dwight L. Moody...who became the founder of the Moody Bible Institute and has educated thousands of students. In his early ministry Moody did children's ministry in a one time saloon teaching and reaching the most destitute in Chicago. He also ministered to both sides of the civil war. He also had a preaching tour in England where 7 men, known as the Cambridge 7 took the gospel to inland China. Another man in England touched by Moody was Frederick B. Meyer. Meyer played a key role in the life of a man named J. Wilbur Chapman while preaching on American campuses. Chapman employed Billy Sunday (a former baseball player) at the YMCA. At a Sunday evangelist meeting in North Carolina a man named Mordecai Ham. Ham led a revival in Charlotte that where a young man heard the gospel and yielded his life to Christ....Billy Graham. How many millions came to Christ through the work of Mr. Kimball?

What are we doing with the gifts God has given us?

V. Jesus used the physical to get to the spiritual 

John 6:14-15 (ESV) "When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, 'This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into world!' Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself."

"The Prophet" was like Moses in Deut. 18:15...He wasn't doing it their way. He was the savior they were looking for, but not what they expected. In John 18:36 Jesus said to Pilate "My kingdom is not of this world."

Jesus was not just a Savior for the Jews, but as Samaritans would in John 4:42 "Savior of the World"

What are you doing to bring others to Christ? Jesus will use the bread to point to a spiritual truth. Are we using the physical gifts given to bless others and to point them to Christ? How can we do it more and better?

Closing Scripture

John 6:25-40 (ESV) "When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, 'Rabbi, when did you come here?' Jesus answered them, 'Truly, truly I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.' Then they said to him, 'What must we do, to be doing the works of God?' Jesus answered them, 'This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.' So they said to him, 'Then what sign do you do that we may see and believe you? What work do you perform? Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'' Jesus then said to them, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.' They said to him, 'Sir, give us this bread always.' Jesus said to them, 'I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.'"