As human beings, we often look for concrete answers to questions in life. Even in matters of faith, people ask God to first give them a sign of his existence before they will believe in him. Is this wrong? In this week’s sermon we will talk about what it takes to build faith in the heart of an unbeliever.
Scripture: John 6:24-35
Once the crowd realized that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into the boats and went to Capernaum in search of Jesus.
When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?”
Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”
Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?”
Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”
So they asked him, “What miraculous sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? Our forefathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’ “
Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who 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.”
“Sir,” they said, “from now on give us this bread.”
Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.
Renewing Reflections
It is our prayer that Renewing Reflections will be a blessing in your life this coming week. This quote is taken from the sermon God, You Owe Me One delivered on Christian Crusaders October 7, 2001:
Is it not true that the human attitude shows a lack of understanding of what Jesus is teaching in the parable? Do we not sometimes feel like saying, “God, I think you owe me a favor”? You could present your case. “Lord, I believe that Jesus is my Savior. I try to do Your will. I am a faithful member of the Church. I run my affairs in a Christ-like manner. Isn’t this worth a favor? My wife is terminally ill. She is such a good person. How about making her well? My son has made a mess out of his life, but don’t you owe him another chance to make up for all of his mistakes?” . . . However, not out of obligation, or even out of fairness, but out of love, God says in His Word, “I want to give you everything that will make your life abundant . . .
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On the Light Side
A newly converted Christian was sitting on a bench one day waiting on a bus and reading his Bible while he was waiting. Every now and then he would exclaim, “Alleluia! Praise the Lord!” A skeptic overheard his comments and came over to ask him what he was reading. He answered, “I’m reading how God parted the Red Sea and led the Israelites through. What a miracle!”
The skeptic explained, “Don’t believe everything the Bible tells you, son; for example, that sea is only six inches deep, so it really wasn’t a miracle.” The Christian nodded his head in disappointment and kept on reading as the skeptic walked away feeling kind of proud of himself for setting the Christian straight.
All of a sudden the skeptic heard the Christian let out a huge “ALLELUIA! PRAISE THE LORD!” At this the skeptic walked back to him and asked, “What is it this time?” The Christian said excitedly in one breath, “This time it IS a miracle! God just drowned the entire Egyptian army in six inches of water!”
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