John 6:22-35
Saved by a Work – Not Works
We love to dive home that central message
that we are not saved by our good works. And yet, did you hear what Jesus
said? He said there is a work that saves…it is to believe in Him. This
might be a new thought – Faith is a work. It is like love in marriage. To be
successful you must work at it.
To be saved means we must work at our faith so that it continues
to exist and grow. The spiritual bread comes as a gift, but faith is needed to
receive it. In this sense, faith is all important for without the Bread of Life
– without Jesus Christ - we cannot be saved. Let’s consider this morning the
work which saves.
I. Salvation
is a gift from Jesus the Bread of life – Vs. 27 Do not work for food that perishes but for food that lasts for
eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has
set his seal on Him. All the striving in the world won’t change a thing!
A. The world is
constantly striving for the things of this world. When things do not come
easily, or when we see things we have worked so hard for waste away man can
become worried and anxious.
B. We need not
become anxious for Christ has promised He will provide. In His Sermon on the
Mount Jesus said. “25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry
about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will
wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than
clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or
reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you
not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can
add a single hour to his life? 28"And why do you worry
about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or
spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in his entire
splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God
clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into
the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So
do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What
shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things and
your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first
his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as
well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow
will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matthew
6:25-34)
II. Faith is
the receptive agent – Vs.
29 Jesus answered them,
"This is the work of God: to believe in the one whom He has sent."
A. This is what the
entire New Testament teaches – to believe in Christ becomes the chief work of
the Christian. Listen to how John explains it in his first epistle. This
is His commandment that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and
love one another, just as He commanded us. 1 John 3:23
B. St. Paul is in
agreement also. Listen to his words, constantly bearing in mind your
work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus
Christ in the presence of our God and Father. 1 Thessalonians 1:3
III. Faith
needs working – Vs. 29
“Jesus said, the work of God is this: to believe in the one He has sent.”
A. Says James - You see that faith was working with his works,
and as a result of the works, faith was perfected; James 2:22 It becomes easy for some to walk
around saying constantly “I believe.” Belief is shown forth in words and deeds.
Works is nothing more than faith put into action – faith that is put into
practice.
B. By faith
Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the
promises was offering up his only begotten son Hebrews 11:17 Often we
are called to do the impossible. But trusting in God’s promises as Abraham did
our faith can triumph any obstacle.
We are saved not by works but by a work - the work of Christ. That work is active in your life. It’s
the gospel light; the light of Christ. Therefore let your light so shine before
men that they may see your good work and give glory to your Father in heaven.
Passive Sentences-16%
Readability – 84.3%
Reading Level – 5.4
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