26 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. 27 Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”
28 Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” John 6:25-28
Jesus says this to the people right after he had fed the 5000 with the loaves and fishes. He had just fed a bunch of hungry people who now were seeking him out for more of the bread he gave them.
"not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.” John 6:27
Jewish Tradition-- you work for your food.
Jesus told them to work for something that wouldn't spoil.
"Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?”
29 Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”
30 So they asked him, “What sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? 31 Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’[a]" John 6:28-31
They're going to challenge Jesus Biblically.
It's not about the physical but the spiritual.
32 "Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, 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. 33 For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” John 6:32-33
You can't earn it.
34 “Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.”
35 Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty." John 6:34-35
Dangerous to us -- junk food (the spiritual kind).
4 "Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’[a]” Matthew 4:4
If someone is missing God they will fill that hole with "toys" and activities that keep them busy: job, hobbies, entertainment, etc.
Garbage in, garbage out.
Fill life with something that's sustaining. Eat good food and know what you're eating. Live on the Word of God. Soul nourishment should be our fuel.
The Lord's Prayer -- come to God daily for provision, for the Word of God.
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." John 1:1
"He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God." Revelation 19:13
"Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty." John 6:35
We need to have daily sustenance -- every day your soul is hungry for God's word.
"For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." Hebrews 4:12
Go back for fresh "food" daily.
"I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world." John 6:51
Living, sustaining, constant.
“Come, all you who are thirsty,
come to the waters;
and you who have no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without cost. Isaiah 55:1
You don't need to do anything but come and get it!
You have to plan for it with intention. Diets and habits don't happen accidentally. We need to to treat our soul food the same way as we approach a physical diet.
If we don't write it down, we won't know what we're doing. Plan for it. Work for it. Look at your life. Get spiritually nourished. Get someone to hold you accountable.
"Taste and see that the Lord is good;
blessed is the one who takes refuge in him." Psalm 34:8
The Word of God needs to be inside us. Do I want to look like the rest of the world?
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13
(Somehow Jane's name got on the sermon recordings on Youtube. She's trying to fix it. It is still Shannon preaching!)