The Gospel of John: The Bread of Life Pt 1 John 6:26-40 · Join the Journey

Have you ever chased after something… thinking it would satisfy you— only to find out it didn’t last?

Maybe it’s something you’ve been looking forward to for a long time. And thought, “Once I have this, I’ll be good.” And for a little while— maybe you were. But it didn’t take long before that feeling wore off. And you were already looking for the next thing.

And you may not say it out loud… but there’s this quiet thought in the back of your mind— ‘I thought this would feel different.’ ‘I thought this would last longer.’ ‘I thought this would fix something in me.’”

That’s how life works, isn’t it? It’s like drinking salt water. Not to brag but I may be an expert on survival. I mean I have watched every episode of Bear Grylls running wild. So, I must be right. But if you are stranded on a deserted island, you don’t drink the salt water. Because the more you take in… the thirstier you get.

That’s exactly where we find this crowd in John 6. They had just been fed miraculously— 5,000 people from five loaves and two fish. And now they’re chasing Jesus down. But instead of praising their pursuit— Jesus confronts it. Because Jesus doesn’t just want to make them full—He wants them to be fulfilled.

If you have you bibles…

1. The Work of God

John 6:26–29

Jesus says:

“You look Me… because you ate of the loaves and were filled.” He exposes their motive. They didn’t want Jesus. They wanted what Jesus could give them.

It’s like a child who runs to their parent—not because they love them— but because they heard there’s ice cream in the freezer.

They’re not after relationship… they’re after reward. And if we’re honest— we can do the same thing with God. We pray when we need something. We show up only when life gets hard. We follow… as long as He keeps providing.

Jesus says: “Do not work for the food which perishes…” In other words: You’re giving your life to things that don’t last.

Imagine spending your entire paycheck on groceries… but every single bit of it spoils by the end of the day. You’d say, “That’s a terrible investment.”

And Jesus says—that’s what it’s like to spend your life chasing temporary things. Then they ask: “What shall we do…?” Give us the formula.

And Jesus answers: “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.” This is where everything changes. The work of God is not earning. It’s believing.

Every other religion says—do more, try harder, earn your way. Jesus says—stop trying to earn what can only be received. Belief isn’t just agreeing with facts. It’s trusting a Person. It’s moving from ‘I think Jesus is real’ to ‘Jesus is my only hope.’

Paul tells us Ephesians 2:8-10

Ephesians 2:8–10

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Think about sitting in a chair. You can say you believe the chair will hold you. You can explain how it’s built. You can even recommend it to others. But you haven’t actually believed in it… until you sit down and put your full weight on it.

And James reminds us—faith without works is dead. We are not saved by works—but real faith always produces works.

That’s what Jesus is talking about. Not just knowing about Him— but resting your life on Him. Trusting Him completely. That’s why here at Journey Church We trust that Jesus is all we need, and are being transformed by who He is and what He has done.

So what does that look like for us this week?

Application:

• This week, pay attention to why you go to God.

Ask yourself: “Am I coming to God for who He is… or just for what He can give me?”

• When you pray, don’t start with requests—start with surrender:

“Jesus, You are enough for me today—even if nothing else changes.”

• Identify one area where you’re trying to “earn” something from God (approval, peace, worth)… and intentionally release it.

Stop trying to impress God… and start trusting Him. This crowd in John 6 next asks Jesus for a sign.

2. “What Is Your Sign?”

John 6:30–33

The crowd responds: “What sign will you give us?” Which is almost unbelievable— because He just fed thousands.

But here’s the truth: When your heart is set on what God can give you, no amount of evidence will ever be enough. Because the issue isn’t lack of evidence— it’s a heart that doesn’t want Jesus, just what He gives.

It’s like someone who is always upgrading their phone. No matter how good the current one is— they’re already looking for the next version.

That’s this crowd. They bring up Moses and manna. And Jesus corrects them: It wasn’t Moses—it was God.

Every morning in the wilderness, the people had to wake up and gather manna. It was God teaching them—‘You don’t sustain yourself. I sustain you.’

But even that was temporary. It kept them alive… but it couldn’t give them life.

And that manna? It wasn’t the solution. It was a sign. Road signs are important—but you don’t stop and live at the sign. If you’re driving to the beach and see a sign that says “Beach →” you don’t pull over, set up a chair, and say, “This is it!”

No—the sign points you somewhere greater. The manna was a sign. It pointed to Israel to God, it pointed to Jesus. Because manna could sustain life temporarily… But Jesus came to give life eternally. And ultimately, the greatest “sign” would be the cross— where Jesus would give His life so we could truly live.

Hebrews 10:1

The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves.

Jesus isn’t daily provision for survival— He is eternal provision for salvation.

Let me make this really practical

Application:

• Fast from something this week that you tend to run to for satisfaction (social media, shopping, constant entertainment).

Not forever—just long enough to expose your hunger.

• Every time you feel that pull, pause and pray:

“Jesus, remind me that You are enough.”

• Practice daily dependence:

Just like manna came daily, spend time with Jesus daily—even if it’s 10 minutes.

If you don’t learn to be satisfied in Jesus today, you won’t be satisfied with more tomorrow. But if you come to Jesus you will hunger no more.

3. Hunger No More

John 6:34–40

The crowd says: “Lord, always give us this bread.” They still don’t get it. And Jesus makes it clear: “I am the bread of life.” Not something He gives— but who He is.

Have you ever eaten a big meal—like Thanksgiving? You’re full. Completely full. And yet… a few hours later—you’re hungry again. No matter how much you eat— it never lasts.

But Jesus says: “He who comes to Me will not hunger…” He’s talking about a deeper hunger. The hunger of the soul.

Bread is basic. Bread is essential. Bread is daily. And Jesus says—‘That’s who I am for your soul.’ You don’t need Jesus as an add-on to your life. You need Him as the source of your life.

And here’s the reality:

Some of us are trying to fill that hunger with success.

Some with relationships.

Some with comfort.

Some with distraction.

But none of it satisfies. Because we were made by Him and for Him.

Here’s how this can look our lives

Application:

• Build a daily rhythm of “feeding on Jesus”:

o Read a small portion of Scripture (start with John 6 this week)

o Reflect: “What does this show me about Jesus?”

o Respond in prayer

• When you feel empty, don’t just distract yourself—diagnose it:

“What am I trying to fill right now?”

• Replace, don’t just remove:

o Instead of scrolling → sit in silence with God

o Instead of checking out → talk to Him honestly

You can’t live on one spiritual meal a week and expect your soul to be full.

Some of you are spiritually starving… and you don’t even realize it.

Then Jesus says something heavy: “You have seen Me, and yet do not believe.”

They were close to Jesus— but didn’t trust Him.

It’s possible to stand in a garage your whole life and still not be a car. And it’s possible to sit in church every week and still not belong to Jesus.

You can know the songs… You can know the language… You can know the stories… You can even serve… And still not belong to Jesus. Some of you don’t need more information. You need transformation. And that’s why we don’t just show up—we walk through the messiness of life together.

Proximity is not the same as faith. But then comes one of the most comforting promises: “The one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out.”

That means:

You don’t have to clean yourself up first. You don’t have to fix everything. You just have to come. And Jesus will receive you. And He promises: “I will raise him up on the last day.” Eternal life. Secure. Certain. Not because of your own ability but Because of Jesus.

That means when you come to Jesus— you are not met with rejection… you are met with grace. Your salvation doesn’t rest on how tightly you hold onto Jesus— but on how securely He holds onto you.

Application:

• Ask yourself honestly:

“Have I actually trusted Jesus… or just been around Him?”

• Take a next step:

o If you’ve never believed → trust Him today

o If you’ve believed but never been baptized → take that step

o If you’re stuck → get in a Life Group and stop doing this alone

Don’t confuse being around Jesus with belonging to Jesus.

So here’s the question: What are you really chasing? What are you working for? Be honest with yourself.

Because if you’re honest— some of you are exhausted. You’ve been chasing satisfaction in things that don’t last. And it’s wearing you out.

Let me say it plainly:

You will never find lasting satisfaction apart from Jesus.

Not in success.

Not in money.

Not in relationships.

Not in comfort.

Only in Him.

Jesus says: “I am the bread of life.” Not “I’ll give you something better.” Not “I’ll improve your life.” “I am what you’ve been looking for.”

And today—you have a choice. Stop working for what doesn’t last… and receive what only Jesus can give. This is the journey we’re inviting you into—

a relationship with Jesus… walking it out together… being changed by Him… and helping others find life in Him too.

Jesus is calling to you today

Matthew 11:28-30

Matthew 11:28–30

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

The work of God is this: Believe in Jesus. Not casually. Not halfway. But fully.

Turn from chasing what won’t satisfy. Trust Jesus as your Savior. Surrender to Him as your King.

Right now—if you’ve never truly believed in Jesus… Not just known about Him… but trusted Him… You can do that right now. Come to Jesus today—and you will never hunger. Believe in Him—and you will never thirst. Repent of your sins and be joined through baptism to Jesus and receive eternal life!

If that’s you today— Don’t walk out of here the same. Come talk to me. Talk to one of our leaders. Let today be the day you stop chasing what won’t last… and finally find what does.

There are people all around us who are still chasing things that won’t satisfy. That’s why we go—because we’ve found what satisfies, and we want others to find it too.

Because when you come to Jesus— you don’t just get full… you get fulfilled. Because Jesus isn’t something you add to your life— He is the life your soul has been searching for.