Contented?

John 6:35, 47-51

There are many discontented people in this world. You meet them everywhere.

Discontented people are found in grocery stores when lines are too long or
the product they want is not available.

Discontented people are found in homes when the husband is not making enough
money to make ends meet or his income is only adequate and does not allow
for a new car or all the "toys" that the children want. Sometimes the
husband is not happy because the wife or the children are not doing what he
things they should do. The children might be discontented because Mom or Dad
are perceived as too strict, or in some cases, too lenient.

Discontented people are found on jobs where certain employees are not happy
with the boss, the working conditions or perhaps the pay. Or maybe the boss
is unhappy with his workers, his boss or the company he works for.

Discontented people are found in schools where students think that the rules
are too strict, or that teachers are unreasonable, or too demanding or too
lazy. There are also discontented teachers unhappy with administration or the students.

Discontented people are found in churches where church members are not happy
with all that a pastor does or doesn't do. They are sometimes unhappy with
the church's music, the church's doctrinal stand or the church's programs.
Pastors are sometimes discontented with the size of their congregations, the
lack of loyalty, or with their church leaders.

The world is full of discontented people! Have things changed since the days
of our Lord Jesus? No they haven't! Luke 12:13-15, Mark 9:34-35, John 3:1-3
(I believe that Nicodemus came to Jesus because he was discontented.)

I want us to look at a specific instance of discontentment this morning
found in John 6. To begin with, Jesus works a very famous miracle in this
chapter. Using a little boy's lunch He feeds 5,000 men plus women and
children. That was quite an accomplishment.

Vs. 15 shows us one of the responses of some of the crowd. They wanted to
take him by force to make Jesus a king.

Here was a man who could heal people and provide food, why not make Him
king? Of course, we know why. Jesus is King but the time for establishing
His kingdom on earth was not then.

Jesus came the first time to save sinners by dying for them. The next time
Jesus comes his Kingdom will be established.

I feel that this movement to make Jesus King shows discontentment. They
were discontented with the Roman government. And many followed Jesus as
Messiah thinking that He would establish His kingdom right away and
overthrow the Roman government.

Another reason for discontentment was the very fact that they had to work
for a living! They wanted free food so they didn't have to work. If Jesus
were king, they probably thought, he could put the whole country on welfare!

Jesus dispersed the crowd and went into a mountain to pray.
Later that evening He met the disciples on the lake, walking on water. That
was another miracle that showed His power and deity.

Vss. 22-26 - Some of these discontented people showed up the next day.
Jesus revealed their selfishness and their laziness. They were looking for
Jesus because they ate and were satisfied.

Vs. 27 - Jesus warns these people not to labor for food that is temporary,
but for food that endures for eternal life.

Jesus then proceeds to point these people to Himself.

Using Vss. 35 and 47-51 of John 6, I would like to show you how to have true
contentment. In the center of our thoughts this morning is Jesus' statement
saying "I am the Bread of Life". This is one of seven "I am" statements
that Jesus makes in the Gospel of John.

The phrase "I am" was definitely a reference to Jesus' dignity. God
referred to Himself by that term when talking to Moses. Exodus 3:14 God is
dependent on nothing and nobody for His existence. He is just there. He is!
Revelation 1:8

Jesus, the Son of God very clearly shows us that He is the answer for all
discontent because He is the Bread of Life.

As we look at Jesus as the source of true contentment in a discontented
world I want us to consider:


A PROMISE - Vs. 47

Humanly speaking, man's biggest problem and the greatest source for his
discontentment is his mortality. Psalm 90:10

Into this fear of death comes another problem. Hebrews 9:27
The discontentment caused by death is complicated by the fact that we must
stand before God and give an account. We are all sinners deserving of
judgment and condemnation.
Romans 6:23, Ezekiel 18:4, Isaiah 64:6

Jesus answers this discontent caused by death by making a promise. John 6:47

Jesus is saying, "There is an alternative to eternal death. There is an
alternative to punishment. There is an alternative to discontent caused by
the fear of death."

Why is there an alternative to eternal death?
Why is there an alternative to the fear of dying?

It is because Jesus took your place, dying for your sins on what has been
called the "Old Rugged Cross". Romans 5:6-8, 2 Corinthians 5:21

You see, Jesus died for your sins on the cross.
Jesus died for you so that you don't have to die eternally.
Jesus' promise is that anyone who will simply believe on Him can have
forgiveness of sins and eternal life. John 6:47

Believing on Jesus for eternal life means trusting Him instead of trusting
yourself. When you trust Him, He provides eternal life in the future and a
new life now. That's His promise! 2 Corinthians 5:17

A PERSON - Vss. 35 and 48

Here is Jesus' first "I Am". He is the bread of life.
I think that just about has some sort of bread.
I think of bread as basic food.

Bread gives nourishment.
Bread helps maintain physical life.

Jesus is the "bread", the basic for eternal life.
Without the "bread of life", there is no eternal life.

The person who finds the "bread of life" no longer has the gnawing pain and
sorrow associated with being separated from God. He comes to Jesus no
longer has to suffers from Spiritual hunger and thirst that leads to eternal death.

Trusting Jesus, or eating the "bread of life" leads to no more fear of what
is beyond the grave.

John 6:48 - Notice that Jesus is that bread of life.
There are no other alternatives.
If you want life you must come to Jesus, believing on Him. It's that simple.

Christian, Jesus was your answer to discontent concerning death.
But, Jesus is also your answer for contentment in every other area of your life.
Hebrews 13:5-6

Christian, true contentment is not found in your possessions.
True contentment is not found in money.
True contentment is not found in alcohol, sex, or drugs.
True contentment is not found in being loved or popular.

True contentment is found in your personal daily walk with Jesus. John
10:10, John 15:4-5, John 15:9-11

Christian, allow Jesus to control your life now. As you do, you will
experience true contentment daily. The Apostle Paul did: Philippians 4:11-13

Contentment is found in a person, the Lord Jesus Christ.

A PERSPECTIVE - Vss. 49-51

Jesus gives some perspective to what He has just said. In Vs. 49, He reminds
his listeners that their ancestors had eaten manna, supernaturally provided bread.

They ate this manna when they were with Moses in the wilderness, traveling
between Egypt and the Promised Land.

As good as the manna was, it did not provide Spiritual life.

Vs. 50 - Jesus is that bread that came from Heaven. If a person eats this
bread, that is, believes on Him, he will not die. Oh, he will probably die
physically, but his spirit lives on. Death is only a shadow.

Vs. 51 - Men and women who trust Jesus will live forever because of His
flesh given as a sacrifice for the sins of the world.

When a person believes on Jesus Christ, there is a whole new perspective on
death. Philippians 1:21

So what is the point of this morning's message?
There is no reason for anyone to fear what is the greatest source of
discontentment of all - death!

Have you placed your faith in Christ?
If not do so now!
Are you a Christian?
Find your contentment in abiding in Him!

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