REFLECTION: John 6:24-35 “Following Jesus for all the wrong reasons”
Why do you come to church? Is it to worship God? Is it to see your friends? Maybe
it’s to please your wife or your husband? In a similar way, many people came out
to see Jesus for different reasons. Some were genuinely seeking truth and a way to
draw near to God. Others were just curious. Some were just following the crowd.
Others heard he could heal. Some had heard he turns water into wine and that he
could turn a basket of fish and bread into a feast for 5,000. Jesus urges them not
look for the food that perishes, but to believe in Him, for this is he work that God
requires. Whoever believes in Jesus will receive the gift of eternal life.
Here is an outline of this message:
1. The crowds follow Jesus for the food rather than for faith.
a. You are looking for me... because you ate your fill of the loaves (26)
b. Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal
life (27)
c. This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent. (29)
2. The role of “signs” in faith.
a. What sign are you going to give us then, so that we may see it and believe you?
(30)
b. What work are you performing? Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness
(31)
c. You have seen me and still you do not believe (36)
3. Jesus is our food for eternity.
a. It is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven (32)
b. I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever
believes in me will never be thirsty (35)
To Think about:
We need to work for the food that spoils and for the food that endures for eternal
life. But which food is your first priority?
HYMNS
TIS 223 How sweet the name of Jesus
Jesus strong and kind
TIS 538 Feed us now bread of life
TIS 569 Guide me O thou great redeemer
WEDNESDAY NIGHT GROWTH GROUP
Would you like to grow in your faith? Why not consider coming along on
Wednesday nights. Together we read the bible and learn from each
other. Different people lead the studies. Marien is leading us at the moment. We
share some light refreshments and finish at 9pm with prayer. Each Wednesday
night in the Supper room at 7:30pm.
MISSION SUNDAY
Is coming up on 18th August. Get you mission boxes ready. Michelle Jackson
from CMS will be our Mission Speaker.
160TH THANK YOU
A huge thanks to all who contributed to and attended the 160th celebration last
weekend. Around 190 people attended the worship service. 5 young people were
confirmed. 120 attended the celebratory lunch.
BUILDING UPDATE
Our demolition plans for the old Parish Centre have now been approved and we are
waiting for the demolition company to find a space in their calendar. Tenders have
now been received and we will be presenting them to the Diocesan Building
Committee seeking permission to proceed with the project on August 13th. Costs
have blown out, as on all building projects over this unstable period, but the project
is still able to go ahead. We do have a big shortfall to cover, so we ask each
member to prayerfully consider giving generously to help us meet the shortfall. We
need your help and commitment and generosity for this building to be built. It will
be a blessing not just to us, but, too many future generations, as indeed our current
buildings, built off the sacrifice and hard work of previous generations, have been a
blessing to us. Despite a dire forecast, the weather was glorious and our hearts were
full.
CHANGE TO BANKING DETAILS
Our treasurer has requested that gernal giving to the church now be deposited into
this acount:
Bank: ADF Anglican Development Fund
BSB: 703 122, Account number: 05000 4623
READINGS FOR NEXT SUNDAY 11th August: Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost
2 Samuel 18.5-9, 14.31-33; Psalm 130; Ephesians 4. (17-24)25-5.2; John 6.35, 41-51-35
LAWN MOWING ROSTER: 10th August –Oyem & Rob
THIS WEEK WE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR:
Anthony, Nisha, Mike, Cecil, Ruth, Eva, Charles, Nigel, Jen, Ted, Sylvia, Fay, Natasha, Betty, Rosalind, Patty, Melenny, Shereen, Lorraine,
Rebecca, Ken, Jim, Margaret & Kanthi
THIS WEEK WE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR: St Matthew's Cheltenham;
Theological Colleges, Church Schools & Church Kindergartens; Ecumenical
Affairs Committee; Holy Name of Jesus Vermont South-Pastoral service; Holy
Trinity Kew–Pastoral visit; Christ Church Hawthorn–Pastoral service; St Mark’s
Spotswood–Pastoral service; The Anglican Church of Kenya; Archbishop Philip
and all our Bishops in their ministry this week.
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