Work of God

By Ed Pilapil Jr.

John 6:22-29 • August 20, 2023 • English Service 10:00 AM

 

Sermon Introduction

The crowd who experienced the multiplication of the bread and fish pursued Jesus. Let us note that they wanted to make Him king, but the Lord withdrew from them in the mountain. From the crowd, the author would bring our attention to the core disciples. They would see Jesus walk on water amid strong winds and turbulent waters. After this, the author would take us to a scene where Jesus revealed the intentions of the people seeking Him.

Ed Pilapil Jr.
Senior Pastor

 
 
 
 

John 6:22-29

22 On the next day the crowd that remained on the other side of the sea saw that there had been only one boat there, and that Jesus had not entered the boat with his disciples, but that his disciples had gone away alone. 23 Other boats from Tiberias came near the place where they had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks. 24 So when the crowd saw that Jesus was not there, nor his disciples, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum, seeking Jesus. 25 When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?”. 26 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. 27 Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal”. 28 Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” 29 Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent”.

Notes

The crowd who experienced the multiplication of the bread and fish pursued Jesus. Let us note that they wanted to make Him king, but the Lord withdrew from them in the mountain. From the crowd, the author would bring our attention to the core disciples. They would see Jesus walk on water amid strong winds and turbulent waters. After this, the author would take us to a scene where Jesus revealed the intentions of the people seeking Him.

  1. Crowd Seeks Christ

    The crowd who ate the bread and fish sought Christ but did not find Him or the disciples. Therefore, they got into boats and went to Capernaum. When they found Jesus, they addressed Him as Rabbi and asked when He arrived.


    22 On the next day the crowd that remained on the other side of the sea saw that there had been only one boat there, and that Jesus had not entered the boat with his disciples, but that his disciples had gone away alone. 23 Other boats from Tiberias came near the place where they had eaten the bread after the Lord had given thanks. 24 So when the crowd saw that Jesus was not there, nor his disciples, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum, seeking Jesus. 25 When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?” (John 6:22-24).



  2. Intentions Revealed

    Jesus responded to them by revealing their intentions. He pointed out that they sought Christ not because of the signs but because of the food. Then the Lord would instruct them to work for food that endures to eternal life.

    26 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. 27 Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal” (John 6:26-27).

  3. Work of God

    In response, the crowd asked what they should do to do the works of God. However, the response of Christ was unexpected and ironic since the work He requires is not real work. The work is to believe in Jesus, whom the Father sent.


    28     Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” 29 Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent” (John 6:28-29).

Application

  1. Check the Motives

    The crowd followed because of the temporal blessing, which was food, not because they believed in who He is. Therefore, let us not follow Christ because we seek earthly blessings. We must follow because of who He is; He is God.

  2. Believe in Jesus

    What is the work of God? It is to believe in the One whom the Father sent, Jesus Christ, our Lord. By believing in Him, we fulfill the work that must be done. For the work is believing in Him. In essence, it is not real work. Therefore, we believe.

  3. Explain the Gospel

    Many believe that they must earn their way to salvation, which is contrary to the gospel. The gospel is clear that it is by believing. It is not obedience but believing. Obedience is a result of truly believing. We must explain the gospel to others.

Reflection & Discussion

  1. According to the text, why did the crowd search for Jesus?

  2. According to Christ, what food should people work for? Explain.

  3. What must we do to be doing the works of God? Explain Christ’s answer.