What is our “sermonizing” blog series?
This will be a weekly series where our anonymous writer(s) will summarize the sermon and add some of their own thoughts and encourage us to think deeper about it and put it into practice!
This edition of “sermonizing” is based on the sermon we heard preached by Joel Espada on Sunday, Nov 29th “Work for what Endures”
Watch full Sunday Service on youtube here
Our podcast will also have this episode
Work for What Endures
John 6:25—36 (Jesus the Bread of Life)
25 When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?”
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?”
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]”
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.”
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. 36 But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe.
In this passage, Jesus points out that they were way too focused on the temporary and physical rather than the eternal and spiritual. Jesus directs them to focus on working for what will last (the spiritual).
Do we work for what endures? Or for what brings comfort and ease in the here and now? Too often we go after what fulfills us temporarily because it takes less effort and provides immediate satisfaction. However, these quick gains such as: more time for ourselves, a new and better paying job, a drop in weight – do not keep us satisfied for very long. Going after what feeds the soul – connecting with God, peace, unity, forgiveness, holiness, joy, surrender – produces fruit that never diminishes. Is God pleased with what I work for each day?
God does not ask us to do anything in order to please him. We are simply to believe and trust earnestly in him as our Father. As Jesus served selflessly and wholeheartedly, we are to imitate him in this way. He gives us the ultimate example of laying down his life only to please the Father. What we do in service to God should be a fruit of our faith – not something done to bring recognition or reward. Are we, as his disciples, happy to serve for no other reward than to please God? Our relationship with Jesus is our great reward! For we know our treasures are waiting for us in heaven.
Do we find ourselves working hard to fulfill our personal goals for more money, career advancement, family, children, and less focused on growing a deeper spiritual life? One that impacts not just your life but the people around you as well. Reflect on what you are working toward. Jesus is the One who can give what ultimately really matters – eternity. God wants to be our everything just as we are His everything.
Let’s put it into practice:
- Take some time and reflect and pray on what you are working toward and evaluate if you need to make any changes to ensure God is number one. What changes do you feel you need to make?