In Ypsilanti there is a gathering of pastors called Ypsi Love. Every year we gather for Thanksgiving and Valentines Day services. It is one of the most beautiful things that I have been a part of in my life. Sunday night we were The Church. The racial barrier was broken and we worshiped together as The Body. I was honored and humbled to preach the gospel at this gathering. Here is my manuscript from Sunday night (it is similar to what I said, but I don’t preach from notes so it’s not exact, but you will get a sense of the thing), I was preaching from John 6:
When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?” 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. 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.” Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” So they said to him, “Then what sign do you do, that we may see and believe you? What work do you perform? Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’” Jesus then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.” Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.
Jesus looks at the people and says, “you’re missing it!” He looks at these folks and says, you’re not even here for the signs and wonders. You’re just here for the bread. But guess what? This bread goes away just like the manna from heaven. The people say they want the bread that lasts forever.
God the Father through God the Son is offering himself to us. He wants us in relationship with him forever. Trust Christ. Rest in him and know that he is God.