A summary of the sermon delivered by Mr. Michael J. Fetko, on Sunday, August 10, 2003.

Please read Deuteronomy 8:1-10 and John 6:38-51.

People share a common interest in food. Food is necessary for satisfying an appetite, but not limited to the satisfaction of taste. The desire for food is needed for substance and nutrition necessary to fuel the body. In some way, the need for fuel and the palatable cravings for delicious delectable delicacies merge. A result of this, food becomes a topic among many people in sharing their satisfying experiences with others. It may be a recipe or a favorite food that one brags about. It could be a favorite buffet or restaurant that one desires above all others. Or it could be a favorite cooking show that one has over all the rest. Peoples desire and passion for food not only becomes a topic for discussion, it becomes an honored and admired discernment that is boasted about over other peoples’ opinions.

Food is not new to people and civilization. In the beginning, God created everything, among which included food. God called all of His creation good. An instruction was given to our first parents, Adam and Eve, specifically not to eat one certain food. The instruction that was given was not to eat of the fruit from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. For what God names as not being good for people, our first parents decided to let their cravings and desires for this food to get the best of them. The warning given to them is if you eat of the fruit from the forbidden tree, you would surely die. A curse of pain and labor was also imposed. This curse is still with us today. The wages of sin is death. The Garden of Eden was closed.

God’s people were left to inhabit the world outside of the garden. After the Egyptian captivity, the people of God were left to wander the wilderness for 40 years. God had compassion on His people and fed them “manna” from heaven. Manna literally means, “What is this?”. The substance of the manna fulfilled the need of nutrition, yet the people murmured. God’s people after wandering the wilderness were delivered into the Promised Land. God delivers the faithful.

Jesus is sent from heaven and given the charge to care for the people of God and do His Father’s will, the will of the One who sent Him. No one to whom is given to Jesus is to be lost. They will be delivered on the last day. Jesus is the Bread of Life and anyone who eats of this bread will not die, but have everlasting life. The Jews murmur of this. In a sense were saying just as their earlier fathers said, “What is this?” “Who is Jesus?” as we read verses 41 - 51 of our second reading.

Three questions arise, which are just as real to us today as they were when the Jews murmured about who Jesus is. Why do we need salvation? How must then we be saved? And how are we to react?

Let’s look at these questions. Why do we need salvation? As a result of our original parents’ sin, we are under the curse of death. Sin equals pain and death. The human nature of man is tarnished with sin and transposed onto all generations. The wages of sin is death. We have all sinned and deserve to die. All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. When we are left to ourselves and the desires of our own hearts, trusting in a deceitful heart yields utter disaster. We choke on the carnal food of lies and deceit that the world as to offer.

How must then we be saved? We are called to believe on Him, the one that the Father has sent. We are to believe on our Lord Jesus Christ, appreciating that we have been saved by grace through faith. We are to live our lives by trusting and obeying the Lord, doing the Father’s will as Jesus has given us an example of walking in love, as He loves us. We are told in verse 51 of the reading of the second text that if any man eats of this bread, he shall live forever. Confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead and you will be saved. We are reminded in the liturgy of Holy Communion that if any man does not eat of the flesh or drink of the blood that have no part in the Lord Jesus Christ. The protestant reformers summarize the means of salvation for us in what is called the solas. Christ alone, faith alone, grace alone, scripture alone, and the royal priesthood of all believers. The reformers remind us of what was read in our first reading, we do not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord.

How then are we to react? With gladness and thanksgiving, of course! But also with a fervent desire to tell others and spread the gospel. Remember how we feel about food. We brag and tell others about our favorite delicacies. Brag on the Lord Jesus Christ! Invite others to the Buffet that gives everlasting life. Our Lord Jesus is the Bread of Life. Answer the questions of the people’s murmurings, who is Jesus? Tell them! Buffets are intended for sharing and bringing others. The best part of a buffet other then they don’t run out of food is that you don’t even have to clean up when you are done. The mess has all ready been cleaned up for us on the Cross. Our sins are forgiven, the debt is paid. All who proclaim Christ as Lord are welcome to the Buffet of Life.

Have you told anyone about Jesus lately? I am convinced that the Lord blesses the faithful work of His people. Step up to the plate and tell others. Don’t be shy. God blesses the conversations of the saints that are not ashamed of the gospel. I challenge everyone who reads this message to the challenge of not being shy and telling others about the Lord Jesus Christ. Start at home with your families. Seek out your neighbors. Talk to those you interact with at work or at school. Support and encourage each other in church.

May this week be a challenge to you and your efforts blessed when you proclaim to yourself and others that Christ is Lord!

Amen.