Abiding: Bread That Gives Us A Full Life

Introduction

In “Abiding: Bread That Gives Us A Full Life,” Pastor Foo Seng continues the series “Rediscovering The Jesus We Thought We Knew” through John 6.

Jesus makes a statement that requires a shift in how we understand Him: He does not simply give the Bread of Life. He is the Bread of Life. Through the feeding of the 5,000 and Jesus walking on water, we see who this Jesus is. He sees us, cares about what we are going through, and has the power to meet us in our circumstances.

But Jesus offers something greater than having our temporary needs met. He offers Himself.

Key Points

1. Jesus invites us to move from worry and fear to trust

When Jesus saw the hungry crowd, He “lifted up His eyes.” Pastor Foo Seng highlights this as a picture of how personally Jesus sees and cares for us. Our needs, anxieties and circumstances are not hidden from Him.

The feeding of the 5,000 shows that Jesus can provide, while His walking on water reminds us of His power in circumstances beyond our control. Because of who Jesus is, we do not have to allow worry and fear to dictate how we live.

Following Jesus gives us a new perspective: we can trust the One who sees us and is with us.

2. Stop living only for what will eventually perish

After feeding the crowd, Jesus challenged their motives for following Him. They had experienced the miracle, but they were searching for Jesus because they wanted to be fed again.

Jesus warns against turning our relationship with Him into something transactional, where we follow Him mainly for what He can give us. In the same way, we can spend our lives working for success, possessions, relationships and other things that may satisfy us temporarily but cannot last forever.

Jesus calls us to pursue what endures: our relationship with Him. Everything else will eventually pass away, but life with Christ has eternal significance.

3. Jesus is the Bread of Life, so abiding means making Him part of everything

Jesus says, “I am the bread of life.” To receive this Bread, we come to Him and believe in Him. Pastor Foo Seng explains Jesus’ imagery of eating His flesh and drinking His blood as a picture of deep integration. Just as food is taken into us and becomes part of us, Jesus desires to be incorporated into every part of our lives.

Abiding therefore isn't something reserved for Sunday or a few minutes of devotion each morning. It is continually communicating with Jesus, seeking His wisdom, reading His Word and involving Him in our work, studies, relationships, decisions and difficulties.

As we remain connected to Him, our lives begin to change and the fruit of the Spirit begins to grow.

Conclusion

The Bread that gives us a full life is not something Jesus hands to us. It is Jesus Himself.

Pastor Foo Seng closes with the invitation of Isaiah 30:15: to find strength in returning, resting, quietness and trust. Our lives can become so busy that we leave little room to abide. Sometimes we need to slow down, be still and allow Jesus to become the centre of our lives again.

Abiding means walking with Him throughout the day, not compartmentalising Him into weekends or church activities. As Jesus becomes part of every area of our lives, our perspective changes. Worry gives way to trust, fear gives way to courage, and His life begins to flow through ours.

Come to Jesus. Believe in Him. Abide in Him. He is the Bread that gives us a full life.