The Bread of Life For The Church

Ephesians 5.25-29

Due to the blizzard and many folks unable to get out yet we I am going to expound on one portion of what was to be this morning's message and bring the entire message next week, LORD willing.

The Word of God is the food of the church. It nourishes it. We need daily bread from heaven.

We are told here in Ephesians 5.29 that Christ feeds the Church, His Body.
He feeds us with the Word.

The idea of feeding it is:
to nourish up to maturity, to nurture, bring up

Jesus said to the disciples, before He died, John 15:3, 7-8 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

Christ loves the church

He feeds it.
He nourisheth her with the milk of His Word, and holds her in the arms of His love (John 17. 14, 15). He satisfies her with good things by His comforting Spirit (John 16. 13, 14).

John 6:35 And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst."

1 Peter 2:2-3 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.

1 Peter 1:23 For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring Word of God.

I have been in the church all my life. I became a member at 7 years of age, back in 1963.
The trends in the American Church have bern interesting. They are overdoses.
An overdose can be too much of something that we need to stay healthy.
In the 1960's it was evangelism.
In the 1970's it was the discipleship.
In the 1980's it was politics. Reform the country through voting in the right person.
In the 1990's there was an outbreak of renewal, I believe Jesus knocking at te door.
In the 21st century everything is leadership. Conferences, seminars, and books abound.

But when we look at the final words of Jesus as He was wrapping up His ministry on earth to those who would carry on (John 14-16, Luke 24, Acts 1), the emphasis was on prayer, the Word of God and the Holy Spirit working.

That we get excited over a human instrument today, or quotes from writers or the latest overdose shows how much need the basics of prayer,the Word and His Spirit.

The feeding of the 5,000

One of the final conversations
John 21:15-17 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?”“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me?”He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”Jesus said, “Feed my sheep."

Jesus feeds His Church by His Word, the Bible.
I love that hymn, The Bible Stands

The Bible stands like a rock undaunted
’Mid the raging storms of time;
Its pages burn with the truth eternal,
And they glow with a light sublime.

Refrain:
The Bible stands though the hills may tumble,
It will firmly stand when the earth shall crumble;
I will plant my feet on its firm foundation,
For the Bible stands.

The Bible stands like a mountain tow’ring
Far above the works of men;
Its truth by none ever was refuted,
And destroy it they never can.

The Bible stands and it will forever,
When the world has passed away;
By inspiration it has been given,
All its precepts I will obey.

The Bible stands every test we give it,
For its Author is divine;
By grace alone I expect to live it,
And to prove and to make it mine.

That is one of the songs of my life.

Jesus feeds us
1. Personally
Daily Quiet Times
Psalm 19:14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heartbe pleasing in your sight,O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Psalm 119:11 I have hidden your word in my heartthat I might not sin against you.
Psalm 119:28 My soul is weary with sorrow;strengthen me according to your word.

2. In Times of Stress and Great Difficulty
Psalm 119:81 My soul faints with longing for your salvation,but I have put my hope in your word.


3. Through Pastors Teachers
Ephesians 4:11-13 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

4. All the Time
Christian Maturity is
Praying without ceasing.
Being so marinated in the Word that it comes to mind continually

Romans 10:17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.

Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.