John 6:41-51 The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which came down from heaven.… I. THE RECIPIENTS OF THE TEACHING. The people of God; all of them, from the least to the greatest; and that not only instrumentally but directly. II. ITS SUBJECTS. Spiritual things generally, called — 1. "Things of God," pertaining to Him and our relationship to Him. His nature and ours; His moral character and ours; His sovereignty and our dependence and duty; His salvation and our need of it. 2. "Things of Christ," relating to His person, offices and work. 3. "Things of the Spirit," our need of Him; the reality of His influence; His indwelling. III. ITS NECESSITY. 1. They must be taught. Why so? (1) Because an all-wise God has ordained it. (2) Because our ignorance and spiritual darkness require it. (3) Because this knowledge is the germ of everything of a saving and holy character in a sinner's heart. 2. None but God can effectually teach them. (1) He does not supersede the teaching of His servants, but energizes it. (2) When the ordinary means fail He does His own teaching. IV. ITS MEANS. 1. His written Word. (1) To this all others are subsidiary, and are only helpful so far as they are related to it. Preaching; creeds. (2) This excludes tradition, modern, so called, inspiration. (3) But the written Word is not sufficient without the aid of the Holy Spirit to act upon the heart and to apply its truths. 2. His providence. The man of commerce forgets, e.g., that "they that will be rich fall into a temptation and a snare," and the God of providence by a calamity brings it to his mind. 3. The Christian's inward experience. This harmonizes wonderfully with Scripture, throwing light upon it, and confirming it. V. ITS EFFECT. God teaches that He may — 1. Save. 2. Comfort. 3. Sanctify. 4. Make useful. 5. Make meet for heaven. (C. Bradley, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which came down from heaven. |
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