thegospelmailman@yahoo.com, Author at The Gospel Mailman

God Sent Us the Bread of Life

Scripture: John 6: 35-37

Jesus replied to them, “I am the Bread of Life. The one who comes to Me will never be hungry, and the one who believes in Me [as Savior] will never be thirsty [for that one will be sustained spiritually]. But as I told you, you have seen Me and still you do not believe. All that My Father gives Me will come to Me; and the one who comes to Me I will most certainly not cast out [I will never, never reject anyone who follows Me].

Scripture Commentary: Jesus is the bread that supports spiritual life.

Jesus told the people as He tells us today: He is the Bread of Life (the living life). Those who accept Him will have eternal life. Jesus was not talking about the life that we have now. He is talking about a new life that we, as Jesus’s followers, will have with Him.

Jesus satisfies a spiritial hunger and thirst.

People eat bread to satisfy physical hunger and sustain physical life. When we accept Jesus as the ‘Bread of Life,’ we are satisfying a spiritual hunger and a spiritual life.

Satisfying God does not come from our works but from accepting Jesus Christ as Our Lord and Savior. Jesus said that He would not lose one person whom the Father had given Him. Thus, anyone who makes a sincere commitment to believe in Jesus Christ as Savior is secure in God’s promise of eternal life with Him.

Death has no hold on those who follow Jesus.

Those who put their faith in Christ will be resurrected from physical death to eternal life with God. As God’s child, death has no hold on us. God has sent the Holy Spirit to us to show the way to Him. Open your heart; let God in.

Read the Entire Chapter:

John Chapter 6

Read Other Commentary From the Book of John:

Jesus Offers You Living Water to Slack Your Thirst

Jesus, the Light of the World

Do You Recognize God’s Voic

God Has Committed to Forgiving Your Sin

Scripture: Ezekiel 33: 16-19

None of his sins that he has committed will be remembered against him. He has practiced that which is just (fair) and right; he will most certainly live. “Yet your people [who are in exile in Babylon] say, ‘The way of the Lord is not right;’ but as for them, it is their own way that is not right. ¹⁸When the righteous turns back from his righteousness and commits injustice, he will also die because of it. But when a wicked man turns back from his wickedness and practices what is just (fair) and right, he will live because of it.

Scripture Commentary:

I have lived a foolish, wicked life of sin. And the God who loves me, had mercy on me, and has forgiven me. He has committed to forgiving my sin!

How does that sound to you? Your question is likely how, why, and what have I done for God to do this?

(Answer) Did you turn your sinful life around? You can’t be half-and-half and hope God will only look at the good side. Although good deeds won’t save you (only Jesus’s death and resurrection does that!), your salvation will lead you to rightness.

God sees the totality to who you are.

God expects you to make restitution for the wrongs you commit. If you repent and turn to Him, He will wipe your slate clean. He looks at what you are and what you will become, not what you have been.

God gives you the opportunity to turn to Him. Will you take Him up on it? God is waiting for you.

Read the Entire Chapter:

Ezekiel Chapter 33

Read Other Commentary from the Book of Ezekiel:

The Lord Will Answer You

Do You Listen To God Or To Yourself?

God Breaks Down Stubborn Pride

Jesus Heals the Blind

Scripture: John 9: 1-4

As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. ²And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” ³Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. ⁴We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work.

Scripture Commentary: Jesus opens the eyes of the blind.

When you woke up this morning, did you see the light of Our Lord or just the sunlight? Jesus will open your blind eyes if you let Him in.

Seeing with your eyes is only one part of sight. To see God is to know Him and believe in Him. Jesus not only gave the blind man his sight in John Chapter 9 but He also gave the man faith so that he could testify to the world about the miracle that Christ had done.

See clearly the miracle that is your life.

What miracle has God done for you, and have you shared it with anyone? When we follow God we not only gain physical sight but we also gain spiritual sight.

We go through life and things happen. When God works His miracle, many say that they were lucky. This doesn’t give God the glory.

What happens to you isn’t luck at all.

Think about it. Things happen for a reason. We need to open our blind eyes and see and feel the love God has for us.

As with the blind man in the story, your life has been miraculously changed. Don’t be afraid to tell others. You don’t need to know all the answers in order to share Jesus Christ with your friends or enemies.

Read the Entire Chapter:

John Chapter 9

Read Additional Commentary From the Book of John:

Christ Is the True Vine

Confidently Trust the Lord Your Savior

Pay Attention To What You Hear

Scripture: Mark 4: 21-25

He said to them, “A lamp is not brought in to be put under a basket or under a bed, is it? Is it not [brought in] to be put on the lampstand?For nothing is hidden, except to be revealed; nor has anything been kept secret, but that it would come to light [that is, things are hidden only temporarily, until the appropriate time comes for them to be known]. If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear and heed My words.” Then He said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear. By your own standard of measurement [that is, to the extent that you study spiritual truth and apply godly wisdom] it will be measured to you [and you will be given even greater ability to respond]—and more will be given to you besides. For whoever has [a teachable heart], to him more [understanding] will be given; and whoever does not have [a yearning for truth], even what he has will be taken away from him.”

Scripture Commentary: Pay attention to how your light shines.

Pay attention to how easy it is for our daily routines to become overcrowded. Worldly worries, the false sense of security brought on by prosperity, and the desire for things plagued first century disciples as they do us today.

A life packed with materialistic pursuits deafens us to God’s Word.

If the lamp doesn’t help us to see, it is useless.

Make sure your life shows others how to find God and how to live for Him. If it does not, ask what “bowls” have extinguished your light.

What could extinguish your light?

Complacency, resentment, stubbornness of heart, or disobedience could keep God’s light from shining through you to others. The light of Jesus’s truth is revealed to us, not hidden. But we may not be able to see or use all of that truth right now.

Only as we put God’s teachings into practice will we understand and see more of the truth. How much we have is not nearly as important as what we do with it.

Be like the seed that was planted in the fertile soil.

Strive to live a Christian life with Jesus. By following Jesus, we will understand that spiritual growth is a continual, gradual process finally consummated in a harvest of spiritual maturity.

Read the Entire Chapter:

Mark Chapter 4

Are You Spiritually Paralyzed?

Scripture: Mark 2: 1-7

Jesus returned to Capernaum, and a few days later the news went out that He was at home. So many people gathered together that there was no longer room [for them], not even near the door; and Jesus was discussing with them the word [of God]. Then they came, bringing to Him a paralyzed man, who was being carried by four men. When they were unable to get to Him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above Jesus; and when they had dug out an opening, they let down the mat on which the paralyzed man was lying. When Jesus saw their [active] faith [springing from confidence in Him], He said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” But some of the scribes were sitting there debating in their hearts [the implication of what He had said], “Why does this man talk that way? He is blaspheming; who can forgive sins [remove guilt, nullify sin’s penalty, and assign righteousness] except God alone?”

Scripture Commentary: What has you paralyzed?

The paralyzed man’s need moved his friends to action. They brought the man to Jesus. Do you act when you recognize someone’s need?

Many people have physical and spiritual needs you can meet, either by yourself or with others who are also concerned. Human need moved these friends. Let it also move you to compassionate action.

As God’s Son, Jesus can help us overcome sin.

He has the authority to forgive sin. And as a man, He can identify with our deepest needs and suffering.

Before saying to the paralyzed man, “Get up,” Jesus said, “your sins are forgiven.” Repent and live in the light of Jesus. Let Him forgive your sins. Only by repenting can you begin to see and feel the love of God, the Father.

Read the Entire Chapter:

Mark Chapter 2

Other Commentary From the Book of Mark:

Watch and Pray; Jesus Will Return

Receive the Kingdom of God with Childlike Faith

The Congregation Lifted Up Their Voice

Scripture: Numbers 14: 1-4

And all the congregation lifted up their voice, and cried; and the people wept that night. And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron: and the whole congregation said unto them, Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt! or would God we had died in this wilderness! And wherefore hath the Lord brought us unto this land, to fall by the sword, that our wives and our children should be a prey? were it not better for us to return into Egypt? And they said one to another, Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt.

Scripture Commentary:

When the chorus of despair lifted up their voice, everyone joined in. Certainly their greatest fears were being realized. Losing their perspective, the people were caught up in the emotion of the moment. They forgot what they knew about God’s character.

What if the people had spent as much energy moving forward as they did moving back?

They could have enjoyed their land. Instead, they never even entered it. When a cry of despair goes up around you, consider the larger perspective before you join in.

God puts us on a path.

We, in our own sinful way, try to leave it. Ask yourself, “If God put me here to follow his Commandments, who am I not to follow Him?”

Finally, God’s path is the only one to righteousness, to glory, to peace, and above all, to everlasting life with Jesus Christ.

Read the Entire Chapter:

Numbers Chapter 14

Other Commentary from the Book of Numbers

Do Not Break the Vow You Make to God

You are Saved Through Faith

Scripture: Ephesians 2: 8-10

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.,

Scripture Commentary: We are saved through faith.

We have Jesus’ gift of salvation through faith.

How do you handle this? Do you ask how much do I owe you? Or, do you say, “Thank you”? Because our salvation is a gift, do you feel obligated to try to work your way to God?

Be grateful, joyful; Praise God!

This gift of salvation, and even our faith, should be responded to with gratitude, praise and joy. We became Christians through God’s unmerited grace. It wasn’t the result of efforts, abilities, intellect, or an act of service on our part. However, out of gratitude for this gift, we will seek to help and serve others with kindness, love and gentleness. We aren’t merely working to please ourselves.

No action or work we do helps us obtain salvation.

God’s intention is that our salvation will result in acts of service. We are not saved merely for our own benefit. We are saved to serve Christ and build up God’s church.

Go out and encourage others who are struggling. Show them that the love of Jesus Christ lives within you.

Read the Entire Chapter:

Ephesians Chapter 2

Dear Lord, What Shall I Do?

Scripture: Mark 10: 17-22

And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?

¹⁸And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.

¹⁹Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.

²⁰And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.

²¹Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.

²²And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.

Scripture Commentary: What shall I do to be saved?

This young man wanted to be sure that he would have eternal life. He asked, “what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He said that he’d never once broken any of the laws Jesus mentioned. Perhaps he had even kept the Pharisees loophole-filled version of the law.

Jesus lovingly broke through the young man’s pride with a challenge that brought out his true motives. “Go, sell everything you have and give it to the poor.”

Don’t let God’s challenge be your barrier to Him.

This challenge exposed the barrier that could keep this man – and us – out of the kingdom: his love of money. Money represented his pride of accomplishment and self worth. Ironically, his attitude made him unable to keep the first commandment, which is to let nothing be more important than God.

He could not meet the one requirement Jesus gave. He was unable to turn his whole heart and life over to God. This man came wondering what he could do. He left seeing what he was unable to do.

What barriers are keeping you from turning your life over to Christ?

What does your money mean to you? Your reaction may show your attitude toward money. Is money your servant or your master?

Your only true master should be your love for Jesus Christ.

Read the Entire Chapter of the Scripture Referenced:

Mark Chapter 10

Come to Jesus’ Banquet Table

Part Three: Jesus Prepared Your Place At the Table (Jesus Is Our Great Shepherd)

There are seventy-two psalms and almost half speak about enemies. Enemies are those who oppose not only us, but also God’s ways. David is at the table asking God to keep his enemies from overcoming him because they oppose what God stands for.

David isn’t questioning his faith. He knows that God will triumph. But David did not want his enemies’ success to be an obstacle to the faith of others. When we see a person or a group that we consider to be doing well, keep in mind that it’s only temporary, as we all are temporary. We are here for a moment, but what we do while we are here in the name of Our Lord will carry on.

Psalm 25: 2

O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me.

Jesus, the Good Shepherd, the Great Shepherd, the Perfect Shepherd, promises to guide and protect us through life to bring us into His Father’s house.

John 14: 2

In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

God tells us He is our shepherd. Jesus tells us He is going to prepare a place for us, and He will come back for us. We can look forward to eternal life with Him.

Psalm 23: 6

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Jesus has a place for you in His Father’s house, and the banquet table is prepared. Your seat is waiting for you. Jesus paid the ultimate price for your seat when He went to the cross, died and rose from the grave. Jesus gave you the way to eternal life.

John 3: 16

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Read the Entire Chapter of the Scriptures Referenced:

Read Parts 1 and 2 of the sermon,

Part one: The Great Shepherd Restores the Soul

Part two: God Is With Me; I Will Fear No Evil

God Is With Me; I Will Fear No Evil

Part Two: I Will Fear No Evil (Jesus Is Our Great Shepherd)

Psalm 23: 4

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Yes, although I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will have no fear because you are my God, my Shepherd. Death has no hold on me.

I am a child of God. I know Jesus died on the cross for my sins. And on the third day, He rose from the grave with all power.

I know where I’m going when I die. Do you?

I will fear no evil because Satan has lost. He lost me when I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior. He lost when I started to live a Christ-like life. God has forgiven me of my sins. I am a child of God. He lost because God comforts me.

God’s rod is my rock.

He is perfect, the true God. If I ask anything according to His will, He will hear me. I know that my petition is heard as long as my prayers are to His will. It is a comfort to know that God is there for me.

Psalm 23: 5

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

In Near Eastern culture during ancient times, it was customary (at a banquet) to anoint a guest with fragrant oil as a lotion. The host was also expected to protect his guest at all costs.

God offers His protection to you and me when enemies surround us. Sometimes we can see what God saves us from; other times, it may not be as obvious to us. If everything went our way at all times, we may say or think it’s all us and not God.

Read the complete chapter of the Scripture referenced:

Psalm 23

Please return next week for the final, Part 3, of the sermon, Jesus is Our Great Shepherd.