“More Than Existence”
John 6:51-59
Hello friend and welcome to Hope for Today. My name is J. Mark Horst; I’m your friend
and Bible teacher. The program you’re listening to is produced by Heralds of Hope, an
international Gospel radio and literature ministry.
Each week the Bible teaching broadcasts of Heralds of Hope circle the globe in English
and 21 other major languages. And our Bible teaching programs in several languages are available
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The Bible is the only source of lasting hope. It is God’s Holy Word. You know as well as
I do that we cannot rely on the words of men because men change. But God is unchanging, His
Word is the same yesterday, today, and forever. The Psalmist, David, said in Psalm 119:89,
“Forever, O Lord, Your Word is settled in Heaven.” My friend, you can depend on God’s Word.
Because God’s Word is unchanging and reliable, we share this teaching with many people
around the world in different languages. And we receive many testimonies of lives that have been
transformed by the power of the Gospel.
Recently, some of our staff were in the African country of Malawi to meet and confer with
our ministry partners there. They found a great hunger for the Word of God and a great need for
biblical teaching that can help people grow deeper in their walk of faith. Copies of God’s Word
are available, but they are expensive. The average person can’t afford to buy one. We look forward
to expanding our Bible distribution ministry there.
Now in just a few moments, we’ll present today’s teaching, “More Than Existence.” But
before we do, let’s pray. Gracious God our Heavenly Father, we bow in your holy presence. We
acknowledge You as the giver of every good gift. We worship you and praise your name.
And now, Father, as Dr. Yoder comes to teach us from your Word, open my heart and the
heart of each person listening to receive what you have for us today. Change us more and more
into the likeness and image of Jesus, I pray in His name, Amen.
Now, here’s Dr. Yoder.
Our earth is teeming with life: plant life and animal life. Scientists have made hundreds of
classifications. There are land animals and sea animals, all shapes, and sizes. They all are affected
by the life-death cycle. Some live for many years and some only a few minutes.
We are a part of the earth’s life. But we have another quality which puts us in a different
level of existence. We have more than mere existence. Jesus spoke of that extra quality of which
we are capable.
Let’s see what Jesus has to say about MORE THAN EXISTENCE from John 6:51-59.
51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he
shall live forever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the
life of the world.
52 The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his
flesh to eat?
53 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the
Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.
54 Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him
up at the last day.
55 For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.
56 He that elated my flesh, and trinket my blood dwelled in me, and I in him.
57 As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that elated me, even
he shall live by me.
58 This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna
and are dead: he that elated of this bread shall live forever.
59 These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum.
From these words of Jesus, I draw several clear STATEMENTS to show you the possibility
of our having more than existence.
First there is
An Unavoidable Decision.
This must be individual: “If anyone eats of this bread he shall live forever.” This is an
unavoidable decision you must make. This decision nobody else can make for you. It is your
individual decision, and it is conditional: if any man. It is not compulsory. There is no force in
here. It is rather all your decision. The fact is, it is an unconditional and unavoidable decision and
you must make it.
And then it is directional because Jesus is the focal point. He spoke like this: “I am the
living bread…If any man eats of this bread…unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man you have
no life.” So, this is an unavoidable decision, which you must make.
But I want you to see that this means there is a possibility of more than existence. Those who
heard Him sometimes tried to reason it out without success. But Jesus made it very clear that this
is an unavoidable decision, and it is individual.
There is also
An Unequaled Provision.
Jesus said, “Unless you eat you have no life in you.” Recall verse 35. For all this is so
beautiful. There Jesus said, “He who comes to me shall never hunger and he who believes on me
shall never thirst.”
Without that experience there can be no life. Jesus made that positive here. There is an
unequaled provision: coming and believing. So, He said, “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my
blood has eternal life and I will raise him up at the last day.” Do you understand that Jesus says
when you come you are satisfied? When you believe your thirst is quenched? “Because my flesh
is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.” But keep in mind that verse 35 tells us exactly how
that is experienced. It is an unequaled provision.
Experience assures us relationship because as the Father had sent Jesus and He lives by the
Father, so those who believe in Him live by Him. That is really beautiful. There is complete union
in Jesus. This is an unequaled provision. He gave all that we might receive life by believing. This
gives us more than existence. We are not merely an animal though we have mortal life but ours is
much, much more than that. There is here an unequaled provision.
Finally, there is
An Unquestioned Possession.
Just as sure as God is sure Jesus said, “As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the
Father: so, he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.” Just as sure as God the Father and God the
Son were thus related so surely, we are related to Him when we come as He has defined for us.
The realization can be yours. I’m glad to testify that I have had that relationship. I have it
now because I believe in Jesus Christ. I’ve come to Him, and my thirst has been quenched, my
hunger has been satisfied.
You see, manna was no protection against death. Their fathers ate manna in the wilderness
and died. But Jesus said, “He who eats this bread shall live forever.” I am pointing out to you that
we have more than existence and this bread provides the basis for that more than existence. Jesus
included you when He said, “He shall live by me.”
Yes, my friend, the Lord has made a wonderful provision and your possession can be
exactly what He said it would be if you live by Him. This is no sign of weakness; it results in great
strength. We are made for more than existence; we are made for God.
The Bible informs us about that. These statements should show you this truth: we have
more than existence. There is an unavoidable decision which you must make. But there is also an
unequaled provision which God has made and there is an unquestioned possession which can be
yours. We do have far more than existence.
Thank you, Dr. Yoder for that helpful teaching. My friend, do you believe what Jesus has
said? Have you found life in Him? Do you have the witness of the Holy Spirit in your heart? If
you do, we’d like to hear it. We’d like to join you in giving glory to Him!
You can send your testimony to us by e-mail using this address, [email protected].
That email address again is, [email protected]. Or you may write to Hope for Today,
Box 3, Breezewood, Pennsylvania 15533. And, when you send your testimony you can also
request a printed manuscript or an audio CD of this teaching, “More Than Existence.”
Once again, the quickest way for you to send your testimony to us is to send an e-mail to
[email protected]. Or you may write to Hope for Today, Box 3, Breezewood, Pennsylvania 15333.
Remember; you can request a free copy of this teaching, “More Than Existence.” It’s
available in print or on an audio CD.
And don’t forget our Bible teaching programs are available to you all the time and any time
at the website, twr360.org. That’s twr360.org. Thousands are logging on to the site for spiritual
nourishment and blessing. You can join them and be blessed too!
Now friend, I urge you to tune in next week as we continue study in the Gospel of John. In
his teaching, Dr. Yoder will speak on an intriguing subject, “Beyond the Material.” You won’t
want to miss that. And until then, keep looking for that blessed HOPE.