Does Jesus Offend You? | John 6:52-71 | Darien Gabriel
Series: Signs & Glory
Title: “Does Jesus offend you?"
Subtitle: “Does Jesus’ uniqueness offend you or draw you?”
Scripture: John 6:52-71
Isaiah 52:13-53:12
John 13:27
Bottom line: Jesus' uniqueness makes him a polarizing figure. While drawing a few, his words offend many.
INTRODUCTION
CONTEXT
SERMON OUTLINE
CONCLUSION
NOTES
OUTLINES
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
MAIN REFERENCES USED
Opening prayer: Lord God, help us grow to be and do like Jesus, while abiding in him and leading others to do the same.
INTRODUCTION
Bottom line: Jesus' uniqueness makes him a polarizing figure. While drawing a few, his words offend many.
Does Jesus offend you?
Apparently, the uniqueness of Jesus offended many in the first century...and today.
The Battle Today Is Around Jesus
"I have been involved in hosting or helping a small group on [Alpha](https://www.alpha.org/ ) for over thirty years. During this time, I have noticed a shift in our culture. There is a change in the attitude towards Jesus, especially among young people. Many will say that they believe in God and are even open to the idea of the Holy Spirit. But increasingly, Jesus has become the stumbling-block. Some youth and young people say things like, ‘I don’t get the reason for *Jesus*.’
As Cardinal Raniero Cantalamessa has often said, ‘The battle today is around Jesus.’ Is Jesus the universal Saviour? This is the same battle as the first century. People today are happy to accept Jesus as ‘one of many’. It is the uniqueness of Jesus that causes offence...
...while we meet some exceptional people throughout the Bible, like Moses, Joshua, Elijah and John the Baptist, there was no one like Jesus. Jesus is unique. He is the *universal Saviour*."
The Bible with Nicky and Pippa Gumbel, Classic Version, 2025: Day 119 • Devotional
Bottom line: Jesus' uniqueness makes him a polarizing figure. While drawing a few, his words offend many.
Does Jesus offend you too?
OUTLINE
1. Trust & follow Jesus, even when His words offend you.
Verses 52–59
• Jesus speaks of eating His flesh and drinking His blood—language that’s deeply disturbing to His hearers. The Old Testament taught to not drink blood or eat meat with blood in it.
• He doesn’t explain it away, because following Him means trusting what we can’t fully understand yet. His words are hard to understand and demanding.
• Application: When Jesus offends your expectations, don’t walk away—lean in and trust His word.
2. Trust & follow Jesus, even when many turn away from His words.
Verses 60–66
• Many disciples leave, calling His teaching too hard to accept.
• Jesus says only the Spirit gives life—fleshly thinking won’t grasp the kingdom.
• Application: Don’t measure truth by popular opinion—stay faithful to His word, even when others fall away.
3. Trust & follow Jesus, because only He has what you truly need.
Verses 67–69
• Peter’s confession is both humble and bold: “To whom shall we go?”
• Jesus alone has the words of eternal life.
• Application: When you’re tempted to quit, remember why you started—Jesus alone gives life. He is the Bread of Life.
4. Examine your heart—proximity to Jesus is not the same as following His word.
Verses 70–71
• Judas was chosen, included, and close—but not surrendered.
• Even among the Twelve, there’s a warning: not all who appear near truly believe.
• Application: Don’t just walk with Jesus outwardly—depend on His word inwardly.
CONCLUSION
Bottom line: Jesus' uniqueness makes him a polarizing figure. While drawing a few, his words offend many.
Does Jesus offend you too?
1. Trust & follow Jesus, even when His words offend you.
2. Trust & follow Jesus, even when many turn away from His words.
3. Trust & follow Jesus, because only He has what you truly need.
4. Examine your heart—proximity to Jesus is not the same as following His word.
This poem is what could happen to you and me if we fully embrace and believe Jesus is who he says he is and will do all he's promised to do:
The Touch of the Master's Hand
''Twas battered and scarred, and the auctioneer Thought it scarcely worth his while
To waste much time on the old violin But held it up with a smile.
"What am I bid, good folks," he cried, "Who'll start the bidding for me?
A dollar, a dollar—now two, only two-Two dollars, and who'll make it three?
"Three dollars once, three dollars twice, Going for three"-but no!
From the room far back a gray-haired man Came forward and picked up the bow;
Then wiping the dust from the old violin And tightening up the strings,
He played a melody, pure and sweet. As sweet as an angel sings.
The music ceased, and the auctioneer With a voice that was quiet and low,
Said: "What am I bid for the old violin?" And he held it up with the bow.
"A thousand dollars—and who'll make it two? Two thousand—and who'll make it three?
Three thousand once and three thousand twice And going and gone," said he.
The people cheered, but some of them cried, "We do not quite understand
What changed its worth?" The man replied, "THE TOUCH OF THE MASTER'S HAND."
And many a man with a life out of tune, And battered and torn with sin.
Is auctioned cheap to the thoughtless crowd, Much like the old violin.
A "mess of pottage," a glass of wine, A game and he travels on.
He's going once and going twice, He's going—and almost—gone!
But the MASTER comes, and the foolish crowd Never can quite understand
The worth of a soul, and the change that's wrought By the TOUCH OF THE MASTER'S HAND.
Myra Brooks-Welch
Has he touched you?
Does he offend you?
Bottom line: Jesus' uniqueness makes him a polarizing figure. While drawing a few, his words offend many.
Does Jesus offend you too?
INVITATION
What about you?
Does Jesus offend you...or does he draw you?
A Table Set by God
• The Lord’s Supper is a living illustration of this passage. The bread we break is a sign of the true bread from heaven-Jesus’ body given for us. Every time we eat, we remember that our deepest hunger is met in Him.
Peter puts it all in perspective in his first sermon:
““Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”” Acts 2:36-39 NIV
How do we respond? Answer 2 questions:
Take out a card or piece of paper right now. Write down the answer to these questions:
What is God saying to me right now?
What am I going to do about it? Write this down on a sheet of paper.
What I hear you saying, Lord, is ___________________.
[my name] is going to believe/do __________________________________________________ as a result.
Finally, share this with your Home or Mission group this week when you gather as a testimony about what God is doing in your life. You don’t have to get too specific to give him praise.
Lord's Supper, 1 Cor 11:23-26 is good passage.
Also, say something like, "Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again." (past, present, and future)
Pray
NOTES
Flesh = real food
+ Blood = real drink
Real life/eternal life
Eats/drinks = remains/abides/believes as seen in rhythms/habits/means of grace (Acts 2:36-47)
word
Prayer
Serve
Give
Worship
Share
The Father sent Jesus, alive and well because of the Father
Jesus sent Disciples, alive and well because of Jesus
Bread from heaven = Jesus the Christ => spiritual life
bread from heaven (manna) = physical nourishment => physical life
60-71
Hard (to hear) teaching (harsh; offensive) => grumbling ie. Unbelief
"Does this offend you?" "Then what if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before?" Reminds them that he stated that he came from God.
Spirit => life
Flesh => Ø or death
Words => Spirit => Life
Yet, some still did not believe
OUTLINES
Outline Bible (Willmington) -- SECTION OUTLINE SIX JOHN 6 Jesus feeds the 5,000 and walks on water. He teaches that he is the "bread from heaven" and that all who wish to have eternal life must eat his flesh and drink his blood. Many of his followers, unable to accept this difficult symbolism, desert him.
I. TWO MIRACLES (6:1-24)
A. First miracle (6:1-15): Jesus feeds the 5,000.
B. Second miracle (6:16-24): Jesus walks on water.
II. Two MESSAGES (6:25-71)
A. Public comments (6:25-66)
Christ and the curious (6:25-40)
a. He speaks concerning God's salvation (6:25-36).
(1) Their confusion (6:25-26, 28, 30-31, 36)
(a) They want to know how he got there (6:25).
(b) They seek him only for physical bread (6:26).
(c) They don't know how to please God (6:28).
(d) They assume the Old Testament manna came from Moses (6:30-31).
(e) They don't believe in him even though they have seen him (6:36).
(2) His correction (6:27, 29, 32-35)
(a) They are to seek him for spiritual bread (6:27, 33-35).
(b) They will please God by believing in him (6:29).
(c) He says the Old Testament manna came from God (6:32).
b. He speaks concerning God's sovereignty (6:37-40).
(1) Guaranteeing that all the elect will come to Christ (6:37): They will never be rejected
(2) Guaranteeing that all the elect will continue in Christ (6:38-40): All who believe in him will be raised at the last day.
2. Christ and the critical (6:41-59)
a. Their criticism (6:41-42, 52)
(1) He is simply the son of Joseph (6:41-42).
(2) No one can (physically) eat his flesh and drink his blood (6:52).
b. His correction (6:43-51, 53-59)
(1) Jesus says he is the bread of life (6:43-51).
(2) Jesus says that anyone who wants eternal life must (spiritually) eat his flesh and drink his blood (6:53-59).
3. Christ and the carnal (6:60-66)
a. Many of his followers now decide against him (6:60-65).
b. Many of his followers now depart from him (60:66).
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER
What do I want them to know?
Why do I want them to know it?
What do I want them to do?
Why do I want them to do it?
How do they do this?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Discovery Bible Study process: https://www.dbsguide.org/
Read the passage together.
Retell the story in your own words.
Discovery the story
What does this story tell me about God?
What does this story tell me about people?
If this is really true, what should I do?
What is God saying to you right now? (Write this down)
What are you going to do about it? (Write this down)
Who am I going to tell about this?
Find our sermons, podcasts, discussion questions and notes at https://www.gracetoday.net/podcast
Alternate Discussion Questions (by Jeff Vanderstelt): Based on this passage:
Who is God?
What has he done/is he doing/is he going to do?
Who am I? (In light of 1 & 2)
What do I do? (In light of who I am)
How do I do it?
Final Questions (Write this down)
What is God saying to you right now?
What are you going to do about it?
MAIN REFERENCES USED
“John,” by R. Kent Hughes, Preaching the Word Commentary, Edited by Kent Hughes
Exalting Jesus in John, by Matt Carter & Josh Wredberg
The Gospels & Epistles of John, FF Bruce
John, RC Sproul
John, Köstenberger
The Gospel According to John, DA Carson
The Light Has Come, Leslie Newbigin
The Visual Word, Patrick Schreiner
“Look at the Book” by John Piper (LATB)
“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)
“The Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)
Outline Bible, D Willmington (OB)
NIV Study Bible (NIVSB) https://www.biblica.com/resources/scholar-notes/niv-study-bible/
Chronological Life Application Study Bible (NLT)
ESV Study Bible (ESVSB) https://www.esv.org
The Bible Project https://bibleproject.com
Nicky Gumbel bible reading plan app or via YouVersion
ChatGPT
Google Gemini
Grok
Perplexity