THE COMMUNION OF LIFE: CHOOSING THE BREAD OF LIFE OVER THE BREAD OF DEATH By: Major Frank Materu
Key Scripture: John 6:35 - "Then Jesus declared, 'I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.'"
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Introduction
Life is a series of choices, and the choices we make determine our spiritual destiny. The story of Judas Iscariot serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of choosing death over life. While the disciples partook in the true communion with Jesus, Judas partook in the communion of death, leading to his destruction. Today, we are faced with the same decision—will we choose the Bread of Life or the bread of death? This sermon explores the significance of this choice, the dangers of listening to deception, and the blessings of walking in true communion with God.
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The Betrayal and the Bread of Death
Scripture Reference: John 13:26-27 - "Jesus answered, 'It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.' Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him."
Judas, though walking with Jesus, harbored jealousy, greed, and betrayal in his heart. When he partook of the bread that Jesus gave him, it was not the Bread of Life, but the bread of death. At that moment, Satan entered him, sealing his fate. This teaches us that when we entertain the wrong desires and align ourselves with wickedness, we open doors for demonic influences that can ultimately destroy us.
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The Vengeance and Justice of God
Scripture Reference: Romans 12:19 - "Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: 'It is mine to avenge; I will repay,' says the Lord."
God is a God of justice, and He will judge those who choose wickedness over righteousness. The time is coming when He will bring judgment upon those who refuse to follow His way. However, those who repent and turn to Him will receive life. As believers, we should rejoice in the justice of God while also being careful not to harbor bitterness and unforgiveness, for these things will consume our souls.
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The Ever-Present War Between Good and Evil
Scripture Reference: Ephesians 6:12 - "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."
The battle between good and evil is ongoing. Satan is always seeking to overthrow the righteous, but God remains our refuge and strength. Those who stand firm in Christ will experience His peace, even in the midst of war. Our calling is not to despair, but to fight the good fight of faith, knowing that victory is ours through Christ.
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Rejecting the Lies of the Enemy
Scripture Reference: John 8:44 - "You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies."
The devil is the father of lies, and he seeks to deceive and destroy. Many believers fall into his traps by accepting false accusations and negative reports. We must reject the lies of the enemy and stand firm in the truth of God’s Word. When we resist the devil, he will flee from us, and we will walk in the victory that God has ordained for us.
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Living as Conquerors in Christ
Scripture Reference: Romans 8:37 - "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us."
God has called us to be conquerors, not casualties. Through His power, we can crush the works of the enemy under our feet. Our inheritance in Christ is one of victory, strength, and dominion. By using the weapons of our warfare—prayer, faith, and the Word of God—we will stand strong against the enemy and walk in the fullness of God’s promises.
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Summary
We are constantly faced with the choice of life or death, truth or deception, righteousness or wickedness. Judas chose the bread of death and met his end in despair, while the true disciples partook of the Bread of Life and walked in divine purpose. We must reject the lies of the enemy, trust in God's justice, and stand firm in spiritual warfare, knowing that we are more than conquerors through Christ.
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Conclusion
The time for indecision is over. God calls us to choose life, to partake of His goodness, and to walk in His truth. Those who align themselves with Him will experience His blessings and peace, while those who reject Him will face destruction. Choose today whom you will serve.
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The Call to Action
Examine your heart and ask yourself: Are you partaking of the Bread of Life, or are you entertaining the bread of death? Turn away from all that leads to destruction and embrace the life that God freely offers through Jesus Christ. Make a firm decision to live in obedience, righteousness, and unwavering faith in Him.
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Final Word of Encouragement
God has given us everything we need to live victoriously. Stay steadfast in Him, resist the devil, and embrace the abundant life that He has prepared for you. Walk in faith, trusting that His justice will prevail and that His goodness will never fail. He is the Bread of Life, and in Him, you will never hunger or thirst.
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Prayer of Salvation
Heavenly Father, I come before You in humility, recognizing that I have sinned and fallen short of Your glory. I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, that He died for my sins, and that He rose again to give me eternal life. Today, I repent of my sins and ask for Your forgiveness. I invite Jesus to come into my heart and be the Lord of my life. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit, guide me in Your truth, and help me to walk in Your ways. Thank You for saving me and giving me new life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
