In times of loss, we seek comfort and hope. For Christians, this hope is found in the promises of Jesus Christ. John 6:35-40 offers powerful truths about eternal life and the security we have in Christ. These verses remind us that Jesus is the Bread of Life, the source of our sustenance, resurrection, and ultimate peace.
This article will explore ten sermon themes drawn from these verses, providing insight into the assurance of salvation and the hope we have in Christ beyond the grave. Each message is designed to offer comfort and encouragement during difficult times.
10 Funeral Sermons Based On John 6:35-40
#1. The Bread of Life: Our Eternal Sustenance
Theme
Jesus, the Bread of Life, provides for our deepest spiritual hunger.
Scripture References
John 6:35-40, John 6:51, John 6:47-48
Key Verse
“I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” — John 6:35
Message
Jesus offers Himself as the true sustenance for our souls. Just as bread nourishes the body, Christ nourishes the soul for eternal life.
Sample Sermon
In John 6:35, Jesus declares, “I am the bread of life.” This simple yet profound statement speaks volumes about the provision God offers through His Son. Bread is a basic necessity for life, something we need every day. In the same way, Jesus is the spiritual sustenance we need daily, not just for physical life but for eternal life.
We live in a world that constantly tries to fill us with things that don’t truly satisfy. Success, possessions, relationships, and achievements all offer temporary fulfillment. Yet, as many find, these things ultimately leave us empty. Jesus offers something different: He offers Himself, the Bread of Life. He is not just a source of sustenance for today, but for eternity.
Jesus promises in verse 35 that “whoever comes to me will never go hungry.” He invites us to find our satisfaction in Him, a satisfaction that lasts forever. This is not just a physical promise, but a spiritual one. Jesus is offering us the fullness of life that only He can provide. When we come to Him in faith, He satisfies our deepest longings, the ones nothing else can fill.
In this life, we will face spiritual hunger, times of longing, and moments of thirst. But Jesus assures us that in Him, we find everything we need. We are invited to come, believe, and partake of the eternal life He offers. The bread He gives is not merely for the present moment but for eternity.
Let this truth sink in: Jesus is the Bread of Life. He is your sustenance, your nourishment, your source of life. Come to Him today and never hunger again.
#2. A Promise of Resurrection and Life
Theme
Jesus promises resurrection and eternal life to all who believe in Him.
Scripture References
John 6:40, John 11:25-26, John 5:24
Key Verse
“For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.” — John 6:40
Message
Jesus offers eternal life and promises to raise His followers on the last day. This resurrection is the hope of every believer.
Sample Sermon
In John 6:40, Jesus speaks clearly about the Father’s will. He says, “everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.” This promise is at the heart of the Christian faith. It assures us that death is not the end, but the beginning of an eternal life with God.
Jesus is not just the bread that sustains us in life; He is also the one who gives us victory over death. The resurrection He promises isn’t just a future event—it’s a present reality. By faith, we have already begun to experience the life that is to come. Our physical bodies will one day die, but in Christ, we have the hope of resurrection, an eternal existence in the presence of God.
In John 11:25-26, Jesus further clarifies, saying, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.” What a comforting truth this is for those who mourn the loss of loved ones. Death may bring separation for a time, but for the believer, it is not final. Jesus promises that He will raise us up on the last day.
This promise of resurrection gives us hope in the face of death. It helps us to see beyond the pain and grief of losing someone to the certainty of eternal life. If you are grieving today, remember this: Jesus is the resurrection and the life. Those who trust in Him will never truly die. They will live forever with Him.
#3. Christ’s Assurance: A Guarantee of Eternal Life
Theme
Jesus guarantees eternal life to all who believe in Him.
Scripture References
John 6:40, John 6:47, John 5:24
Key Verse
“Very truly I tell you, the one who believes has eternal life.” — John 6:47
Message
Belief in Jesus is the key to eternal life. It’s a guarantee given by the Son of God Himself.
Sample Sermon
In John 6:47, Jesus offers a simple but powerful statement: “Very truly I tell you, the one who believes has eternal life.” This is the guarantee of the gospel. Eternal life is not something we can earn or achieve through our own efforts; it is a gift from God, given to all who trust in His Son, Jesus Christ.
This guarantee is rooted in the character of Christ Himself. Jesus is not like us. He doesn’t change. His word is sure. When He says something, it is as good as done. The eternal life He offers is not a hope, not a maybe, but a certainty. Those who believe in Him have eternal life now. We don’t have to wait until we die to receive it. It is ours the moment we trust in Him.
In the book of John, Jesus emphasizes that eternal life begins the moment we believe. It is not a distant promise to be claimed only after death. In John 5:24, He says, “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.”
This is a present reality for all who trust in Jesus. Eternal life starts now. It is not just a future hope, but a present possession. When we believe, we are already living in the light of eternity. What a comfort this is, especially in times of grief. Jesus’ assurance of eternal life is a solid rock we can stand on, no matter what life throws our way.
#4. Never Thirsting Again: A Heavenly Comfort
Theme
Jesus offers living water that satisfies our deepest thirst.
Scripture References
John 6:35, John 4:14, John 7:37-38
Key Verse
“Whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst.” — John 4:14
Message
Jesus offers spiritual water that quenches our thirst forever. This is a promise of peace and comfort.
Sample Sermon
In John 4:14, Jesus tells the Samaritan woman, “Whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst.” This is a promise of lasting satisfaction. The water Jesus speaks of is not physical water, but spiritual water—the living water that comes from God.
Throughout our lives, we experience a thirst that nothing in this world can satisfy. We search for fulfillment in relationships, achievements, possessions, and experiences, but the thirst always returns. Nothing on earth can give us the peace and satisfaction we long for. But Jesus offers something different. He offers Himself, the living water, which satisfies the soul completely and forever.
In John 6:35, Jesus expands on this idea, saying, “Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” This is the promise of eternal fulfillment. When we come to Jesus, we find rest for our souls. The thirst we feel is no longer a longing for things that cannot fulfill us but is satisfied in Him.
In John 7:37-38, Jesus invites all who are thirsty to come to Him and drink. He promises that whoever believes in Him will have streams of living water flowing from within. This water brings life, peace, and comfort. For those who are struggling, burdened, or grieving, this is a word of hope. Jesus offers you the living water that will satisfy your soul’s deepest thirst. Come to Him, and you will never thirst again.
#5. The Father’s Will: God’s Eternal Plan
Theme
Jesus came to do the Father’s will, which is to give eternal life to all who believe.
Scripture References
John 6:39-40, John 4:34, John 17:3
Key Verse
“For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life.” — John 6:40
Message
The Father’s will is clear: eternal life for all who believe in the Son. This is God’s plan from the beginning.
Sample Sermon
In John 6:40, Jesus tells us that the Father’s will is that “everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life.” This is the heart of the gospel—the Father’s plan for salvation. God’s desire is not for anyone to perish but for all to come to repentance and receive eternal life through His Son, Jesus Christ.
Jesus came to fulfill this will. In John 4:34, He says, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.” Jesus’ mission was clear: to seek and save the lost, to provide a way for us to be reconciled to God, and to offer eternal life to all who believe.
God’s plan for salvation is not an afterthought. It was set in motion before the foundations of the world. In John 17:3, Jesus prays to the Father, saying, “Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” Eternal life is knowing God and Jesus Christ. This knowledge is not just intellectual but relational—a deep, personal relationship with the Creator.
God’s will is that you and I would come to Him through Jesus, receive eternal life, and be part of His eternal kingdom. This is the hope of the Christian faith. It is a sure promise, and it is available to anyone who believes. No matter your past or your struggles, this is the will of God for you: eternal life through faith in His Son.
#6. The Promise of Fulfillment in Christ
Theme
Jesus offers fulfillment that the world cannot give.
Scripture References
John 6:35, John 4:13-14, John 7:37-38
Key Verse
“Whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst.” — John 4:14
Message
Jesus promises lasting fulfillment. The world offers temporary satisfaction, but in Christ, we find what our souls truly need.
Sample Sermon
In John 6:35, Jesus offers a profound promise: “Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” This is not a fleeting promise or a temporary solution. Jesus is offering something eternal, something that will satisfy the deepest longings of our hearts.
We live in a world that offers endless distractions, material pleasures, and fleeting joys. But none of these things can truly fulfill us. They may satisfy for a moment, but that satisfaction fades. We are left longing for more, constantly searching for meaning and purpose. But Jesus offers a different kind of fulfillment—one that never fades, one that satisfies our souls completely.
In John 4:13-14, Jesus speaks to the Samaritan woman at the well, saying, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst.” He was not speaking of physical water but of the spiritual thirst that only He can satisfy. When we drink from the well of Christ, we are filled in a way nothing else can fill us. His living water quenches our thirst forever.
In John 7:37-38, Jesus invites all who are thirsty to come to Him and drink. He promises that “whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” This is a promise of an ongoing, abundant life in Christ. The fulfillment He offers is not a one-time event but an eternal experience.
The promise of fulfillment in Christ is available to all. Jesus offers Himself as the only true source of satisfaction. If you are thirsty, come to Him. He will fill you with His living water, and you will never thirst again.
#7. A Hope That Does Not Fade
Theme
The hope found in Christ is unshakable and eternal.
Scripture References
John 6:40, Romans 5:5, 1 Peter 1:3-4
Key Verse
“For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life.” — John 6:40
Message
The hope Jesus offers is a secure and lasting hope. It will never fade, even in the face of trials.
Sample Sermon
In John 6:40, Jesus clearly states, “For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life.” This is not just a passing hope; it is a hope that is eternal. The hope found in Christ is not like the hope the world offers. The world’s hope can fade, disappoint, or be lost. But the hope in Christ is firm and secure.
Romans 5:5 tells us that “hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” This hope is not empty or uncertain. It is founded on God’s love, which is unchanging. In the midst of life’s difficulties, we can be assured that the hope we have in Christ will never fail us.
In 1 Peter 1:3-4, we are reminded of the living hope we have through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade.” This hope is not subject to decay or destruction. It is secure, and it is ours forever.
The hope we have in Christ is not like the hopes the world offers. It is not a hope built on uncertain circumstances. It is the hope of eternal life, a hope that nothing can take away. This hope anchors us in the midst of life’s storms, giving us strength and peace as we look forward to the future Christ has promised.
#8. The Gift of Eternal Security
Theme
Jesus promises eternal security to all who believe in Him.
Scripture References
John 6:39-40, John 10:28-29, Ephesians 1:13-14
Key Verse
“I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.” — John 10:28
Message
Jesus offers eternal security to all who believe. Once saved, we are secure in Him forever.
Sample Sermon
In John 10:28, Jesus offers a comforting promise to His followers: “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.” This is a powerful statement of eternal security. When we come to Christ, we are given eternal life, and that life cannot be taken away.
Jesus does not give us a temporary hope. He offers a permanent security. Our salvation is not something that can be lost. Once we are in His hand, no one can snatch us away. This truth is vital for our peace and assurance as believers. We don’t have to live in fear of losing our salvation or being separated from God. Jesus’ grip on us is unbreakable.
In John 6:39-40, Jesus affirms that “I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day.” This is a promise of preservation. No matter what we face in life, no matter how hard the trials may be, Jesus will not let go of us. His commitment to us is unchanging. We are secure in Him.
Ephesians 1:13-14 also speaks to this security, stating that after hearing the gospel and believing, “you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession.” The Holy Spirit is our guarantee that God will fulfill His promise of eternal life.
The security we have in Christ is not based on our own efforts but on His promise. We can rest in the assurance that our salvation is secure, not because of what we do, but because of what Jesus has done for us.
#9. Christ, Our Hope Beyond the Grave
Theme
Jesus is our hope beyond death, assuring us of life after the grave.
Scripture References
John 6:40, John 11:25-26, 1 Corinthians 15:54-57
Key Verse
“I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.” — John 11:25
Message
In Christ, we have hope beyond the grave. Death is not the end for those who believe in Him.
Sample Sermon
In John 11:25-26, Jesus declares, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.” This is one of the most powerful promises Jesus makes. Death is not the end. For the believer, death is merely a transition into eternal life with God.
This truth offers profound comfort, especially in the face of loss. We do not mourn as those without hope. We know that those who have died in Christ are not lost forever. In Christ, we have hope beyond the grave. We know that one day, all believers will be raised to new life.
In 1 Corinthians 15:54-57, Paul writes about the victory over death that Christ has won for us. “Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” Christ’s resurrection assures us of our own resurrection. Death no longer has the final word. Because of Jesus, we can face death with hope, knowing that it has been defeated.
The hope beyond the grave is not wishful thinking. It is a certainty grounded in the resurrection of Jesus. Jesus is the resurrection and the life. Because He lives, we too will live. This hope is the foundation of the Christian faith. It is what gives us strength in the face of grief and what allows us to look beyond the grave with confidence.
#10. The Call to Come to Jesus
Theme
Jesus calls all to come to Him for eternal life.
Scripture References
John 6:35, Matthew 11:28, Revelation 22:17
Key Verse
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” — Matthew 11:28
Message
Jesus invites all who are burdened and weary to come to Him. In Him, we find rest and eternal life.
Sample Sermon
In Matthew 11:28, Jesus issues a simple but profound invitation: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” This invitation is open to all. No matter what burdens you carry, no matter how heavy your heart is, Jesus calls you to come to Him. He does not promise that life will be without challenges, but He promises rest for your soul.
In John 6:35, Jesus says, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” Jesus is calling us to Himself as the only source of true satisfaction. The things of this world will never fully satisfy us. We will always find ourselves hungry and thirsty for more. But in Christ, we find the nourishment and satisfaction our souls crave.
Revelation 22:17 further extends this invitation: “The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let the one who hears say, ‘Come!’ Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.” This call to come is not just a call for a select few; it is a call to everyone. It is a free offer of grace and eternal life.
If you are weary, if you are thirsty, if you are longing for something more, come to Jesus. He is the answer to all your needs. In Him, you will find rest, satisfaction, and eternal life. The call to come is a call of mercy and love. Do not delay. Come to Jesus today.
Closing Thoughts
The promises of Jesus in John 6 offer us unshakable hope. He is the Bread of Life, the source of eternal fulfillment and security. His call to come to Him is not just an invitation but a guarantee of life beyond the grave.
The assurance of God’s will, the promise of resurrection, and the hope of eternal life in Christ offer peace amid the struggles of life. As we face challenges, let us hold fast to these promises, knowing that in Jesus, we find our sustenance, our security, and our ultimate hope. Come to Him, and find rest for your soul.