Renewing Your Mind – "Bread of Life"

Podcast: Renewing Your Mind
Date: November 30, 2025
Speaker: R.C. Sproul
Host: Nathan W. Bingham (Ligonier Ministries)
Main Passage Discussed: John 6:35–51

Episode Overview

This episode focuses on Jesus’ declaration, “I am the bread of life,” from John 6. Dr. R.C. Sproul unpacks the deep theological meaning in this passage, particularly addressing the doctrines of grace, predestination, and the certainty of salvation for those God gives to the Son. Through personal stories, biblical exposition, and thoughtful analogies, Dr. Sproul explores why not everyone comes to Jesus, the nature of divine election, and the unconditional security of believers.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Introduction: The Reason for Salvation (00:00–00:52)

• Dr. Sproul reflects on a common theological question: "Why does God save me?"

  • Many assume personal salvation as a given, but Sproul emphasizes that the ultimate reason for salvation is the Father's desire to honor the Son.

• Quote:

  “The only reason in the final analysis why you're a Christian is that the Father wants to honor the Son.” (00:34, Dr. Sproul)

The Bread of Life Discourse - Scripture Reading (01:54–07:07)

• Passage read: John 6:35–51
• Jesus claims to be the bread of life, offering eternal satisfaction (“He who comes to me shall never hunger...”), and explains the role of the Father in bringing people to Him.
• The crowd grumbles at Jesus’ teaching, particularly about Him coming from heaven.

Wrestling with Predestination (07:08–11:55)

• Sproul shares an anecdote about a letter from a woman wanting to cancel a magazine subscription due to its presentation of predestination.
• He elaborates on the controversial nature of predestination in Christian circles (“some people just get very exercised about it”).
• Personal story:
  • Sproul’s own early struggles with biblical teaching on election; he recalls keeping a card on his desk as a seminary student:

    “You are responsible to believe and to teach what the Bible teaches, not what you would like to have it teach.” (09:33, Dr. Sproul)

The Father’s Gift to the Son: Unpacking John 6:37 (11:56–15:00)

• Key text:

  “All that the Father gives me will come to me, and the one who comes to me I will by no means cast out.” (John 6:37)

• Dr. Sproul emphasizes:

  • There’s a specific group (“all that the Father gives me”) determined by the Father.
  • This group is the “gift” from the Father to the Son—salvation is ultimately about God honoring His Son.
  • The assurance of salvation: Jesus promises He will never cast out those who come by the Father’s initiative.

• Quote:

  “If we could just understand the import of this single verse of Scripture, all of the theological battles of the ages over election, over divine sovereignty and human responsibility would vanish.” (12:47, Dr. Sproul)

Theastonishing Purpose of Election (15:01–18:25)

• Sproul’s theological reflection:

  • He returns to the “why me?” question, highlighting how the only sufficient answer rests in God’s eternal purpose to honor and satisfy His Son.
  • References Isaiah 53: God’s plan is not for Christ’s work to be in vain.

• Quote:

  “I cannot give a single reason under heaven why God would save me, other than as the prophet Isaiah gave… God has determined to honor His Son by giving to His Son adopted brothers and sisters.” (16:07, Dr. Sproul)

Election and Human Response - Doctor Analogy (18:26–21:15)

• Sproul recounts a conversation with his doctor about “limited atonement.”

• Analogy: A doctor does not prescribe medicine hoping randomly for results—she expects specific effects despite her limits; God, being omniscient and omnipotent, does not leave salvation to chance.

• Emphasizes that God chooses with certainty, not merely possibility.

• Memorable exchange:

  • Doctor: “I never thought about it that way.” (21:03, Recalls Sproul’s doctor’s response)

Arminianism vs. Reformed Reading (21:16–23:12)

• Sproul clarifies:

  • Most modern Christians (semi-Pelagians) invert Scripture: “All who come to me, the Father will give to me.”
  • But Jesus actually says the Father’s giving precedes anyone coming.

• Affirms doctrines of unconditional election, effectual grace, and perseverance of the saints.

• Quote:

  “If you have it, you never lose it. And if you lose it, you never had it.” (23:07, Dr. Sproul)

No One Can Come Unless Drawn (23:13–29:05)

• Focus on John 6:44:

  “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day.”

• Exegesis:

  • The “drawing” is not merely wooing or enticing, but compelling (cites the Greek term, used for dragging Paul and Silas to prison).
  • Analogy: Drawing water from a well—it does not come up by mere invitation.
  • Humans are spiritually inert, unable to seek God without divine intervention.

• Quote:

  “That water is inert. You have to go get it. It’s not able, unless it’s an artesian well, to come up out of there for you. And that’s our human condition.” (27:50, Dr. Sproul)

• Result:

  • The Father effectually draws chosen individuals to Christ.

The Magnitude of God’s Grace (29:06–31:20)

• Application:

  • Believers should never take credit for their salvation—it is “the marvelous work of grace that God has done in your soul.”
  • God removes spiritual blindness and gives new life to those He has chosen.

• Quote:

  “I can hardly stand this text. It is so magnificent when I think that the Father has given me to His Son, that the Father has prepared a bride for the bridegroom, and we are that bride if it be that we are in Christ.” (30:31, Dr. Sproul)

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• “The only reason in the final analysis why you’re a Christian is that the Father wants to honor the Son.” (00:34, Dr. Sproul)
• “All that the Father gives me will come to me, and the one who comes to me I will by no means cast out.” (13:18, Dr. Sproul reading Jesus’ words)
• “You are responsible to believe and to teach what the Bible teaches, not what you would like to have it teach.” (09:33, Dr. Sproul)
• “If you have it, you never lose it. And if you lose it, you never had it.” (23:07, Dr. Sproul)
• “That water is inert. You have to go get it. It’s not able, unless it’s an artesian well, to come up out of there for you. And that’s our human condition.” (27:50, Dr. Sproul)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00–00:52 Introduction: Why does God save?
• 01:54–07:07 Reading & exposition of John 6:35–51
• 07:08–11:55 Letter about predestination; embracing hard doctrine
• 11:56–15:00 “All that the Father gives me will come…” – Election unpacked
• 15:01–18:25 The ultimate purpose—honoring Christ
• 18:26–21:15 Doctor analogy: certainty of God’s intention in salvation
• 21:16–23:12 Correcting semi-Pelagian and Arminian misunderstandings
• 23:13–29:05 The meaning of “draw”—effectual calling, helplessness in sin
• 29:06–31:20 Application: marveling at grace, security for believers

Final Reflection

Dr. Sproul’s message challenges listeners to marvel at God’s sovereign grace, understand their salvation as rooted in the Father’s eternal purpose to honor the Son, and recognize the utter dependence of sinners on God’s effectual call.

Host Nathan W. Bingham concludes:

“If you are a Christian, the Father has given you to the Son. What better news is there to hear on this Lord’s day?” (24:34)