The Measure of a Disciple: Deterred or Determined?

Introduction

This morning, we turn our attention once again to John 6. We have arrived at the end of this beautiful chapter. It began with the incredible miracle through which Christ fed 5000 people with two small fish and five loaves of bread. From there, we learned how Christ challenged His disciples, requesting them to sail to the sea's other side without Him. During their journey, a great storm came which threatened to sink them. At that time, Christ came walking on the water and rescued them. Christ purposefully brought this storm into their lives, knowing it would increase their faith in Him. After arriving on the other side, the people Christ fed sought Him. In a synagogue in Capernaum, Christ engaged with them in what became a bizarre conversation about eating His flesh and drinking His blood. Ultimately, Christ was presenting Himself not for a cannibalistic ritual; instead, He was driving home the fact that He was the true bread of Heaven. As such, the only way into God’s kingdom was to believe in Him and accept Him as the Messiah who came to save the world from its sin.

We now pick up the story from where we left off. You must remember that Christ just spoke of eating His flesh and drinking His blood. It was a challenging discourse even for us today. However, for these Jews, who, as you might recall, did not eat meat with blood or drink blood, which was forbidden in the law, it was even more jarring and shocking. Note their response.

John 6:59–60 KJV 1900

59 These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum. 60 Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?

Later, in this same passage, we learn.

John 6:66 KJV 1900

66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.

The thing that I find interesting in today’s text is that those who turned back and no longer followed Christ were labeled “disciples.” Suppose you interpret the word “disciple” literally from the Greek text. It means “a student who adheres to (and travels with) a teacher in a teaching relationship and is used especially of students who follow spiritual leaders.” However, this morning, I want to challenge you with this thought. What does Scripture teach is a disciple of Christ? If we were to define New Testament discipleship with one concise paragraph, how would it be defined?

What does Scripture teach is a disciple of Christ? If we were to define New Testament discipleship with one concise paragraph, how would it be defined?

I would define it this way based on New Testament teaching.

According to Scripture, discipleship is not a one-time decision, but a lifelong journey. It begins with believing God’s Word, accepting Christ as personal Savior, and obeying God’s commands. This initial step is followed by immersion baptism, symbolizing identification with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. The journey continues as one joins a local church family, where they can grow spiritually through consistent faith in Christ and obedience to His teachings.

‌Discipleship, in essence, is about obedience. It starts with obedience to Christ as you believe He is the only way into God’s family and kingdom. It continues with your belief put into action as you consistently obey His commands throughout your life. Obedience is not just a part of discipleship, it is the essence of it.

Now, you are probably wondering why I am spending so much time identifying a true disciple of Christ. The reason is this. In this last passage of John 6, God wants us to know and understand the measure of a true disciple.

Faithful followers of Christ are distinguished from false followers by their response to Christ’s teachings.

There is one thing we must note as we entertain this thought. The teachings of Christ can be challenging and, at times, difficult to understand. This last passage was a prime example. Additionally, the reaction of two different groups of disciples in this chapter helps us solidify what God expects of those who would be faithful followers of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Let’s start with this.

Man’s Dual Response to Christ’s Teaching

In our text, we see the dual response. We already noted those who were deterred by His teachings. They found it too challenging.

John 6:60 KJV 1900

60 Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?

John 6:66 KJV 1900

66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.

Here is the first group. I would call them deterred disciples. They were...

Deterred by the Difficulty of His Teaching

Note how they complained that Christ’s teaching was, as they described, “a hard saying.” The word “hard” means it was pretty challenging. It was difficult because comprehending what He was saying required great mental effort. In other words, they didn’t want to put in the cognitive effort needed to understand what He was teaching. Instead, they chose to complain about how hard it was to hear it.

Of course, as we know, it is useless to complain about Christ, thinking that He will not understand what we are saying or complaining about. Repeatedly, we have seen instances where the Jews would murmur and complain, thinking that they were out of earshot of Christ, only for Christ to know what they said, which had to be infuriating. This was another one of these moments. Christ knew their thoughts and secretive words, yet He responded with understanding and patience, addressing their complaint in a way that sought to guide and teach them. His response serves as a model for us in our own responses to the challenges and difficulties we may face in understanding and following His teachings.

John 6:61 KJV 1900

61 When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you?

He goes on to say...

John 6:62–64 KJV 1900

62 What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before? 63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. 64 But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.

Immediately, Christ goes to the heart of the issue. His hard sayings deterred them because they were not truly His disciples. Christ’s question in verse 62 was a rhetorical question proving His point. These disciples who complained about His teachings recently enjoyed a miraculous meal of fish and bread. Yet, even the miracles performed by Christ were not enough to convince them that He was God. Thus, if Christ were to reveal Himself as He was before He descended or even as He would be after He ascended, it would not change their minds. Why was this?

Note verse 63 again and this phrase: “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing...” This verse is to understand something taught throughout the entire New Testament. In a nutshell, Christ refers to the fact that each person is born into this world spiritually dead. I have taught this several times on Wednesday nights, but this is an excellent place to teach it again. When God initially created man, He created them in His image. I contend that means that since God is triune (God the Father, Son, and Spirit), God created us with a body, soul, and spirit. In our study of John, Christ frequently mentions the spirit. In His conversation with Nicodemus, Christ emphasized that a person must be born again of the Spirit and not of water. Even in this verse, John 6:63, Christ says, “The words that I speak unto you, are spirit, and are life.” Why is this important? Sin ruined us. It marred the image that God originally created us. If you recall, God promised Adam and Eve that if they ate the forbidden fruit, they would surely die. As we know, they ate, but they did not die physically. Adam went on to live 930 years. So what happened then? Was God wrong? The answer is no. God is never wrong. Adam and Eve did die that day, but their death was spiritual.

Romans gives us a great explanation.

Romans 5:12 KJV 1900

12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

Adam’s sin brought about spiritual death. Man’s spirit died. Consequently, every person born into this world has a physical body, an eternal soul, and a dead spirit. For this reason, man must be born again to enter the kingdom of God.

How, then, does this relate to our message today? Essentially, these so-called disciples were not true disciples. They never took the first step of true discipleship. They did not fully believe Christ was the only way into God’s family and kingdom. Christ himself noted...

John 6:64 KJV 1900

64 But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.

The logical conclusion is that they did not believe, so when Christ's hard teachings came, they simply quit and gave up. Many of them returned and no longer followed Him.

‌However, another group was represented there that day.

They were a group of disciples with...

Determined Devotion to His Teachings

Look again at our text.

John 6:67–69 KJV 1900

67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? 68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. 69 And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.

You can now see the difference between a genuine and a false disciple of Christ. These men, the twelve with perhaps the exception of Judas, were true believers. Note that Peter’s answer testified to their faith. He stated that Christ had the “words of eternal life.” Additionally, Peter attested that they believed and were convinced that Christ was the Son of the living God. There was no doubt in their minds. I am sure they also found Christ’s teachings to be challenging at times. However, all they had seen, heard, and witnessed solidified in their hearts that Christ was the Messiah and God.

‌This is the crucial difference.

‌True faith (belief) in Christ as the God of the Universe, that He came and died for our sins, and rose again on the third day, makes a true disciple.

‌Discipleship begins its lifelong journey by accepting the fact that Christ is the God of the Universe. Anyone who claims to be a disciple of Christ and does not accept this fact is not a false disciple.

‌Here are two key verses that support this.

Matthew 7:21 KJV 1900

21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

This verse points out that many people claim Christ is the Lord of their lives. Hearing them talk would make you think they were indeed His disciples. However, one day, they will stand before God, and He will reveal the true intent of their hearts. They were never His disciples, for they never honestly desired to do God’s will. The most important will of God is that all men confess Christ and bow before Him.

Philippians 2:10 KJV 1900

10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

This is another crucial verse supporting the idea that discipleship begins with accepting Christ as Savior.

Titus 1:16 KJV 1900

16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

Just before Christ said in Matthew 7:21 that not all who say, “Lord, Lord,” will enter His kingdom, He also said that we would know false prophets by their fruits. This verse in Titus gives us the fruits. They profess to know God, but in their words and actions, they deny Him. Instead, they live abominable and disobedient lives.

‌What does this tell us about true disciples?

True disciples not only start their journey by acknowledging Christ; they also continue their journey living in obedience to Christ and His teachings.

Their words and actions back up their belief. They do not abandon Christ simply because His teachings are complicated and challenging. Instead, they embrace who He is and are determined to learn and obey, seeking the Holy Spirit’s help as they listen to His teachings. They do not give up or quit. They do not walk away saying the Christian life is too hard. No, they accept the challenge of God’s Word, determined to hear it, learn it, and obey it.

Christ put it this way in Luke 14.

Luke 14:26–33 KJV 1900

26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. 27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. 28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? 29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, 30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. 31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? 32 Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. 33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

A true disciple chooses Christ over everything else.

True disciples determine they will live their lives in obedience to Christ. They are willing to forsake everything as they follow Him.

Now, consider this last point, and we are done.

The Decisive Distinction

This is where we arrive at the practical application of today’s message. We identified true discipleship. Additionally, we have learned that there are two kinds of disciples. There are false and true disciples. The decisive distinction between the two is belief or, as we often say, faith. The quintessential verse is Hebrews 11:6

Hebrews 11:6 KJV 1900

6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Throughout this entire study of John, Christ has said repeatedly that each person must personally believe in Him. Those who choose to do so will receive eternal life. However, for you to receive this gift, you must believe. Believing is the spiritual equivalent of reaching out with your hand and taking the gift offered. What must you believe? You must believe that Christ is God. You must believe He will reward you (give eternal life) to all who diligently seek Him. You must believe the truth that you are a sinner, and without Christ, you will die condemned to an eternity with Him. You must believe that Christ offered Himself as the payment for your sins when He died on the cross of Calvary. You must believe that He demonstrated His power over death and possesses eternal life when He resurrected His own body from the grave. You must believe with your whole heart, soul, and mind.

If you will believe, you will act. You will call out to Him with your mouth, confessing that you believe. Only then will your life be changed, and you will start a new journey of discipleship with Christ.

However, if this teaching of Christ is too hard for you, you will walk away, and, one day, you will stand before Him, and He will say the most terrifying words ever uttered, “I never knew you.”

Conclusion

The fantastic news is this. You are here right now in this place with an opportunity of a lifetime. Right now and right here, you can make the most significant decision ever. You can choose to believe. You can choose eternal life over eternal damnation. However, you have to choose. Nothing is guaranteed. You have this moment, but you might not have the next. It is possible that you will live a whole life and have multiple opportunities to believe. I don’t know, and you don’t either. What I do know is that you can make this decision right now. The question is this.

Will you believe Christ and accept Him as your Savior? Or will you walk away and entirely possibly trade your indecision for an eternity without God?

It is a big decision. What will you do?