John 6:59-71

Staying Until the End

We’re not our own; therefore, our reason and will shouldn’t rule our decisions and actions. 

We’re not our own; therefore, let’s try to forget ourselves and everything that’s ours.

On the other hand,

We’re God’s; to him, let’s live and die.

We’re God’s; therefore, let his wisdom and will guide all our actions.

We’re God’s; therefore, let every part of our lives be dedicated to him.

- John Calvin.

John Calvin talks about a Christians devotion and commitment to God for having been saved. It’s wonderful. But to be honest, have we done this? have we let God rule our decisions and actions?

With all honesty, have we dedicate every part of our lives to God?

Can we honestly say, LORD I will live and die for you!?

But for a person to follow Jesus until the end, to live and die for Jesus, it takes more than logic, it takes more than intellect. It takes the work of God.

Following Jesus is not easy. It is difficult and in fact impossible without the GRACE and MERCY of God at WORK in our lives. We will discover that in our study this morning.

Go with me now to John 6:51-79. I have entitled this sermon “Staying Until the End”

In this passage, God wants us to see that the TRUE disciples of Jesus are those who have believed and stayed with Jesus until the end as oppose to the FALSE disciples who will move away from Jesus when its not convenient.

In this passage, we will find 3 important characteristics of a true disciple of Christ.

In this passage, we read that after Jesus gave an invitation to people to believe in Him as the bread of life, the giver of eternal life. The people responded with unbelief, they were grumbling and arguing. Even his disciples, those who have been following Jesus for a long time, have seen the miracles…they grumbled and said, “this is a difficult statement; who can listen to it?” (v.60) The words of Jesus are offensive to them!

Why is it difficult to follow Jesus? Is it because the Words of Jesus is difficult to understand or hard to accept? -The answer - hard to accept because of Heart problem (Jeremiah 17:9 “9 “The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it?”

That is why Jesus said in v.63- It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh (sinful nature/ heart) is no help at all (ESV).

We have the sinful nature in us that blinds us from the truth of God and therefore it is easy for man to reject God!

But praise God that it is not easy for God to reject man! God in his mercy and grace intervened to rescue man from the punishment of rejecting God. God call man to himself in order to come to Jesus. Here is the 1st characteristic of a true disciple of Jesus in v.63 and 65.

I. True Disciples were CALLED by God. (v.63, v.65).

Key word - granted (NIV - enabled, NET - allowed,) God enabling spiritually dead people to come to Him.

How will a dead phone work? You have to charge it! By charging it, you enable to cellphone to work!

How does give enable people to come to Jesus? look at verse 63.

The Spirit gives life. The Spirit uses the words of Jesus for people to believe and receive eternal life. The very words that Jesus has spoken to them will in them become life.

The Words of Jesus are spirit and life. It causes the person to become alive in Christ.

vv. 63 and 65 reminds us that salvation is the work of God. Those God draws (regenerate) will come to Jesus.

Belief in Jesus is a gift bestowed by God. It was only by the gracious gift of the Father that this unbelief could be overcome.

“Unbelief is to be expected apart from a divine miracle. No one can come to Christ without the Father’s giving him the grace to do so. Left to himself the sinner prefers his sin. Conversion is always a work of grace.”-Tyndale Commentary Series

Romans 8:30 “ and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.”

v. 64. Jesus is all knowing and He knows who is just pretending to be a believer.

v. 66. False Disciples will eventually CUT their connection with Christ because they were not called.

Their reaction is typical of false disciples: as long as they see Jesus to be a source of healing, free food, and deliverance from enemy oppression, the self-serving disciples flocked to Him. But when Jesus demanded that they acknowledge their spiritual bankruptcy, confess their sin, and commit themselves to Him as the only source of salvation, they became offended and left.

Jesus didn’t plead with those who left. He didn’t say, “Let Me explain further.” He neither ran after them nor reasoned with them because He knew they could not understand unless the Father had drawn them.

Application:

follow the example of Jesus—Let us stop arguing with unbelievers and let us not be angry if they reject the Gospel. We need to realize that unless the Father is drawing them, no one can come.

Personally, I sense such a “relaxed-ness” in the ministry of Jesus Christ. Not striving, not struggling, not straining to persuade, He simply shared the truth, knowing the Spirit would give application in the hearts of those the Father had drawn.

I believe that those who have been called will confess their faith in Jesus. This is the second characteristic of a true disciples;

II. True Disciples will CONFESS that Jesus is God and Savior. (vv. 67-69)

Jesus asked the 12 disciples a direct question. Will you leave like them? Will you still follow me bisan ang kadaghanan ni biya nako?

‌Peter, being the quick-to-speak guy, answered Jesus's question. He proclaimed three important truths:

‌1. To whom shall we go? No other teacher or prophet can do what you can do.‌

2. You have the words of eternal life. No other person can give eternal life!

3. You are the Holy One of God. God’s agent of authority and power to bring judgment and eternal life.

Here we learn two key marks of true disciples: FAITH (we have believed)—which marks their spiritual birth—and FAITHFULNESS (Lord, to whom shall we go?)—which marks their character.

Note the order: WE believe and are sure. People often say, “I would believe if I could be sure.” But the way of the Lord is always believe first and then you will be sure, for it is only through faith that we can understand.

The disciples confession of faith were the result of God’s work in their hearts (v.65)

Reflection

The false disciples left because they see Jesus as their problem solver but not Lord and Savior.

Who is Jesus to you?

Have you asked yourself “asa kaha ko moadto no kung wala ko mitoo kang Jesus?”

Siguro naa ko SM ron nag suroy suroy..or sa Ayala? or nag Netflix, or nag pabilin nga RC, Quiboloy, anything or anyone except Christ.

I praise that God He called me to come to Jesus and believe in Jesus as my Lord and Savior.

Application:

Ask God to give you the faith to believe in Jesus as your Lord and Savior!

If you have confess your faith, show your faithfulness through your Christ-like character.

The 1st and 2nd characteristics of a true disciple - CALLED and CONFESS. but the 3rd one is crucial and defining - COMMITMENT.

III. True Disciples will COMMIT until the end. (vv. 70-71)

Judas was chosen to follow Jesus during His earthly ministry although he was a fake believer. God did not stop Judas from following his wrong motives but he was responsible for his own evil choices.

Some professing Christians are not real Christians and God will reveal it through testings.

Fake faith will surely come out and will be found out when tested.

Judas was tempted by what was in his heart ( desire for earthly wealth) and when he had the chance to repent he did not. He instead took his life. Judas’s commitment and devotion was to himself, not God!

Real Christians will remain for they have been chosen and united with Christ. Despite the troubles and trials that may come, they are secured in the hands of Jesus. You might backslide, but God will make sure to bring you back to His fold. Imagine the prodigal son…

Reflection:

Now that you are a Christian, have you experienced a point in time where you consider walking away from Jesus? (Yes, to pursue my worldly desires - wealth, entertainment, lust.)

Application:

Let us not grumble when our faith is tested. James 1:2–3 “2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.”

various trials - sickness, financial problem, relationship problems, etc…

2. Let us help those who are struggling and backsliding.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 “11 Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.”

Galatians 6:2 “2 Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.”

Conclusion:

In our flawed humanity, we are blinded by our sin and pride. ‌In reality, we can’t come to Jesus on our own. We need the grace of God!

‌Jesus is the Holy One God, the heavenly gift from God for sinners like you and me. He died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins so that we can be freed from our sinfulness and pride. You can’t earn your salvation, you have to surrender your life to Jesus. Like Peter, we must admit that Jesus is our only savior, the Holy one of God!

‌Praise Jesus because Salvation is not a reward for the righteous but a gift for the sinners.