The Spirit gives life
Notes
Transcript
Good Morning, I’m Gill.
Honored, humbled and very surprised to be here today.
My God works miracles. I am one of them.
Thank you Chris and Tony
Leading the church, so giving of their time and labors Not knuckleheads
I see them as caring, loving, strong men of God desiring to grow in Him
Thanks for the time of study in EC
Not historian, not a theologian, but I know about saved by Grace.
Some of you know my story.
It was a radical awakening. The very thing I did not think He would or He could
do. - for God's glory. So today, here I am
Today finishing up Chapter 6
Before we get started, lets pray.
So they asked if I wanted to pick a subject, I just wanted to continue in our lessons, turns out I get to talk about some controversial topics. Pre destination and false disciples… Awesome lol 😂
Read the text
When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?” But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were grumbling about this, said to them, “Do you take offense at this? Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.
But there are some of you who do not believe.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.) And he said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.”
After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?”
Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.” Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the twelve? And yet one of you is a devil.” He spoke of Judas the son of Simon Iscariot, for he, one of the twelve, was going to betray him.
John 6:60-71
60 When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?” 61 But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were grumbling about this, said to them, “Do you take offense at this? 62 Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? 63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 64 But there are some of you who do not believe.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.) 65 And he said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.”
66 After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. 67 So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” 68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, 69 and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.” 70 Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the twelve? And yet one of you is a devil.” 71 He spoke of Judas the son of Simon Iscariot, for he, one of the twelve, was going to betray him.
Build context
Jesus is well known
Many public miracle
Water to wine
Spectacular baptism
Healed on the Sabbath - Pushing limits of traditions of Pharisees created waves
Walked on water
Fed 5000
Teaching in Synagogues
Claims to come from Heaven
As Tony and Chris have talked about - many I AM statements
Safe to say everyone in the region and even beyond knew about Jesus by now.
So last week, Tony talked about this radical teaching of Jesus.
Eat of my Flesh Drink of my blood.
Let’s back up and just get a little bit of context
The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink.
For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on me, he also will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like the bread the fathers ate, and died. Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.” Jesus said these things in the synagogue, as he taught at Capernaum.
John 6:52-59
52 The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” 53 So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. 54 Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. 55 For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. 56 Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. 57 As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on me, he also will live because of me. 58 This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like the bread[c] the fathers ate, and died. Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.” 59 Jesus[d] said these things in the synagogue, as he taught at Capernaum.
Now on to our text….
When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?” But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were grumbling about this, said to them, “Do you take offense at this?
60 When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?” 61 But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were grumbling about this, said to them, “Do you take offense at this?
This is a hard saying, who can listen to this?
What was so hard?
What did they think Jesus was talking about?
As Pastor Tony explained last week not Cannibalism?
Did they get it?
Probably, Jesus taught in parables quite often
So What exactly was He saying?
He needs to be our sustenance. Our very food and drink.
He is to Become vital, your very source of life.
Spiritual Nutrition …cannot live without Him.
Going all in on Jesus and Jesus alone.
Abandoning traditions, and basically all other religious beliefs.
What about the disciples?
Not just the 12 - disciples are students
They grumble
So they grumbled among themselves…Wonder what was being muttered
How does Jesus respond?
Do you take offense?
Am I asking too much?
Do you truly believe?
Were the miracles not proof enough?
How about the next verse?
Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.
John 6: 62-63
62 Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? 63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.
When will you truly believe? When will enough proof, be enough?
Can you not accept this, what if you see Me ascend?? Then what?
Notice also….to where He was before. Another claim of His deity.
The Spirit gives life, the flesh is no help at all.
Predestination is a controversial subject for some believers.
It can feel like it’s taking away from free will
But no one in their free will would choose God
We all rebel, we all self serve, we all want what we want.
EVER after we’re saved we still get selfish and in our own ways.
No one is choosing God on account of their own will. We simply can’t.
The Spirit, sent by God gives us the ability to choose God,
The Spirit gives LIFE. Dead men don’t make decisions.
Like Chris always says, from death, to life, and ONLY by the
Spirit is that possible. Only by divine resurrection in Christ.
The flesh is no help
Salvation is a 3 person job
Father draws, or calls
The Son provides righteousness and the perfect sacrifice
The Spirit gives life and sanctifies.
No room at this table for you.
THE FLESH IS NO HELP,
So why share the Gospel if God does all the work? He provides ends AND means. Us.
The words I have spoke are Spirit and Life
A heavenly language, with eternal value.
Jesus busted out some hard teachings.
Sometimes like nasty medicine, sometimes its gross, but it’s best for you
But there are some of you who do not believe.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.) And he said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.”
John 6:64-65
64 But there are some of you who do not believe.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.) 65 And he said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.”
But there are some of you who do not believe. (calling them out in front of everyone)
Not all who follow are true believers.
I was one of those false disciples for a very long time.
Even knowing the truth, I still reserved the right to Gill’s will.
Until God allowed me to fall into complete brokenness.
I was at my worst. How would I have strong faith? This was my lowest point.
Calling me to mercy…praise Him. God did it.
Jesus knew from the beginning.
Where was Jesus in the beginning?
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.
John 1:1-2 tells us that.
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God.
So Jesus knew who would believe, and who would not, based on who that Father granted to Him.
Backing up, we see In verse 44…
No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.
John 6:44
44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.
The Father initiates the work. If you come to Jesus, it’s because it was granted to you by the Father. There is no other way.
I would love to say I had strong faith, or that I changed my ways.
Just not the case. I’ve tried.
Only now, granted by the Father, through the Son, by way of the Spirit, am I able to obey and serve God in any facet. That’s the only way I am up here today.
THE SPIRIT GIVES LIFE.
After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?”
John6: 66-67
66 After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. 67 So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?”
First, let’s start with this group of students, or disciples, walk away. It doesn’t say they argue, ask for clarification, they just leave.
Why? They don’t understand, or HEAR His words. They don’t obey. Why?
Watch this…..They are not part of His flock,
Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name bear witness about me, but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”
John 10:25-30
25 Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name bear witness about me, 26 but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep. 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me,[a] is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”
Notice, You do not believe BECAUSE you are not among my sheep.
Not…You are not my sheep, so you do not believe. Notice the order there.
You are not among my sheep.
Jesus did not come, live a perfect life, and die a brutal and horrific sinners death to save maybe a few people who might accept Him….NOPE.
He came for a very specific people. Chosen and given to him by the Father.
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
Romans 8:28-30
28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good,[h] for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
All past tense speech there. Nothing about our salvation is to come. It’s already handled before the foundation of the earth.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.
Ephesians1:3-6
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us[b] for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.
God created everything in existence with order and precision. His plan for His people in redemption was no different. HE IS SOVEREIGN!!
So Jesus knows what’s going to happen here. No surprises. He already knew the response.
Jesus asks, Do you want to go away as well?
Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, 69 and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”
How does Peter know this? We could all say the miracles he witnessed, the amazing teachings of Jesus, but what does scripture say?
Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Matthew 16
Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter,[a] and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades[b] will not overcome it.
It was revealed by The Father in heaven. Period.
Lord, to whom shall we go?
Peter acknowledges Jesus’ Lordship here and again proclaims Him from heaven
Peter says here that Jesus has the words of life.
Let’s look back, what did the earlier disciples reject and walk away from?
Food? Healing? Blessings? No…they walked away from His Words.
We either trust Jesus or we don’t. We don’t get to pick and choose what we want to accept.
The bible is not Ala carte.
What do we do when the word contradicts with our personal views, or feelings? If we are in Christ, we change our personal view or feelings. The bible changes us, we don’t change it to fit into our agenda. Romans 12 tells us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. This is done by the Spirit and the Word of God.
Our last verses of chapter 6
Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the twelve? And yet one of you is a devil.” He spoke of Judas the son of Simon Iscariot, for he, one of the twelve, was going to betray him.
John 6:70-71
70 Then Jesus replied, “Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!” 71 (He meant Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, who, though one of the Twelve, was later to betray him.)
We finish off this text by seeing something pretty big here. Jesus points out that Judas will betray Him. But also notice that He CHOSE Judas as part of His plan. His will includes the saved and the unsaved. All have a purpose. His purpose.
So how do we know if we are part of the flock? I am so glad you asked. Here’s some key indicators
Humility - Humble heart before Jesus
Gratitude - we understand our sin, and how we don’t deserve grace
Assurance - When He open our eyes, we see Him as everything - we come
Running, willingly, happily, freely, overjoyed.
A heart for the lost - Do we see the need for salvation in others?
While we see many turn away from the Words of Life. Like in the passages today, Those of us who hold them as absolute truth, and we conform to the Word. We let it transform us. We don’t seek to be a part of the world anymore. We want so deeply to be more like Christ, to be closer to Him. So we seek Him through prayer and His word.
If His word is true His, promises are true.
This is good news. We are born into sin.
Even if we weren’t we would still fall short on our own, as we all do every day.
AMEN???
So we have fallen short, broken the law
So as a perfect sacrifice, He sent his only Son - Born a virgin, not of sinful generation
He lived a perfect life, and gave us the fruits of that. Imputed us with righteousness
He then took our sin, and paid a price none of us could
He bled, he was humiliated, he was scourged, He was crucified….on your behalf.
Then He fulfilled that promise, that He would rise again 3 days later, and give us eternal life.
We are reconciled by His blood. His sacrifice. His Purpose. His Love. Praise our Holy and Perfect God.
Lets Pray
