Tough Teachings (part 2)
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Last week we left off with John 6:60.
On hearing it, many of his disciples said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?”
You might remember that what Jesus said was a difficult saying. He talked about the fact that His followers must eat His flesh and drink His blood, which sounded like cannibalism to them.
Cannibalism was forbidden by the Levitical law (c.f. Lev. 26:29; 3:17).
Jesus saw the crowds begin to dwindle. So Jesus comes to His 12 close disciples and ask them if they also wanted to leave Him too.
If you have your Bibles, turn with me to John chapter 6 and we’ll begin reading with verse 61.
Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, “Does this offend you?
Jesus’ Response
Jesus’ Response
First, Jesus was aware that his disciples were struggling with what his teachings (v. 61a).
So he asks a question. He wants to know if his teaching is offensive to them (Gk. offend, cause to sin, anger, shock, is scandalous, cause to stumble, cause to fall away from the faith, entrap) (v. 61b).
Then what if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before!
What would happen to their faith if they saw the Son of Man (Jesus) going up to where he was before? How shocked would they be if they actually saw Jesus in his heavenly glory? (v. 62).
2 KEYS:
The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life.
It is the Spirit of God that gives life (v. 63a).
The flesh counts for NOTHING (v. 63b).
This is something that we all need to learn and understand. Our flesh--that which makes up the person (like blood, tissue, organs, etc.) is NOTHING. But having a connection to the Spirit of God is everything because it gives us life--now and forever (cf. Jn. 10:10).
KEY #2--The words that Jesus spoke are full of the Spirit of God, so they are full of life! (v. 63c).
Yet there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him.
Jesus goes on to tell them that there were some among the disciples (the 12) that did NOT believe (v. 64a).
John explains that Jesus knew from the beginning which of his disciples would not believe (v. 64b).
And Jesus knew from the beginning which disciple would betray him! (v. 64c).
He went on to say, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them.”
Jesus goes on to help them understand the real meaning behind his statement that none of them could come to him unless the Father enabled them (Gk. enabled, grant, permit, allow, establish, give freely, appoint, deposit, let them experience) (v. 65).
Some Disciples’ Response
Some Disciples’ Response
From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.
A sad note, we read many of his disciples quit following him. They quit going or traveling along with him
Jesus Questions the 12 Disciples
Jesus Questions the 12 Disciples
“You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve.
Jesus wants to know if His chosen 12 also want to desert Him (v. 67).
Peter Answers for the 12 Disciples
Peter Answers for the 12 Disciples
Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.
Simon’s answers-- “Lord to whom shall we go?” (v. 68a).
Simon proclaims that Jesus has the words of eternal life (v. 68b).
Simon’s second proclamation that he and the other disciples:
We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.”
Have come to believe (Gk. pisteuo meaning believe, trust in, entrust, have confidence in) (v. 69a).
And have come to know (Gk. ginosko meaning to know, to learn, to perceive, to find out, to understand) (v. 69b).
That Jesus is the Holy one from God (v. 69c)
Jesus Replied
Jesus Replied
Then Jesus replied, “Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!”
He reminds them that He had personally chosen each one of them to be one of His 12! (v. 70a)
Jesus says that one of them is “a devil” (Gk. meaning devil, demon, Satan, the slanderer, adversary) (v. 70b).
Side Note
Side Note
John gives us the inside meaning of Jesus’ statement.
(He meant Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, who, though one of the Twelve, was later to betray him.)
He said this because of Simon Iscariot (v. 71a).
Jesus already knows that He is going to be betrayed (v. 71b).
And Jesus already knows who is going to betray Him (v. 71c).
So What?
So What?
I don’t know where, but sometime in history there was a lie that began to be propagated throughout the western church. Today, this lie is rampant everywhere I look.
THE LIE: Coming to Jesus means the “happy” life.
Sometimes we couch it in the “blessed” life, but the idea is the same for many people. If I give my life to Jesus I won’t have any problems at all! And that simply is NOT true!
Jesus, Himself told His disciples, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (Jn. 16:33b). Did you catch the word, trouble” In the Greek it means tribulations, or harsh trouble, great trouble, overwhelming problems!
Living in this world is tough for everyone! Both followers of Jesus and those who reject Him face all kinds of problems in this life!
But choosing to follow Jesus can paint a target on you!
I was reminded this week that following Jesus is tough. One of my pastor friends from Marshall, Russ Perry, tells his people, “Salvation is free! Discipleship is costly!”
This week we saw a young man (31 years old) by the name of Charlie Kirk assonated while sharing with college students about Jesus. Discipleship is costly!
We have seen in our passages the past two week, that many of the teachings of Jesus do not make sense to us. At times His message can be “horrifying!” Discipleship is costly!
Living a life that goes against the culture of our world today can be hard. Christians are called all kinds of names and accused of all kinds of things! Discipleship is costly!
But one day, one day I will see Jesus face to face!
One day, I will be in the presence of my God! The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob! The God who sent His Son, Jesus to come to earth, to live a perfect life, to die on a Roman cross, to be buried in a borrowed tomb, and to raise back to life three day’s later—My God brought My Jesus back to heaven and gave Him a name that is above EVERY name, that at the name of Jesus EVERY knee would bow and EVERY tongue confess that JESUS IS LORD to the glory of God the Father.
One day, I too will will enter heaven and be reunited with many of my loved ones!
And one day, my struggle on this earth will be finished! And I pray that I will hear the words I long to hear, Those wonderful words from my Lord Jesus, “Well done, My good and faithful servant!”
This will all happen, because Jesus has OVERCOME the world!
Yes, His teachings are hard to follow! Yes, they go against what the world teaches! Yes, we will face all kinds of problems in the world!
But remember, ONE DAY we will be with Jesus!
ONE DAY we will bask in His presence for all eternity!
I my prayer this morning is that words of one of our old hymns written by Wilber Chapman back in 1910 would echo in your mind and remind you of that glorious. Listen as I read the words about that glorious day:
One day when heaven was filled with His praises,
One day when sin was as black as could be,
Jesus came forth to be born of a virgin,
Dwelt among men, my example is He!
One day they led Him up Calvary’s mountain,
One day they nailed Him to die on the tree;
Suffering anguish, despised and rejected,
Bearing our sins, my Redeemer is He!
One day they left Him alone in the garden,
One day He rested, from suffering free;
Angels came down o’er His tomb to keep vigil;
Hope of the hopeless, my Savior is He!
One day the grave could conceal Him no longer,
One day the stone rolled away from the door;
Then He arose, over death He had conquered,
Now is ascended, my Lord ever more!
One day the trumpet will sound for His coming,
One day the skies with His glory will shine;
Wonderful day, my beloved ones bringing;
Glorious Savior, this Jesus is mine! [Refrain]
CHOURS
Living, He loved me; dying, He saved me;
Buried, He carried my sins far away;
Rising, He justified freely, forever;
One day He’s coming: O glorious day!
I truly pray that you will be there with me in heaven One Day—on that glorious day!
