Responding to the Words of Life

Those disciples who quit following Jesus indicate that they were never genuine believers ()

Explanation: The exchange between Jesus and many of His disciples takes place immediately following His discourse on total identification with Him. Jesus had been very graphic (eat my flesh, drink my blood) to make clear that a true follower of His would enter into a life of total surrender and take on a new identity which revolved around Him.

The text indicates that many of His disciples could not accept His teaching in this area. They stated that this kind of talk was hard, meaning that they found it offensive and unpalatable. They grumbled amongst themselves, they complained about what Jesus was asking. Make no mistake: they understood what He was asking, they just refused to submit and commit.

Jesus knows that His teaching had offended them. His question was rhetorical in nature. He then makes an allusion to His future Resurrection via the Cross and is basically saying, “If this teaching offends you, wait til you see the Crucifixion!”

Illustrate: People who have been introduced to Christianity through the Prosperity Gospel. Or the very pragmatic approach: “following Jesus will make your life better, and following Jesus will make you better at life.” (Andy Stanley)

Argument: Listening to their complaints, and knowing their unbelief, Jesus emphasizes the spiritual nature of His teaching. He tells them clearly that the Spirit is the One who gives life. He restates this because His listeners never got past their focus on the flesh and the material. In keeping with His previous teaching, Jesus again refers back to the Sovereignty of God in salvation. He repeats “no one can come to Me unless it is granted him by the Father”

Argument: Listening to their complaints, and knowing their unbelief, Jesus emphasizes the spiritual nature of His teaching. He tells them clearly that the Spirit is the One who gives life. He restates this because His listeners never got past their focus on the flesh and the material. In keeping with His previous teaching, Jesus again refers back to the Sovereignty of God in salvation. He repeats “no one can come to Me unless it is granted him by the Father”

Unfortunately, many people who consider themselves to be Christians have never been radically regenerated by the Spirit of God, they have never experienced the New Birth. They may have had some sort of emotional encounter or been troubled by the idea of ending up in Hell, but they have never truly surrendered to the Lordship of Christ as a result of being drawn by the Father.

Those who “come to Christ” simply to receive a benefit such as material blessings or the promise of Heaven will eventually fade away and no longer follow after Christ. These false disciples are likened to the 2nd and 3rd type of soils. The seed sown on rocky ground (#2) sprouts up but has no root connection; when trouble & persecution comes, he falls away (). The seed sown among the thorns (#3) look like disciples, but the cares of the world - the material things claim their attention and there is no fruit. This same concept is later addressed clearly by the Apostle John in his first epistle when he states that eventually the false disciples will leave ()

Application: Though it has been said before, it bears repeating: those who are trusting in some “decision” or a baptism, but have absolutely no desire for the things of Christ, are in for a rude awakening. While the Bible clearly teaches Eternal Security, it does not apply to those who are false disciples

Those disciples who keep following Jesus indicate that they are genuine believers ()

Explanation: After these many false disciples leave, Jesus turns to the 12 and asks them if they want to leave as well. Peter acts as spokesperson for the 12 and basically states there is nowhere else to go. Jesus has been revealed to them as the Holy One of God, and they have come to believe in Him as the Messiah (cf ). This is the language of true believers. They have surrendered to Jesus and they have totally committed to him.

Illustrate: Martyrdom of Polycarp, Wycliffe, Jim Elliot

Argument: The Doctrine of the Perseverance of the Saints is one that gives great comfort to true disciples. Once a person has been drawn to Jesus by the Father and he or she repents and believes, that person will be raised on the last day (). Jesus continues by saying that He will lose nothing of all that He (the Father) has given me. (). These promises give assurance to the true believer. You are going to reach the goal - you will not miss out on glory!

Unfortunately in Baptist life this biblically rich teaching has been reduced to the phrase, “Once Saved, always Saved.” While true, this phrase gives license to false disciples to receive false comfort. They have been taught to look back to a decision or a baptism for assurance instead of a life that consists of keeping on with Jesus. The Biblical teaching of “He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion () doesn’t square with a “faith” that ended at age 16 for a lot of Baptists.

An important consideration: It is not possible for one believer to give assurance of salvation on the behalf of another. Peter spoke for all of the 12 when he said we have believed (v. 69), but he was not able to discern the heart of Judas. Bear in mind that the identification of Judas as the Betrayer did not come until he led the soldiers to arrest Jesus. Prior to this, at the Last Supper, all the disciples did not know and were asking, “Is it I?”

The Christian journey is just that, a journey. It is better viewed as a marathon and not a sprint. And it is important for us to understand that even a true believer can have “moments” of struggle when he or she slips into sinful behavior. These moments of sin, however, will bring about Holy Spirit conviction and a future repentance and cleansing. [King David and his sin with Bathsheba]. For the believer, the pattern and power of sin will be broken and there will be a progression that brings one closer and closer to Jesus!