The Martyrs
Focus 2020 • Sermon • Submitted
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· 5 viewsThere is fruit of faithfulness for those who follow Jesus.
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Introduction
Introduction
The word “martyr.” = Witness. One who has seen and who tells another.
The word “martyr.” = Witness. One who has seen and who tells another.
The word “martyr.” = Witness. One who has seen and who tells another.
Martyr = Witness
Eventually, our modern usage, one who dies for their faith.
We are called to be martyrs. Witnesses. Our lives pointing others to Jesus.
Hard Teachings
Hard Teachings
After feeding the 5,000, there was a large crowd that continued to follow Him. Jesus taught them.
Two central parts of His teaching:
Jesus is God.
We are to consume Jesus.
Both were egregious, one because it was difficult, the second because it was misunderstood.
First, the rejection of the divinity of Jesus because they thought they knew Jesus.
John 6:
For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me.
So the Jews grumbled about him, because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.”
So the Jews grumbled about him, because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” They said, “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How does he now say, ‘I have come down from heaven’?”
Familiarity breeds contempt.
Because they had known about Jesus, they thought they knew Him.
Our faith needs to accept Jesus as the Divine Son of God!
Second, what does it mean to feed on Jesus?
I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”
John 6:
The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?”
John 6:52
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.
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.
You are what you eat.
When we think about Jesus as our sustenance, the source of our spiritual nutrition - upon which all other aspects of our live are build, this changes our priorities. We make spending time in prayer and in His Word the priority.
Your words were found, and I ate them,
and your words became to me a joy
and the delight of my heart,
for I am called by your name,
O Lord, God of hosts.
This requires us to admit that we cannot do it on our own. We cannot be good enough or wise enough or hard-working enough to achieve all the potential within us. We need Jesus.
See Jesus
See Jesus
Spoiler: They would see Jesus (v. 62) ascend!
His ascension, back to heaven, which would come 40 days after His resurrection.
This is the spiritual reality we need to accept.
To see Jesus is to accept Him as our only source of salvation.
The flesh (our best efforts) cannot save us!
Take eyes off of ourselves, take eyes off of what we have, take eyes off of our past.
Instead see Jesus, His words bring spirit and life.
Those that see Jesus persevere.
This was what Peter got wrong. Walking on water. Eyes off of Jesus and onto the waves.
But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.”
But, Peter did get it right that:
Jesus is the only way.
Often, people try to sound more loving by telling a lie. Scripture declares Jesus is the only way.
Go Deeper
Go Deeper
Even among the 12, there was one who was not truly saved.
Judas Iscariot, who was with Jesus for his own reasons, and is not called a “devil.”
This word means a “slanderer.” One who would speak falsely of Jesus. Misunderstanding.
Even being one of the Apostles (different than just a disciple) was not where one should be content.
Even being in a position of servant leadership, there was a greater possibility for a relationship with Jesus.
You can know Jesus better.
It isn’t about winning His affection. This wasn’t like The Bachelor…
We are called to a continually growing relationship with our Savior.
Contentment is the enemy of personal discipleship.
When you think there’s no way you can grow more spiritually is saying that you are as righteous as Jesus.
No sane person would claim that! Yet, in our actions we proclaim perfection.
This is why we must continue going deeper with Jesus. Spending time, listening and talking to Him.
Conclusion
Conclusion
A growing relationship takes effort.
Value relationships! Kids, Marriage, Friends. Invest time.
So, invest time with Jesus.
We are intentional about giving people opportunities to go deeper.
Wednesday night services, Bible Studies, Leadership positions, the conferences the Youth have for going deeper.
We, as a church, if we are going to represent Jesus to a lost and dying world, we need to know Him more!
An invitation to you to go deeper with our Savior and Lord.
Value relationships.