"Understanding Our Mission: The Commitment To Persevere"
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"Understanding Our Mission: The Commitment To Persevere"
John 6:60 – 71
60 Many of his disciples said, “This is very hard to understand. How can anyone accept it?”
61 Jesus was aware that his disciples were complaining, so he said to them, “Does this offend you?
62 Then what will you think if you see the Son of Man ascend to heaven again?
63 The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life.
64 But some of you do not believe me.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning which ones didn’t believe, and he knew who would betray him.)
65 Then he said, “That is why I said that people can’t come to me unless the Father gives them to me.”
66 At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him.
67 Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, “Are you also going to leave?”
68 Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life.
69 We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God.”
70 Then Jesus said, “I chose the twelve of you, but one is a devil.”
71 He was speaking of Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, one of the Twelve, who would later betray him.
INTRODUCTION:
Understanding our mission involves making some key choices that affect every area of life and will help us to follow Jesus even when the going gets tough and the choices become difficult.
I. MAKE THE CHOICE TO BELIEVE WHAT JESUS TEACHES. (John 6:60-61)
I. MAKE THE CHOICE TO BELIEVE WHAT JESUS TEACHES. (John 6:60-61)
60 Many of his disciples said, “This is very hard to understand. How can anyone accept it?”
61 Jesus was aware that his disciples were complaining, so he said to them, “Does this offend you?
A- About himself.
A- About himself.
1- That life is found in him alone.
1- That life is found in him alone.
(John 6:51)
51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live forever; and this bread, which I will offer so the world may live, is my flesh.”
(John 14:6)
6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.
(John 10:10)
10 The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.
2- That his death on the cross was substitutionary and sufficient.
2- That his death on the cross was substitutionary and sufficient.
(2 Corinthians 5:21)
21 For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.
(Romans 5:8)
8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.
(Hebrews 7:25)
25 Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.
B- About yourself.
B- About yourself.
1- There is a sin problem that you cannot cure.
1- There is a sin problem that you cannot cure.
(Ephesians 2:8 – 9)
8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.
9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.
2- There is a destructive process that you cannot alter.
2- There is a destructive process that you cannot alter.
a. Lust – sin – death (James 1:15)
15 These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.
· Adam and Eve
· see also: Revelation 20:11 – 15
11 And I saw a great white throne and the one sitting on it. The earth and sky fled from his presence, but they found no place to hide.
12 I saw the dead, both great and small, standing before God’s throne. And the books were opened, including the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to what they had done, as recorded in the books.
13 The sea gave up its dead, and death and the grave gave up their dead. And all were judged according to their deeds.
14 Then death and the grave were thrown into the lake of fire. This lake of fire is the second death.
15 And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire.
2- There is a need only a relationship with Christ can cure.
2- There is a need only a relationship with Christ can cure.
(John 15:4 – 5)
4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.
5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.
C- About the nature of real commitment(John 6:61)
C- About the nature of real commitment(John 6:61)
61 Jesus was aware that his disciples were complaining, so he said to them, “Does this offend you?
1- Real commitment is unconditional.
1- Real commitment is unconditional.
a. Loyalty to Christ alone.
(Matthew 12:30)
30 “Anyone who isn’t with me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me.
(Mark 12:30)
30 And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’
b. Giving him first place, not the leftovers.
(Malachi 1:13 – 14)
13 You say, ‘It’s too hard to serve the Lord,’ and you turn up your noses at my commands,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. “Think of it! Animals that are stolen and crippled and sick are being presented as offerings! Should I accept from you such offerings as these?” asks the Lord.
14 “Cursed is the cheat who promises to give a fine ram from his flock but then sacrifices a defective one to the Lord. For I am a great king,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “and my name is feared among the nations!
· Rich Young ruler
· "Lord I will give you 50%!"
2- Real commitment involves complete obedience.
2- Real commitment involves complete obedience.
a. God gives us instructions for all areas of life.
Physical
Emotional
Financial
Spiritual
b- Jesus expects total obedience.
(Luke 6:46)
46 “So why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say?
· King Saul did not obey.
(1 Samuel 15:22)
22 But Samuel replied, “What is more pleasing to the Lord: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams.
· "What did the turkey do?"
II- MAKE THE CHOICE TO TRUST IN JESUS. (John 6:64-69)
II- MAKE THE CHOICE TO TRUST IN JESUS. (John 6:64-69)
64 But some of you do not believe me.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning which ones didn’t believe, and he knew who would betray him.)
65 Then he said, “That is why I said that people can’t come to me unless the Father gives them to me.”
66 At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him.
67 Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, “Are you also going to leave?”
68 Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life.
69 We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God.”
A- For salvation.
A- For salvation.
1- He is the only Savior.
1- He is the only Savior.
a. No one can be saved without him.
(Acts 4:12)
12 There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.”
(John 14:6)
6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.
(John 1:1 – 4)
1 In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 He existed in the beginning with God.
3 God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him.
4 The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone.
2- Jesus is Lord of all!
2- Jesus is Lord of all!
a- All will ultimately bow the knee to him and confess him as Lord.
(Philippians 2:9 – 11)
9 Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
3- Jesus is returning as King.
3- Jesus is returning as King.
a- According to his promise.
(John 14:1 – 3)
1 “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.
2 There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?
3 When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.
(Acts 1:11)
11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!”
b- In victory.
(Revelation 19:11 – 16)
11 Then I saw heaven opened, and a white horse was standing there. Its rider was named Faithful and True, for he judges fairly and wages a righteous war.
12 His eyes were like flames of fire, and on his head were many crowns. A name was written on him that no one understood except himself.
13 He wore a robe dipped in blood, and his title was the Word of God.
14 The armies of heaven, dressed in the finest of pure white linen, followed him on white horses.
15 From his mouth came a sharp sword to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod. He will release the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty, like juice flowing from a winepress.
16 On his robe at his thigh was written this title: King of all kings and Lord of all lords.
(1 John 3:2 – 3)
2 Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is.
3 And all who have this eager expectation will keep themselves pure, just as he is pure.
1- Attempting to make it on your own conclusion merit.
1- Attempting to make it on your own conclusion merit.
· Like the Pharisees
(Matthew 5:20)
20 “But I warn you—unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven!
o Note the scriptural answer
(Romans 3:20, 28)
20 For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are.
28 So we are made right with God through faith and not by obeying the law.
B- For security.
B- For security.
1- Attempting to find security in this world's treasures.
1- Attempting to find security in this world's treasures.
· Like the rich fool.
(Luke 12:20)
20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’
(2 Peter 3:10 – 16)
10 But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment.
11 Since everything around us is going to be destroyed like this, what holy and godly lives you should live,
12 looking forward to the day of God and hurrying it along. On that day, he will set the heavens on fire, and the elements will melt away in the flames.
13 But we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth he has promised, a world filled with God’s righteousness.
14 And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight.
15 And remember, our Lord’s patience gives people time to be saved. This is what our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you with the wisdom God gave him—
16 speaking of these things in all of his letters. Some of his comments are hard to understand, and those who are ignorant and unstable have twisted his letters to mean something quite different, just as they do with other parts of Scripture. And this will result in their destruction.
2- Security is found in Christ.
2- Security is found in Christ.
(John 10:27 – 30)
27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me,
29 for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand.
30 The Father and I are one.”
· Elijah found his security in God.
(1 Kings 17)
1 Now Elijah, who was from Tishbe in Gilead, told King Ahab, “As surely as the Lord, the God of Israel, lives—the God I serve—there will be no dew or rain during the next few years until I give the word!”
2 Then the Lord said to Elijah,
3 “Go to the east and hide by Kerith Brook, near where it enters the Jordan River.
4 Drink from the brook and eat what the ravens bring you, for I have commanded them to bring you food.”
5 So Elijah did as the Lord told him and camped beside Kerith Brook, east of the Jordan.
6 The ravens brought him bread and meat each morning and evening, and he drank from the brook.
7 But after a while the brook dried up, for there was no rainfall anywhere in the land.
8 Then the Lord said to Elijah,
9 “Go and live in the village of Zarephath, near the city of Sidon. I have instructed a widow there to feed you.”
10 So he went to Zarephath. As he arrived at the gates of the village, he saw a widow gathering sticks, and he asked her, “Would you please bring me a little water in a cup?”
11 As she was going to get it, he called to her, “Bring me a bite of bread, too.”
12 But she said, “I swear by the Lord your God that I don’t have a single piece of bread in the house. And I have only a handful of flour left in the jar and a little cooking oil in the bottom of the jug. I was just gathering a few sticks to cook this last meal, and then my son and I will die.”
13 But Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid! Go ahead and do just what you’ve said, but make a little bread for me first. Then use what’s left to prepare a meal for yourself and your son.
14 For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: There will always be flour and olive oil left in your containers until the time when the Lord sends rain and the crops grow again!”
15 So she did as Elijah said, and she and Elijah and her family continued to eat for many days.
16 There was always enough flour and olive oil left in the containers, just as the Lord had promised through Elijah.
17 Some time later the woman’s son became sick. He grew worse and worse, and finally he died.
18 Then she said to Elijah, “O man of God, what have you done to me? Have you come here to point out my sins and kill my son?”
19 But Elijah replied, “Give me your son.” And he took the child’s body from her arms, carried him up the stairs to the room where he was staying, and laid the body on his bed.
20 Then Elijah cried out to the Lord, “O Lord my God, why have you brought tragedy to this widow who has opened her home to me, causing her son to die?”
21 And he stretched himself out over the child three times and cried out to the Lord, “O Lord my God, please let this child’s life return to him.”
22 The Lord heard Elijah’s prayer, and the life of the child returned, and he revived!
23 Then Elijah brought him down from the upper room and gave him to his mother. “Look!” he said. “Your son is alive!”
24 Then the woman told Elijah, “Now I know for sure that you are a man of God, and that the Lord truly speaks through you.”
o by the brook
o with the widow
C- For sanctification in service.
C- For sanctification in service.
1- The key to service is not our ability, but his.
1- The key to service is not our ability, but his.
(Acts 1:8)
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
(Zechariah 4:6)
6 Then he said to me, “This is what the Lord says to Zerubbabel: It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
(1 Corinthians 12:11)
11 It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have.
CONCLUSION: