The Point Of No Return

Intro

Text - John 6.66-70

John 6:66–70 NKJV

66 From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. 67 Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?” 68 But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 70 Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil?”

Definition

the critical point in an undertaking, decision-making process, etc., where one has committed oneself irrevocably to a course of action or policy.

The place in a course of action beyond which reversal is not possible.

This expression comes from aviation, where it signifies the point where an aircraft does not have enough fuel to return to the starting point.

Example

marriage - once the vows are uttered on the altar, you are bound to your husband or wife until death

Issues

Have you reached a point of no return in your faith and commitment to serve God?

How do you know you’ve reached that point of no return?

What is this “point of no return”?

Main Point

Many Christians today ay finding it easier, even better, to go back -

back to the world

back to the denomination/religious system

back to sinful living

Many people are also finding they have made a decision they wish they had not done in the first place.

There are two critical “points of no return” for every Christ -

one is negative, one is positive

one is to be avoided, the other to be attained

either way, no can reach both.

Sermon Points

The Disciples of Christ

some of them did not really believe

John 6.64-66

Jesus knew them and they soon went back

they had not reached that point of no return

a few had reached the point of no return

John 6.67-69

they had found the One they were waiting for - the Messiah

they had nowhere else to go

one more stayed and played the devil

John 6.70-71

Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus

Judas' sin

Matthew 27.3-5

he betrayed the innocent blood despite everything that he has learned and experience under Christ’s ministry

The ‘negative’ point of no return

This point of no return takes place when a person steps beyond mercy into judgment.

Hebrews 10:26–27 NKJV

26 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries.

it is a “willful sin” - when one commits sin after he known what is right and true

Hebrews 10:28–30 NKJV

28 Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. And again, “The Lord will judge His people.”

trampling underfoot the Son of God

to disdain, despise, look down

counting the blood of the covenant a “common” thing

ordinary, unholy, no special value

insulting the Spirit of grace

insult - to do or say something offensively disrespectful

Examples of negative point of no return

Esau - Hebrews 12.14-17

Paul exhorts about “falling short” of the grace of God

to miss out

Esau was a profane person - he sold his birthright

he INSULTED the blessing of God!

he found no place of repentance

Israel at Kadesh Barnea - Numbers 13

they sent spies to Canaan - signified doubt in God’s word

the spies gave a “bad report” of the land - Numbers 13.31-33

they decided to replace the leadership and return to Egypt - Numbers 14.1-4

God decides to make them stay in the wilderness 40 years until the unbelievers are all destroyed

THEY DISDAINED THE PROMISE OF GOD AND THE POWER OF GOD DEMONSTRATED BEFORE THEM!

The “positive” point of no return

The positive point of no return is when a true believers comes to a full commitment of following Christ.

the disciples reached that point of not return

John 6:68–69 NKJV

68 But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Simon Peter has reached this point in Matthew 16.15-16

perhaps the others came to the same conviction sometime later

they have found in Christ what the cannot be found else - eternal life!

they have come to believe that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of God!

Examples of this point of no return

Abraham and his household

Hebrews 11:15–16 NKJV

15 And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.

they could have returned

they chose to stay because of what they saw by faith

they looked for a city built by God’s hand - Hebrews 11.9-10

Moses

Hebrews 11:24–27 NKJV

24 By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25 choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, 26 esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward. 27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible.

he looked forward to God’s reward

he saw Him who is invisible

GENUINE FAITH IS THE POINT OF NO RETURN!

when one truly believes God and His word, there is no turning back for him or her

Conclusion

No one will reach both points of no return - the negative and the positive.

when you reached the negative point of no return - it means you have not truly believed God despite the demonstration of God’s power and love

when you reached the positive point of no return - it means you’ll never ever despise the grace of God in your life!

John 3:18–19 NKJV

18 “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

Jude 5 NKJV

5 But I want to remind you, though you once knew this, that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe.

Genuine faith will not turn back!

discouragement may come, and confusion, and fear

but real faith will endure

Hebrews 10:36–39 NKJV

36 For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: 37 “For yet a little while, And He who is coming will come and will not tarry. 38 Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.” 39 But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.

Song - Point of No Return