Today's scripture reading is John 660 through 71 the words of eternal life When many of his disciples heard it they said this is a hard thing who can listen to it But Jesus knowing in himself that his disciples were grumbling about this said to them Do you take offense at this? Then what if you were to see the Son of man ascending to where he was before it is the spirit who gives life The flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life But there are some of you who do not believe For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe and who it was who would betray him And he said this is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it's granted him by the Father After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him So Jesus said to the 12 do you want to go away as well? Simon Peter answered him Lord to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life and we have believed and have come to know that you are the only one of God Jesus answered them that I not choose you the 12 and yet one of you is a devil He spoke of Judas the son of Simon is scary it for he One of the 12 was going to betray him May the Lord add a blessing to the reading and the hearing of his word Well a few years ago I had the privilege of engaging in a conversation with a with a young man We talked about the nature and content of his of his faith And it was a rich and it was an informative exchange We talked about the Bible. We talked about the gospel. We we talked about Jesus We discussed the church and what it means to be a Christian And during our long exchange eventually he admitted something to me He admitted that he considered himself to be a cultural Christian Now admittedly at the time I was not familiar with the term. I really had no idea what he was Talking about, but then he began to explain to me He said that he was a Christian for culturally Acceptable reasons only His family had always attended church His mother and his grandmother were strong Christians and While he didn't necessarily believe in in the Bible and in the Christian faith He also attended church because it was easier to attend than not attend and have to explain And by giving a nod to the Christian faith he told me that it made holidays and Meal times less uncomfortable for him Nobody questioned What he really believed he went on to tell me that according to this young man That black culture for him was in general was easier to navigate And to be accepted If he gave a nod to being a Christian And so he admitted to using Christianity To be more culturally Acceptable I appreciated his honesty in those conversations and in the years since beloved Since those conversations I had with him I have seen and I have heard more and more evidence of this Notion of a quote unquote cultural Christian and while the young man's explanation was was novel to me What I have found beloved that It is not new in the pages of biblical history
Cultural Christianity or having a fence of a faith whatever you want to call it is evident throughout the Bible We see it with came In the first born of Adam and Eve We see it with many if not most of the children of Israel who came and God redeemed out of Egypt We see it in King Saul We don't just see it in King Saul, but we hear it we hear it in the pages of the prophets As God himself warned in Isaiah chapter 29 and verse 13 These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips But their hearts are far from me Their worship of me is based on merely human rules that they have been taught They mouth the words a single but their hearts are far far From the Lord They do what they do because of what they have been taught because of their family's tradition
Because it is culturally Acceptable when Jesus showed up he echoed these words the same words in Matthew 15 and 8 in his quote of Isaiah 29 and 13 And what God said And warned about through the prophet and what Jesus warned about We see Jesus actually confronting As we get to the end of John chapter 6 the final words of Christ in John chapter 6 is a reminder of what it says in Romans chapter 9 and verse 6 That not all is real belong to Israel That are not all disciples are disciples That not all faith is faithful That cultural Christianity is a real thing And with Jesus And John chapter 6 What we see here are disciples Who we might label as Dependent disciples They were disciples depending if Jesus kept doing what he was doing They were disciples depending if Jesus didn't do anything or say anything that would offend their Sensibilites they were disciples depending if Jesus didn't call on them or cost them too much
Fortunately Jesus did Jesus said some hard things and difficult thing when Jesus got to the end of his speaking in the synagogue in verse 59 of chapter 6 The Bible says and John chapter 6 and verse 60 many of his disciples said This is a hard saying Who can listen to it now if you notice something here there's a transition right in in verse 60 there's a transition made no Notice that the Bible says that that The Bible is no longer just talking about those on the outside of Jesus's fellowship Right before he was just addressing the Jewish authorities that were in the synagogue That had come to question him But now his attention turns to the quote unquote the disciples He's turned away now from the Jewish authorities and he turns and he's speaking directly to the disciples
Those who had been following him those who had been walking with him The crowds that had been gathering for some time You must remember that Jesus had said some Provocative things He had made some bold claims He had spoke in a way that no one had ever spoken before He had dared to stand up in a synagogue and say things that no one would dare to say and make claims That positioned him in a uniquely divine ordained Position and what we find in our taxes that not only had the Jewish authorities found his Claims and words troubling but apparently most of those who followed him We're now finding his words hard to stomach These were his disciples the Bible His disciples they were those who were learning from him They were those who were walking with him. They were those who had followed him and Many people beloved many people followed Jesus They followed him because they enjoyed his teaching They followed him because they were marvelling at the miracles They followed him because they were captivated by the cross and all the celebrity that was gathering around Jesus They had become disciples of his Because days with Jesus Had been filled with turning water in the wine Days with Jesus had been picnics by the sea
Life with Jesus is just better. It's just better This is what cultural discipleship and Christianity is beloved It believes I'm gonna be a Christian because being a Christian is better for me It's better for me because I get the benefits of being with Jesus. I Get the benefit of going to church and the church in general and Christ in particular offers many what they are looking for in this life
Acceptance community
Joey in some circle they go so it's far as the offer health and Well and people come By the thousands because it's better With Jesus Is what they have been told I love it Don't misunderstand Hey, these are all good things Acceptance Community, peace, joy, hope These are all good things and worthwhile pursuits
Necessary and it is imperative that you Understand this morning that Jesus didn't come first and foremost so that you and I would have a Nightpiece for life
Jesus came to die Jesus came to give his life
All who would follow him to up to do the same
that Knowing that many If not most of them Were following him For the benefits Because it was better to follow not to follow there was food if we followed Jesus There was fellowship if we followed Jesus and beloved Jesus here is reminding Jet that just because they Followed does not mean they had true faith as someone has once said Just because you go into garage it doesn't make you a car and just because You walk into a church it doesn't make you a Christian and because of this Because Jesus knowing their hearts Knowing their motives Knowing their intent Because of this Jesus said some things that offered to things and they were offended They were offended because they wanted more fish and all Jesus offered them what this flesh They were offended because they wanted a conquering king and all Jesus offered them was a suffering They were offended because they wanted more glory and all Jesus was offering them was the cross so what we see take place in this text Is one of the key moments in our Lord's earthly ministry He is beginning to shake the trees He is beginning to Separate the sheep from the goats The wheat from the tears the wife from the foolish the true from the thoughts Jesus And doing this sets some very difficult things very hard things And those who listen to them found them difficult found them hard and not so much hard to understand But they found them hard to accept they found them difficult to believe But notice that even though they found it difficult to believe and hard to accept Jesus again was not pressed Jesus was not pressed because Jesus is never bewildered by disbelief Was talking to that young man and he began to talk to me so casually and matter of fact Lee about being a cultural Christian. I was shocked Not only that that that that happens, but that he's so readily admitted it You know who wasn't shocked? Jesus, Jesus wasn't shocked For when Jesus hears about convenient disciples and when he hears about grumbling and Mumbling about those who claim to follow him He is not shocked because second Timothy 2 and 19 tells us that he knows those who are his own Who are truly his he knows those who are true Disciples true disciples Who are true disciples this morning? Beloved and as we Look at this text and this exchange that Jesus had with his disciples What we identified this morning? It's some very important characteristics of what it means to be a true disciple a true Disciple Jesus again, beloved. He is shaking the trees and all that dead it's gonna fall out and it's important It's important to hear What the scripture Tells us About what it is to be a true Disciple we got three characteristics this morning Take note of it write them down They might be useful later on in the week Amen number one true Disciples are Served and sustained by the spirit true disciples are Served and sustained by the spirit notice what Jesus said in verse 63 It is the spirit who gives life the flesh is of no help at all the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and light Beloved listen to me true disciples are those who come to understand that life in Christ is only possible because of life in the spirit
There is an absolute Dependence upon holy spirit True disciples understand and know where life comes from It does not come from keeping traditions It does not come from going along with the crap It does not come by making yourself culturally acceptable. It does not come by obeying the rules It comes by faith It comes by the power and the will of God by holy spirit This is what Jesus told Nicodemus John chapter 3 right getting in verse 5 He says very truly I tell you no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born up water and Spirit why because flesh gives birth to flesh But spirit gives birth to spirit
Life only comes understanding only comes By way of Holy spirit true disciples understand this and therefore fine confidence not in themselves and Not in their own ability to do the right thing This is what was so amazing to me when I'm talking to this young man He had it all figured out He had complete confidence in himself True disciples no better True disciples know that the only trust true trust is in the work of Holy spirit in their lives It's what makes Roman chapter 8 so important and so impactful But the Bible says there is therefore now no condemnation no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus Why for the law of the spirit of life have set you free in Christ Jesus the spirit in the spirit that has set you free And I set you free from the law to set you free from regulation set you free from the traditions of men And because you have been set free because the spirit is where you place your trust true disciples don't place their trust in Themselves they don't compliment themselves. They are not overly proud of themselves True disciples are not self-reliant They are spirit reliance
What it says St. Corinthians chapter 1 and verse 9 indeed Paul says we felt that we had received the census of death But that was to make us rely not on our Sales But on God who raises the dead believe it
listen This is what Jesus is explaining to them God is not looking for your performance
God is not impressed by you putting your best foot forward
He wants us to trust Not in what we do But in what Christ has done Trust in what the spirit is doing don't be putting trust in your feelings. I don't care how good or bad they are in any day The trust is not in your fill is the trust is not in the opinion of others No matter how good or bad those opinions are The trust is not in your own understanding No matter how good or bad your understanding is the trust is in Christ trust in Jesus Listen to me beloved. I am serious. I am serious. This is what true disciples do They're not impressed with themselves relying upon the spirit of God And so that they understand Beloved that the Christian life is life in the spirit and if there is any faithful fruit in my life it is the fruit of the spirit If there are any God honoring gifts working out in my life those are the gifts of the spirit If there is any sin-conquering joy in my life then the Bible said in Romans 14 and 17 That is the joy of the Holy Ghost
What the spirit does the flesh Prophets nothing cultural Christian rely solely on the flesh true disciples Understand that is a spirit that gives you confidence this morning It is a spirit that gives you strength this morning. It is a spirit that is guiding you this morning It is the spirit the Bible says not your power not your might but by the spirit says the Lord has where the confidence is The spirit serves us
The spirit sustains us That's why we sing Nothing in my hands. I pray nothing nothing Simply to the cross I File I to the fountain before you have to watch me Let's I die true disciples are served and sustained by Holy Spirit number two true disciples Don't let difficulties discourage. You hear what I said true disciples Don't let difficulty discourage Notice what it says in John 666. I don't know if that's a coincidence or not, but it's John 666 After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with
Beloved Following Jesus is not Every day A walk in the park. I'm sorry That's what you came to hear you came to the wrong Following Jesus is not Every day of picnic by the sea Following Jesus is not every day Walking on water
What Christ calls us to do And what Christ calls upon his true disciples to believe Beloved at times is hard At times it is difficult And following Christ at any moment in your life Truly following Christ at any moment in your life can get difficult Can get hard in a Christian and following Christ Can make it hard to be married in the cycle and following Christ Can't make it hard to be single at times. It can make it hard to be a parent It can make it hard to be a child. It makes it difficult At times to be an employer And to be an employee
That's following Christ Can be costly But here is the point beloved Jesus is illustrating is this When that's going get tough true disciples don't give up
And don't give up why ask yourself the question why did these followers of Jesus Determined that now it was time to walk away They walked away because the food ran out
They walked away because the miracles ceased They walked away because the fun had faded They walked away because they were standing there And all they had then was Jesus And guess what Cultural Christianity said Cultural Christianity says oh no Jesus is not enough I need more than that and they Walked because Cultural Christianity Specializes in convenience It's convenient Christian, right It's good as long as it doesn't cost me anything. I'm going to be a Christian I'm going to go to church and I'm going to walk this line as long as don't tell me I got to lose that boyfriend I got to lose that girlfriend It's good as long as it doesn't cost me to lose my job or it cost me money or it cost me family members or it cost me friends
But what Jesus is saying this morning beloved is that there is a cost to true discipleship And the cost is real
When Jesus called us to follow him He calls us to follow him to the cross Luke 9 and verse 23 if anyone would come after me Jesus says let him deny himself take up his cross daily and follow me Follow me and so the promise is clear Uh Jesus Jesus was never unclear about this beloved John chapter 16 and verse 33 he tells the disciples in this world you will have trouble In this world you would have trouble the world is not a friend of true disciples And I know I know we spend most of our days and hours trying to make the world a friendly place for us But the fact that a matter is beloved that sooner or later this world is going to betray you if you truly follow Jesus Sooner or later you will have to decide if you're going to follow this world or follow Jesus If you haven't had to make that decision yet, it is coming
For the Bible says second Timothy chapter 3 and verse 12 Telled us that everyone who wants to live godly life and Christ Will suffer persecution The Bible is not unclear about this and I understand beloved. I mean nobody nobody just goes out and tries to get trouble Okay, we don't we don't want that. We don't just want difficulty
And I understand the nature of trouble and suffering in this life Difficult he tend to discourage They do When people are going through trouble and difficult times they run and hide People forsake the fellowship They stop praying They stop coming to church They refuse phone calls
But I want you to be encouraged this morning, but that true disciples Don't let Hard times make them hide for true disciples understand Love it That troubles in this life only act as tenderizers about me Troubles are designed to make our faith stronger More solid more substantial
Put the Bible says First Peter chapter 1 the verse 7 These trials these troubles will only show that your faith is genuine It is being tested as fire tests and purifies Gold Through your faith is far more precious than mere gold so when your faith remains strong through many trials It will bring you much praise and honor and glory on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world True disciples Haying upon that hope and they don't therefore let difficulties Discoress them They don't run and hide We know we trust that the spirit Is using these trials To make our faith genuine Stronger More faithful Don't beloved don't don't let difficulties discourage you this morning Don't don't let difficulties discourage you this morning The Lord is with you The Lord will carry you And since the Lord is with you and the Lord will carry you as big perk would say carry on
Carry on Carry on you hold on because Jesus holding you You carry on because Christ is carrying you Carry on So true disciples do they carry on They carry on they don't allow difficult to discourage Lastly true disciples Listen and live upon the word of the Lord They listen and they live upon the word of the Lord
Admittedly beloved we all are you know we are often shocked And we are dismayed when people walk away from the church When people walk away from the Bible When people walk away from Christ But I want to suggest to you this morning and press upon you to understand that while we are shocked God is not shocked Jesus was not either In fact Not only was Jesus not shocked But the Bible says That Jesus Turned away from all those disciples who are walking away and he turned his attention to the 12 disciples that have been there with him He looked to Peter He looked to James and he looked to John And he asked them as those cultural Christians who are walking away Hey boys Who want to go away too Are you walking as well from Peter once again? Peter once again answering for the group said What the others were thinking Now normally normally beloved normally it is not a good idea To answer a question with a question But this time let us make an exception But when Jesus acts them do you want to go as well Pete Peter looked at him in verse 68 and said Lord to whom shall we go
To whom shall we go why because true disciples understand beloved that there is nothing else There is no one else but Jesus There is no other word But the word of the Lord And when the music stops playing and the singer stops singing when the usher stop ushering and the bell stop ringing Will you go away too
But Peter said Peter said no As long as Jesus remains We will stay it's not the singing is not the plain is not the serving that's matters is the word of Christ we live upon And as long as Jesus stands we're standing He says Lord Lord To whom shall we go you have the words of eternal life and we have believed And have come to know that you are the holy one of God We know Lord we know what side of the bread our butter is on our butter is not only easy side Our butter is on eternal life side And we're not here this morning because the Lord promised to save our marriages or he promised to give us a lot of job Or he promised that he will elect our favorite candidate. We are here this morning because there is only one way to eternal life And it is through Jesus Christ
That's the only reason that's the only reason to be here
The other said The other disciples said went away Verse 16 notice what they said they said Jesus This is hard to listen to This is hard to listen to You know what Peter said Yeah It may be hard to listen to sometimes And Jesus may step on my toes from time to time And the word of God may pierce me in places that make me uncomfortable
But regardless of that I am sticking with Jesus I may not know a lot of things And to be a true disciple beloved you don't have to be a theological genius You don't have to know the answer to every question you don't have to understand every mystery You just have to trust That Jesus does And sooner or later he will make it plain and you live
His word I mentioned it before I'll say it again this morning. I'll say it again Beloved In every one's life There comes a time When you have to decide if you are going with Jesus or not Listen listen listen Listen In your children's life There is going to come a time Where they're gonna have to decide Not because of who you are Not because it makes them acceptable in the family Not because they'd be welcome at the table But because they have to decide if they are going to follow Jesus or not A is coming you want to follow Jesus For good living Or eternal life So they're gonna have to decide Is it just for good living or is it for eternal life The Bible says That many many the vast majority of them Made up that mind their mind that day and like pliable they get out of the slough on the side closest to their home And they walked with Jesus no more than the Bible says that Judas wouldn't make his decision a little while later And decide that Jesus was not worth the effort But also the Bible tells us on that day That Peter made up his mind It was Jesus or nothing. It was Jesus all the way. It was Jesus a bus And so Peter began to sing. I have decided To follow Jesus no turning back No turning back Don't none go with me. Still I will follow no turning back No turning back the world behind me the cross before me no turning back no turning back No turning back the only thing I'm turning back in my fitted hat No turning back
What it means to be a true Disciple no turning back