Choosing Faith: The Challenge of Discipleship

Devotional

Day 1: The Challenge of Jesus' Words

Jesus' teachings often confront our preconceived notions and comfort zones. In John 6, many followers of Jesus were drawn to Him for His miracles and the hope of political liberation. However, when faced with the deeper spiritual truths He offered, they struggled and many chose to walk away. This passage highlights the universal human experience of being at a crossroads, deciding whether to accept the challenging truths of the Gospel or to turn away in search of easier paths. Jesus' words are spirit and life, calling us to a deeper understanding and commitment beyond superficial interests. This requires us to confront our own resistance and willingness to accept His truth. [01:09]

"For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12, ESV)

Reflection: What is one teaching of Jesus that challenges your current beliefs or lifestyle? How can you open your heart to embrace this truth today?

Day 2: The Role of the Spirit

It is the Spirit who gives life, not our human efforts. Our journey of faith begins with God's initiative, drawing us to Himself. This divine sovereignty does not negate our responsibility to respond but highlights the grace that enables our belief. Jesus emphasizes that the flesh is of no help, and His words are spirit and life, offering a transformative power that goes beyond mere physical needs. The call to believe is not just an intellectual assent but a deep trust in Jesus as the source of eternal life. [09:47]

"And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh." (Ezekiel 36:26, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways have you been relying on your own efforts rather than the Spirit's power? How can you invite the Holy Spirit to work more fully in your life today?

Day 3: The Decision to Follow

Each person must decide whether to follow Jesus or turn away. This decision is not merely about intellectual agreement but involves a commitment to trust and rely on Jesus as the source of eternal life. Peter's response encapsulates the heart of true discipleship: recognizing that there is no alternative to Jesus, for He alone has the words of eternal life. This decision to follow Jesus is not based on having all questions answered but on a trust that grows into understanding. [19:40]

"And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." (Joshua 24:15, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from fully committing to Jesus? What steps can you take today to trust Him more deeply in that area?

Day 4: The Reality of Unbelief

Not all who hear Jesus' words choose to believe. The presence of unbelief, even among those close to Jesus, serves as a warning to examine the authenticity of our faith and commitment. Judas, who would later betray Jesus, was among those who heard His words. This underscores the importance of genuine faith and commitment, beyond mere association with the Christian community. The decision to follow Jesus is a personal one, requiring a response to His call and a willingness to submit to His lordship. [23:08]

"Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!" (2 Corinthians 13:5, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on your current faith journey. Are there areas where doubt or unbelief have crept in? How can you address these areas and strengthen your faith today?

Day 5: The Call to Commitment

True discipleship involves an unreserved commitment to Jesus, recognizing that there is no alternative to His words of eternal life. This commitment is a response to His love and grace, leading us to live in alignment with His will. The passage serves as a sobering reminder that not all who appear to follow Jesus are true disciples. Genuine faith requires a personal response to His call and a willingness to submit to His lordship. [25:05]

"Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple." (Luke 14:27, ESV)

Reflection: What does it mean for you to bear your cross and follow Jesus in your daily life? What practical steps can you take to deepen your commitment to Him today?

Sermon Summary

In John 6, we encounter a pivotal moment where Jesus challenges His followers with profound truths that are difficult to accept. Many disciples, upon hearing His words, found them hard to digest and chose to walk away. This passage highlights the critical decision each person must make when confronted with the claims of Christ. Jesus presents a binary choice: to believe in Him and find eternal life or to reject Him and remain in spiritual darkness. The crowd was drawn to Jesus for His miracles and the hope of political liberation, but they struggled with the deeper spiritual truths He offered. This struggle is not unique to them; it is a universal human experience. We often find ourselves at a crossroads, deciding whether to accept the challenging truths of the Gospel or to turn away in search of easier paths.

Jesus emphasizes that it is the Spirit who gives life, and the flesh is of no help. His words are spirit and life, offering a transformative power that goes beyond mere physical needs. The call to believe is not just an intellectual assent but a deep trust in Jesus as the source of eternal life. Peter's response encapsulates the heart of true discipleship: recognizing that there is no alternative to Jesus, for He alone has the words of eternal life. This decision to follow Jesus is not based on having all questions answered but on a trust that grows into understanding.

The passage also serves as a sobering reminder that not all who appear to follow Jesus are true disciples. Judas, who would later betray Jesus, was among those who heard these words. This underscores the importance of genuine faith and commitment, beyond mere association with the Christian community. The decision to follow Jesus is a personal one, requiring a response to His call and a willingness to submit to His lordship.

Key Takeaways

1. The Challenge of Jesus' Words: Jesus' teachings often challenge our preconceived notions and comfort zones. His words are spirit and life, calling us to a deeper understanding and commitment beyond superficial interests. This requires us to confront our own resistance and willingness to accept His truth. [01:09]
2. The Role of the Spirit: It is the Spirit who gives life, not our human efforts. Our journey of faith begins with God's initiative, drawing us to Himself. This divine sovereignty does not negate our responsibility to respond but highlights the grace that enables our belief. [09:47]
3. The Decision to Follow: Each person must decide whether to follow Jesus or turn away. This decision is not merely about intellectual agreement but involves a commitment to trust and rely on Jesus as the source of eternal life. [19:40]
4. The Reality of Unbelief: Not all who hear Jesus' words choose to believe. The presence of unbelief, even among those close to Jesus, serves as a warning to examine the authenticity of our faith and commitment. [23:08]
5. The Call to Commitment: True discipleship involves an unreserved commitment to Jesus, recognizing that there is no alternative to His words of eternal life. This commitment is a response to His love and grace, leading us to live in alignment with His will. [25:05]
** [25:05]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:09] - Scripture Reading: John 6
[00:28] - The Hard Sayings of Jesus
[01:09] - Spirit and Life
[01:56] - The Decision Point
[02:35] - The Binary Choice
[03:28] - Confronting the Crowd
[04:19] - Belief and Unbelief
[05:07] - True Discipleship
[06:15] - The Reaction of the Crowd
[07:32] - Questions from Jesus
[09:47] - Explanation of the Spirit's Role
[12:39] - God's Sovereignty in Salvation
[16:22] - Desertion and Decision
[19:40] - The Test for the Twelve
[21:13] - Peter's Declaration
[23:08] - The Chilling Reality of Betrayal
[25:05] - The Call to Commitment
[27:01] - A Prayer of Commitment

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- John 6:60-71

Observation Questions:

What was the reaction of many disciples when they heard Jesus' teachings in John 6:60-61? How did Jesus respond to their grumbling? [00:49]
In John 6:63, Jesus mentions that "the Spirit gives life; the flesh is no help at all." What does this statement imply about the nature of His teachings? [01:09]
How does Peter respond to Jesus' question about whether the Twelve want to leave as well, and what does this reveal about his understanding of Jesus' identity? [01:41]
What does Jesus' interaction with Judas in John 6:70-71 reveal about the nature of true discipleship? [01:56]

Interpretation Questions:

Why do you think Jesus' teachings were considered "hard sayings" by many of His followers? What might this suggest about the nature of His message? [06:44]
How does the role of the Spirit in giving life, as mentioned in John 6:63, shape our understanding of the process of coming to faith in Jesus? [09:47]
What does Peter's declaration in John 6:68-69 teach us about the essence of true discipleship and belief in Jesus? [21:13]
How does the presence of Judas among the Twelve serve as a warning about the authenticity of one's faith and commitment? [23:08]

Application Questions:

Reflect on a time when you found Jesus' teachings challenging. How did you respond, and what did you learn from that experience? [06:44]
In what ways can you rely more on the Spirit's guidance in your daily walk with Christ, rather than on your own efforts? [09:47]
Peter recognized that Jesus alone has the words of eternal life. How can you cultivate a deeper trust in Jesus as the source of life in your current circumstances? [21:13]
Considering the reality of unbelief even among those close to Jesus, how can you examine and strengthen the authenticity of your faith? [23:08]
True discipleship involves an unreserved commitment to Jesus. What steps can you take this week to deepen your commitment to following Him? [25:05]
How can you ensure that your association with the Christian community is marked by genuine faith and not just superficial involvement? [05:07]
Reflect on the decision to follow Jesus as a personal one. What areas of your life might need to be more fully submitted to His lordship? [25:35]

Sermon Clips

When many of his disciples heard it, they said, "This is a hard saying; 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?" [00:00:35]

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. [00:01:02]

After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. So Jesus said to the Twelve, "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 Holy One of God." [00:01:32]

The crowd either have to take him at his word, look, believe, come to him, find eternal life in him, or continue in life without him. And Jesus actually confronts not only the crowd on that day but he confronts everyone every day with the very same decision. [00:03:16]

It shows us that it's possible to be part of a crowd attracted to what Jesus can give and yet opposed to what Jesus demands. It makes perfectly clear that not all who are apparently disciples are actually disciples. And of course, classically and chillingly, as the chapter ends, we're reminded of the fact that the one who betrayed him for 30 pieces of silver was one who is listening to this dialogue as it unfolds. [00:04:58]

It is the Spirit who gives life. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. That's a dramatic statement, isn't it? We sang about it a moment ago. The word of God is light in our darkness. What does that possibly mean? Who else can say the words that I speak not only display life but give life? [00:09:53]

To believe Jesus is to trust Jesus. To believe somebody is to trust that what they tell you is true. To believe someone is to say that when they make a promise, they will keep a promise. So what he's saying is this: some of you just don't trust me. You don't trust me. You're not prepared to trust me with your entire life. [00:11:28]

What Jesus is saying is that when a person actually comes to trust in Jesus, the initiative lies outside of them. The initiative actually lies with God. You could think about it in terms of interpersonal relationships. Perhaps there's a lady listening to me now, and she realizes that if that fellow that she knew very little about had not approached her on that day in that coffee shop or in that place, there's no saying where her life would have gone. [00:13:11]

Is there a decision to be made? Absolutely there is. We're called to it. Is our will engaged in coming to saving faith? Definitely. But the determinative cause of saving faith lies in the divine side and not in the human side. That's why, you see, when someone calls you to a decision, it's not a call to your emotion; it's a call to the totality of your being. [00:15:22]

Peter, who gets it right sometimes and wrong other times, comes in strong here. And in response to the question of verse 67, there is the answer which comes in 68 and 69. You can tell we're nearing the end, and it is a declaration. We sang it, didn't we? Really, Lord, to whom shall we go? [00:20:35]

Here's an illustration of what it means to be unreservedly committed to Jesus. Number one, you know that there is no other alternative. There is no other alternative. You have reached the point now where you say, "I cannot go on into life without you, Jesus." That's it. Where else would we go? To whom? To what? [00:21:28]

What Peter is declaring here is that he is unreservedly committed to the Lord Jesus Christ. And what that means is being prepared to say, "I'm no longer going to live my life in my own way, rejecting Jesus, spoiled by my indifference or my rebellion, living my life without hope. I'm not going to do that anymore." [00:25:05]

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