Embracing the Challenge of True Discipleship
Summary
In today's sermon, we explored the challenging aspects of following Christ and the nature of true discipleship. We began by acknowledging that life presents us with hard sayings and difficult circumstances, such as grappling with the presence of evil, confronting personal tragedies like a cancer diagnosis, or facing familial division due to faith. These moments test our understanding and obedience to God's word.
We delved into the Gospel of John, chapter 6, where Jesus presents His disciples with a hard teaching about eating His flesh and drinking His blood, symbolizing the need for total spiritual communion with Him. This teaching was met with confusion and discomfort, leading many of His followers to desert Him. We examined three types of followers that emerge in response to Jesus' hard sayings: unbelieving deserters, deceivers, and true disciples.
Unbelieving deserters are those who turn away from Jesus when confronted with difficult teachings. They are unable to reconcile the hard sayings with their expectations or understanding of faith. We saw this in John 6:66, where many disciples left Jesus because they could not accept His teachings.
Deceivers, on the other hand, may continue to follow Jesus outwardly but do so for the wrong reasons, lacking genuine faith. They deceive others and themselves, but they cannot deceive God. Judas Iscariot exemplifies this type of follower, as he was among the twelve but ultimately betrayed Jesus.
True disciples are those who, despite the difficulty of Jesus' teachings, choose to stay and follow Him. They recognize that there is nowhere else to go for the words of eternal life and acknowledge Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God. True discipleship involves a deep commitment to follow Jesus, even when it leads to division or personal sacrifice.
We also discussed the importance of wrestling with God's word and not running from it when we struggle. Jesus knows our struggles and invites us to come to Him. The sermon concluded with a call to examine our hearts and respond to Jesus' invitation to be true disciples, especially as we partake in the Lord's Supper, remembering His sacrifice for us.
Key Takeaways:
- True discipleship requires embracing the hard sayings of Jesus, not as obstacles, but as opportunities to deepen our faith and reliance on God. When we encounter teachings that challenge us, we should not flee but rather engage with them, seeking understanding through prayer and study. [45:24]
- Jesus is fully aware of our struggles with His word and our circumstances. He does not expect us to have immediate clarity or easy acceptance of every teaching. Instead, He invites us to wrestle with Him, to seek His face until we can say, like Jacob, "I have seen God face to face." This wrestling is not a sign of weak faith but a journey towards a more profound revelation of God's truth. [46:25]
- The Gospel is inherently offensive to a world that values self-sufficiency and rejects the notion of needing a Savior. The offense of the cross is a stumbling block to many, but for believers, it is the power of God for salvation. We must be prepared to face division and misunderstanding as we stand firm in our faith. [50:21]
- Deception within the church is a sobering reality. We must be vigilant not to be led astray by false teachings or to deceive ourselves about the authenticity of our faith. Our anchor must always be the unchanging word of God, which is the ultimate source of truth and life. [59:06]
- The response to Jesus' hard sayings reveals the true condition of our hearts. Are we unbelieving deserters, deceivers, or true disciples? This question should prompt introspection and a sincere evaluation of our commitment to Christ. As true disciples, we are called to follow Jesus wholeheartedly, regardless of the cost, because He is the source of eternal life. [01:02:47]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. John 6:60-71
2. Luke 12:49-53
3. Matthew 7:13-14
#### Observation Questions
1. In John 6:60-71, what was the reaction of many of Jesus' disciples to His teaching about eating His flesh and drinking His blood? ([43:05])
2. According to Luke 12:49-53, what did Jesus say about the nature of His coming and its impact on families? ([48:01])
3. What does Matthew 7:13-14 say about the path to life and the path to destruction? How does this relate to the sermon’s discussion on the types of followers? ([55:35])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think many of Jesus' disciples found His teaching in John 6:60-71 so difficult to accept? What does this reveal about their understanding of His mission? ([43:05])
2. How does Jesus' statement in Luke 12:49-53 challenge the common perception of Him as only a bringer of peace? What implications does this have for believers today? ([48:01])
3. In Matthew 7:13-14, Jesus describes the way to life as narrow and difficult. How does this description help us understand the challenges of true discipleship mentioned in the sermon? ([55:35])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you encountered a hard teaching of Jesus. How did you respond, and what did you learn from that experience? ([45:24])
2. Jesus invites us to wrestle with His word and our struggles. What is one specific struggle you are currently facing, and how can you bring it before God in prayer and study this week? ([46:25])
3. The sermon mentioned that the Gospel is inherently offensive to a world that values self-sufficiency. Have you experienced any division or misunderstanding because of your faith? How did you handle it, and what might you do differently in the future? ([50:21])
4. Deception within the church is a sobering reality. How can you ensure that your faith is genuine and not based on outward appearances or false teachings? ([59:06])
5. The response to Jesus' hard sayings reveals the true condition of our hearts. Are you more like an unbelieving deserter, a deceiver, or a true disciple? What steps can you take to deepen your commitment to Christ this week? ([01:02:47])
6. The sermon emphasized the importance of true discipleship, even when it leads to personal sacrifice. What is one area of your life where you need to make a sacrifice to follow Jesus more closely? ([01:00:59])
7. As we prepare to partake in the Lord's Supper, how can you use this time to examine your heart and renew your commitment to being a true disciple of Christ? ([01:07:42])
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Hard Sayings as Faith Opportunities
True discipleship involves embracing the difficult teachings of Jesus, recognizing them as opportunities to deepen our faith. When faced with teachings that challenge our understanding or comfort, it is natural to feel unsettled. However, these moments are not meant to drive us away but to draw us closer to God. They are invitations to engage more deeply with the divine, to seek clarity and conviction through prayer, study, and reflection. By wrestling with these hard sayings, we can grow in our reliance on God, finding that our faith is strengthened in the process. This journey is not a sign of a weak believer but of one who is earnestly seeking to understand the fullness of God's word and will. [07:40]
James 1:2-4 (ESV)
"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
Reflection: What difficult teaching of Jesus have you been avoiding, and how can you approach it as an opportunity to grow in your faith?
Day 2: Wrestling with God's Word
Jesus understands our struggles with His word and invites us to wrestle with Him in our quest for truth. This wrestling is not a sign of disbelief but a journey towards a deeper revelation of God's truth. When we encounter parts of scripture that confuse or challenge us, we are not to shy away but to persist in seeking understanding. Like Jacob, who wrestled with God and saw Him face to face, we too can experience profound encounters with the divine when we engage with God's word, even in our confusion and doubt. This process can transform our faith, leading us to a place of greater intimacy and trust in God. [46:25]
Genesis 32:24-26 (ESV)
"And Jacob was left alone. And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day. When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he touched his hip socket, and Jacob's hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. Then he said, 'Let me go, for the day has broken.' But Jacob said, 'I will not let you go unless you bless me.'"
Reflection: In what ways are you currently wrestling with God's word, and how can you persist in seeking His blessing through understanding?
Day 3: The Offense of the Gospel
The Gospel stands in stark contrast to a world that values self-sufficiency and rejects the need for a Savior. The message of the cross is offensive to many, but for those who believe, it is the power of God for salvation. As followers of Christ, we must be prepared to face division and misunderstanding from the world around us. Standing firm in our faith means accepting that the truth we hold dear may not be welcomed by everyone. Yet, it is in this offense that the power of the Gospel is revealed, offering salvation and hope to all who believe. [50:21]
1 Corinthians 1:23-25 (ESV)
"But we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men."
Reflection: How can you stand firm in your faith when faced with the offense of the Gospel, and what does that look like in your daily interactions?
Day 4: Vigilance Against Deception
Deception within the church is a sobering reality that calls for vigilance. It is crucial to guard against being led astray by false teachings and to examine the authenticity of our faith. Our anchor must be the unchanging word of God, which stands as the ultimate source of truth and life. By grounding ourselves in scripture and maintaining a spirit of discernment, we can navigate the challenges of deception, both from within and without. This commitment to truth ensures that our faith remains genuine and our walk with God, steadfast. [59:06]
Ephesians 4:14-15 (ESV)
"So that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ."
Reflection: How can you cultivate discernment to guard against deception, and what steps can you take to ensure your faith remains anchored in the truth of God's word?
Day 5: The Heart's Response to Jesus' Teachings
Our response to the hard sayings of Jesus reveals the true condition of our hearts. Are we unbelieving deserters, deceivers, or true disciples? This question calls for introspection and a sincere evaluation of our commitment to Christ. True discipleship demands a wholehearted following of Jesus, regardless of the cost. It is a path marked by sacrifice, yet it leads to the source of eternal life. By examining our hearts and our responses to Jesus' teachings, we can align ourselves more closely with the path of true discipleship. [01:02:47]
Luke 9:23-24 (ESV)
"And he said to all, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.'"
Reflection: Reflect on your response to Jesus' hard sayings. Are you a true disciple, and what does following Jesus wholeheartedly look like in your life today?
Quotes
1) "So we have deserters, we have deceivers, but finally, here's the good news, y'all. There are those who become true disciples and see that there is really nowhere else that they would want to go. True disciples who say you are the option, Jesus." [01:00:59]
2) "Jesus didn't call people to have a good feeling about what happens to them after death... He came because he had a kingdom to build and a mission to give and for his purpose of bringing glory to his name that his name would be exalted, that every knee would bow, every tongue would confess to him." [01:03:58]
3) "When you hear the spirit of God show you something in the scripture, it's one of the most precious things in the world... it's not something mentally understood, it's something spiritually discerned... there's a sense of understanding in the spirit and not just mentally or logically." [52:38]
4) "From that time many of his disciples went back and walked with him no more. How tragic, right? They were right there at the savior's feet, the living savior who walked with them, performed miracles with them." [53:45]
5) "Don't pretend to repent. Truly repent. Truly find yourself broken before the Lord. Don't pretend to follow Jesus, truly follow him... Deception profits nothing and it costs you everything." [01:00:20]
6) "The response to Jesus' hard sayings reveals the true condition of our hearts. Are we unbelieving deserters, deceivers, or true disciples? This question should prompt introspection and a sincere evaluation of our commitment to Christ." [01:02:47]
7) "The Gospel is inherently offensive to a world that values self-sufficiency and rejects the notion of needing a Savior. The offense of the cross is a stumbling block to many, but for believers, it is the power of God for salvation." [50:21]
8) "Jesus knows the offense of the Gospel, he knows that it was offensive... it was offensive to their religious understanding... it was offensive because they believed there was one God and the fact that the Son of God was in front of them made no sense to them." [47:28]
9) "There are those who become deceivers of others but not of God. There are others that stick around but they're deceivers not of God but of others... you can fool others but you can't fool him." [57:55]
10) "Wrestle with God in your struggle with His word, your struggle with Him. Wrestle with Him until you come to that place saying, 'I've seen the face of God.' Because when you see it, you taste and you see that it's good." [46:25]
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