Enduring Faith: The Challenge of True Discipleship

Devotional

Day 1: The Reality of Backsliding

Backsliding is a biblical reality, seen in figures like King Saul and Demas, who started strong but ended poorly. This serves as a warning that initial enthusiasm in faith must be sustained by a deep, ongoing commitment to God. Backsliding is not just a historical phenomenon but a present-day issue. Many people begin their faith journey with great zeal, only to fall away when faced with challenges, unmet expectations, or the demands of true discipleship. The story of King Saul, who started as a humble and obedient servant of God but ended in disobedience and despair, serves as a cautionary tale. Similarly, Demas, who was once a fellow worker with Paul, abandoned his faith for the love of the world.

Understanding the reality of backsliding helps us recognize the importance of maintaining a consistent and deep relationship with God. It is not enough to start strong; we must also finish well. This requires a daily commitment to seek God's presence, study His Word, and live in obedience to His commands. By doing so, we can avoid the pitfalls that lead to backsliding and remain steadfast in our faith. [32:17]

Jeremiah 3:22 (ESV): "Return, O faithless sons; I will heal your faithlessness. Behold, we come to you, for you are the Lord our God."

Reflection: Think about a time when you felt distant from God. What steps can you take today to renew your commitment and draw closer to Him?

Day 2: Motivations for Following Jesus

Many people follow Jesus for what they can get out of it, whether it's miracles, personal gain, or social benefits. True discipleship, however, requires a commitment to Jesus Himself, not just the benefits He provides. It's easy to be drawn to Jesus when we see Him as a source of blessings and miracles. However, when our motivations are rooted in what we can gain rather than in a genuine relationship with Him, our faith becomes shallow and unsustainable. The story of the crowds following Jesus for the miracles and food He provided in John 6 illustrates this point. When Jesus began to teach about the deeper, more challenging aspects of discipleship, many turned away.

True discipleship means following Jesus for who He is, not just for what He can do for us. It requires a heart that seeks to know Him, love Him, and serve Him, regardless of the personal cost. This kind of commitment is what sustains us through the trials and challenges of life, keeping our faith strong and our relationship with Jesus genuine. [37:25]

John 6:26-27 (ESV): "Jesus answered them, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.'"

Reflection: Reflect on your motivations for following Jesus. Are there areas where you seek Him more for what He can give you rather than for who He is? How can you shift your focus to deepen your relationship with Him?

Day 3: Offense and Discipleship

Jesus' teachings can be offensive and challenging, requiring us to embrace the entirety of the Gospel. True discipleship means accepting the difficult parts of Jesus' message, not just the convenient ones. In John 6, Jesus uses provocative language about eating His flesh and drinking His blood, which caused many of His followers to turn away. This teaching was difficult to understand and accept, highlighting the cost of true discipleship. Jesus never promised that following Him would be easy; instead, He called His followers to take up their cross, deny themselves, and follow Him.

Embracing the entirety of the Gospel means accepting the parts that challenge our comfort, confront our sin, and demand our obedience. It means being willing to stand firm in our faith, even when it goes against cultural norms or personal preferences. True discipleship is marked by a willingness to follow Jesus wholeheartedly, no matter the cost. [40:16]

John 6:60-61 (ESV): "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?'"

Reflection: Consider a teaching of Jesus that you find challenging or offensive. How can you seek to understand and embrace this teaching more fully in your life?

Day 4: The Importance of Relationship

Christianity is not about following a set of rules but about having a genuine relationship with Jesus. This relationship is the key to enduring faith and avoiding the pitfalls of backsliding. Peter's declaration, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life," encapsulates the heart of true discipleship. A genuine relationship with Jesus is built on love, trust, and daily communion with Him. It goes beyond mere religious practices and rituals, focusing instead on knowing Him personally and intimately.

This relationship sustains us through the ups and downs of life, providing the strength and grace we need to remain faithful. It is through this relationship that we experience the peace, joy, and fulfillment that come from walking with Jesus. By prioritizing our relationship with Him, we can avoid the cognitive dissonance that comes from a backslidden state and live in alignment with our faith. [48:46]

John 15:4-5 (ESV): "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."

Reflection: How is your relationship with Jesus today? What steps can you take to deepen your communion with Him and make it the central focus of your life?

Day 5: Endurance in Faith

Following Jesus is a marathon, not a sprint. It requires ongoing commitment and alignment with our faith, avoiding the cognitive dissonance that comes from living a backslidden life. The Christian journey is marked by perseverance and endurance. It is not enough to start strong; we must also finish well. This requires a daily commitment to live in alignment with our faith, seeking God's guidance and strength to remain steadfast. The Apostle Paul often likened the Christian life to a race, emphasizing the need for discipline, focus, and perseverance.

Endurance in faith means staying true to our commitment to Jesus, even when faced with trials, temptations, and challenges. It means continually seeking to grow in our relationship with Him, allowing His Word to guide our steps and His Spirit to empower us. By doing so, we can avoid the pitfalls of backsliding and live a life that honors God. [50:36]

Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV): "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."

Reflection: What are some practical ways you can cultivate endurance in your faith journey? How can you stay focused on Jesus and avoid the distractions that lead to backsliding?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

This morning, we gathered to worship and seek the presence of God, acknowledging our need for His guidance and transformation. We prayed for various individuals in our community, lifting up their needs and asking for God's intervention. We also prayed for our nation, its leaders, and for revival and unity within the church. As we delved into the Word, we focused on John 6, where Jesus uses provocative language to describe the necessity of partaking in His flesh and blood for eternal life. This teaching led many of His followers to backslide, a term first coined by John Bunyan in "Pilgrim's Progress" to describe those who fall away from their faith.

We explored the concept of backsliding, noting that it is a biblical reality seen in both the Old and New Testaments. Examples include King Saul and Demas, who started strong in their faith but ended poorly. We discussed how backsliding is prevalent today, with many people initially enthusiastic about their faith but eventually falling away. This often happens because they seek personal gain, have unmet expectations, or are offended by the demands of true discipleship.

Jesus' teaching in John 6 was particularly challenging because it required a deep, sacrificial commitment that many were unwilling to make. True discipleship means embracing the entirety of the Gospel, not just the parts that are convenient or culturally acceptable. We emphasized that a genuine relationship with Jesus is the key to enduring faith. Peter's declaration, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life," encapsulates the heart of true discipleship.

We concluded by recognizing that following Jesus is not about temporary enthusiasm but about a lifelong commitment. It's a marathon, not a sprint, and requires us to live in alignment with our faith, avoiding the cognitive dissonance that comes from a backslidden state. We prayed for the strength to stand firm in our faith, to resist cultural pressures, and to live in the peace and joy that comes from a true relationship with Jesus.

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Key Takeaways

1. The Reality of Backsliding: Backsliding is a biblical reality, seen in figures like King Saul and Demas, who started strong but ended poorly. This serves as a warning that initial enthusiasm in faith must be sustained by a deep, ongoing commitment to God. [32:17]
2. Motivations for Following Jesus: Many people follow Jesus for what they can get out of it, whether it's miracles, personal gain, or social benefits. True discipleship, however, requires a commitment to Jesus Himself, not just the benefits He provides. [37:25]
3. Offense and Discipleship: Jesus' teachings can be offensive and challenging, requiring us to embrace the entirety of the Gospel. True discipleship means accepting the difficult parts of Jesus' message, not just the convenient ones. [40:16]
4. The Importance of Relationship: Christianity is not about following a set of rules but about having a genuine relationship with Jesus. This relationship is the key to enduring faith and avoiding the pitfalls of backsliding. [48:46]
5. Endurance in Faith: Following Jesus is a marathon, not a sprint. It requires ongoing commitment and alignment with our faith, avoiding the cognitive dissonance that comes from living a backslidden life. [50:36]
### [50:36]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:30] - Opening Prayer
[04:52] - Prayers for the Community
[06:21] - Prayers for the Nation and Leaders
[07:16] - Prayers for Spiritual Authorities
[13:02] - Prayer for Cleansing and Guidance
[26:00] - Introduction to the Sermon
[27:22] - Pilgrim's Progress and Backsliding
[28:06] - The Offense of Jesus' Words
[29:31] - The Language of Flesh and Blood
[31:22] - The Reality of Backsliding
[32:17] - Examples of Backsliding in the Bible
[37:25] - Motivations for Following Jesus
[40:16] - Offense and Discipleship
[48:46] - The Importance of Relationship
[50:36] - Endurance in Faith
[52:00] - Closing Prayer and Ministry Time
[63:18] - Communion
[76:18] - Benediction and Dismissal

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What specific language did Jesus use in John 6 that caused many of His followers to backslide? ([29:31])
Who are the two biblical figures mentioned in the sermon that serve as examples of backsliding? ([32:17])
According to the sermon, what were some of the reasons people followed Jesus initially? ([37:25])
How did Peter respond when Jesus asked if the remaining disciples would leave as well? ([46:47])

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus chose to use such provocative language in John 6 to describe partaking in His flesh and blood? ([29:31])
How does the concept of backsliding, as discussed in the sermon, relate to the challenges of maintaining a lifelong commitment to faith? ([50:36])
What does Peter's declaration, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life," reveal about the nature of true discipleship? ([46:47])
How does the sermon suggest that unmet expectations and personal agendas can lead to backsliding? ([39:37])

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you felt your faith wavering. What were the circumstances, and how did you address it? ([34:44])
The sermon mentions that many people follow Jesus for personal gain. How can you ensure that your motivation for following Jesus is rooted in a genuine relationship with Him rather than what you can get out of it? ([37:25])
Jesus' teachings can be challenging and offensive. How do you handle parts of the Gospel that are difficult to accept or understand? ([40:16])
Peter's response to Jesus highlights the importance of recognizing Jesus as the source of eternal life. How can you cultivate a deeper understanding and relationship with Jesus in your daily life? ([46:47])
The sermon emphasizes that following Jesus is a marathon, not a sprint. What practical steps can you take to ensure that your faith remains strong and enduring over the long term? ([50:36])
Have you ever experienced cognitive dissonance in your faith, where your actions did not align with your beliefs? How did you resolve this tension? ([51:22])
The sermon calls for resisting cultural pressures and living in alignment with our faith. What specific cultural pressures do you face, and how can you stand firm in your faith against them? ([52:50])

Sermon Clips

1. "Backsliding is well-documented in Scripture. The Bible is filled with stories of people who started out really, really well, but who finished poorly. In fact, that's the common thing. When you go especially to the Old Testament, it's in the later years of life that people fail. It was true for every major biblical character." [32:17] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Some do church for what they can get out of it. They're looking for a personal advantage. All of this I am the bread of life talk came just after Jesus had fed 5,000 men, closer to 10,000 if you add the women and children. And Mark tells us that many followed because of that miracle. It says it point blank. Many of them followed because he had fed them." [37:25] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Churches have become a place to go to get our needs met instead of the place where we go to serve God and others. And most people bail on church once they've gotten all they can get out of it. And they move on to greener pastures where they think there might be better preaching, better singing, more youth programs, nicer campuses, better potlucks." [38:06] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "God is who he is and you take him for who he is. Or you don't get him at all. Some leave because they're simply offended. Verse 61. Aware that his disciples were grumbling about all of this, Jesus said to them, meaning to his disciples, does this offend you? Are you offended too? We live in a day and a time where just being a Christian, the fact that you call yourself a Christian will offend many people." [40:16] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "True disciples who aren't temporary or aren't looking to backslide, they have to embrace the entire gospel, not just the bits and pieces that our fallen culture will tolerate. It's all or none when it comes to the gospel of Jesus Christ. So many backslide because they're looking for what they can get. Others backslide because God isn't there to fulfill their personal agenda." [41:07] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "Can a person backslide and lose their salvation? It's a question that's been debated for almost 2,000 years. When you see a person who is seemingly backslidden, did they lose their salvation, or were they never really born again? Scripture overwhelmingly leans toward the idea that you can't lose your salvation. Once you're born again, you can't really be unborn again." [43:38] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "Living a life outside of the blessing of God, living in a backslidden condition, what Paul called a carnal Christian, is not really an option. It is a miserable existence. There's not much more miserable than a Christian who can no longer enjoy the evils of sin because they're born again, but they don't really want to follow Jesus because they're filled with worldliness." [51:22] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "Religion, devoid of that kind of relationship, dopes us, as Mark said, into believing we're saved when in reality we are lost. Jesus said in the last days that you'll stand before that throne of grace, and he'll say to many, or they'll say to him, Lord, didn't we heal the sick, raise the dead? Didn't we feed the poor? Didn't we do all these things? Jesus will reply to them, depart from me, you who do works of iniquity, because I never knew you." [48:11] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "Too many people fall away too quickly. We see it all the time. People begin the race, but the race that God has called us to is not a sprint, it's a marathon. It's a marathon where we not only have to begin well, but we've got to finish the race. And failure to finish the race is a clear indicator that you were never really born again." [50:36] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "God has the ability and the desire to turn up the heat so that we can live into and become what he's called us to be and what he paid the price for us to become. Not temporary, not backslidden, but full-on dedicated followers of Jesus Christ." [52:00] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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