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Do You Also Want to Go Away?

Sermon by  Thomas Thornhill Jr

Passage: John 6:67

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NOTE: Being the 4th Sunday, we only have one lesson posted.  Our Sunday evening service is a singing service with a short talk by one of the men of the congregation.  TT

 

The account of Jesus after some difficult preaching.  Vs. 66 notes, From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more.  This prompted Jesus to ask the question that is the foundation of this lesson – “Do you also want to go away?”

Today I would like to address this question. The sad reality is that many, after obeying the gospel in time leave Jesus and return to the world.   Why?

1. Why some go away?
   1. Because of hard sayings – In our text, Jesus had taught in a strong way that demanded total commitment. He used a strong illustration (eating His flesh and drinking His blood), though He was not being literal (He even said so – 6:61-64).
      1. There are many who gladly obey the gospel and faithfully serve at first, until they hear something they do not like. Perhaps it is a teaching that directly affects their conduct or addresses the sinfulness of others close to them.  Maybe the preacher exposes errors in the church that are popular (it matters what we believe, not all will be saved, how we worship matters, etc.) and they become “offended”.  Rather than change, they walk away.
      2. Galatians 4:16 – Have I become your enemy because I tell you the truth.
      3. Consider the rich, young ruler of Luke 18:18-23– who went away sorrowful because he was called to change that “one thing.”
      4. Recall what is involved in becoming a true disciple – Matthew 28:19-20 – a willingness to observe “all things that I have commanded you.” John 8:31 – abiding in His word is what makes you a disciple.  The true test of faithfulness comes WHEN our beliefs are tested.
   2. Worldliness – this is always a danger. We live in the world, and it offers immediate and pleasant gratification.  And often times what it offers competes with faithfulness to Jesus.  Sometimes worldliness is outright sinful (greed, selfishness, lusts, Galatians 5:19-21, etc.), but at other times it might be a matter of priorities.  And that is the greater danger to the Christian.
      1. Matthew 13:22 describes the thorny soil – the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke out the word.
      2. Revelation 3:14ff – the church at Laodicea was influenced by its culture and we see a worldly mindset affecting their conduct. They were told to repent.
      3. Romans 8:6 – to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
      4. James 4:4 – Friendship with the world is enmity with God…
      5. Matthew 6:24 – Jesus was clear that we cannot serve God and mammon (money, wealth)
      6. 1 John 2:15-17 – Do not love the world or things that are in the world…
      7. 2 Timothy 4:10 – Demas has forsaken me having loved this present world. Whether he had completely abandoned Christ or was simply too weak to face present persecutions, worldliness stood in the way of his faithfulness.
      8. IF not checked, worldliness will gain a greater grip and eventually cause us to walk away from Jesus.
   3. False doctrine – The Bible has much to say about false doctrine and error.  It was the continued downfall of Israel as they persistently followed after idols, hired false prophets and established their own religions.  At Mt. Sinai, they made a golden calf while Moses was on the mountain interacting with YHWH Himself (Exodus 32); Continually they were told to put away their idols (even during the patriarchal period (Genesis 35:2), and the periods of the judges and kings were dark times far more often than godly.
      1. In the Bible, there is continued warnings against false teachers and doctrines. 2 Timothy 4:2-4 where Timothy is encouraged to preach the word; 2 Peter 3:17, You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked.  Acts 20:28-30 Paul warns the Ephesian elders of wolves entering into their midst.  2 Peter and Jude are specifically devoted to warning against false teachers and their effect.  As we can see, false teaching was real back then.
      2. And it is equally true today. We have denominationalism which by its very existence tolerates false doctrine (if not, why is there more than one denomination?).  Our post-modernism era advocates and redefines tolerance to acceptance of that which we believe to be false doctrine and morality.
      3. False doctrine will cause one to go away from Christ. Galatians 1:6-9 (then note 5:4), 2 Peter 2:1-3 (then observe 2 Peter 2:20-22).  This is true even if one is sincere and believes he is following God’s will.
      4. Ephesians 5:11 – warns us to have no fellowship with darkness (including false doctrine). 1 John 4:1 calls for us to test the spirits (teachings) whether they are of God. That is the only way to insulate yourself from error leading you away.
   4. The way becomes hard – similar to our first point, here we note that is not just about hard teachings, but understanding that following Christ involves a life of genuine commitment.
      1. Discipleship involves total commitment – Luke 14:26-27, 33; 9:23-26, etc. Romans 12:1-2, Galatians 2:20
      2. It also involves an understanding and willingness to suffer and sacrifice. 2 Timothy 3:12. Matthew 5:10-12 Jesus talked about how those who are persecuted for righteousness sake are blessed.  In this we see that if we endure, we are made stronger (cf. James 1:2-4, Romans 5:3-4).
      3. The stony ground – In the parable of the Sower, Matthew 13:20-21 describes the heart that has no deep root and at the first sign of trouble they wither away.
      4. The life of a Christian is going to be hard. And it is NOT just persecutions, but sacrifice, self-control, self-denial, disappointments, etc.
      5. As you struggle with life being hard – remember John 16:33, These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”   Also recall Philippians 4:11-13 where Paul accepted whatever would happen and he would be content.  He would make the best of that situation.
      6. Yet it is the difficulties of life that cause many to walk away from Jesus.
   5. Neglect – They drift – a bigger concern for many of us is neglect. We let down our guard and over time, we have left the Lord or at least drifted farther away from Him.
      1. A boat that has lost its mooring will likely slowly drift off-course. But if it happens while you are asleep, when you awake you may be miles away from where you are supposed to be.
      2. Weeds do not typically take over a garden overnight. They grow and take root because of neglect. AND the stronger their roots, the more difficult it becomes to reset the garden.
   6. Hebrews 2:1-3 warns of this and reminds us that neglect typically happens over time and gradually. And often it is unintentional.  You just simply quit paying attention.
   7. Hebrews 10:24-25 is an admonition to stir up one another by “not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some…”
   8. Their love grows cold – related to the previous point, but we have someone who has allowed their zeal for serving God to decrease.
      1. Revelation 2:4-5 describes the church at Ephesus. We read much about this church in Acts 19 as well as the letter addressed to her (Ephesians) and how Timothy was left there to build them up (1 Timothy 1:3).  But in Revelation 2 we find a church still doctrinally sound, but their zeal has begun to die down.  And they are warned to repent before it is too late.
      2. Matthew 24:11-13, Jesus warned that it could happen, Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved.
2. What happens if we go away?
   1. You are in grave danger of losing your soul. And it WILL happen unless we change direction!
   2. 2 Peter 2:21-22 – the latter end is worse than the beginning.
   3. Galatians 5:4 – you have fallen from grace.
   4. We also lose a support system that God put in place – our brethren.
3. What is the answer?
   1. John 6:68 – Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.  Dealing with this begins with an understanding that we have left him and need to return.  It is a realization that He is the ONLY way to the Father – John 14:6. 2 Corinthians 13:5 calls for us to examine ourselves as to whether we are in the faith … lest we be disqualified.
   2. We have to return to Him. This means repentance.  The word repent in the Greek language  (μετανοέω, metanoeō ) literally means “to perceive afterward” (Vine’s breaks it down – meta means – after; noeo means to perceive (tied to the mind – nous).  In other words, it means to change one’s mind.  That is where genuine repentance begins.
      1. Consider the prodigal son who “came to himself” and returned to his father completely humbled – Luke 15:17-21. His father was waiting and graciously restored him.  That is what God will do if we return to Him.
      2. It means: 1) We will deal with the difficulties we face (hard sayings and troubles) instead of avoiding them; 2) We will refocus our pursuits on heavenly things – Colossians 3:1-2); 3) We will recommit to following the truth; 4) We will “return to shore” – return to the Lord. We will reset our anchor in heaven where it belongs – Hebrews 6:19; 5) We will rekindle the fire – cf. Revelation 3:19 – “be zealous and repent”, Titus 2:14.
   3. But the best answer is to avoid putting yourself in the position where you are tempted to leave Him. 1 Corinthians 9:27 – discipline my body, 1 Peter 1:15-16 – be holy (also Hebrews 12:14 – Pursue holiness).

The sad reality of the world we live in is that far too many come to Jesus without an understanding of true commitment.  And Saten is waiting with a number of “devices” to draw you away from Him (cf. 2 Corinthians 2:11).  The eternal consequences are devastating.  What about you? Are you in danger of going away also?  Think about it!