Will You Also Go Away? – John 6:60-71

One of the most heartbreaking events that can happen in a church is to have people leave. People leave a church for many reasons. Many leave because of personality conflicts. Many leave because they think the church is not meeting their needs. Others leave because they are not truly saved. Some leave because they think the church is too strict. A few leave because the church doctrine declines. Occasionally someone leaves with blessing to serve the Lord in another likeminded ministry. No matter why a person leaves a church, their departure leaves a vacancy.

Huge crowds came to hear Jesus teach and to see his miracles. In John 6, Jesus preached a hard message that most of the multitude rejected. He was sifting the true disciples from the curious spectators. Jesus knew it would happen, yet from a human perspective, it must have been difficult to watch the people turn away in unbelief.

Transition: This evening I want us to examine six phases of this exit that it might strengthen our resolve to follow Christ and His Word.

The Denouncement John 6:60-61 ^{[to speak against]}

Many of the disciples were murmuring
1. John used the term “disciples” in a broad sense here to include the fans who were following Jesus.
2. They did not like the message he just preached about his flesh and blood. They were not truly looking for a Saviour who would forgive their sins and give them eternal life. They wanted a leader who would meet their physical and material desires.
Jesus knew they murmured and questioned them.
1. Jesus knew that his disciples murmured. They did not have the courage to face Jesus with their complaints. They grumbled privately among themselves.
  1. From this, we see again Christ’s divine ability to know the thoughts of men. Not only does God see our actions, he sees our thoughts and motives.
  2. Grumbling, or complaining, or murmuring is a sin. It often includes gossip and backbiting.
    Philippians 2:14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
    Proverbs 25:23 The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.
2. Jesus brought their murmuring out in the open.
  1. He asked if his sermon offended them.
  2. That is exactly what Jesus teaches us to do if we sense a problem between us and another Christian. We are to talk to them about it with the goal of restoring harmony. (Mt 18:15-17)

The Defence John 6:62-63

Jesus added another thought for them to ponder
1. He asked another question (v. 62). The idea of his question is, if my sermon offended you, you will be even more offended when you see me leave earth and return to my Father.
2. Many things that God asks of us go against our feelings. When that happens, we should simply trust and obey.
Jesus explained that his teaching was spiritual
1. It is the spirit (Holy Spirit) that quickens (gives life). This explains Jesus’ words about eating his flesh and drinking his blood in John 6:53-57. It is receiving Jesus’ words not eating his physical body that gives life.
2. Jesus’ words are the words of the Holy Spirit. Because of this, they give life.

“My words are the incarnation and communication of the Spirit; it is the Spirit who dwells in them and acts through them; and for this reason they communicate life” ^{(F. Godet)}

The Departure John 6:64-66

Jesus knew who believed and who did not.
1. This again emphasises his deity. Being God, he knows all things. He knew this from the beginning.
2. Ponder that truth for a while. He knew who would believe and who would betray, yet he treated Judas with the same love as he did the other disciples.
  We have no right to become angry or bitter toward those who hurt us. We must ask the Lord to help us love as he loves.
Many departed from Jesus
1. Not a few left him, but many! This was a turning point in Jesus’ ministry. The fans left disappointed. The faithful remained his disciples.
2. Those who departed never came back. They turned their backs on the one who could save them and give them eternal life.

The Demand John 6:67

Jesus asked the 12 a tough question.
1. “Will you also depart?”
2. He asks you that same question.
Jesus knew their answers, but he tested them.

The Declaration John 6:68-69

Peter speaks up first.
1. Peter was bold and confident. Often he is the first to answer questions.
2. This quick personality often got him into trouble, but it also made a bold fearless preacher out of him.
  1. God can use all kinds of personalities if they are submitted to him. The bold and confident must need God’s help to pray and think before they speak.
  2. Those who are timid need God’s help to pray for courage, boldness, and wisdom to speak.
    No matter what personality you have, you must depend on the Lord in order for him to use you as he wants.
Peter’s answer was a good one
1. He recognized Jesus as the only true teacher.
2. He believed Jesus’ words taught the way to eternal life.
3. He confidently believed that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the living God.

Salvation is not in a religion (baptism, confirmation, communion, doing good, prayer). It is 100% in Jesus Christ. Jesus is God the Son. Jesus died and rose again to pay for all your sin. Do you believe that? Have you RECEIVED his cleansing?

The Disclosure John 6:70-71

Jesus himself chose the 12 disciples
1. Did he goof? Did Judas deceive him?
2. No, Jesus knew from the beginning that Judas would betray him for 30 pieces of silver. Jesus knew that he came to this earth to die for mankind.
3. Jesus chose the disciples but Judas chose not to believe. God chooses but man has a free will. I believe that God chose the way of salvation to be through faith in Christ alone and he chose to elect all who would repent, believe, and receive his provision.
  2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
4. Without question, some elements of God’s election are beyond our grasp. We must preach what is clear and leave the unclear to the Lord. The Bible clearly says,
  1 Timothy 2:4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
  1 John 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
  John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Jesus called Judas a devil
1. Jesus did not reveal Judas’ identity at this time.
2. Judas was not “The Devil” but he was a devil.
3. The term refers to one who slanders, false accuses, or opposes God.

Conclusion

Tonight we found several principles for life. We must not murmur or grumble. If you have an issue with someone, talk to him about it. Jesus’ words give eternal life. We have no right to be bitter against anyone. No matter what personality you have, you must depend on God for help to live for Christ. Salvation is 100% in Jesus. God offers eternal life to you, but you must choose. Have you truly received Christ? Will you also go away? I hope not!

Song: His Way with Thee – 367

Will You Also Go Away?

6 January 2013 – John 6:60-71 – Scott Childs

The Denouncement John 6:60-61 [to speak against]