John 6:60-71
The Incredible Shrinking Church
I have heard it said that Baptists favorite book in the Bible is the Book of Numbers. We are always looking for nickels, numbers and noses. Or is it bodies, buildings and budgets…or people, properties and payola. Regardless, I think you get what I am saying. Case in point is the following selected quote in article about the decline in the Southern Baptist Convention.
Southern Baptists decline in baptisms, membership, attendance
by Russ Rankin on Thursday, June 09, 2011
NASHVILLE, Tenn., — The number of baptisms in the Southern Baptist Convention in 2010 fell by nearly 5 percent, according to the Annual Church Profile (ACP) compiled by LifeWay Christian Resources in cooperation with Baptist state conventions.
Southern Baptist churches reported 332,321 baptisms in 2010, down from 349,737 in 2009, which represents a 4.98 percent decline. Total membership in 2010, reported at 16,136,044, represents a 0.15 percent decline from 2009 and is the fourth straight year of decline.
"I pray that all of us will see the urgency of the moment," said Thom S. Rainer, president and CEO of LifeWay. "We must make the Great Commission the heart of all we do and say. These latest numbers should be received with a broken spirit and a God-given determination to reach people for Christ."
The report did, however, indicate one positive change. The number of churches in the Southern Baptist Convention rose to 45,727, an increase of 1.59 percent from the 45,010 reported in 2009.
"I do find encouragement in the increase in the number of churches," Rainer said. "Hopefully a church planting trend in our convention will lead to the gospel of Christ being shared with more people than ever before."
Primary worship attendance in SBC churches mirrored the decline in overall membership, declining 0.19 percent to 6,195,449 in 2010.
"As Southern Baptists, so much of our identity comes from missions involvement and a passion for the Great Commission," Rainer said. "We certainly pay attention to categories such as missions expenditures because this not only supports our missionaries but also the training of our future pastors and church leaders through our convention-affiliated colleges and seminaries. (Source: LifeWay.com)
Sadly, Southern Baptists are not the only denomination declining in the United States. Studies have shown that all denominations are on a decline in growth. Most of that may be a lack of commitment to Christ as Lord and Savior. If so, then some attrition is probable because of one’s lack of a true commitment to Christ.
Let’s examine today’s passage in John 6.
“Therefore many of His disciples, when they heard this, said, “This is a hard (unpleasant, harsh, offensive, intolerable,) saying; who can understand (who has the ability to comprehend) it?” When Jesus knew in Himself that His disciples complained (to murmur, mutter, grumble, say anything against in a low tone) i.e.: of the cooing of doves; of those who confer secretly together; of those who discontentedly complain about this, He said to them, “Does this offend (scandalize, stumbling block, to give up believing) you? What then if you should see the Son of Man ascend where He was before? It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits (advantageous) nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him. And He said, “Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father.””
Notice first,
The Difficulties in Hearing God’s Word 60-65
Most people want either a convenient religion (a DIY approach) or an easy religion (easy as in provide it for me but don’t ask anything of me, i.e. NO commitment). The same is true during the days of Jesus. The people didn’t want to follow Him because it would require something of them. Specifically, to eat His flesh and drink His blood, although Jesus was speaking of this metaphorically.
Difficulties in hearing God’s Word reveals…
Their astonishment.
They couldn’t believe He would ask them to do this. They wanted something to eat…like the fish and chips “bread” He had so recently provided for them. Moses did it (provided bread and leadership on a daily basis), so why couldn’t He?
Kirk Cameron was in the eye of the storm recently with his biblical comments regarding marriage. Because he advocates a biblical world-view of marriage (God instituted a one man-one woman union in the garden), the mass media and homosexuals attacked him mercilessly. Standing for Jesus today will cost you.
“Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed.” Matthew 25.24
“to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.” Jude 15
But eventually, God will right all the wrongs.
Secondly, it reveals…
Their arrogance.
They could not believe Jesus would proclaim such nonsense! They asked, “There can be only one exclusive way to heaven?” “Rubbish!” was their response!
“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.” John 5.24
“He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.” John 12.48
Jesus spoke clearly and concisely that He was the only way to the Father.
Then we find…
Their aggravation.
Man often disapproves of God’s methods and message. We find it difficult to understand and accept the way God works. After all, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts higher than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55.8-9
Finally, we hear…
His assertion.
Jesus claims to be God. If they have a hard time accepting His claims of “eating His flesh and drinking His blood metaphorically” then they will find it offensive and unthinkable that He could be God. After all, He is proclaiming that He is the promised One, the Messiah. He is also claiming “I am the pre-existing One.” He is “I am the life giving One.” To ascend to heaven from where He came asserts that He is God. He is also asserting His eventual death, burial, resurrection and ascension with these statements.
We are not worthy without Christ because “our self-righteousness is as filthy rags!” Isaiah 64.6
The people at this point must make a choice. And they did…the wrong choice!
“From that time many of His (so-called) disciples went back (departed, abandoned) and walked with Him no more.” John 6.66
The Division in Heeding God’s Word 66
It was at this point that the people decided that it wasn’t worth their time. The shallow faith followers abandoned Him. The lip professors forgot Him. It was time to move on and find someone else to follow.
Notice…
Their rejection of His Words. eat /drink
They refused to partake of the Living Bread! They wanted what is often called casual Christianity. They wanted the easy believe-ism track. This was too difficult to follow.
Here too, we see…
The rejection of His Ways.
They simple refused to follow. Their pride wouldn’t let them. It should be their kingdom and their desires He addresses. It was all about food, royalty and ruler-ship. It was all about them!
We also notice…
Their rejection of His Work at the cross.
They wanted salvation. They wanted it with all the benefits but not the price. It was asking too much to accept, appropriate and assimilate Christ!
Finally, we notice…
Their rejection of His World.
His world is the kingdom of God. He is the sovereign Lord of all things. He alone is building His kingdom. And it’s done with a relationship with the Holy God of Israel through Jesus the Messiah !
“If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost?” Luke 9.23-25/Matthew 10.34-39/Mark 8.34-36
“Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want (wish) to go away?” But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil?” He spoke of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, for it was he who would betray Him, being one of the twelve.”
Jesus turns to His twelve disciples, as the shallow faith followers turn and abandon Him, and asks them if they desire to leave as well.
The Decision in Honoring God’s Word 67-71
Everyman must make a decision regarding Jesus. He is who He says He is or He is not. The choice is clear. Either one will follow Christ or follow a worldly religion substituting for Christ.
The disciples were given…
The great Proposition.
Jesus asked them if they desired to leave. Their response was, “Where would we go?” They were in this together. He had chosen them to follow Him.
Notice Peter’s answer and…
The great Profession.
Our confidence is in you! This statement by Peter is just a few months prior to his great profession at Caesarea Philippi. Notice the clarity of his profession! “You have the words of eternal life!” Peter and the disciples had lived some three years walking and working with Jesus. He had witnessed the miracles! And it was only going to get better…and more difficult.
There follows…
The great Possession.
It is one thing to say what you believe, it is quite another to live what you believe! Peter unashamedly says to Jesus, “We have experienced and witnessed your works! We have lived it Jesus!” Peter not only had the profession down, but he also had the possession down. Yes, he failed during the trial of Jesus, but he was restored! Glory! What a Savior!
Notice too, the words of Jesus in…
The great Pronunciation.
Not all are saved! Jesus made it clear that he knew that not all among His inner circle of twelve was a believer. Interestingly, Judas is always described by the gospel writers as the one who betrayed the Messiah.
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” Mt 7.21-23
Consider this:
People are often offended when shown biblical truth’s regarding God’s Word. Christianity is a faith which proclaims Jesus as the only way of salvation. John 14.6
People will accept Christ if they can be non-committal “Christians”. They want an easy believe-ism. They want casual Christianity.
However, you must make a choice regarding Jesus. Profess Him as Savior or deny Him as Lord.
Illustration – Commitment 2 @ Cortez
On April 21st, in the year 1519, the Spanish explorer Hernando Cortez sailed into the harbor of Vera Cruz, Mexico. He brought with him only about 600 men, and yet over the next two years his vastly outnumbered forces were able to defeat Montezuma and all the warriors of the Aztec empire, making Cortez the conqueror of all Mexico.
How was this incredible feat accomplished, when two prior expeditions had failed even to establish a colony on Mexican soil?
Here’s the secret. Cortez knew from the very beginning that he and his men faced incredible and impossible odds. He knew that the road before them would be dangerous and difficult. He knew that his men would be tempted to abandon their quest and return to Spain. And so, as soon as Cortez and his men had come ashore and unloaded their provisions, he ordered their entire fleet of eleven ships destroyed. His men stood on the shore and watched as their only possibility of retreat burned and sank. And from that point on, they knew beyond any doubt there was no return, no turning back. Nothing lay behind them but an empty ocean. Their only option was to go forward, to conquer or die.
Today is the day for you to decide if you will burn your ships of escape, the ships of your past, present and future and commit it all to Him!
