That's When You Need Him Most

5. I have to admit to you that there have been times in my life when

my faith was at low ebb. The results of the ministry to which I have been called have been pathetic, accomplishing nothing. There have been times when I have been tempted by lusts of every sort. Because of discouragement, I allowed my prayer life to become none existent. Times when the Holy Spirit seemed millions miles away. "When was the last time I was really filled or fulfilled anyway?" It’s been in times like these that a voice from the darkness would call to me and say, "Why not just stop trying so hard at something you’ve already failed at so many times. You’re never going to make it." It’s been in times of overwhelming futility such as this that a scripture comes to me and gives me the encouragement to get off my rear end and start following Jesus again. "Lord, to whom shall (I) go? You have the words of eternal life."

6. I’ve come to realize that in the times I’ve been tempted to quit

Jesus, That’s when I’ve really needed Him most. " I need Thee, Oh, I need Thee. Every hour I need Thee"

II. ONLY JESUS CAN OFFER ETERNAL LIFE

A. (v 68)"Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life."

On another occasion, Peter would say, (Acts 4:12) "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."

1. This is the bedrock, the foundation upon which Peter had built his

life. It was Peter’s reason for continuing to follow Jesus even when he didn’t understand. There were times when He was confused about everything else. But you could not shake this one pivotal truth from his heart. The only way you can experience Eternal Life is by following Jesus.

2. Though I’ve wandered, stumbled, forgotten and at times have

failed miserably, I’ve reached the same conclusion. When I’ve felt lost this one truth has been true north for me.

a. The only way I’m going to lead a satisfying, fulfilling life in the

hear and now; and the only way I will get to heaven and live with God forever is if I continue now, even if I don’t feel like it, to apply the truths which Jesus taught to my life today.

b. And, apply again the sacrifice He made for me when He died on

the cross to my sinful condition.

c. You see, that’s when I need Him most. And He has never failed

to deliver.

3. Let’s be honest. There have been and will be times in our lives

when we are going to have to admit that we are just not living the eternal and abundant life, which Jesus so longs for us to live. It doesn’t mean all of the sudden we have lost our salvation. It just means that there is something vital and powerful missing from our lives.

4. Right now, are you living the life Jesus wants you to live? Are you

fulfilled? Are you satisfied? Are you confident about where you will spend eternity? Do you have the joy and peace, which Jesus promises to those who will follow come hell or high water?

TS. If you want what I’m talking about, if you want to follow Jesus, I’m going to challenge you to take four steps. If you’re going to follow Jesus, your first step will be to.