John 6:60-69.
I wrote this.
This is a study of John 6:60-69 that I wrote and taught to a high school group. The revelation that God has given me through this Scripture has blessed me immensely, and I hope it gives hope and life to you also. - Shawn.
“Therefore, when many of His disciples heard this, they said, ‘This teaching is hard! Who can accept it?’”
Truth is not to be taken lightly. Truth is not easy. The standard that we are called to live up to is simpy… not easy.
Matthew 7:14 says, “How narrow is the gate and difficult the road that leads to life, and few find it.”
You may be stuck in a cycle of sin. You may have carnal desires that you don’t want to let go of, or just can’t. In our worldly mind we look at the standard and say, “Who can actually live up to that? This is ridiculous.”
These are norma responses. Recognizing something that you perceive you cannot do is healthy. Yes. You cannot do it… alone.
But with God, all things are possible. Yes?
“Jesus, knowing in Himself that His disciples were complaining about this, asked them, ‘Does this offend you? Then what if you were to observe the Son of Man ascending to where He was before?’”
Jesus is essentially saying, “Does this teaching annoy you? Ha, just wait until I die and rise again.”
The Gospel is offensive. It makes people uncomfortable. Even Christians.
It confronts or weaknesses and the places where we are simply failing. But take heart, remember that the Gospel is not the Law. In Romans, Paul talks about how the Law reveals to man his sin, but has no power to forgive the man or strengthen him to overcome that sin.
The Gospel does have that power.
So while the revelation of Christ’s suffering for our sin is crushing, his resurrection and love heals us.
“‘The Spirit is the One who gives life. The flesh doesn’t help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.’”
Negative thoughts and reactions to a hard teaching, a correction or rebuking are of the flesh. Proverbs 15:10 tells us, “Discipline is harsh for the one who leaves the path;
the one who hates correction will die. The flesh dies. Either now or later. But only one of those options will lead to life. The Word of God is “spirit and life.” If you are living with a renewed mind, if you are walking in the Spirit… Jesus’ words should not lead you to act negatively, no matter how hard or difficult they seem. Instead, the response should be, “Yes Lord.” Even when you don’t understand. The disciples did not understand everything he taught. The Gospels portray them confused over and over again. But they never left Jesus. And we will soon find out why.“‘But there are some among you who don’t believe.’ (For Jesus knew from the beginning those who would not believe and the one who would betray Him.) He said, ‘This is why I told you that no one can come to Me unless it is granted to him by the Father.’”
Wait a minute. There are some among these people that don’t believe? But I thought that in the beginning of this passage they were all called “disciples”? Now isn’t that an interesting concept? But let’s not go down that path right now.
If there are some that do not believe, then there are some that do. But what does it mean to believe? Is it agreeing with a statement in your head? Is it what you truly think is right at the bottom of your heart? For a Christian is it Sunday mornings?
I tell you, your beliefs will be reflected in your actions. Your beliefs will be reflected in your thought patterns. Your reactions to problems. The way you spend your money. The way you spend your time. How you treat other people.
My friend Mike Reynolds (@mikefortoday) has put it this way, “It is evidence to me that one has not encountered Jesus if their appetites are still for temporary things. If a man has actually beheld Jesus then he will lose his hunger for all else. Our lives truly testify of what we love most. Four hours of television, Internet, or video games and zero hours of prayer? You have not yet become a follower of Jesus. Oh it is by faith, but Jesus said that faith must produce abandonment of the temporary and also produce a marriage to the eternal. Whatever gets your time and your thoughts is simply what you love the most. If it is not the ‘things from above’ then how are you to consider yourself a Christian?”
Does that offend you? Are you all of a sudden uncomfortable because it feels like you are so below the standard? That someone is calling you out? How dare they!?
That feeling is the Spirit of God convicting you of your sin, and revealing to you your shortcomings. Because God loves you.
The term sin carries a lot of baggage in this age. But it had an original meaning which was to “miss the mark.”
The root of sin, where it all begins is unbelief in God’s Word.
Sin is not just sexual immortality, cursing or disobeying your parents.
Sin can be four hours of television and zero hours of prayer.
Sin can be the fear of mean, instead the fear of the Lord.
Sin can be walking around like you’re a worm when you’re declared royalty by your Creator.
Sin simply means “to miss the mark.”
Jesus and His standard is the mark.
We must give up every aspect of our lives to God. He is the only One who sits on the throne. He does not share it with our foolish idols, or even with ourselves.
This does not mean you abandon your aspirations and go to Africa on a mission trip for the rest of your life. It is more eternally valuable for you to be a garbage man for the glory of God than to preach to thousands of people for the glory of yourself.
We cannot do this alone. That is why we look at the standard and stare in disbelief. Lord, can you really expect me to live up to that?
And the modern church has supported such a statement. It has enabled us to believe that living truly consecrated and radical lifestyles free of sin is just something to strive for but can never be achieved.
The spirit of unbelief has taken over the church. It is a lie.
We cannot do this without God. Without the grace of the Father all we can do is try harder. All we can do is just get caught up in sin cycles and abstinence.
Let me tell you, abstinence (from whatever) is not freedom from sin. If you are still lusting and longing after that thing then you are not a free man. Only Jesus can break that bond for you.
The Message version says this: “This is why I told you earlier that no one is capable of coming to me on his own. You get to me only as a gift from the Father.”
This is not saying that the Father is in the way. It’s saying that He is the only way.
“From that moment many of His disciples turned back and no longer accompanied Him. Therefore Jesus said to the Twelve, ‘You don’t want to go away too, do you?’ Simon Peter answered, ‘Lord, who will we go to? You have the words of eternal life. 69 We have come to believe and know that You are the Holy One of God!’
Some of the disciples did not understand. They did not think they could follow. They counted the costs and gave up.
Why did the Twelve disciples not give up? It’s easy for us to look at this two thousand year old story and gloss over that fact. I mean, obviously they didn’t leave him, they’re the twelve disciples!
But the reality is that they had to make a choice. Previously in this passage it said that Jesus knew who would leave. He is not asking this question because he does not know. He is asking the question to reveal something. He actually setting Peter up to prophecy.
Peter says, “You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and know that You are the Holy One of God!”
They knew Jesus. But so did those that left. The difference is that the knew Jesus intimately. They heard the call and walked with Him. They knew God. Their plcae of trust and strength comes from that intimacy with Him.
By knowing God, they knew who they were.
When you think about Jesus’ teachings, if all you see are rules that you can hardly follow, do not give up. There will come a day when those rules don’t look like rules anymore. Because you will understand the One who taught you them and you will see the truth behind them.
The disciples had nowhere else to go. They knew that Jesus was the only thing that mattered in life, and there was nothing else tugging at their hearts in that moment. And eventually they all went to their graves proclaiming the Gospel.
Much love.
Doubt is sin.
Every time somebody tells me that it is okay to live a life plagued by doubt, I think about the “…surging sea, driven and tossed by the wind.” [James 1:6]. The disciples in the boat were stricken by fear that stemmed from the depths of their doubt. They were tossed by the wind and cried for help. And Jesus asked, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” [Matthew 14:31].
Indeed, doubt is a part of our nature. But are we not partakers of the divine nature? [2 Peter 1:4]. We are to live by the Spirit. Spirit-renewed minds are composed of “life and peace.” [Romans 8:6]. If we live hopeless lives of doubt, we have aligned ourselves with the patterns of this world. “If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.” [Romans 8:9].
Realize this. The original sin of Adam and Eve was not disobeying God! Satan tells Eve that if she eats the fruit “[she] will be like God.” [Genesis 3:5]. Satan had Eve doubting her relationship and reality with God, who, “…created man in His own image.” [Genesis: 1:27].
If you are in Christ Jesus, the Creator of the universe has declared you to be “…a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” [1 Peter 2:9].
We are “…heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” [Romans 8].
Have faith! Do not doubt! Doubt is real and it is a struggle. But it is not your destiny.
“No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” [Luke 9:62].
Sorry.
Dear prophets: We are a generation that you have seen in your dreams. But we’re sorry we don’t fit the look.
Dear elders: We are a generation that is willing to take the lead. But we’re sorry we don’t follow your rules.
Dear worship leader: We are a generation that is capable of entering the Heavenlies with the sound of praise. But we’re sorry we don’t sound right.
Dear prayer leader: We are a generation that will stand in the gap. But we’re sorry we don’t use the right lingo.
We’re sorry that you don’t want to partner with us, to proclaim the Kingdom with us, to lead with us, to praise God with us, and to intercede with us.
But this won’t stop us. This can’t stop us. We are part of this dynasty, stepping into our God-given destinies.
Matthew 7:7-29.
Shawn
Ask, Seek, Knock
Do not be afraid to ask God for revelations, gifts, dreams, etc. God delights in answering your requests. Notice the order this process is in. We have the responsibility to seek after the things of God. God wants to provide you with them. He will never force anything upon you. I know a few people who use the phrase, “He is a gentleman.” So be bold! Ask!
This video clip is about thirty minutes long… but if you want to hear genuine results from a person who simply asked God for a vision, check it out. Plus Tommy Green rules. Follow him on Twitter @rev_reality.
Video: http://youtu.be/EMTrSBpopaQ.
Is this where the ‘Golden Rule’ can be found in the Gospels? I never realized this. “So in everything, do to others what you would have them to do you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”
Respect yourselves. You are deserving of honor and love because of He who has sacrificed for you! The more you allow God and others to genuinely and purely love you, the more love you will be able to share with the world.
The Narrow and Wide Gates
Well this is a sobering passage. Let’s find the narrow gate together, and bring the lost with us! Seriously, I had a conversation today and it had me thinking about our spheres of influence. The people we are connected to in life. Think about those you interact with on a daily basis in life. They are who you are called to show God’s love to! It isn’t always a group of people in Africa or prostitutes in Amsterdam. They are right in front of our eyes.
Now think of people in your life, who you know specifically value your opinion, or look up to you. Realize that it is your responsibility… it is your honor, to serve these people and to bring them with you through the narrow gate. Embrace this radical calling.
True and False Prophets
“…every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.” Let’s look at trees in Scripture.
We are to be ‘Oaks of Righteousness’ displaying the Lord’s glory (Isaiah 61:3). I’m going out on a limb here (ha), but I’m guessing ‘Oaks of Righteousness’ bear… good fruit!
“The ax is already at the roots… every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down” (Matthew 3:10).
Video: http://youtu.be/l5rUuWAHdHo.
Let us be Oaks of Righteousness by His grace.
True and False Disciples
I had to edit this into the post… because it just hit me now. Last night I had a really weird dream. But basically in it, someone I respect and know did not recognize me, and walked away. And it hurt me.
After reading Jesus say, “Depart from me I never knew you” I realized what the horrible strange dream meant. My friend in the dream represented Jesus. Lately I have come to the realization that I am below the standard that Jesus has set, and the standard that I pretend to live.
I am lacking in daily encounter with my Lord. And I want it. I want to know Jesus more intimately. I want the best part of my day to be in the secret place. I want to run into the opens arms of Jesus. I don’t him to turn His face away from me.
tara.
ask knock seek:
ask and you shall recieve. in due time.
jesus gave us everything and we didn’t even ask. love.
respect others. be nice to everyone. love others. love yourself.
the narrow and the wide gates:
alrighty. through keeping our attention and desires on getting through the small gate, there will be no distractions. less room for sins, and less room for temptations to lead us off of the path. if we take the small gate, we will land in the kingdom of heaven. but when we allow other things into our lives, we widen our gates. by letting things not god-filled in, we suffocate ourselves with distraction. we are called to live our lives through the small gate, the gate that god has opened for us to take. it is our own responsibility whether we widen it or not.
we need to make room for god only. and leave all else behind the gates. once we do this successfully, we will begin to live. and we will begin to live fully.
true and false prophets:
every good tree bears good fruit. every bad tree bears bad fruit. recognize the good from the bad. how? if it’s not glorifying god it’s probably not fruit you want to let into your gates.
false disciples:
god should not only be a thought you occasionally have or something you think you can put off, but He should be first always. He should be your first priority. your first thought and your last thought of everyday. He should be your everything. it is my prayer that you breathe god in. that you may live and speak and see god. inhale Him in and exhale Him back out, keeping your lungs full while sending his almighty glory to everyone you encounter. it is my prayer that you love. i pray that you walk with god, talk to god, answer to god, and hear his calls. put your feet where god wants you to go and stretch your hands to where god wants you to touch. it’s not about you. it’s never only about you. i pray that you realize how radically amazing and awesomely great the love god has for you really is. take heart! rise up. jesus is here, in this moment, right now. love Him. let Him love you. and help Him love others. i pray that you allow god to work in you. make him your everything. let his glory shine, while dimming your own lights. this is what is means to be a desciple of christ. god is your full time; he is your purpose, and unless you give him back your heart and soul there is nothing to live for. harsh? that’s actually okay. because jesus is truth.the rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.
the word is poetic. i had to get that in there.may your large gates crash with the rain as you make god your everything tonight.
(Source: graftedoaks)
Mike Reynolds of For Today. Follow him on Twitter: @mikefortoday.
Rest of the message: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fqt-ztrp4os.
Get wrecked.
shawnandtara.tumblr.com.
Daily thoughts on daily readings of the Good Book with my daily good friend daily.
Between the years 2000-2010 there have been approximately one million Christian martyrs. You do not know their names. Perseverance, faithfulness and humility do not go hand-in-hand with fame. The fruit of the Spirit do not go hand-in-hand with glamor. We may not know their names, but He does.
“When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. They called out in a loud voice, ‘How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?’ Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the full number of their fellow servants, their brothers and sisters, were killed just as they had been.” Revelation 6:9-10.
Pretty in Pornography (by LevithePoet)
Last night I spoke to United Methodist youth about identity. This was the first time I spoke in a setting like this… but I learned a lot, mainly that I need to use less notes and loosen up. Anyway.
In a week I’ll be driving three hours alone up to Elmira, New York for Winterfest 2012 with guest speaker… Mattie Montgomery. Stoked! Come if you’re from the area. It’s free!
If you’re going let me know :-). I have no friends.
Follow me on Twitter!
And I’ll follow back, probably!
I hardly use tumblr anymore. But I wish I did. I still lurk all of your things. And keep quiet. But there’s much love.
If you wanna swap testimonies and start a conversation with me, well, you rule. And can email me at shwnmtthw@gmail.com. That’d be really fun.
Anyway.
@shwnmtthw.
Love.
xx
Penpal?
I’ve been mailing a lot of books lately (check out paperbackswap.com) and selling my school textbooks.
I’ve fallen in like with the United States Postal Service.
Who wants to be my penpal? We can send each other poems, or letters, or crayon scribbles. Anything.
Let me know.
Much love.
s. matthew p.
This album is amazing.
