Click here to download in pdf format.
Sermon Notes of Rev.Dr.I.J.W.Oakley (11-4-1999 Guisborough Evangelical Church)
John chapter 6 is one of the most wonderful chapters. It
starts with the feeding of the 5000, the only miracle recorded in all four
Gospels. The creative power of the Son of God is seen at work as He adequately
feeds 5000+, with five loaves and two fishes, leaving twelve baskets of crumbs.
Then Jesus walks on the sea to the panic stricken disciples. He reassures them,
“Do not be afraid. It is I.”
Then there is the great discourse where Jesus calls Himself the Bread of Life, who came from heaven, gave His life on the Cross, and meets our greatest needs. He will raise up at the last day all who accept His invitation to come to Him. Then the chapter ends with a note of tragedy, and finally triumph.
From this time many of his
disciples turned back (John 6:66). Some found His teaching hard (John 6:60),
and worse still, Judas had it in his heart to betray the Lord (John 6:71). Men
were attached to Jesus for a season, but then went back to their old life, their
old Jewish religion, and their old sins. Various reasons. Many hoped He would be
a political Messiah, expelling the Romans, and making the Jews a great people.
They did not want to hear talk of His atoning death, eternal life and satisfying
spiritual needs. Others did not want the challenge of coming to Christ,
believing, following, and putting spiritual things first. Do not work for
food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life (John 6:27),
Jesus had told them. Others had discovered that coming to Christ was no picnic,
it had brought suffering, unpopularity, and it was hard and tough and
unpleasant.
There have always been those who
have associated for a while with the things of God, even becoming members of the
church or going into Christian work. But then they have fallen away. They
appeared to be the real thing, to say and do the right things. But their real
selves are disclosed when subsequent events reveal their heart. As we are taught
in the Parable of the Sower (Mark 4:1ff), some people hear and, in some cases,
respond, but only a portion of these people are genuine. Others, Satan takes
away the seed, or persecution or love of money.
It is possible to prophesy in
His name, to call Him Lord, to perform exorcisms and many wonders, but not be
His (Matthew 7:21-23). Judas Iscariot was a close companion of the Lord, he
witnessed many miracles and heard the teaching, yet Jesus describes him here as
a “devil” (John 6:70). The shipwreck of his soul had started; he would
betray Christ and then commit suicide. Demas, fellow labourer with Paul, Mark
and Luke, later forsook Paul, having loved this present evil world (2
Timothy 4:10).
How similar to the situation
today. There are still deceitful hearts. The devil is busy. The Christian has
many enemies. He discovers he has few friends in the world. He finds snares at
every turn. Pressures and temptations – sifting process to many hearts. Christ’s
fair weather followers are seen for what they really are. They go so far with
Christ – then popularity, pleasure, money and pressures show where Christ
really lies.
Is it possible to be lost after
being saved? Answer. My sheep shall never perish (John 10:28). All the
Father gives to me will come (John 6:37). He who began a good work in you
will carry it on to completion (Philippians 1:6). But the Christian can fall
and backslide and lapse. If he was genuine, he will be miserable in this state.
He will know he is not where he ought to be, not at home. He will sooner or
later return. He may be disqualified for a prize (1 Corinthians 9:27), but will
not lose his salvation.
There is also the danger of
counterfeit grace. The real backslider has root of the matter in him. But some
who fall away have never had real change of heart in first place. Looked all
right and sounded all right. Made profession under various pressures, but no
real change of heart. Blossoms never came to fruit. At first opportunity, they
go back, and wilfully and deliberately reject Christ. They are happy and
relieved to do so. They are being honest at last; the pretence is over. No
regret or remorse.
Application. Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves (2 Corinthians 13:5). This does not mean examining what I say, pretend or claim, but really searching the heart. Has God begun a good work in me? Has my heart ever changed? John Newton said, “I am not what I want, ought or hope to be. But blessed be God I am not the man I was, and by the grace of God I am what I am.” Then, with purpose of heart, let us cleave to the Lord. He preserves as we persevere. We are able to persevere because He preserves.
‘You do not want to leave
too, do you?’ Jesus asked the Twelve. Simon Peter answered Him, ‘Lord, to
whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life’ (John 6:67,68).
Where can we go? Where can we do any better? It is not easy following Christ,
but where can we go instead and do better? Back to old Jewish religion with its
legalistic Pharisees and sceptical Sadducees? To Greece, with the wisdom of
philosophers and teachers and Mythologies? Or go a bit further to the empty
materialism of the City of Rome? What comfort, truth, and satisfaction would we
find there? What would give peace to our conscience and satisfy our longings?
So today, we need to ask
ourselves similar questions when tempted to return to the world. What shall we
go to? The religions of the world, which fascinate so many? To the sceptics and
cynics and philosophers of this world, who pick holes, sneer and laugh and
ridicule Christ and Christianity? What alternatives can they offer? To the
pleasures and materialistic standards of the world? Can they satisfy and fill my
empty void? To politicians with all their promises and plans? What can they
offer to answer my spiritual longings and yearnings? - How can I find God? How
can I be right with Him? How can I have my sins forgiven? What is the purpose
and meaning of life? How can I master the power of evil? How can I get a new
heart? Where do I find strength for duty? Where do I find peace? Where do I find
comfort during hours of loneliness and loss, when on my own as never before?
Where will I find support in my trouble? What will satisfy all the longings and
questions in my mind? How can I face the great crises of life and the ultimate
fact of death? What will happen when I face my Maker and judge, and have to
account for my life, with all my sins, failures, guilt and fears, when I face
life after death? Even if I try every other door but Christ, they all open onto
despair. Who can show me a more excellent way? Is anything more solid and
reliable than Christ?
The plain truth is that nothing
but an almighty personal friend can meet the wants of my soul. Only He is
perfectly able to meet my situation. I can look to Him and trust Him, and not be
disappointed. Who can compare with Him? Over centuries, none who have stooped to
drink at this fountain have gone away unrelieved. They either drink there, or
perish from thirst. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I
desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of
my heart and my portion for ever (Psalm 73:25,26).
A thousand times better to be on
Christ’s side with the few and be despised for a season, than have the praise
of many for a few short years and then find out too late that we are without
Christ, peace, hope and heaven.
Take your place side by side with Peter. Accept that you cannot save yourself, that no one else can help you. Your human condition is desperate. Faced with bankruptcy and need created by your sin, say to Christ “Thou must save, and thou alone”.
You have the words of eternal
life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God (John 6:68,69).
The One who is from God, and sent into the world by Him. In light of the coming
Cross and Resurrection, what wonders there are in these words. Through Christ,
there is life which is abundant life. Brings us to know God, changes life,
guarantees life beyond the grave. Life begun here and now, and perfected in
glory. Superlatives in “joy unspeakable”, “peace which passeth all
understanding”, “love which passes knowledge”. I have come that they
might have life and have it to the full (John 10:10).
Over years, people have found
these things are not just words but solid realities. Embraced them. Found them
meat and drink to the soul. Happy and fulfilled lives and glorious deaths. Lord
did for them above all they could ask or think. What victories they won over
darkness and death. What consolation in life and comfort in death. What
overwhelming contrast with those who have turned their backs on Christ. No
freedom in life, comfort in trouble or hope in death. Only Christ has the words
of eternal life.
1991 publication “He found me” – collection of 10 testimonies. Includes the testimony of a Sikh, who was challenged by the lives of Christian fellow students, and realized they had peace and contentment that he did not have. Though he was driven out of his home when he became a Christian, he knew Christ was his rock and hiding place. A former Jehovah’s Witness testified to being arrested by the question asked by a young Christian woman, ‘Do you know Jesus loves you?’ He had heard of Jesus, but the Jehovah’s Witnesses never spoke of Him like that. A Roman Catholic woman spoke of her strict upbringing and hope for salvation through the seven sacraments. Then she began to seek God. She saw in the life of her converted brother-in-law a new person, a changed life, and real peace. From then on, the Mass was an empty ceremony, Christ became real and strong, no longer a shadowy figure with sad countenance. After years of looking at crucifixes, she discovered a Christ who is alive and who meets her spiritual wants. There is also the testimony of a rebel who, despite a Bible-upbringing, got mixed up with drugs, alcohol and gambling. A Christian took an interest in him, prayed and spoke to him, read the New Testament to him. He received abundant life, and testified that it was like coming into a new world. He had peace at last.
Which direction do you face? Turning back on Christ, or clinging to Him? Where else can you go? He has the words of eternal life. Beware of religion where Christ is not in the centre. Only He can give eternal life. Believers – hold fast to your profession. Men may laugh and discourage. But it will not always be so. One day they will confess we were right after all. If you leave Him, where can you go, and what hope have you got left? Cling to Christ. His words have never failed.
