Many of the Lord's Disciples Went Back (John 6:66-69)
Introduction:
1. This morning we based our lesson on Peter's question in vs.68 -- "To whom shall we go?" 2. We showed how Christ is the only source for many special blessings, including eternal life, salvation, freedom, joy, peace, rest, and companionship. 3. When people stop following the Lord, they lose access to the blessings that He alone provides. 4. Thankfully, the apostles did not stop following Christ -- they knew that He is God's Son, and they knew that He has the words of eternal life. 5. In our lesson we are dealing with the mistake made by many of the Lord's disciples in vs.66 -- they "went back, and walked no more with Him." 6. The first point we need to make is that . . .
Discussion:
I. THE BIBLE CONTAINS MANY WARNINGS AGAINST GOING BACK
A. Hebrews 3:12-14 B. Hebrews 4:11 C. 2 Peter 2:20-22 D. On the basis of these warnings let us consider . . .
II. SOME THINGS THAT CAN CAUSE A DISCIPLE TO GO BACK
A. "Tribulation" (Matthew 13:5-6, 20-21) B. "Seeking to be justified by the law of Moses" (Galatians 5:4) C. "Loving the world" (2 Timothy 4:10a) D. "Erring from the truth" (James 5:19-20) E. To remain faithful to the Lord, Christians must guard against being overcome by things such as these. F. Let us turn our attention to . . .
III. SOME INSTRUCTIONS THAT WILL PREVENT GOING BACK
A. "Run the Christian race with patience, keeping our eyes focused on Christ" (Hebrews 12:1-3) B. "Resist Satan" (James 4:7b) C. "Develop the Christian graces with diligence" (2 Peter 1:5-11) D. "Remember that the Lord is able to keep us from falling" (Jude 24) E. "Endure tribulation, knowing that a crown of life awaits those who are faithful" (Revelation 2:10)
Conclusion:
1. The Bible teaches that a disciple of the Lord can go back and stop following Him. 2. Let us: a. heed the warnings given in the Bible against turning back b. beware of things that can cause us to turn back c. practice these instructions that will keep us from turning back.
