Sermon for September 4, 2011 - The Sermon for This Week is

Matthew 6:9-13 - After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

The Sermon for This Week is: John 6:67 – 7:9- covering the following:

Part 1: To Whom Shall We Go?

Part 2: Even His Brothers Did Not Believe

Part 1: To Whom Shall We Go? - John 6:67-69 - Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.

INTRODUCTION

1. When Jesus talked about being the Bread of Life, it troubled some people...

a. He used figurative language, which sounded cannibalistic - cf. John 6:51-59 - I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat? Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me. This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever. These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum.

b. Difficult to understand, some were offended (those lacking in faith) - cf. John 6:60-65 - Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it? When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you? What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before? It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.

c. Many of His disciples left Him - cf. John 6:66 - From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.

-- Prompting Jesus to ask the twelve - John 6:67 - Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?

2. Peter’s response serves as the text of our lesson...

a. “To whom shall we go?” - John 6:68a - Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go?

b. He acknowledged that Jesus alone has the words of eternal life - John 6:68b - thou hast the words of eternal life.

c. He also confesses their faith in Him as the Christ, the Son of the living God - John 6:69 - And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.

-- His question is one that we do well to ask today

[For the answers to our true purpose and mission in life, to find the words of eternal life, “To Whom Shall We Go?” There are many places we could turn to, indeed many do turn to, but they are not the right ones. For example, consider...]

I. TO WHOM WE COULD GO

A. THE OPINIONS OF THE MAJORITY...?

1. Many people look to whatever the majority believes

a. E.g., what their peers thinks

b. E.g., whatever the latest polls indicate

2. But consider the words of Jesus, in describing the end of the majority - Matthew 7:13-14 - Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

3. If you followed the majority...

a. In Noah’s day, you would have perished in the flood

b. In Joshua’s day, you would have perished in the wilderness

B. THE PRONOUNCEMENTS OF HUMAN WISDOM...?

1. Many feel that human wisdom can lead them to truth and life

a. Especially that pronounced by educated professors

b. Or that pronounced by “pop” psychologists on talk shows

2. But God’s thoughts and ways are not always our own - cf. Isaiah 55:8-9 - For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

3. In fact, God has chosen to save man in a manner specifically designed to confound those who depend solely upon human wisdom - cf. 1 Corinthians 1:18-29 - For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence.

C. THE PROCLAMATIONS OF PREACHERS...?

1. It is common for people to trust their preacher, priest, or pastor

2. They reason that surely these “men of God” could not be wrong or lead them astray

a. Yet Paul warned of how we can easily be misled - cf. 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 - For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

b. And Jesus warned about the “blind leading the blind” - Matthew 15:12-14 - Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying? But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.

D. THE DICTATES OF OUR CONSCIENCE...?

1. “Let your conscience be your guide” is the motto of many

2. But our conscience cannot always be reliable

a. Paul had served God with a good conscience throughout his life - Acts 23:1 - And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.

b. Even at a time when he was persecuting Christians! - cf. Acts 26:9-11 - I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them. And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities

3. Our conscience is like a clock, which works properly only if set properly

F. THE DIRECTION OF OUR FEELINGS...?

1. This is often where many people turn

a. Who go by whatever “feels right”

b. Who place stock in things “better felt than told”

2. Yet the Bible declares the danger of trusting in “feelings”

a. “There is a way which seems right...but its end is the way of death.” - Proverbs 14:12 - There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

b. “He who trusts in his own heart is a fool...” - Proverbs 28:26 - He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.

c. “O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.” - Jeremiah 10:23

[None of these should be the ultimate source to where we turn if we are looking for the words of eternal life. As confessed by Peter, there is only One...]

II. TO WHOM WE SHOULD GO

A. JESUS CHRIST, SON OF THE LIVING GOD...!

1. As Peter confessed in our text - John 6:68-69 - Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.

2. He is the one who provides “food which endures to everlasting life” - John 6:27 - Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed. - John 6:35 - And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. - John 6:40 - And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

3. He is the way, the truth and the life - John 14:6 - Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

4. Upon this One has God “set His seal” - John 6:27 - Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.

a. I.e., confirmed Him to be the source of eternal life

b. Through the miracles, and ultimately His resurrection - John 5:36 - But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me. - Romans 1:4 - And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:

-- Yet how does one “go to Jesus” when He no longer walks on the earth? We must turn to...

B. THE APOSTLES OF CHRIST, INSPIRED OF THE SPIRIT...!

1. Jesus prepared and equipped His apostles to carry on and complete His work

a. He told them of the Holy Spirit - John 16:7-11 - Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

b. Who would guide them into all the truth - John 16:12-13 - I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

2. To receive the apostles (apostolos, lit., one sent) is to receive Jesus - John 13:20 - Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.

3. Thus the apostles were authoritative spokesmen for Christ - e.g., 1 Thessalonians 4:1-2 - Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more. For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus. - 1 Thessalonians 4:8 - He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit. - 1 John 4:6 - We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. - Jude 1:17 - But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;

4. They received all things pertaining to life and godliness - 2 Peter 1:3 - According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

5. They did not shun to proclaim the whole counsel of God - Acts 20:20-21 - And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. - Acts 20:27 - For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.

-- But how do we “go to the apostles” when they no longer live on the earth? We must turn to...

C. THE NEW TESTAMENT, REPOSITORY OF THE WORD OF GOD...!

1. The apostles wrote that we might benefit from their understanding- e.g., Ephesians 3:3-5 - How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;

2. We must view their words as the commandments of the Lord - e.g., 1 Corinthians 14:37 - If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.

3. Therefore we are to hold fast to what they taught - cf. 2 Thessalonians 2:15 - Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. - 2 Thessalonians 3:15 - Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. - Jude 1:3 - Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

4. As exemplified by the very first church in Jerusalem - Acts 2:42 - And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

-- The words of the apostles preserved in their writings, can lead us to Him who alone has the words of eternal life!

CONCLUSION

1. To whom shall we go...?

a. The answer must be “Jesus!”

b. He is “...the Christ, the Son of the living God”

c. He alone has “...the words of eternal life”

2. Where will you find Jesus...?

a. Not in the words of modern theologians and filmmakers, who have sought to remake Jesus according to their own image

b. But in the words of His apostles, eyewitnesses of His majesty and inspired by the Spirit to reveal all that we need to experience life and godliness

Don’t let the cacophony of modern voices lead you away from Jesus and His words of eternal life.

Make sure that it is His apostles’ writings, the Word of God, that leads you to Him who is the way, the truth and the life!

Part 2: Even His Brothers Did Not Believe - John 7:1-9 - After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him. Now the Jews' feast of tabernacles was at hand. His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judaea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest. For there is no man that doeth any thing in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, shew thyself to the world. For neither did his brethren believe in him. Then Jesus said unto them, My time is not yet come: but your time is alway ready. The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil. Go ye up unto this feast: I go not up yet unto this feast; for my time is not yet full come. When he had said these words unto them, he abode still in Galilee.

INTRODUCTION

1. In a gospel designed to create faith in Jesus, John tells of those who lacked faith...

a. Those in His own nation - John 1:11 - He came unto his own, and his own received him not.

b. Those among His disciples - John 6:66 - From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.

2. For a time, even His own brothers (named in Matthew 13:55 - Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?) did not believe...

a. As recorded in John 7:5 - For neither did his brethren believe in him.

b. As implied in Mark 3:21 - And when his friends heard of it, they went out to lay hold on him: for they said, He is beside himself.

c. As foretold in Psalms 69:8 - I am become a stranger unto my brethren, and an alien unto my mother's children.

-- Though they eventually came to believe in Jesus - Acts 1:14 - These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

3. Why did Jesus’ brothers not believe in Him from the very beginning...?

a. Had they not seen the miracles?

b. Did they not know Him as well as anyone?

[Reasons why they did not believe at first, and the reason they came to believe at last, can provide some valuable lessons for us today...]

I. WHY THEY DID NOT BELIEVE

A. POSSIBLE REASONS FOR THEIR UNBELIEF...

1. Perhaps they were blinded by familiarity

a. As is often said, “Familiarity breeds contempt”

b. This hindered many who knew Jesus from childhood - Matthew 13:54-58 - And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works? Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things? And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house. And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.

c. A problem common among prophets - Matthew 13:57 - And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house. - John 4:44 - For Jesus himself testified, that a prophet hath no honour in his own country.

2. Perhaps they were blinded by envy

a. Large crowds had been following Jesus everywhere

b. Making it difficult for His family to speak to Him at times - Matthew 12:46-47 - While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him. Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee.

c. Jealousy can be a powerful hindrance to seeing things clearly

3. Perhaps they were blinded by preconceptions

a. Many Jews had wrong conceptions concerning the kingdom - cf. John 6:15 - When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.

b. His brothers had their ideas as to what He should do - John 7:2-4 - Now the Jews' feast of tabernacles was at hand. His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judaea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest. For there is no man that doeth any thing in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, shew thyself to the world.

c. It is easy to reject someone if they do not live up to your expectations

-- For one reason or another, Jesus’ brothers did not believe in Him

B. A WARNING FOR US TODAY...

1. Do we let familiarity blind us to the truth?

a. Do we reject what a close friend or relative may tell us?

b. Especially since they have their own faults of which we are well aware?

-- Truth can be communicated by imperfect messengers - cf. Philippians 1:15-18 - Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.

2. Do we let envy get in the way of truth?

a. Are we jealous that we might be wrong and others may be right?

b. Do we think that by admitting others are right, it somehow makes them better?

-- Truth (and salvation!) is too precious to let envy or jealousy keep us from it

3. Do we let preconceived notions obstruct a clear evaluation of the truth?

a. Refusing to reexamine our cherished beliefs?

b. Rejecting a view or teaching simply because we have never heard it before?

-- Truth requires a willingness to hear, and has nothing to fear from investigation - Acts 17:11 - These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

[Don’t discount the potential impact of familiarity, envy, or preconceptions. Such blinded the brothers of Jesus so that even His miracles did not convince them! What finally prompted them to believe is worthy of note...]

II. HOW THEY CAME TO BELIEVE

A. THE REASON FOR THEIR FAITH...

1. As noted previously, Jesus’ brothers eventually became disciples

a. They were with the apostles after the Ascension - Acts 1:12-14 - Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey. And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James. These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

b. James, the Lord’s brother, became a key figure in the church at Jerusalem - Acts 12:17 - But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go shew these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place. - Acts 15:13 - And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren. - Acts 21:18 - And the day following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present. - Galatians 2:9 - And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.

c. James and Judas wrote their respective epistles - James 1:1 - James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. - Jude 1:1 - Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called:

d. According to secular history, James was martyred for his faith

2. What changed them? The resurrection of Jesus from the dead!

a. Jesus appeared to James - 1 Corinthians 15:7 - After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.

b. The others may have seen Him on other occasions - cf. 1 Corinthians 15:6 - After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.

3. The significance of Jesus’ resurrection

a. Miracles can be faked

b. Rising from the dead cannot!

-- The resurrection shattered any blinders of familiarity, envy, preconceptions

B. A BLESSING FOR US TODAY...

1. It is understandable that one might find the gospel story incredible

a. A man born of a virgin?

b. A man who was the Son of God?

c. A man who supposedly...

1) Walked on water?

2) Calmed the seas?

3) Fed thousands with five loaves and two fish?

4) Healed the sick and lame, gave sight to the blind, raised the dead?

5) Was Himself raised from the dead?

2. Yet there is a good reason to believe the incredible story!

a. That is, the conversion of those like Jesus’ brothers

1) Who at first did not believe (for whatever reason)

2) Who were persuaded by overwhelming empirical evidence - cf. Acts 1:3 - To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: - Acts 10:39-41 - And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly; Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.

3) Who never recanted their testimony, despite hardship and persecution

b. What else can explain the transformation of Jesus’ brothers?

1) It was the same thing that transformed the disciples of Jesus!

2) “If the disciples were totally disappointed and on the verge of desperate flight because of the very real reason of the crucifixion, it took another very real reason in order to transform them from a band of disheartened and dejected Jews into the most self-confident missionary society in world history.” - Pinchas Lapide, former

Chairman of the Applied Linguistics Department at Israel's Bar-Iland University (TIME, May 7, 1979)

3) This Orthodox Jewish scholar concluded that a bodily resurrection could possibly have been that reason!

-- The conversion of His brothers and others who first doubted should strengthen our faith in Jesus!

CONCLUSION

1. The unbelief of Jesus’ brothers serves as a warning...

a. How easily one can be blinded by such things as familiarity, envy, and preconceptions

b. How carefully we must give others a fair hearing

2. The unbelief of Jesus’ brothers also serves as a blessing...

a. Their eventual conversion implies overwhelming evidence of Jesus’ resurrection

b. Since we believe in Jesus through the words of such men, the foundation of our faith is stronger

With the help of their own example, we can heed the exhortation given by one of Jesus’ brothers:

“But you, beloved, BUILDING YOURSELVES UP ON YOUR MOST HOLY FAITH, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” (Jude 20-21)

Prayer: Mark 16:16 - He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned - Lord I truly thank You for giving the opportunity to present these words to my brethrens. I pray that You will keep them in Your blessings and accept them into Your heart - this I pray in the name of Thy Son, Jesus, the Messiah, Your only begotten son which Ye sent to save mankind from themselves. Amen

This sermon is in the Public Domain - Free for all to use with the only requirement: That it never be used for profit.

Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen. - Ephesians 6:23-24