Sullivan church of Christ – Sullivan, MO
Date: October 14, 2007
FOLLOWING CHRIST FOR THE WRONG REASONS
Nathan Brewer
Are there any circumstances in which Jesus will turn away people who try to
follow Him? Your initial reaction is probably "no," but you might be surprised at
what the Bible reveals. Let's see what the New Testament has to say on this
subject. On at least two occasions, Jesus miraculously fed thousands of people.
One of these instances is recorded in John 6. A great multitude sees Jesus
perform miracles on sick people, and they follow Him across the Sea of Galilee in
northern Palestine. Jesus takes five small loaves of bread and two fishes and
instantly multiplies them to feed everyone. Verse 15 says that the crowd was so
excited by what He did, they tried to take him by force to make Him their king.
So Jesus goes off to be by Himself. The next day, the crowd figures out where
Jesus has gone and they track Him down. But they don't care about His message
of salvation. Jesus tells them in verse 27 that He knows they are only following
Him because he fed them the day before. They're only interested in filling their
bellies. Jesus goes on to explain that He is the bread of life, and He compares
His teaching to food. He sums up His message in verse 58 by telling them that
if they partake of His message, they will be satisfied spiritually and they will live
forever.
These people were only interested in the physical goods that they thought Jesus
could give them. What Jesus taught held little interest for their carnal minds.
The words of Christ are spiritual, and they are aimed at our spirit — not our
flesh. That is why Jesus tells this group in John 6:63 that the flesh profits
nothing, but the words He speaks are spirit and life. The people are only
concerned with their flesh, but Jesus wants them to care about their souls.
When the hungry seekers realize they won't get more food from Jesus, they
leave. Verse 66 says, "From that time many of his disciples went back, and
walked no more with him."
Jesus didn't tell these people to leave, but He told them things that He knew
they didn't want to hear. And when they left, He let them go. He didn't chase
after them and promise to give them anything they wanted as long as they stayed
with Him. They followed Jesus only to satisfy their carnal desires, and Jesus
told them to worry about their souls and refused to give them what they wanted.
Lots of churches today offer special groups for all ages for the purpose of
recreation and socializing. We hear about all the fun that is being had and all
the activities that are available. We hear about how wonderful everyone is and
how everyone is welcomed to come as they are. But Jesus didn't take these
would-be followers just as they were. Jesus told them to get their priorities
straight and to worry about their spiritual welfare instead of what He could do for
their flesh. When they didn't like His message, they left. And Jesus let them go.
Paul says in Galatians 6:8, that if we sow to the flesh we will reap corruption.
But if we sow to the spirit, we will reap eternal life. That's the same choice
displayed in John 6. One group tries to follow Jesus for fleshly reasons, but
they leave when Jesus quits handing out bread. Jesus turns to the disciples
that are still there and asks if they will go away too. In verse 68, Peter answers
for the spiritually minded followers of Christ: "Lord, to whom shall we go?
Thou hast the words of eternal life." Peter got it. Jesus didn't come to make
life easier or relieve suffering. He came to save man from sin so we could live
forever. That is what His mission and His message were all about.
Unfortunately, carnal minds today still try to follow Jesus for what He can do for
them physically and emotionally. People want recreational activities rather than
Bible study. And the little bit of teaching they will stomach has to be so watered
down that it winds up teaching nothing and demanding nothing. This is a big
contrast to what Jesus taught and what He demanded of His followers. The
religion of Jesus doesn't cater to man's physical desires — it addresses man's
spiritual needs. Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount, "Blessed are they
which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled."
— via “Gospel Preceptor,” www.gospelpreceptor.com
“DIVISIONS MUST COME”
David Lipscomb
Division in the churches is painful. It wrings the heart with anguish. But God
asked, "Can two walk together except they be agreed?" (Amos 3:3). This is a
strong declaration that they cannot. It is true as applied to both God and man.
Can you walk with God unless you agree with Him? He claims to be the Lord, the
only Ruler of the universe. Can you walk with Him while you insist on making
laws and changing His order? It also applied to man. Can two walk together when
one insists on going another way?
Often, those we love must force us to the choice as to whether we will cling to
God or go with them. If we love God better than we love them, we will cling to
God and His ways. If division must come, let it come along the lines of love and
loyalty to God. If we separate from others and do not walk with God, another
separation must come. Separation after separation must come until the lines of
cleavage run with the line of loyalty to God. Until division along this line is
reached, divisions must continue and multiply. As soon as, and not until,
divisions along this line is reached, the union with God and those true to Him
will be permanent.
God is directing these things and does all things well. All we have to do is to
stand true and firm to God and His word all along the line, and leave results
with Him. We can do nothing else. We are poor and foolish and weak; God is
wise and strong. Our only hope is to walk with and be true to God in all things.
"For there must be also heresies (divisions) among you, that they which
are approved may be made manifest among you" (1 Corinthians 11:19).
Divisions must come until we are all willing to be led by God.
— via “Gospel Preceptor” www.gospelpreceptor.com