May 7, 2024 • 10 mins
Ever found yourself questioning the comfort of your faith when confronted with the challenging teachings of Jesus? This week, we're navigating the choppy waters of John chapter 6, where many of Jesus' followers find His words too tough to take and turn away—leaving us to ponder our own reactions to the Gospel's rigorous demands. Pastor Nick, fresh off a bout with kidney stones and a heart-to-heart on Kevin's Holdfast podcast about the trials of biblical marriage, steers us back to a conversation about spiritual resilience. We're talking about that marathon runner's fortitude, folks—the kind that sees you through to the last grueling mile, not just of a foot race, but of a faith journey.
With Peter's unwavering declaration as our anchor, we're setting our sights on what it means to have an unshakeable commitment in the face of divine truth that rattles our comfort zones. Are you ready to confront the aspects of your spiritual life that might be a little too cozy with the world, and less in tune with God's word? This heart-to-heart isn't just a reflection; it's a call to examine the depth of our discipleship and what it truly means to live out the teachings of Christ. So buckle up, and let's get ready for an episode that promises to strengthen your spiritual tenacity and possibly transform the way you engage with your faith.
Hold Fast with Pastor Kenny Roberts
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hey, podcast world pastor Nick here.
If you're looking for a podcastfrom me last week, sorry, I did
not drop one.
Was dealing with some healthissues, some kidney stones, not
fun?
So I did not drop one here, butI actually was a guest on my
friend's podcast.
His podcast is called Holdfast.
H o l d f a s t.
I'll try and drop a link tothat in the show notes if I can
figure that out.
(00:20):
But, Kevin, I spent about fortyminutes talking about marriage
and biblical marriage and whatthat looks like and how to have
a successful one and why we'reseeing so many marriages fall
apart.
If you did not go and listen tothat, I would encourage you to
jump on there.
But in today's episode, we'reexploring John chapter six.
The last part of that chapter,a passage that honestly
(00:42):
challenges us to grapple withcommitment, perseverance, and
the true cost.
Of discipleship.
Now for a moment, I want you topicture a marathon runner
approaching the final stretch ofthe race.
I don't know if you've ever runa race.
A couple years ago, I got intorunning.
I don't run right now, but backthen I was doing five k's, ten
(01:03):
k's, and finally had workedmyself up to half marathons.
And part of the fun of it was Iwas running a lot of Disney
races and they just make theraces a lot of fun.
It's a lot of excitement andenergy, and there's just so much
to see as you're runningthrough the parks.
But as you're getting towardsthe end of a race, the physical
(01:25):
and mental exhaustion begins toset in.
And each step can sometimes bea grueling test of determination
.
And the truth is manycompetitors drop out before
reaching the finish line and afew push through, driven by the
goal of crossing that finalthreshold.
So the kind of question is,what drives their perseverance
(01:49):
when the journey becomesdifficult?
For me, as I was running Iwould have to start setting
micro goals as usually the tenmile mark was a big barrier for
me.
Once I hit ten miles, thoselast three miles whatever reason
, whether it was mental orphysical or a little bit of both
, were hard to push through.
And so instead of saying I hadthree more miles left because
(02:11):
that sounded like an eternity.
I would set goals.
I would look ahead and see thenext sign or the next park or
whatever it was and I would setthat as my next goal, hey, I I
can make it to there.
And so as we talk about Johnchapter six today.
I I want you to frame that inyour mind a little bit.
What drives you to perseverewhen the journey that you're on
(02:33):
becomes difficult?
What keeps you committed toyour fate even when the path is
full of challenges?
The in John chapter six, thelast part of that chapter, we
encounter a pivotal moment inJesus' ministry.
He's just finished declaringhimself the bread of life urging
his disciples to eat his fleshand drink his blood.
(02:56):
And honestly, it's a difficultteaching for many to comprehend.
And as a result, many followersturned away, unable to accept
these challenging words.
And Jesus then turns to thetwelve, the the disciples that
he had handpicked asking if theytoo were going to leave.
And Peter responds with aprofound affirmation.
(03:19):
He says, Lord, to whom shall wego, you have the words of
eternal life.
The first thing I want us toconsider is the commitment
amongst difficult teachings.
When many of his disciplesheard it, this is what they said
.
This is John chapter six versesixty.
They said this is a hard saying.
Who can even listen to this?
(03:40):
And Jesus' teachings oftenchallenge our preconceived
beliefs and expectations.
The true test of discipleshipis whether we can remain
committed even when theteachings challenge our comfort
zones.
And in culture today is culturepushes further and further away
from the gospel.
And we immerse ourselves morein culture than we do in the
(04:03):
gospel Our comfort zone findsourselves more in the world than
in God.
And then all of a sudden, wecome across a passage or a
sermon or reading scriptures andwe see something that begins to
to mess with that comfort zone.
And so here's a question foryou.
What aspects of Jesus'teachings Have you found
(04:24):
challenging?
And when you found themchallenging, how do you respond
when God's word disrupts yourpersonal expectations or even
your personal lifestyle.
Consider Matthew chaptersixteen verses twenty four and
twenty five where Jesus calls usto take up our crosses daily
even when it requires selfdenial.
(04:45):
If anyone would come after forme, he said, let him deny
himself and take up his crossand follow me.
The second thing I want you toconsider today is the challenge
of perseverance.
Inverting sixty six of John six, after this, many of his
disciples turned back and nolonger walked with him.
(05:05):
Now, this isn't talking aboutthe twelve.
A disciple in that day wasconsidered anyone who was
following a teacher doesn't meanthat they believed in Jesus yet
.
It didn't mean that theyunderstood him to be the savior.
They just were following him tolearn from him.
And so the Scriptures say thatthey turned back after hearing
this about the the the body andthe blood and the bread of life
(05:29):
and disciples couldn't perseverewhen Jesus' teachings grew
difficult.
Their leaving demonstrates thatperseverance requires a deep
rooted conviction that transsends our circumstances.
So when the road becomes rough,what practices or support
systems help keep you rooted inChrist.
(05:50):
If you don't know the answer tothat, I would encourage you to
pause this podcast right now.
And think about that.
What is it?
That you've put in your supportsystem, the practices that you
have to help keep you rooted inChrist.
Charles Virgin once said thatby perseverance, The snail
reached the ark.
This illustrates that even slowprogress can lead us toward
(06:13):
divine promises if we remain.
Determined.
Make sure you have your supportsystem solidly rooted in Christ
.
The third thing I want you toconsider today is is true belief
in betrayal.
And and so let me explain that.
Jesus asked the twelve if theyalso want a relief.
(06:34):
And Peter's reply wasincredible.
He said, Lord, to whom shall wego?
You have the words of eternallife.
That's chapter six verse sixtyeight.
And he reveals this unwaveringfaith, despite not fully
understanding all of Jesus'teachings.
However, Jesus acknowledgesthat one of them will betray him
(06:55):
.
True faith is not deterred bychallenges but remains rooted in
Christ's eternal promise evenwhen the road is uncertain.
Then James one chapter orchapter one verse twelve, we're
reminded of the reward thatawaits those who persevere in
faith.
It says blessed is the man whoremains steadfast under trial.
(07:19):
For when he has stood the test,he will receive the crown of
life which God has promised tothose who love him.
So as you think about thispassage today, Let's ask
ourselves some questions.
Are you ready to accept allthat Jesus' teaches even when
it's uncomfortable?
Newy cling to him trusting thathe alone has the words of
(07:45):
eternal life.
I wanna challenge you toremember Peter's unwavering
conviction and hold fast to ourfaith in Christ.
You gotta remember Peter washearing the same thing that all
the other people in the crowdwere hearing that day about the
the bread of life, about eatingof the flesh and drinking of the
blood.
I promise you there weremoments east still didn't
(08:06):
understand, but he had spentenough time with Jesus to know
who Jesus was.
Have you spent enough time withJesus to know who Jesus is?
The challenges of discipleshipare real, but the reward is
incomparable.
Remember Jesus promised in Johnchapter sixteen in the world,
(08:27):
you will have tribulation.
But take heart.
I have overcome the world.
Thank you so much for joiningus today until we meet again,
may you remain rooted in faithtrusting in Christ promises no
matter what lies ahead.
Hey, podcast world pastor Nick here.
If you're looking for a podcastfrom me last week, sorry, I did
not drop one.
Was dealing with some healthissues, some kidney stones, not
fun?
So I did not drop one here, butI actually was a guest on my
friend's podcast.
His podcast is called Holdfast.
H o l d f a s t.
I'll try and drop a link tothat in the show notes if I can
figure that out.
(00:20):
But, Kevin, I spent about fortyminutes talking about marriage
and biblical marriage and whatthat looks like and how to have
a successful one and why we'reseeing so many marriages fall
apart.
If you did not go and listen tothat, I would encourage you to
jump on there.
But in today's episode, we'reexploring John chapter six.
The last part of that chapter,a passage that honestly
(00:42):
challenges us to grapple withcommitment, perseverance, and
the true cost.
Of discipleship.
Now for a moment, I want you topicture a marathon runner
approaching the final stretch ofthe race.
I don't know if you've ever runa race.
A couple years ago, I got intorunning.
I don't run right now, but backthen I was doing five k's, ten
(01:03):
k's, and finally had workedmyself up to half marathons.
And part of the fun of it was Iwas running a lot of Disney
races and they just make theraces a lot of fun.
It's a lot of excitement andenergy, and there's just so much
to see as you're runningthrough the parks.
But as you're getting towardsthe end of a race, the physical
(01:25):
and mental exhaustion begins toset in.
And each step can sometimes bea grueling test of determination
.
And the truth is manycompetitors drop out before
reaching the finish line and afew push through, driven by the
goal of crossing that finalthreshold.
So the kind of question is,what drives their perseverance
(01:49):
when the journey becomesdifficult?
For me, as I was running Iwould have to start setting
micro goals as usually the tenmile mark was a big barrier for
me.
Once I hit ten miles, thoselast three miles whatever reason
, whether it was mental orphysical or a little bit of both
, were hard to push through.
And so instead of saying I hadthree more miles left because
(02:11):
that sounded like an eternity.
I would set goals.
I would look ahead and see thenext sign or the next park or
whatever it was and I would setthat as my next goal, hey, I I
can make it to there.
And so as we talk about Johnchapter six today.
I I want you to frame that inyour mind a little bit.
What drives you to perseverewhen the journey that you're on
(02:33):
becomes difficult?
What keeps you committed toyour fate even when the path is
full of challenges?
The in John chapter six, thelast part of that chapter, we
encounter a pivotal moment inJesus' ministry.
He's just finished declaringhimself the bread of life urging
his disciples to eat his fleshand drink his blood.
(02:56):
And honestly, it's a difficultteaching for many to comprehend.
And as a result, many followersturned away, unable to accept
these challenging words.
And Jesus then turns to thetwelve, the the disciples that
he had handpicked asking if theytoo were going to leave.
And Peter responds with aprofound affirmation.
(03:19):
He says, Lord, to whom shall wego, you have the words of
eternal life.
The first thing I want us toconsider is the commitment
amongst difficult teachings.
When many of his disciplesheard it, this is what they said
.
This is John chapter six versesixty.
They said this is a hard saying.
Who can even listen to this?
(03:40):
And Jesus' teachings oftenchallenge our preconceived
beliefs and expectations.
The true test of discipleshipis whether we can remain
committed even when theteachings challenge our comfort
zones.
And in culture today is culturepushes further and further away
from the gospel.
And we immerse ourselves morein culture than we do in the
(04:03):
gospel Our comfort zone findsourselves more in the world than
in God.
And then all of a sudden, wecome across a passage or a
sermon or reading scriptures andwe see something that begins to
to mess with that comfort zone.
And so here's a question foryou.
What aspects of Jesus'teachings Have you found
(04:24):
challenging?
And when you found themchallenging, how do you respond
when God's word disrupts yourpersonal expectations or even
your personal lifestyle.
Consider Matthew chaptersixteen verses twenty four and
twenty five where Jesus calls usto take up our crosses daily
even when it requires selfdenial.
(04:45):
If anyone would come after forme, he said, let him deny
himself and take up his crossand follow me.
The second thing I want you toconsider today is the challenge
of perseverance.
Inverting sixty six of John six, after this, many of his
disciples turned back and nolonger walked with him.
(05:05):
Now, this isn't talking aboutthe twelve.
A disciple in that day wasconsidered anyone who was
following a teacher doesn't meanthat they believed in Jesus yet
.
It didn't mean that theyunderstood him to be the savior.
They just were following him tolearn from him.
And so the Scriptures say thatthey turned back after hearing
this about the the the body andthe blood and the bread of life
(05:29):
and disciples couldn't perseverewhen Jesus' teachings grew
difficult.
Their leaving demonstrates thatperseverance requires a deep
rooted conviction that transsends our circumstances.
So when the road becomes rough,what practices or support
systems help keep you rooted inChrist.
(05:50):
If you don't know the answer tothat, I would encourage you to
pause this podcast right now.
And think about that.
What is it?
That you've put in your supportsystem, the practices that you
have to help keep you rooted inChrist.
Charles Virgin once said thatby perseverance, The snail
reached the ark.
This illustrates that even slowprogress can lead us toward
(06:13):
divine promises if we remain.
Determined.
Make sure you have your supportsystem solidly rooted in Christ
.
The third thing I want you toconsider today is is true belief
in betrayal.
And and so let me explain that.
Jesus asked the twelve if theyalso want a relief.
(06:34):
And Peter's reply wasincredible.
He said, Lord, to whom shall wego?
You have the words of eternallife.
That's chapter six verse sixtyeight.
And he reveals this unwaveringfaith, despite not fully
understanding all of Jesus'teachings.
However, Jesus acknowledgesthat one of them will betray him
(06:55):
.
True faith is not deterred bychallenges but remains rooted in
Christ's eternal promise evenwhen the road is uncertain.
Then James one chapter orchapter one verse twelve, we're
reminded of the reward thatawaits those who persevere in
faith.
It says blessed is the man whoremains steadfast under trial.
(07:19):
For when he has stood the test,he will receive the crown of
life which God has promised tothose who love him.
So as you think about thispassage today, Let's ask
ourselves some questions.
Are you ready to accept allthat Jesus' teaches even when
it's uncomfortable?
Newy cling to him trusting thathe alone has the words of
(07:45):
eternal life.
I wanna challenge you toremember Peter's unwavering
conviction and hold fast to ourfaith in Christ.
You gotta remember Peter washearing the same thing that all
the other people in the crowdwere hearing that day about the
the bread of life, about eatingof the flesh and drinking of the
blood.
I promise you there weremoments east still didn't
(08:06):
understand, but he had spentenough time with Jesus to know
who Jesus was.
Have you spent enough time withJesus to know who Jesus is?
The challenges of discipleshipare real, but the reward is
incomparable.
Remember Jesus promised in Johnchapter sixteen in the world,
(08:27):
you will have tribulation.
But take heart.
I have overcome the world.
Thank you so much for joiningus today until we meet again,
may you remain rooted in faithtrusting in Christ promises no
matter what lies ahead.
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