Hard Teachings

John6:60-68 'On hearing it, many of his disciples said, "This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?"
61Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, "Does this offend you? 62What if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! 63The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit[a] and they are life. 64Yet there are some of you who do not believe." For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him. 65He went on to say, "This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled him."

66From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.

67"You do not want to leave too, do you?" Jesus asked the Twelve.

68Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.'



I believe this was a defining moment in Jesus' ministry.The bible records for us that on that day Jesus lost 60 disciples(could have been more).What happened?Well,in the previous passage,Jesus taught his disciples a rather hard teaching,and many of them found it very difficult to accept.Hence,they left,except the twelve whom Jesus had personally appointed.Why did Jesus preach a hard to accept teaching when he knew many of his disciples would later desert him?Surely he knew that they were going to leave once he had finished preaching!Surely he knew!But why did Jesus still choose to preach it?Let us find out.Jesus knew he would lose his disciples,but Jesus also knew discipleship is not a numbers game.That is the trap many of us fall into.We think christianity is a numbers game!But Jesus proves it is not.I believe Jesus wanted his disciples' faith not to be built on just nice-to-hear teachings,he wanted his diciples to build their faith on hard-to-accept messages as well.
Today in the world many churches are found guilty of playing the numbers game.They are afraid of teaching hard messages for fear of losing their members.They preach messages that are attractive to the earthly nature,look at their attendances and then grin at the incresing numbers.But is that what God wants?No,definitely not!Yes,God wants us to get more people saved,but that does nto mean compromising on the messages!Because if we are going to build our faith on just 'attractive' messages,our faith is going to collapse when the enemy attacks,because we have been accustomed to accepting 'attractive' messages that do not shake our faith,that does not build up our faith in fear and trambling.
The man who builds his house on sand is not going to have a house once the waves come.Sand is fine and comfortable to build on,but it cannot be the foundation of the house.The man who builds his house on coarse rock would not be afraid of the waves,because his house would not collapse.Rock is hard and uncomfortable to build on,but it is the most suitable foundation on which to build a house.
While building up the numbers is important,building up the spirit is even more so.God is not looking at our numbers,God is looking at our spirits.
This is not just for the people who are teaching.This meassage is also for all of you out there who have been called to encourage and rebuke each other in love.I know for many of us it is relatively easy to give encouragement,but when it comes to rebuking we tend to shrink away a little bit,for fear of how it may affect the other person.But friends today stop being afraid of rebuking,because if you want your friend to grow,there are some necessary times when you have to rebuke the other person in love.I know there are a lot of you who may find this difficult to do,because you love your friends too much to point out their flaws and tell them their mistakes.And I want to encourage you to step up and when it is necessary,rebuke your friends,with love.Because if you want your friends to grow,not just in numbers,you have to point them the right direction.Initially your friends may take it offensively and may steer clear of you for a while,but when they begin to see that you mean well,i tell you,not only will they come back to you,more will follow,because they will see that you are a true friend who is there for them,to encourage and to correct them.But you,as well,must stay teachable and allow others to correct you as well.
Friends we must always remember that we are not in a numbers game.Never in the Word of God is it recorded that it is a numbers game.

While the 60 disciples or so left,twelve remained.And Simon summed it up perfectly.
v68-69 '8Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God." ' The twelve disciples' faith stood strong when the others failed to do so.It may be hard teaching but it is words of eternal life.

Preachers never be afraid of teaching hard messages.
Friends never be afraid to rebuke when it is necessary.



Here I am, Oh God
I bring this sacrifice--my open heart.
I offer up my life.
I look to You, Lord
Your love that never ends
Restores me again

So I lift my eyes to you, Lord
In Your strength will I break through, Lord
Touch me now, let your love fall down on me
And I will be complete in You.

Here I am, Oh God
I bring this sacrifice--my open heart.
I offer up my life.
I look to You, Lord.
Your love that never ends
Restores me again

So I lift my eyes to you Lord
And by faith, I will walk on, Lord
Then I'll see beyond my calvary one day,
And I will be complete in..

I look to You, Lord
Your love that never ends
Restores me again

So I lift my eyes to you Lord
In your strength will I break through Lord
Touch me now, let your love fall down on me
I know your love dispels all my fears.

Through the storm I will hold on Lord
And I pray I will hold on, Lord
Then I'll see beyond my calvary one day
And I will be complete in
I will be complete in
I will be complete in You