Feeding the Lambs - This We Believe
"For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but to do the will of Him who sent Me.
This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but that I [give new life and] raise it up at the last day.For this is My Father’s will and purpose, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him [as Savior] will have eternal life, and I will raise him up [from the dead] on the last day.”
-Jesus of Nazareth, 1st century
John 6:38-40
[6th message of the New Believer Series]
In the first century, multitudes of people -- thousands, came from in and around the Galilean, Samarian and Judean countryside to listen to Jesus of Nazareth speak about the Kingdom of God.
For about three years, He gave many compelling speeches, told story after story and shared words of wisdoms that His fame grew day by day and He attracted more and more listeners and followers.
In the middle of this (feeding) frenzy came the great falling away. This happened after Jesus delivered a teaching that was both hard to accept and hard to understand.
People Questioned Him
This is the same picture throughout the centuries, and up until today.
Aside from those who have yet to hear about Him and those who have, but have rejected Jesus of Nazareth, the rest were divided into those who will show interest in what Jesus had to say and those who will actually be believers of Jesus Christ.
Viral
This is the same picture throughout the centuries, and up until today.
Aside from those who have yet to hear about Him and those who have, but have rejected Jesus of Nazareth, the rest were divided into those who will show interest in what Jesus had to say and those who will actually be believers of Jesus Christ.
Viral
In the time of Jesus, there were those who followed Him around or went to the synagogues when He was there speaking. Because He was trending. He was the hot topic and the talk of the town. There were those who wanted Him to heal them or their loved ones, there were those who were intrigued by Him and those who wanted to see the "miracles" first hand.
And then there were those who were there because they have heard Him speak and have accepted His words.
And then there were those who were there because they have heard Him speak and have accepted His words.
Many Left Him
After the first type of listeners have left, Jesus asked those who chose to remain if they were going to leave Him as well. Simon (Peter) answered for the group who didn't leave. He essentially said that Jesus is their Lord, He is the Holy One, the Anointed One, the Messiah and there is no one else that they can go to, His words give eternal life. And they believe Him.
This still holds true today.
[Of course, there are those who have yet to hear what Christianity is all about]
Types of "Believers"
After the first type of listeners have left, Jesus asked those who chose to remain if they were going to leave Him as well. Simon (Peter) answered for the group who didn't leave. He essentially said that Jesus is their Lord, He is the Holy One, the Anointed One, the Messiah and there is no one else that they can go to, His words give eternal life. And they believe Him.
This still holds true today.
[Of course, there are those who have yet to hear what Christianity is all about]
Types of "Believers"
There are those who call themselves Christian but may not know what that term really means. Those
who call themselves "followers" of Christ but as soon as the going gets tough, as soon as they were put under pressure, as soon as they were put on notice to choose between Christ and something else, then the "heat" just proves to be too much. This showed that they were not "believers" (as yet) when they turn their backs and walked away.
who call themselves "followers" of Christ but as soon as the going gets tough, as soon as they were put under pressure, as soon as they were put on notice to choose between Christ and something else, then the "heat" just proves to be too much. This showed that they were not "believers" (as yet) when they turn their backs and walked away.
And there are those who stayed with their feet firmly planted on the Rock of their salvation, yes even when the going got tough.
And this they believe:
1. Jesus came down from heaven.
2. Jesus came not to do His own will, but to do the will of Our Father in heaven.
3. Jesus came so that He will lose none of those the Father has given Him, to give them new life and to raise them up at the last day.
4. Jesus came so as to whomever sees and believes in Him will have eternal life.
5. And Jesus came to give us the freedom to believe in Him or not.
John 6:35-37
"Jesus replied to them, “I am the Bread of Life. The one who comes to Me will never be hungry, and the one who believes in Me [as Savior] will never be thirsty [for that one will be sustained spiritually].
But as I told you, you have seen Me and still you do not believe.
All that My Father gives Me will come to Me; and the one who comes to Me I will most certainly not cast out [I will never, never reject anyone who follows Me]."
And this they believe:
1. Jesus came down from heaven.
2. Jesus came not to do His own will, but to do the will of Our Father in heaven.
3. Jesus came so that He will lose none of those the Father has given Him, to give them new life and to raise them up at the last day.
4. Jesus came so as to whomever sees and believes in Him will have eternal life.
5. And Jesus came to give us the freedom to believe in Him or not.
A first century place of worship unearthed in the area where Jesus started His earthly ministry
and where most of His first followers came from (Source: Smithsonian Magazine)
John 6:35-37
"Jesus replied to them, “I am the Bread of Life. The one who comes to Me will never be hungry, and the one who believes in Me [as Savior] will never be thirsty [for that one will be sustained spiritually].
But as I told you, you have seen Me and still you do not believe.
All that My Father gives Me will come to Me; and the one who comes to Me I will most certainly not cast out [I will never, never reject anyone who follows Me]."
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