To Whom Shall We Go? (John 6:60-71)

Summary

In this video, Pastor Luke shares his recovery from COVID-19 and expresses gratitude for prayers. He discusses the mission of making disciples and preaching the gospel, inviting newcomers to engage with the church through 'Start Here' and 'Rooted' classes. Reflecting on the Gospel of John, Luke emphasizes Jesus' challenging teachings that led many disciples to turn away, but also led to his own conversion. He encourages viewers to fully commit to Jesus as the only source of eternal life, highlighting the transformative power of genuine faith.

Takeaways

• 📖 The speaker, Luke, one of the pastors and part of the preaching team, shared his recovery from COVID-19 and expressed gratitude for the prayers and support from the congregation.
• 🙏 Luke emphasized the importance of prayer and community support during challenging times, highlighting the collective concern for his health and the well-being of his family.
• 🌱 He expressed excitement for the year ahead, focusing on the mission of making disciples, preaching the gospel, and being loving neighbors, anticipating God's work through the church's organized and organic ministry.
• 🏫 For newcomers interested in getting involved with the church, Luke recommended 'Start Here' as a first step and 'Rooted' for those wanting to serve and connect more deeply with the community.
• 🎉 The church celebrated its 10th anniversary, noting the formation of a multi-congregational entity called Redemption Church two years after its inception.
• 📈 The launch of the 10th congregation at Redemption North Mountain was mentioned, with Luke reflecting on the smooth start and the congregation's prayerful support for him.
• 📖 The sermon focused on John 6:60, where many disciples found Jesus' teachings hard to accept, leading to a deeper discussion on why Jesus can be challenging to follow.
• 🚫 Jesus rejected the political hopes of his followers, emphasizing that his kingdom is not of this world, and that he should not be used for political agendas.
• 🍞 Jesus wanted to meet more than just the physical needs of his followers, using the feeding of the multitudes as a metaphor for spiritual nourishment and the true bread from heaven.
• 🙏 Jesus claimed to be more than the religious understanding of his time, challenging the reliance on Moses and the law, and offering himself as the bread of life.
• ✝️ The sermon concluded with the message that Jesus is the only hope for eternal life, inviting listeners to surrender completely to him, regardless of the circumstances.

Q & A

What was the main reason for Luke's absence after Christmas?

Luke was absent because he tested positive for COVID-19 and was in recovery.

How did Luke describe his experience with COVID-19?

Luke described his experience as about 12 days of body aches and a low-grade fever, which was not fun but he has fully recovered.

What is the significance of the 'Start Here' program mentioned by Luke?

The 'Start Here' program is a recommended first step for newcomers to understand what the church is about.

What is the purpose of the 'Rooted' class according to Luke?

The 'Rooted' class is designed to help individuals think through what it looks like to put down roots in the church, connect in community, and be in relationship.

Why did Luke mention Matthew Brazelton's reflection on political hopes and Jesus?

Luke shared Matthew's reflection to emphasize that Jesus rejects being used for political agendas and that Christians should live a counter-cultural life focused on love and self-sacrifice.

What was the main theme of Luke's sermon on John chapter 6?

The main theme was that Jesus is hard to follow but He is our only hope, highlighting that Jesus challenges our political hopes, physical needs, religious understanding, and calls for total commitment.

What did Luke mean when he said Jesus 'rejects their political hopes'?

Luke explained that Jesus does not support the use of His name or teachings for political power or agendas, emphasizing that His kingdom is not of this world.

How did Luke describe the reaction of the disciples to Jesus' teachings in John chapter 6?

Luke described the disciples as being offended by Jesus' teachings, with many finding His words harsh and ultimately deciding to no longer follow Him.

What is the 'Bread of Life' discourse in the context of Luke's sermon?

The 'Bread of Life' discourse refers to Jesus' claim to be the source of eternal life, emphasizing that those who believe in Him will never hunger or thirst spiritually.

What did Luke mean when he said 'Jesus seems too extreme'?

Luke was referring to the offensive nature of Jesus' teachings, such as the metaphor of eating His flesh and drinking His blood, which signifies total reliance on Jesus for spiritual sustenance.

What was the turning point for Luke in his personal faith journey?

The turning point for Luke was when a friend challenged him about being a hypocrite and using Jesus for his own image, leading Luke to a period of deep reflection and ultimately a genuine commitment to Christ.