Follow Jesus

(upbeat music) - Hi everyone, welcome back to our online youth service. This is Coach Nikki and we are on the second week of our series F to F. And in this series, we are actually talking about discipleship. In fact, last week when we started it specifically, we are sharing to all of us here what relational discipleship is. Last week we look at this. Nasi God, Nismo, God of worship is actually what a relational God, especially at the work in the Trinity, your relationships, the merits, the Lord, between Trinity, one God in tree, this thing, divine persons, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Last week, we also showed a very short clip video about what discipleship is. And we know that last week that discipleship is about following Jesus, fishing for men or for lost people, and fellowshiping with believers. And for tonight, I'm so excited about this because we're gonna focus on what it really means to follow Jesus. Anubang itshurani to sabuhayinatin in our day-to-day life, or even the question, what would change in the way we live our lives now that we have received Jesus Christ as our Lord and our Savior. Tonight we're gonna read from John chapter six, and I wanna start from verse 53. Sabedito. Jesus said to them, truly, truly I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of men and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life. And I will raise him up on the last day, verse 55. For my flesh says Jesus Christ is true food. And my blood is true drink. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me and I in him. As the living father sent me and I live because of the father, so whoever feeds on me, he also will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like the bread the father's ate and died. Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever. Jesus said these things in the synagogue as he thought at Capernaum. Let's pray. Heavenly Father, thank you for your word for us. I pray God that you bless the preaching of your word. Speak to us, Lord. I pray that you would anoint my lips, Lord God, as I preach your word in Jesus' name, I pray. Amen and amen. So we read from John, chapter six. And I wanna give a bit of context or background, especially to chapter, when you try to read John, chapter six, it's very lengthy. Mahabayung verses, Mahabayung chapter, in itself. But it's very important for us to know the context. And you need to read during the time. In fact, when you try to read as a previous verses, in the first verses, you will see there the miracle that Jesus Christ did when he fed the five thousand with what? With just five barley loaves and two fish. I think Marami sat in this. We are familiar with that miracle. And if you have joined us with the series about miracles, we actually talk about this thing. And so, could you just imagine during the time, there were a lot of people who were already following Jesus because they were able to witness. You know, the miracles that he did, Jesus Christ, his name has been getting popular in different places to the Jews and even to the Gentiles. And so, imagine during this time the miracle, they were all able to eat, they were filled, they were satisfied, they have witness a miracle with their own eyes. And so, when you come to see, the people who followed Jesus Christ wherever they go, wherever he goes. And now, the verses that we are familiar with this time, Jesus Christ was teaching about him being the bread of life. How many of you here? You have heard that term already and question for all of us is this. Or maybe for some of you, you know, of the first time when you were being the bread of life. Jesus Christ when he said that. You know what? Because the people during the time, or even the disciples, that was their question as well. They were actually puzzled, they were actually wondering and they were saying Jesus Christ. Let's see, even to the point in verse 60, they even said, this is a hard saying. This is actually a hard teaching who can listen to it. Maybe there will be people who might not accept it says in other versions of the Bible. So, Ziladini's, but when they heard that, they were actually wondering or puzzled about what Jesus Christ spent when he said that he is the bread of life. But when you come to think of it, Jesus actually used very common words that and the link in the hand, like the word feed, the word bread, the word e. It was actually words that are easy to understand. In fact, see Jesus Christ's path, not mention Pasha, okay? Because during the time again, Malaamidon are Jews and they know their history. He even mentioned about the story of Moses, okay? How God provided for Moses and the Israelites when they were in the wilderness, the Ta'ugsa Paggah in Abinigayni Lord, Sakanila is called Manah, okay? And so, it was actually a great story how God provided and how God sustained them. And so, in short, those who saw Jesus Christ to the people during the time is something that they could actually hopefully recognize and understand. But again, we started to think they were actually arguing. This is a hard teaching. Who can listen to it? Many might not accept it. No, they were grumbling. They were asking themselves. The question was, what do we say to Jesus? Guys, why do we say that? Why do we say that? Why do we say Jesus Christ literally? Sabi Padun, they have to drink the blood of Jesus Christ. You know, what they missed is this. It was hard for them to accept and understand what Jesus Christ was teaching that he is the bread of life. Why? Because they were so focused on earthly things, okay? I know that exposed the hearts of the Ta'ugsa, they are so focused with what's only happening with what they can see. With their day to day life, where in fact, Jesus Christ was already talking about eternal things or to be specific, Jesus Christ was already talking about eternal life. The people were so concerned about the physical, the temporary things in this world. Can you not perceive or receive and accept the tinnitus of Jesus Christ during the time that he is the bread of life, that he is the way to the Father. They were so focused with the food that perishes, where in fact, Jesus Christ was already offering them the food that endures to eternal life, okay? We may assume that when we start, if we are talking about John chapter 6, that if we are talking about, it would be like the beginning of John chapter 6, we are talking about Jesus, even though he would go there, they would follow him, and they would listen even. And so it's actually like the beginning of the time, but then this happened in the latter part of John chapter 6. We thought that they were already following, but many of them are still doubting and not believing. Wow, Gravitano, despite everything that they have seen already, with what Jesus Christ has done, despite the things that they themselves have experienced already, when they were with Jesus, many of them were still grumbling, doubting and not believing. You see, we are talking about following Jesus. And from the story that we've read, from the scripture that we've read, we can see that to follow Jesus is to have faith in Him. It means that we will receive or we will receive just the things that we receive, or the tangible things, the blessings, that Jesus knows, that we forget that the most important thing is about following. Jesus Christ to have faith in Him. You know, sadly, many who were there during the time, who followed Him, who stayed even, no, sa ilalin ng arao, even for them, ilang aro sila don walaong food, they were there, no, because they saw the signs that Jesus Christ have done. They were filled, they have eaten, but not really because they have faith in Jesus Christ. That's sad, right? It's only because of what Jesus Christ could give them, or could offer to them kaya sila next day. Question, are we like this people as well? Are we only here because we are praying for something? Are we only here because God blessed your grades? It's been blessed in Lord you, your studies, that you will provide the Lord for you, because our family is just here because of the blessings. Or are we here because you really believe that Jesus Christ died for you? That Jesus Christ rose again to give us life? Are we here because we believe that He is truly our Lord and Savior? You know, many times we are also like those people during the time of Jesus Christ. These people are here because of Jesus Christ in John chapter 6. Nonetheless, there are many moments when we are so focused on what we have here in this world. We thought that money was the answer to all our problems, we thought that relationships, success will be the one to satisfy us. In fact, many times we are praying for Jesus Christ, many times we are so tired. Again, to follow Jesus is to have faith in Him, and to follow Jesus is to know and believe that He is life. What do I mean by this? It's not the blessings that will satisfy us. It's not the things of this world that will give us life. So the big subhan of following Jesus is to actually to know and believe that He is life. Money is not life, success is not life. Yes, we are praying for these things. Yes, we are believing with you guys that you are going to finish your school. Yes, we are believing with you guys that you are going to be successful, but I want to say this to all of us with full conviction. There is no way we can make it happen. The only person that can give us life. Not even the temporary life here on earth, but if the eternal life is only Jesus Christ, He is the only one that can satisfy us. Which means that we will not be afraid of this. We will be afraid of this. This would be the best plan. This would be the best dream that I could have. But guess what? Even without these things, as long as you have Jesus Christ, you already have life. To follow Jesus is to know and believe that He is life. That Jesus is the greatest desire of our hearts. Guys, guess what? As we live here on earth, again, I am not saying, "Now, we are going to have time." Let us not dream. Let us not want these things. But we always go back to the core of our values, of our lives, of our everything, of our being. Jesus Christ is the greatest desire of our hearts. Is it the honor of God? Is the honor of God the greatest desire or pursuit of our lives? Or the pursuit of our lives, and the things we have here on earth. See, verse 61, as we continue on reading sabiton, "Jesus, knowing in Himself," "Alamnya, nari rinig niya kita niya." Okay, that disciples were grumbling about this. He said to them, "Do you think offense at this?" Offended bahayo, sapinuru ko, sa teaching na to that I am the only one that can satisfy you, then what if you were to see the son of man ascending to where he was before? It is the spirit who gives life. Wow, I love this. It's the spirit who gives life. Okay, the flesh is no help at all. The words that I've spoken to you are spirit and life. But there are some of you who do not believe. Okay, we don't know. These are, again, powerful, heavy words. No, not binabang git ni, Jesus Christ. He knew that there are some of those who have been following Him even who stayed there, who were present there during the time. They were some of them who actually do not believe. For Jesus knew from the beginning who those who did not believe and who it was who would betray Him. He said, "This is why I told you, no one can come to me unless it is granted Him by the Father." You see, another truth about following Jesus is this. Truth about Jesus will offend us. Okay, so Tatoaala, if we would actually read the word of God and follow and study the life of Jesus Christ, there will be a lot of things that will offend us. Why? Number one is this. It will expose us. It will expose that we are actually sinners. It will expose that we are actually wicked. It will expose even our foolishness. I love this and this is so hard not to say we are foolish. Tatoa lang kala natin ang galing natin. Kala natin, alam natin lahat ng bagay. Akala natin, we are so in control of all these things. And then one day magigisinkan alang dipala. And then one day akala mo magig, akala mo sobrang ba it mo, akala mo nagawamulahat ng tam, akala mo perfecting life mo. And yet you will realize one day, whoa, I am also a sinner. I am also flawed, I am also wicked. Why does the truth of Jesus Christ offend us? Why? Because Tatoa lang ang pride natin. Sinu ba naman dito? Isong makasap na, oong ano kailang ko rin ng tulong, oong ano. Indi ko to kaya on my own. It's offensive because we will look weak, we will look helpless, we will find out that we are not in control. But here's the good news about Jesus Christ. Yes, it will offend us, but it's not out of condemnation. Let me repeat this. Yes, the truth of the word of God. And the truth about the life, death and the resurrection of Jesus will offend us. But it's never out of condemnation, but it's out of his love for us. To tell us that we cannot live this life alone. That we cannot save our own selves. We will be able to save our own selves, we will be able to save our own selves. We will be able to save our own selves. And yet the Lord is reaching out to us. You know, sadly, the result of this, the most often in teaching, Jesus Christ, that he is the life. And that he is the only one that can satisfy. Verse 66, look at this. After this, many of his disciples turned back and no longer walk with him. Whoa, let me pause there for a while. After seeing, witnessing, experiencing the miracles, the teachings of Jesus Christ, many turned their backs from him. And they no longer walk with it. It exposes, you know? The only way is to forgive Jesus Christ. But when Jesus Christ said, "There's no other God that you can worship. There's no other God that can satisfy you. There's no other God who can define you, who can give your identity. There's no other God that can make you secure. I am the way, the truth, and the life. A lot of people were not able to accept it. And they turned away their back from him. They still chose to live their lives on their own instead of surrendering their lives to Jesus." And it's hard, actually. Again, John 6 said, "Wow, grab it, you know what? Well, I will follow you." As we end now, John 6, it seems depressing, you know? Many disciples turned back. But look at what Jesus Christ said. Verse 67, "Jesus said to the Twelve." Now, he turned to the Twelve disciples. Do you want to go away as well? He talked to them. "Real talk!" "Kayurin ba?" "Ah, listen in Bahayol." "Kayurin ba?" "Tatali kuran yurin bako." But Simon Peter answered, "One of the disciples." So I believe Peter. "Lord, whom to whom shall we go?" You have the words of eternal life and we have believed and have come to know that you are the holy one of God. With full conviction, Peter said, "Lord, can you know what will happen to you?" You are the only one who holds the word, the words of eternal life. Peter got it, Peter understood it. He was talking to them about eternal life, he was talking to them that he was the bread of life. You know, can I just be honest? This verse actually humbles me but breaks my heart at the same time. It humbles me because I realize it is still God who reaches out to us. You know, he asked the question, "You are not a boy, you are a child, you are a child, you are a child, you are a child." Actually, Jesus Christ still asked the question, "Do you want to go?" Well, it's like, "I love this." He was talking to us about his coaches and coach Adrian shared a very powerful insight about our devotions. You know, Jesus Christ always invites us. Jesus is always the one who initiates to have a relationship with us, to speak to us. He always gives us the chance, he doesn't force himself to people. He will preach the word the true without holding back. He's not there to please them but he's there to say the truth about himself. He's there to say about the truth about the kingdom of God. Jesus will not force himself to us but he will never get tired of pursuing us. He will never get tired of telling us that this is who we is. He will never get tired of inviting us. Anak, follow me. Anak, come to me. I believe some of you right now, you know, we're about to end already and I believe God is already speaking to you. Maybe the questions are you also going to leave? Are you also going to walk away from Him or will you stay and follow Jesus? Believe in Him and continue to endure life with Him even in the presence of challenges, even in the presence of success. My prayer is that we will answer just like Peter. Lord, to whom shall we go? Lord, do you know who we are? When you are alone, do you believe in your heart that Jesus Christ is your Lord and Savior? Holy, exclusively, sincerely, do you believe that He is the only one who can save you? Do you believe that He is the only one who is the Lord of your life? He is now the one who will be the master of your life. He is now the one who is in control, no matter what decision you will make, whether it's in your academics, your relationships, your future, your career. Is Jesus the Lord of your life? Do you believe in Him? Do you believe that He is God? Do you believe in His Word? See, believing in God doesn't mean you will understand everything. To follow Jesus is to have faith in Him because believing in Jesus means by faith He loves you. By faith He died and rose again from the dead for you. That by faith your sins are already forgiven and you are given now a new life because of what He has done for all of us. By faith His Word will be your guide, will be your life all throughout the days of your life. Follow Jesus is to live with Him and for Him all the days of our life. It's a commitment. It's not just a one day thing. It's a commitment. I want you to ponder through it. I want you to pray about it. I want you to wrestle with it. Are you really believing? I hope we are not just like those people who are in Jesus Christ during the time. I hope that you will really dig deeper in our hearts. Lord, I am willing. Lord, I can see Lord God that you really love me. Lord, I know that you are the only one who can forgive me and lead me in this life. Jesus is the Word that gives life. He is the one that satisfies us. He is the bread of life. Are you willing to follow Jesus? Can I ask everyone right now to bow their heads and we are going to pray. Lord, thank you for your word for all of us Lord. This scripture that we have read, we have seen the different scenarios, the challenges, the complications even. What does it really look like to follow you? Father, I pray that you break mindsets. Lord, maybe for some of us here, we will follow Jesus. Either two things. Either we have no problem. It will be a smooth sailing life. But that's not biblical. The Bible tells us that we will still go through challenges. On the other hand, when some of us here may be, we are thinking that we are following Jesus. There is only one way. You will not be able to have a social life. You will not be able to have life. It is as if Jesus Christ will be the one that will suck out the life out of you. Those two things, those two extremes are not from you or not biblical. Father, I pray that you will break mindsets. I pray that we will go back to your word. We will look into your word and really see what does it really mean to follow Jesus Christ. Yes, there will be challenges, but Lord, thank you that you will steer a faith in us. You will give faith in us to hold on to you. Yes, we will be offended. Lord, that offense, Lord God will actually expose our heart so that you can free us, Lord, from the sin, from the bondage of sin, from the bondage of the enemy. So that we will be able to live in freedom, Lord, God, the life that you are prepared for us. Lord, thank you that as we live in you, we are already satisfied. We are already complete. Lord, we don't need to work for, we don't need to work for your favor, for your blessings Lord, but we are already blessed as we have a relationship with you. Lord, help us really to truly understand what it means to follow. Lord, help us and give us the grace, Lord, to truly follow you in the way we are going to live out our lives, whether seen by other people, even when we are alone, Lord God. I pray that we will follow you, live for you, for your glory alone. In Jesus' mighty name we pray, everybody say, amen and amen.