Becoming Disciples Who Remain – Living Made New
Becoming Disciples Who Remain
Together Church | Pastor Britt Clay and Pastor Chris Brewster
June 8, 2026 | Series: Living Made New
John 60:60-69
Introduction (Britt): When we get back from FC, one of our most important tasks is to keep kids actively engaged in knowing God and making him known to others. Of course, this work is challenging work because of our human nature. We are prone to wander off. Knowing that we have this tendency, we can prepare to avoid being among those who leave. Building tenacity and grit in life is important. In faith, it is essential.
Even more elemental, perhaps, is the fact that the issue with most folks is not that they wander, but that they have never become sheep to begin with.
Main Idea: Many profess faith in Jesus, but then walk away when their faith is challenged. Today we want to answer the question, “How do we become like those who remain?”
(Chris) Set up the following verses. Jesus was speaking to followers about the necessity of accepting him as the sole source of eternal sustenance (the Bread of life). He challenged their way of thinking and their way of religious expression.
John 6:60-69
Many Disciples Desert Jesus
(Chris)60 On hearing it, many of his disciples said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?”
(Britt) Describe why this was a hard teaching:
Many of Jesus’ teachings are hard to accept, even today. But, this teaching was particularly difficult for Jews to accept. If this teaching was figurative, surely they would be able to understand what Jesus was communicating. If it was literal, in that they were to be cannibals, that was not practical. They could not practice their religion and be cannibals. But, at the same time, this man who claims to be the Son of God could not be the only way to eternal life. And if He is, all the other things He taught would disrupt their way of living. And it would disrupt who they thought the Messiah would be because Jesus wasn’t talking about an earthly kingdom that would allow them to suffer no more. He was talking about a heavenly kingdom they would have to wait for and depend on Him for.
If Jesus’ teaching was figurative, their faith was being tested because their expectations were being crushed. As you know, when expectations are crushed or people do not fully understand things, they tend to complain or be offended. And we see that this is true in this case.
(Britt)61 Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, “Does this offend you? 62 Then what if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! 63 The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life. 64 Yet 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. 65 He went on to say, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them.”
(Chris) Grumbling – we’ve seen this with the Israelites when they continually grumbled against God and Moses. We’ve seen Paul address it. “Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world” (Phil. 2:14-15) And now they are grumbling against Jesus the Son of God. It is ultimately self-centered and is against God. It causes division and brings dispute to the community. It certainly does in this case. As an aside, if we find ourselves grumbling, we should stop. Period. It is unbecoming for the children of the King!
They were grumbling against Jesus’ assertion that he was the Messiah. That he was the only way to the Father. His rhetorical “Then what if you see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before?” must have cut deeply when they heard it again in their memories as they ultimately found out the truth about him. Kind of like the guy who throws away his lottery ticket only to find out he gave up millions when it was the winning number.
He doubles down with his powerful statement that the Spirit gives life, nothing else. He affirms his spoken truth as pure and powerful. Despite this, we see that some have chosen not to accept his teachings. One of the most amazing things to me is that Jesus never withholds his love to those who would reject him. Even knowing that they would not come to him, he continued to minister. He loves us too, even when we turn away.
(Chris reads) 66 From 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.
(Britt flesh out)
This is truly amazing to think about because Jesus knew that the teaching He was giving would reveal the hearts of those who were with Him. He knew that those were truly His disciples would stay with Him that they were not looking for temporal, physical deliverance but that they understood that what He was offering them was eternal, spiritual nourishment. Knowing that this teaching would be difficult for people to accept, He said it anyways and many turned back to never follow Him again.
The pain of rejection in that moment had to have stung deeply. He had done great things for these people. He gave them physical food the day before, performing an incredible miracle! Yet, their hearts did not change.
Then He turns to the twelve in anguish and pushes them to make a choice. “You do not want to leave too, do you?” The choice was theirs. It was now or never. Would they remain or leave confused? And Peter answers the question for them.
(Britt reads) 68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.”
(Chris comment on 68-69) I am so glad that we get to see Peter getting it right! He answers that he/they do not intent to turn away because they have met Jesus, know who he is and they believe in him as the Messiah.
How can we answer as Peter did?
What is the truth of the situation? How many are actual followers of Jesus?
Most in our culture say they have chosen to follow Jesus, but the facts say otherwise
- Barna survey information here on those who profess Christianity versus those whose beliefs and actions indicate a truly regenerate spirit
Barna’s newest research shows hopeful trends in people in our nation turning to Christ:
According to Barna’s latest data, 66 percent of all U.S. adults say they have made a personal commitment to Jesus that is still important in their life today. That marks a 12-percentage-point increase since 2021, when commitment levels reached their lowest in more than three decades of Barna tracking. And this trend is led by gen Z and millennials with the greatest increases found in young men!
This shift is not only statistically significant—it may be the clearest indication of meaningful spiritual renewal in the United States. Commitment to Jesus was lowest in 2021 and 2022, when it bottomed out at 54 percent. Since then, the research shows a steady, year-over-year increase in the key indicator.
Of course, while we are absolutely encouraged by this data, we know that many who claim Christianity are not truly regenerate individuals who have been saved and transformed by Jesus.
Why was the answer given by Peter and the rest of the 12 different? Let’s look at what we see in the faith cycle of many people and consider how it differs from the true follower.
(Chris) The faith cycle of the eternally lost – Many hear and know who Jesus is, and reject him, never believing, or surrendering.
- Introduction to Jesus
- Understanding of who he says he is
- Rejection of Jesus as their Savior
- Life is lived by human guidelines and human standards
Result: Life is what it is. Chaos, pain, shallow, a series of placebos and a steady, sad march into hell.
(Britt) The faith cycle of the band wagon “believer”: Many who say they have chosen Jesus never have fully committed to his Lordship or sacrificed.
- Introduction to Jesus
- Infatuation with Jesus and/or a shallow understanding of the Gospel and sanctification
- A struggle comes and the foundation of faith is tested
- “Faith” crumbles and the person is disillusioned/bored with Jesus and walks away
Result: A lifetime of weak, sporadic faith. Often bitter and angry toward God and others. Does not enjoy life and is difficult to be around. May post a lot of rants, complaints and otherwise.
(Chris) The faith cycle of the obstinate (mule) believer: Many who say they have chosen Jesus but have never fully submitted.
- Introduction to Jesus
- Faith is enjoyable and even fun in the context of others in the same place and time
- Life happens and the reality that faith is lived mostly at the personal level and not as a group project
- Another shiny object distracts the immature believer and they turn their attention elsewhere
Result: Immature, spasmodic faith. Moving from church to church, following speakers, fads and frequently sucked in to Christian conspiracy theories. Easily distracted, drawn to fads in faith, etc.
(Britt)The authentic faith cycle:
- Introduction to Jesus through a believer and/or God’s word
- The Holy Spirit reveals himself to them so they may know who he says he is by hearing and listening to his words.
- Believe in him and confess him as Lord
- Follow in a life of consistent discipleship exemplified by striving to be more like Jesus every day with a spiritual mentor/mentors (Spirit guided/empowered process of sanctification aka growing from spiritual infancy to spiritual maturity so they can help others do the same)
Result: A lifetime of progressively better life! Growing in wisdom, and knowledge and in stature as a true follower. Like an oak planted by the water. Bearing fruit. Shining the brilliant light of God in a dark world! Having that abundant life that Jesus came to bring us.
Gospel Message and invitation:
The message is clear today. It portrays the situation we will all face at some point in our lives. When we understand who Jesus is and that we have the opportunity to declare our belief in him (the only work that ultimately satisfies and pleases God,)