1 Belief That Determines Behavior John 6:60-71 Hard Teaching Jesus’ Answer Difference of Flesh and Spirit Words of Life

2 Hard Teaching  Hard to accept – “tolerate”  Lack of understanding led to questions  Understanding led to refusal to accept  What was difficult in Jesus’ teachings  Jesus’ incarnation – v. 33,38,51  Jesus’ need to go to the cross – v. 51  Salvation is God initiated – v. 44,37 Belief That Determines Behavior John 6:60-71

3 Jesus’ Answer  Jesus always asks a question first!  What does this mean?  a reference to the cross?  a prediction to Jesus’ ascension?  or a remembrance of His descent? which ideas would be more inconceivable! which ideas would be more inconceivable! Belief That Determines Behavior John 6:60-71

4 Jesus’ Answer  Summary: “What if I were to reverse the whole plan of redemption?”  Conclusion: This would make our situation hopeless, even desperate. There would be nothing we could do. Belief That Determines Behavior John 6:60-71

5 Difference of Flesh and Spirit  Jesus teaches one more truth – v. 63  Understanding and belief come from the Spirit who gives life  Knowing in the flesh counts for nothing – Luke 11:27,28  Not external trappings of religion that bless us, but the Word of God as known through the Holy Spirit Belief That Determines Behavior John 6:60-71

6 Words of Life  What will you do with Christ’s Words?  Will you heed only what is to your liking and turn away the first time you do not agree?  The Father draws us but this does not negate our personal responsibility. Belief That Determines Behavior John 6:60-71

7 Application Have you embraced the whole counsel of God in belief? If you do believe, is that belief causing you to proclaim the truth of the Gospel to all, those who will hear and those who will not? Belief That Determines Behavior John 6:60-71