Bannockburn Church

John 6:60–69 (NIV) On hearing it, many of his disciples said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?” Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, “Does this offend you? Then what if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life. 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. He went on to say, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them.” From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve. Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.”

Three considerations when we struggle in a season of doubt:

1. Consider our motives for following Jesus.

2. Consider the trust level required.

3. Consider the alternatives.

Matthew 11:1–6 (NIV)

After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee. 2 When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples 3 to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” 4 Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: 5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. 6 Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”

Dealing With Doubt:

Matthew 11:1–6 (NIV) After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee. 2 When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples 3 to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” 4 Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: 5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. 6 Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.” Matthew 4:12 (ESV) Now when he heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee.

Community: A group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common. a feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals.

A Gospel Community: is a people devoted to one another. It's about a shared life, a network of relationships, a genuine community of people who love Jesus.

“Sin demands to have a man by himself. It withdraws him from the community. The more isolated a person is the more attractive will be the power of sin over him, and the more deeply he becomes involved in it, the more disastrous is his isolation.” Dietrich Bonhoeffer

In Gospel community we give and receive love.

13 For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. Galatians 5:13

In Gospel Community we give and receive encouragement.

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:24-25

In Gospel community we give and receive protection.

"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

In Gospel community, we give and receive truth. (Get Real with each other)

15 Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. Eph 4:15

In Gospel community, we give and receive grace.

"Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you" (Colossians 3:13)

Easter Sunday Livestream from Bannockburn Church's South Austin Campus

The Awkward and Essential Challenge of Christian Community

Luke 14:25–33 (ESV)

Jesus, I am yours totally, whatever that means.

The Awkward and Essential Challenge of Christian Community:

Luke 14:25–33 (ESV) "Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple."

“I didn’t go to religion to make me happy. I always knew a bottle of Port would do that. If you want a religion to make you feel really comfortable, I certainly don’t recommend Christianity.” - CS Lewis

John 4:14 (NIV) "But whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life."

"Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in. Aim at earth and you get neither." – CS Lewis

We can know that God is faithful because...

“What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” (A W Tozer - The Knowledge of the Holy)

Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Exodus 34:6 The LORD passed before him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.

Psalm 36:5 Your steadfast love, O LORD, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds.

Proverbs 3:5–6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Proverbs 16:9 (HCSB) A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord determines his steps.

Romans 8:28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

WHEN TEMPTATION COMES

Remove it.

Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace. 2 Timothy 2:22 (NIV)

WHAT YOU FEED GROWS.

WHAT YOU STARVE DIES.

Resist it.

Resist the devil and he will flee from you. James 4:17 (NIV)

Overcoming the appetites of the flesh.

Depends on the power of the Holy Spirit.

You have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. 13 For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. Romans 8:12-13 NLT

Follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit.

24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Galatians 5:24-25 NIV

A WAY OUT

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way outso that you can endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV

FEED YOUR SPIRIT WITH PRAYER.

“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:41 NIV

FEED YOUR SPIRIT WITH GOD’S WORD.

How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word. 10 I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. 11 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:9-11 NIV

FEED YOUR SPIRIT WITH THE RIGHT PEOPLE.

Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” 34 Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning... 1 Corinthians 15:33-34 NIV

James 1:13–16 (NIV) When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters.

Passing the Test of Temptation:

Proverbs 4:14–15 (NIV)

Philippians 4:8–9 (ESV)