Sermon Notes + 4.16.2023
4.16.2023
SERMON NOTES
All That the Father Gives Me
John 6:37-40
Dr. Tony Chute, Lead Pastor
Overview: As the large crowds dwindle down once the reality of commitment to Jesus becomes more evident, John provides insight into how Jesus handles their rejection and increased opposition. Instead of being discouraged by their unbelief or changing methods in order to attract more followers, Jesus relies on the fact that everyone who comes to Him has been given to Him by God the Father. Jesus thus receives and does not refuse any person who genuinely comes to Him, looks to Him, and believes in Him. Moreover, Jesus affirms that the success of His mission is not determined by the multiplication of followers but the preservation of believers. All that the Father gives to Him are kept by Him until the final day when they shall be raised. We can take great comfort in knowing that all who truly believe in Christ have been chosen by the Father, drawn by the Spirit, saved by the Son, and kept by the power of God until the final day when we shall be raised from the dead to experience eternal life.
01. All who truly believe in Jesus have been chosen by the Father.
02. All who truly believe in Jesus have been drawn by the Spirit.
03. All who truly believe in Jesus have been saved by the Son.
04. All who truly believe in Jesus are kept by the power of God.
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION & DISCOVERY
1. How does Jesus respond to unbelief and opposition to His ministry? Is there any hint of discouragement or disappointment? What evidence from the text shows that He sees each person who comes to Him as a gift from God the Father? What can we learn from this truth about valuing our brothers and sisters in Christ as gifts from God?
2. Note how verse 36 combines the doctrine of election (“All that the Father gives to me will come to me”) with human responsibility (“whoever comes to me I will never cast out.”). What errors do we encounter when we omit divine sovereignty and human responsibility from our understanding of salvation?
3. What does it mean to come to Jesus (verse 37)? What does it mean to look to Jesus and believe in Jesus (verse 40)? How do these terms describe genuine faith in Jesus, as opposed to a passing interest or a hypocritical faith in Jesus? How can you use these terms to explain to a non-Christian what it means to believe and trust in Jesus?
4. How significant is the doctrine of preservation to you? How does the miracle of Jesus walking on water in verses 16-21 illustrate Jesus’ care for and preservation of the church? What other passages of Scripture assure us that once we are in Christ, we will persevere to the very end?
5. Consider the situation of Judas at the end of the chapter. Would you say that Judas lost his salvation or that he was never a genuine believer? [Hint: the former option is impossible in light of Jesus’ promise to preserve all who believe.] What lesson should we learn then about genuine faith vs. spurious faith in light of his situation?
For Further Reading: J. I. Packer, Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God (originally published 1961; IVP, 2012)