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WHY DO PEOPLE TURN THEIR BACKS ON THE LORD?

Introduction

We all would like to think that if we had lived when Jesus walked on the earth that we would have been believers from the first moment that we met Jesus. However, we have no way of knowing if that would have been the case or not.

I trusted the Lord as my Saviour on February 17, 1971 (Almost 33 years ago). That is a long time. I know that there are some of you here today that have been walking with the Lord much longer than that. To God be the glory for that!

It seems that the older I grow in Christ, the harder it is for me to understand how someone can just turn their back upon the Lord.

I know that the Bible says in 2 Corinthians 4:3-4--“But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”

Yet, it seems so clear to me that Jesus is the only hope for mankind. It seems to me that anyone who would just take time to stop for a moment and put their brain in gear and earnestly consider the truth of God’s Word ought to be able to see that!

Nevertheless, this world is full of people who hear a clear presentation of the Gospel and yet they still turn their backs on Him.

Sometimes, even people who claim to know Christ turn their backs upon Him. Now that is an even harder thing for me to understand. However, it happens all the time.

There are many people who make a profession of faith, and begin seemingly to walk with the Lord, with some of them even getting involved in serving the Lord…and then one day, they turn around and walk away from the Lord and His church. How is it possible for that to happen?

What in the world causes it to happen?

These are some serious questions which can’t be easily answered because we cannot see into a person’s heart. However, God has given us His Word to teach us what He wants us to know about these situations. As we look at our Scripture passage today, I think we can find at least some of the reasons why people turn their backs on Jesus. Let’s see what the Bible says!

Here we have some disciples who the Bible says, “went back, and walked no more with him.”

I.         SOME TURN THEIR BACKS ON HIM BECAUSE THEY SEEK HIM FOR THE WRONG REASON. (John 6: 25-27)

Some in this crowd were the same ones that had been there at the feeding of the 5000+ on the day before. The next day after that miracle they went looking for Jesus again.

            Many of these were nothing more than curiosity seekers to begin with. (See verse 2)

            However, Jesus performed a miracle when He fed the crowd that day! A free meal!

Jesus knew that some of this crowd only sought Him for what they could get out of Him.

There are some people today who follow Jesus in a similar way. As long as they are receiving something of material worth by following Jesus, then they don’t mind following the Lord. But, if they are not getting what they want or maybe are getting something that they don’t expect (like ridicule), then they are out of here.

Are you following Jesus today? Examine your own motives for following the Lord.

Are they pure?

What is the reason (or maybe I should say what are reasons) that you are following the Lord? Are they the right reasons? What would it take for you to stop following Him?

            Some turn their backs on Him because they seek Him for the wrong reasons.

II.       SOME TURN THEIR BACKS ON HIM BECAUSE THEY DO NOT ACCEPT HIS PERSON. (John 6:28-42)

The people wanted to know what they must do to work the works of God, that is, to perform works that would be acceptable to God. (Verse 28)

            Jesus pointed to faith in Himself as the greatest and most indispensable work. (Verse 29)

Now understand that in the past, many prophets had spoken for God and had called for faith. However, they called for faith in God, not in themselves. Jesus was calling for faith both in Himself and in the One who sent Him. That’s because Jesus is God!

            This crowd wanted a sign as to why they should believe on Jesus? (Verse 30)

            They were looking for a sign that still spoke to their material needs. (Verse 31)

            Jesus gave them a his discourse of His being the “true” bread from heaven. (Verse 32-40)

            They did not see or believe Jesus to be who He claimed to be. (Verse 41-42)

            Jesus was very clear about what He was saying about Himself. (Verse 43-47)

            A.        Jesus Is More Than A Prophet.

                        (Unlike Moses, Elijah, Elisha, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, or others)

            B.        Jesus Is More Than A Teacher.

                        (Unlike many thousands of teachers over the centuries)

            C.        Jesus Is More Than A Man Of Religion.

                        (Unlike Buddah, Mohammed, Confucious, or many others)

            D.        Jesus Is God In The Flesh.

                        When you reject Him, you are rejecting the God of Heaven!

                        When you turn your back on Him, you are turning your back on God!

                        Whatever you do to Him, you do to God!

Some turn their backs on Him because they seek Him for the wrong reasons.

Some turn their backs on Him because they do not accept His Person.

III.      SOME TURN THEIR BACKS ON HIM BECAUSE THEY DO NOT ACCEPT HIS TEACHINGS. (John 6:48-60)

            A.        His Teachings Were Often Misunderstood.

                        1.         Jesus said, “I am that bread of life.” (vs 48)

                        2.         He claimed to be the only way to eternal life

                        3.         This was a hard thing for them to accept.

                                    a.         They had been trusting in their observance of the Law.

                                    b.         They were trusting in their traditional ways of worship.

                                    c.         Their fathers found. 'deliverance' from physical death by eating the manna.

                                    d.         Jesus said deliverance from eternal death can only come by eating of the living bread.

            B.        His Teaching Was Often A Divider Of Men. (vs 61-65)

                        1.         He said, “The flesh profiteth nothing.”

                                    a.         This was an offence to those Jews who were full of pride because they were Jews.

                                    b.         This was an offence to those who thought their works were sufficient.

                        2.         He said, “It is the spirit that quickeneth.”

                                    a.         Quicken means to make alive.

                                    b.         The words Jesus spoke were Spirit.

                                    c.         These words alone are the avenue to life.

                        3.         From that time many of His followers (disciples) turned back and. followed no more.

            C.        His teachings today are why men turn their back upon Him.

                        1.         “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23

                                    a.         This is hard for many to accept.

                                    b.         We want to think that we are pretty good.

                                    c.         We take pride in our accomplishments, but the reality is that we all are sinners. Not a one of us measures up to God’s holy standard!

                        2.         “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

                                    John 3:3

                                    a.         Men want to think that this isn't really necessary.

                                    b.         Many would like to believe that they can live their lives the way they want and somehow God will understand.

                                    c.         Many believe God has a large balanced scale and places all the good on one side and all the bad on the other.

                        3.         “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:15

                                    a.         Many simply refuse to accept this.

                                    b.         They want to view only the gracious and, merciful side of God.

                                    c.         They can't believe that a loving God would send anyone to Hell -- but He doesn't! Their sin sends them there!

            Some turn their backs on Him because they seek Him for the wrong reasons.

Some turn their backs on Him because they do not accept His Person.

            Some turn their backs on Him because they do not accept His teachings.

IV.      SOME TURN THEIR BACKS ON HIM BECAUSE OF THEIR LOVE FOR THE WORLD.

            A.        Some Love The Riches Of This World More Than The Lord.

                        (Cf. Mark 10:17-22)

                        This young man desired to have eternal life. (vs17)

But, when it came to choosing between eternal life and his riches, he turned away. (vs 22)

Jesus didn't say it was impossible, but rather it was hard, for those who trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God. (vs 24 )

                        He declares that with God all things are possible. (vs 27)

            B.        Some Love The Pleasures Of This World More Than The Lord.

                        1.         Lot's family turned their back on God because of the pleasures of sin.

                                    (Genesis 19)

                        2.         Demas forsook Paul and the ministry because of his love for the world.

                                    (2 Timothy 4:10)

1 John 2:15--"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him."

            C.        Many today turn their backs on Jesus because they don't want to give up what this world has to offer.

                        1.         Jesus said, “What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul?" (Mark 8:36)

                        2.         Paul said that a sign of the last days was that “men shall be lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God.” (2 Timothy 3:4)

                        3.         Folks today often consider what it costs to be a Christian, but seldom consider what it costs not to be a Christian.

            Some turn their backs on Him because they seek Him for the wrong reasons.

Some turn their backs on Him because they do not accept His Person.

            Some turn their backs on Him because they do not accept His teachings.

            Some turn their backs on Him because of their love for this world.

V.        SOME TURN THEIR BACKS ON HIM BECAUSE TODAY IS NOT A CONVENIENT TIME–i.e. THEY PROCRASTINATE.

            A.        Paul Spoke In Athens On Mars Hill.

Acts 17:30-32–“And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter.”

                        1.         Paul preached the gospel to them.

                        2.         He declared to them their need to repent.

                        3.         Some mocked him.

                        4.         But others put him off saying, "We will hear thee again of this matter."

            B.         Paul Spoke Before Felix The Governor.

Acts 24:24-25–“. . .he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. 25And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.”

            C.        Paul Spoke Before King Agrippa. (Acts 26)

                        1.         Paul gave his testimony.

                        2.         Festus called Paul a madman.

                        3.         But, King Agrippa told Paul, "Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian."

                        4.         Agrippa put Christ off until later, perhaps never considering Christ again.

            D.        Many Today Turn Their Backs On Jesus Because They Want To Put It Off Until Later.

                        1.         They say, “One of these days, but not today, not yet.”

                        2.         Many have stood in this Church as the invitation has been given for folks to come and trust Christ…but they have said, “Not now.”

                        3.         How presumptuous it is to think that you will have any more opportunities to accept Jesus than right now?

2 Corinthians 6:2--"...now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation..."

Proverbs 27:1–“Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.”

James 4:14-15–“Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.”

Conclusion

Why do men turn their backs on Christ? We’ve seen different reasons today. . .

            Some turn their backs on Him because they seek Him for the wrong reasons.

Some turn their backs on Him because they do not accept His Person.

            Some turn their backs on Him because they do not accept His teachings.

            Some turn their backs on Him because of their love for this world.

            Some turn their backs on Him because they look for a more convenient time.

What about believers? Why do Christians quit…why do they give up on serving God?

Again there are probably many reasons, but one that comes to mind is discouragement.

The way of the Cross isn't easy. Jesus continually warned His disciples of conflict and difficulty.

Some perhaps lose their focus. The Word of God instructs us to keep our eyes on Jesus.

Hebrews 12:2– “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

As Jesus watched the crowds turn away from Him, He turned to His disciples and asked a penetrating question. He said, “Will ye also go away?”

If you have never accepted Christ as your Saviour, He asks “Will you turn away again?”

Christian, He asks us, “Will you also go away?” Are you going to throw up your hands and quit?

What will the answer be this morning?

Don’t turn your back on Him, He didn’t turn His back on you!

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NOTICE:   THESE SERMONS ARE FREE TO BE USED BUT ARE NOT TO BE SOLD!