Do you have anyone in your life right now who you would say is spiritually floundering?
Maybe someone who, if you were to be asked, you know, is that person a born-again Christian,
a true disciple of Jesus, you might have some hesitancy. Maybe not sure. Somebody who maybe
at one time professed faith in Christ, but now, today, spiritually, they just don't seem to be
doing very well. Maybe at times you've wondered what you might do or say to that person to help
them or to encourage them. Or maybe you've had some long talks with them already about some of
the struggles that they're going through, and maybe it even seemed to help for a time, but now
they're back to struggling. Well, this morning we're going to hear from Jesus what he said to people who
are in a similar kind of situation. We're going to hear from Jesus what marks a true disciple of his,
and we're going to talk about how we might think about people in that spot and how we can help those
who are spiritually floundering. So if you have your Bible with you, please open it up to John 8,
verse 31. John chapter 8, verse 31. And it's been a couple weeks since we were here in John,
so let's just take a moment to remember what's happening here in the story. Jesus is in Jerusalem.
He's been there for the week-long festival. Many people have been there. He's teaching in the temple
courts, and there's been some large crowds gathered listening to him. At one point, you may recall,
if you were here, that some of the Jewish leaders sent the temple guards and officers to go arrest Jesus.
And after hearing Jesus speak, the guards decided, well, I don't think we should.
And then the Pharisees finally came and challenged Jesus openly and directly.
Jesus has been speaking now to the Pharisees, as well as to the people, the crowd that's gathered there
in the temple courts. And last we heard was in verse 21 of the same chapter.
Jesus said to them, I'm going away, and you will look for me, and you will die in your sin.
The people were wondering, where are you going? What place is he talking about? Will he kill himself?
Jesus said, you are from below. I am from above. You are of this world. I am not of this world.
If you do not believe that I am he, you will indeed die in your sins.
Who are you? They asked.
Just what I've been telling you from the beginning, said Jesus.
So Jesus is passionately pleading with the people to believe in him.
This is their opportunity.
He is the one sent from God so that they might be saved,
so that the problem of their sins might be dealt with and their guilt taken away.
This is their chance.
And he's pleading with them.
And we read down in verse 30.
Even as he spoke, many believed in him.
Sounds good for those of us who love Jesus and believe in him.
We're thinking, yes, finally, some are believing in him.
We're ready to celebrate.
But hold on.
Jesus has something more to say to those who believed in him that day,
which might give us reason to postpone the celebration,
or perhaps even to call it off altogether, at least for now.
Let's read verses 31 to 32.
To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said,
If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.
Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.
So John makes it crystal clear that right now Jesus is speaking
not to the Pharisees who are trying to take him out.
He's speaking to those who had believed in him,
to the Jews who had believed in him.
Jesus said,
and we might expect Jesus to say something like,
Those of you who believe in me,
yes, good,
you have now become my disciples.
You will now receive all that I've promised,
eternal life.
I will raise you up at the last day.
But Jesus seems to go in the opposite direction.
Rather than congratulating them or celebrating them for believing,
he says this,
he says,
if you hold to my teaching,
you are really my disciples.
And then you will know the truth,
and the truth will set you free.
Jesus seems to speak to these people,
who have believed,
as though they're not in yet,
as though there's something missing,
which should cause them to wonder,
and us to wonder,
if they have really believed in Jesus,
or perhaps only believed in a shallow or superficial way.
So as we listen closely in these verses,
and the verses that follow,
there are plenty of clues given to us,
which suggest that these believers believe in some sense,
yet they are not true disciples,
not true believers.
We get a couple clues in these verses,
at least three,
just in these two verses.
First of all,
Jesus tells them that if they are truly his disciples,
they will hold to his teaching.
Literally,
you will remain in my word.
Why does he say that to them?
Well,
it seems perhaps implied,
that some of them only believe in him for the moment,
but may later change their mind about Jesus.
The second thing that we see,
clue we see here,
he says,
then you will know the truth.
He speaks to them as if,
they don't yet know it.
You need to continue in my word.
You need to continue listening to the things I'm saying.
You need to take it seriously,
and then you will know the truth.
So they don't yet seem to know the truth about Jesus.
Maybe they're excited about the possibility that,
oh,
is this the Messiah?
I think so.
I think he is.
It sounds good.
But maybe they don't know for sure yet.
And the third clue that they're maybe not true believers,
is in the last thing Jesus says here.
He says,
and the truth will set you free.
That sounds a little weird to our ears,
but let's,
to maybe hear what they're hearing,
maybe a paraphrase.
The truth will liberate you.
And as the people hear this,
they take offense.
What do you mean set us free?
What do you mean liberate us?
We're not slaves.
And Jesus,
without getting into it,
we'll look at it more,
a little bit next week.
Jesus basically says to them,
oh yes,
you are.
He says,
everyone who sins
is a slave to sin.
So when we bring all these things together,
Jesus is telling these believers
that they are still slaves to sin,
who need to know the truth
that he speaks
and be set free.
So those are at least three evidences
in this conversation
of why these believers
believed in some sense,
but probably are not yet true believers.
And in any case,
if there's any more,
if there's any doubt or concern,
all we have to do is keep reading
in this passage
and see where the conversation goes.
And it becomes pretty obvious
that they're not true believers.
We'll get into these verses
in the weeks ahead,
but Jesus is going to tell them
that they are unresponsive
to his word,
children of the devil,
liars,
and at least some of them
have the desire to murder him
in their hearts.
So these many
who have believed in him
seem to have a shallow
or a superficial,
on-the-surface
kind of faith
instead of the kind
that Jesus has been calling them
to have,
a deep faith
from the heart,
the kind that leads
to salvation
and eternal life
and all that Christ
has promised
to those who believe.
And it shouldn't surprise us
that some
seem to believe at first
and then turn away
or fall away.
John has already told us
about something like this
in his gospel
earlier back in chapter 2.
Do you remember?
Jesus was in Jerusalem
for the Passover festival
and
it says there,
many people saw
the signs he was performing.
and believed in his name.
But Jesus would not
entrust himself to them
for he knew
all people.
He did not need
any testimony
about men
for he knew
what was in a man.
So there was
something not right
about their faith
back on that occasion.
They believed
in some sense
and yet not
in the sense
that Jesus
is aiming at.
and Nicodemus
was the example
that John gave.
He seemed to have
some faith
in Jesus.
We know
he said
that you are
a teacher
who has come
from God.
How else
could you be doing
all these miracles
that you're doing?
And yet
that came that point
in the conversation
where Jesus
looked him in the face
and said
Nicodemus
you don't believe
the earthly things
I'm telling you about.
So what's the point
in answering your questions
about the heavenly things?
Nicodemus' problem
at that moment
was the same
as the people
in this moment.
He had a
shallow
superficial
faith in Jesus
just on the surface.
He believed
in some sense
and yet not
deeply
in his heart
all
that Jesus
has been saying
the things
he's been claiming.
Perhaps
the best place
to find insight
about what's
going on here
with these people
who believed
and yet
seems have not
truly believed
is Jesus'
own teaching
from the parable
of the sower.
I think
probably all of you
know that parable
or have heard it.
A farmer went out
to sow his seed
and as he's doing
so
some seed
falls on
different places
four different places
some falls on the path
some falls on the rocky soil
some falls on the weed
or the thorny soil
and some falls
on the good soil
and depending on
where the seed fell
there was
a different outcome
and the only good outcome
in which the plant
survived
and a harvest resulted
was the seed
that fell
on the good soil
and Jesus later
explained the meaning
of that parable
to his disciples
he told them
that the seed
represents the word
of God
and he explained
how each of those
different outcomes
is a picture
of how people
respond
when they hear
the word
of God
which Christ
is speaking
and we learn
from Jesus
that it's possible
not just possible
but that it's even
to be expected
that some will receive
the word of God
which Jesus is speaking
but then later
abandon it
later
change their minds
listen to what Jesus
says
in Matthew 13
verse 20
the seed
falling on rocky
ground
refers to someone
who hears the word
and at once
receives it with joy
but since they have
no root
they last only
a short time
when trouble
or persecution
comes because
of the word
they quickly
fall away
I think this is
an example
of what's happening
here with the crowds
in the temple courts
there's this initial
excitement
yes
could this be
the Messiah
could this be
the one
who's going to
put an end
to all of our
big problems
I think he is
I mean listen to him
he sounds good
but the word
that Jesus is speaking
is only being received
in a shallow sense
it's not
putting down roots
deep into the heart
and so suddenly
when there's this
big shift
and Jesus
becomes publicly
blacklisted
by the religious
leaders
and it's no longer
popular to believe
in Jesus
and there's even
some negative
consequences
for those who do
such as being
kicked out of the
synagogue
or other things
suddenly
many of these
people
these same people
will be the ones
shouting
crucify him
as the religious
leaders are
whispering in their
ears
why
because the word
that Christ
spoke
the word of God
did not penetrate
deep
down into their
hearts
their belief in him
is shallow
it's superficial
surface level
they don't know
the truth
about Jesus
and as Jesus
says to these
people
they are still
slaves to sin
they're still in need
of being set free
this is the whole
thrust of what
Jesus is driving
at here
and I couldn't
help but think
you know
Jesus is so
unlike us
if it was you
or me
and all these
people were
gathering around
to listen
and more and
more are coming
it's like yes
this is good
let's keep this
going
let's not say
anything that will
thin out the
crowd
but Jesus is not
interested in just
having superficial
followers
or surface
level
faith
do you hear
what he's saying
if you hold
to my teaching
if you remain
in my word
you are really
you are truly
my disciples
literally if you
continue or you
remain or stay
in my word
truly
you are my
disciples
you see there are
disciples of
Jesus
and then there
are true
disciples of
Jesus
according to
Jesus one of
the indicators
or marks of a
true disciple
of his
is that you
remain in
his word
you hold fast
to it
you continue to
believe
you continue to
trust
you continue to
obey
to listen to
to take
seriously
his word
there are
disciples of
Jesus
and then there
are true
disciples of
Jesus
and we've seen
an example of
this happen
already in
John's gospel
do you remember
back in
John chapter
six
Jesus was
teaching in
the synagogue
at Capernaum
he said
I am the
bread of
life
that's come
down from
heaven
to give
life to
the world
and he said
some things
that day
that were a
little shocking
talking about
eating his
flesh and
drinking his
blood
and of course
we talked
about that
and how he
was speaking
metaphorically
and what
followed that
his disciples
it says
grumbled
they didn't
like what
he was
saying
this is in
John 6
verse 60
on hearing
it many of
his disciples
said this is
a hard
teaching
who can
accept
that
and Jesus
looked at
them and he
said to
them
verse 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
and then
he looked
them in
the eyes
and he
said yet
there are
some of
you
these are
his disciples
he's talking
to there are
some of
you who
do not
believe
Judas was
one of
them
the summary
statement at
the end of
that section
was this
from this
time many
of his
disciples
turned back
and no
longer
followed
him
the reason
they left
is they
did not
truly
believe
in
Jesus
started
saying
some
things
that
people
didn't
like
things
that
people
took
offense
at
things
that
were
starting
to
make
him
less
popular
and
people
are
grumbling
and
complaining
about
this
they
didn't
want
to be
associated
with
that
as
soon
as
some
trouble
comes
they're
quick
to
fall
away
so
they
left
we're
done
not
following
you
anymore
the
mark
of a
true
disciple
of
Jesus
a
true
follower
of
Jesus
is
that
they
stay
they
stay
in
his
word
they
remain
in
it
they
continue
to
hold
fast
to
it
to
trust
his
promises
to
take
seriously
his
warnings
to
obey
his
commands
and
instructions
Jesus
said
if you
remain
in
my
word
you
are
truly
my
disciples
and
the
apostle
John
was
listening
that
day
not
only
did
he
hear
Jesus
say
this
in
the
temple
courts
and
write
it
down
for
us
here
but
John
himself
thought
he
should
remind
the
believers
of that
too
when
he
wrote
his
letter
second
John
verse
nine
this
is
what
John
had
to
say
in
his
letter
he
said
anyone
who
runs
ahead
and
does
not
continue
same
word
remain
continue
in
the
teaching
of
Christ
does
not
have
God
whoever
continues
in
the
teaching
has
both
the
father
and
the
son
in
other
words
if
you
move
on
from
the
teaching
of
Jesus
to
something
else
or
to
someone
else
John
says
it's
evidence
that
you
don't
have
God
those
who are
truly
disciples
of
Jesus
know
the
truth
about
him
they've
been
set
free
by
it
and
so
they
don't
move
on
from
Christ
to
something
else
they
stay
they
remain
in
his
word
John
says
a
similar
kind
of
thing
in
a
slightly
different
context
in
his
first
letter
some
of
you
will
be
familiar
with
this
passage
this
is
1
John
2
verse
18
dear
children
this
is
the
last
hour
writes
John
and
as
you
have
heard
that
the
Antichrist
is
coming
even
now
many
Antichrists
have
come
this
is
how
we
know
it
is
the
last
hour
they
went
out
from
us
but
they
did
not
really
belong
to
us
for
if
they
had
belonged
to
us
they
would
have
remained
with
us
but
their
going
showed
that
none
of
them
belonged
to
us
now
I
know
that
as
soon
as
I
read
the
word
Antichrist
some
of
us
are
in
end
times
prophecy
mode
but
that's
not
our
main
focus
here
this
morning
Jesus
John
also
talks
about
many
Antichrists
plural
and
he
says
that
they
were
people
who
went
out
from
us
they
were
here
among
us
in
the
church
and
they
left
they
went
out
but
he
says
this
about
them
he
says
they
did
not
really
belong
to
us
if
they
had
belonged
to
us
he
says
they
would
have
remained
with
us
same
word
remained
continued
but
their
going
out
showed
that
they
never
really
belonged
to
us
in
the
first
place
is
essentially
what
he's
saying
there
once
you
truly
know
Jesus
you
will
never
move
on
to
someone
or
something
else
you
have
been
born
again
you
will
never
leave
now
that
doesn't
mean
that
as
Christians
we
will
never
struggle
it
doesn't
mean
that
we
will
never
have
times
or
perhaps
even
seasons
of
doubt
or
times
where
we
sin
where
we
turn
our
face
away
from
Jesus
for
a
moment
a
time
I
don't
think
Jesus
or
John
is
saying
that
the
true
disciple
is
only
the
one
who
holds
to
his
word
perfectly
none
of
us
does
let's
take
Peter
for
an
example
he
was
truly
a
disciple
of
Jesus
that
day
when
all
those
disciples
left
it
was
Peter
who
said
to
whom
shall
we
go
you
have
the
words
of
eternal
life
and
we
have
come
to
know
and
believe
that
you
are
the
holy
one
of
God
it
was
Peter
who
made
that
confession
you
are
the
Christ
the
son
of
the
living
God
but
then
three
times
he
said
I'm
not
one
of
his
disciples
I
don't
know
I
don't
know
I
don't
know
him
he
denied
the
Lord
three
times
a
true
disciple
of
Jesus
but
even
as
he
did
it
broke
his
heart
he
wept
it
brought
him
to
tears
because
he
did
truly
love
and
believe
in
the
Lord
Jesus
and
he
turned
back
to
the
Lord
and
that
wasn't
the
only
time
that
Peter
sinned
even
after
he
had
received
the
Holy
Spirit
there
came
that
time
when
Paul
had
to
rebuke
Peter
mentioned
in
Galatians
because
Peter
had
begun
to
treat
some
of
the
Gentile
believers
in
a
way
that
wasn't
right
but
again
even
though
he
blew
it
and
led
some
others
astray
even
Peter
responded
to
he
repented
so
yes
as
true
disciples
we
won't
hold
to
Jesus
word
perfectly
we
will
make
mistakes
at
times
we
will
blow
it
being
a
true
disciple
of
Jesus
doesn't
mean
we
will
never
fail
again
it
means
that
we
will
always
come
back
to
him
when
we
do
it
means
that
you
know
we
may
go
through
a
season
of
doubt
perhaps
questioning
wrestling
why
do
I
feel
like
this
it
doesn't
I
don't
see
the
promises
of
God
coming
true
for
me
perhaps
but
at
the
end
of
the
day
we'll
always
come
back
if
we're
a
true
disciple
of
Jesus
to
what
Peter
said
to
whom
shall
we
go
you
have
the
words
of
eternal
life
and
I
believe
I
know
that
you
are
the
holy
one
of
God
if
you
remain
in
my
word
said
Jesus
you
continue
truly
you
are
my
disciples
so
what do
we do
with
all
this
well
I
hope
before
we
start
applying
all
of
this
to
other
people
that
we
first
stop
and
apply
it
to
ourselves
what
does
Jesus
want
from
you
here
sitting
in
the
sanctuary
this
morning
put
yourself
there
in the
crowd
that
day
as
Jesus
is
saying
this
Jesus
is
not
only
calling
you
to
believe
in
him
he's
also
calling
you
to
stay
in
his
word
to
remain
in
his
word
my
translation
says
hold
fast
to
my
teaching
but
I
think
the
more
literal
word
that
Jesus
chose
remain
in
my
word
is
on
purpose
what
word
Jesus
spoken
word
that
is
pretty
general
but
probably
on
purpose
it
includes
all
of
it
Jesus
had
many
different
kinds
of
things
that
he
said
his
word
includes
his
teaching
it
includes
his
claims
it
includes
his
promises
it
includes
his
prophetic
predictions
it
includes
his
statement
about
the
reality
of
what's
going
on
right
now
it
includes
his
warnings
it
includes
the
things
that
we
might
wish
he
hadn't
said
it
includes
the
things
that
we
love
that
he
said
it
includes
his
commands
all
of
those
things
make
up
Jesus
word
and
Jesus
says
that
we
need
to
remain
continue
in
those
things
that
he
said
his
word
which
means
that
we
continue
to
listen
to
his
teaching
we
continue
to
believe
his
claims
we
continue
to
trust
his
promises
we
continue
to
look
forward
to
his
prophetic
words
being
fulfilled
we
continue
to
look
at
the
world
the
way
that
he
taught
us
to
we
continue
to
heed
his
warnings
we
continue
to
obey
his
commands
does
that
describe
how
you're
living
right
now
how
you've
been
living
lately
if
it
doesn't
I
want
to
plead
with
you
to
come
back
to
repent
to
come
back
to
remain
in
Jesus
words
seek
his
forgiveness
are
you
opening
your
bible
still
every
day
to
listen
to
the
word
of
Jesus
so
that
you
can
know
him
and
stay
in
his
word
it's
here
in
the
words
of
Jesus
in
our
bibles
that
God
speaks
that
we
can
know
the
truth
the
truth
that
sets
us
free
the
truth
that
gives
us
life
the
truth
that
gives
us
joy
and
peace
and
hope
and
confidence
and
all
those
things
that
we
talk
about
Sunday
after
Sunday
are
you
remaining
in
Jesus
word
that's
what a
true
disciple
of
Jesus
does
and
so
I
urge
you
to
prayerfully
consider
this
word
from
Jesus
as
it
applies
to
you
these
words
are
for
you
and
finally
after
and
only
after
we've
applied
these
words
to
ourselves
I
think
we
can
find
in
them
some
true
wisdom
that
will
help
us
understand
what
may
be
going
on
in
other
people's
lives
things
but
we
need
to
be
very
careful
here
and
I
think
we
need
to
approach
this
with
humility
we
need
to
admit
before
we
try
and
do
any
discerning
that
only
God
knows
with
certainty
what's
going
on
in
a
person's
heart
we
need
to
admit
that
God
alone
is
the
judge
when
Christ
returns
we'll
stand
before
him
he
will
judge
it's
his
job
not
ours
and
with
these
things
firmly
in
our
minds
I
believe
these
words
of
Jesus
can
help
us
understand
what
may
be
going
on
when
people
seemed
to
believe
in
the
past
but
now
they
don't
or
when
people
seem
to be
his
disciples
in
the
past
but
now
they're
not
one
of
the
marks
says
Jesus
of a
true
disciple
is
that
they
continue
in
his
word
they
continue
to
hold
fast
to
his
teaching
which
means
that
if
someone
as
John
said
moves
on
moves
away
from
Jesus
teaching
it
may
be
that
the
faith
that
they
expressed
in
the
past
was
only
superficial
was
only
shallow
now
notice
that I
said
it
may
be
we
can't
know
for
sure
what's
going
on in
the
heart
of a
person
but
these
words
also
make
it
pretty
clear
if
they
are
a
true
disciple
a
true
believer
truly
born
again
they
will
come
back
they
will
come
back
to
remain
in
the
word
of
Christ
there's
no
such
thing
in
all
of
the
words
of
God
in
the
New
Testament
as
a
true
disciple
who
is
born
again
and
yet
continues
on
for
the
rest
of
their
lives
saying
I
don't
believe
in
Jesus
anymore
and
sinning
to
their
hearts
content
without
ever
repenting
God's
word
leaves
no
room
for
that
kind
of
a
disciple
of
Jesus
if
God's
spirit
lives
in
a
person
they
cannot
they
will
not
turn
away
or
leave
forever
so
if you
see
someone
or
know
someone
who
has
professed
Christ
in
the
past
and
they
are
floundering
spiritually
right
now
what
should
we
do
I
want
to
give
us
five
ways
that
we
can
help
people
in
that
situation
five
things
number
one
don't
assume
automatically
that it's
because
they were
never
a true
disciple
of
Jesus
it
could
be
that
like
countless
people
of
faith
in
the
past
they've
chosen
to
turn
away
or
disobey
for a
time
for a
season
but
that
the
loving
discipline
of
God
will
bring
them
back
in
due
time
as
his
spirit
works
in
their
hearts
it
happened
to
King
David
when
he
sinned
it
happened
to
Peter
when
he
denied
Christ
and
so
don't
assume
automatically
that
it's
because
they
were
never
a
true
disciple
of
Jesus
number
two
don't
assume
automatically
that
they
always
have
been
a true
disciple
of
Jesus
just
because
they
prayed
the
prayer
and
came
to
church
and
were
baptized
and
have
lived
as
Christians
are
supposed
to live
for a
while
yes
there are
people
who have
done
all these
things
but then
walked
away
from
Jesus
permanently
never
to
return
there are
examples
of
this
in
the
scripture
as
well
people
who
started
out
among
the
people
of
God
and
lived
faithfully
it
seemed
and
then
eventually
they
left
they
ended
their
lives
in
utter
rebellion
against
God
and
against
Christ
and
so
don't
assume
automatically
that
they
always
have
been
a
true
disciple
of
Jesus
just
because
they
prayed
the
prayer
and
came
to
church
and
lived
as
a
Christian
is
supposed
to
live
for
a
while
number
three
so
what
should
we
do
pray
for
these
people
these
people
who
are
spiritually
floundering
in your
life
pray
for
them
God
knows
the
truth
of
what's
going
on
in
their
hearts
right
now
it
doesn't
matter
if
you
don't
he
knows
what
you're
asking
for
when
you
ask
him
to
save
them
or
to
bring
them
back
pray
for
them
and
I
want
to
encourage
you
this
morning
to
pray
in
faith
that
God
really
can
save
them
and
change
their
hearts
not
this
kind
of
prayer
where
you
know
it's
like
make
it
possible
God
but
ultimately
I know
it's
up
to
them
no
pray
like
Paul
prayed
my
heart's
desire
and
my
prayer
he
said
to
the
Romans
is
for
the
Israelites
is that
they might
be
saved
God
would
you
save
them
wherever
they're
at
spiritually
God
is
mighty
to
save
he
can
harden
the
human
heart
in
judgment
and
he
can
soften
the
human
heart
in
mercy
pray
that
he
would
be
merciful
to
those
people
in
your
life
that
you
know
are
spiritually
floundering
number
four
go
talk
to
those
people
in
your
life
who
are
floundering
sometimes
we don't
want to
do
that
you know
that
conversation
might be
uncomfortable
and maybe
some of
us have
done
it
and we've
had
the
conversation
but I
want to
encourage
you
go
talk
to
those
people
again
and
again
initiate
conversations
with
them
ask
them
how
they're
doing
listen
to
what
they
say
and
try
to
meet
them
where
they're
at
with
words
of
encouragement
my
mind
goes
back
to
those
words
from
Hebrews
chapter
3
verse
12
see
to it
brothers
and
sisters
that
none
of
you
has
a
sinful
unbelieving
heart
that
turns
away
from
the
living
God
but
encourage
one
another
daily
as
long
as
it
is
called
today
so
that
none
of
you
may
be
hardened
by
sin's
deceitfulness
we
have
come
to
share
in
Christ
if
indeed
we
hold
our
original
conviction
firmly
to the
end
and so
initiate
those
conversations
seek to
encourage
those
people
it might
mean that
you
try to
help
them
see
maybe
God
is
at
work
in
your
life
for
good
even
though
you
don't
think
he
is
or
maybe
it
means
that
you
humbly
and
graciously
give
him
a
warning
like
this
one
say
I
see
you
going
down
a
path
away
from
God
and
it's
breaking
my
heart
what's
going
on
number
five
don't
give
people
who
are
floundering
like
this
the
impression
that
they're
okay
and
that
you're
okay
with
it
living
in
persistent
sin
is
one
of
the
most
dangerous
places
to
be
unbelief
is
spiritually
dangerous
and
I'm
going
to
point
you
to
one
passage
Hebrews
10
26
if
we
deliberately
keep
on
sinning
after
we
have
received
the
knowledge
of
the
truth
no
sacrifice
for
sins
is
left
but
only
a
fearful
expectation
of
judgment
and
of
raging
fire
that
will
consume
the
enemies
of
God
anyone
who
rejected
the
law
of
Moses
died
without
mercy
on
the
testimony
of
two
or
three
witnesses
so
five
things
don't
assume
automatically
that
it's
because
they
were
never
a
true
disciple
of
Jesus
don't
assume
automatically
that
they
always
have
been
a
true
disciple
of
Jesus
pray
for
these
people
talk
to
these
people
to
encourage
them
and
don't
give
them
the
impression
that
they're
okay
in
that
place
forever
so in closing
may the Lord Jesus
have the deepest faith
of your heart
the deepest faith
of your heart
and mine
and
may he give us wisdom
and courage
to know how to help
those of our friends
co-workers
neighbors
family
who are spiritually floundering
let's pray
Lord Jesus
these are tough words
they get us thinking
about heaven and hell
they get us thinking
about people we love
help us Lord
help us to hold fast
to you
each one of us
here in this room
and make us people
who help others
you know each person
that we know
that we wish
was walking closely
with you
and they're not
I pray that you would
give us words for them
even this week
that you would
show us how we can
reach out to them
we ask this in Jesus name
amen
and
you