Posted on July 30, 2026 Posted By: Jenni Nikolakakis Categories: Message Notes, Weekly Program

Believe! The Gospel of John

WK 20– “Stuck in First Gear”

John 6:59-71 NASB

August 2, 2026

Justin Scarberry

Jesus’ Spiritual Instruction:

We need the Spirit of God living inside us; A Complete Restoration!

These things He said in the synagogue

– John 6:59

Capernaum is on the sea of __________; 60-75 miles north of ______________.
Synagogue: a place for Jewish people to learn and worship on the ___________.
Christianity started exclusively with Jewish people, then spread to ___________.

**“This statement is very unpleasant; who can listen to it?”**

– John 6:60

The Greek word for disciple is mathētēs, meaning “___________” or “________”.
The focus of every church: to make _____________ of Jesus.
Jesus’ following grew with people hearing He ________ people, _______ people, and turns ________ into wine. They wanted to see what He could do for them.
“Very unpleasant;” Greek word sklēros– harsh, stern, violent, rough, __________.
These short-term followers of Jesus had _______________ themselves in their ways and they couldn’t comprehend the truth when they heard it.
“Who can listen to it?” – Jesus said, “If they have ears to _______, let them _______.” (Matthew 11:15, 13:9, 13:43; Mark 4:9, 4:23, 7:16; Luke 8:8, 14:35)
People will listen to the Message, like the parts about healing people and loving others, but __________ it when they hear He is the only way to ____________.
Jesus was _______________ the real disciples from those who were following to see what He would do for them. Jesus knew their true ___________. – John 6:15

“Is this offensive to you?”

– John 6:61-62

The Bible is _____________; it calls out sin; it calls out what we should be doing.
He told them He would ascend to where He was before; back to ____________.
He gave a _____________ about His Ascension back to the Father (Acts 1:9-11).

Jesus knew … who did not believe, and … who would betray Him.

– John 6:63-64

Some of His followers “did not believe” and some would even ___________
Some came with a ___________ but did not truly Believe in what He came to do.
Some are planted in the church just to betray, provoke dissension, and promote division. Their goal is to ________ rather than build up the church. – Jude 1:4-19
Tare vs. Wheat: Can’t tell the difference until the ___________! – 13:24-30
“Tare” vs. True Believer: Can’t tell the difference until they produce ________!
_____________ Fruit: A person who has the Spirit of God living inside them will develop this fruit in their life. – Galatians 5:22-26
God will _________ the tares out Himself. In all cases, God is in control and we should trust in Him. Our only job is to make _____________. – Matthew 13:37-43

“No one can come to Me unless … granted him from the Father.”

– John 6:65

God draws us to Him. Jesus knows who is going to _________ Him (John 6:64).
God is the “I am,” past, present, and ____________, all in one! – Revelation 1:8
We were chosen before the foundation of ___________. – Ephesians 1:4
Sadly, “many are __________, but few are _____________.” – Matthew 22:14
Many will continually ___________ Him, leading to a full and complete rejection. No more “ears to hear” and will spend eternity ______________ from God.

Many of His disciples left, and would no longer walk with Him.

– John 6:66

What happens when a person continually rejects Jesus; they ________
Walking away now means that on the day of judgement Jesus will say “__________ from Me, I ________ knew you.” – 7:21-23, Luke 13:25-27
__________ is not part of the Christian walk. The Christian walk: we know that we are broken and we ____________ need Jesus.
Like an old car, we know we are __________, we need our Father for the constant ____________, He keeps us moving forward, He reminds us to not look back. He ______________ us!

“You do not want to leave also, do you?”

– John 6:67

He checked in with his ____________ handpicked disciples.
He picked all twelve even though He knew one would become a tare and ___________ The offer of _____________ is for everyone! – Romans 1:16
Not our job to __________; Our job is to give the gospel message to the ____________ world! – Matthew 24:14, 28:29-20; Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8

**Simon Peter answered Him, “…We have already believed…”**

– John 6:68-69

Simon Peter provided his unwavering ___________.
He wouldn’t remain loyal; he would deny Jesus __________
Salvation means we can be saved from the ________________ of our sin.
Like the parable of the _____________ son, we can turn around and come back home; Jesus is waiting with __________ arms! – Luke 15:11-32

**“Did I Myself not choose you …? And yet one of you is a devil.”**

– John 6:70-71

Many of us are chosen, but not all of us will ______________!
He knew ___________ would betray Him. The other disciples didn’t. Only God knows the true condition of our __________. – 1 Samuel 16:7
When we __________ Jesus, we reject God’s offer to be reconciled to Him. God wants better for our life. God is not willing for any to ____________. – 2 Peter 3:9

FINAL THOUGHTS

When things get tough, do you tend to stick with Jesus or head away from Him?

When things get tough, do you look for Jesus’ guidance or look elsewhere for answers?

Our Father has a loving heart. Are you quick to LOVE or quick to JUDGE?

LET’S FILL THE BARRELS!!

Donations still needed- School Starts soon!

Donation Barrels for school supplies & toiletries

(Exact items needed listed on each barrel)

Community Garage Sale- August 22

Bring items to Paul & Paulette’s House

All sales will go to Church Ministries

Mid-week Bible Studies

Monday: Bible Study at Paul & Paulette’s 6pm

Wednesday: Women’s Bible Study at church 7pm

Thursday: Men’s Bible Study at church 6pm

Youth Group Wednesday

Paul & Paulette’s. Food Provided. Bring Friends! 6-8pm

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Colossians 3:2 NIV

²Set your minds on things above,

not on earthly things.

What are some things that Jesus said that people may find offensive?
Read John 6:59-65, what is a synagogue in the Bible? What is the importance of the synagogue? What does “gentile” mean?
What does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus? Are all Christians disciples? Why or why not? What does it mean to make disciples?
When the Bible talks about “flesh” (verse 63), what is meant? What does Jesus mean that “the words I have spoken to you are spirit, and are life”?
Does Jesus know everyone who will believe in Him and who will not? Why or why not?
Read Galatians 5:22-23, does every Christian always have all of these traits? Why or why not? Have any of these been an issue in your life (if you are willing to share with the group, please do so)?
What is the difference between “good” and “bad” fruit in the Bible?
Read John 6:66-71, why do you think many people leave Jesus like it says in verse 66? Can you be a disciple and not be a Christian? Why or why not?
What does it mean in the Bible when it tells us not to quench the Spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:19)?
Why do you think Jesus chose Judas if He knew He would turn against Him?

August 2, 2026 Sermon Notes and Questions