OUTLINE:

Heb 6:11-12
And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you will not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

“through faith”
Could there be a larger statement regarding our lives? Could there be a more potent remedy to our ailments? Is there a greater ointment for our disciplinary wounds?

Eph 2:8-9
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Ro 12:3b
…God has allotted to each a measure of faith.

“through faith”
Paul wrote about “through faith” being contiguous for every form of deliverance given by grace from the Lord.

Through Faith
The reason the Bible frequently uses the concept “through faith” is because that is exactly how we are sanctified, whether positionally or experientially. Since faith is a grace gift, it cannot be planned, manufactured, or empowered by man on his own.

By Grace, They Were Prepared
The great work for any believer is to spread the Gospel. We all need to be literally changed by grace through faith in order to accomplish this good work. Jesus has left His precious salvation ministry to His sheep to carry on.

Leaders Are Made, Not Born
Like every leader worth their salt, they had to be trained up. Every leader requires training, beginning with the humility required to follow, regardless of personality.

Leaders Are Made, Not Born
Man is born depraved, self-absorbed, egocentric, controlling, jealous, weak, etc. While he may have apparent requisite gifts, such as intellect, persuasiveness, confidence, etc., without the constitution of a leader, he is merely a counterfeit.

On Leadership
One of THE greatest shortcomings of wannabe leaders is that they fail to see that the issue is not seizing control, but rather seizing servitude. Every good leader serves another, and so on.

The Constitution of a Leader
Man is born antagonistic towards God. A true leader must first be a true follower. Self-promoters lack the constitution for the job. The Word demands testing, proof of ability, before a man ought to be ready for promotion. Arrogance never waits; humility does (e.g., Lk 2:52; 1Sa 17:33-37; Gal 1:15-18; 1Ti 3:2-7; Tit 1:7-11).

The Apostles Were Taught Patience
A good portion of humility is patience. Perseverance, as one of the key fruits of believers, is something that is wrought alongside of patience. Jesus taught His apostles to be patient and wait on God’s timing for everything.

The Value of Perspective
Do NOT worry about what you DON’T understand yet; focus on those things that the Lord has revealed through His Spirit in you. Consider how very far the grace of God has already delivered you. Remember where you came from, and be grateful always (1Th 5:18).

Sending the Apostles Out
- Jesus called them
- Jesus trained them (academically & OJT)
- Jesus sent them out

True Sustenance
The “bread of life” (Jn 6) is a believer’s true source of energy and life. Even if we die physically, we keep eternal life, the source of which is Jesus Christ, Himself (Jn 1:4).

1Co 2:14 [NLT]
But people who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means.

“Does this cause you to stumble?”
Jesus asked a rhetorical question that He knew the unbelieving “disciples” would be forced to answer “yes” in their hearts. He later on makes the direct statement, “But there are some of you who do not believe” (Jn 6:64).

False Disciples
Some people follow Jesus because He is the “best option” under scrutiny of human rationale. This does not constitute salvation. Human rationale has nothing to do with God’s grace; in fact, it’s an obstacle.

Unbelievers Among Us
Don’t ever assume that everyone who calls themselves a “Christian” is a true believer. Jesus was never fooled by human interest in His person and works, so neither should we be.

“stumble”
- from skandalizo -means to cause to stumble, cause to sin, cause to become indignant, shock, offend. The human flesh is always offended by the Gospel truth

“the flesh profits nothing”
This is just about THE most offensive statement the human flesh can ever hear! The very nature of human flesh is that it receives credit (aka “creature credit” - Ro 1).

Breaking Fleshly Cords
Jesus broke the flesh’s desire to “profit” by stating that unless the Father draws a person, they are not saved, no matter how their flesh exerts itself. Therefore, with broken flesh, many “withdrew” (proving their lack of faith, being unsaved).