"The Difficulties of Discipleship" I Rev. Dr. Howard-John Wesley I Feb 1, 2026

The Difficulties of Discipleship

Rev. Dr. Howard-John Wesley preaches from John 6 about why following Jesus can be difficult—and why believers should remain committed even when faith brings disappointment, conflict, or unanswered questions.

The sermon is part of a season of prayer and fasting focused on becoming more like Jesus, in keeping with Romans 8:29. Wesley argues that genuine discipleship requires more than identifying as Christian: it involves living, looking, and loving like Christ. He contrasts this demanding commitment with “cheap grace” and forms of Christianity that claim Jesus’ name without reflecting his teachings.

Biblical context

In John 6, a large crowd follows Jesus after he feeds them with five loaves and two fish. The crowd seeks him again, hoping for more food and signs. Instead, Jesus teaches that he is the “bread of life,” using language about eating his flesh and drinking his blood. Many find this teaching difficult and stop following him.

Jesus then asks the Twelve whether they also want to leave. Peter answers that, despite the difficulty, they have nowhere else to go because Jesus has the words of eternal life.

Three difficulties of discipleship

1. Disappointment when God says no

People may assume that prayer, religious devotion, or sacrifice will result in the outcome they want. Wesley emphasizes that God is not obligated to act on demand.

As in John 6, the crowd wanted Jesus to become their king, provide more food, and offer another sign. Jesus did not comply with those demands. Faith is tested when prayers seem unanswered or circumstances turn out differently than hoped. Wesley asks whether believers can trust God through a “no,” rather than abandon their faith when God’s will differs from their own.

Peter’s response offers a model: even when following Jesus is difficult, he recognizes that Jesus offers what cannot be found elsewhere.

1. The presence of harmful people in religious communities

Jesus says that one of the Twelve will betray him. Wesley uses Judas to make the point that religious communities can include people whose actions do not reflect Christ.

Church attendance, religious language, or visible participation do not guarantee that every person will behave with kindness or integrity. Wesley warns against letting hurtful or hypocritical people—represented by Judas—drive believers away from God, worship, or service.

His reference to “8.3%” is a humorous rhetorical calculation based on one of the Twelve being a betrayer, not a factual statistic about Christians.

1. The mystery of God and the limits of human understanding

When the crowd says Jesus’ teaching is hard to accept, he does not fully explain it. Wesley interprets this as a reminder that people will not understand everything about God or God’s actions.

Believers may struggle with questions about suffering, injustice, illness, death, and why some people experience hardship while others do not. Wesley encourages people not to let what they do not understand erase what they do know about God.

He uses the biblical manna story to prompt people to remember past experiences of God’s provision. The sermon presents “manna” as a question—“What is it?”—and uses the idea to describe God’s work that people may not fully comprehend. Peter’s declaration that Jesus is the Holy One of God illustrates a faith that holds on to what it knows, even amid uncertainty.

Central lesson

Discipleship is not a guarantee of easy answers, agreeable circumstances, or perfect fellow believers. The sermon calls Christians to deepen their faith so that disappointment, betrayal, and unanswered questions do not make them stop following Jesus. Believers can draw strength from their relationship with Christ and from remembering the ways God has sustained them.

Speakers and sources

• Rev. Dr. Howard-John Wesley — preacher and speaker.
• Biblical passages quoted or referenced: 2 Chronicles 7:14; Romans 8:29; John 6; Luke 10; Luke 14; John 11; and the wilderness manna narrative.
• Hymn reference: “There’s Not a Friend Like the Lowly Jesus” (“No, not one”).
• Congregation: Responds during the sermon, but no individual congregants are identified as separate speakers.