Steps to Getting Out of the Will of God

John 6:66

Scripture Reference

John 6:66 — From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.

Introduction

This sermon, “Steps to Getting Out of the Will of God,” is drawn from John chapter 6 and preached by Dr. Terry LeQuieu. The passage records a moment when a multitude followed Jesus for miracles and provision, but many later departed when the teaching became demanding. This message examines the spiritual movements that drive people away from God’s will and contrasts them with the convictions and habits that keep believers faithful. Our goal is not to offer cheap sentiment, but clear biblical challenge rooted in the King James Version, calling young adults and all believers to examine where they get their strength, how they define Christ in their lives, and whether they are committed to active service for the Lord.

I say it all the time, but please don’t ever get over the fact that God’s not gotten over you.

Quote from Preacher

The above quote is the opening reminder from Dr. Terry LeQuieu’s message. It sets the tone: God’s grace remains available even when people waver, yet grace does not remove the call to faithfulness and obedience.

Outline

Steps to Getting Out of Church and the Will of God
1. Complain about the man of God and criticize the messenger
  When the truth cuts, many cannot critique the truth so they attack the messenger. John 6:41–42 shows the Jews murmuring, “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph…? How is it then that he saith, I came down from heaven?” The danger: personalizing preaching instead of processing the Word. Young adults should learn to evaluate teaching by Scripture, not by the popularity or personality of the preacher.
2. Conflict with other believers and stir strife
  John 6:52 records that “the Jews therefore strove among themselves.” Constant contention—always having to have the last word, stirring disputes, gossiping laterally—pushes people out. Proper Biblical conflict resolution follows Jesus’ pattern: go to the person, then follow the God-ordained chain of authority (see Matthew 18). Choose unity and truth over winning every argument.
3. Criticize hard preaching and take offense
  John 6:60 records, “This is an hard saying; who can hear it?” Many leave when doctrine becomes personal or demanding. Those who love God’s law find peace (Psalm 119:165) and are not easily offended. If hard truth offends you, it may reveal a heart that prefers comfort over correction.
Why people leave: deeper heart issues
1. Welfare mentality — seeking what God can give instead of serving God
  Jesus confronted those who came primarily for free provision (John 6:26). The crowd followed for bread and signs; they were nourished by miracles but not converted in heart. A Christian life driven by “What can I get?” easily abandons God when the miraculous stops or the message demands surrender.
2. Pragmatic faith — only believing what can be reasoned or seen
  The crowd argued because spiritual truth required faith (John 6:49–51, 63). Walking by sight rather than faith robs someone of following where God leads. Hebrews 11 shows the godly who walked by faith into promises they had not yet seen.
3. Willful unbelief — choosing not to believe
  Even with repeated teaching, some “believe not” (John 6:64). The human heart can harden to the point of rejecting revealed truth. When willful unbelief sets in, the path away from God’s will becomes increasingly certain.
Steps to Being Faithful to God (how the twelve stayed)
1. Determine where you will get your feeling — fix your affections on Christ
  Peter’s reply, “Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life” (John 6:68), shows a choice: get your emotional nourishment from God’s Word and presence rather than people, experiences, or social scene. When trials come, a pre-decided devotion prevents drifting.
2. Declare who Jesus is in your life — make Christ your personal Lord
  “We believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God” (John 6:69). Faithful people publicly and privately confess Christ as their Lord. Don’t merely follow parental faith or habit—own Christ for yourself. Ruth’s statement to Naomi, “Thy God shall be my God,” is the resolve we must emulate.
3. Dedicate yourself to serving Him — move from belief to service
  Belief without action lacks assurance. Peter and the disciples were not only convinced intellectually; they were sure and committed to serve. John 7:17 and 2 Timothy 3:14–15 teach obedience and continuity in what’s learned. Dedication yields assurance and spiritual maturity: obey, then understand.
Practical Principles Interwoven with the Outline
1. Obedience before full understanding
  Jesus taught that doing God’s will leads to clearer knowledge (John 7:17). Too often we demand full comprehension before obedience. The Bible often calls us to step out in faith, and God gives understanding as we walk.
2. Consider the source
  When evaluating counsel or criticism, examine the heart and track record of the source. God’s promises are trustworthy because He cannot lie. Keep anchored to Scripture and the faithful testimony of God’s people (2 Timothy 3:14).
3. Repeat truth until it is applied
  Preaching the same truth repeatedly is not failure; often it’s persistence until hearts obey. The preacher will change the message when hearers begin to apply the previous one.

Summary

John 6 shows a sharp contrast between those who follow Jesus for provision and those who follow Him for His person. The path out of God’s will is marked by complaining about the messenger, constant conflict, and offense at hard preaching. The path of faithfulness is marked by resolving where you receive your comfort and strength, confessing Christ as your Lord, and committing yourself to serve regardless of cost. The KJV Scriptures demand both honest heart-searching and concrete action: obedience, confession, and dedication.

When others get out of the will of God and leave church, that’s not a carte blanche excuse for you to get out of the will of God and leave church.

Quote to Ponder

This quote from Dr. LeQuieu is a stern but loving call to personal responsibility. Let it remind you that someone else’s failure is not your permission to fail.

Application for the Week

Practical, actionable steps to live out this sermon across the next seven days. Pick one from each group and work on it daily.

Adjust your affections
1. Daily Bible nourishment
  Set aside 15–30 minutes daily for reading John chapter 6 and Psalm 119. Ask God to make His Word your daily bread. If you usually feed emotionally from peers or entertainment, replace one leisure block with Scripture and prayer.
2. Worship over feelings
  When you feel spiritually dry this week, intentionally sing a hymn or worship chorus and read John 6:35 aloud: “I am the bread of life.” Declare that truth aloud when emotions waver.
Examine speech and relationships
1. No gossip pledge
  Make a commitment: for one full week, refuse to speak negatively about another church member or leader behind their back. If you feel the urge, pray, write the concern and then follow Matthew 18 by speaking directly to the person (or to leadership if appropriate).
2. Respond, don’t rant
  If you’re offended by a sermon or a rebuke, write down the exact reason you felt hurt. Wait 24 hours, then seek clarification from the pastor or a mature believer with humility, asking how to apply the truth rather than merely venting.
Test and declare Christ
1. Personal confession
  Verbally declare to God and at least one believer this week: “Jesus is my Lord; I will not go elsewhere.” If you haven’t yet publicly made that statement, consider telling a trusted Christian leader and ask for prayer.
2. Serve in a small, tangible way
  Dedicate yourself to a weekly act of service for the church or outreach: invite one person to Sunday service, serve in a local ministry, or spend an hour sharing the Gospel with a friend. Practice obedience to grow assurance.
Commit to ongoing growth
1. Memorize and meditate
  Memorize John 6:68–69 this week. Meditate on it each morning. Let Peter’s response prepare your heart for trials.
2. Accountability
  Find one accountability partner and agree to one weekly check-in about spiritual disciplines: Bible reading, prayer, witness, and attendance. Ask them to lovingly confront complaint, conflict, or critical spirit.

God’s grace is sufficient for you, but grace does not excuse disobedience. Let this week be a practical season of leaning into Christ — receiving His bread, not merely the crumbs of emotional relief. If you sense God speaking to you, go to an altar, ask for prayer, and commit to the steps above with other believers.