Dying to Live: Radical Sacrifice & Audacious Faith!

Sermon Notes

John 12:20-26

 

The Goal of this message: To challenge disciples to embrace the life of radical sacrifice and audacious faith required by the gospel.

Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks.  So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.”  Philip went and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus.  And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.  Truly, truly I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.  Whoever loves his life, loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.  If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also.  If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him. (John 12:20-26; ESV).

Jesus’ seed metaphor shows us that the gospel presents us with a choice, a promise, and a motivation.

The Gospel Choice [12:20-26]

 

 

 

 

The Gospel Promise [12:20-26]

 

 

 

 

 

The Gospel Motivation [12:20-26]

 

 

Notes, Quotes & Scripture References:

Quotes from J.D. Greear’s book, Gospel:

        “Every disciple of Jesus should ask God to use his life maximally for His Kingdom.”

Called to Die to Self & Follow Jesus!

        There is a fatal flaw in the life of Christ’s church in the twentieth century: a lack of true discipleship.  Discipleship means forsaking everything to follow Christ.  But for many of today’s supposed Christians - perhaps the majority - it is the case that while there is much talk about Christ and even much furious activity, there is very little following of Christ Himself … in good times, prosperous times, the cost does not seem so high and people take the name of Christ without undergoing the radical transformation of life that true conversion implies.  In these times, preachers often delude them with an easy faith - Christianity without the cross - in order to increase the numbers or their church rolls. [Boice, Christ’s Call to Discipleship].

Teaching Them to Obey:

When Christ calls a man, He bids him ‘come and die.’

        Paul in the book of Romans says that in preaching the gospel he is looking to bring about the ‘obedience of faith.’

        Discipleship means following Jesus in a personal and generally costly way … It is worth stressing here just how much is involved in the words, ‘Follow Me.’(Boice, Christ's Call).

1. Obedience

2. Repentance

3. Submission

4. Commitment

Personal Notes: