Awakened by Holy Stimuli

1 Peter 1:17-21

                   Spiritual Stimulation Involves Holy Considerations.

A fear of God is largely missing in our society, but that is not the saddest reality. Far too many Believers have little to no measurable respect for God as Father or Judge. From the appearance of things not many Christians cherish deeply the extraordinary price paid for our redemption. The result is a generation of professing Believers who have little or no desire to sustain holy and godly lifestyles. Immorality, sex outside of marriage, lying, cheating, coveting, and materialism are more a part of Believers’ lives then the Word of God and walking in the Spirit. We need a special blend of holy stimulation to awaken godly desires deep within the recesses of our souls. Here are some helpful considerations:

A.     Consider how God is the Father and the Impartial Judge; continue your journey with the utmost respect for Him (17).

                                                   i.      Get Serious About Combating Sin.  Interactivity with a father and a judge demands respect! As God’s children, we need to respect Him by being serious about refusing sin and pursuing holiness. Our Heavenly Father is a holy (John 17:11) and righteous Father (John 17:25). He will not compromise with sin. He is merciful and forgiving, but He is also a loving disciplinarian who cannot permit His children to enjoy sin. After all, it was sin that sent His Son to the cross. If we call God “Father,” then we should reflect His nature.

                                                 ii.      Don’t Worry About Punishment for Sins. 

1.      What is this judgment that Peter wrote about? It is the judgment of a believer’s works. It has nothing to do with salvation, except that salvation ought to produce good works (Titus 1:16; 2:7, 12). When we trusted Christ, God forgave our sins and declared us righteous in His Son (Rom. 5:1–10; 8:1–4; Col. 2:13). Our sins have already been judged on the cross (1 Peter 2:24), and therefore they cannot be held against us (Heb. 10:10–18).

2.      The Fathers judgment of His own in this life is chastening and corrective, not eternal punishment; He has committed the judgment of sinners to the Lord Jesus (John 5:22). The prospect of God’s corrective measures should awaken holy respect in the heart of God’s people.

3.      Lincoln writes: “He is looking on, taking notice of all, whether there is integrity of purpose, intelligence of mind, and desire of heart to please Him.”

                                                iii.      Prepare for the Judgment Seat of Christ.  But when the Lord returns, there will be a time of judgment called “the Judgment Seat of Christ” (Rom. 14:10–12; 2 Cor. 5:9–10). Each of us will give an account of his works, and each will receive the appropriate reward. This is a “family judgment,” the Father dealing with His beloved children. The Greek word translated judgeth carries the meaning “to judge in order to find something good.” God will search into the motives for our ministry; He will examine our hearts. But He assures us that His purpose is to glorify Himself in our lives and ministries, “and then shall every man have praise of God” (1 Cor. 4:5). What an encouragement! –Wiersbe: The Bible Exposition Commentary

                                               iv.      Live Daily with a Healthy Fear of God.

1.      We are to pass the time of our stay on earth in fear. As we realize the extent of His knowledge and the accuracy of His judgment, we should live with a wholesome fear of displeasing Him.

2.      Christians are not at home in this world. We are living in a foreign country, exiled from heaven. We should not settle down as if this were our permanent dwelling. Neither should we imitate the behavior of the earth-dwellers. We should always remember our heavenly destiny and behave ourselves as citizens of heaven (MacDonald, W.).

B.     Consider how Christ is our Redemption Sacrifice; place your faith and hope in God (18-21).

                                                   i.      Remember Your Bondage (1:18).  Redeem means to buy back someone from bondage by the payment of a price; to set free by paying a ransom. “Redemption” was a technical term for money paid to buy back a prisoner of war. Here it is used of the price paid to buy the freedom of one in the bondage of sin and under the curse of the law (i.e., eternal death, cf. Gal. 3:13). The price paid to a holy God was the shed blood of His own Son (cf. Ex. 12:1–13; 15:13; Ps. 78:35; Acts 20:28; Rom. 3:24; Gal. 4:4, 5; Eph. 1:7; Col. 1:14; Titus 2:14; Heb. 9:11–17).

                                                 ii.      Do Not Lead a Full, But Empty Life (1:18).  We were not redeemed with perishable money (18).

1.      Before our conversion, we were the same as the rest of the world (1:18). Our talk and walk were as empty and trivial as everyone else around us. Our unconverted days are described as vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers. Peter’s focus is not on any specific action, but on the way of life that we inherited from our ancestors. Those old ways were futile, empty of power and incapable of securing salvation. Like Peter’s readers we all needed to be snatched from our hopeless condition. 

2.      But now we have been ransomed from that futile existence by a tremendous transaction. We have been rescued from the slavery of world-conformity by the payment of an infinite ransom. No, it was not with silver or gold that we kidnap victims have been freed (see Ex. 30:15)!

                                                iii.      Note the Cost of Your Redemption (1:19-21).  We were redeemed with the precious blood of Christ (19-21). Peter describes Christ as the ultimate sacrificial Lamb, who is offered in our place to pay the price for our sins. God’s way of salvation is contrasted to human attempts at gaining salvation through the use of earthly means (v. 18).

1.      Nothing Compares To His Perfection (19).  Christ is a lamb without blemish or spot, that is, He is absolutely perfect, inwardly and outwardly.

a.       Precious blood: a lamb: The analogy here may be a reference either to the Passover lamb (see Ex. 12:3–6) or to the many lambs without blemish that were offered as part of the Old Testament sacrificial system (see Lev. 23:12; Num. 6:14; 28:3).

b.      If a believer is ever tempted to return to worldly pleasures and amusements, to adopt worldly modes and patterns, to become like the world in its false ways, he should remember that Christ shed His blood to deliver him from that kind of life. To go back to the world is to re-cross the great gulf that was bridged for us at staggering cost. But even more—it is positive disloyalty to the Savior.

c.       “Reason back from the greatness of the sacrifice to the greatness of the sin. Then determine to be done forever with that which cost God’s Son His life.” –MacDonald: Believer's Bible Commentary

2.      Nothing Compares To His Predestination (20). “Foreordained” indicates that God has known (v. 2) the One who would bring salvation, even as He has known those to whom that salvation is offered and secured (see Rom. 11:2).  Christ’s death was planned, not and accident or unexpected turn of events.  God designed it with us in mind!

3.      Nothing Compares To His Manifestation (20b).  “But was manifest,” this phrase contrasts with the first half of the verse. What was known only to God before the creation of the world is now made known to us. The payment for sin was planned before the Creation of the world and revealed for people’s sake through the Incarnation of Jesus Christ. (The present Age is these last times [1:20] whereas the coming Age is “the last time” [v. 5].)

4.      Nothing Compares To His Resurrection (21). 

a.       Peter made it clear that Christ’s death was an appointment, not an accident; for it was ordained by God before the foundation of the world (Acts 2:23). From the human perspective, our Lord was cruelly murdered; but from the divine perspective, He laid down His life for sinners (John 10:17–18). But He was raised from the dead! Now, anyone who trusts Him will be saved for eternity.

b.      When you and I meditate on the sacrifice of Christ for us, certainly we should want to obey God and live holy lives for His glory.

5.      Nothing Compares To His Glorification (21). The Father indicated His complete satisfaction with Christ’s redeeming work by raising Him out from among the dead ones and honoring Him with the place of highest glory in heaven. The result of all this is that our faith and hope might be in God. It is in Him, not in the present evil world system, that we live and move and have our being.

a.       That our faith and hope might be in God (21).  It is through Christ, whom the Father resurrected (1:3) and glorified in His Ascension (John 17:5; Heb. 1:3) that people may come to know and trust in God. As a result of God’s eternal plan and priceless payment for sin, faith and hope can be placed in Him.

b.      Loyalty to the Lord Jesus is further demanded by the fact that it is through Him we have come to believe in God. He is the One who has revealed the Father’s heart to us. As W. T. P. Wolston says: “it is not by creation nor providence nor law that man knows God, but by Christ.” 

Conclusion:

We can cultivate stronger desires to live holy by believing, embracing, and acting on strong biblical and theological truths. Allow the holiness of God and the price of redemption to deeply impress your innermost being! Find stimulating hope in the Revelation of Jesus Christ! Make a point of living holy in practical ways each day of life. Christ died for you and me that we should live for Him! Is your desire to live holy spiritually strong, or is it beginning to weaken under the pressure of worldly appeals to conform? Are you fully persuaded to lead a devoted life? Is it your defining aim to please Christ? Have you prepared for living differently by placing the grace of Christ return before you?  Have you decided to be an obedient child living holy because God, your Father, is holy?  Can you think deeply upon the great sacrifice of Jesus Christ and still harbor casual attitudes toward sin? Allow these questions to awaken and alert you to where you are presently in your walk with the Lord. While you are at it, have a large mug of God’s holy java!

Questioning God’s Love

 

Questioning God’s Love 

Malachi 1:1-2

SUBJECT: CHOSEN BY GOD

THEME: Be thankful for the blessings of love, privilege, and hope from God upon our personal lives, our homes, our churches, and our county.

RELEVANCE:  the Sovereign Choices of God (in the past) Concerning Israel’s General Conditions and Quality of Life Should be Viewed as an Act of His Love. 

INTRODUCTION: 

1. “Count Your Blessings” repeats the phrase, “Count your blessings, name them one by one. Count your blessings, see what God has done.” Thankfulness requires reflection on our lives as we consider or count what God has given us.

2.  Malachi ministered to the restored Jewish nation about 400 years before Christ.  

3.  Malachi directs his messages to the priests, and then he turns to the people collectively—“Like people, like priest.” As the prophet delivers God’s Word, the people respond by arguing. Note the repeated “Wherein?” (1:2, 6–7; 2:17; 3:7–8, 13). It is a dangerous thing when people argue with God and try to defend their sinful ways.

From this passage the following truths may be seen.

MESSAGE:

I. We Enjoy Great Love from God, but Some People Ignore It (Mal. 1:1-2).

A.  GOD DECLARES HIS LOVE.   (Mal. 1:1-2a)

It is true that some people seem to be more favored by God than others, and yet they are often unaware or even doubtful of it.

   1.  This is the Burden of Malachi.  (Mal. 1:1) “The burden of the word of the LORD . . .by Malachi”

A “burden” is a judgment, a judgment from God, and it will be a very strong and rigorous rebuke that God will give to them.^[a]

Thus the Divine message which Malachi had to deliver to Israel: “I have loved you, saith the LORD.”  

Nothing should thrill our hearts like the knowledge that God loves us. 

       A.  It is God’s Nature to Love.

Deut. 7:7, The Lord did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people:

1 John 4:8,  He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

       B.  It is God’s Desire to Love.

Jeremiah 31:3, The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.

1 John 4:7, Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

       C.  It is God’s Glory to Love.

God love those who are unlovable, and do not know how to love in return.

Hosea 11:1, When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.

Romans 5:8, But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Love is a great and glorious act of God’s Person and Purpose.  It is a wonderful matter when God love us.

   2.  This is the Blessing of Israel.  (Mal. 1:1) “the word of the Lord to Israel”

Israel here stands for all the tribes, all the descendants of Jacob.

       A.  Consider God’s Blessings on Israel.

The nation of Israel was more favored than any nation on the face of the earth.

            1.  Notice Their Privileges.

In relation to their privileges Paul says, 

Romans 9:4-5, Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; [5] Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.

            2.  Notice Our Privileges.

1 Cor. 10:11, Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

Romans 15:4, For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

Just as the Lord love Israel because of Who he is, He likewise loves us.  It not our performance that wins his love. 

       B.  Consider God’s Blessings on an Individual.

As Jacob was more favored than Esau, so some people in all generations are more blessed than others. 

            1.  As Individuals, Some People Have More Blessings than Others.

                — Blessed with more vigorous and stronger bodies,

                — Some have more intellectual resources,

                — Other have more emotional wealth or greater ability to enjoy life. 

                — There is great variety in the degree of natural ability give to each of us.

                — Read the parable of the talents.

            2.  As Individuals, All People Are Not Privileged with the Same Type Blessings.

                — Some are born of healthier parents than others,

                — Some live in better circumstances than others,

                — Others are endowed with greater strengths than others,

                — Others are raised in a more wholesome family environment.

                — Some are afforded higher educational opportunities than others.  

            3.  The Existence of These Distinctions Is Too Obvious to Require Either Argument or Illustration.

       C.  Consider God’s Blessings on our Nation.

But it is the nation that is in view in our text.  “I have loved you” that is, “I have regarded you more than other nations.”

            1.  Is Not Our America More Favored than Most of the Other Nations of the Earth? She is recognized as the leading superpower in the world.  She is, in some respects, as far exalted above all existing countries, as Israel of old was above all the heathen nations that surrounded it.

            2.  But While this Is Such an Obvious Fact, the Blessed Ones Are Too Often Unaware of the Distinction. “Wherein hast thou loved us?”

                  — Israel did not realize its gigantic privileges. How often is this the case with us!

                  — The people most privileged of God are often most unconscious of His blessings, and they say, “Wherein hast thou loved us?”

                  — As a rule, perhaps the most privileged people of God are the greatest complainers.

                  — What ignorance of God’s love we find here! 

                  — God’s love counted for nothing!

B. THEY DOUBTED GOD’S LOVE (Mal 1:2b).

“I have loved you,” God says to His people. “Oh?” they respond. “Wherein hast thou loved us? Prove it.”

When God tells people that He loves them and they respond, “Yeah, right!”, there is a serious spiritual problem at work. That is exactly what we find here.  How can we recognize it in our own experience?

   1.  It is Marked by Doubt.

       A.  Ignoring and doubting God’s love is the beginning of unbelief and disobedience.

       B.  Eve doubted God’s love and ate of the forbidden tree; she thought God was holding out on her.

       C.  Satan wants us to feel neglected by God. “Look at your difficult circumstances,” he said to the Jewish remnant. “Where are the crops? Why doesn’t God take care of you?”

   2.  It is Marked by Mediocrity.

      A.  They Did Not Possess the Commitment that Comes from Love.

Not surprisingly, the Jews who had returned to Judah and Jerusalem and lost a sense of God's love for them were unable to muster much love for Him in return. This showed in the way they kept up a superficial form of religion that actually insulted God.

      B.  They Did Not Experience the Victories that are Rooted in Love.

             — When the Jews from Babylon returned to Jerusalem and Judah after seventy years of captivity, they experienced a great deal of frustration and defeat.

             — Oh, sure, they responded to the divine cheerleading of Haggai and Zechariah to rebuild the temple—on a small scale.

             — Yes, they had finally raised walls around the holy city under the none-too-gentle prodding of Nehemiah.

      C.  They Did Not Know the Perseverance That is Motivated by Love.

On the whole, the Jews in the days of the prophet Malachi were ready to join the “quitters’ club” where you simply go through the motions, but your heart is really not in it at all.  

             — They were beaten down and ready to settle for the path of least resistance.

             — They embraced mediocrity as a goal worth easing toward.

   3.  It is Marked by Ingratitude.

As usual when people question God’s love, it generates a great deal of bitterness, complaining and general ingratitude.  So God here proves His love to His people in two ways:

       A.  He Graciously Chose Jacob.  

            1.  That is their national father, and rejected Esau, who in many ways was a much better man. 

            2.  Bare in mind, this has nothing to do with salvation, but the privilege of participation in God’s plan to bring the Messiah into the world.  Salvation is not in view, but a position in God’s great plan of the ages.

       B.  He Judged the Edomites.

These are Esau’s descendants who were without the blessings of the Lord, but God gave to Israel the best of the lands.

            1.  Too often we have to be reminded of another’s tragedies before we can see our own blessings.

            2.  He promised Israel a land flowing with milk and honey, but, alas, their sins polluted the land. Even then, he graciously restored them to their land and delivered them from captivity.

            3.  With all these blessings, you would expect God’s people to be thankful instead of complaining.

Application: To take someone for granted means not to appreciate him, especially because you are too familiar with the person. Such actions also assume that the relationship is 'fine' even without any acts of gratitude or appreciation (Luke 17:17-18). Sometimes we take God for granted! We can go ahead and sin and sin and sin, thinking that it's okay because we can be forgiven the moment we ask for forgiveness. We do this because we think salvation is ours, and that excuses us from trying harder to live a holy life. We seem to think the ideas of the grace of God suggests that we will be exempted from the consequences of our wrong actions, but this is a deception and exceedingly harmful; it gives Satan the advantage. (Rom. 6:1-2)

Application: When a person is in love with God, they are overflowing with joy, faith and excitement. A person is drawn and repents when they are convicted by the gospel, surrenders their will, and becomes spiritually born-again. They are redeemed through the blood covenant atonement and become a new creation that is governed by Christ our Lord who fills and controls their life.

We agree the infinite life of God within these individuals illuminates and empowers the presence of His mercy, compassion, and love. So, could it be possible for an individual who has yielded everything they have and all that they are unto God, to never say a word about knowing Him? Could someone who has taken up their cross feel embarrassed or ashamed to talk about the Bible, pray for someone in need, or share about what Christ accomplished on Calvary? (Living on Purpose: Ignoring God does not lessen our need for Him

Rev. Billy Holland)

Application: Sometimes it is unbelief that has prevented us from receiving God's love. You may have hardened your heart against His love at some point, and while you still believe in God and believe other truths about Him, you cannot bring yourself to believe in His love.

CONCLUSION.

Aren’t we as individuals, homes, churches, and Americans among the peoples whom God has specially blessed and smiled upon? Are not these words specially applicable to us, “I have loved you, saith the Lord”?

But what is our practical response? Does not our daily life speak out the ingratitude, neglect, and unbelief of Israel, “Wherein hast thou loved us?” We do not see it; we do not feel it; “Wherein?” What ought we to think of our country, civilization, our freedoms, our fruitful lands, our prospering hopes?

Above all, what about our Lord Jesus Christ? 1 John 4:10, Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

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^[a] J. Vernon McGee, Thru the Bible Commentary, electronic ed., vol. 3 (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1997), 992.

Planted Like Christ

 

Planted Like Christ

Jn. 12:20-33

SUBJECT: SERVANTHOOD

THEME:  Service is like being “planted” like the Lord Jesus.   

RELEVANCY:  we are called to be servants, and to have the heart of a servant regardless of the area in which we serve the church or the role we fill.  Any person who has accepted Jesus Christ as Savior is called to be God’s minister to others in certain areas of need, at particular times, but always with a mind and a heart motivated toward generous service.

INTRODUCTION: Jesus came as a servant, not as a superstar. His three-year ministry was a powerful example of servanthood.  From His first miracle of changing water to wine at a wedding feast to His sacrificial death on the cross in which His own blood flowed freely for the salvation of all who would believe in Him and receive God’s offer of forgiveness from sins.  He is indeed the Servant of all servants and certainly a worthy example for you and me.

In the days immediately preceding His crucifixion, Jesus spoke candidly with His disciples about His impending death and resurrection. Much of what He said they didn’t understand fully at the time He spoke to them; looking back, however, they understood very clearly the meaning of His words.

The Lord Jesus could very easily have become an earthly king over the Jews according to this incident that happened just before Passover.  The people wanted Jesus to make a public, political move to consolidate power and become an earthly ruler in place of both the Roman occupation and what was perceived by many to be an oppressive, legalistic Jewish Temple rulership. How did Christ handle all the confusion surrounding His purpose and mission?

MESSAGE:

I.  Jesus Liken Service to Being Planted (John 12:24-25).

Jesus was not interested in ruling, but serving! Christ’s statements about servanthood not only described His own life and sacrificial death, but it also related to our role as servants today.

A.  A MISCONCEPTION: CHRIST’S MISSION IN THE WORLD IS MISUNDERSTOOD.

Even some Greeks wanted the Lord Jesus to become a leader or philosopher among them (Jn. 12: 20-23).    

       1. The Disciples’ Idea of Glory (Jn. 12:23). Jesus gave this answer: “The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.” (John 12:23). On the surface, this statement must have been taken by the disciples and supporters of Jesus to be a strong signal—“Now is the time!”  To be glorified means to reach your crowning moment, your shining hour.

           2. The Lord’s Idea of Glory (Jn. 12:23-26).  Jesus came to Jerusalem to be glorified, but He explains what that means. No one listening to Him understood because they could not comprehend that glory and suffering go together.

                    a. “They thought in terms of crowns of gold; Jesus thought of a crown of thorns. They thought of a throne; He thought of a cross. They thought of a royal robe; He thought of a death shroud. They thought of a physical empire; He thought of a spiritual one.”—Unknown

                        b. Since Jesus places a requirement upon us every day, what does it mean to be His follower? How can an ordinary mortal share in the life of the Son of God and, in the process, share in His glory? Jesus' twelve disciples thought they were headed for fame and prestige until they discovered Jesus’ definition of glory.

                    c. I challenge you to join the disciples of the Lord Jesus in a major change in the course of your Christian experience. Do you dare receive the glory that belongs to a person who crosses the bridge Jesus established?  Will you serve the Lord Jesus even though the way is paved with trials, hardships, troubles, difficulty, and discouragements?

B.  A CLARIFICATION: CHRIST’S SERVICE IS LIKE PLANTING WHEAT. (John 12:24-25) 

       1.  The Lord Jesus Refused an Earthly Kingdom and Choose Servanthood Instead.

After the popular misconceptions about glory, thrones and a kingdom, the Lord Jesus quickly went on to say this: John 12:24-25, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. [25] He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.    

             a. Jesus Refused to Live by Earthly Motivations. (Temporal/ Physical)  Jn. 12:24        

                1) The Lord’s Mission Was Not Political.  Jesus made it very clear that He was not called to be a political king so that people might experience a better temporal, earthly existence. 

                    a)   Rather, He was destined to die a sacrificial death so that man might experience an eternal, spiritual life.

                    b)  Jesus was not called to become a king over a political domain, but, instead, the King of kings who might reign over an eternal kingdom not made with human hands.

                        c) Many times we embrace wrong motivations in Christian service.  We want to rule and tell people what to do.  We want to control and dominate like a king would, but this is not the image that the Lord give us here. Christian service is not an occasion to put ourselves on a pedestal; it is an opportunity to be of service to others!

               2) The Lord’s Mission Was Spiritual. The means to achieving Jesus’ much higher and more meaningful goal was not to be found in the man-made systems and alliances of this world, but rather through the ultimate act of ministry and servanthood, a sacrificial death.

                        a) Why are suffering and death so difficult to associate with ruling and reigning? Why do we struggle with the concepts of dying in order to live, losing in order to gain, giving in order to receive? Why do we hold so tightly to what we cannot keep? Why do temporal things have such a strong hold on us? What does it take to “give up what I cannot keep to gain that which I cannot lose”? (12:25)

                        b) Jesus’ example of exaltation through crucifixion is our pattern. Like a grain of wheat, He died. But look at the result: many fruitful seeds! Read John 12:23–26. Take some time to reflect on the truth that when we are willing to follow Jesus’ example we will enjoy His reward—much fruit!  But we must first die to self and choose to serve God and others!

         b. Jesus Resolved to Die to Make Eternal Provisions. 

John 12:24, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.

                  1) The Corn.  Jn. 12:24

                    a) “A corn of wheat” is any kind of grain-wheat, or barley.  The “corn” seed is an illustration of the life of Christ.

                    b) “Fall into the ground” refers to being planted in the earth, thereby the seed will be accessible to the proper moisture from the earth.  This illustrates Christ’s death on the cross.

                        c) By way of application, this “corn of wheat” represents the life of a true servant of God planted in the fertile soil of God’s will in Christian ministry.  Like Christ, we must view our primary purpose as serving the spiritual interests of others.  Like a seed we have great potential to be fruitful!

                 2) The Cross.   Jn. 12:24 “Fall into the ground and die”

                      a)  The whole body of the grain, except the germ, dies in the earth or is decomposed once planted.

                      b)  This decomposed substance provides the first nutrition for the tender germ.

                      c)  This is a nutriment completely appropriate for it, fitted to nourish it until it becomes strong enough to secure its nourishment from the ground. In this God has shown his wisdom and goodness.

                      d)  No one thing could be more precisely fitted for another than this provision made in the grain itself for the future needs of the tender germ.

APPLICATION:  Likewise, through the Cross of our Lord Jesus, He provided that which is most fitted for a needy and sinful people–death.  His death provides the appropriate conditions for salvation, eternal life and a great harvest of souls.  This is also the cross that the Servant of the Lord must bear. Through death we facilitate life! This is a key to fruitful Christian service!  Matthew 16:24, Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 

                 3) The Crown.  Jn. 12:23-24

                      a) “Abideth alone” simply means that the seed cannot produce fruit until it is planted and dies in the ground.  It will remain alone never producing the rich and beautiful harvest.

                      b) “the Son of man should be glorified” Jesus carefully intimates that it was only by his death that He would be glorified in the salvation of men, and in the honors and rewards in Heaven!

APPLICATION: The Lord Jesus bore the Cross therefore He now wears the Crown.  He understood that the suffering will be followed with glory.

 Heb 2:9, But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; . . . .

Phil 2:8-9, He humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross; wherefore God also hath highly exalted him. . . . .

Heb 12:2, Who, for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Ephes. 1:20-23, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, [21] Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: [22] And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, [23] Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

               4) The Course.  Jn. 12:26

John 12:26, If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.  Jesus stated that as the sown kernel dies to bring forth a rich harvest, so also the death of the Son of God will result in the salvation of many. 

                     a) We Too Must Serve The Lord. “Serve me” means we are to be Christ’s disciple also.  The principle of death (see v. 24) is also applicable to us His followers. We, too, as His disciples will have to lose our life in service and witness for Him (see Matt. 10:37–39; 16:24, 25).                   

                     b) We Too Must Follow The Lord. “Let him follow me” Christ calls us to imitate Him; to do what He did, bear what He bore, and love what He loves. He is speaking particularly of his own sufferings and death, and this passage has reference, therefore, to calamity and persecution.  Not only did Jesus choose the servant role for Himself—which was actually the heavenly Father’s role for Him—but He called us, His followers, to become like Him, and to be, first and foremost, servants.  The Lord Jesus Calls His True Followers to Servant-hood 

QUOTE: “You see me triumph-you see (me enter Jerusalem, and you supposed that my kingdom was to be set up without opposition or calamity; but it is not. I am to die; and if you will serve me, you must follow me even in these scenes of calamity; be willing to endure trial and to bear shame, looking for future reward.”—Albert Barnes 

                     c) We Too Will Reign With The Lord. “Where I am, there shall also my servant be:” We as His servants will be in Heaven, with the Son of God reigning and glorified with the glorified Messiah.  The design of this verse is to comfort us in the midst of persecutions, ministry hardships, and trials. 

APPLICATION:  We are to follow Him through whatever challenges; realizing that as He was to be glorified as the result of his sufferings, so we also were to look for our eternal rewards.

Rev 3:21, To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne.

John 14:3, And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

John 17:24, Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world. 

2.  The Lord Jesus Viewed His Service To God As Something Glorious Not Degrading.

Jesus concluded, “What shall I say? Father, save Me from this hour:  but for this cause came I unto this hour. Father, glorify thy name.” (John 12:27). 

     a. Jesus did not back away from servanthood or the ultimate act of service—His sacrificial death. 

     b. He did not regard His crucifixion in any way to be a demeaning or diminishing act, but he considered it to be the very purpose for His life and the fulfillment of His time on this earth.

     c. His entire life and ministry had been aimed at this supreme act of service.

John 12:27, Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour:

John 12:28, Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.

           1)  There’s a phrase that embodies this principle: “Make sure that what you are living for is what you are willing to die for.” That’s the way Jesus lived. He lived a life of service, and He died a death that was an act of service. 

           2)  Jesus came to Jerusalem to be glorified through the act of supreme service—His crucifixion. But, the people could not understand Him because they could not comprehend that glory and suffering go together. They thought in terms of crowns of gold; Jesus thought of a crown of thorns. 

           3)  No genuine believer is excluded from Christian service. We each are called to serve God and to serve others in need every day of our lives. God has already identified the precise ways in which He desires for you to serve Him and, thereby, fulfill your purpose in life.                   

QUOTE: “If we refuse to be a corn of wheat—falling into the ground, and dying; if we will neither sacrifice prospects nor risk character, and property, and health; nor when we are called, relinquish home, and break family ties, for Christ’s sake; then we shall abide alone.   But if we wish to be fruitful, we must follow our Blessed Lord Himself, by becoming a corn of wheat, and dying, then we shall bring forth much fruit.”—T. G. Ragland                                

CONCLUSION:

Nobody is excluded from service. We each are called to serve God and to serve others in need every day of our lives. God has already identified the precise ways in which He desires for you to serve Him and, thereby, fulfill your purpose in life. Ephesians 2:10 tells us: “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

Service is the doing of good works as God leads and directs through the power of the Holy Spirit. The works are there for us to do. Our responsibility is to obey God, even as Jesus obeyed the Father, and to serve Him. With all of our lives—every last grain is given Him and to others.