2. He is Willing to Die
John 12: 20-33
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THANKSGIVING

3. L - I - F - E ...
SUMMARY of everything so far:
L et Go. Jesus did not cling to his privileges, nor can we!
I ntimacy We enter the unity of love in the Trinity
F aith Step out and take hold of All God has for us.
E ssential decisions At crisis points, have to make HARD choices

4. 1. Death Produces Fruit Two types of Death / Dying
Die (1) – The end of life on earth in our current bodies
Die (2) – Eternal consequence of separation from God.
Jesus here talks about (1).
The Bible generally treats “end of life on earth” as inconsequential !!!
“The hour has come ... to be glorified” (v 23)
“Greeks” = “Greek speaking Gentiles” – Interested in Jesus (v 20)
Contrasts with the “Pharisees” who hate his influence (v 19, 37ff)

5. 1. Death Produces Fruit ...
“The hour has come ... to be glorified” (v 23)
Just like a seed, Jesus’ death will produce a plentiful harvest ((v 24)
Jesus will open the Kingdom of God to “ALL people” (v 32)
The “Greeks” will then be fully welcome to know him !!!
“All people” – not everyone, but anyone
“glorified” – Jesus’ death is also the ultimate obedience to God’s will.
Jesus refuses to seek his own glory – always the will of the Father.
We too will produce fruit when we put God first
John 12:32 (TNIV)
32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”

6. 2. Death Produces Life
Love – Hate relationship with “Life” [on earth]. (v 25)
Indulgent life now – vs – Eternal life
The Issue: Faithful obedience to the will of God.
Jesus’ obedience was absolute – even to the point of (brutal) death
Jeevan’s about “Babu” – faithful under threat.
Dr John Lumsden – faithful where you are.
John 12:25 (TNIV)
25 Those who love their life will lose it, while those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

7. 2. Death Produces Life ... Hate life ... in this world (v 25)
Being faithfully in tune with the will of God in our lives:
How do we respond to the experiences of every day?
Our Dog “Sasha” outside the Wendy’s in Squamish
Consider changing ONE thing you do in your every day life.
Video games, lunchtimes, internet, one other person,...
John 12:25 (TNIV)
25 Those who love their life will lose it, while those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

8. 3. Follow to Glory Two simple truths (v 26):
“Whoever serves me must follow me”
“My Father will honour the one who serves me”
Following is not always easy:
Jesus’ task “troubled” his soul (v 27)
Jesus pursued faithfulness to God in spite of the cost !!!
Cost – Benefit: The Glory of Intimacy with God for Eternity
John 12:27 (TNIV)
27 “Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour.
COST ???
Babu – injury and possibly death ...
Jesus – his life
The Wendy’s staffer
One change in our lives – inconvenience,
BENEFIT – Intimacy with God.
COMPARE:
How much effort, energy, discipline, focus ... We put into education, career, holiday plans, relationships (good, but not without God!)

9. Hearing . . . Quirky little note: “a voice from heaven ...” (v 28-30)
The crowd said it “thundered”
Others said it was an “Angel”
Jesus said: “It was for your benefit, not mine”
What do you say when God speaks to you ???
John 12:28–30 (TNIV)
28 Father, glorify your name!”
Then a voice came from heaven,
“I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.”
29 The crowd that was there and heard it
said it had thundered;
others said an angel had spoken to him.
30 Jesus said, “This voice was for your benefit, not mine.

10. L - I - F - E
Death produces Fruit ... If we put God First
Death produces Life ... Consider changing one thing you do
Follow to Glory ... Intimacy with God for Eternity
How do we hear ???