Message Notes

SUNDAY SCHOOL SPECIAL 17 April 2022

Text: John 12:20-26

Subject: The Paradox of Dying and Producing Much

INTRODUCTION

1. Passover in Jerusalem drew many people

a) Jews

b) Gentile God-fearers

c) Greek God-fearers

2. Many came for worship and sacrifices at the Temple

a) Jerusalem would be buzzing with much activity

b) God-fearers like this Greek group would have travelled a long distance

THE REQUEST TO SEE THE LORD JESUS

1. The Greeks asked to see the Lord Jesus

a) They had asked Philip

“Sir, we wish to see Jesus” John 12:21

b) Philip, in turn, spoke to Andrew

c) Philip and Andrew approached the Lord Jesus  (John 12:22)

2. Did the Lord Jesus meet with the Greeks?

a) Possibly 

b) But the focus was not their meeting up

3. Birth and Death

a) At the Lord Jesus’ birth

Wise men from the East came (Matthew 2)

b) Near to the end of His life

Men from the West came

4. The Irony

a) The Lord Jesus was in Jerusalem

i) His enemies plotted His death

ii) The multitudes did not fully understand Him

a) People came from far away

i) From the East

ii) From the West

c) They desired to see the Lord Jesus

i) Not because they seek to be healed

ii) But because they wanted to see the Lord Jesus and to learn from Him

IMPORTANT TRUTHS TAUGHT

John 12:23-26

²³ But Jesus answered them, saying, “The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified.

²⁴ Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.

²⁵ He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

²⁶ If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honour.

1. A short summary of what it means to truly follow the Lord Jesus

a) This would be good for the Disciples

b) This would be good contents to share with the Greeks

2. The Hour

a) It is a reference to the Death of the Lord Jesus

b) The Lord Jesus had been geared towards this hour all the time

3. Death

a) The Lord Jesus saw it as His glorification

b) He was not afraid of death

4. The meaning of the word “Glorified”

a) It would bring glory to God

i) His plan of salvation would be completed

ii) The Lord Jesus would be the Perfect Sacrifice

b) It would bring glory to the Lord Jesus

i) He would have fulfilled all God’s requirements

ii) He would become the Author of our eternal salvation (Hebrews 5:9)

5. The Paradox of the Grain of Wheat

a) It is first alive but only to itself

b) It must then die

c) Only when it dies it will produce much grain (John 12:24)

6. The fear of losing one’s life

a) Many fear to lose their life

b) Because they love their life

c) The one who is not afraid to lose his life for the Lord

d) He will keep it for eternal life (John 12:25)

7. The challenge of serving the Lord

a) Truly serving the Lord must see one following the Lord Jesus 

b) In this context, it is the challenge to follow the Lord Jesus to death

c) If anyone serves the Lord in this way,

This servant would be honoured by God the Father!

CONCLUSION

1. Review our understanding of

a) Believing

b) Following

c) Serving

2. The Significant Example of the Lord Jesus Christ

a) Believing in God

b) Following the leading of the Father

c) Serving the Father’s will

d) Being prepared to die to fulfil God’s Plan