Letting the World See Jesus
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“Letting the World See Jesus”
John 12:20-26
20 Some Greeks who had come to Jerusalem for the Passover celebration
21 paid a visit to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee. They said, “Sir, we want to meet Jesus.”
22 Philip told Andrew about it, and they went together to ask Jesus.
23 Jesus replied, “Now the time has come for the Son of Man to enter into his glory.
24 I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives.
25 Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity.
26 Anyone who wants to serve me must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me.
INTRODUCTION:
All around us are people who are searching for something to fill a hole in their soul. The hole is created by the need to be in a right relationship with their creator. Humans were created in the image of God. Sin has destroyed that image by killing the spiritual part of each person (Ephesians 2:1), making it impossible to have a relationship with the living God - who is spirit (John 4:24).
The French Philosopher clearly stated the issue when he wrote, “There is a God-shaped vacuum in the heart of each man which cannot be satisfied by any created thing but only by God the Creator, made know through Jesus Christ.”
In our text, the disciples were confronted with some people who came to the right source to fill their inner void. In these verses, we find three basic truths that you and I need to remember...
I. THE WORLD NEEDS TO SEE JESUS (John 12:20-22).
I. THE WORLD NEEDS TO SEE JESUS (John 12:20-22).
A. When they come to worship, they seek Jesus (John 12:20-21).
20 Some Greeks who had come to Jerusalem for the Passover celebration
21 paid a visit to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee. They said, “Sir, we want to meet Jesus.”
1. Sometimes the world can’t see Jesus because we get in the way (Rom. 2:17-24).
17 You who call yourselves Jews are relying on God’s law, and you boast about your special relationship with him.
18 You know what he wants; you know what is right because you have been taught his law.
19 You are convinced that you are a guide for the blind and a light for people who are lost in darkness.
20 You think you can instruct the ignorant and teach children the ways of God. For you are certain that God’s law gives you complete knowledge and truth.
21 Well then, if you teach others, why don’t you teach yourself? You tell others not to steal, but do you steal?
22 You say it is wrong to commit adultery, but do you commit adultery? You condemn idolatry, but do you use items stolen from pagan temples?
23 You are so proud of knowing the law, but you dishonor God by breaking it.
24 No wonder the Scriptures say, “The Gentiles blaspheme the name of God because of you.”
2. They must see Him (John 14:6).
6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.
B. We must ask Jesus for help (John 12:22).
22 Philip told Andrew about it, and they went together to ask Jesus.
1. Ask Him to reveal Himself in us.
a. Like the early disciples (Acts 4:23-33).
23 As soon as they were freed, Peter and John returned to the other believers and told them what the leading priests and elders had said.
24 When they heard the report, all the believers lifted their voices together in prayer to God: “O Sovereign Lord, Creator of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them—
25 you spoke long ago by the Holy Spirit through our ancestor David, your servant, saying, ‘Why were the nations so angry? Why did they waste their time with futile plans?
26 The kings of the earth prepared for battle; the rulers gathered together against the Lord and against his Messiah.’
27 “In fact, this has happened here in this very city! For Herod Antipas, Pontius Pilate the governor, the Gentiles, and the people of Israel were all united against Jesus, your holy servant, whom you anointed.
28 But everything they did was determined beforehand according to your will.
29 And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word.
30 Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”
31 After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness.
32 All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had.
33 The apostles testified powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God’s great blessing was upon them all.
II. THE WORLD CAN ONLY SEE JESUS WHEN WE DIE TO SELF. (John 12:23-24)
II. THE WORLD CAN ONLY SEE JESUS WHEN WE DIE TO SELF. (John 12:23-24)
A. It is time for Jesus to be glorified (John 12:23).
23 Jesus replied, “Now the time has come for the Son of Man to enter into his glory.
1. It is time for us to wake up and live to glorify Jesus (Rom. 13:11-14).
11 This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.
12 The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living.
13 Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy.
14 Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.
2. The harvest fields require it (John 4:35).
35 You know the saying, ‘Four months between planting and harvest.’ But I say, wake up and look around. The fields are already ripe for harvest.
B. The key: We must die to self to bear fruit (John 12:24).
24 I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives.
1. The seed must lose its identity as a seed in order to multiply.
2. We must lose self for the sake of others coming to Christ.
III. THE WORLD WILL SEE JESUS WHEN WE LOVE AND FOLLOW HIM (John 12:25-26) .
III. THE WORLD WILL SEE JESUS WHEN WE LOVE AND FOLLOW HIM (John 12:25-26) .
25 Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity.
26 Anyone who wants to serve me must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me.
A. The paradox (John 12:25):
25 Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity.
1. For the lost: Must give up to Him or remain lost.
a. The rich young ruler kept the world and remained lost (Matthew 19:16-22)
16 Someone came to Jesus with this question: “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?”
17 “Why ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. But to answer your question—if you want to receive eternal life, keep the commandments.”
18 “Which ones?” the man asked. And Jesus replied: “ ‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely.
19 Honor your father and mother. Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
20 “I’ve obeyed all these commandments,” the young man replied. “What else must I do?”
21 Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
22 But when the young man heard this, he went away sad, for he had many possessions.
2. For the saved: You can’t hold on to your life and bear fruit (Eph. 4:23-24).
23 Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.
24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.
B. The principle (John 12:26):
26 Anyone who wants to serve me must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me.
1. Serving means following Jesus!
a. To fail to follow means you can’t serve (Rom. 12:1-2).
1 And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.
2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
2. If we serve we will be where Jesus is.
CONCLUSION:
A- Hymn: “Let Others See Jesus In You”
1. While passing thro' this world of sin,
and others your life shall view,
Be clean and pure without, within;
Let others see Jesus in you.
2. Your life's a book before their eyes,
They're reading it thro' and thro'
Say, does it point them to the skis,
Do others see Jesus in you?
3. Then live for Christ both day and night,
Be faithful, be brave and true,
and lead the lost to life and Christ.
Let others see Jesus in you.
Refrain:
Let others see Jesus in you,
Let others see Jesus in you.
Keep telling the story,
be faithful and true;
Let others see Jesus in you.