The Hour Has Come…
I. 2 Different PERSPECTIVES on GLORY (John 12:12-19, 23-26, 32-33)
A. The Vision of the CONQUERING KING (12:12-19)
B. The Image of a DYING SEED (12:23-24)
C. PURSUED by the WHOLE WORLD (12:18-19, 23, 32-33)
II. UNLESS…
A. Unless a seed DIES… It won’t bear FRUIT (v. 24)
B. Unless you HATE your LIFE… you will LOSE it for good (v. 25)
C. Unless you FOLLOW me… you can’t be WITH me (v. 26)
III. An Invitation to RECEIVE and to FOLLOW
A. Receive the FRUIT of the GIFT (v. 24)
1. SALVATION (John 1:12-13; Romans 6:23; I Thess. 5:10)
2. ABUNDANT Life (I Peter 2:24; 2 Corinthians 5:15-17; John 10:10)
B. Follow the MASTER to the CROSS (Matt. 16:24; Gal. 6:14)
C. Bring SEEKERS to JESUS (12:20-23, 32; Matt. 28:18-20)
D. A move from CONCENTRATED EFFORT to CONTEMPLATIVE ACTION (John 13:36-38; 18:15-18, 25-27)
Questions for Further Reflection:
1. Kid’s Question: What is the hardest thing someone has asked you to do? How did you respond?
2. In what ways do we in the church get caught up in the idea of the glory of a king victorious in battle?
3. As you reflect on it, are there people in your life right now who are pursing Jesus?
4. The word “unless” has condition and potential built into it. In your day to day life, how do you encounter “Unless”. Is it a word that you use to avoid suffering (unless I do this, this bad thing will happen) or is it a word that you use to enter into suffering (unless I’m willing to enter into this, I may miss what God has in store for me)?
5. How does Jesus’ language about death and hating your life resonate with you? Why are these difficult ideas for us?
6. In what ways have you seen the “death of a seed” bear fruit in your own life?
7. Reflect on a time when you “hate[d] your life in this world”. How did that feeling arise? What came of it?
8. In your own words, what does it practically mean to “follow Jesus”?
9. Is there an area of your life where concentrated effort has not proved effective for change? What has?