A Grain & faith (John 12:23-26)

A Grain & faith (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 grain falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much ^[d]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 honor.

 Intro) 

 

One kind tender hearted father started wrestling with his son. Son noticed that he couldn’t win father, so he asked his little sister who was 5 years old. His sister said ‘what strength do I have?’ yes, we are always lacking of strength.

However, when God is with us small, low ones can have power. We all know the story of young David took down Goliath. Whoever has God in them can earn the power.

 

Body)

 

1. Anyone has the desire to be treated

Anyone has the desire to be on the high position and be treated by others. This is human nature, so it is not evil thing. Jesus had that desire as well, but he didn’t hide or avoid that feeling. Being a head of group of first is good, but also it depends on the purpose of it. It should be to server others, but to be served by others to be the first is bad. In our history usually who became the head for people to serve him left evil in the history.

People always have interest in who is bigger and better. Often at work people usually talks about who is the best who will get the highest position.

This kind of desire from Jesus disciples can be found in the bible (Mark 10:32-45).

³³ “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death and deliver Him to the Gentiles; ³⁴ and they will mock Him, and ^[e]scourge Him, and spit on Him, and kill Him. And the third day He will rise again.”

 

³⁵ Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Him, saying, “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask.”

³⁶ And He said to them, “What do you want Me to do for you?”

³⁷ They said to Him, “Grant us that we may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on Your left, in Your glory.”

“You do not know what you ask…”

Jesus is going to get killed and disciples think this will be all in glory. However, Jesus is not comfortable for the future that he is going to face. Jesus says to them “Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?”

 This means are you able to join the hardships.

“You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. ⁴³ Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. ⁴⁴ And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. ⁴⁵ For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

Year of 1347 at Strait of Dover there are war between England and France.

England attacked France’s North city named Calais for a year. The city couldn’t handle the attack and surrenders. However, England wanted to massacre all of people in the city. People of Calais begged for mercy and king of England said someone has to be punished pick 6 to be hung. 6 brave men stepped forward, which was noble men that lead the city. First man who stepped forward was Eustache de Saint Pierre and other noble men followed him. Queen of England pity them and asked king to spare their lives. Noble men’s lives were saved and an artist made a sculpture of memorize these courageous men in 1884–1889 which is

The Burghers of Calais by Auguste Rodin 

 Nobel Prize started in 1901. First one who received Nobel Prize was Henry Dunant. He is the founder of Red Cross. Before he made Red Cross he was a bank manager, and had a dream to meet Napoleon and expand his business. However, when he went to meet him there was a war and saw all the dead and wounded men. Now he felt vain of life. He started to help the wounded men and scrapped his dream. Henry made a new dream that there should not be a violence and war, and save wounded at all cost. So, he gathered some friends that has same will and established Red Cross.

1. About serving.

Today’s Jesus takes a grain that will go rot, but turns around to something greater. In today’s verse 26 Jesus says, . 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 honor.

Let’s think about what is serving more in our lives.

1. Life that is serving is a glory life of Jesus’ disciple.

We are all disciples of Jesus. If you want to be served you cannot become a disciple of Jesus

 One day, God sent an angel to find the most beautiful hands on earth and give glorious bracelet of heaven. Angel started to look around all around the world, but it was not something easy to find. Later on, Angel made a visit to lone house. There was three daughters lived there. Angel asked, who here has the most beautiful hands? First daughter says, “Angel I have ! and I always take care of flowers, so it smells like flowers.”

Second says, “how about my hands? My hands are clean. I even wash my hands when a dust lay on my hands.” Now it was a third’s turn, but she did not say anything. Angel asked “why do you not speak?” Third says, “My hands are no such thing to show, I always do hard works, so my hands are rough.” Angel smiled and gave the bracelet to third and said, “Hands sacrifice and serve the others are the most beautiful hands.” Yes! serving hands are beautiful hands.

  

  

 What is serving?

1. Worship is serving.

2. Serving in your role in church.

3. Giving is serving, giving you to God. Give your body, talent, and materials.

4. Volunteer is serving.

5. Humble is serving

6. Being loyal is serving.

 

This is a story from Korean War 6.25. When General MacArthur came over to Korea there was a Korean solider at the end of Korean River Bridge. The Bridge was broke and the scene was chaotic. War broke out people started to evacuating and endless destruction was happening. General MacArthur asked the solider, “Why are you standing here?” The soldier replied “because I was ordered to.” General asked “how long are you going to stay here?” soldier replied, “Until I receive another order.” General asked again, “If you stay here alone, you will die, and do you still choose to stay?” soldier replied, “I must stay.” General MacArthur’s heart was touched, and said “This country must come back up.” And renew his will of entering the war.

 

 C) Serving brings us happiness.

 

There is a famous missionary named Dr. Albert Schweitzer. Someone asked him about his life that his missionary work in Africa was happy? Dr. Schewitzer said I’ve found something to volunteer and it was in pleasure. When he was serving others he found satisfaction in his life. Yes, life that serves is happy life. 

 

Conc) 

 

  24= '²⁴ Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of grain falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much ^[d]grain.

1. In here grain that fell is firstly Jesus, and us.

 

 Everyone if the grain fells and does not die it will remain its shape for decade. However, if it buries into soil and grow it, we can produce 30, 60, and 100 times of grains. Jesus served us with a bad grain. As result Jesus’ disciples spread gospel to Judah, Samaria, Syria, Antioch, Corinth, Ephesus, Turkey, Rome, and many other countries. Let us all take after Jesus Christ! Hallelujah!

 

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