Was There Another Way?

 

                                             5^th Sunday in Lent!

Introduction:

 

A.   Did Jesus have a choice as to whether or not to die?

 

B.   Are there any examples of times in the scriptures that

     Jesus had to make a choice whether or not to go to the cross?

 

C.   I think there are!  And I'd like to share one such time with you this morning!

 

                         John 12:20-26

 

                            Prayer

 

I.   What choice did Jesus have in this scripture?

 

A.   1st choice:  To escape death and become the teacher of  the Gentiles!

 

1.   Remember these were Greeks and had no right to appear here.  But they were seeking Jesus!

 

2.   Notice how courteous they were when they requested to talk with Jesus! (v.21)  Perhaps they respected  him as being someone different, with the truth  they desired!

 

3.   Notice the statements Jesus made as he realized  that he had a choice to make! esp. v.24

 

a.   These people respected him!

 

b.   They weren't hung up on the Jewish religion.

 

B.   2nd choice:  To face death and thereby pay the price for sin for "whoever serves me," Jew or Gentile!

 

II.  What choice did he make?  Let's examine what Jesus said in response to this happening:

 

A.   "The hour has come, for the Son of man to be glorified."  v.23  He was referring to his death and victory over death by his resurrection, thereby paying the price for Jew or Gentile into the kingdom of God!

 

B.   "unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain:  but if it dies, it bears much fruit." v.24

 

1.   Here Christ pictures a seed that as a seed is alone, but when you plant it, it reproduces.

 

2.   I'm made to think of John 15:5, "I am the vine, you are the branches: . . . ."

 

3.   By Christ dying and being buried, he became like the seed; he multiplied.  He made it possible for the branches to exist!!  (In the Kingdom of God with him!)  We are the branches!

 

     a.   To be forgiven and given new life a new chance

to live for God!

 

              b.   To be a part of what God is doing in the world!

 

              c.   To be able to be instruments of God’s love in

the world!

 

              d.   To let God love through us!

 

C.   "Those who love their life lose it:  and those who hate

their life in this world will keep it for eternal life."

v. 25

1.   Here Christ intends to direct and encourage the Greeks or anyone else who desired to follow him!

 

2.   He is simply saying:  We must Love him first; if

     we Love anything of this life more than him, we've missed it!

 

D.   "Whoever serves me must follow me;" v.26a

 

1.   Christians must follow Jesus!

 

a.   Follow his instructions!  Do what he says!

 

b.   Follow his actions!  Live as he lived, the

best we can!

 

1)   Christ is our greatest revelation of God!

 

2)   Christ is our greatest example of how to

live and how to love!

 

a)   His love was sacrificial!

 

b)   His love was accepting!

 

2.   He's instructing these Greeks; he's saying it

isn't enough to see me, but you must also follow me!

 

III. When Christ made this choice, it provided all people with   a choice! (v.26b) 

"and where I am, there will my servant be also.  Whoever

 serves me, the father will honor."

 

A.   Christ provided a way in which we can become heirs to a heavenly home with him!

 

B.   We can also be restored to a relationship with God!

 

C.   But the choice is whether or not we follow and serve Christ!  “If”

 

Conclusion:

A.   Christ chose to pay the price so that we could be

free!  Christ didn't have to do it!

 

B.   But it was the only way you and I could be forgiven!

 

C.   Christ loved us enough he went to Calvary!

 

D.   As we encounter Christ at the table this morning, won't

you respond to that Love and accept him as your   personal Savior?  The choice is yours!!  If you do, let    me know   so I can help you with your new life in Christ!

 

E.   If you have already accepted Christ, let this build your faith.  Think of it!  He didn't have to die, but he did it because he wanted to!  Let's draw closer to God this morning as we all encounter Christ at the table!

 

                      Prayer of Confession

 

Almighty God,

We confess that we have not always faithfully followed  you;

We have not always lived as you lived; we have fallen

short of your expectations of us.

Forgive us we pray through what Christ did on Calvary.

Help us to faithfully live for you the rest of the tomorrows of our lives.

In Jesus name,   Amen!

 

Service of Communion