Introduction

Good morning, beloved family of God, and welcome. We gather here today, not as strangers, but as a fellowship of believers, united by a common faith and a shared love for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Isn't it wonderful to know that we are part of a community that transcends the boundaries of time and space, a community that has been brought together by the divine love of our Heavenly Father?

Today, we are going to turn our hearts and minds to a passage of Scripture that is both challenging and comforting, a passage that speaks to the depths of our human experience and yet reveals the heights of God's divine purpose. It is found in the Gospel of John, chapter 12, verses 20-33: "Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the festival. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. 'Sir,' they said, 'we would like to see Jesus.' Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus. Jesus replied, 'The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me. Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!' Then a voice came from heaven, 'I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.' The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him. Jesus said, 'This voice was for your benefit, not mine. Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.' He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die."

Glorifying God in Our Lives

When we consider the life of Jesus, we see a constant, unwavering commitment to the glorification of God. This was His mission, His purpose, and His passion. It was the driving force behind everything He did and everything He said. And it's this very commitment that we, as His followers, are called to emulate.

In the passage we read, Jesus speaks of His impending death. He uses the metaphor of a kernel of wheat falling to the ground and dying. In doing so, He's illustrating a profound truth about the nature of life and death, about sacrifice and glory. The kernel of wheat, by itself, is insignificant. But when it dies, when it is buried in the ground, it brings forth a great harvest.

This is a picture of what it means to glorify God in our lives. It's about dying to ourselves, about surrendering our own desires and ambitions, in order to bring forth a harvest of righteousness for the kingdom of God.

But what does this look like in practical terms? How do we live in a way that glorifies God?

Firstly, we need to understand that glorifying God is not about performing religious rituals or adhering to a set of rules. It's about the condition of our hearts. It's about love. Jesus said that the greatest commandment is to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Our love for God should be the driving force behind everything we do. It should influence our decisions, our actions, and our interactions with others.

Secondly, glorifying God involves obedience. Jesus was obedient to the Father, even to the point of death. His obedience was a demonstration of His love for the Father. In the same way, our obedience to God is a demonstration of our love for Him. It's about aligning our will with His will, about seeking to do what pleases Him.

Thirdly, glorifying God involves service. Jesus came not to be served, but to serve. He washed the feet of His disciples, a task reserved for the lowest of servants. He healed the sick, fed the hungry, and ministered to the outcasts of society. In doing so, He demonstrated the heart of God, a heart of compassion and love for all people. As followers of Jesus, we are called to serve others, to demonstrate the love of God through our actions.

Lastly, glorifying God involves sacrifice. Jesus sacrificed His life for us. He laid down His life so that we might have life. This is the ultimate demonstration of love. And as His followers, we are called to make sacrifices for the sake of the kingdom. This might involve giving up our time, our resources, or even our lives. But in doing so, we are participating in the work of God, in the advancement of His kingdom.

Grasping Trust Amidst Darkness

As we continue to reflect on the words of Jesus in this passage, we find ourselves confronted with the stark reality of His impending death ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO