America is filled with volunteers. Did you know that every year 60.7 million adults volunteer which means 23.2 % of Americans volunteer. On average Americans give up 52 hours a year volunteering.
Most volunteering involves food collection and distribution. Our church is blessed to have several that volunteer at Storehouse ministries this past way they gave away around 32.000 pounds of food just last month feeding literally thousands of children and their families in our own back yard.
There are many reasons people volunteer. The reason why people say they volunteer are the following:
a) People want to make a difference.
b) People want to give back because someone gave to them.
c) People want community; it brings people together.
d) People say it’s good for them.
But in history, there was one volunteer that impacted all of our lives through one singular event-- that event changed the world. This event took place one Friday afternoon outside the walls of Jerusalem on a criminals cross. It was the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
Explanation:
In explanation of what happened on that day, Hebrews 7:26 says that Jesus “offered up Himself.”
Do you know what that means? It means this: Everything that Jesus did for you He did willingly.
a) He suffered voluntarily
b) He bled voluntarily
c) He suffered on the cross voluntarily
d) He died voluntarily
He was not a victim but became a volunteer for you willingly. Jesus had a choice and He chose you over Himself.
In John 10: 17 we hear Jesus say: “....I lay down my life---only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own accord.”
As a volunteer who knew His destination that would provide salvation, Jesus foretold His death and in it explained why Calvary was necessary.
From Jesus’ lips, what did He say about the reason why He volunteered to take on such a task? In this foretelling of the cross he explained “why” he made the choice, why He signed up, stepped forward and enlisted to become the Savior of the world.
Transitional Sentence: In John 12 he explains that He volunteered for three good reasons:
I. Reason #1- To Give You Confidence About Your Future
vs. 31- “Now judgement is upon the world; now the ruler of the world will be cast out.”
Explanation:
Matthew, Mark, Luke and John are known as “the gospels.” The word “gospel” means: Good news. Yet, if you read each “gospel” you will discover that the gospel writers were mesmerized with the cross.
The cross was designed to punish, to kill, to showcase the earthly power of the Romans. It was intended to defeat, demoralize, and strike fear in others through the brutal stripping, stripes, and severe bloody and brutal execution of the human body.
Perhaps, due to the nature of this cruel condemnation the writers were initially magnetized to it.
1. 10% of each gospel speaks of the death of Jesus.
2. 1/3 of the gospels speak of the last week of Jesus life leading up the cross.
3. 2 out of 4 of the gospels speak of Jesus’ birth; yet all of the gospels speak about the
death of
Jesus.
4. Only 1 miracle is mentioned in all four gospels (the feeding of the 5000) but all of the
gospels speak of Jesus’ death.
The voluntarism of Jesus to embrace death on the cross was necessary for the gospel to be “good news” because without the cross; according to verse 31: “Satan would still be the ruler of this world.”
Yet, because Jesus voluntarily went to the cross, we are told that this is the reality: “Now judgment is upon the world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out.” Vs. 31
Do you know what Jesus is confirming here?
a) First, He is confirming that the devil is real. Jesus gives him a title: “The ruler of the
world.”
b) Second, He is confirming that His plan for us has been disrupted and destroyed.
In verse 31 Jesus describes His death in militant and military terms. We are reminded that when Jesus voluntarily hung on the cross, that cross became an instrument of expulsion; engineered and designed to surmount an attack on Satan to ultimately cast him out.
Using linguistic tools we are able to “get the picture.”
a) The phrase “cast out” (ek ballo) means: “to drive out.”
b) It is in Future Passive Indicative- This means that Jesus did something in the past that
will be completed in the future.
What Jesus did on the cross sealed Satan’s fate and set in stone a prophetic fact that is unchangeable.
It assure us that we will not have to put up with Satan forever; the death of Jesus provided the death blow for Satan’s kingdom.
I like what Vance Havner said: “Read the Bible! There’s no devil in the first to chapters of the Bible and likewise, in the last two chapters there’s no devil there either! When the Bible closes Satan is out of business!”
Jesus in the past volunteered to go to the cross to assure our future victory with Him!
Revelation 20:10 tells us: “The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.”
The devil that torments you, someday will be tormented. Satan awaits the inevitable. His fate is sealed and his end is within sight-- all because of the cross.
Praise the Lord! Aren’t you glad that Jesus chose to go to the cross for you and me.
Illustration: Surrounded by Turkeys
In a previous sermon a few years ago I told you about the town of Ocean Breeze on Staten Island being terrorized by wild turkeys. The problem started in 1999 with an local resident decided to raise turkeys in her back yard and then released them into the “not so wild” neighborhood.
The problem with the ten turkey’s is that in their new-found freedom they decided to multiply and now there are hundreds of turkey’s everywhere.
As I mentioned before, not only do they make everyone’s lawn their “turkey restroom” but they also have become quite aggressive and intimidate the locals by being a bunch of “turkey’s” by intimidating the locals. I have an update for you today.
Seniors are afraid of walking in their yards because of turkey attacks. One 23-year-old dental assistant named Gina Guaragno said: “ I was sitting in my car Facebooking on my phone when a band of turkeys jumped on my windshield. I screamed like I was being murdered . They just kept looking at me like they own the car. It was straight out of “Cujo” -- I felt trapped and was so scared.”
Yet, because of local laws that protect wild animals, the only thing people can do is to spray them with a water hose. But a City Councilman named James Oddo said: “How are people supposed to have faith in their local government? How can people expect us to deal with terrorism when we can’t even deal with turkeys?”
But here’s the new news. Evidenty, the turkeys have moved closer to the hospital and when ambulances roll in in emergency situations they are hindered by the flock of turkeys. Last year a lady actually sued the hospital over the turkeys saying that there is a dangerous condition outside the hospital caused her to fall and hurt herself. (Luckily she was close to an emergency room to assist.)
The Island still struggles with deciding what to do with the turkey problem. They responded this past year ( I am not joking) with a “Wildlife Summit” to discuss how to humanely deal with wild turkey’s living in domesticated areas.
Yet, some of the other residents have suggested “capturing and humanly euthanizing the turkeys and donating the meat to local food pantries.”
Application:
Do you ever feel like we are surrounded by Satan’s turkey’s? I know I do. Sometimes the demonic attacks or the trials of faith seem to surround us.
It causes us to sometimes wonder: “How long God? How long will we have to live with this world that seems to be spinning out of control? How long will it continue to seem that Satan is winning the battle?
The cross gives us confidence as we are reminded that “the ruler of this world will be cast out.” Vs. 31
Because of the cross we are reminded that we fight from victory; not for victory. Because Jesus died on the cross it’s only a matter of time until Satan’s sentence is going to be carried out. Because of the cross; we know we are on the winning team.
Transitional Sentence: In John 12 he explains that He volunteered for three good reasons:
II. Reason #2- To Lead You to Endless Worship
Vs. 23-26- “But Jesus answered them by saying, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Truly, truly I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. The one who loves his life loses it and the one who hates his life in this world will keep it to eternal life. If anyone serves Me, he must follow ME; and where I am, there My servant will be also; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.”
Explanation:
In this passage Jesus explains why He died through the picture of horticulture. He explains that His life is like a seed. It is like a seed of wheat.
It is interesting that Jesus uses this illustration to explain who He is to the Greeks. These people were This is the first time that the Greeks came to meet Jesus and seeking to help them understand; He provided a word picture.
In verse 24 He describes Himself as being like a grain of wheat that will die and be buried in the ground. Then He says, that if He (like the wheat) dies and is buried in the ground a miracle will take place. The seed will reappear and bring forth much fruit.
In this Jesus speaks of His life purpose. He is saying that He was born to die; yet will be raised so that many will be born again.
Following this Jesus makes a voluntary commitment. He says: “Father glorify your name.” vs. 28
In this statement He commits Himself voluntarily to the assignment, and celebrates the assignment explaining a second reason why He is doing it: Not only in it will He provide salvation for us; but will express adoration and praise to His Heavenly Father.
The word “glorify” simply means: To bring honor and worship to your Creator.
God became flesh for a reason and Jesus celebrated His purpose. He knew He was born to die and rise again.
Yet, when you were born you were born for a purpose as well. You were born and then, born again to bring praise to God your Creator.
Illustration: Ancient musical instruments
Musical instruments have been around since the beginning of worship. As a matter of fact, Genesis 4 introduces the first worship of God through the worship of Adam and Eve’s sons; Cain and Abel.
Then on the heels of this we read: “Jubal...was the father of all those who play the lyre and pipe.” Genesis 4:21
In other words, musical instruments were made and created early on as instruments to bring worship to God.
The oldest wind instruments recently found in Israel
One of oldest lyres from the time of Abraham
Yet, none of these compare to the human voice. The time singing is noted in the Bible is in Exodus 15 after the children of Israel crossed the Red Sea; seeing the power of God they sang a song of praise to God. Part of the lyrics go like this: “I will sing to the Lord...”
Jesus Himself is noted as singing in the Bible in Matthew 26:30 and Mark 14:26- both references speak of Him singing after the Last Supper just before sweating blood in Gethsemane and going to prepare to die. Do you know what He sang?
Jewish literature tells us what all Jews sang after the Passover Supper. They sang Psalm 118:24: The lyrics go like this: “This is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it.”
Application:
Passover was usually over at midnight and as the new day began; the day Jesus would die that’s how He began the day. He began by singing: “This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it.”
Jesus was about to experience the greatest sorrow of His lifetime. He was about to bleed, be betrayed, be beaten, tried and crucified; yet this is the song He sang? Why?
Because He was fulfilling His life purpose.
Want to see yourself in the Bible? If you are part of God’s family someday in heaven we will sing these lyrics to Jesus according to Revelation 5: 9-10: “You are worthy to take the scroll and open its seals; for you were slain and have redeemed us to God by your blood...”
Understand this: Jesus volunteered to glorified His Father in His death so that we can voluntarily glorify Him with our life.
Some things we are just born to do and one of those thing is to bring glory to God. But interesting enough; you have a choice. Will I chose to glorify God or not?
We and Jesus have two things in common; we were both born to bring glory and worship to God; but likewise, we are both called to do it voluntarily.
Let me ask you: Will you willingly volunteer and choose to bring glory to God?
Transitional Sentence: In John 12 he explains that He volunteered for three good reasons:
III. Reason #3- To Draw You To Himself Forever
Vs. 32- “ If I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself.”
Explanation:
As Jesus volunteered; He volunteered to embrace the cross. Yet, he told us why. In verse 32 He said: “If”--- in other words, He had a choice. “If” he was lifted up on the cross; there would be an eternal impact.
He knew that it would “draw” all men to Himself. The word “draw” is a Greek word that (elkuso) which means: “to magnetize.”
Illustration: Magnets
Magnets are intriguing to me because they look like an ordinary piece of metal; yet they are not. Inside them is a power to pull and draw things to itself.
Magnets can be explained scientifically; they work because magnets are able to attract materials with unpaired electrons spin in the same direction.
Application:
Yet you have never seen the spinning electrons; but because of the pull, you know they exist.
In the same way, you might wonder how the cross captures our attention so easily. Why it is so popular of a symbol. Calvin Miller said: “In America no one can turn in any direction without seeing a cross on a hill, a church, or on a piece of jewelry.”
Prior to Jesus crucifixion, there was nothing attractional about it. It was so brutal that it only existed for a short period of time and it was abolished as a form of capital punishment because of how brutal it was.
Yet, today it is a sign of goodwill and hope. The American Red Cross adopted it as a sign of help in times of trouble.
Jesus volunteered to embrace the cross because it was the tool and instrument that God chose for Jesus to embrace. Jesus could have died many ways; but God chose the cross because it would be the instrument that God would draw people to a decision through the cross.
It is said that Jesus endured 3 types wounds on the cross:
a) He had a concussion as he was beaten in the head and a crown of thorns put on his
head.
b) He had an incision not with a knife but rusty nails, as they were hammered into his
hands and feet.
c) He was deep cutting perforation as that spear sank deep into his side and caused
blood and water to protrude.
Yet, do you know why He did it? It was because of you. It was because of your sin---and my sin. Yet, did you know if you would have been the only person in the whole world that would have sinned- He would have died for you. THAT’S WHY THE CROSS DRAWS YOU RIGHT NOW.
The cross was considered to be grotesque, morbid, and stomach churning. The very thought of it brought fear and anxiety to the Jews that were threatened by it from the Romans. It was used to keep the masses in line, obedient, and thinking twice about rebellion.
Yet, in the end, it was the instrument that God used to deal with our rebellion and draw us to the forgiveness that He wanted us to receive.
Jesus volunteered for the cross so we would be drawn to Him. We are attracted by His love to do this for us. We are attracted to His forgiveness that He provided for us. We are attracted to the hope that He laid aside for us on the cross.
The cross is drawing you right this moment to Jesus. Do you know why? He embraced it for you and me.
Do you know why? In history it often led people to say, “Oh what suffering we find on the cross”--Yet today-- “It draws us to say, Oh what a Savior we find on the cross.”
Conclusion:
The cross is the backdrop of everything and every question we have about God in life. It answers all the questions:
1) When we wonder: “Does God love me?” The cross provides the answer.
2) When we question: “Is God here with me?” The cross provides the answer.
3) When we question: “Is there any hope for me?” The cross provides the answer.
4) When we ask: “Does God have a place for me?” The cross provides the answer.
The cross should do more than blow your mind; it should open our heart and draw our inner being; our souls through the cross to the person of Jesus Christ.
That’s why Jesus volunteered to go to the cross. Because He loves you and it draws you to Him today. Today, will you voluntarily come. His cross beckons and draws you right now.
That’s why Jesus volunteered to die for you.
