SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES
(John 12:24) "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit." [25] He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal."
(Ephesians 4:9-10) "[9] (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?" 10] "He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things."
(Matthew 16:24-26) [24] "Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." [25] "For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it." [26] "For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?"
PREFACE SUMMARY
The Parable of the Grain of Wheat is a powerful and insightful story that teaches us about the transformative power of sacrifice. It's a beacon of hope, illustrating that our sacrifices can bring about significant benefits. The story is described by a grain of wheat, representing our hopes, dreams, and aspirations.
This story teaches us that sometimes we must make sacrifices in the short term to achieve success in the long term. Just like the man who planted the grain of wheat, we must be patient and persistent in our efforts, even if we do not see immediate results. This instills a sense of determination and commitment, encouraging us to keep going even when the journey seems long.
The parable reminds us that our small actions can have significant impacts. By planting a single grain of wheat, the man could produce enough food to sustain himself and his family for a whole year. This is a powerful reminder that our small actions, whether acts of kindness or simple efforts toward our goals, can ripple effect and bring about positive change in the world.
Jesus Christ, the son of God, used parables and illustrative stories to convey spiritual truths to his disciples. He often drew inspiration from everyday events and objects, such as fishing, farming, and cooking, to illustrate his teachings. By using relatable examples, he was able to connect with his audience and help them understand the deeper meaning behind his message.
Jesus recognized that people learn best through practical application and relatable experiences and tailored his teaching style accordingly. His approach was effective in helping his disciples comprehend complex spiritual concepts, and it continues to inspire and guide people today.
Similarly, Jesus used the parable of the wheat seed to explain to his disciples why he had come to earth. God sent him to redeem what had been lost through Adam's sin. Jesus was the seed planted in the world, and through his death, burial, and resurrection, he brought new life to all humanity.
The wheat seed parable illustrates the life-changing power of death and rebirth. It teaches us that, like a seed that must be buried in the ground before it can bear fruit, we, too, must let go of our old selves and embrace a new way of being to grow in our faith and become the people we were meant to be.
The parable challenges us to let go of our fears and doubts and to trust in the promise of new life that comes through death and resurrection. By dying to our old selves and being born anew in Christ, we can experience God's love and grace and live with a sense of purpose and meaning that transcends the limitations of our earthly existence.
"CHARACTERISTICS OF THE WHEAT SEED."
In our preface summary, we discovered that wheat seeds are fascinating. They have tiny feelers that resemble legs, which enable them to move and position themselves in the soil. When a seed is sown in loose soil, it can use these little legs to bury itself, which helps it establish a strong and secure foundation.
Another interesting fact is that the wheat seed is specially designed to work itself down instead of up. This is because it derives most of its nourishment from the soil and the sun while beneath the surface. Therefore, it makes sense for the wheat seed to focus on growing downwards to absorb more nutrients and thrive.
In (John 12:24), Jesus used the analogy of a wheat seed to illustrate the principle of self-sacrifice. He explained that the seed must be buried in the ground and perish to give rise to a fruitful harvest. Just as the seed must give up its own life and identity, we must also be willing to let go of our selfish desires and ambitions for the greater good. By doing so, we can experience the joy and fulfillment of serving others and positively impacting the world around us.
The symbol of a grain of wheat dying in the earth to grow and bear a harvest is a powerful illustration that can be applied to Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection. Just as a seed must be buried in the earth to grow and produce fruit, so too must Jesus be buried in the tomb before rising again in triumph.
Beloved, the lesson from the wheat seed is that as it goes into the earth to get rid of the outer physical part that makes up the seed, it has new life inside. But for that new life to come forth, the outer part of the seed must die, which reveals to us that when we "die" to ourselves, we "rise" to new life in Jesus Christ.
Jesus embraced his predestined end, knowing that the only way to overcome the power of sin and death was through the cross. He willingly sacrificed himself so that humanity might be saved, and his resurrection proved that death had no controlling power over him.
Beloved, the grain of wheat dying to produce new life is a beautiful and powerful symbol of the life-changing power of Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection. Through his supreme sacrifice, we can find new life and hope. We can be assured of our resurrection to eternal life. This means that even though we will all experience physical death, we can have confidence that we will be raised to everlasting life with God. This promise of eternal life is a source of great comfort and hope, and it is all made possible through Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection.
The parable of the grain of wheat illustrates the essence of leading a life centered on God. The message is clear: to truly live a life that glorifies God and follow His will, we must put our flesh under and place our complete trust in Him, seek His guidance, and obey His commands, remembering that if the grain of wheat remains by itself, it will remain just a single seed.
The parable of the grain of wheat powerfully reminds us that sometimes we must go through difficult and painful experiences to grow and produce. Just as the grain of wheat must die to create new life, we, too, must be willing to let go of old habits and patterns that no longer serve us and embrace the transformative power of God's love and grace.
Saints, in (Matthew 16:24-26), we find Jesus teaching us that if we cling too tightly to our own lives and prioritize our desires above everything else, we will ultimately lose what truly matters. Still, if we are willing to let go of our desires and even our own lives to follow Him, we will eventually find a deeper and more fulfilling existence.
The scriptural references throughout this message emphasize the importance of dedicating oneself to God's work, relinquishing selfish desires, and recognizing that one belongs to God. These verses challenge us to examine our priorities and consider what we live for. Are we living to pursue our selfish desires, or are we willing to lay down our lives for something more significant?
In summary, those who have embraced God’s way of life refuse to give in to their fleshly desires and instead strive to overcome them by walking in the Spirit through prayer and dedication. Their ultimate goal is to live a life that pleases God, reflecting His teachings and love for humanity. They make themselves available to God, allowing Him to work through them and leaving His signature for future generations.
"THE INWARD STRUGGLE TO CRUCIFY THE FLESH."
The inward struggle to crucify the flesh refers to the challenge we all face in controlling our physical impulses and desires. These desires could range from something as simple as wanting to eat a slice of cake when trying to lose weight to more complex temptations like engaging in unethical behavior to achieve a goal.
This struggle is constant because we are constantly bombarded with worldly temptations and desires that clash with our values and principles. It takes great effort and discipline to overcome these impulses and stay on the right path. However, by acknowledging the existence of this struggle and staying committed to our values, we can gradually strengthen our willpower and emerge victorious in this ongoing battle."
Beloved, the idea of death leading to life is a fascinating paradox that has been explored in various philosophical and religious traditions. In Christianity, the concept refers to the process of being reborn in Jesus Christ by "dying to self." This process involves letting go of one's desires, selfishness, and attachment to worldly things and surrendering oneself entirely to God's will.
Dying to self can be challenging to understand, as it requires a fundamental shift in one's mindset. It involves recognizing that our human desires and ambitions can lead us astray from God's path and that true fulfillment and purpose can only be found by surrendering ourselves to His plan.
Beloved, when we let go of our attachment to material things and start prioritizing the needs of others, we open ourselves up to a profound transformation. This transformation is a change in our outer circumstances and a profound inner shift that allows us to see the world and ourselves in a new light. It's becoming more selfless and compassionate and finding greater purpose and meaning in life.
Living a life surrendered to Jesus is not always easy, but it is a life of abundance and fulfillment that can only be found in Him. As we allow Him to work in us and through us, we begin to experience the joy of living in His presence and the peace that comes from knowing that we are walking in His will. It is a life marked by purpose, meaning, and deep fulfillment.
As we align more with God's will, we experience a deep sense of peace and joy that transcends all understanding. We also become more effective in our service to others, as we are no longer motivated by selfish desires but by God's love. Ultimately, dying oneself is the path to true life in this world and the world to come.
In summary, let me say that dying oneself refers to letting go of everything that separates us from God and embracing His will for our lives. It is a process of transformation that leads to a new life in Jesus Christ, causing us to place our trust and faith in Him above everything else, including our aspirations and preferences.
MY CONCLUSION
Brothers and sisters in Christ, as I humbly come before you today, I am filled with a deep sense of urgency and concern that weighs heavily on my heart. It is crucial to recognize that in our Christian journey, there are times when we can inadvertently slip into a state of complacency and satisfaction. This can hinder our ability to bear fruit and effectively carry out the Lord's work in our lives and in the lives of others.
In today's world, many people ignore their spiritual needs and seek pleasure through their five senses. Sadly, they are like people who have taken a pill that has put them into a coma-like state, where nothing affects them. This is a dangerous path to choose, as it can lead to spiritual death.
Seeing so many people lost, living in sin, and enjoying worldly pleasures disheartens those struggling to live a good moral life. The message concerning the parable of the wheat seed is clear: it is essential to die to self, maintain an intimate prayer life with God, and seek a complete understanding of His will for our lives.
We need individuals who understand that only a strong relationship with God can bring true satisfaction and meaning to our lives. A deep prayer life with God is not just a religious ritual but an essential part of our spiritual journey. It helps us to connect with God and understand His will for our lives. Just as intimacy is necessary for conception, a strong relationship with God is vital for a fulfilling and purposeful life.
The message conveyed throughout this study is that God wants us to keep striving toward our goals. The Greek word used for "press" when Paul spoke about our need to press toward the mark of God's high calling in Philippians, the third chapter, can also mean "stretch." I wish to draw an analogy between this and how conditioning ourselves with proper training can strengthen our muscles for running a race. In other words, we must keep pushing ourselves to grow and improve.
We must remain focused while going through God's refining process to achieve our goals. This process may be complex, but it is necessary to reach our full potential. The passage cites the example of Paul, who studied under one of the most renowned scholars of his day. This education proved to be helpful for him after he met the Lord on the Damascus Road.
The message of the wheat seed emphasizes the importance of understanding that God has a specific time for everything in our lives. It reminds us that our purpose will be fulfilled at the right time, and we don't have to rush or force things to happen. Instead, we should surrender ourselves to God and allow new life to emerge from within us. The passage encourages us to believe that God is in control and has a plan for our lives.
By trusting in him and him alone, we can birth something new, and God will protect it until the time is right to reveal it. This means we can have peace and confidence that God will bring our dreams and desires to fruition in His perfect timing.
Beloved, as ministers of the Living God, we cannot give what we do not have. To effectively minister to others, we must first receive from God. This requires us to pray, read the Bible, and seek God's wisdom and guidance. Only then can we be equipped to pour into the lives of others and make a meaningful impact in their lives.
As believers, we are called to be ministers of the Living God, to share His love and grace with others. However, we cannot be effective ministers if we are not surrendered to Him and seeking His will for our lives. Only when we put God first and trust Him ultimately can we be truly effective in our ministry.
In summary, it is essential for us to reflect on our ways, seek God's guidance, and be willing to make necessary changes to align ourselves more closely with His will. Let us remain vigilant and open to the Holy Spirit's leading as we strive to live out our faith in a manner that glorifies God and brings about meaningful transformation in the world around us.
International Evangelist
Jerry W. Hulse, Ph.D.
Miracle Life Church International
