Dying to Bear Fruit
John 12:20-26
Pastor Jerry Koller

This passage starts by informing us that some Greeks went up to worship at the Feast of Passover.

Philip and Andrew had distinctively Greek names (Andreas and Philippos).

Keep in mind Scripture doesn’t address every question we may have. It is something we need to be comfortable with knowing that what we are given to know is what God wants us to know.

Jesus often used the title Son of Man in reference to Himself.
• Some feel the title reflects Jesus’ humility. (see Phil. 2:8)
• Some feel it reflects His humanity.
• Some feel it reflects His deity. (see Matt. 26:64)

If you were to go back through the Gospel of John, you would notice the repeated references to the word "hour."
• The first reference is when Jesus was talking to His mother (Mary) at a wedding at Cana.
• In chapter 7, Jesus delayed going to Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of Booths because His "hour" had not come.
• Here in chapter 12, we see the hour had arrived for the Son of Man to be glorified.

Wheat was a crop that was common to the area, and everyone would have been familiar with it.
• A grain of wheat will not produce anything if it is not planted in the soil.
• Because this is taking place during the last week in Jesus’ life, there is an element of truth in this illustration that certainly applies to Him. Soon Jesus, the seed, will soon die.

A key word in this verse is the word “he.” Jesus was inferring that he who loves his life, his ways, his ideas, his desires, his way of life... will lose it.
• The words “he” and “him” focus on self. Self in this context includes being a part of the world which stands in opposition to the kingdom of God.

Jesus ties the idea of hating one’s life in verse 25 with serving in verse 26.
• Then notice the promise given to those who follow or serve Jesus: the Father will honor Him.
• The word “honor” means to assign value to someone by the one doing the honoring.
• It is to consider someone as being precious.

Jesus addressed four important issues: Death—Life—Obedience—and Honor.

Death: Through His death, one may receive the fruit of eternal life. However, one must come to God and receive it on His terms.

Life: One’s lives must change from serving self to serving Jesus. (see Galatians 2:20)

Obedience: Serving Christ requires obedience. After all, a servant carries out the will and desire of his/her master.

Honor: Because the Father honors the Son, and because where He is, we are also, we too are honored through Jesus.

mission café
Sundays | 9:00-10:15am | Mission Cafe

worship
Sundays | 10:30am | Sanctuary
• If you're unable to join us in-person, you can watch live on Facebook or view later in the week on Facebook or YouTube or listen to an audio only version on Archive.

children’s worship
Sundays | 10:30am | Children’s Worship Room
• Ages 5 years old through 5th grade
• Does not meet on the first Sunday of each month.
• Contact Alyssa Newell for questions or more information.

men’s bible study
Tuesdays | 7:00-8:30pm | Mission Café
• Contact Paul Fitton or Larry Dobberstein for questions or more information.

church office open
Wednesdays | 11:00am-4:00pm

theology class
Wednesdays | 7:00-8:00pm | Main Foyer
• Closed course.

women’s craft group
Thursdays | 6:30pm | Craft Room
• Contact Tracy Marshall for questions or more information.

coming soon
• Bridal Shower: Julie Newell | 8/23 | 2-4:30pm | Upstairs at FBC

• Alyssa Newell has been diagnosed with Lupus. She has an appointment in September to discuss a management plan; pray that the treatment options are successful.
• Marge Benham has a lump on her shoulder that has been found to be cancerous. She will have radiation and surgery this summer and the doctors are confident this is treatable and beatable.
• Dylan Goff's fiance, Taylor, who is recovering from a stroke and will probably have a procedure done to repair a hole in her heart within the next few weeks.
• Abby Bocock has been diagnosed with Lyme Disease.
• Alice Avery fractured her elbow and is doing therapy.
• John Seitz is recovering from prostate surgery.
• Bruce Ferguson is recovering from a procedure to prepare his prostate and bladder for radiation. Pray that everything heals properly.
• Check out our monthly prayer card on-line at southhavenfbc.com under “Weekly Bulletins” for a list of those with on-going needs.

First Baptist Church
1635 76th Street
South Haven, MI 49090
269-637-1291
southhavenfbc@gmail.com