He that Loveth His Life Shall Lose It

John 12:20-27

To often we refuse to do the unpleasant task because there is a more pleasant and easier way to please self. The Greeks were knocking at his door for admission. Sheep of another folded.

I: “Now is My Soul Troubled.”
1. The burdens of a lost world.
2. The grain of wheat must be planted. His life to be given for others.
3. A shameful death, the agony of separation from the Father.
4. He was walking with: Abraham to Mt. Moriah,
a. Setting with Job on the ash heap.
b. With David as he wept for Absolem.
c. Elijah under the Juniper Tree.
d. With Jeremiah as he watched a Nation die.
5. It is questionable if any life reaches its prime, or unfolds its beauty until there has dark valley crossed with cries of pain and the soul has tasted the cup of sorrow!

II: “What Shall I Say?”
1. His soul shaken, his mind troubled.
2. The possibility of escape always present. (He could have called 10,000 angels).
3. Most times there is an easier way, but someone pays the price.
4. The human heart shrinks from pain, suffering, and sacrifice. It is easier to profess Christianity than to be a cross bearing Christian.
5. Spiritual Churches cost in time, talent, money, and plain sweat.
6. Jesus paid the price!

III: “If any Man Wants to Enter My Service, He Must Follow My Way.”
1. To reach the destiny of Jesus we just walk the narrow path he walked.
2. He came to minister unto, to seek, to die for.
3. “he that loves his life shall lose it.” John 12:25
4. no one can really live that is unwilling to die to self-centered living.
5. One can die in the pursuit of this world glitter and never really taste life!

The grain from the ancient tombs of Egypt. Delano 1954 George Theaubald.