March 17, 2024

LINK TO SERMON ON YOUTUBE
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TEXT: John 12:20-33

TOPIC: Sacrifice, part 4

SERMON SUMMARY:

The sermon opens by comparing Jesus' declaration that "the hour has come" to the exciting yet anguished moment when a pregnant woman goes into labor. Just as a mother knows it's time for the birth after months of waiting, Jesus recognizes the signal that his purpose for coming into the world is now to be fulfilled through his death and resurrection.

Fr. Rob walks through Jesus' words in John 12, where he metaphorically describes his death as a grain of wheat falling to the ground - an image of great future fruitfulness emerging from his sacrifice. Like a woman's birth pangs preceding new life, Jesus will endure anguish and suffering, but for a greater joy and purpose.

Jesus reveals this greater purpose is to glorify the Son and Father through conquering Satan and drawing all people to himself. But he doesn't just prepare the disciples for what will happen to him - he also prepares them (and us) for the difficult path of following him. Echoing his teachings, Fr. Rob emphasizes the counterintuitive principle that to keep one's life, we must lose/hate our earthly life and instead entrust it fully to Jesus.

Fr. Rob acknowledges people's fears around completely surrendering life to God. Yet he testifies from experience of finally letting go and trusting God, realizing the eternal joys offered far outweigh any temporary pleasures of self-centered living. He urges hearers not to harden their hearts but to keep choosing God first when those pivotal "labor" moments arise calling us to a deeper trust in his perfect plans.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION & DISCUSSION:

PRAYER:

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March 10, 2024