biblestudy: John (Part 20)
John 12:24-John 13:1-17 The Essence of Love is Sacrifice
John W. Ritenbaugh
Given 03-Mar-87; Sermon #BS-JO20; 89 minutes
Description: (hide)
In this twentieth installment expounding the book of John, John Ritenbaugh, focusing upon the seed analogy of Jesus in John 12:24, emphasizes that sacrifice is absolutely necessary (the seed must give up its life) in order for quality fruit to be produced. Using this seed planting analogy, Jesus teaches that, as a seed must be planted, dying to itself in order to bear fruit, we similarly must sacrifice our lives- submitting our wills unconditionally to God's will in order to bear abundant fruit, attaining the abundant life we deeply crave. Conversely, if we try to placate the natural carnal lusts, we will not bear good fruit. After we die to sin in the waters of baptism, we no longer dedicate ourselves to satisfying our carnal drives, but instead to submit to God, who engineers the process of our spiritual growth into a new spiritual creation, children of light, reflecting the characteristics of our spiritual Parent. Keeping God's Commandments leads to spiritual insight and light, but breaking them leads to spiritual blindness and darkness. There is no neutrality in following God's Word. John 13:1-17 provides an unusual insight into the very mind of God, exemplified as a serving "footwashing" attitude, demonstrating servant leadership toward His creation, an attitude and behavior we are obligated to emulate. The essence of love is sacrifice.
Topics: (show)
Avoid sin by doing good Baptism into death Baptism Crucified with Christ Disbelief Fear of loss of prestige Footwashing attitude Fruit Germination Human nature Humility, clothed with Judas Living sacrifice Lying and stealing Mind of God New creation Old man sacrificed Overcoming Peter Plant analogy Planting — resurrection process Purification Repentance Resurrection Sacrifice 'Secret' disciples Seed analogy Sons of Light Spiritual blindness Spiritual sacrificial process Sowing and Reaping Submission to ordinances Submission
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