He Has Come, So Live
Audio Recording
Sermon Outline
Speaker: Rev. Scott Strickman
Sermon Series: John 1-12: Come, See, Live!
John 12:34-50 (ESV)
34 So the crowd answered him, “We have heard from the Law that the Christ remains forever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?” 35 So Jesus said to them, “The light is among you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. 36 While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.”
When Jesus had said these things, he departed and hid himself from them. 37 Though he had done so many signs before them, they still did not believe in him, 38 so that the word spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:
“Lord, who has believed what he heard from us,
and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”
39 Therefore they could not believe. For again Isaiah said,
40 “He has blinded their eyes
and hardened their heart,
lest they see with their eyes,
and understand with their heart, and turn,
and I would heal them.”
41 Isaiah said these things because he saw his glory and spoke of him. 42 Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.
44 And Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me, believes not in me but in him who sent me. 45 And whoever sees me sees him who sent me. 46 I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. 47 If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. 48 The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day. 49 For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak. 50 And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me.”
Sermon Outline
Jesus calls people who are lost (v35) to look to him and receive life (v46, 50).
1. What We See
vv47-48 “I did not come to judge… but to save…”
v43 “they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God”
v42 “many… believed… but for fear…”
2. What We Don’t See
v37 “though he had done many signs… they still did not believe in him”
vv38-41”the word spoken by Isaiah…” “who has believed…?” “he saw his glory and spoke of him”
3. What We Need to See
vv44-46 “I have come into the world as light…”
v50 “his commandment is eternal life”
vv44-45 “whoever sees me sees him who sent me”
Prayer of Confession
Almighty God, we are a wandering people. We stray from you and get lost in darkness. Forgive us for loving glory that comes from people more than the glory that comes from you. Forgive us for hearts that are hardened to you. You are just and we need your forgiveness. Forgive all our sins. We thank you that Jesus was sent into the world so that we would not remain in darkness. We thank you that he faced the judgment we deserve. We receive life as a gift and pray for the grace to see and hear you. Amen.
Questions for Reflection
Reflect on a time you were lost. What did you experience? What aspects of that experience illuminates the Bible’s picture of humans as lost in the world?
Why is Jesus so misunderstood? What had you, or do you, have trouble understanding regarding who Jesus is or what he taught?
What does Jesus mean when he says people love the glory of other people more than the glory of God? What does this look like in your life (what “glory” do you seek or desire)?
Have you had any experience of the glory of God? What did you experience? If not, what would you hope to experience?
What do you find most appealing about Jesus or Christianity? What is revealed in Jesus’ crucifixion that is essential for us?
How does Jesus help us to know God? What is unique about Jesus in connection with knowing God?
How is Jesus a help to people experiencing dark and difficult times?
The life Jesus offers begins to work in us when we believe. What do you need to do to cultivate growth or to deepen the experience of life in Christ?