Apr. 20, 2025

John 12:20-26

Underestimated

1. When You’re a Celebrity… (vs. 20, 21)

A. Going UP to Worship at the Feast

B. Greeks

John 12:9-11

John 12:17-19

C. Philip

Bethsaida in Galilee

2. The Hour Has Come (vs. 23, 24)

A. The Son of Man

Daniel 7:13-14

John 3:13-15

B. A Grain of Wheat

Alone versus Planted

C. Underestimated Power

Philippians 3:10-11

3. Underestimated Life (vs. 25, 26)

A. An Impossible Statement

Mark 8:34-38

“The only man who has the right to say that he is justified by grace alone is the man who has left all to follow Christ. Such a man knows that the call is inseparable from the grace. But those who try to use this grace as a dispensation from following Christ are simply deceiving themselves.” Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship

“By thy fasting and temptation
Mortify our vain desires.
Take away what sense or passion,
Appetite or flesh requires:
Arm us with Thy self-denial,
Every tempted soul defend,
Save us in the fiery trial,
Make us faithful to the end.”
- Charles Wesley, Hymn VII in Hymns for our LORD’s Resurrection.

B. What Do You Mean That It Isn’t about Me?

Luke 10:25-28

C. Following Jesus (v. 26)

Being a servant- the Greek word here is diakonos it is where we get the word deacon.

Mark 10:35-45

D. Promise

Eternal Life (v. 25)

The promise to be with Jesus (v. 26)

John 8:14

John 14:1-7

Honor from the Father (v. 26)

Reflection:

 Would you be willing to pray this: “that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.” - Philippians 3:10-11?

Follow UP in the Word through the Week…

Monday:

Read: John 12:17-19

How would you describe the complaint of the Pharisees in this passage? How did this threaten them?

Tuesday:

Read: Daniel 7:13-14

To the best of your ability describe what is stated in this passage. What is given to the “Son of Man”? How does that relate to Jesus?

Wednesday:

Read: John 3:13-15

What does Jesus tell Nicodemus in these verses? What is He describing? What is the promise?

Thursday:

Read: Mark 8:34-38

What is the challenge of these verses? How have you responded to this call in your life?

Friday:

Read: Mark 10:35-45

What is Jesus asked for by James and John in this passage? How do the other 10 respond? What is Jesus' challenge to them all?

Saturday:

Read: Philippians 3:10-11

When you look at this strong desire of Paul’s, what challenges you the most? What encourages you the most? How have you underestimated the power of the resurrection?