Giving Extravagantly

One of the greatest secrets of the universe is in Jesus’ words, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ (Acts 20:35) Do we give extravagantly to God or our leftovers? Let’s look at Mary’s anointing of Jesus in John 12:1-8.

“Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was who had been dead, whom He had raised from the dead. There they made Him a supper; and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with Him.” (John 12:1-2 NKJV)

This is six days before the cross, and Jesus naturally turned to some of His dearest friends, Lazarus, Martha and Mary. There is a contrast between two ladies who loved to give and Judas who loved to take.

“Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.” (John 12:3 NKJV)

Have you ever desired to simplify and lighten the burden of having so many physical trappings? What is sitting around our lives that we could willingly and joyfully give away? Mary was naturally very thankful to Jesus for restoring the life of her brother Lazarus. Her lavish giving is a measure of her gratitude.

Mary’s perfume in a very expensive alabaster vase, was possibly about a litra, a Roman pound, around 12 oz, 350 ml, worth about 300 denarius, 300 day’s wages, a year’s income. Spikenard or nard was imported from the slopes of the Himalayas, a long, long way. How extravagant is our giving to Jesus?

Beautiful church buildings are a testimony to the generosity of people who love God. London’s Westminster Cathedral, Cologne’s Cathedral, Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia, Moscow’s St Basil’s Cathedral and the Salzburg Cathedral are treasures. Should they be sold to give to the poor? Among the Great Commandments the first is to love God. The second is to love our neighbor. Which of the two is exemplified by Mary anointing Jesus with outrageously expensive perfume?

“But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, who would betray Him, said, 5 “Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” 6 This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it.” (John 12:4-6 NKJV)

Judas Iscariot did not truly love Jesus. He feigned caring for the poor but had stolen money from the cash box. Many Christians are not obsessed by materialism and money but give generously to both God and the poor. Some Christians practice the spirit of the Old Testament tithing law, and are blessed by God for their generosity towards His kingdom. Some others are offended that it takes money to run a church. The spirit or principle of God’s laws on giving still applies. Do we give God the best we have, or second best?

Do we believe we are giving to a club or organization of mere human beings or to Jesus? Giving is a measure of our values, a measure of our love. Do we love things more than God? Do we see the blessing that comes when we get rid of things?

“But Jesus said, ‘Let her alone; she has kept this for the day of My burial. For the poor you have with you always, but Me you do not have always.’ ” (John 12:7-8 NKJV)

The dead were often anointed with perfume to cover the smell of death. Jesus quoted the law about the poor.

"For the poor will never cease from the land; therefore I command you, saying, ‘You shall open your hand wide to your brother, to your poor and your needy, in your land.’" (Deuteronomy 15:11 NKJV)

Our obligation to the poor is clear, but we must not neglect our first love as did the church at Ephesus.

“Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.” (Revelation 2:4-5 NKJV)

This is also a description of modern liberal Christians, who have loved their neighbor, and pretended to love God but have not obeyed His will. Jesus commended Mary’s choice, to honor Jesus extravagantly, to obey the first of the two great commandments: love God first and neighbor second.

Here is an example of extravagant giving to our Lord, with permission and encouragement from Jesus. The one who criticized her generosity was a thief who focused only on the second great commandment. Most of us are not thieves, but perhaps not extravagantly generous in our love of the Lord. May we all learn to be a little more like Mary.

New King James Version (NKJV) Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

A Seed Dies & Life Begins

Prelude

How does selfishness destroy us? How does selflessness save us? How does truly living only begin when the seed of selfishness dies?

Purpose: Jesus taught that self-preservation is self-destructive and self-sacrifice is really living.

Plan: Let’s examine the passage where Jesus predicts his death in John 12:20-33 and his example for us.

John 12:23 The Paradox of Glory through Shame

In John 12:23 Jesus announced, “The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified.” Glory means magnified, honored. Yet Jesus must take a dark path before His return to glory in Heaven and His message is accepted worldwide. Jesus does not focus on the pain of the cross, but the resurrection. We too remember Good Friday, but focus on Easter, Resurrection Sunday. Jesus, “who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross” (Hebrews 12:2). Paul, following Jesus’ example, wrote, “the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” (Romans 8:18)

John 12:24 The Germination Miracle

In John 12:24 Jesus explains that “unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.” Germination is a miracle of creation that turns a dormant seed into a growing plant. Seeds thousands of years old have germinated. Up to a certain point, germination even brings the miracle of DNA repair with up to a half million DNA modifications per healthy cell per day. The paradox of glory through shame is also a miracle. On the cross the greatest reputation in the world was built. The greatest dishonor produced the greatest honor. Self-promotion brings shame. Self-sacrifice brings glory.

Example: Technological Change

“If [a grain of wheat] dies it produces much grain.” Irrelevant church traditions must die. The message of the Gospel never changes, but culture does. Typewriters, cassette tapes, rotary phones and vacuum tube radios have come and gone. They have all died and most companies that made them are gone. Companies that refused to change and keep up with new technology have died. Communication remains, but the means changes. Companies that survive are willing to change. Those that do not, die. Churches must be willing to let old traditions die and change to make the unchanging Gospel relevant to new generations. Self-sacrifice is real life. A seed dies and life begins.

John 12:25 Qualification for Leadership

A difficult saying of Jesus is John 12:25. “He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.” Love that which is mortal and lose that which is immortal. Surrender the mortal and gain the eternal. Give up that which is dying in order to gain that which will never die. Be selfish and lose our lives; be selfless and gain eternal life. A selfish member of the herd takes to preserve himself, damages the herd and will die alone. One who contributes to the wellbeing of the whole herd preserves the herd and his own life.

Example: Easter Island

“He who loves his life will lose it.” An ecological disaster took place on Easter Island before European discovery. It was originally a very advanced civilization with such ease of growing food that there was plenty of time for astronomy and building large stone statues. Something caused a Pacific paradise to degenerate into deforestation, cannibalism and poverty. Fishing ceased because there were no materials to build canoes or nets. A state of permanent warfare existed. Preserving the self for a day, they lost sight of the sacrifice it took to preserve their society for the long term. This is the same fault of modern civilization and its damage to the environment.

John 12:26 Tourists or Pilgrims

In John 12:26 Jesus says, “If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also.” Do we attend church as tourists or pilgrims? Tourists go out of curiosity, but not to follow Jesus. Pilgrims go to follow Him. The tourist leaves church loving their life in this world and its sins. The pilgrim leaves church loving this world even less and loving Christ all the more. The pilgrim realizes that all these are cheap substitutes for following Christ. Jesus said, “If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.” The honor of this world is temporary. The honor of heaven lasts forever.

John 12:31-32 Judgment Now

In John 12:31-32 Jesus says, “Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.” Who rules the Godless? Jews believed the devil ruled other nations. Jesus called the devil the Pharisees’ father (John 8:44-45). The world is already condemned and its ruler cast out. Jesus later revealed that, “the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” (Revelation 12:9)

Example: Selfishness Destroys

Jesus taught that selfishness destroys us. How? Selfish people are combative because they always want things their way, so they lose relationships. Selfish people kill their own joy by complaining. Selfish people have unrealistic expectations of themselves and others, so people don’t want to be around them. Selfish people can’t take criticism, but they constantly criticize others, so because of the negative atmosphere people walk away. Selfish people make love conditional upon serving their needs and so hurt others. Selfish people lie and manipulate, so they can’t be trusted. Selfish people believe they deserve the largest portion and don’t consider how others feel, and so drive friends and family members away.

Postlude

Jesus taught that self-preservation is self-destructive, but self-sacrifice is real life. A seed dies and life begins.

The Hour has Come

Jesus replied, The hour has come
For the Son of Man to enter
His glory, like wheat must succumb
Before life springs from its center

He who loves his life will lose it
But who his life in this world hates
For eternity will be fit
Follow me and honor awaits

Now my soul has become distressed
What should I say, Father save me?
It's why I came; this is my quest
To glorify divinity

Now judgment of the world is here
The ruler of this world thrown out
When I to heaven disappear
I will draw men from all about

John 12:20-33; Hebrews 12:2; Romans 8:18; John 8:44-45; Revelation 12:9

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Extravagant Faith (John 12:1-8)

Intro

How important are giving to the poor and giving to the church?

Purpose

Let’s discuss giving and discover what priority Jesus taught.

Plan

Let’s look at John 12:1-8 and see what we can learn about Mary’s anointing of Jesus with very expensive muskroot oil.

John 12:1 Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. 3 Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 4 But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, 5 “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” 6 He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it. 7 “Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. 8 You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”

Beautiful Churches

Church buildings are among the most beautiful structures on earth, a testimony to Christians who loved God so much they gave their worldly goods to build in his honor. They built Paris’ Sacre-Coeur and Notre Dame, London’s Westminster Cathedral and Saint Paul’s, Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Cologne’s Cathedral, the Cathedral of the Annunciation, Brazil’s Cathedral of Brasilia, Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia, Moscow’s St Basil’s Cathedral, Rome’s Sistine Chapel, France’s Mont St Michel, the Sagrada Familia, the Palma de Mallorca, and the Salzburg Cathedral to name just a few. Most of these churches contain priceless treasures that have been donated over centuries. Should they be sold to give to the poor? What about Mary anointing Jesus with outrageously expensive perfume?

Extravagant Giving

After the story of a reckless son and a father’s fabulous forgiveness let’s look at extravagant giving. Mary was the sister of Lazarus, whom Jesus had brought back to life and naturally was very grateful. How grateful is measured by her lavish giving. Notice what she gave! The perfume was contained in an alabaster box, an expensive stone vase. The amount used was about a litra, a Roman pound of around 12 oz. It was worth about 300 denarius, perhaps 300 day’s wages, a year’s income. Why so valuable? In those days spikenard or nard was only found on the slopes of the Himalaya’s and had to be imported a long, long way. How extravagant is our giving to Jesus?

What is a Rich Person’s Role in the Church?

Is a wealthy person’s role in the church to be a bully? As of this writing 16 ounces of spikenard essential oil from bulkapothecary.com was advertised at $609.08. A Roman pound was about 12 ounces. So that may be about $456.81 and still an expensive offering at today’s prices. In ancient times the transportation cost from the Himalayas would have been very expensive indeed and Judas gave a price of about 300 denarii or 300 times a worker’s day’s wage. At time of writing, the US federal minimum wage is $7.25 times 8 hours times 300 days equals $17,400. Quite the opposite of a bully, Mary humbly got on her knees and extravagantly served Jesus.

Extravagant Faith

A family wanted to donate their old furniture to a church and was offended when the church turned them down. Have you ever wondered about the treasures in churches? Should they be sold and the money given to the poor? Jesus’ opinion on the topic may be interesting. Mary’s anointing of him was an over-the-top expensive act. Ought we give Jesus second best? In the Old Testament’s worship, God expected people to give their best animals and best produce. Next time we visit a beautiful church with lavish treasures let’s think of the extravagant faith of the givers. Do we believe we are giving to a club or organization of mere human beings or the Church of the living God?

Outro

Let’s understand that there is no command here for us to give so extravagantly, but there is permission. If someone has it in their heart to give a wonderful gift to Jesus instead of to the poor, they have his permission. Let’s remember that the one who criticized this gift was a thief. In life some are thieves and some are very generous. Most of us are somewhere in between, we are not thieves, but maybe not so generous. May we all learn to be a little more like Mary.

Why Self-Preservation is Death

Intro

In corporate and personal life, we all tend to want to preserve the past. Yet, that is the opposite of what Jesus taught.

Goal

Jesus taught that self-preservation is self-destructive but self-sacrifice is real life.

Plan

We will examine the passage where Jesus predicts his death in John 12:20-33 and his example for us.

The Paradox of Glory through Shame

Jesus introduced us to the paradox of glory through shame. It was through the shame of the cross that he now lives in glory (John 12:23). In dying alone he gave life to many. In giving up his life in this world he gained eternal life in glory for all. In the disrepute of the cross the greatest reputation in the world was built. In the greatest dishonor the greatest honor to any man in history was given. How does that affect us? Our natural desire is for glory and honor, but Jesus’ paradox teaches us that our means of getting it is all wrong. We seek it by means of self-promotion rather than self-sacrifice. The paradox of glory through shame teaches us that it is precisely at moments when we give it all up, that victory is ours. Self-sacrifice is real life. A seed dies and life begins.

Son of Humanity

As Christians we are members of a global community. I have lived in four countries and heard the jingoism and xenophobia that exists everywhere. People tend to think that their country is the best. Each criticizes and puts down the others for various reasons. Yet God hates pride. Self-importance and arrogance are not on any list of holy attitudes. In John 12:23, Jesus introduced his ultimate sacrifice not as a son of David, a loyal son of Israel, but as the Son of Man. In today’s language, we would call him the son of humanity. Jesus did not die for God and country, although that is a worthy thing. As the son of Man, or son of Humankind, Jesus died for God and all human beings. Christianity is not a narrow, nationalistic religion, but a faith for all humanity. Self-sacrifice is real life. A seed dies and life begins.

A Grain of Wheat

Self-preservation is a natural desire. We don’t want to die. We don’t want our way of life destroyed. However, do we know Jesus well enough to know that he would challenge our way of thinking? One such place is in John 12:24. Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it abides alone; but if it dies, it brings forth much fruit. Jesus confirmed this teaching in different words at different times. If we try to make our lives secure we will lose them, but if we lose our lives we will save them. A kernel of wheat preserved is unfruitful, but a kernel of wheat planted can produce an unlimited amount more. A grain of wheat must die if it is to produce. So too, only the life that dies to self is truly productive. Self-sacrifice is real life. A seed dies and life begins.

Why Self-Preservation is Death

When I was a young man I worked in a factory that produced typewriter ribbons. In our department we had about a dozen people and a man who inked all the ribbons. My job was to clean up. I was bottom of the rung. The inker was unwilling to train anyone else lest he lose his position. He was afraid and wanted to preserve his job. The big boss took me into his office and told me that the inker could not be promoted, because he would train nobody to do his job. But, the boss liked my attitude and promoted me to be the boss of the department. Naturally, the inker was angry, but he created his own dilemma. As Jesus said in John 12:24, unless a grain of wheat dies it has no future. Self-preservation is death. Self-sacrifice is real life. A seed dies and life begins.

Change or Die

Unless a grain of wheat dies it has no future (John 12:24). Unless the church buries out-of-date practices it too has no future. Change we must or become irrelevant to everybody. The message of the Gospel will never change, but the package must. Vacuum tubes, transistor radios and printed circuits have all competed in the electronic world. Two of them died and most companies that made them are gone too. What is the difference? Companies that refused to change and keep up with the new waves of technology have died. Technology remains, but doing it the old-fashioned way has not. Companies willing to let old ideas and departments die survive while those that try to preserve old ways die. Churches must be willing to let old traditions die and change to make the unchanging Gospel relevant to new generations. Self-sacrifice is real life. A seed dies and life begins.

Spiritual Capitalism

Material capitalism says that those who die with the most toys wins. It is a lie, because those who die having hoarded the most, will possibly not even have eternal life. They are in danger of becoming the ultimate losers. Spiritual capitalism says that those who die to self give life to many others (John 12:24). Material capitalists are deceived that they love their souls, but in reality they have lost their souls to the devil for temporary material gain. Those who love their lives (or souls) will lose it. Spiritual capitalists give their souls away to enrich the lives of others and so keep their souls forever. Anyone who hates their lives (or souls) in this world will keep them for eternal life. Our Savior calls us to be creators of spiritual capital, enriching the lives of others. Self-sacrifice is real life. A seed dies and life begins.

What is Life?

A queen preserves her wealth. Mother Teresa gave up her life of material wealth to find true life and true wealth. Jesus said that anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life (John 12:24). What is life? Righteous living is life, but wicked living is sin and death. Right living is true life and immortality. When our minds are ruled by the things of the flesh we are not truly living but dead. Having our minds focused on the things of the Spirit is the way to true life and peace. (Proverbs 10:16; 12:28; Romans 8:6) Selfish kings and queens of this world are in spiritual poverty. Mother Teresa found true life and true riches. We can find true life too. Self-sacrifice is real life. A seed dies and life begins.

True Life

Materialism is death not life. We may have things but let us not be deceived. Things do not define life. Over a lifetime we collect a lot of things, a favorite set of cutlery, dishes, a favorite car or dolls perhaps, a gun collection or a set of fine china. We get really emotional about the potential loss of these things, yet if we end up in a nursing home at the end of our lives, we can’t take them with us and our children may sell them for junk. We think that these things define our lives but they do not. If we give up what we think is life but is not and lose these fake lives, then we can find true life (John 12:24). True life is defined by what we give, not what we get. Self-sacrifice is real life. A seed dies and life begins.

Qualification for Leadership

As we look at potential candidates for a leader what do we look for? What makes a leader worthy of any honor? Is it success in the greedy business world, making millions off of people for overpriced goods and services? Is it success in lying and flip-flopping and slinging mud? Is it the ability to win debates? None of that was at the center of what glorified Jesus as King of Kings. In John 12:25, we see Jesus’ glory and honor defined by personal sacrifice. While most leaders are self-defensive and self-promoting, Jesus set us all an example of true leadership by self-sacrifice. That is why when Jesus returns he will take the kingdoms of this world from its leaders and give the leadership roles to those who have proven themselves worthy of honor by lives of selfless service. Self-sacrifice is real life. A seed dies and life begins.

Humanity’s Self-Destructive Behavior

Easter Island is famous as a microcosm of what all humanity could potentially do to our planet. Destruction of the island’s natural resources almost totally destroyed everyone living there. Greedy materialism is like that. We destroy our entire civilization in the lust for more and in the end we also destroy ourselves. The saying in John 12:25 that he who loves his life loses it, has a far more profound meaning in the original Greek. It says that he who loves his life "destroys it utterly." Mental health professionals recognize the need for people to get outside of themselves and give to others. In helping others, mental health improves. That is why greed is the ultimate insanity, because it only ends up destroying the greedy. The remedy is selflessness. Giving life to others is the ultimate act of sanity. Self-sacrifice is real life. A seed dies and life begins.

The Weakness of the Sinner’s Prayer

The “sinner’s prayer” is a gimmick not found in the Bible. It is a manipulative, cheap substitute for repentance and baptism (Acts 2:38-39). Quality evangelism is best done by evangelists in local churches, not by transitory evangelists who have no stake in our community. The Holy Spirit leads people to repentance, uses local pastors to baptize and local Christians to mentor new converts. A seed being transformed into a new plant is not instantaneous gratification. The struggle with the old person and sins of the past are not solved by a quickie prayer that is not found anywhere in the Bible. Learning to allow Christ to reign in our hearts, to follow him and serve him (John 12:26) takes time. Like a seed metaphorically dying and giving life, it takes time for new life to germinate and grow.

Tourists or Pilgrims at Church

Do we go to church as tourists or as pilgrims? Tourists go out of curiosity, to see Jesus but not to change. Pilgrims go to change their lives. The after-church experience of tourists is not to die to self, but to preserve their way of life. The after-church experience of pilgrims is much different, they go away inspired by a new life in Christ and to deepen their repentance. The tourist leaves church still loving their life in this world and its sins. The pilgrim leaves church loving this world even less and loving Christ all the more. The tourist leaves still following their favorite political party, or the advice of their favorite TV host, or the counterfeit wisdom of a false Gospel. The pilgrim realizes that all these are cheap substitutes for following Christ (John 12:26).

Outro

Jesus taught that self-preservation is self-destructive, but self-sacrifice is real life. A seed dies and life begins.

Extravagant worship

Intro 

What kind of worship do we give to God? Are we extravagant or stingy towards God? 

Goal 

Let us understand that worship is to be extravagant. 

Sermon Plan 

We will look at extravagance in giving, faith and offerings. 

Extravagant giving 

It is a valuable lesson after the story of the extravagant son and the father’s extravagant forgiveness to look at extravagant giving (John 12:1-11). Mary was an example of bounteous giving to Jesus. She was the sister of Lazarus, whom Jesus had brought back to life and naturally was very grateful. How grateful is measured by her lavish giving. Notice the elements of her gift. The perfume was contained in an alabaster box, an expensive stone vase. The amount used was about a litra, a Roman pound of around 12 oz. It was worth about 300 denarius, perhaps 300 day’s wage for a farm laborer, about a year’s income. Why so valuable? In those days spikenard or nard was only found on the slopes of the Himalaya’s and had to be imported a long, long way. How extravagant is our giving to Jesus? 

Extravagant faith 

Have you ever wondered at extravagant treasures in the church? Should they be sold and the money given to the poor? Jesus’ opinion on a related topic is interesting in John 12:1-11. Mary’s anointing of him was an over-the-top expensive act. I remember hearing of a family that wanted to donate their old furniture to the church and was offended when the church turned them down. Ought we give Jesus second best? In the Old Testament’s worship God expected people to sacrifice their best animals and offer up the best produce from the vegetable garden and the field. Next time we visit a beautiful church with lavish fixtures let’s think of the extravagant faith of the givers. Do we believe we are giving to a club or organization of mere human beings or the Church of the living Christ? 

Extravagant offerings 

Jesus set us an example of personal sacrifice by offering himself completely on the cross (Hebrews 7:27; 9:14). In the manner of the sacrificial culture of ancient Israel, his offering was expensive, the best, without blemish (Leviticus 1-5). Many people offer God their best. They put their best effort into their church duties, whether finance, Sunday School, music, maintenance or prayer. Others sacrifice time for God in others ways such as in service to neighbors or taking time to learn a skill for church service. Offerings come in all shapes and sizes. Mary’s was oil, very expensive oil to anoint Jesus for his upcoming burial (John 12:1-11). What is our area of giving to Jesus? Is it a halfhearted giving, cheap and nasty, or are we thinking of ways that we can give to our Savior extravagantly? 

Outro/Take Home 

Do we love God extravagantly? 

Unless the Grain Dies

Intro 

Greed is a big topic today. It drives politics and business. Yet greed is insanity. It destroys the greedy and everyone connected with them. 

Goal 

To help us understand that greed destroys and selflessness gives life. 

Sermon Plan 

We will look at the puzzle of the grain of wheat, self-preservation, the necessity of change, why the phrase “son of man” is so important, the paradox of shame, and humanity’s self-destructive behavior. 

A Grain of Wheat 

Self-preservation is a natural desire. We don’t want to die. We don’t want our way of life destroyed. However, we also know Jesus well enough to know that he would challenge that kind of thinking. One such place is in John 12:20-36. Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it abides alone; but if it dies, it brings forth much fruit. Jesus confirmed this teaching in different words at different times. If we try to make our lives secure we will lose them, but if we lose our lives we will save them. A kernel of wheat preserved is unfruitful, but a kernel of wheat planted can produce an unlimited amount more. A grain of wheat must die if it is to produce. So too, only the life that dies to self is truly productive. 

Self-Preservation is Death 

When I was a young man I worked in a factory that produced typewriter ribbons. In our department we had about a dozen people and the man who inked all the ribbons. My job was to clean up. I was bottom of the rung. The inker was unwilling to train anyone else lest he lose his position. He was afraid and wanted to preserve his job. The big boss took me into his office and told me that the inker could not be promoted, because he would train nobody to do his job. But, the boss liked my attitude and promoted me to be the boss of the department. Naturally, the inker was angry, but he created his own dilemma. As Jesus said in John 12:20-36, unless a grain of wheat dies it has no future. Self-preservation is death. 

Change or Become Irrelevant 

Unless a grain of wheat dies it has no future (John 12:20-36). Unless a church buries old fashioned ways it has no future. Change we must or become irrelevant to everybody. The message of the Gospel will never change, but the package must. Kodak, HP and Apple all compete in today’s electronic world. Two of them are failing and one is growing by leaps and bounds. What is the difference? HP and Kodak refused to change and are now companies with uncertain futures. Picture taking and printing will remain relevant, but doing it the old-fashioned Kodak or HP way will not. Apple is now ten times bigger than HP because it continues to innovate and create positive change. Churches must be willing to die to old ideas and innovate to be make the unchanging Gospel relevant to new generations. 

Why “Son of Man” So Important 

As Christians are we nationalistic believers or members of a global community? I have lived in four countries and heard the jingoism and xenophobia that exists everywhere. Each country thinks that it is the best. Each criticizes and puts down the others for various reasons. Yet God hates pride and arrogance. They are not on any list of Christian traits. In John 12:20-36, Jesus introduced his ultimate sacrifice not as a son of David, a loyal son of Israel, but as the Son of Man. In today’s language, we would call him the son of a human being. Jesus did not die for God and country, although that is a worthy thing. As the son of Man, or son of Humankind, Jesus died for God and all human beings. Christianity is not a narrow, nationalistic religion, but a faith for all humanity. 

How a Leader is Glorified 

As we look at potential candidates for national leadership what do we look for? What makes a leader worthy of the honor? Is it success in the greedy business world, making millions off of people for overpriced goods and services? Is it success in lying and flip-flopping and slinging mud? Is it the ability to win debates? None of that was at the center of what glorified Jesus as king of Kings. In John 12:20-36, we see Jesus’ glory and honor centered on personal sacrifice. While most leaders are self-defensive and self-promoting, Jesus set us all an example of true leadership in self-sacrifice. That is why when Jesus returns he will take the kingdoms of this world from their leaders and give the leadership roles to those who have proven themselves worthy of honor in lives of selfless service. 

The Paradox of Glory through Shame 

Jesus introduced us to the paradox of glory through shame. It was through the shame of the cross that he now lives in glory (John 12:20-36). Through dying alone he gave life to many. In giving up his life in this world he gained eternal life in glory for all. In the disrepute of the cross was the greatest reputation in the world built. In the greatest dishonor was the greatest honor given to any man in history. How does that affect us? Our natural desire is for glory and honor, but Jesus paradox teaches us that our means of getting it is all wrong. We seek it by means of self-promotion rather than self-sacrifice. The paradox of glory through shame teaches us that it is precisely at moments when we give it all up, that victory is ours. 

Spiritual Capitalism 

Material capitalism says that he who dies with the most toys wins. It is a lie, because he who dies having hoarded the most, will possibly not even have eternal life. He is in danger of becoming the ultimate loser. Spiritual capitalism says that he who dies to self gives life to many others (John 12:20-36). Material capitalists are deceived that they love their souls, but in reality they have lost their souls to the devil for temporary material gain. Anyone who loves their life (or soul) will lose it. Spiritual capitalists give their souls away to enrich the lives of others and so keep their souls forever. Anyone who hates their life (or soul) in this world will keep it for eternal life. Our Savior calls us to be creators of spiritual capital, enriching the lives of others. 

Humanity’s Self-Destructive Behavior 

Easter Island is famous as a microcosm of what we could potentially do to the planet. Destruction of the island’s natural resources almost totally destroyed everyone on the island. Greedy materialism is like that. We destroy our entire civilization in the lust for more and in the end we also destroy ourselves. The saying in John 12:20-36 that he who loves his life loses it, has a far more profound meaning in the original Greek. It says that he who loves his life "destroys it utterly." Mental health professionals recognize the need for people to get outside of themselves and give to others. In helping others, mental health improves. That is why greed is the ultimate insanity, because it only ends up destroying the greedy. The remedy is selflessness. Giving life to others is the ultimate act of sanity. 

Outro 

Greed drives politics and business. Yet greed is insanity. It destroys the greedy and everyone connected with them. Only a selfless life is worth living.