Triumphal Entry John 12:12-26 John 12:12–26 (ESV) — 12 The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. 13 So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” 14 And Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written, 15 “Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt!” 16 His disciples did not understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about him and had been done to him. 17 The crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to bear witness. 18 The reason why the crowd went to meet him was that they heard he had done this sign. 19 So the Pharisees said to one another, “You see that you are gaining nothing. Look, the world has gone after him.” 20 Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks. 21 So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. 23 And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.

Who is a Jesus follower? Are you a Jesus follower?   Who is a Jesus follower? Are you a Jesus follower? How can anyone tell if you are a Jesus follower? Who is a Jesus follower? Are you a Jesus follower? How can anyone tell if you are a Jesus follower?

I. Jesus is coming to town 12-18 They heard about Jesus and they also were commanded to tell the Pharisees. The reason for the crowd – We want to see Lazarus  They heard about Jesus and they also were commanded to tell the Pharisees. The reason for the crowd – We want to see Lazarus 

II. Pharisees Dilemma 19 The Pharisees—You are gaining nothing  The world has gone after Him  They knew the fickleness of people  The Pharisees—You are gaining nothing  The world has gone after him  They knew the fickleness of people

III. Teaching about the end of Jesus earthly ministry 20-26  Greeks come to see Jesus to see Him.  Jesus Response:  How is Jesus Glorified?  Except a grain of wheat is buried and dies,  Brings forth much fruit  Explaining His crucifixion and death  Jesus will bring forth much fruit  Love life or hate life for the glory of God?  Greeks come to see Jesus to see Him.  Jesus Response: John 12:23–25 (ESV) — 23 And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.  How is Jesus Glorified?  Except a grain of wheat is buried and dies,  Brings forth much fruit  Explaining His crucifixion and death  Jesus will bring forth much fruit  Love life or hate life for the glory of God

III. Love Jesus and serve Him To Serve Jesus is to follow Him v. 36. “If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.” If you serve Jesus, you must follow him Where Jesus is, his servant will be also To Serve Jesus is to follow Him If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him. If you serve Jesus, you must follow him Where Jesus is, his servant will be also

Experiencing God by Henry Blackabee

1 God's Work Right now God is working all around you and in your life. One of the greatest tragedies among God's people today is that, while they have a deep longing to experience God, many remain bewildered because they do not know how to recognize Him. Right now God is working all around you and in your life. One of the greatest tragedies among God's people today is that, while they have a deep longing to experience God, many remain bewildered because they do not know how to recognize Him.

God pursues a love relationship with you that is real and personal. God pursues a love relationship with you that is real and personal. This is why you were created. This is the very purpose of your life. Your love relationship with Him is more important than any other single factor in your life. Therefore, it will be the key to experiencing God. God pursues a love relationship with you that is real and personal. This is why you were created. This is the very purpose of your life. Your love relationship with Him is more important than any other single factor in your life. Therefore, it will be the key to experiencing God.

3 God's Invitation You will find that the call to a love relationship with God is also God's invitation to be on mission with Him. Often we say to ourselves, "Well, I don't know if God wants me to get involved here, or not. I had better pray about it." Then, by the time we leave that situation and pray, the opportunity to join God is gone. A tender and sensitive heart will recognize and respond to God at the slightest prompting. You will find that the call to a love relationship with God is also God's invitation to be on mission with Him. Often we say to ourselves, "Well, I don't know if God wants me to get involved here, or not. I had better pray about it." Then, by the time we leave that situation and pray, the opportunity to join God is gone. A tender and sensitive heart will recognize and respond to God at the slightest prompting.

4 God Speaks One critical point in experiencing God is to know clearly when God is speaking. If the Christian does not know when God is speaking, he is in trouble at the very heart of his Christian life! One critical point in experiencing God is to know clearly when God is speaking. If the Christian does not know when God is speaking, he is in trouble at the very heart of his Christian life!

5 Crisis of Belief God's invitation for you to work with Him always leads you to a crisis of belief that requires faith and action. Crisis comes from a word that means "decision." And the decision that you make will reveal what you believe about God. How you respond when God reveals Himself can be a crucial turning point in your Christian walk. Jesus said, "Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be"(John 12:26a). God's invitation for you to work with Him always leads you to a crisis of belief that requires faith and action. Crisis comes from a word that means "decision." And the decision that you make will reveal what you believe about God. How you respond when God reveals Himself can be a crucial turning point in your Christian walk. Jesus said, "Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be"(John 12:26a).

6 Adjust You must make major adjustments in your life to join God in what He is doing. Many of us want God to speak and give us an assignment. However, we continually refuse to make any of the major adjustments that God requires. I have known some people who wouldn't interrupt a fishing trip or a football game for anything in the world. In their mind they say they want to serve God, but they keep eliminating anything that is going to interfere with their own plans. You must make major adjustments in your life to join God in what He is doing. Many of us want God to speak and give us an assignment. However, we continually refuse to make any of the major adjustments that God requires. I have known some people who wouldn't interrupt a fishing trip or a football game for anything in the world. In their mind they say they want to serve God, but they keep eliminating anything that is going to interfere with their own plans.

7 Obey and Experience You come to know God by experience only as you obey Him and He accomplishes His work through you. After God has taken the initiative to involve you in His work, you believe Him and adjust your life to Him. Only then do you get to the place of obedience You come to know God by experience only as you obey Him and He accomplishes His work through you. After God has taken the initiative to involve you in His work, you believe Him and adjust your life to Him. Only then do you get to the place of obedience

We Must Experience God!

Then God honors you because you have obeyed Him