1. THREE AMAZING PARADOXES JOHN 12:20-26

2. INTRODUCTION  Our text opens with a group of God – fearing Gentiles (Greeks) who have come to worship at the Passover.  They were more than curious.  They were seeking the truth.  They approach Philip who takes them to Andrew.

3.  Andrew did what he always did.  Andrew is always bringing people to Jesus. (John 1:41-42; 6:8-9)  The response of Jesus is startling.  All this while, Jesus was telling His disciples -“His time had not come.”

4.  But now when a handful of strangers appear.  He is greatly moved with emotion and says, “Now my hour has come.”  It was like a great clock striking the hour.  A time when all that He had lived for will now be fulfilled.

5. 1. LIFE COMES THROUGH DEATH v.24  What Jesus said first applied to himself.  Jesus uses the image of a seed that there can be no fruitful life without death  No victory without surrender.

6.  In itself the seed is weak and useless.  But when planted it fulfills its purpose.  Jesus was first talking about His own death.  He died on behalf of others.  If He does not die, we cannot live.

7.  His death produces the fruit of life.  Christians are like seeds.  They are small and insignificant.  But have life in them – God’s life.  But is not fulfilled unless it is yielded to God.

8.  We must die to self so that we may live unto God. (Gal.2:20)  Only way to have a fruitful life is to follow Jesus Christ.  Our problem is that we are hoarding what can be used for the benefit of others in need in large barns called churches.

9. 2. LIFE COMES THROUGH SPENDING IT –v.25  We have to stop hanging on or holding to our life and our security.  We are called to place higher value on eternal things rather than on things that are on this earth. (Col.3:1-3)

10.  The truth of life is that we lose everything at some point.  We cannot hold on to our youth no matter how hard we try.  We cannot hold on to our athletic ability or our mental capacity.  We cannot even hold to our loved ones.

11.  God orchestrates the affairs of life – both the good and the bad.  This He does so as to bring to the place where our faith will be on Him alone.  He weans away from the things of the world.

12.  At first the process touches only on our possessions (things we can replace.)  It moves to touch our relationships (which we may not be replaced.)  Eventually it touches our loved ones (those who we cannot replace.)

13.  Finally it touches life itself (that which is never replaced.)  Finally we come to a point when there is nothing left but us and God.

14. 3. GREATNESS COMES THROUGH SERVICE –v.26  The Bible says that you and I are servants of the most High God.  This is a very important title.  Many think that serving the Lord is taking a step down-ward.  Remember – Jesus came as a servant.

15.  He was willing to do whatever was necessary in order to bring us to the saving knowledge of Himself.  Jesus saw Himself as a servant of the Father and a servant of the very ones He was serving.