Sermons - Central Baptist Church, Okinawa

Sun, 5th Apr 09 by admin

John Chapter 12 verses 27 to 36

When the Gentiles arrived, Jesus knew that his hour, the hour of his death, had come to pass. When he thought about what was about to happen, it caused him to be troubled. However, he knew that he is
doing the right thing by laying his life down for others. This was the very reason that he came to earth. Though he would soon undergo suffering, he resolved to accept this suffering without any reservations, since it would bring glory to the name of the Father.

A great voice from heaven rumbled, and the crowd heard these words: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” Oddly, many of the people there dismissed the voice. They said that it was probably just thunder, nothing to worry about. Others denied that the voice came from God, saying that it must have merely been the voice of an angel. If they had admitted that these words were from God, they would have been forced to admit that Jesus was the Messiah.

Jesus told them that “This voice has come for your sake, not mine.” He had already resolved to go the the cross with joy, he did not need any further assurance. However, they needed to hear God the Father’s approval of him. To some, it would strengthen their faith. To some it would be instrumental in their first believing. To others, it would be evidence that would be used to judge them.

Jesus’ death on the cross began a change that would be completed later on. Judgment had begun, since all who reject Jesus and his sacrifice would face a harsh judgment when he returns. Satan’s defeat was assured, though he would not be completely destroyed until later. Jesus’ glorification has begun, though he would not be glorified fully until his kingdom was complete.

Sun, 29th Mar 09 by admin

John chapter 12 verse 20 to 26

John 12:20-26 Summary

Throughout the Gospel of John, Jesus had been waiting for his “hour” to come (John 2:4; 4:21-23; 5:25-28; 7:30; 8:20). The “hour” that Jesus had been waiting for was the proper time for him to die in behalf of his people, the time that fit into the predestined plan and foreknowledge of God (Acts 2:23; 4:28). In the first few verses of this passage, Jesus told his hearers that the long-awaited hour of his demise had come at last.

The indication that his hour had come was that the Gentiles had arrived. The grace of God that had been largely confined to the political nation of Israel was about to be spread throughout the entire earth. The Gentiles in Jerusalem at that time were about to see the Son of man glorified in his death and resurrection. These Gentiles were typical of what we expect to see in this age: people throughout the world, moved by the Holy Spirit, will want to see Jesus.

Jesus then gave an illustration that helped his hearers to understand the way in which he would be glorified. He said that a seed must fall to the ground and “die” (be buried) in order for a plant to grow and bear much fruit. His death will be like that. Though it appeared to be a defeat for him, it would end in many people having life. It was a great victory, and one of the reasons that we give him glory today.

When Jesus died and was glorified in his hour of death, he provided an example for all people to follow. All of us must die to ourselves and our own desires in order to find real life and joy. We must follow after him in the path of suffering if we are to be honored by the Father.

Sun, 22nd Mar 09 by admin

John chapter 12 verses 12 to 19

This passage of scripture helps us to see that Jesus is the king of his people.

The people who saw Lazarus be raised from the dead went to Jerusalem
for the Passover. They told everyone about the miracle, and Jesus’
popularity quickly reached an all-time high. When Jesus entered into
Jerusalem, the crowds thronged around him and cried out, “Hosanna!
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of
Israel!” (John 12:13). They believed that the Messiah had come, and
would soon deliver them from the hands of the Romans.

Jesus did come as a king, just not the kind of king people expected.
He did not come on a warhorse, but he came as a gentle king, riding on
a donkey, bringing in a reign of peace (Zech 9:9). He is the one who
would proclaim peace to the nations and extend his reign to the ends
of the earth (Zech 9:10, Psalm 72:8). He came to free his people from
the prison of sin by his blood. His kingship during this age is a
spiritual kingship, which anticipates a completed kingdom, which he
will finish in the future.

Last week, we saw that the Pharisees feared that the people would want
to crown Jesus as the physical king of Israel, and that the Romans
would then destroy Jerusalem in an attempt to maintain control. When
the Pharisees saw the crowds praising Jesus, they believed that their
worst fears are coming true, so they said to one another, “You see
that you are gaining nothing. Look, the world has gone after him”
(John 12:19).

Their words were far more true than they realized. They saw Jesus’
popularity among a crowd composed of people from throughout the Roman
Empire, but he will one day be praised by a crowd composed of people
from throughout all the nations of the world.

Sun, 15th Mar 09 by admin

John chapter 11 verse 45 to chapter 12 verse 10

When Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, many believed in him.
However, some did not, and they ran back to the Pharisees and reported
what they had seen Jesus do. The Pharisees understood that this
latest miracle was so astounding that it could permanently damage
their power in Israel. The High Priest helped to unite the Pharisees
in their plot to kill Jesus by saying, “It is better for you that one
man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should
perish” (John 11:50). He said this because he was a smooth
politician, and he wanted the rest of the Pharisees to agree with him.
He wanted them to believe that Jesus should be killed so that they
would be able to remain in control of Israel.

John wants us to see the High Priest’s statement on another level as
well. It is also an unintentional prophecy. Jesus would indeed die
for the Jewish nation, taking their sins upon himself and dying in
their place. Yet the full meaning is even greater than that. He
would die for all of the “Israel of God” (Gal 6:16), the one, unified
people of God gathered from the nations of the world.

The next section tells us how Mary prepared Jesus for burial. She
anointed him with expensive perfume and wiped his feet with her hair.
Her act was remarkable for several reasons. It was an act of
humility, because only the lowest slaves would wash people’s feet.
Also, it was a very expensive jar of perfume. And, of course, her act
foreshadowed what was about to happen. Jesus was about to be killed
for the sins of men.

The last section tells us about the plot against Lazarus. The
Pharisees hatred for Jesus burned so fiercely that it even lashed out
against Jesus’ followers. Lazarus was a living symbol of Jesus’
power, and so the Pharisees decided that Lazarus needed to be killed
as well, so as to thoroughly extinguish the threat that Jesus posed to
their power.

This entire passage of Scripture emphasizes the plan of God in
salvation. Though the Pharisees contrived their plots, the death of
Jesus happened according to God’s perfect plan. This plan is still in
effect today, as people throughout the world are being added to the
people of God, and even as Jesus’ followers are still being persecuted
for their faith.

John Chapter 12 verses 27 to 36

John chapter 12 verse 20 to 26

John chapter 12 verses 12 to 19

John chapter 11 verse 45 to chapter 12 verse 10

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