Jeffrey Johnson's sermon revolves around the themes of discipleship, sacrifice, and the true cost of following Christ, drawing primarily from John 12:20-26. He begins by explaining why he deviated from his series on 1 Corinthians, sharing that a passage in the Gospels deeply moved him. The passage in focus is the account of some Greeks who wish to see Jesus during the last week before His crucifixion.
Johnson emphasizes the significance of this event, noting that Jesus rarely interacted with Gentiles during His ministry. The Greeks' desire to see Jesus represents a deep spiritual longing to know and follow Him. However, Jesus' response to their request is not a direct invitation but a profound declaration about His impending death and the principle of dying to bear fruit.
The sermon highlights the paradoxical truth that to follow Christ, one must die to oneself, just as a seed must die to produce fruit. Johnson asserts that true discipleship involves seeking Christ earnestly, being a beneficiary of His sacrificial death, and following His example of humble service. This path is not about worldly success or self-promotion but about emulating Christ’s humility, service, and self-sacrifice.
Furthermore, Johnson discusses the cost of discipleship, stressing that it requires complete surrender and the willingness to forsake all worldly pursuits and attachments. This cost, he notes, is not just a one-time act but a daily taking up of the cross, continuously dying to selfish desires and ambitions.
The sermon concludes by highlighting the rewards of discipleship: bearing much fruit, living a truly abundant life, and ultimately receiving honor from the Father. Johnson emphasizes that the glory of discipleship lies in its cost, as the disciples’ value is in reflecting Christ’s humility, sacrifice, and love. He encourages both believers and non-believers to embrace the call to die to self and live for Christ, presenting it as the path to true life and honor.
The sermon is a powerful call to understand and embrace the profound and challenging aspects of being a disciple of Christ, focusing on the transformative power of self-denial and the pursuit of Christlike humility and service.
