Passing Away
March 5, 2006 - The lesson for this Sunday in Matthew 24.32-35 in which Jesus says that his words will not pass away. John 12.44-50 provides a summery of Jesus' teaching and a statement about the word that he speaks. It will help you to better understand the passage in Matthew 24.32-35.
Open It
Why do people seek fame and the acceptance of others?
Aside from God's, whose love and acceptance have you tried to get?
Explore It
What effect did Jesus' miracles have on the unbelieving Jews? (John 12:37)
What was significant about the response of the Jews to Jesus' ministry? (John 12:38)
Why couldn't the Jews of Jesus' day believe in him? (John 12:39-40)
What did Isaiah say about the Jews of Jesus' day? (John 12:41)
Why didn't the leaders who did believe in Jesus admit their faith? (John 12:42-43)
What is true about any person who believes in Christ? (John 12:44-45)
Why did Jesus come into the world? (John 12:46)
What did Jesus say about the person who hears his words, but does not keep them? (John 12:47)
What did Jesus say would condemn the person who did not accept his words? (John 12:48)
What kind of teaching did Jesus give us? (John 12:49)
Why are Jesus' words important? (John 12:50)
Get It
How can people see the work of Jesus in others' lives and still not believe in him?
What blinds us to spiritual truth?
When and why have you been afraid to admit your faith in Jesus?
What consequences might a Christian face for publicly admitting faith in Jesus?
Why do we want to pursue the praise and acceptance of other people rather than the praise and acceptance of God?
Out of what kind of darkness has Jesus taken you?
How can we accept and keep the words of Jesus?
Apply It
To whom do you need to admit your faith in Jesus, regardless of the consequences? When can you?
In what personal circumstance do you want to seek God's acceptance over the praise and acceptance of others?
Notes
John 12:37-38: Jesus had performed many miracles, but most people still didn't believe in him. Likewise, many today won't believe despite all God does.
John 12:39-41: People in Jesus' time, like those in the time of Isaiah, would not believe despite the evidence (John 12:37). As a result, their hearts became hardened. After a lifetime of resisting God, they had become so set in their ways that they wouldn't even try to understand Jesus' message. For such people, it is virtually impossible to come to God-their hearts have been permanently hardened. Other instances of hardened hearts because of constant stubbornness are recorded in Exodus 9:12, Romans 1:24-28, and 2 Thessalonians. 2:8-12.
John 12:42-43: Along with those who refused to believe, many believed but refused to admit it. This is just as bad, and Jesus had strong words for such people (see Matthew 10:32-33). People who will not take a stand for Jesus are afraid of rejection or ridicule. Many Jewish leaders wouldn't admit to faith in Jesus because they feared excommunication from the synagogue (which was their livelihood) and loss of their prestigious place in the community. But the praise of others is fickle and short-lived.
John 12:45: We often wonder what God is like. How can we know the Creator when he doesn't make himself visible? Jesus said plainly that those who see him see God, because he is God. If you want to know what God is like, study the person and words of Jesus Christ.
John 12:48: The purpose of Jesus' first mission on earth was not to judge people, but to show them the way to find salvation and eternal life. When he comes again, one of his main purposes will be to judge people for how they lived on earth. Christ's words that we would not accept and obey will condemn us. On the day of judgment, those who accepted Jesus and lived his way will be raised to eternal life (1 Corinthians 15:51-57; 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18; Revelation 21:1-8), and those who rejected Jesus and lived any way they pleased will face eternal punishment (Revelation 20:11-15). Decide now which side you'll be on, for the consequences of your decision last forever.