Dying To Self
For the past few days, the whole idea of dying to oneself in order to produce more for God has been ringing loudly in my heart.
Jesus talked about himself in John’s gospel. He was talking about his death and how it would bring blessing and salvation to the entire human kind.
John 12:24
I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.
Just last Sunday, a couple who serves as small group leaders brought their brother and sister-in-law to the front of the auditorium after the service. The lady introduced me to her brother and sister-in-law and told me that they had wanted to receive Jesus into their lives. She told me that it was her dad’s decision to know Jesus personally at his death bed that had moved their hearts deeply to do likewise.
I can imagine this couple (the brother and sister-in-law) having a front seat demonstration of the good news of Jesus coming alive through the genuine love and desire to share Jesus’ salvation at the death bed of their father. This is not only the verbal sharing of the good news but good news in 3-D presentation!
Indeed, the father is like the kernel of wheat that passed on that brings about salvation to another two members in his family.
The seed has a layer of husk that seeks to protect itself. However, unless the husk is broken, it cannot produce many more seeds.
The husk can be liken to our own rights, our own desires and our own preferences. These are not necessarily bad things. In fact, they can be very good things. Like the husk to the seed, these can be things that seek to safe guard our own interest and well being.
But often times, we need to learn to surrender our rights, preferences and desires before God in order to do more for God. The root issue is trust. Do we really trust that God can and will take better care of us than we are able to do so for ourselves? Can we really entrust our all to God? Is he really completely faithful and trustworthy? Can I really take His words as it is?
These are some soul searching questions that you and I need to have answers for ourselves. May we all become better imitators of the one whose name we bear!
Jesus talked about himself in John’s gospel. He was talking about his death and how it would bring blessing and salvation to the entire human kind.
John 12:24
I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.
Just last Sunday, a couple who serves as small group leaders brought their brother and sister-in-law to the front of the auditorium after the service. The lady introduced me to her brother and sister-in-law and told me that they had wanted to receive Jesus into their lives. She told me that it was her dad’s decision to know Jesus personally at his death bed that had moved their hearts deeply to do likewise.
I can imagine this couple (the brother and sister-in-law) having a front seat demonstration of the good news of Jesus coming alive through the genuine love and desire to share Jesus’ salvation at the death bed of their father. This is not only the verbal sharing of the good news but good news in 3-D presentation!
Indeed, the father is like the kernel of wheat that passed on that brings about salvation to another two members in his family.
The seed has a layer of husk that seeks to protect itself. However, unless the husk is broken, it cannot produce many more seeds.
The husk can be liken to our own rights, our own desires and our own preferences. These are not necessarily bad things. In fact, they can be very good things. Like the husk to the seed, these can be things that seek to safe guard our own interest and well being.
But often times, we need to learn to surrender our rights, preferences and desires before God in order to do more for God. The root issue is trust. Do we really trust that God can and will take better care of us than we are able to do so for ourselves? Can we really entrust our all to God? Is he really completely faithful and trustworthy? Can I really take His words as it is?
These are some soul searching questions that you and I need to have answers for ourselves. May we all become better imitators of the one whose name we bear!
posted by Jeff Chong at 10:02 pm
4 Comments:
hey hi Pastor Jeff!!! it's me Manta..remember me i'm the nepali girl who used to usher in hope church but now i'm currently in Nepal yeah.:) so hope u are fine over there.Your Blog is really interesting and inspiring at the same time.Well i really Miss the way u preached God's word during servcies yeah. till then take care n God bless u n ur Wife.:D
Hey Manta! Of course i remember you. It is great to hear from you. I heard from Jasmine that things are going on well in Nepal. We are so proud of you. I really hope to be able to see you again soon somewhere in the world. Hopefully I will be able to visit Nepal one day.
hihi pastor jeff.. check out this website http://ieatishootipost.blogspot.com
hope u enjoy
hey jot, i have seen this website before. It is very interesting. Thanks for recommending anyway :)
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