Faith in Christ Jesus:
2
Timothy 1:12 defines FAITH as knowing
the trustworthy character and motives of Jesus, and being confident in His limitless promise-keeping ability, and
consequently committing
yourself entirely to His keeping. We are
studying the Gospel of John, answering these questions: 1)
What is revealed of Jesus’ character,
motives, and abilities? 2) What is
indicated that you could confidently commit to Jesus’?
Hosanna!, John 12:12-50
The
renowned “Passion Week” of the Christ has begun! The great crowds from many nations, who have
gathered with those of Israel
for Passover, now greet Jesus with phrases from the Great Hallel (Psalm
113-118), palm branches, garments spread on the ground and on the colt, and
repeated testimony of the miracles Christ Jesus had done! The eruption of praise and triumphant joy
appeared to contrast Zechariah 9:9’s introduction of a King so different and
better than any in history! Jesus is
humble and meek, not hard and proud!
Christ’s
enemies had a better understanding of the moment than did the crowds or His
disciples! (John 12:16 & 19, and Matthew 21:10-11) “And the multitude said, This is Jesus
the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.”
Jesus was a celebrity! Most people easily turned away from, or
against, Him just a few days later because they had not yet given themselves
completely into His keeping. They did
not know that only He could save them, nor understand from what He would save
them. Neither the political government
of Rome, nor
the religious government of the Sanhedrin, could condemn their eternal
souls. The Passover had become a holiday,
not a holy day! They should have answered with the words
found in John 1:29, “Behold the Lamb
of God, which taketh away
the sin of the world.”
How
should we respond to Christ’s Glory
(John 12:23-32), Christ’s Works
(John 12:37-43), and Christ’s Words
(John 12:44-50)? Let Christ be honored for His sacrifice, praised for His victory; but His glory is that we should be with
Him forever (v. 26). Let Christ’s
powerful care for us create in us confidence in Him, (v. 43) setting us free
from the influence of human ridicule or praise.
(Men use both to gain control over others.) Let us NEVER regard Christ’s words as advice,
suggestion, or philosophy, but have God’s authorization and carry eternal
consequence are reward! (v. 50)
Hosanna!, John 12:12-50
Group One:
Read John 12:23-32
People obtain glory for
exceptional talent, bravery, and accomplishments. Describe Christ’s exceptionalism in verse 24:
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _.
Love = Loss and Hate = Keep in
verse 25. How does that affect your
every-day living? _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _.
What does it mean to serve Jesus?
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ .
What does it mean to follow
Jesus? _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _.
Group Two:
Read John 12:37-43
People can remain unconvinced
even after witnessing evidence and proof!
How can that be? _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _.
Verses 38 & 40 indicate that they WOULD not believe, therefore
they COULD not believe. Some changes are
expected with faith in Christ! What
changes in:
Values? _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _.
Motives? _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _ .
Behaviors? _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _ .
Priorities? _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _ _.
Could those expected changes make
some people unwilling to give themselves to Jesus?
Why? _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _.
Group Three:
Read John 12:44-50.
What are the results (plural) of
believing on Christ? _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _.
What are the results of believing
not (rejecting) Christ? _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _.
You should know WHAT you can
commit to Christ. What is the reason WHY
you should commit to Christ? _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _.