Dying in order to live
John 12:24 – 25
Happy Easter!
In John 11:25, Jesus declared, “I am the resurrection and the life.”
In John 11:43, when Jesus called, ‘Lazarus, come out!’, the four-day-long dead man came out alive.
Jesus Himself rose from the dead in 3 days after the crucifixion. What does the Resurrection mean to us?
See 1 Corinthians 15:22.
22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.
At the last trumpet, the dead will be raised and we will be changed (1 Corinthians 15:52).
And our new body will be imperishable, glorious, powerful, and spiritual (1 Corinthians 15:42 – 44).
They will rise either to live or to be condemned
See John 5:28 – 29.
28 ‘Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice 29 and come out—those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned.
The way of eternal life
In John 12:24 – 25, Jesus taught us the paradox of the way of eternal life.
24 Very truly I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. 25 Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
In v24, we are compared to a grain of wheat.
A grain of wheat contains three layers: bran, endosperm, and germ.
- The bran is the fibre-rich outer layer that protects the grain.
- The endosperm is the middle layer that provides energy for the germ.
- The germ is the nutrient-rich inner part that is the embryo of the grain.
Water breaks down the bran. Then, water breaks down the endosperm to be consumed by the germ to sprout.
The germ continues to grow using water, light, and nutrient in the soil.
When Jesus said, “a grain of wheat … dies”, I think it refers to the breaking down of the bran & the endosperm in the soil & water of the ground.
Without being sown in the ground of a proper environment (e.g., water and soil), the outer layers of the grain will not break down (die), and the grain remains only a single seed.
V24 is followed by v25.
| V24 | V25 |
| “unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies” | “Anyone who loves their life” |
| “it remains only a single seed.” | “will lose it” |
| “But if it dies” | “while anyone who hates their life in this world” |
| “it produces many seeds” | “will keep it for eternal life” |
Let us study the meaning of “loves his own life” and “hates his own life” in v25.
“loves his own life”
- may be expressed as “lives just for himself”, or “keeps hanging onto his own life” [1].
- the egoism that clings to the outward life of appearance, and lives for that, loses its true life which is conditional on surrender to God. [6]
- “does its unseemly desires, gratifies it where he ought not”. So, it will destroy you since it leads away from the path leading to virtue [3].
- If people decide that their lives are more important than God’s will, then they will forfeit the type of life God wants to give them—a life of relationship with Him now and in eternity [4].
“hates his own life”
- may be expressed as “rather lives for others”, or “lets go of his own life” [1].
- self-giving servitude. self-sacrifice [5]
- the spirit of sacrifice which does not cleave to its life of self, nay, which hates it in its old form in this old world, i.e., joyfully sacrifices it, the sooner the better, and even hates it, if it be about to become a hindrance—regains it unto a higher, eternal life. [6]
- means “hate” when the issue is between Christ and the dearest things of life as happens when the choice is between martyrdom and apostasy [2].
- “does not yield to it when it commands what is pernicious”. And Jesus did not say, “he who does not yield to it,” but, “he who hates it”; for as we cannot endure even to hear the voice of those we hate, nor to look upon them with pleasure, so from the soul also we must turn away with vehemence, when it commands things contrary to what is pleasing to God [3].
- Jesus asks people to forfeit their usual wants and desires for the sake of God’s will [4].
List of similar verses
Matthew 16:25 (NIV (Anglicised, 2011))
25 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.
Matthew 10:37–39 (NIV (Anglicised, 2011))
37 ‘Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.
Luke 9:23 (NIV (Anglicised, 2011))
23 Then he said to them all: ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.
Luke 9:24 (NIV (Anglicised, 2011))
24 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.
Luke 14:26 (NIV (Anglicised, 2011))
26 ‘If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple.
Mark 8:35 (NIV (Anglicised, 2011))
35 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it.
References
[1] Newman, B. M., & Nida, E. A. (1993). A handbook on the Gospel of John (p. 406). New York: United Bible Societies.
[2] Robertson, A. T. (1933). Word Pictures in the New Testament (Jn 12:25). Nashville, TN: Broadman Press.
[3] John Chrysostom. (1889). Homilies of St. John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople, on the Gospel of St. John. In P. Schaff (Ed.), G. T. Stupart (Trans.), Saint Chrysostom: Homilies on the Gospel of St. John and Epistle to the Hebrews (Vol. 14, p. 248). New York: Christian Literature Company.
[4] Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (Jn 12:25). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
[5] Borchert, G. L. (2002). John 12–21 (Vol. 25B, p. 52). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[6] Lange, J. P., & Schaff, P. (2008). A commentary on the Holy Scriptures: John (p. 384). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.
The Holy Bible: New International Version (Anglicised Edition, 2011). (2011). (Revised and updated edition). London: Hodder & Stoughton.
Our activity & event during O-Week 2018
Our club demonstrated our biblical VR game during O-Week 2018. We share some of photos taken during the event.
Our VR game was created based on “The Armour of God” shown in Ephesians 6:10-17.
O-Week 2018
Come & See club during O-Week 2018
- Monday 19 Feb 2018 10AM-4PM Stall 4 of Bookshop Lawn (BL4): Including our Virtual Reality (VR) Demo
- Tuesday 20 Feb 2018 10AM-4PM Goldstein G05: our Virtual Reality (VR) & Green Screen Demo
- Friday 23 Feb 2018 10AM-4PM Stall 2 of Bookshop Lawn (BL2): Including our Virtual Reality (VR) Demo
Our members are prize winners in House With No Steps Immersive Technology Hackathon 2017. Come & see our progress in the following two days.
- Wednesday 21 Feb 2018 10AM-4PM Goldstein G05: Virtual Reality (VR)
- Thursday 22 Feb 2018 10AM-4PM Goldstein G05: Virtual Reality (VR)
The gospel not of human origin but by revelation
Galatians 1:11-24
Key verses: Galatians 1:11, 12 11 I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel I preached is not of human origin. 12 I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.
I came across these verses recently, was mindful of them and decided to share today.
Paul continues in verses 13 – 24 that his life was dramatically changed from the persecutor to the preacher.
See verse 23.
23 They only heard the report: ‘The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.’
After he was changed dramatically, he didn’t consult any human being (16). He received the gospel not by education but by revelation (12).
Paul was not one of 12 apostles of Jesus, but he was recognized by them. See Galatians 2:7-8.
7 On the contrary, they recognised that I had been entrusted with the task of preaching the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised. 8 For God, who was at work in Peter as an apostle to the circumcised, was also at work in me as an apostle to the Gentiles.
If the gospel can be known by revelation, why do I make effort to teach the gospel?
I. God is pleased with evangelism
See 1 Corinthians 1:21.
21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.
God is pleased with our evangelism and uses it to save them!
II. It is God’s command
See Matthew 28:18-20.
18 Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’
References
[1] The Holy Bible: New International Version (Anglicised Edition, 2011). (2011). (Revised and updated edition.). London: Hodder & Stoughton.
The Grace of Giving
2 Corinthians 8:1–15
2 Corinthians 8 and 9 teach on the Grace of Giving.
This is a part of Paul’s letters to Corinthian Church and simply reading 2 Corinthians 8 and 9 will help you understand the teaching.
Today, let us study 2 Corinthians 8:1-15.
I. Rich generosity
Paul announces an amazing news @ Macedonia. See verse 2.
2 In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.
Paul said they gave “even beyond their ability” as well as “as much as they were able” (3).
How can people in their extreme poverty be richly generous?
They considered “sharing in this service to the Lord’s people” to be the “privilege” (4).
“They exceeded our expectations.” (5a)
This is explained in 5b.
“they gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us.”
Paul calls it the “act of grace” (6). Paul encourages the Corinthians to excel in this “grace of giving” (7).
II. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ
Let us look at Jesus who became poor to make us rich in 2 Corinthians 8:9 as below.
9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.
III. The goal is equality
Let us study some key points shown in verses 13 – 15.
13 Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. 14 At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. The goal is equality, 15 as it is written: ‘The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.’
“Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed” (13a) explains what Paul means by “there might be equality” (13b). He repeats in verse 14, “The goal is equality” (14b).
See 14a.
At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need.
References
[1] The Holy Bible: New International Version (Anglicised Edition, 2011). (2011). (Revised and updated edition.). London: Hodder & Stoughton.
How to be saved?
1 Corinthians 15:1–11, 2 Corinthians 5:14–21
Today let us learn how to be saved and the meaning of the Gospel.
How to be saved
In 1 Corinthians 15:1, Paul expressed that he wanted to remind Corinthian church of the gospel that they have taken their stand.
See verse 2.
2 By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.
Paul declared “By this gospel, you are saved”.
But Paul attaches “if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you.”
Then, what is the gospel? See verse 3 – 8.
3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,
The gospel consists of 3 components:
- Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures
- He was buried
- He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures
Paul continues in verse 5 – 8 that Jesus appeared to many people including Paul himself.
5 and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. 6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 8 and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.
Jesus appeared to me, too. Over past 2000 years until now, people have been testifying that Jesus had appeared to them.
The meaning of the gospel
Some helpful interpretation on the gospel is found in 2 Corinthians 5: 14 – 21.
See v15.
15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.
If Christ dies for your sins, you should no longer live for yourself but for Christ.
See v17.
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: the old has gone, the new is here!
When you believe the gospel, you are a new creation because your life is changed. Verse 21, Paul described us in Christ as “the righteousness of God”.
Let us read verse 18 – 21.
18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: be reconciled to God. 21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
As shown in verse 19,
19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.
now we know that this is about reconciliation. We know what the gospel does.
When we are living for Christ, we are doing the ministry of reconciliation (18) and we are Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us (20).
“We implore you on Christ’s behalf: be reconciled to God.”
References
[1] The Holy Bible: New International Version (Anglicised Edition, 2011). (2011). (Revised and updated edition.). London: Hodder & Stoughton.
The more you know, the more you hurt; the more you understand, the more you suffer.
I quoted Ecclesiastes 11:1 because I got free Sashimi dish in 4.8 google rating Sushi Restaurant last week and I met a guy who remembered some entire verses including Ecclesiastes 1:18. And I happend to write a message on this verse today:)
Ecclesiastes 1:18
18 For with much wisdom comes much sorrow;
the more knowledge, the more grief.
[2] expressed this verse as below:
More wisdom, more grief.
More knowledge, more sorrow.
The more you know,
the more you hurt;
the more you understand,
the more you suffer.
Finally [2] refines the verse into
The more one becomes wise and knowledgeable, the more one knows grief and sorrow.
So, now meaning of the verse became clearer. Then, what grief and sorrow will ‘the wise and knowledgeable’ become to know?
- New “what matters”: ethical > successful
A relevant verse is Ecclesiastes 7:1a “A good name is better than fine perfume“.
It is sad that the ethical object humanity have is frequently lost [3].
- The life is temporal.
As shown in Ecclesiastes 7:2 – 4, the wise take ‘death’ into account.
2 It is better to go to a house of mourning
than to go to a house of feasting,
for death is the destiny of everyone;
the living should take this to heart.
3 Frustration is better than laughter,
because a sad face is good for the heart.
4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning,
but the heart of fools is in the house of pleasure.
The wise know “You can’t take possession with you when you die but you take “how ethical you are” with you when you die”.
[References]
[1] The Holy Bible: New International Version (Anglicised Edition, 2011). (2011). (Revised and updated edition., Ec 1:18). London: Hodder & Stoughton.
[2] Ogden, G. S., & Zogbo, L. (1998). A handbook on Ecclesiastes (p. 49). New York: United Bible Societies.
[3] Lange, J. P., Schaff, P., Zöckler, O., Lewis, T., & Wells, W. (2008). A commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Ecclesiastes (p. 42). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.
The foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength
1 Corinthians 1:18–31
18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written:
‘I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;
the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.’
20 Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 22 Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling-block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.
26 Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him. 30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 31 Therefore, as it is written: ‘Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.’
References
The Holy Bible: New International Version (Anglicised Edition, 2011). (2011). (Revised and updated edition., 1 Co 1:18–31). London: Hodder & Stoughton.
Romans 14:1 – 15:13
14
Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarrelling over disputable matters. 2 One person’s faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. 3 The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them. 4 Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand.
5 One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind. 6 Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord. Whoever eats meat does so to the Lord, for they give thanks to God; and whoever abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God. 7 For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone. 8 If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. 9 For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living.
10 You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. 11 It is written:
‘ “As surely as I live,” says the Lord,
“Every knee will bow before me;
every tongue will acknowledge God.” ’
12 So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.
13 Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling-block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister. 14 I am convinced, being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for that person it is unclean. 15 If your brother or sister is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy someone for whom Christ died. 16 Therefore do not let what you know is good be spoken of as evil. 17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, 18 because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval.
19 Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. 20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a person to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. 21 It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall.
22 So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves. 23 But whoever has doubts is condemned if they eat, because their eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.
15
We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2 Each of us should please our neighbours for their good, to build them up. 3 For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: ‘The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.’ 4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.
5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, 6 so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
7 Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. 8 For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God’s truth, so that the promises made to the patriarchs might be confirmed 9 and, moreover, that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written:
‘Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles;
I will sing the praises of your name.’
10 Again, it says,
‘Rejoice, you Gentiles, with his people.’
11 And again,
‘Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles;
let all the peoples extol him.’
12 And again, Isaiah says,
‘The Root of Jesse will spring up,
one who will arise to rule over the nations;
in him the Gentiles will hope.’
13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
[Reference]
The Holy Bible: New International Version (Anglicised Edition, 2011). (2011). (Revised and updated edition., Ro 14:1–15:13). London: Hodder & Stoughton.
