Study# | For His Sake

Text:

John 12:27-36:

27 Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.

28 Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.

29 The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him.

30 Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes.

31 Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.

32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.

33 This he said, signifying what death he should die.

34 The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of

man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man?

35 Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon

you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.

36 While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and

did hide himself from them.

2 Corinthians 4:11:

For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.

Theme:

For His Sake

Introduction:

Being raised in the Black Baptist church in the rural south I am very familiar with rhetoric. Repetition has a pervasive power in the culture of the black church as well as the language and tradition.
- On such instance occurs in the prayer. Many idioms, phrases and common inflections are used to connect with either one’s self or the people “under the sound of one’s voice”.
  - Today’s theme focuses on the close the prayer. One often hears the words, “…in the name of Jesus and for His sake I pray…Amen.”
  - We often hear of and even understand the reason why we give the disclaimer “in the name of Jesus”
    - Acts 4:12, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
  - But, how often do we ever stop to think of why we say “For His Sake”?!?!?
    - Our text answers this very question!
The Gospel of John is the fourth gospel written by the Apostle John. Some believed that it was to fill the gaps left by the first three gospels, but no concrete evidence makes this universally true. However, it does in a unique and genuine way divulge the depth of the relationship between God and the Son AND the relationship between the believer and the Godhead.

The Gospel of John, which houses our text, serves as a special closing to the set of Gospels that tell the good news of Jesus Christ.
- Matthew gives a detailed depiction of the history of Jesus’ life
- Mark gives Jesus’ life as depicted by Peter’s accounts
- Luke gives the perspective of Jesus’ life as God’s Son who was a man – the humanity of Jesus
- However, John gives the perspective of Jesus’ life as the man who was God’s Son – the Divinity of Jesus
  - John sums up his intent in writing the Gospel in John 20:31 when he says, “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.”

This section of this chapter that contains our text revels in our predicament of spiritual warfare
- Ephesians 6:12, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
- In John chapter 12 Jesus is addressing directly the primary adversary that we face à SATAN
- Without God, we fail!
  - Even Jesus in John 5:19, “Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.”
  - Then we follow suit in John 15:5, “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.”
The context of the text also exposes the ominous task that belongs not to the believer but to God!
God sent His Son who fought and won our battles for us!
- John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
- That’s why we can join in when the old hymn says:

In times like these you need a Savior,

In times like these you need an anchor;

Be very sure, be very sure

Your anchor holds and grips the solid rock

This rock is Jesus, yes, He’s the one;

This rock is Jesus, the only one.

Body:

Let us look at how the text specifically addresses why we say “For His Sake”

“if I be lifted up from the earth”
- In our text this condition is placed as the heaviest of responsibilities upon the believer.
- John 8:28, “Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.”
  - Not until Jesus is “lifted up” can we see who He truly is and can be for us and in us!
- What does He mean by being lifted up? (2 levels of understanding)
  - Historically
    - Jesus was born to die!
    - Luke 24:7 explains, “Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.” à Be lifted up – Crucified!
      - How?
        
        1 Timothy 3:16, “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.”
      - Why?
        
        Luke 1:78-79, “Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
  - Metaphorically
    - We were created to “lift up” the name of Jesus!
      - Psalms 63:4, “Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.”
      - Psalms 102:18, “This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people which shall be created shall praise the LORD.”
    - How do we lift up or praise God?
      - Resources à John 4:24, “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”
      - Sacrifices à Psalms 51:17, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.”
      - Prayer & Submission à 2 Chronicles 7:14, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

When we give our lives over to God, we then live, breathe, move, work, SUFFER and PRAY “For His Sake” — which is so that He may be glorified!!!

2 Corinthians 4:11, “For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.”
It is not about us…It is all about Him!
- 2 Corinthians 4:5, “For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.”

Conclusion:

“I will draw all men unto me”

Jesus made it clear that it was God who does the “drawing” now and Jesus does the “drawing” at the Rapture
- John 6:44, “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.”
- God draws the person to Himself and Jesus will raise that person at the Rapture.
If the condition of Jesus being “lifted up” is met, Jesus “will draw all men” to him.

We need a Savior, Jesus Christ!!!!!!!!

#212

For His Sake

John 12:27-36:

2 Corinthians 4:11:

For His Sake

Let us look at how the text specifically addresses why we say “For His Sake”

We need a Savior, Jesus Christ!!!!!!!!

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