Embracing Death to Self for True Life
Summary
To truly live, something in us must die. Jesus’ words in John 12 remind us that unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces a harvest. This is not just about Jesus’ own death, but a call for each of us to lay down our lives, our selfish desires, and our attachment to the world. The Greeks who sought Jesus were looking for a celebrity encounter, but Jesus offered something far deeper: an invitation to die to self and find real life in Him.
It’s easy to get caught up in the pursuit of things—status, possessions, approval—believing they will satisfy us. But the truth is, nothing in this world can fill the void that only God can satisfy. We often hold back a part of ourselves, refusing to surrender that last 10% to God, whether it’s pride, fear, control, or a secret sin. Yet, it’s that very part that keeps us from experiencing the fullness of life and fruitfulness that God intends.
Dying to self is not a one-time event, but a daily choice. The world constantly tries to reclaim our attention and affection, but as we die daily, Jesus becomes more evident in our lives. When we surrender fully, we begin to hear only one voice—the voice of the Holy Spirit—guiding us with clarity and peace. This surrender is not just for our own sake, but so that we can share the life and hope we’ve found with others.
We are not meant to live alone or keep God’s work in our lives to ourselves. Just as Jesus’ death opened the door to heaven for all, our willingness to die to self and share our testimony can bring life to others. There is no greater love than to lay down our lives for our friends, and no greater tragedy than to withhold the hope of Christ from those who need it. On the other side of death to self is true life—joy, peace, and purpose that can’t be found anywhere else.
Key Takeaways
- True Life Requires Death to Self
Jesus teaches that unless we die to our own desires and attachments, we remain alone and unfruitful. This spiritual death is not about self-hatred, but about letting go of what keeps us from God’s best. Only by surrendering our lives can we experience the abundant life He promises. [02:55]
- Partial Surrender Limits God’s Work
Many of us give God most of our lives but hold back a small part—our secret sins, fears, or plans. This unsurrendered portion becomes a foothold for the enemy and a barrier to deeper intimacy with God. Full surrender is the doorway to freedom, healing, and greater fruitfulness. [11:43]
- Dying to Self is a Daily Practice
The world continually tries to reclaim our hearts, so dying to self must be a daily discipline. As we consistently lay down our desires, Jesus becomes more visible in us, and His voice grows clearer. This daily death is the path to spiritual maturity and lasting joy. [10:58]
- We Are Called to Be Set Apart
To follow Jesus means to be distinguishable from the world, not blending in but standing out in holiness and love. Our cravings must shift from worldly things to the things of God, and our lives should reflect a different set of values and priorities. This separation is not isolation, but a call to be light in the darkness. [10:12]
- Our Surrender Impacts Others’ Eternity
The story of Zach and Josh is a sobering reminder that withholding the gospel can have eternal consequences. We are entrusted with the message of life, and our willingness to share it can mean the difference between hope and despair for those around us. Let us not let fear or shame keep us from sharing what God has done in us. [21:56]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:01] - Greeks Seek Jesus: The Context
[01:55] - Jesus’ Response: The Kernel Must Die
[02:55] - The Glory of Christ’s Sacrifice
[04:07] - Following Jesus Means Dying to Self
[05:34] - The Trap of Worldly Comparison
[06:51] - The Seed Must Die First
[07:38] - Dying to Self to Experience God’s Plan
[10:12] - Set Apart: Falling Away from the World
[10:58] - Dying Daily and Surrendering All
[11:43] - The Danger of Partial Surrender
[13:48] - Only Through Death is Heaven Opened
[14:20] - Hearing God’s Voice Alone
[16:53] - Following Jesus to the Cross
[17:41] - The Cost of Withholding the Gospel
[21:56] - What Needs to Die in Us?
[22:47] - Surrender and Freedom
[23:20] - We’re Meant to Share Life
[24:07] - Prayer for Surrender
[24:59] - Invitation to New Life
[25:38] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: “Rip Me – Dying to Self to Find True Life”
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### Bible Reading
John 12:20-26 (ESV)
> Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks. So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” Philip went and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.”
John 3:30 (ESV)
> He must increase, but I must decrease.
John 15:13 (ESV)
> Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.
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### Observation Questions
1. What does Jesus mean when He says, “unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit”? (John 12:24)
2. According to the sermon, why did the Greeks want to meet Jesus, and how did Jesus respond to their request? [01:01]
3. What does Jesus say about those who love their life in this world versus those who hate their life in this world? (John 12:25)
4. In the sermon, what is the “last 10%” that people often hold back from God, and why is it significant? [11:43]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Jesus use the image of a seed dying to describe what it means to follow Him? How does this relate to our own lives? (John 12:24) [06:51]
2. The sermon mentions that dying to self is a daily practice. What might it look like to “die daily” in practical terms? [10:58]
3. What are some reasons people might only partially surrender to God, holding back that “last 10%”? How does this affect their relationship with God? [11:43]
4. The story of Zach and Josh in the sermon is a sobering reminder about sharing our faith. What does this story teach about the impact of our surrender and testimony on others? [21:56]
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon says that “to truly live, something in us has to die.” What is one area of your life—like pride, fear, control, or a secret sin—that you sense God is asking you to surrender? What would it look like to “nail it to the cross” this week? [22:47]
2. The “last 10%” is often the hardest to give up. Is there something you’ve been holding back from God? What is keeping you from surrendering it, and what step could you take to trust God with it? [11:43]
3. The world constantly tries to reclaim our attention and affection. What is one practical way you can “die daily” to the world’s pull and make Jesus more visible in your life this week? [10:58]
4. The sermon challenges us to be set apart and not blend in with the world. In what area of your life do you feel pressure to conform, and how can you stand out for Jesus instead? [10:12]
5. The story of Zach and Josh shows the cost of withholding the gospel. Who is one person in your life who needs to hear about the hope you have in Jesus? What is one step you can take to share your story or invite them into a conversation about faith? [21:56]
6. When you think about your daily routine, what is one way you can intentionally listen for the Holy Spirit’s voice above all the other “voices” competing for your attention? [14:20]
7. The sermon says, “We are not meant to live alone or keep God’s work in our lives to ourselves.” How can you share what God is doing in your life with others in your family, workplace, or community this week? [23:20]
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to pray for courage to surrender fully, to die daily to self, and to boldly share the hope of Christ with others.
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