Living to Glorify God: The Way of the Cross

In John chapter 12, we find a profound prayer that Jesus himself prayed: "Father, glorify thy name." This prayer, though simple, encapsulates the essence of Jesus' mission and should be the heartbeat of our lives as well. It is a prayer for every occasion, a prayer that aligns our desires with God's ultimate purpose. Jesus lived this prayer, not just uttering it, but embodying it through his actions and sacrifice. As followers of Christ, we are called to do the same, to live lives that glorify God in every aspect.

The passage in John 12 reveals that Jesus' purpose was to glorify the Father, and this should be our purpose too. We were created for God's glory, and our lives are not about us but about Him. The world often tells us to seek our own happiness, but true joy is found in seeking God's glory. When we live for Him, joy floods our souls, and we find true purpose and meaning.

Jesus' response to those who wanted to see Him was that the hour had come for the Son of Man to be glorified. This glorification comes through death, as illustrated by the kernel of wheat that must die to produce much fruit. Similarly, we must die to ourselves, to our pride and self-centeredness, so that Christ can live through us. This is the way of the Cross, the way of love, where we lay down our lives for others, just as Jesus did for us.

The world needs to see Jesus, and they will see Him when He is glorified in us. This requires us to be broken vessels, allowing the light of Christ to shine through. It means dying to our own desires and living for His glory. As we follow the way of the Cross, we are called to love others with the love of Christ, to serve selflessly, and to be willing to lay down our lives for the sake of the Gospel.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The prayer "Father, glorify thy name" is a call to align our lives with God's purpose, seeking His glory above all else. This prayer is always in season, guiding us to live lives that reflect His glory in every circumstance. [05:17]
• 2. Our purpose is to glorify God, and true joy is found in living for Him. The world preaches self-centeredness, but we are called to live God-centered lives, finding fulfillment in His glory. [06:20]
• 3. The way of the Cross is the way of love, where we lay down our lives for others. Jesus' sacrifice on the cross was motivated by love, and we are called to follow His example, loving God and others selflessly. [22:46]
• 4. To glorify Christ, we must die to ourselves, allowing His light to shine through us. This requires us to be broken vessels, willing to let go of our pride and self-centeredness for His sake. [16:10]
• 5. The world needs to see Jesus, and they will see Him when He is glorified in us. As we live out the Gospel, loving others with the love of Christ, we become a testimony of His grace and truth. [10:42]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:22] - Introduction to the Prayer for Every Occasion
• [01:13] - Jesus' Life as a Prayer
• [02:10] - The Power of God's Word
• [03:21] - The Hour of Glorification
• [04:55] - The Passion of Jesus
• [06:20] - Our Purpose: To Glorify God
• [07:32] - The Lie of Self-Centeredness
• [09:14] - The Time for Jesus to be Glorified
• [10:42] - Seeing Jesus Through Glorification
• [11:59] - The Kernel of Wheat Must Die
• [13:41] - The Way of the Cross
• [15:34] - The Treasure in Earthen Vessels
• [18:36] - Losing Life to Find It
• [22:46] - The Way of Love
• [27:30] - Jesus' Love to the End
• [30:16] - The Call to Love and Obedience
• [36:23] - The Power of Compassion
• [41:11] - A Testimony of Love and Obedience

1. In John 12:23-24, Jesus speaks about a kernel of wheat falling to the ground and dying. What does this metaphor illustrate about Jesus' mission and purpose? [03:21]
2. According to the sermon, what is the significance of the prayer "Father, glorify thy name" in Jesus' life and mission? [05:17]
3. How does the sermon describe the world's view of self-centeredness compared to the call to live God-centered lives? [07:32]
4. What does 2 Corinthians 4:7 mean when it refers to "treasure in earthen vessels," and how does this relate to the sermon’s message about being broken vessels? [15:52]

1. How does the concept of dying to oneself, as mentioned in John 12:24, relate to the idea of glorifying God in our lives? [11:16]
2. The sermon mentions that true joy is found in living for God's glory rather than self-centered pursuits. How might this perspective change one's approach to daily life and decision-making? [07:32]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the world can see Jesus through us, and how does this relate to the idea of being broken vessels? [16:10]
4. How does the story of the woman brushing the old man's hair illustrate the sermon’s message about love and selflessness? [32:41]

1. Reflect on the prayer "Father, glorify thy name." How can you incorporate this prayer into your daily routine to align your actions with God's purpose? [05:17]
2. Consider a situation where you have prioritized your own desires over God's glory. What steps can you take to shift your focus towards living a God-centered life? [07:32]
3. Identify an area in your life where you need to "die to yourself" to allow Christ's light to shine through you. What practical steps can you take to begin this process? [11:16]
4. Think of a person in your life who needs to see Jesus through your actions. What specific act of love or service can you offer them this week? [10:42]
5. The sermon emphasizes the importance of being broken vessels for Christ. What personal pride or self-centeredness do you need to let go of to become a more effective witness for Him? [16:10]
6. Reflect on a time when you felt called to do something uncomfortable for the sake of the Gospel. How did you respond, and what did you learn from that experience? [36:42]
7. How can you cultivate a heart of compassion like the woman in the airport story, and what specific actions can you take to demonstrate this compassion in your community? [32:41]