• Download Video
• Download Audio
• Print
• Email
• Save As PDF

A Challenge to the Disciples

Text: John 12:25

A CHALLENGE TO THE DISCIPLES

Jesus went on to give a challenge to His disciples. They too must learn not to be afraid of death.

“He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.”

John 12:25

1. “He who loves his life will lose it”

a. There were many who loved their life.

b. They were not prepared to give up their life-style to follow Jesus.

i. Some were afraid of persecution.

ii. Others were not willing to part with their wealth.

iii. Still others were afraid to leave their loved ones.

c. In the end, they would lose their life.

i. They may gain the present world.

ii. But they would lose out on eternity.

2. “He who hates his life in this world”

a. The word “hate” is used as a contrast to the word “love”.

b. It is not used in the absolute sense.

c. Jesus does not want anyone to hate his life.

d. What He meant:

i. A true believer understands the salvation Jesus offers.

ii. He is prepared to lose everything to gain Christ and the salvation He offers.

iii. In contrast, he “hates” all his worldly goods.

iv. It is not difficult to give up something that one hates.

v. In the same way, one is prepared to give up anything, to have faith and eternal life in Jesus.

3. “Will keep it for eternal life”

a. Eternal life is the focus.

b. This is life in heaven with God.

c. This life we give up on earth, we will keep it forever in Heaven.

d. Thus, there is no reason to fear death. One is only making a better choice, to have life eternal.

经文：约翰福音 12：25

给门徒们的一个挑战

耶稣接着给了门徒们一个挑战。他们也应当学会不害怕死亡。

“爱惜自己生命的，就失丧生命；在这世上恨恶自己生命的，就要保守生命到永生。”

《约翰福音 12：25》

1. “爱惜自己生命的，就失丧生命”

a. 有很多人爱惜自己的生命

b. 他们无法放弃自己的生活方式而跟随耶稣

i. 有些害怕被逼迫

ii. 有些不愿意放弃自己的财富

iii. 有些害怕离开自己的亲人

c. 在最终,他们会失丧生命

i. 他们可能会获得世界所提供的东西

ii. 但他们却会失去永生

2. “在这世上恨恶自己生命的”

a. “恨恶” 这词是用来和“爱惜”做比较

b. 不能单单以字面来理解

c. 耶稣没有要任何人恨恶自己的生命

d. 祂的意思是：

i. 一个真正的信徒会了解耶稣所赐的救恩

ii. 他会愿意失去一切来得到基督和祂所赐的救恩

iii. 他反而会 “恨恶” 世界的东西

iv. 一个人要放弃他所恨恶的东西并不艰难

v. 同样的，一位想在耶稣里得到信心和永生的人，会愿意放弃一切

3. “就要保守生命到永生”

a. 重点是永生

b. 这是和上帝在天国的生命

c. 我们放弃在世上的生命，我们能够在天国永远保守着

d. 因此，我们不必害怕死亡。我们只不过是在做更好的选择，那就是获得永生。