Message Notes

SUNDAY SCHOOL SPECIAL 24 April 2022

Text: John 12:27-30

Subject: The Struggle of the Soul

INTRODUCTION

1. Some of the Teachings of the Lord Jesus

a) Straightforward

b) Succinct

2. Some other Teachings of the Lord Jesus

a) Deep and profound

b) Difficult and challenging 

i) To understand

ii) To apply

THE “STRUGGLE” OF THE LORD JESUS

1. He had clearly said that He will be dying soon

2. He gave a paradox

a) A grain of wheat must die

b) Only then can it produce much grain (John 12:24)

3. In the next moment He said

²⁷ “Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour.

²⁸ Father, glorify Your name.”

Then a voice came from heaven, saying, “I have both glorified it and will glorify it again.” John 12:27-28

4. Why did the Lord Jesus say that His soul was troubled?

a) The Soul represents the deeper part of a person

b) The Mind of the Lord Jesus accepted God’s will concerning suffering and death

c) The Soul part still needs to be in sync with the Mind part

5. What did the Lord Jesus wisely do?

a) He turned to God the Father immediately in prayer

b) He candidly poured out His heart

c) Should He say:

‘Father, save Me from this hour?’ John 12:27a

i) This was a thought that came

ii) He evaluated this thought

d) His Mind came to His rescue

“But for this purpose I came to this hour” John 12:27b

i) His Mind responded strongly

ii) It strengthened the Soul

iii) He had come for this special purpose

iv) Mind and Soul must be “one” in this matter

v) This “hour” must be fully embraced!

e) A vital and correct prayer must be made

“Father, glorify Your name.” John 12:28a

       i) Focus must be on the glorifying of God’s name

       ii) Rather than on suffering and death

iii) This had been His strong focus in His life and ministry

6. The Answer from God the Father

Then a voice came from heaven, saying, “I have both glorified it and will glorify it again.” John 12:28b

a) God will glorify His own name always

b) This is both good and right

c) The death of the Lord Jesus will result in the glorifying of God

THE RESPONSE OF THOSE AROUND THE LORD JESUS

²⁹ Therefore the people who stood by and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to Him.”

³⁰ Jesus answered and said, “This voice did not come because of Me, but for your sake. John 12:29-30

1. There were people around the Lord Jesus

a) The Twelve would be there

b) There were other disciples who followed the Lord Jesus

c) Two remarks were made

i) Thunder was heard

ii) An angel had spoken to Him

d) Both remarks were in error

2. The Lord Jesus explained

Jesus answered and said, “This voice did not come because of Me, but for your sake.” John 12:30

a) This voice

i) It was the Father who had spoken

ii) It was in answer to His prayer

b) But there was a special reason why the Voice of God was manifested

i) It was for the sake of the Disciples

ii) The Father does not need to speak audibly to the Lord Jesus

iii) This Voice came to encourage the Disciples around the Lord Jesus

CONCLUSION

1. Important lessons for us to learn

a) About the Mind

b) About the Soul

2. Deeper lessons about Prayer

a) To seek God

b) To find an answer from God

3. Suffering is not easy to take

a) Think “purpose”

b) Also focus on “Glorifying God’s name”