A New Kind of Honesty: Dying Like a Seed

 A New Kind of Honesty

Dying Like a Seed

 September 24, 2022

Larry R Evans

Introduction

          “The heart is hopelessly dark and deceitful,

                      a puzzle that no one can figure out.

But I, GOD, search the heart

                      and examine the mind.

          I get to the heart of the human.

I get to the root of things. 

– Jeremiah 17:9,10, The Message

Perhaps you’ve heard the old story about a navy warship that was heading through the fog one night when a distant, faint light appeared directly in their heading.  As they continued, it got brighter, and the captain walked to the helm to assess the situation. About the time, a voice came over the radio and said, ‘Attention. Calling the vessel traveling eighteen knots on a 220 heading, adjust your course thirty degrees, immediately.’

 

The captain got on the radio and responded, ‘This is the vessel on the 220 heading. You adjust your course thirty degrees.’

 

‘Negative, Captain. You adjust,’ came the reply.

‘I am an admiral in the United States navy,’ said the commander. ‘Who am I speaking to?”

 

‘I am an ensign in the U.S. Coast Guard.’

 

‘Then, I suggest you adjust your course.’

 

‘No, sir. I suggest that you adjust yours.’

 

‘We are a U.S. navy warship, said the admiral. ‘ You adjust.’

 

‘We are a lighthouse,’ said the ensign.’

 

(Henry Cloud in Integrity: the courage to meet the demands of reality, pp. 39-40)

 

Some things are just bigger than we are. But that doesn’t mean we always know that they are. Sometimes we forget who we are and what our real need is. We may have a certain focus or perspective and if we maintain that bearing or direction we are likely headed for some kind of collision. This week we will be looking at what Jesus meant when He said, “unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed.”

 

The statement by Jesus is found in John 12:24. At this point Jesus is near the end of his public ministry. In chapter 13 Jesus begins his final words to his disciples. Just before Jesus speaks to them, we find John telling us of three important incidents in chapter 12.  Our text is about one of them.  The three experiences with Jesus that John brings to our attention are:

1.     The anointing of Jesus’ feet by Mary and the reaction of Judas. (Jn 12:1-8)

2.    Jesus’ triumphal entry is seen with the Jews present who are presented saw themselves as an enemy of Jesus. Raised Lazarus is there, and they wanted to kill both Lazarus and Jesus. The Sadducees were embarrassed with Lazarus being with Jesus. After all, they didn’t believe in the resurrection and Lazarus was clearly alive!

3.    John has now positioned his readers for the 3 incident which was the Greeks who said, “Sir, we would see Jesus.”  This is an important development. The time for Jesus to die for the world had now come.  With this brief background let’s read what Jesus said.

Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me. (John 12:23-26)

When Jesus refers to Himself as the “Son of Man” it is His way of referring to His mission and with the coming of the Greeks, His mission is highlighted.  It is in this context that Jesus says, “unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed.”

 

To direct our attention to this truth our quarterly or study guide focuses on 5 important points:

1.     Submission to Service

2.    Dying Comes Before Knowing God’s Will

3.    Willingness to Listen

4.    Self-Reliance

5.     Substitutes

 

These are all essential.  However, there seems to be something missing. Perhaps it's just an assumption that is missing but if so, maybe we shouldn’t assume so quickly. As I reflected on the single truth that all have in common along with what Jesus said, the necessity of the seed to die that life might spring forth the word “repentance” came to mind. It seems that before we can submit our will to God or die to ourselves, something else must take place.  That is where we will direct our attention today. 

 

There are six points I’d like us to consider. Keep in mind what Jesus said when the Greeks came asking “We would see, Jesus.” And Jesus' response was, “unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed.”

 

There are six insights that have me know about how dying to self can take place. It might be helpful to look at all six points at once. It is helpful to also read the chapter on “Repentance” in Steps to Christ. 

#1.    Too often we define repentance as sorrow for sin, and sorrow for sin as repentance.

#2.    All our efforts to generate repentance ourselves are destined for failure.

#3.    Repentance is God’s gift, received only in a relationship with him.

#4.    Repentance comes from a heart touched with true sorrow for what sin does to a loving God.

#5 Repentance views sin not as breaking a rule, but as breaking a heart—God’s.

#6.    By beholding and experiencing Christ, true repentance grows in the Christian life.

 

#1.      Too often we define repentance as sorrow for sin, and sorrow for sin as repentance.

 

QUESTION: What causes a person to be sorry—sorry enough to change?

 

QUESTION: Is becoming sorry something we can do for ourselves?

 

Does Acts 5:31 give us a clue as to the source of repentance?

God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins.

If Jesus is the source for forgiveness, is He also the source for repentance? The chapter on “Repentance” in Steps to Christ gives three important steps to repentance or dying to self:

1.     Just here is a point on which many may err, and hence they fail of receiving the help that Christ desires to give them. They think that they cannot come to Christ unless they first repent, and that repentance prepares for the forgiveness of their sins. It is true that repentance does precede the forgiveness of sins; for it is only the broken and contrite heart that will feel the need of a Saviour. But must the sinner wait till he has repented before he can come to Jesus? Is repentance to be made an obstacle between the sinner and the Saviour? (p.26)

2.     The Bible does not teach that the sinner must repent before he can heed the invitation of Christ, “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28. . . . We can no more repent without the Spirit of Christ to awaken the conscience than we can be pardoned without Christ. SC 26

 

#2.     All our efforts to generate repentance ourselves are destined for failure.

 

2 Peter 3:9 is a promise!

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

Note Steps to Christ, p.31

If you see your sinfulness, do not wait to make yourself better. How many there are who think they are not good enough to come to Christ? Do you expect to become better through your efforts? “Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil.” Jeremiah 13:23. There is help for us only in God. We must not wait for stronger persuasions, for better opportunities, or for holier tempers. We can do nothing of ourselves. We must come to Christ just as we are. SC 31

#3.     Repentance is God’s gift, received only in a relationship with him.

 

Note the assurance of Ephesians 2:8,

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith —and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God

Everything in living the Christian life, including repentance, boils down to one thing—the personal relationship with Christ.  How this takes place is revealed in point #4.

 

#4.     Repentance comes from a heart touched with true sorrow for what sin does to a loving God.

 

One of the best examples of repentance is found in the experience of David after he had committed adultery with Bathsheba.

For I know my transgressions,

and my sin is always before me. (Ps. 51:3)

David recognized where forgiveness could be found,

Wash away all my iniquity

, and cleanse me from my sin. (Ps. 51:2)

What was driving David’s confession?

Against you, you only, have I sinned

and done what is evil in your sight; (Ps. 51:4)

#5 Repentance views sin not as breaking a rule, but as breaking a heart—God’s.

 

Being sorry that I broke someone’s heart involves looking into the eyes of Jesus. One of the most dramatic moments in Scripture is found when Peter denied Jesus the third time. Note how Luke recorded this moment in the life of Jesus and Peter.

Peter replied, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly. (Lk 22:60-63)

Those in the days of Christ taught

. . . that before God's love is extended to the sinner, he must first repent. In their view, repentance is a work by which men earn the favor of Heaven. And it was this thought that led the Pharisees to exclaim in astonishment and anger, “This man receiveth sinners.” – Christ Object Lessons, 189.

What was so often forgotten then and today is that before the 10 Commandments were given, God explained the very basis for giving them before they were given,

“I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. – Exodus 20:1

#6.     By beholding and experiencing Christ, true repentance grows in the Christian life.

 

If we are saved by grace, and we humbly rejoice in what Jesus has done for us, we respond with a life of service flowing from gratitude for His gift.

Paul explained it this way in Ephesians 2:10.

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Summing Up

 

There is no way you and I can change our lives. Only God can do that. There’s no chance that happening unless we realize that He is making every effort for us to become personal friends.  If this is true and He is the source of our repentance, forgiveness and the change we need in our lives, then where do we begin?  Doesn’t it seem that we begin by listening to His voice in Word, and other revelations of His character?  Note this statement in Steps to Christ,

Christ changes the heart. He abides in your heart by faith. You are to maintain this connection with Christ by faith and the continual surrender of your will to Him; and so long as you do this, He will work in you to will and to do according to His good pleasure. . . .

Then with Christ working in you, you will manifest the same spirit and do the same good works—works of righteousness, obedience. SC 61-62.

Conclusion

 

While we haven’t followed this week’s outline exactly, we have seen the call for a new kind of honesty. No matter how hard we try, we cannot change ourselves deep down inside. Advocating for behavioral changes is not the first step toward lasting change. To complicate things even further is Jeremiah’s reminder that “The heart is hopelessly dark and deceitful” (Jer. 17:9).

 

 

This week’s quarterly study guide makes important and valid points. We’ve stepped back a little in our approach, however, to emphasize that when Christ becomes our Friend, it is then that we can be like the “kernel of wheat” that falls to the ground and dies.  It is then that we (1) are willing to serve, (2) desire to know God’s will, (3) are willing to listen to God, and (4) see the folly of self-reliance. There is no (5) effective substitute for God.

 

Depicting the care Jesus has for each of us as a lost sheep, we find this analogy in Christ Object Lessons, p. 188

He does not scold it because it has caused him so much trouble. He does not drive it with a whip. He does not even try to lead it home. In his joy he takes the trembling creature upon his shoulders; if it is bruised and wounded, he gathers it in his arms, pressing it close to his bosom, that the warmth of his own heart may give it life. With gratitude that his search has not been in vain, he bears it back to the fold. COL 188.1

 

Helpful Resources Used for This Week’s SS Notes

 

Christ’s Object Lessons, the chapter on “This Man Receiveth Sinners” by Ellen White.

 

Steps to Christ, the chapter on “Repentance” by Ellen White

 

The Reason for the Season, the chapter on “Sorry Enough to Quit!” by Morris Venden.

 

The Taste of New Wine, the chapter on “A New Kind of Honesty” by Keith Miller

 

Integrity, the chapter on “When You Are Small, You Are Bigger” by Henry Cloud.

 

The Crucible with Christ, “Dying Like a Seed” principal contributor for SS quarterly, Anthony Gavin, and teacher’s edition, Gheorghe Razmerita.