John 12:23-28,32-33

"[After saying his time had come, Jesus continued,] "I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone....."

"Dear Child of God, What drew you to follow Me? What called your heart to open up to Me? What convinced you that We — Father, Son, and Spirit..."

Jesus had many opportunities to walk away from the shame and pain of the cross, but he chose the Father's will and our need over his comfort. James Nored and Phil Ware remind us of the dark night that began the long, painful, and lonely journey of Jesus through his Passion to bring us to God.

"[Jesus continued,] "The time for judging this world has come, when Satan, the ruler of this world, will be cast out. And when I am lifted up from the...."

Go ahead, plant a seed. See it disappear into the dirt. But, don't forget! Phil Ware continues his four week series on seed, towel, promise, and torchlight focusing on the power of the Seed to overcome dirt, darkness, and death.

"I tell you the truth, 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."

"Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me."

"[About his upcoming crucifixion, Jesus continued,] "Now my soul is deeply troubled. Should I pray, 'Father, save me from this hour'? But this is the....."

Inspirational illustration of John 12:26 -- Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.

Inspirational illustration of John 12:24 -- I tell you the truth, 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.

Jesus had many opportunities to walk away from the shame and pain of the cross, but he chose the Father's will and our need over his comfort. James Nored and Phil Ware remind us of the dark night that began the long, painful, and lonely journey of Jesus through his Passion to bring us to God and helped define the way of Jesus through the cross to the empty tomb.

Yes, the seed is still enough of a mystery to keep me interested while I wait for the full blessing of its secrets to reach full bloom. Phil Ware begins a four week series on seed, towel, promise, and torchlight as he looks at Jesus' last hours on earth and what they mean for us.

Can you communicate love across races, cultures, and language? God communicated his love in a way that people of every language can understand: he did it through Jesus' death on the Cross.

Do you think James was really there through all of this mess? Phil Ware shares some insight and background on James the brother of Jesus and how he disbelieved, but came to faith.

Why is this such a big deal to us? Phil Ware continues to share the values of his dad with his children and wants them to know that prejudice and racial hatred is not acceptable or tolerabe.

Inspirational illustration of John 12:31-46 -- Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.

"Some Greeks who had come to Jerusalem for the Passover celebration paid a visit to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee. They said, "Sir, we want..."

Are we willing to take the risk and reach outside our comfort zones to connect people with Jesus? Phil Ware continues his series on 'The Andrew Effect' and connecting people with Jesus, this time focusing on including people of other cultures, races, and languages.

How have you been conditioned? So many of us have been conditioned to not see the call of the cross in our lives!

Status-seeking and a lust for superiority and power over others cannot be part of the Jesus lifestyle! Demetrius Collins and Phil Ware lead us in online virtual worship through words and music using YouTube videos to call us to have a heart for God's people and to serve them in love.

How can we do it when it is often so hard? Phil Ware continues his SHIFT series by talking about Nicodemus and how he was moved to minister selflessly to Jesus after he really understood God's love and Jesus' sacrifice at the cross.

The real question is whether or not we will choose to follow Jesus from the cross, to the tomb, and into the new life that Jesus' resurrection brings? Phil Ware reminds us that Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea were indisputable eye witnesses to the death of Jesus so the resurrection could be assured!

God drew near to us in Jesus, so why would we not come to him with our challenges, troubles, and trials? Max Lucado reminds us that Jesus longs for us to draw near to him in our times of troubles, problems, challenges, pain, and trials.