Text: John 12:20-26
Intro: Many Jews had come up to Jerusalem to see Jesus and Lazarus whom He had raised. Certain Greeks had also came to worship and see Jesus. The Greatest need in this world is for people to see Jesus.
Those that would have the knowledge of Christ must seek it. In our worship services the great desire of our souls should be to see Jesus; to have our acquaintance with him increased, our dependence on him encouraged, our conformity to Him carried on.
In verses 25-26 Christ lets them know that it was not enough to see him, they must serve
him. We must remember that He didn’t come into the world, to be a show for us to gaze at,
but a king to be ruled by.
    A. As we look in the Scripture we see Jesus as He was born of the virgin Mary. Matt 1:18-23.
    B. We see His sinless perfect example in His daily walk, Heb. 4:15. For we have not an high priest which cannot be
        touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
    C. We see Jesus as He gives His life on the cross, Gal 6:14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our
        Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.
    D. Today we see Him in His resurrection glory, Heb 8:1 We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the
        throne of the Majesty in the heavens;
I. The Results of Seeing Jesus, the Apostle John Saw Him on the Isle of Patmos. Rev. 1:9-18.
    A. Verse 9; Patmos is a volcanic, rocky island about six miles wide and ten miles long.
    B. The Roman government made it a place of exile or banishment for the lowest kind of criminals.
    C. John was banished to this island for preaching the gospel.
    D. Verse 10, he was in the spirit on the Lord’s day and heard a great voice as a trumpet.
    E. Verse 12 he turned to see that great voice.
        1. And being turned he saw Jesus in His glory, verses 13-16.
    F. Verse 17, he didn’t feel worthy to live much less to stand in the presence of Jesus Christ
        1. He fell at His feet as dead.
         2. John was overwhelmed by the glory of God.
    G. When we get a glimpse of Jesus it will cause us to see our own unworthiness, Job 42:5-6. I have heard of thee by the
        hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes. Isa. 6:5  Then
        said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean
        lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.
II.  The Maniac of Gadara Saw Jesus and the Experiene changed His Life. Luke 8:26-35
    A. He was naked, v. 27. And when he went forth to land, there met him out of the city a certain man, which had devils long
        time, and ware no clothes, neither abode in any house, but in the tombs.
         1. Without the righteousness of Christ we would all stand before God naked, our true condition being revealed to Him.
    B. This man lived among the dead.
         1. All lost people are dead in trespasses and sin, Eph. 2:1
    C. Verse 28, When he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before Him.
        1. Sir, We Would See Jesus
    D. Jesus changed his life, v. 35 Then they went out to see what was done; and came to Jesus, and found the man, out of
        whom the devils were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.
        1. Jesus can change you, Isa. 61:10  I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath
            clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom
            decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.   II Cor. 5:21
III. He’ll Go With You Through the Firery Trials of Life.
    A. Illustration 3 Hebrew children, Dan, 3rd chapter.
        1. They refused to worship the golden image of the king.
        2. They remembered God’s promise in Isa. 43:2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through
            the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the
            flame kindle upon thee.
        3. The king was furious and had the furnace heated seven times hotter than normal.
            a. They should have been burned to death immediately.
        4. But there was a fourth man with them, Jesus Christ. Dan 3:24-25 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonied, and
            rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellers, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?
            They answered and said unto the king, True, O king.  He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the
            midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.
    B. The words of Peter, I Pet. 4:12-13
IV.  He’ll go With Us Through the Valley of the Shadow of Death.
    A. Stephen, Acts 7:54-60  (Notice verses 55-56) Psa. 23:4
Conclusion: Lost sinner, right now Jesus is asking you to come to Him. Can you hear Him as He says Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Matt. 11:28.