12/08/2026
Deliverance Church International- Busia
Sermon by: Rev. G.T Wanyama
Sermon 12
Topic: Jesus Christ: The King Who Must Be Exalted
Text: John Chapter 12
Key Verse: John 12:24 (Kjv)
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.”
INTRODUCTION
-John chapter 12 marks an important transition in the ministry of Jesus. He is anointed at Bethany, enters Jerusalem as King, speaks about His coming death, and teaches about the necessity of believing in the Light. The chapter reveals that Jesus came to give His life for the world and that He must be honored, believed, and exalted. His coming death would not be a defeat but the means through which He would accomplish God’s plan of salvation.
1. JESUS DESERVES WHOLEHEARTED HONOR
Scripture: John 12:1–11
-Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany where Lazarus was present. Martha served, Lazarus sat with Jesus, and Mary took expensive ointment and anointed Jesus’ feet, filling the house with its fragrance. Judas Iscariot criticized her action because of the value of the ointment, but Jesus defended her act of devotion.
-Mary’s sacrifice demonstrated her deep love and honor for Jesus. While others calculated the value of what was given, Mary recognized the worth of the One who received it.
Key Lessons
- Jesus deserves our highest honor.
- Genuine devotion may require sacrifice.
- Our worship should come from a heart of love.
- We should value Christ above material possessions.
2. JESUS IS THE KING WHO CAME TO GIVE HIS LIFE
Scripture: John 12:12–36
-Jesus entered Jerusalem riding on a young donkey, fulfilling the prophecy concerning the coming King. The crowds welcomed Him with palm branches and cried, “Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.”
-Yet Jesus knew that His path to kingship would lead to the cross. He explained that unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone, but if it dies, it produces much fruit. He was speaking about His own death and the fruit that would come through His sacrifice.
-Jesus also declared that He had come to glorify the Father’s name. The Father responded from heaven, affirming His Son.
Key Lessons
-Jesus is the promised King.
- His death was part of God’s plan of salvation.
- Sacrifice can produce lasting spiritual fruit.
- Jesus lived to glorify the Father.
3. BELIEVE IN THE LIGHT WHILE YOU HAVE THE LIGHT
Scripture: John 12:37–50
-Although Jesus had performed many signs, many people still refused to believe in Him. John explains that this unbelief fulfilled the words of Isaiah concerning those who would see but not understand.
-Jesus again called the people to believe in the Light while they had the Light, so that they might become children of Light. He emphasized that His words were not His own but came from the Father who sent Him.
Key Lessons
- Miracles alone do not guarantee faith.
- Jesus is the Light of the world.
-We must respond to God’s truth with faith.
- Rejecting Christ means rejecting the One who sent Him.
CONCLUSION
-John chapter 12 presents Jesus as the King who deserves wholehearted honor, the Savior who willingly gives His life, and the Light who calls people to believe. Mary demonstrated costly devotion, Jesus demonstrated sacrificial obedience, and the Father glorified His Son.
-The central message is clear: Jesus must be honored, believed, and exalted because He gave Himself so that many might have life.