Unless It Dies: The Path to Fruitfulness Main

Unless It Dies: The Path to Fruitfulness Main

Unless It Dies: The Path to Fruitfulness Main Text: 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.”

I. INTRODUCTION

• Jesus used the image of a seed to reveal a Kingdom principle: Life and multiplication come through death.
• This message speaks not only of His impending crucifixion but sets a spiritual pattern for all believers.
• True fruitfulness begins where self ends. Supporting Scripture:
• Philippians 2:8-9 – Jesus humbled Himself unto death, and God exalted Him.
• Isaiah 53:10-11 – It pleased the Lord to bruise Him, and He shall see His seed.

II. THE PRINCIPLE OF DYING TO BRING FORTH FRUIT A. The Natural Principle of the Seed

• A seed contains life but must go through the process of being buried and broken.
• The environment of death births transformation and abundance. Supporting Scripture:
• 1 Corinthians 15:36 – “That which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die.”

B. Jesus as the Divine Seed

• Jesus’ death released life for all who would believe.
• He was not afraid of death because He understood its redemptive power. Supporting Scripture:
• Hebrews 2:10 – Bringing many sons to glory.
• Romans 5:19 – By one man’s obedience many were made righteous.

III. DYING TO SELF: THE PATHWAY TO FRUITFULNESS A. What Must Die?

1. Carnality

• Romans 8:13 – “If ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.”
• Galatians 5:24 – “They that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh…”

2. Sin

• Colossians 3:5 – “Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth…”
• Romans 6:6 – “Our old man is crucified with Him.”

3. Satan

• James 4:7 – “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
• Revelation 12:11 – “They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony.”

4. Self

• Galatians 2:20 – “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live…”
• Luke 9:23 – Deny yourself and take up your cross daily.

B. The Call to Crucify the Flesh

• The cross is not only Jesus’ but ours as well.
• We must choose daily to surrender our will, ego, and desires. Supporting Scripture:
• Romans 12:1 – Present your bodies as a living sacrifice.

C. The Ministry of the Holy Spirit in Dying to Self and Bringing Forth Fruit

• The Holy Spirit is the power and presence of God within us that enables transformation.
• He convicts us of sin, empowers us to overcome temptation, and produces the character of Christ in us. Supporting Scripture:
• Romans 8:13 – “…if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.”
• Galatians 5:16 – “Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.”
• 2 Corinthians 3:18 – “…we are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”
• John 16:8 – “When he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.”
• Acts 1:8 – “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you…”

D. Contemporary Examples of Dying to Self and Bringing Forth Fruit

1. A Christian business owner who chooses integrity over profit and sees their business grow with Kingdom influence.
2. A young believer who gives up a prestigious job opportunity to pursue missions and ends up impacting countless lives.
3. A social media influencer who stops promoting worldly values and starts sharing the gospel, gaining fewer followers but deeper spiritual impact.
4. A couple who forgives betrayal and rebuilds their marriage as a testimony to God’s healing power.
5. A youth leader who denies personal ambition to mentor young people and sees generations transformed.

IV. THE RESULT: MUCH FRUIT A. Fruit of the Spirit

• Galatians 5:22-23 – Love, joy, peace, patience, etc. B. Fruit in Ministry and Mission
• Acts 1:8 – Power to witness after surrender.
• John 15:5 – Abiding in Christ leads to fruitfulness. C. Fruit That Remains
• John 15:16 – “I have chosen you… that your fruit should remain.”

V. PRAYER POINTS

1. “Lord, crucify every area of my life that resists Your will.”
2. “Father, help me die daily to self, sin, and satanic influences.”
3. “Holy Spirit, give me strength to surrender completely.”
4. “Let the life of Christ be multiplied through my death to self.”
5. “Make me fruitful in every good work, bearing eternal fruit.”
6. “Holy Spirit, lead me in a walk of obedience and transformation.”
7. “Father, uproot every hidden work of darkness in me.”
8. “Lord, break every prideful resistance to Your Word in my life.”
9. “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.”
10. “Lord Jesus, teach me to love Your cross.”
11. “Deliver me from the grip of worldly desires and affections.”
12. “Let my life be a vessel of Your glory.”
13. “Lord, prune every unfruitful branch in me.”
14. “Holy Spirit, refine my motives and purify my intentions.”
15. “Help me to be sensitive to Your convictions, Holy Spirit.”
16. “Grant me grace to endure the process of dying to self.”
17. “Let the fire of the Holy Spirit consume every carnal appetite.”
18. “Empower me to walk in the Spirit and not fulfill the lusts of the flesh.”
19. “Baptize me afresh with the Spirit of holiness.”
20. “Strengthen me to live a crucified life daily.”
21. “Lord, align my desires with Your divine purpose.”
22. “Holy Spirit, teach me how to walk in truth and humility.”
23. “Father, remove every seed of bitterness and unforgiveness.”
24. “Let my mind be renewed daily by Your Word.”
25. “Help me to seek first the Kingdom and not my own agenda.”
26. “Let my life be a seed that dies and brings forth fruit to Your glory.”
27. “Lord, give me victory over secret sins.”
28. “Fill me with a hunger for righteousness.”
29. “Let me walk as a true disciple, following Jesus fully.”
30. “Holy Spirit, cultivate in me the fruit that remains.”

VI. CONCLUSION

• God is not interested in polished, self-reliant believers—He desires surrendered, fruitful disciples.
• The cross is not the end, it’s the doorway to abundant life.
• When we die to the old, God releases the new.

“The seed that refuses to die will never fulfill its purpose. But the seed that yields will awaken nations.” Let us die daily that Christ may live fully through us.