Unless A Grain Of Wheat Falls Into The Ground (Clip)
Carter Conlon teaches that true spiritual fruitfulness comes through surrender and dying to self, as exemplified by the grain of wheat that must fall to the ground and die.
This sermon emphasizes the need for God's saving grace and intervention in our lives, acknowledging our inability to save ourselves or overcome challenges on our own. It reflects on the surrender and sacrifice required, drawing parallels to the journey of the cross and the transformative power of dying to self to bear fruit. The plea for God's salvation echoes the sentiment of being unable to fulfill God's calling or purpose without His intervention.
Full Transcript
Verse 21, from the lion's mouth and the horns of the wild ox, save me, oh God. He finally gets to the place in this journey in a sense that he's undertaking, which is a type of the cross where he says, it comes down to this. Oh, save me, God.
I can't save myself. I can't talk my way out of this. I don't have the strength to get out of this.
I can't go into the places that you're calling me to go. I can't be the person that you're calling me to be. God, you have to come and you have to save me.
John, the beloved apostle, he says it this way in John chapter 12 and verses 24 to 26. Most assuredly, Jesus said, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone. But if it dies, it produces much grain.
Sermon Outline
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I
- The human inability to save oneself
- The necessity of divine intervention
- The journey toward the cross as a metaphor for surrender
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II
- Jesus’ teaching on the grain of wheat
- The principle of dying to produce fruit
- The promise of abundant spiritual harvest
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III
- The call to follow Jesus in self-denial
- The transformation through sacrifice
- Living a life that glorifies God
Key Quotes
“I can't save myself. I can't talk my way out of this. I don't have the strength to get out of this.” — Carter Conlon
“Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone. But if it dies, it produces much grain.” — Carter Conlon
“God, you have to come and you have to save me.” — Carter Conlon
Application Points
- Recognize your own limitations and rely on God's strength for salvation.
- Embrace self-denial and sacrifice as necessary steps toward spiritual growth.
- Commit to a life that produces lasting fruit by following Jesus' example.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the grain of wheat symbolize?
It symbolizes the necessity of dying to self in order to produce spiritual fruit and fulfill God's purpose.
Why can't we save ourselves according to the sermon?
Because human strength and effort are insufficient; only God can save and transform us.
How does this sermon relate to the cross?
The journey toward the cross represents surrender and the willingness to die to self for God's glory.
What is the outcome of dying to self?
It results in producing much fruit and living a life that honors God.