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  EXCEPT A CORN OF WHEAT FALL INTO THE GROUND AND DIE
  by A.B. Simpson
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Summary: True spiritual life is born out of death and surrender, leading
to a deeper and truer living.

Topics: "Spiritual Transformation", "Death and Resurrection"
Scripture References: Ezekiel 36:26, Matthew 16:25, John 3:30, John 12:24, Romans 6:4, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Galatians 2:20, Philippians 3:10, Colossians 3:3, 1 Peter 1:3

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DESCRIPTION
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A.B. Simpson emphasizes the profound connection between death and
resurrection as fundamental themes in both nature and Christianity. He
illustrates this through various natural transformations, such as the
chrysalis and the seed, and biblical symbols like circumcision and the
crossing of the Red Sea. Simpson asserts that true spiritual life
emerges from death, urging believers to let go of remnants of sin and
commit them to a figurative grave. By doing so, he believes that the
Holy Spirit can facilitate a continual process of renewal and growth in
the believer's life. Ultimately, this leads to a life that flourishes
and spreads the fragrance of Christ.

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CONTENT
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Death and resurrection are the central ideas of nature and Christianity.
We see them in the transformation of the chrysalis, in the buried seed
bursting into the bud and blossom of spring, in the transformation of
the cold shroud of winter into the tinted robes of spring. We see it
throughout the Bible in the symbol of circumcision with its significance
of death and life, in the crossing of the Red Sea and the Jordan leading
out and leading in, and in the cross of Calvary and the open grave of
the Easter morning. We see it in every deep spiritual life.

Every true life is death-born, and the deeper the dying the truer the
living.

No doubt the passing months have shown us all many places where there
ought to be a grave, and many lingering remnants of the natural and
sinful which we ought gladly to commit to a bottomless grave. God help
us to pass upon them the irrevocable sentence of death and to let the
Holy Spirit make the interment eternal. Then our life shall be
continually budding and blossoming and shedding fragrance over all.

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/ab-simpson/except-a-corn-of-wheat-fall-into-the-ground-and-die/
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