Behold the Lamb

 This is a sermon that was given in the worship service in which the sacrament of communion was shared. It is based on the words of John the Baptist recorded in John 1:29, "Behold, the Lamb of God which takes away the sin of the world." After describing the circumstances surrounding the proclamation, the sermon focuses on the meaning included in the phrase that John uttered. A video recording of the worship service in which this sermon was presented may be viewed by clicking here.

Written Excerpts:

Introduction:

I want to focus on the words in Jn. 1:29, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” But first let’s back up a little and review the setting.

John had been baptizing in the Jordan River the previous day. The Scripture says that the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem out to speak to John and they were asking him, “Who are you?”

I.          The Announcer’s Identity

John immediately assured them he was not the Christ. He made no claims to be the Messiah. In fact, he repeatedly explains that he and his ministry will continually decrease, and Jesus will continually increase. John also denies being “Elijah,” or “the Prophet.”

What do the terms “Elijah” and “The Prophet” refer to?

Elijah: Jews knew Elijah did not die, and they knew about Malachi’s prophecy.

Malachi 4:5 ^(NKJV) Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet Before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD.

The Prophet: The Jews also knew that Moses had made a prediction back in Deuteronomy.

Deut. 18:15 ^(NKJV) "The LORD your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your midst, from your brethren. Him you shall hear,

In the minds of the Jews, “Elijah” and “The Prophet” were clearly associated with the coming Messiah. They were wondering, “Are you the one who we expect to announce the coming Messiah?” However, since John denied being either of these figures, then that brings up another question.

John 1:24 ^(NKJV) And they asked him, saying, "Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?"

(Mounce, Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Revised) The delegation from Jerusalem included “some Pharisees” who questioned John’s practice of baptizing, since he had acknowledged that he was not the Christ, Elijah, or one of the prophets. They viewed baptism as an eschatological rite to be performed by a leader in the last days. The Pharisees … were an important group among the Jews who insisted on fastidious obedience to the Mosaic law and to the oral tradition that had grown up around the law to adapt it to changing times. … Essentially, their question is, “Why do you baptize if you are not one of those leaders whose presence heralds the end of the age?” For John to have baptized would have violated the law if he had received no public office from God (cf. Calvin, 1:29).

John answers their question with another quote from the OT prophet Isaiah in order to establish his authority and his right to baptize. However, he immediately points them to Christ and insists that His baptism and ministry is much greater. John identifies himself as a “crier in the wilderness,” “an announcer,” identifying and introducing the One sent by God.

II.        The Announcer’s Proclamation

So, the following day, after this exchange, John sees Jesus and exclaims, “Behold (Look!), the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” I can imagine John raising his hand and pointing to Jesus as he made this proclamation.

The other Gospels record the baptism of Jesus, which the Apostle John does not. So, some have thought that Jesus was coming to be baptized in this encounter. However according to John’s words, a little later (v. 33), he has already baptized Jesus sometime prior to this event. Therefore, in this event, Jesus is undoubtedly just passing by as He is recruiting His disciples, which we read about later in the chapter.

“Behold” – Imperative, (R. C. H. Lenski, Lenski New Testament Commentary) – [a] dramatic, pointing out Jesus, riveting all eyes upon him, opening all ears for what the speaker will say of him.

John is emphatically saying, “Look! There He is. He is the One, God’s lamb. Each time we share communion, the point is to get our eyes focused again on Him – the Lamb of God.

There are so many different things we can get our spiritual eyes focused on that we forget about the central figure, Jesus. Other things in the Bible are important and we must not neglect them, but if we’re not careful, we can get bogged down in debating the correct interpretation of minor points until we completely forget that Jesus is the main focus. We must see Him as the only One in whom we have hope of salvation and eternal life.

“Lamb of God”

(R. C. H. Lenski, Lenski New Testament Commentary) The word "Lamb" connotes sacrifice, the Lamb whose blood is to be shed. Thus also and especially in the full title, "Lamb of God," lies the idea of being without blemish, i. e., sinlessness, and joined with this the divine purpose and aim of substitution, expiation, and redemption. A truer and more expressive title could hardly have been found for the Savior; he was, indeed, "the Lamb of God."

(Colin F. Kruse, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries) The word amnos [lamb] is found 101 times in the LXX, of which 82 are references to sacrificial lambs. The two uses of amnos in the NT outside the Fourth Gospel are clear references to Jesus, who died as a sacrificial lamb: one speaks of Jesus as the servant of the Lord, who ‘was led like a sheep to the slaughter, / and as a lamb before the shearer is silent’ (Acts 8:32); the other refers to ‘the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect’ (1 Pet. 1:19).

Acts 8:32 ^(NKJV) The place in the Scripture which he read [i.e., Ethiopian Eunuch] was this: "He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; And as a lamb before its shearer is silent, So He opened not His mouth.

1 Peter 1:19 ^(NKJV) but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.

Several times in the past I have mentioned the connection between the sacrifice of Christ and the OT requirements of blood sacrifices. We have especially referred to the Passover lamb in reference to Jesus.

“Takes away the sin of the world”

John prophetically announces the mission that the Lord had accepted – to “take away the sin of the world.” Some authors (e.g., Colin Kruse, Tyndale Commentary) do not think that John the Baptist was specifically thinking of sacrificial lamb in his comment, although he says that the Apostle John, while writing this gospel, would have.

Kruse says, “…indications are that he expected the Messiah to carry out judgment against sinners, not to offer himself as a sacrifice for their sins (cf. Matt. 3:12: ‘His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing-floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire’). John may have been identifying Jesus as the apocalyptic warrior lamb referred to in Jewish writings (e.g. 1 Enoch 90:9-12; Testament of Joseph 19:8-9) as did the author of the book of Revelation (Rev. 17:14), though the latter fused the idea of the powerful lamb/lion of Judah with the sacrificial lamb.”

Revelation 17:14 ^(NKJV) These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful."

Whether John the Baptist was referring to the “warrior lamb” or the “sacrificial lamb,” is not so important for us to decide. The important thing is that both ideas are taught in Scripture, and we can be inspired by both pictures we have.

Peter is highlighting the sacrificial lamb.

1 Peter 1:18-19 ^(NKJV) knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, ¹⁹  but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.

Saint Peter reminds us to be sober and serious about our faith and our conduct because we have been redeemed by the infinitely precious blood of Jesus Christ. We haven’t been bought with money (elsewhere referred to as “filthy lucre”), but we have been bought with blood; the blood of the Son of God.

Revelation highlights the warrior lamb.

Revelation 5:6 ^(NKJV) And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain.... (See 17:4 again on opposite page.)

The interesting thing about this passage is this: in this verse Jesus Christ is described as a Lamb as though it had been slain. In the previous verse, the angel refers to Him as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. It is difficult for me to comprehend what John must have seen. We can’t fully grasp the scene that is described here. But the important truth here again is the significance and symbolism of the Lamb. 

There is coming a day and time when all unrighteousness and evil will be destroyed by the “warrior lamb” – the “Lion of the Tribe of Judah.” Jesus Christ is truly the Lamb of God that was slain for our salvation.

Conclusion:

Behold! Look! There He is! The Lamb of God. The One who sacrificed Himself to cover the sins of the whole world. The One who will triumphantly destroy and conquer all sin, evil and unrighteousness forever.

Closing Song: Lamb of Glory

Racing Toward the Goal

This is a sermon that is based on Philippians 3:13-14 and other Scriptures. The message emphasizes the necessity for Christian believers to keep trusting Christ and serving Him with endurance until the end of life, much like an athlete must run the race until he reaches the goal. A video recording of the worship service in which this sermon was presented can be viewed by clicking here.

Written Excerpts:

Introduction: One common characteristic between modern times and the New Testament era was the importance of sports. Some writers tell us that sports played an important part in the Greek and Roman ideal of beauty and goodness. They believed that there must be a perfect balance between the training of the body and the training of the mind. Thus, their athletic training facilities were also centers of learning or intellectual training. However, as you may have read before, the sports “craze” degenerated over time. Blood-thirsty crowds became drunk on entertainment, and the “sports” became more and more brutal.

While Paul and other writers of Scripture do not seem to write as avid sports fans, yet they employed a fair amount of athletic language and analogies when writing about the Christian life. This obviously would have had a certain amount of appeal and relevance to the ordinary citizen. The readers of their letters would definitely have a knowledge of the common athletic games so that they could understand the analogies used by the biblical authors.

There are three basic games or sports that are referred to in the New Testament as analogous to the Christian life. They were: racing, boxing, and wrestling. Racing primarily referred to those who were “racing” toward the finish line which was “heaven.” Boxing was sometimes used to describe one’s discipline of self in order to “fight well.” Wrestling referred to the Christian’s fight with the forces of sin and darkness all around us. In this message I want to focus on the analogy of racing. (Foot racing, not stock car racing, or drag racing!! Not even chariot racing.)

In the passage of Scripture that I selected in Philippians, the word “race” is NOT used by the Apostle Paul, but the commentaries I consulted indicated that a race was in the author’s mind.

Lenski, in his commentary, tells us "Prize" [v. 14] is derived from the Greek word for umpire … who bestows the prize at the end of the race….
(R. C. H. Lenski, Lenski New Testament Commentary, Augsburg Publishing House, 1961)

Tyndale NT Commentary & Lenski – “… the goal (Gk. skopon) is a noun the means something you have/keep your eyes on. The verb form (Gk. skopein) means “to watch” or “to look.”

These word meanings would seem to indicate that Paul is referring to a race even though the word race isn’t used here.

What are some characteristics of this kind of race that Paul and other NT authors speak about?

I.          The race requires perseverance.

Heb. 12:1 (NKJV) “…let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us….”

This race is not a sprint, it is a marathon. This race is not for the purpose of seeing who can get to the finish line first, but who can endure to the end. It’s not just the first one who gets the prize, but everyone who makes it to the finish line wins the prize. The emphasis on “run with endurance” shows that perseverance is required. There are plenty of reasons (excuses) that people give up the race and never finish. They give up their faith and stop practicing its teachings because they got distracted or discouraged.

When Paul says in Philippians, “I press toward the mark/goal,” the word “press” is in the verb tense denoting continuous action and is also translated as, “I am chasing/pursuing…” There’s always more race to go until Christ calls us home. Sometimes people get bitter over some mistreatment, or some tragedy and they turn away from God.

James 1: ¹²Blessed is the man that endures temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

Life is full of disappointments, tragedies, hardships, fears, and heartaches, but we cannot allow any of those things stop us from running the race of faith. We must keep trusting and serving the Lord until we reach the finish line.

II.        The race requires ones’ full attention.

(NLT) Php. 3:13-14 No, dear brothers and sisters, I am still not all I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, ¹⁴I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven.

In order to faithfully and successfully run this race I must NOT allow myself to become distracted. I cannot allow the successes or the failures of the past to distract me from the road that is ahead. Paul says, “forgetting the past” or “forgetting those things which are behind…” I can’t tell you how many people I’ve talked to over the years of my ministry who are hung up on things that happened years/decades ago.

Forgiveness – “giving up all hope for a better past.” God forgives us, we need to forgive too.

I mentioned earlier that the word “goal” (NKJV) or “mark” (KJV), is a word that means something you keep watching or keep your eyes on. The writer of Hebrews tells it like this, “Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith….” We must keep our focus on Him. We dare not get sidetracked by the things that clamor for our attention.

Acts 20: 24 But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

What are the “things” that Paul is talking about? Well, verse 19 refers to “tears and trials.” Verse 23 speaks of “chains and tribulations await me.” Paul is not going to allow the fears of what may happen to distract him from running his race and finishing the work that God has given him to do.

 III.       The race requires self discipline.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 ^(NKJV) Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. ²⁵ And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. ²⁶ Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. ²⁷ But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified (KJV, a castaway – six times in NT).

(v.25) “temperate” – self controlled

(v.27) “discipline”; KJV, “keep under” my body – lit. to hit/strike in the face

“bring into subjection” – lit. to enslave; “cause to live the life of a slave” (TDNT)

Here the Apostle is expressing the fact that anyone that is serious about competing and completing this race must do whatever is necessary to make it. That includes removing all obstacles and hindrances.

Jesus: “If your hand, foot, eye offend you…”

It takes self discipline for a runner to train his body to endure the rigors of the race. There are some fineries and pleasantries of life that are put aside in order to stay fit and healthy.

Heb. 12:1 emphasized the need to get rid of “every weight” and “the sin that so easily besets us.” The Christian race is not a “cake-walk” to heaven.

In his hymn “Am I a Soldier of the Cross?” Isaac Watts asks this question in v. 2:

Must I be carried to the skies on flowery beds of ease

While others fought to win the prize and sailed through bloody seas?

The answer comes in v. 4:

Sure, I must fight if I would reign; increase my courage, Lord!

I’ll bear the toil, endure the pain, supported by Thy Word.

IV.       The race includes a prize.

In the original passage I mentioned earlier (Php. 3:14), Paul says, “I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call…”

2 Tim. 4:7-8 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.

See James 1:12 again – “… the man that endures… shall receive the crown of life…”

This “crown” that James (and others) refer to is most likely a reference to the wreath that the Olympic runners received at the end of the race. Here he is making a comparison to the reward that each believer will receive when we finish the race and have endured all of the tests and trials of the marathon, we call life.

(NIV) 2 Peter 1:10-11 Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, ¹¹and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

1 Cor. 9: 25 And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.

Rev. 2:10b – “be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.”

The person who finishes life’s race with his faith still intact and his confidence only in the blood of Jesus Christ will receive the crown of life. Someday, each one of us will personally finish this race and the reward will be eternal life with our Savior and Lord, the holy Son of God. To successfully finish the race of faith will be worth it all!

Closing Song: Be Strong In the Lord 

He Is Able

 This is a sermon based on Jude 24 and stresses God's ability to keep His children from falling from grace, even though it is possible to do so. A video recording of the worship service in which this sermon was presented can be viewed by clicking here.

Written Excerpts:

Introduction:

Do you believe we are living in times when people are struggling with all kinds of fear?

Do you believe we are living in times when spiritual darkness and wickedness seems to be gaining momentum?

Do you think it is getting harder and harder for believers to rise above the culture and live victoriously for Christ?

Have you had those moments when you wondered if it was really possible to live obediently and pleasing to God in such a wicked and perverse generation?

I know that all of us have probably had those moments when we asked ourselves all of these questions. We have had those moments when we realize that we need a power greater than ourselves in order to stand up and stand out for Christ. I bring you good news today and it is found in the text of Jude 24. “[He] is able to keep you from falling, and present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy.”

With the help of “Him who is able,” I want to speak to you today on this passage of Scripture to help us experience renewed hope and resolve to allow God to give us everything we need for victorious living in these days.

Before we get into the theme of this doxology, I want to point out a few things about this letter.

Written by: Jude (Judas) the half-brother of Jesus.

Matthew 13:55 ^(NKJV) Is this not the carpenter's son? Is not His mother called Mary? And His brothers James, Joses, Simon, and Judas?

Jude said some very similar things as 2 Peter. May have been familiar with Peter’s letter. Peter warned about false teachers coming. Jude warns – false teachers are here.

Key Words: Contend for the Faith

Key Verse: Jude 1:3 ^(NKJV) … I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.

The text at the end of the chapter we are looking at today appears to be a doxology that may have been commonly used and often repeated. It presents a message of hope and confidence as it lifts up the Lord in honor and praise.

I.          Falling is possible.

I suppose one of the first things I notice about this message of hope is the fact that the Apostle Jude acknowledges the possibility of falling.

A. Word Meaning

“… keep you from falling…”

“fall” – to stumble; “…five NT instances the main meaning is the figurative one “to slip,” “to err,” “to sin” (Geoffrey W. Bromiley, trans., Gerhard Kittel, Gerhard Friedrich, ed., Theological Dictionary of the New Testament: Abridged in One Volume, Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans, 2003)

See Rom. 11:11 where three different words are used that mean fall.

Romans 11:11 ^(NKJV) I say then, have they stumbled that they should fall? Certainly not! But through their fall, to provoke them to jealousy, salvation has come to the Gentiles.

The first “stumble” is same word as in Jude – to stumble, err, sin…

Second “fall” is a different Gk. Word – “píptō”

…in Rom. 11:11 falling means abandonment by God in guilt, and in Rom. 11:22 falling is identical to guilt, píptō may also be used for loss of faith and separation from grace (1 Cor. 10:12). At issue here is an apostasy from God or Christ which means disqualification (1 Cor. 9:27). (Geoffrey W. Bromiley, trans., Gerhard Kittel, Gerhard Friedrich, ed., Theological Dictionary of the New Testament)

Romans 11:22 ^(NKJV) Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off.

1 Corinthians 10:12 ^(NKJV) Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.

1 Corinthians 9:27 (NKJV) But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified (KJV, “a castaway”).

The third “fall” (Rom. 11:11) = παράπτωμα, paráptōma. This is the same root word as the 2^nd “fall” but with a preposition attached to the front. In NT is translated 9 – “trespass;” 7 – “offense;” 3 – “sin.” (Strongs)

With this understanding of the word Jude uses, as well as other words used in similar passages, we clearly see that falling is possible.

B. Contextual Meaning

Jude 1:4 ^(NKJV) For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ.

This verse warning about those who currently causing trouble is followed by several examples from the OT of God bringing judgment upon those who turned away from Him and lived ungodly lives.

See esp. vv. 16ff

Jude 1:16-19 ^(NKJV) These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage. ¹⁷ But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: ¹⁸ how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts. ¹⁹ These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit.

In the context of describing the kinds of people among whom the believers live, the Apostle says this word of promise and inspiration, “He is able to keep you from falling.” Taken in context, Jude is saying that God is able to keep them from succumbing to the cultural and spiritual degradation that exists all around them.

The phrase lit. reads, “guard us not-falling.”

(Michael Green, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries – 2 Peter and Jude, Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Academic, 2009)   Here phylassō is used; it means ‘guard’. …. We must watch that we stay close to the Lord, but only he can guard us so that we do not stumble. Aptaistous, from falling, does not occur elsewhere in the New Testament. [Greek writers use the word in various ways, one] of a horse which is surefooted and does not stumble, [another] of the steady falling of the snow, and by [a third] of a good man who does not make moral lapses. In the midst of difficult company, turbulent thinking and the questioning of moral standards, it is only the Lord who can preserve us.

How fitting for us today!

II.        He who keeps us from falling.

Jude uses a pronoun here, but it is very clear whom he is talking about. He specifically names Him in v. 25 – “To God our Savior…”

A. God has a “track record” of accomplishments.

There is so much we can say here. We are given so much information in the Bible about God and all He has already done. He has done so many mighty works and miracles in our world! Created this universe out of nothing simply by speaking the word. Delivered Israelites through the Red Sea. Calms Storms, raises the dead, heals the sick, etc., etc.

If He did all of those things, then He surely is able to give everything necessary for His children to overcome the threats, dangers and pitfalls which surround them.

B. He provides the tools for our success.

Jude 1:20-23 ^(NKJV) But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, ²¹ keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. ²² And on some have compassion, making a distinction; ²³ but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.

God doesn’t just do everything for us. He gives us the privilege of doing what we are able to do for ourselves. And that is to willfully choose the practices which will produce spiritual results.

Build yourselves up in the faith – study the faith (in the Scriptures)

Pray in the Holy Spirit – Over and over in Scripture we are reminded of the need to pray and the benefits of prayer.

Keep yourselves – this emphasizes the personal choice we have to willfully submit ourselves to the love of God.

Have compassion…save with fear – be engaged in reaching out to others. There is something about caring for others and teaching/ discipling others that helps us keep alert and fresh in our own spiritual lives.

Even while we are doing what we know to do, God is still the One who is enabling us.

III.       He exhibits the victors with joy.

Jude 1:24b ^(NKJV)  … to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy

This is thrilling to think about.

(Expositor’s Bible Commentary) God is able, literally, to “guard [safely] as a prison.” Moreover, he is able not only to safeguard the saints against falling but even cause them to stand “before [God’s] glorious presence without fault and with great joy.”

(Michael Green, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries – 2 Peter and Jude, (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Academic, 2009) God sets us before him (katenōpion, his glorious presence, is a strong word), and what deeper conception of bliss could there be than for the redeemed to be face to face with their God? God has no charge to prefer against those who are accepted in his spotless Son; and if God be for us, who can be against us? This is indeed great cause for agalliasis, great joy, a word particularly used of exultation at the heavenly banquet…. It is essentially a word that belongs to heaven.

It is clearly a cause for joy in us, but I am confident that it is a cause for joy to God and angels as well.

IV.       He deserves all the praise.

Jude 1:25 ^(NKJV) To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, Be glory and majesty, Dominion and power, Both now and forever. Amen.

When we arrive in heaven, it will not be due to our own righteousness, it is only because of the grace of God. He obviously gives us the choice to accept His offer of salvation and to cooperate with the operations of His Spirit, but we deserve none of the credit.

To God be glory, majesty, dominion, and power now and forever!

Conclusion:

God has made His grace available to us every single day. He will not leave us to flounder and struggle in our own strength.

He will guard us and keep us from falling.

Closing song: Day by Day