BEHOLD JESUS!
QUOTE: A great preacher, Charles Spurgeon, said: “It is the preacher’s principle business, I think I might say his only business, to cry, “Behold the lamb of God.” For this reason was John (the Baptist) born and came into the world… his chief errand was to herald the Messiah, to bear witness to the Son of God. What we have said of John we may say of every God-sent minister: he is sent to bear witness to the Christ of God.”
OPENING TEXT: “Yes, furthermore, I count everything as loss compared to the possession of the priceless privilege (the overwhelming preciousness, the surpassing worth, and supreme advantage) of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord… [For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly]…” (Philippians 3:8,10).
INTRODUCTION: At the age of 18, I met Jesus, and my life was changed forever. It was never about being religious, but seeking to know Him more. Today, I want to stir up your desire to seek to know Jesus more deeply and personally as we consider what the Bible says about Jesus.
KEY TEXT: John 1:1-14
“1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
· Jesus, the Word of God, is God Himself. He created all things, including YOU!
· Life – the life of God (John 10:10) is available to us! The light (John 8:12)
· Light is a powerful picture of God. We are drawn to a fireplace on a cold evening.
· We need light to grow – the fruit of the Spirit in our lives!
· The light is more powerful than the darkness of our world – if God is for us…
“6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. 8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. 9 That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.
· As Christians, we are called to bear witness to the Light – to point people to Jesus so they can be saved!
· Where do we learn about Jesus? In the Gospels!
· Challenge: Take the time to study: His life (Acts 10:38), His teachings (Matthew 7), His death & resurrection
“10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. 11 He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: 13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:1-14).
“They shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated, "God with us!” (Matthew 1:23).
- Jesus is God with us. When we look at and study the life of Jesus, we learn about God the Father.
CLOSING TEXT:
“Again, the next day, John stood with two of his disciples. And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, "Behold the Lamb of God!" The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. Then Jesus turned, and seeing them following, said to them, "What do you seek?" They said to Him, "Rabbi" (which is to say, when translated, Teacher), "where are You staying?" He said to them, "Come and see.” (John 1:35-39).
· John was looking at Jesus, and told others to look at Jesus
· Spurgeon said, “They preach Christ best who see Him best.”
· When two people heard this, it caused them to follow Jesus themselves.
· Jesus asked them what they wanted and they said they wanted to know where He stayed
· Jesus’ response: “Come and see!” Come and behold the lamb of God, Jesus!
CLOSING CHALLENGE:
#1: to see Jesus (read through the four Gospels!)
#2: to follow Jesus. Become a disciple!
#3: to receive Jesus. (v.12) Call on His name today and be saved!
