One of the best and most rewarding ways of studying the Bible is the word method. You take a word, using a concordance, find the different ways the word applies to us. Such verses as 1 John 1:9 and Hebrews 4:16. such words as found in Psalm 37; trust, delight, commit and rest. Then it's interesting to use the same word in different verses.
Different words when we know the meaning of the word ties everything together. It helps the principles of God to fit our lives. Words like therefore, we need to find out what it is there for.
I. Behold, I was Shapen in Iniquity.
1. Psalm 51:5
2. It was David who wrote these words, and he is not saying there was wrong with the manner of his birth.
3. What he is saying that he, and every member of the human race, was born in sin and with a nature that has a built-in tendency to do wrong.
4. He knew he was a sinner, both by nature and by practice. Psalm 58:3
a. He was a sinner because of what he was and what he did.
5. This is not a pleasant nor a popular truth, but God’s word is true.
a. Our first parents sinned and because of that act we are all sinners. Romans 5:12
b. Ecclesiastes 7:20
c. Isaiah 53:6
d. Romans 3:23
e. Galatians 3:22
6. This truth takes our pride away.
a. Outwardly we may look ok, but inwardly we know.
7. Outward there may be:
a. Heritage
b. Achievements
8. Our heart is desperately wicked.
a. Jeremiah 17:9
b. John 3:18
9. Our greatest need is for the power and penalty of our sin to be removed.
II. Behold the Lamb of God
1. John 1:29
2. What an introduction as, “the Lamb of God.”
a. What did John mean by, “the Lamb of God?”
b. All of the Old Testament types and prophecies pointed forward to the coming “sin-bearer.”
c. Genesis 22:8
d. Exodus 12:3-13
3. Man’s greatest need will be in the hour of judgment. Our eternity is set by the blood of the Lamb.
a. 1 Corinthians 5:7
b. 1 Peter 1:18-19
c. 1 Peter 2:24
d. Hebrews 9:26
e. Revelation 13:8
f. 1 John 1:7
g. Acts 13:38-39.
4. My greatest need today is to have my sins taken away and only the blood of Jesus can take away my sin.
a. Jesus wants all my sin. Isaiah 1:18
b. Jesus wants to destroy and remove all my sins, never to be remembered.
1) 1 John 1:9; Isaiah 38:17
2) Psalm 103:12
III. Behold the Fowls of the Air
1. Matthew 6:26
2. That takes all my cares away.
3. Is verse 26 true?
a. Does God really provide for the fowls of the air?
b. Are we not much better than they?
c. Do we really have a loving Father to provide for us and to protect us?
4. Yet how many of us are full of worries and concerns about our future?
a. Food, clothing, and shelter. Matthew 6:31-33
b. Jesus said, “take no thought” (don’t be uptight).
c. Our Heavenly Father knows we have need of all these things.
5. Said the robin to the sparrow,
I should really like to know.
Why these anxious human beings
Rush about and worry so!
Said the sparrow to the robin,
Friend, I think that it must be.
That they have no Heavenly Father
Such as cares for you and me!
6. Do we really believe God can and will take care of all our needs?
a. Spiritually, but not physically?
1) Forgiveness, but not for food.
2) Redemption, but not our retirement.
7. “Behold” God wants to take all your cares away. Is this really true?
a. Psalm 55:22
b. 1 Peter 5:7
c. Our job is to do the casting. Just like when you are fishing.
d. His job is to do the caring. You want to know a secret, the heavier the weight, the further the hook goes.
8. When do we cast? Early in the morning
9. You cast by trusting in Jesus to protect and provide.
a. Are you trusting in Jesus to work on your behalf?
b. You are, only if you have peace, instead of worry.
1) Philippians 4:7
2) Isaiah 26:3
3) Psalm 37:11
IV. Behold I have Set Before Thee an Open Door
1. Revelation 3:8
2. That takes all my excuses away.
3. These words were spoken to the church at Philadelphia to show the privilege and responsibility of Christian service.
a. I believe these words are addressed to every believer.
b. Never been a greater opportunity for Christian service than today.
c. Yes, we make excuses for not serving.
d. This behold takes all our excuses away.
4. Each new day God sets before us an open door. A new day to serve Him.
5. Its natural and its easy-to-use excuses.
a. Moses; Exodus 3:10-12
b. Jeremiah; Jeremiah 1:5-9
c. Luke 14:16
V. Behold I Come Quickly
1. Revelation 22:7
2. That takes me away.
3. Yes, Jesus is coming again.
a. 1 Corinthians 15:23, 51-54
b. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
4. Imagine a pile of steel filings and a pile of wood shavings mixed together on a table. Place a magnet over it and what happens?
5. The next great event in this world’s history is the return of the Savior.
a. If it were today, would you be left behind?
b. The last invitation in the Bible is for you to come to Jesus, have you? Will you?
VI. Conclusion
1. Behold I was Shapen in iniquity, that takes all my pride away. Psalm 51:5
2. Behold the Lamb of God, that takes all my sin away. John 1:29
3. Behold the fowls of the air, that takes all my cares away. Matthew 6:26
4. Behold I have an open door, that takes all my excuses away. Revelation 3:8
5. Behold I come quickly, that takes me away. Revelation 22:7
6. The Word Behold means to stop, look, and listen. Have you? Will you?
