Receive The Gift

III. THE PURPOSE OF THE GIFT. (John 1:29-34)

A. Removal Of Sin. John the Baptist made a bold proclamation that the Jews would understand. “You offer lambs for the remission of sin, but behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” You know that is one of the differences we have with some of our church friends. They believe that every time they take communion that the bread and wine literally become the body and blood of Christ. So Christ is sacrificed every day, over and over again. But the Bible says 5 times that Jesus’ sacrifice was once for all. Romans 6:10, “He died to sin once for all…” Hebrews 7:27, “for this He did once for all when He offered Himself up.” Hebrews 9:12, “but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all…” Hebrews 10:10, “we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all…” Jude 1:3, “contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints…” So by what I have just read how many times was it necessary for Christ to offer Himself as the sacrifice for sin? Once for all!!!!!!

B. Baptized in the Spirit. Verse 32, “And John bore witness, saying, ‘I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him.” Why was Jesus baptized in the Holy Spirit? We have often taught as a common belief that Jesus could not begin His ministry until He was baptized in the Holy Spirit. But if we stop and look at what power the seventy disciples were sent out in and what they did we will see something a little different. Luke 10:17, “Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, ‘Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name’.” So if Jesus had power before, why be baptized in the Holy Spirit? Because He knew that would be the pattern for all believers to follow. “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you”. That was confirmation to John the Baptist because the Lord had spoken to him saying that was what would happen. “Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.” The grace that was poured out on the cross, once for all, is extended in power through the baptism in the Holy Spirit. Jesus the giver of the gift of eternal life is also the baptizer in the Holy Spirit. His gifts never end. Jesus Himself said “I will be with you always even to the end of the age.” How marvelous, how wonderful and my song shall ever be. How marvelous, how wonderful is my Savior’s love for me.

How many of you have ever watched in amazement as your children opened their gifts at Christmas and then ignored the gift and played with the paper? Did you ever stop and wonder what God must think as people spend so much time playing with the wrappings of Christmas – gift giving and parties – and ignore the greatest gift of all – the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ.

Bob Perks tells this story:

A little boy was with his father at church looking curiously at the nativity scene that was set up.