What to do With the Lamb of God? John 1:29, 36
INTRODUCTION:
From the very beginning, as seen in the Passover narrative, God commanded His people to offer a lamb as an atonement, a covering, for their sins, providing a way for His judgment to pass over them (Exodus 12). This pointed forward to a greater sacrifice.
In the New Testament, God has provided not individual lambs, but one perfect and final Lamb for the sins of the entire world: Jesus Christ, the Lamb without blemish, holy, and set apart from all evil. Today, each person , and across the globe, must make a crucial decision about what to do with this Lamb. If they accept Him in faith, they receive complete forgiveness of sins and eternal life; if they reject Him, they will face the eternal consequences of their own sin.
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I. WE MUST LOOK TO THE LAMB OF GOD (John 1:29)
• A. He is the only one who can take away the sin of the world. When John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him, he declared, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29). 1
1. www.modernreformation.org
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◦ Discussion: Why is Jesus uniquely qualified to take away the sin of the world? What does it mean for Him to "take away" sin?
◦ There is no salvation apart from Him (Acts 4:12; 1 Peter 1:18-19). Our redemption was not achieved with perishable things like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.
▪ Discussion: What does it signify that our salvation comes through the blood of Christ? Why is His blood considered "precious"?
◦ Only in Him is there true and lasting hope for the lost (1 Peter 1:21). Through Him, we believe in God who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that our faith and hope are in God.
▪ Discussion: How does Jesus' resurrection provide a solid foundation for our hope as believers?
• B. He is worthy of all worship and honor (Revelation 5:12; 7:10). In the heavenly throne room, the angels and elders declare, "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!" (Revelation 5:12). The multitude cries out, "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!" (Revelation 7:10).
◦ Discussion: Why is the Lamb who was slain worthy of such profound worship and honor? How should this heavenly reality influence our earthly worship?
• C. Only through His blood can we overcome the devil (Revelation 12:11). Believers overcome Satan "by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony" (Revelation 12:11). His sacrifice is the ultimate victory over the forces of darkness.
◦ Discussion: How does the blood of the Lamb empower us in our spiritual battles against the devil? What is the role of our testimony in this victory?
• D. Therefore, we must follow Him faithfully every day (Revelation 14:4). Those who belong to the Lamb are described as those "who follow the Lamb wherever he goes" (Revelation 14:4). This signifies a life of complete devotion and obedience.
◦ Discussion: What does it practically mean to "follow the Lamb wherever He goes" in our daily ? What are some areas where we need to be more faithful in our following?
II. WE MUST EAT OF THE LAMB OF GOD (Exodus 12:8-11; John 6:53-57)
• A. Just as Israel ate the Passover lamb in Egypt, signifying their deliverance from bondage, we too must spiritually eat of the true Lamb, Jesus Christ, to receive our deliverance from the bondage of sin. The Passover meal was a symbolic participation in the sacrifice that brought freedom.
◦ Discussion: What parallels can we draw between the physical eating of the Passover lamb and our spiritual "eating" of Jesus? What kind of deliverance do we receive through Him?
• B. Jesus said that whoever does not eat His flesh and drink His blood does not have life (John 6:53). This is not a literal command for cannibalism, but a profound metaphor for spiritual communion with Him.
◦ Discussion: Why do you think Jesus used such strong and potentially confusing language? What is the deeper meaning behind "eating His flesh and drinking His blood"?
◦ This means having a deep, personal, and ongoing spiritual communion with Him, receiving His life into our own. It involves faith, dependence, and identification with His sacrifice.
▪ Discussion: How do we cultivate this "spiritual communion" with Jesus in our daily lives?
◦ Whoever spiritually eats and drinks of Him has eternal life, and He will raise them up at the last day (John 6:54). This communion is the key to eternal life and resurrection.
▪ Discussion: How does this spiritual "eating and drinking" connect us to the promise of eternal life?
• C. His flesh and blood are true food and true drink (John 6:55), for He is the perfect and once-for-all sacrifice that satisfies God's justice and nourishes our souls (Hebrews 7:26). As the holy, blameless, undefiled Lamb, separate from sinners and exalted above the heavens, His sacrifice is uniquely sufficient.
◦ Discussion: How does the perfection of Jesus' sacrifice make His "flesh and blood" true spiritual nourishment?
• D. To eat of Him is to abide in Him, and to have fellowship with Him (John 6:56). "Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him." This speaks of an intimate and inseparable union with Christ.
◦ Discussion: What does it mean to "abide in Christ"? How does this abiding relationship manifest in our lives?
• E. How do we eat of this Lamb?
◦ By believing and obeying His word (John 6:47). Jesus said, "Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life." Our faith in His word and our obedience to His commands are the means by which we partake of Him spiritually.
▪ Discussion: How does our engagement with God's Word and our obedience to it relate to "eating" the Lamb of God?
◦ If we reject His word, we effectively reject His flesh and blood, refusing the spiritual nourishment and life He offers.
▪ Discussion: What are the consequences of rejecting Jesus' word?
III. WE MUST WORSHIP THE LAMB OF GOD (Revelation 5:12-13)
• A. He is worthy of all praise and adoration because He was slain for us, redeeming us to God by His blood (Revelation 5:9). Our worship is a response to His incredible sacrifice and love.
◦ Discussion: What aspects of Jesus' sacrifice particularly move you to worship Him?
• B. We worship Him with our hearts, expressing genuine reverence and love; with spiritual songs, lifting our voices in praise and thanksgiving (Ephesians 5:19); and with a life of obedience, living in a way that honors His sacrifice. Our entire being should be an act of worship.
◦ Discussion: How can we ensure that our worship is not just outward ritual but a genuine expression of our hearts? How does our daily obedience reflect our worship?
• C. We should worship Him alone, not placing our ultimate allegiance or devotion in men, idols, or any other created thing. He is the sole object of our true worship.
◦ Discussion: What are some modern-day "idols" that can distract us from worshipping the Lamb of God alone? How can we guard our hearts against such idolatry?
IV. WE MUST FEAR THE LAMB OF GOD (Revelation 6:15-17; 2 Corinthians 5:10)
• A. We must have a reverent fear, acknowledging His power and justice, because one day we will all stand before Him as our righteous Judge (Revelation 6:15-17; 2 Corinthians 5:10). The same Lamb who was slain for us will return in glory to judge the living and the dead.
◦ Discussion: How should the reality of Christ as our future Judge influence our present actions and attitudes? What kind of "fear" should we have?
• B. Many in the world fight against the Lamb and His followers, but He will ultimately overcome them with absolute power and glory (Revelation 17:14). Resistance against Christ is futile.
◦ Discussion: Why do you think so many resist the Lamb of God? What is the ultimate outcome of this resistance?
• C. The fear of the Lord, including a reverent awe of the Lamb, leads us to faithfully obey His commandments and live in accordance with His will. This is not a cowering terror, but a respectful submission to His authority.
◦ Discussion: How does a healthy fear of the Lord motivate us towards obedience?
◦ Only those who fear Him in this way, acknowledging His sovereignty and living in submission to Him, will be able to stand firm and without condemnation on the day of His wrath.
▪ Discussion: What is the difference between a saving fear of the Lord and a worldly fear?
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CONCLUSION:
The Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, has already been slain for your sins and mine. He is the ultimate sacrifice, the only way to forgiveness and eternal life. Now, the crucial question for each of us , and everywhere, is: What will you do with this Lamb? Will you look to Him in faith, eat of Him spiritually through belief and obedience, worship Him with your whole heart, and live in reverent fear of Him? Our eternal destiny hinges on our response to the Lamb of God. May we all choose to embrace Him for salvation and live in joyful submission to His Lordship.
