Sermon

The Lamb of God - Promised

Stornoway Free Church of Scotland - Sermons

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  1. We're going to begin our worship by singing to God's praise.

  2. We're going to sing in Psalm 95, the Scottish Psalter version, page 357.

  3. ! Psalm 95, page 357.

  4. We're going to sing from verse 1 to verse 6, a psalm that leads us very much into worship, a psalm that speaks of coming to sing to the Lord, to sing our praise to him, to make a joyful noise to the Lord.

  5. We're going to sing from verse 1 to verse 6, the tomb of his brother, James' heir. We stand to sing.

  6. Of our salvation.

  7. A joyful noise speak to the roar of our salvation.

  8. Let us sing sounds to him with grace and make a joyful noise.

  9. Let us sing sounds to him with grace and make a joyful noise.

  10. What God and great God and great King have above all thoughts he is.

  11. What God and great King have above all thoughts he is.

  12. To him that spacious sea he loved, for he the same did me.

  13. That dry land also from his hand is for my first pity.

  14. That dry land also from his hand is for my first pity.

  15. O come and let us worship him, let us bow down with all.

  16. And on our knees before the Lord, our maker let us fall.

  17. And on our knees before the Lord, our maker let us fall.

  18. Let's bow our heads in a word of prayer, let us pray.

  19. Our Father in heaven, as we gather this evening hour, we thank you to be able to come in worship of you.

  20. We thank you that we have been able to sing of that very privilege, to sing of the delight and the praise that we are to offer up to you.

  21. We are to come and make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.

  22. And we thank you that that is what you are to so many of us here, that you are the rock.

  23. The rock upon which our salvation is built and our very own personal salvation.

  24. We thank you that we can know you as that rock.

  25. And we pray for others maybe who have yet to confess and to commit their lives to you.

  26. That they would come to understand you in that way.

  27. The joy of worshipping you in the Lord of salvation.

  28. The Lord who has done all for his people.

  29. And that we are to come.

  30. And even as the psalmist says, to come on our knees before the Lord.

  31. Our maker let us fall.

  32. We see you in that way as well, Lord.

  33. That we can only come humbly before you.

  34. And the more we see you, the more we acknowledge you.

  35. The more we recognize that it is on our knees we approach you.

  36. That we are ones who are poor sinners.

  37. And yet we thank you for the wonderful saviour we have in your son, Jesus Christ.

  38. And so we pray that as we worship you, we would do so in that sense of spirit and truth.

  39. That as we come to your word and as we sing praise from it.

  40. As we hear it read.

  41. As we consider it together.

  42. That all that we would do, Lord, would know your blessing behind it.

  43. That you would be pleased to be in our midst.

  44. That we would know your presence here with us.

  45. That we would know your spirit ministering to all of our hearts.

  46. For we can approach you, Lord, after a busy week.

  47. Maybe even a busy day.

  48. We can approach you in so many different ways.

  49. With so many different thoughts and feelings in our hearts and head.

  50. But yet, Lord, we thank you that you are able to calm us and to still us.

  51. And that we pray that even now, Lord.

  52. That you would help us to be still in that sense of the psalmist saying.

  53. Be still and know that I am God.

  54. And so help us even at this hour just to know that calmness within.

  55. That peace of being able to hear your voice speaking to us.

  56. That peace that prepares our hearts.

  57. Not just for worship this evening.

  58. But for God willing tomorrow as well.

  59. As we seek to gather around the Lord's table.

  60. As we seek to do it.

  61. In remembrance of all that has been done for us.

  62. In the coming of our Lord.

  63. In his living in the midst of a fallen world.

  64. In his seeing the needs of this world.

  65. In weeping over the sin of the world.

  66. And ultimately in his giving his life.

  67. On the cross.

  68. That through his death.

  69. Through his shed blood.

  70. That we might have life in him.

  71. And so we pray, Lord.

  72. That you would guide us in all that we do.

  73. And hear our prayers.

  74. Together as a people this evening.

  75. Hear our prayers for each other.

  76. Hear our prayers for our loved ones.

  77. Hear our prayers for neighbors and friends.

  78. And our community as a whole.

  79. As we seek your good upon us.

  80. As we seek for ourselves to know you better.

  81. And to be in that closer relationship and walk with you.

  82. And as we pray for others to come and to taste and see of your goodness.

  83. As we pray for those who maybe we love so dearly.

  84. That we pray for so long for.

  85. To come and worship you in that sense of knowing you as their Lord and God.

  86. We pray that you will continue to help us to pray.

  87. And even for those who maybe we've only known a short time.

  88. Or know very little of.

  89. Or even those we know nothing about.

  90. But see around us on a daily basis.

  91. Or even just from time to time.

  92. We can have burdens for prayer.

  93. For so many different people.

  94. And we thank you for the way that you lay that on our hearts.

  95. And the way that you help us to remember that.

  96. In prayer we come.

  97. Acknowledging what we cannot do.

  98. But acknowledging that all things are possible with you.

  99. And so hear our prayers.

  100. Hear our prayers for the church.

  101. Why near and far as well.

  102. We thank you for all your people.

  103. And we thank you for other congregations.

  104. Even this weekend.

  105. Who have a time of communion.

  106. As they meet in Barvis.

  107. And back this evening.

  108. And tomorrow God willing.

  109. For the Lord's Supper.

  110. We thank you for the encouragements that you give in these times.

  111. And we pray to see your hand upon your church Lord.

  112. That we would see sinners being called to repentance.

  113. And sinners being saved.

  114. We pray to see new people coming to profess the Lord as their Savior.

  115. And we thank you for all that you have been doing.

  116. And are doing in that way.

  117. That you are indeed calling people to yourself.

  118. We hear it often Lord.

  119. We see so many discouragements around us.

  120. But we hear more and more of encouraging news of the church near and far.

  121. Of how there is a stirring among young people.

  122. Middle aged and old.

  123. How there is an interest in the gospel.

  124. An interest that in many ways had waned in so many different places.

  125. But yet there is a stirring Lord that we would long to see more of.

  126. That we would see your word being read and heard and proclaimed throughout our land.

  127. That we would see the days of your power in our midst once again.

  128. Reviving us as a people and as a nation.

  129. And we pray that for the church at large throughout the world.

  130. We thank you that you have your people to all ends of the earth.

  131. And we pray Lord that you would continue to pour out your blessing on your church near and far.

  132. We thank you for all who go out with your word.

  133. And in missionary service and ministry service.

  134. Throughout all ends of the earth.

  135. We thank you that you call your people to serve you in so many different ways.

  136. We thank you for those who you have called even from the congregation here.

  137. Into ministry near and far as well.

  138. We thank you for Muriel and for her ministry over many years in Cambodia.

  139. And we continue to pray for her that you would bless her and keep her.

  140. And make her to know your grace each and every day.

  141. And even as we can look forward to seeing her online, God willing, next week.

  142. We thank you for the technology that allows that to enable to be in touch with her.

  143. To see her and to hear her.

  144. And to encourage one another together.

  145. We thank you for others, Lord, who you call to that service as well.

  146. And we pray, Lord, that you would encourage more to be involved.

  147. We thank you for the service for the street pastors here on last evening.

  148. For four new street pastors being commissioned.

  149. And we thank you for that team that goes out over the weekends, week by week.

  150. Seeking to help and to encourage and to look out for those in the streets of the town.

  151. We pray your blessing, your protection over them.

  152. And above all, Lord, encouragement in the Lord for them as well.

  153. That they would realize that whatever we do in your name, that our labors are not in vain.

  154. And so we pray, Lord, that you would build us up in that way.

  155. To be your servants in this place.

  156. Remember us then and continue with us this evening and over the weekend.

  157. To know the blessing of your presence throughout this weekend.

  158. Guiding us and helping us.

  159. Giving us your peace and the joy of the Lord as our strength.

  160. As we seek your face at this time.

  161. We ask your blessing over the singing of your praise.

  162. We thank you for all of us as he leads us this evening.

  163. We pray that you will help us all sing with that joy in our hearts.

  164. That we are worshiping you as our Lord.

  165. As our maker.

  166. As our keeper.

  167. The one who has given us that hope of salvation in Christ.

  168. So continue with us.

  169. Go before us.

  170. Pardon us.

  171. For all our sin as we come confessing anew.

  172. How far short we fall.

  173. And yet thankful that with you.

  174. There is forgiveness.

  175. So hear our prayers.

  176. Go before us.

  177. And all we ask.

  178. We ask in the name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

  179. For his sake.

  180. And for his glory.

  181. Amen.

  182. We'll sing again to God's praise.

  183. This time in Psalm 119.

  184. The Scottish Psalter version.

  185. Psalm 119.

  186. And we're singing at verse 105.

  187. Page 163 of the psalm books.

  188. Psalm 119.

  189. Section number 14.

  190. At verse 105.

  191. Singing the whole of this section.

  192. To verse 112.

  193. Psalm speaks there in verse 105.

  194. Of the way the word of God.

  195. Is a lamp that shines before my feet.

  196. It is a light that guides me.

  197. On my way.

  198. And that's the word that we seek.

  199. This evening together.

  200. That the word of God would indeed shine before us.

  201. And guide our ways.

  202. Your words a lamp that shines before my feet.

  203. The tune is Highland Cathedral.

  204. And we stand to sing.

  205. Your words a lamp that shines before my feet.

  206. It is a light that guides me on my way.

  207. The oath that I have taken.

  208. The oath that I have taken.

  209. I've confirmed.

  210. That all your righteousness I will obey.

  211. O Lord, you know that I have suffered much.

  212. Please share my life according to your word.

  213. I've said the willing places of my life.

  214. Please share my life according to your word.

  215. I've said the willing places of my life.

  216. The willing places of my life.

  217. Instruct me in your righteous laws, O Lord.

  218. I will not disrepair to you, Holy Lord.

  219. Though constantly my life is in my hands.

  220. Although the wicked set a snare for me.

  221. I am not left the path of your commands.

  222. Your shouts are my heritage always.

  223. And every day they make my heart rejoice.

  224. My heart is set on keeping your deep peace.

  225. And to the very end they are my choice.

  226. Btw, Btw, Btw, Btw, Btw, Btw, Btw, Btw, Btw, Btw, Btw, Btw, Btw, Btw, Btw, Btw, Btw, Btw, Btw, Btw, Btw, Btw, Btw, Btw, Btw, Btw, Btw, Btw, Btw, Btw, Btw, Btw, Btw, Btw, Btw, Btw, Btw, Btw, Btw, Btw, Btw, Btw, Btw, Btw, Btw, Btw, Btw, Btw, Btw, Btw, Btw, Btw, Btw, Btw, Btw, Btw, Btw, Btw, Btw, Btw, Btw, Btw, Btw, Btw, Btw, Btw, Btw, Btw, Btw, Btw, Btw, Btw, Btw, Btw

  227. chapter, you find it around page 1069. John chapter 1 and at verse 29, let's hear the word of God.

    John 1 chapter mention

  228. The next day he, that's John the Baptist, saw Jesus coming towards him and said,

  229. Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. This is he of whom I said,

  230. After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me. I myself did not know him,

  231. but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel.

  232. And John bore witness. I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him.

  233. I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me,

  234. He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.

  235. And I have seen and have bore witness that this is the Son of God. The next day again,

  236. John was standing with two of his disciples, and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said,

  237. Behold, the Lamb of God. The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus.

  238. Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, What are you seeking? And they said to him,

  239. Rabbi, which means teacher, where are you staying? He said to them, Come and you will see.

  240. So they came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the

  241. tenth hour. One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother.

  242. He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, We have found the Messiah, which means Christ.

  243. He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, So you are Simon, the son of John.

  244. You shall be called Cephas, which means Peter. The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee.

  245. He found Philip and said to him, Follow me. Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.

  246. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, We have found him of whom Moses in the law and also the prophets

  247. wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. Nathanael said to him, Can anything good come out of Nazareth?

  248. Philip said to him, Come and see. Jesus saw Nathanael coming towards him and said to him,

  249. Behold, an Israelite indeed in whom there is no deceit. Nathanael said to him, How do you know me?

  250. Jesus answered him, Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.

  251. Nathanael answered him, Rabbi, you are the son of God. You are the king of Israel.

  252. Jesus answered him, Because I said to you, I saw you under the fig tree. Do you believe?

  253. You will see greater things than these. And he said to him, Truly, truly, I say to you,

  254. you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.

  255. Amen. And may God bless that reading from his word. Before we come back to this passage,

  256. we're going to sing again to God's praise in Psalm 34. The Sing Psalms version, Psalm 34.

  257. We're going to sing from verse 12 down to the end of the psalm.

  258. Psalm 34, page 41 of the psalm books, and at verse 12.

  259. Does anyone delight in life and long to see good days? Then keep your tongue from evil speech,

  260. your lips from lying ways. Depart and turn from evil paths and practice what is right.

  261. desire to know the way of peace, pursue it with your might. We're going to sing from verse 12 to the end

  262. of the psalm to the tune Bethesda, and we stand to sing.

  263. Does anyone delight in life and long to see good days? Then keep your tongue from evil,

  264. does anyone delight in life and long to see good days? Then keep your tongue from evil,

  265. your lips from evil, you'll be able to see good days. Then keep your tongue from evil,

  266. you'll be able to see good days. Then keep your tongue from evil speech, your lips from lying

  267. ways.

  268. Depart

  269. and

  270. turn

  271. from evil

  272. past

  273. and

  274. practice

  275. what

  276. is right.

  277. Decide

  278. to know

  279. the way

  280. of

  281. peace,

  282. pursue

  283. it with

  284. pure

  285. might.

  286. The

  287. Lord

  288. sights

  289. up

  290. upon

  291. the

  292. just.

  293. He

  294. listens

  295. to

  296. let

  297. be

  298. awakened

  299. to

  300. ready.

  301. Reject

  302. and

  303. lost

  304. !

  305. From

  306. earth

  307. to

  308. the

  309. love

  310. the

  311. rest

  312. !

  313. !

  314. !

  315. the

  316. Lord

  317. the

  318. responds

  319. and

  320. feeds

  321. when

  322. distressed.

  323. The

  324. Lord

  325. grows

  326. near

  327. the

  328. broken

  329. heart

  330. open

  331. and

  332. heart

  333. and

  334. rest

  335. to

  336. the

  337. defense

  338. from

  339. all

  340. the

  341. troubles

  342. the

  343. the

  344. Lord

  345. will set

  346. them

  347. free!

  348. the

  349. Lord

  350. set

  351. them

  352. free!

  353. The

  354. Lord

  355. protects

  356. !

  357. His

  358. every

  359. bone

  360. and

  361. broken

  362. none

  363. will be!

  364. the

  365. and

  366. broken

  367. will

  368. be!

  369. The

  370. wicked

  371. I

  372. condemn

  373. to

  374. death

  375. all

  376. those

  377. who

  378. hate

  379. the

  380. just

  381. who

  382. hate

  383. just

  384. but

  385. saves

  386. their

  387. soul

  388. bear

  389. not

  390. condemn

  391. for

  392. him

  393. the

  394. Lord

  395. they

  396. trust!

  397. the

  398. Lord

  399. the

  400. Lord

  401. the

  402. Lord

  403. the

  404. Lord

  405. the

  406. gospel

  407. John

  408. and

  409. our

  410. this

  411. evening

  412. is

  413. verse

  414. 29

  415. John

    John 1:29

  416. chapter

  417. 1

  418. verse

  419. 29

  420. next

  421. day

  422. the

  423. saw

  424. coming

  425. him

  426. and

  427. said

  428. behold

  429. Lamb

  430. God

  431. takes

  432. sin

  433. the

  434. world

  435. well

  436. we are

  437. to

  438. communion

  439. weekend

  440. we do so

  441. with different

  442. things going

  443. on in our lives

  444. experience

  445. we've all got

  446. different

  447. aspects of life

  448. we were busy

  449. with but we ask

  450. where is

  451. our focus as we

  452. come this

  453. evening and as we

  454. look ahead God

  455. willing to

  456. tomorrow what is

  457. our focus

  458. on

  459. perhaps we all

  460. come from

  461. different stages of

  462. busyness and

  463. tiredness of the

  464. day of the week

  465. of the months of

  466. the years we all

  467. come with different

  468. burdens different

  469. things going on

  470. but we are coming

  471. this evening and God

  472. willing tomorrow

  473. to have a focus

  474. not on that

  475. or on ourselves

  476. or what is going on

  477. around us

  478. but to focus

  479. on

  480. Jesus

  481. because we come

  482. this weekend

  483. as we always do

  484. worship

  485. with him very much

  486. in our focus

  487. in front of us

  488. but especially as we

  489. do so

  490. with the

  491. Lord's Supper

  492. to do this

  493. in remembrance

  494. of him

  495. and so tonight

  496. and this evening

  497. I want to fix

  498. our eyes on

  499. Jesus through the

  500. word of God

  501. and through the

  502. sacrament which

  503. we'll partake in

  504. or watch on

  505. and just behold

  506. the wonder of

  507. such a gracious

  508. Saviour

  509. for as we come

  510. we can often

  511. come not just

  512. with the burdens

  513. of life

  514. but with the burden

  515. of sin

  516. and sin

  517. can be a real

  518. sense of

  519. weight

  520. upon us

  521. the closer we

  522. come to the

  523. Lord and as we

  524. come to the

  525. Lord's table

  526. there is that weight

  527. of sin

  528. that we see

  529. our own sin

  530. and the sin

  531. that

  532. took him

  533. to the cross

  534. the cost

  535. of our sin

  536. the price

  537. of our sin

  538. being forgiven

  539. and perhaps

  540. we even come

  541. asking questions

  542. such as

  543. can my sin

  544. be forgiven

  545. or how

  546. can my sin

  547. be forgiven

  548. well as we

  549. come

  550. I want us

  551. this weekend

  552. to focus on

  553. the Lamb

  554. of God

  555. the Lamb

  556. of God

  557. behold

  558. the Lamb

  559. of God

  560. who takes

  561. away

  562. the sin

  563. of the world

  564. so this evening

  565. we're going to

  566. look at this

  567. particular text

  568. in John

  569. where we see

  570. the Lamb

  571. who was

  572. promised

  573. then tomorrow

  574. morning

  575. God willing

  576. we'll go back

  577. into the Old

  578. Testament

  579. we look at

  580. Isaiah 53

  581. and there

  582. we see the Lamb

  583. who was punished

  584. and then again

  585. God willing

  586. tomorrow evening

  587. we'll go forward

  588. to the book

  589. of Revelation

  590. and there

  591. we'll see

  592. the Lamb

  593. who is praised

  594. our focus

  595. is going to be

  596. very much

  597. on the Lamb

  598. of God

  599. as one hymn writer

  600. put it

  601. asking the question

  602. what can wash

  603. away my sin

  604. nothing but the

  605. blood of Jesus

  606. what can make me

  607. whole again

  608. nothing but the

  609. blood of Jesus

  610. it is the blood

  611. of the Lamb

  612. that cleanses us

  613. from all our sin

  614. and that is what we

  615. come to remember

  616. this evening

  617. and tomorrow

  618. God willing

  619. the Lamb of God

  620. who takes away

  621. the sin

  622. of the world

  623. it's a time

  624. of year

  625. when people

  626. have been busy

  627. lambing

  628. of course

  629. and as

  630. is often the case

  631. outside the back

  632. of the

  633. Manson

  634. plaster field

  635. at this time

  636. of year

  637. there's a number

  638. of sheep

  639. and lambs

  640. there in the field

  641. and it's interesting

  642. just watching them

  643. it's been such

  644. a lovely spell

  645. of weather

  646. for them this year

  647. they're just

  648. bouncing around

  649. the field

  650. but I often

  651. find interesting

  652. is watching our

  653. dog Benji

  654. the collie

  655. he'll sit out

  656. the back

  657. watching them

  658. from a distance

  659. and he'll sit

  660. for hours

  661. in the day

  662. sit or lie

  663. or with his paws

  664. up on the wall

  665. just looking over

  666. fixated

  667. on the lambs

  668. watching them

  669. just going

  670. about the field

  671. at a distance

  672. but so

  673. intently

  674. looking

  675. in their

  676. direction

  677. and what

  678. it makes me

  679. think of

  680. is this

  681. as he is

  682. fixated

  683. on the lambs

  684. in the field

  685. am I

  686. in the same

  687. way

  688. fixated

  689. on Jesus

  690. is my

  691. day to day

  692. life

  693. in that sense

  694. just looking

  695. fixated

  696. on Jesus

  697. intently

  698. looking to him

  699. knowing

  700. that in him

  701. I have the

  702. most precious

  703. saviour

  704. in him

  705. the lamb

  706. of God

  707. who takes

  708. away the

  709. sin of the

  710. world

  711. and there

  712. I am to

  713. look

  714. and to

  715. see

  716. and study

  717. and know

  718. that my

  719. greatest need

  720. of all

  721. has been

  722. met

  723. in him

  724. so that

  725. every day

  726. we're living

  727. we're fixated

  728. on him

  729. well that's

  730. what John

  731. the Baptist

  732. is saying

  733. to the people

  734. here and to

  735. ourselves

  736. this evening

  737. he's saying

  738. behold

  739. look

  740. fixate

  741. yourselves

  742. on Jesus

  743. here is

  744. the lamb

  745. of God

  746. who has

  747. come

  748. to take

  749. away

  750. the sin

  751. of the

  752. world

  753. the gospel

  754. written by

  755. John

  756. in John

    John 20:31

  757. 20

  758. verse 31

  759. we're told

  760. why it was

  761. written

  762. it says

  763. there but

  764. these are

  765. written so

  766. that you

  767. may believe

  768. that Jesus

  769. is the

  770. Christ

  771. the son

  772. of God

  773. and that

  774. by believing

  775. you may

  776. have life

  777. in his

  778. name

  779. everything

  780. that we're

  781. looking at

  782. here

  783. even as you

  784. go through

  785. the whole

  786. word of

  787. God

  788. it is

  789. written

  790. that we

  791. might

  792. believe

  793. that Jesus

  794. is the

  795. Christ

  796. the son

  797. of God

  798. and that

  799. by believing

  800. in him

  801. you might

  802. have life

  803. in his

  804. name

  805. so let

  806. us come

  807. this evening

  808. and tomorrow

  809. and see

  810. the life

  811. that we

  812. have

  813. through

  814. faith

  815. in Jesus

  816. Christ

  817. the Lamb

  818. of God

  819. who came

  820. so this

  821. evening

  822. we're going

  823. to look

  824. at the

  825. Lamb

  826. of God

  827. promised

  828. and that's

  829. what we

  830. have in

  831. this text

  832. this evening

  833. the Lamb

  834. of God

  835. promised

  836. and three

  837. things I want

  838. us to take

  839. from this

  840. verse

  841. this evening

  842. first of

  843. all we

  844. see

  845. this is

  846. looking at

  847. Jesus

  848. the Lamb

  849. of God

  850. we see

  851. first of

  852. all his

  853. presence

  854. then secondly

  855. we see

  856. his

  857. person

  858. and then

  859. thirdly

  860. his

  861. purpose

  862. his

  863. presence

  864. his

  865. person

  866. and his

  867. purpose

  868. and so

  869. the first

  870. thing we

  871. have is

  872. his

  873. presence

  874. and the

  875. very

  876. first words

  877. that John

  878. the Baptist

  879. says to

  880. us there

  881. in this

  882. verse

  883. is the

  884. next day

  885. John

  886. the Baptist

  887. saw Jesus

  888. coming towards

  889. him and

  890. said

  891. behold

  892. behold

  893. look

  894. they're out

  895. and they're

  896. seeing Jesus

  897. coming towards

  898. them and this

  899. is John

  900. the Baptist

  901. speaking

  902. behold

  903. look

  904. the opening

  905. chapter of

  906. the gospel

  907. of John

  908. is remarkable

  909. in what

  910. it tells

  911. us

  912. go back

  913. to the

  914. start of

  915. the chapter

  916. and just

  917. read

  918. some of

  919. the first

  920. verses

  921. there

  922. in the

  923. beginning

  924. was the

  925. word

  926. and the

  927. word

  928. was with

  929. God

  930. and the

  931. word

  932. was

  933. God

  934. he was

  935. in the

  936. beginning

  937. with

  938. God

  939. all things

  940. were made

  941. through him

  942. and without

  943. him

  944. was not

  945. anything

  946. made

  947. that was

  948. made

  949. and him

  950. was life

  951. and the

  952. life

  953. was the

  954. light

  955. of men

  956. the light

  957. shines in

  958. the darkness

  959. and the

  960. darkness

  961. has not

  962. overcome

  963. it

  964. and then

  965. you go

  966. further down

  967. into verse

  968. 9

  969. and you start

  970. seeing the

  971. true light

  972. which enlightens

  973. everyone

  974. was coming

  975. into the

  976. world

  977. he was in

  978. the world

  979. and the

  980. world

  981. was made

  982. through him

  983. yet the

  984. world

  985. did not

  986. know him

  987. he came

  988. to his

  989. own

  990. and his

  991. own

  992. people

  993. did not

  994. receive

  995. him

  996. but to

  997. all who

  998. did

  999. receive

  1000. him

  1001. and who

  1002. believed

  1003. in his

  1004. name

  1005. he gave

  1006. the right

  1007. to become

  1008. the children

  1009. of God

  1010. it's remarkable

  1011. what we're

  1012. reading there

  1013. and then

  1014. verse 14

  1015. the word

  1016. became

  1017. flesh

  1018. and dwelt

  1019. among us

  1020. what are we

  1021. being told

  1022. we are being

  1023. told that

  1024. someone

  1025. has come

  1026. to us

  1027. and this

  1028. person

  1029. is God

  1030. himself

  1031. and the

  1032. person

  1033. of Jesus

  1034. Christ

  1035. he came

  1036. in human

  1037. form

  1038. the word

  1039. that was

  1040. in the

  1041. beginning

  1042. with

  1043. God

  1044. and was

  1045. God

  1046. has become

  1047. flesh

  1048. and dwelt

  1049. among us

  1050. and John

  1051. the Baptist

  1052. is saying

  1053. here look

  1054. behold

  1055. see who

  1056. it is

  1057. it is none

  1058. other than

  1059. God who

  1060. has come

  1061. to us

  1062. in the

  1063. person

  1064. of Jesus

  1065. it is the

  1066. Lamb

  1067. of God

  1068. it's like

  1069. John the

  1070. Baptist

  1071. is saying

  1072. have you

  1073. seen

  1074. who this

  1075. is

  1076. do you

  1077. see

  1078. who it

  1079. is

  1080. that is

  1081. coming

  1082. we ask

  1083. ourselves

  1084. this evening

  1085. have you

  1086. seen him

  1087. do you

  1088. know him

  1089. in this

  1090. way

  1091. are you

  1092. looking

  1093. for him

  1094. even

  1095. now

  1096. because

  1097. what you

  1098. find in

  1099. the gospel

  1100. is that

  1101. people were

  1102. looking

  1103. and expecting

  1104. this person

  1105. to come

  1106. even as

  1107. you look

  1108. in this

  1109. chapter

  1110. as we

  1111. read

  1112. about

  1113. Andrew

  1114. and Simon

  1115. Peter's

  1116. brother

  1117. in verse

  1118. 41

  1119. he first

  1120. found his

  1121. own brother

  1122. Simon

  1123. and said

  1124. to him

  1125. we have

  1126. found

  1127. the Messiah

  1128. we have

  1129. found him

  1130. we have

  1131. seen him

  1132. you go

  1133. further on

  1134. into chapter

  1135. 4 verse

  1136. 25 and

  1137. 26

  1138. and the

  1139. woman of

  1140. Samaria

  1141. the woman

  1142. at the

  1143. well

  1144. and she's

  1145. there speaking

  1146. with Jesus

  1147. not recognizing

  1148. or realizing

  1149. who it is

  1150. but she

  1151. says this

  1152. to him

  1153. in verse

  1154. 25

  1155. the woman

  1156. said to

  1157. him

  1158. Jesus

  1159. I know

  1160. that Messiah

  1161. is coming

  1162. he who is

  1163. called the

  1164. Christ

  1165. when he

  1166. comes he

  1167. will tell

  1168. us all

  1169. things

  1170. so there's

  1171. this

  1172. expectation

  1173. he is

  1174. going to

  1175. come

  1176. we know

  1177. he's

  1178. coming

  1179. and then

  1180. Jesus

  1181. said to

  1182. her

  1183. I who

  1184. speak

  1185. to you

  1186. am

  1187. he

  1188. what a

  1189. moment

  1190. for that

  1191. woman

  1192. looking

  1193. and here

  1194. he is

  1195. in front

  1196. of her

  1197. and the

  1198. old

  1199. testament

  1200. was

  1201. pointing

  1202. all the

  1203. time

  1204. towards

  1205. his

  1206. coming

  1207. the

  1208. prophets

  1209. spoke

  1210. of it

  1211. Isaiah

  1212. being one

  1213. as we

  1214. will see

  1215. tomorrow

  1216. God

  1217. willing

  1218. the

  1219. Psalms

  1220. so many

  1221. of them

  1222. speak

  1223. of

  1224. the

  1225. Christ

  1226. messenger

  1227. after

  1228. messenger

  1229. told

  1230. it

  1231. God

  1232. had

  1233. made

  1234. a

  1235. promise

  1236. he

  1237. was

  1238. going

  1239. to

  1240. send

  1241. a

  1242. savior

  1243. for

  1244. the

  1245. world

  1246. and

  1247. he

  1248. kept

  1249. his

  1250. promise

  1251. and so

  1252. here is

  1253. John

  1254. the

  1255. Baptist

  1256. saying

  1257. behold

  1258. look

  1259. here is

  1260. the one

  1261. we have

  1262. been waiting

  1263. for

  1264. here is

  1265. the one

  1266. we have

  1267. been

  1268. expecting

  1269. or looking

  1270. expectantly

  1271. for

  1272. a

  1273. Messiah

  1274. a

  1275. savior

  1276. was

  1277. to

  1278. come

  1279. and

  1280. he

  1281. is

  1282. here

  1283. behold

  1284. so

  1285. tonight

  1286. we are

  1287. hearing

  1288. this

  1289. again

  1290. the one

  1291. that

  1292. John

  1293. the

  1294. Baptist

  1295. was

  1296. saying

  1297. look

  1298. behold

  1299. see

  1300. who

  1301. it

  1302. is

  1303. God

  1304. has

  1305. sent

  1306. his

  1307. son

  1308. for

  1309. his

  1310. people

  1311. Emmanuel

  1312. they

  1313. would

  1314. call

  1315. him

  1316. God

  1317. with

  1318. us

  1319. the

  1320. word

  1321. became

  1322. flesh

  1323. and

  1324. dwelt

  1325. among

  1326. us

  1327. that

  1328. is

  1329. the

  1330. one

  1331. we

  1332. remember

  1333. behold

  1334. the

  1335. lamb

  1336. of

  1337. God

  1338. who

  1339. takes

  1340. away

  1341. the

  1342. sin

  1343. of

  1344. the

  1345. world

  1346. do

  1347. we

  1348. hear

  1349. that

  1350. this

  1351. evening

  1352. do

  1353. we

  1354. hear

  1355. who

  1356. it

  1357. is

  1358. it's

  1359. not

  1360. just

  1361. my

  1362. word

  1363. to

  1364. you

  1365. it's

  1366. not

  1367. just

  1368. John

  1369. the

  1370. Baptist

  1371. word

  1372. to

  1373. you

  1374. it is

  1375. God's

  1376. word

  1377. to

  1378. you

  1379. that

  1380. as

  1381. you

  1382. come

  1383. as

  1384. we

  1385. prepare

  1386. ourselves

  1387. to

  1388. sit

  1389. at

  1390. the

  1391. Lord's

  1392. table

  1393. our

  1394. focus

  1395. is

  1396. on

  1397. behold

  1398. God

  1399. with

  1400. us

  1401. he

  1402. gave

  1403. us

  1404. his

  1405. son

  1406. he

  1407. is

  1408. with

  1409. us

  1410. a

  1411. missionary

  1412. once

  1413. spoke

  1414. about

  1415. how

  1416. important

  1417. he

  1418. saw

  1419. his

  1420. role

  1421. as

  1422. being

  1423. a

  1424. missionary

  1425. being

  1426. one

  1427. who

  1428. was

  1429. to

  1430. show

  1431. Jesus

  1432. to

  1433. others

  1434. and

  1435. he

  1436. gave

  1437. an

  1438. illustration

  1439. of

  1440. just

  1441. how

  1442. important

  1443. it

  1444. was

  1445. by

  1446. speaking

  1447. of

  1448. another

  1449. missionary

  1450. from

  1451. many

  1452. years

  1453. ago

  1454. and

  1455. he

  1456. said

  1457. about

  1458. this

  1459. other

  1460. missionary

  1461. many

  1462. years

  1463. ago

  1464. he

  1465. was

  1466. a

  1467. missionary

  1468. in

  1469. China

  1470. and

  1471. a

  1472. large

  1473. oil

  1474. company

  1475. was

  1476. starting

  1477. to

  1478. expand

  1479. into

  1480. China

  1481. and

  1482. they

  1483. were

  1484. looking

  1485. for

  1486. someone

  1487. to

  1488. work

  1489. for

  1490. them

  1491. who

  1492. had

  1493. some

  1494. knowledge

  1495. of

  1496. the

  1497. country

  1498. and

  1499. so

  1500. the

  1501. company

  1502. offered

  1503. a

  1504. huge

  1505. amount

  1506. of

  1507. money

  1508. to

  1509. this

  1510. missionary

  1511. in

  1512. China

  1513. to

  1514. work

  1515. for

  1516. them

  1517. and

  1518. he

  1519. refused

  1520. he

  1521. turned

  1522. it

  1523. down

  1524. they

  1525. came

  1526. back

  1527. they

  1528. doubled

  1529. the

  1530. money

  1531. on

  1532. offer

  1533. they

  1534. wanted

  1535. him

  1536. to

  1537. come

  1538. and

  1539. work

  1540. for

  1541. them

  1542. and

  1543. he

  1544. said

  1545. to

  1546. him

  1547. well

  1548. what

  1549. do

  1550. you

  1551. want

  1552. we

  1553. can't

  1554. give

  1555. you

  1556. any

  1557. more

  1558. money

  1559. than

  1560. that

  1561. and

  1562. the

  1563. missionary

  1564. replied

  1565. the

  1566. money

  1567. doesn't

  1568. have

  1569. anything

  1570. to

  1571. do

  1572. with

  1573. it

  1574. the

  1575. job

  1576. you

  1577. are

  1578. offering

  1579. me

  1580. is

  1581. too

  1582. small

  1583. I've

  1584. got

  1585. a

  1586. greater

  1587. job

  1588. to

  1589. do

  1590. as

  1591. a

  1592. missionary

  1593. as

  1594. a

  1595. servant

  1596. making

  1597. Jesus

  1598. known

  1599. so

  1600. that

  1601. is

  1602. the

  1603. greatest

  1604. job

  1605. there

  1606. is

  1607. one

  1608. writer

  1609. described

  1610. John

  1611. the

  1612. Baptist

  1613. in

  1614. this

  1615. way

  1616. he

  1617. the

  1618. Baptist

  1619. ministry

  1620. was

  1621. the

  1622. most

  1623. beautiful

  1624. ministry

  1625. that

  1626. any

  1627. man

  1628. could

  1629. ever

  1630. have

  1631. been

  1632. given

  1633. because

  1634. his

  1635. ministry

  1636. was

  1637. to

  1638. point

  1639. sinners

  1640. to

  1641. Jesus

  1642. Christ

  1643. behold

  1644. look

  1645. here

  1646. is

  1647. the

  1648. Messiah

  1649. the

  1650. Saviour

  1651. it

  1652. is

  1653. the

  1654. greatest

  1655. job

  1656. of all

  1657. to

  1658. point

  1659. people

  1660. to

  1661. Jesus

  1662. and

  1663. we

  1664. can

  1665. all

  1666. do

  1667. that

  1668. every

  1669. one

  1670. of

  1671. us

  1672. can

  1673. say

  1674. behold

  1675. look

  1676. look

  1677. at

  1678. his

  1679. word

  1680. it

  1681. is

  1682. here

  1683. before

  1684. us

  1685. here

  1686. behold

  1687. Jesus

  1688. he

  1689. came

  1690. for

  1691. his

  1692. people

  1693. just

  1694. think

  1695. of it

  1696. who

  1697. pointed

  1698. you

  1699. to

  1700. Jesus

  1701. who

  1702. took

  1703. time

  1704. to

  1705. point

  1706. you

  1707. to

  1708. Jesus

  1709. and

  1710. say

  1711. behold

  1712. come

  1713. come

  1714. and

  1715. see

  1716. this

  1717. Jesus

  1718. maybe

  1719. someone

  1720. is

  1721. pointing

  1722. you

  1723. to

  1724. Jesus

  1725. just

  1726. now

  1727. and

  1728. saying

  1729. look

  1730. come

  1731. and

  1732. hear

  1733. of

  1734. this

  1735. man

  1736. come

  1737. and

  1738. hear

  1739. of

  1740. this

  1741. Saviour

  1742. it

  1743. could

  1744. be so

  1745. many

  1746. different

  1747. people

  1748. in our

  1749. lives

  1750. that we've

  1751. experienced

  1752. a parent

  1753. a grandparent

  1754. a teacher

  1755. a friend

  1756. a minister

  1757. even

  1758. a stranger

  1759. but in

  1760. our lives

  1761. so many

  1762. people are

  1763. saying

  1764. behold

  1765. look

  1766. and we

  1767. too

  1768. should be

  1769. saying

  1770. the same

  1771. to others

  1772. ourselves

  1773. behold

  1774. look

  1775. Jesus

  1776. is here

  1777. what a

  1778. blessing

  1779. it is

  1780. to point

  1781. others

  1782. to Christ

  1783. but always

  1784. making sure

  1785. that we

  1786. ourselves

  1787. are looking

  1788. fixated

  1789. on him

  1790. too

  1791. so

  1792. John

  1793. the Baptist

  1794. is pointing

  1795. he is

  1796. pointing

  1797. towards

  1798. Jesus

  1799. and we

  1800. see

  1801. it's

  1802. not

  1803. just

  1804. pointing

  1805. at a

  1806. distance

  1807. and others

  1808. who

  1809. pointed

  1810. us

  1811. to

  1812. Jesus

  1813. was

  1814. not

  1815. just

  1816. pointing

  1817. at a

  1818. distance

  1819. and saying

  1820. look

  1821. there is

  1822. Jesus

  1823. far off

  1824. far away

  1825. that you

  1826. cannot

  1827. know

  1828. it was

  1829. pointing

  1830. towards

  1831. him

  1832. to come

  1833. to him

  1834. to love

  1835. him

  1836. to remember

  1837. him

  1838. that's

  1839. what the

  1840. word of

  1841. God

  1842. is doing

  1843. for us

  1844. here

  1845. behold

  1846. look

  1847. come

  1848. love

  1849. this

  1850. Jesus

  1851. remember

  1852. this

  1853. Jesus

  1854. so we

  1855. have

  1856. his

  1857. presence

  1858. the second

  1859. thing we

  1860. have here

  1861. is

  1862. his

  1863. person

  1864. if

  1865. he is

  1866. John

  1867. the Baptist

  1868. is saying

  1869. behold

  1870. look

  1871. well

  1872. what is

  1873. it that

  1874. we are

  1875. to see

  1876. well

  1877. John

  1878. the Baptist

  1879. as he

  1880. looks

  1881. and points

  1882. he says

  1883. behold

  1884. behold

  1885. the

  1886. lamb

  1887. of

  1888. God

  1889. behold

  1890. the

  1891. lamb

  1892. of

  1893. God

  1894. but what

  1895. does

  1896. this

  1897. mean

  1898. behold

  1899. the

  1900. lamb

  1901. of

  1902. God

  1903. they were

  1904. seeing a

  1905. man

  1906. walking

  1907. towards

  1908. them

  1909. and yet

  1910. what

  1911. John the

  1912. Baptist

  1913. is saying

  1914. is behold

  1915. the lamb

  1916. of

  1917. God

  1918. well

  1919. when

  1920. John

  1921. is calling

  1922. John the

  1923. Baptist

  1924. is calling

  1925. Jesus

  1926. here

  1927. the lamb

  1928. of

  1929. God

  1930. what he

  1931. was saying

  1932. about him

  1933. it was

  1934. full

  1935. it was

  1936. full

  1937. of

  1938. meaning

  1939. it was

  1940. full

  1941. of

  1942. recognition

  1943. of those

  1944. who would

  1945. know

  1946. their

  1947. scriptures

  1948. and know

  1949. their

  1950. scripture

  1951. well

  1952. because

  1953. as he

  1954. was calling

  1955. him

  1956. the lamb

  1957. of

  1958. God

  1959. it was

  1960. describing

  1961. so much

  1962. of what

  1963. the

  1964. Old

  1965. Testament

  1966. was

  1967. saying

  1968. about

  1969. the

  1970. son

  1971. of

  1972. God

  1973. about

  1974. Jesus

  1975. because

  1976. when you

  1977. go through

  1978. the Old

  1979. Testament

  1980. you find

  1981. the lamb

  1982. is so

  1983. important

  1984. for example

  1985. when you

  1986. go into

  1987. Exodus

    Exodus 12 chapter mention

  1988. chapter 12

  1989. you have

  1990. there the

  1991. account

  1992. of the

  1993. Passover

  1994. as the

  1995. children of

  1996. Israel

  1997. going to

  1998. be

  1999. leaving

  2000. Egypt

  2001. you had

  2002. this

  2003. last

  2004. curse

  2005. that

  2006. came

  2007. upon

  2008. them

  2009. and

  2010. they

  2011. were

  2012. kept

  2013. by

  2014. the

  2015. blood

  2016. of

  2017. the

  2018. lamb

  2019. the

  2020. lamb

  2021. that

  2022. was

  2023. sacrificed

  2024. the

  2025. lamb

  2026. without

  2027. spot

  2028. and

  2029. without

  2030. blemish

  2031. a

  2032. year

  2033. old

  2034. the

  2035. perfect

  2036. lamb

  2037. was

  2038. sacrificed

  2039. and

  2040. the

  2041. blood

  2042. was

  2043. sprinkled

  2044. on

  2045. the

  2046. lintel

  2047. and

  2048. the

  2049. door

  2050. posts

  2051. and

  2052. the

  2053. angel

  2054. of

  2055. the

  2056. Lord

  2057. passed

  2058. over

  2059. and

  2060. so

  2061. there

  2062. was

  2063. the

  2064. lamb

  2065. was

  2066. slain

  2067. there

  2068. in

  2069. Exodus

    Exodus 12 chapter mention

  2070. chapter

  2071. 12

  2072. you have

  2073. the

  2074. lamb

  2075. that

  2076. was

  2077. promised

  2078. to

  2079. Isaac

  2080. as

  2081. Abraham

  2082. led him

  2083. up

  2084. Mount

  2085. Moriah

  2086. in

  2087. Genesis

    Genesis 22 chapter mention

  2088. chapter

  2089. 22

  2090. there

  2091. was

  2092. a

  2093. lamb

  2094. there

  2095. provided

  2096. by

  2097. God

  2098. you have

  2099. countless

  2100. records

  2101. of

  2102. lambs

  2103. being

  2104. sacrificed

  2105. in

  2106. Israel

  2107. as sin

  2108. offerings

  2109. down

  2110. through

  2111. centuries

  2112. it's

  2113. incredible

  2114. when you

  2115. go

  2116. through

  2117. the

  2118. Old

  2119. Testament

  2120. how

  2121. many

  2122. lambs

  2123. were

  2124. used

  2125. in

  2126. sacrifice

  2127. for

  2128. sin

  2129. Isaiah

  2130. pictured

  2131. the

  2132. coming

  2133. Messiah

  2134. as

  2135. a

  2136. lamb

  2137. slain

  2138. as we

  2139. will

  2140. see

  2141. tomorrow

  2142. in

  2143. Isaiah

  2144. 53

  2145. and so

  2146. throughout

  2147. the Old

  2148. Testament

  2149. there is

  2150. this

  2151. imagery

  2152. of the

  2153. lamb

  2154. that is

  2155. so

  2156. important

  2157. the

  2158. lamb

  2159. that was

  2160. slain

  2161. the

  2162. lamb

  2163. that was

  2164. sacrificed

  2165. for the

  2166. forgiveness

  2167. of sin

  2168. and so

  2169. now

  2170. as we

  2171. come into

  2172. the New

  2173. Testament

  2174. we see

  2175. Jesus

  2176. coming into

  2177. the world

  2178. and what

  2179. was Jesus

  2180. purpose

  2181. in coming

  2182. into the

  2183. world

  2184. but to

  2185. go to

  2186. the cross

  2187. to lay

  2188. down

  2189. his life

  2190. for his

  2191. people

  2192. even as

  2193. Mark

  2194. says it

  2195. in Mark

    Mark 10 chapter mention

  2196. chapter 10

  2197. even the

  2198. son of

  2199. man

  2200. came not

  2201. to be

  2202. served

  2203. but to

  2204. serve

  2205. and to

  2206. give his

  2207. life as

  2208. a ransom

  2209. for many

  2210. behold

  2211. the

  2212. lamb

  2213. of

  2214. God

  2215. God

  2216. provided

  2217. God

  2218. provided

  2219. and here

  2220. is the

  2221. provision

  2222. this is

  2223. what

  2224. John the

  2225. Baptist

  2226. is looking

  2227. and seeing

  2228. behold

  2229. the lamb

  2230. of God

  2231. going back

  2232. to Genesis

    Genesis 22 chapter mention

  2233. chapter 22

  2234. in verse

  2235. 7

  2236. Abraham

  2237. and Isaac

  2238. going up

  2239. to Mount

  2240. Moriah

  2241. and they

  2242. were going

  2243. up to

  2244. offer a

  2245. sacrifice

  2246. but there

  2247. was something

  2248. missing

  2249. and Isaac

  2250. could see

  2251. this

  2252. and Isaac

  2253. said to

  2254. his father

  2255. Abraham

  2256. in chapter

  2257. 22

  2258. verse 7

  2259. my father

  2260. and he

  2261. said

  2262. here am

  2263. I my

  2264. son

  2265. he said

  2266. behold

  2267. the fire

  2268. and the

  2269. wood

  2270. but where

  2271. is the

  2272. lamb

  2273. for the

  2274. burnt

  2275. offering

  2276. there was

  2277. something

  2278. missing

  2279. but Abraham

  2280. said the

  2281. Lord

  2282. will

  2283. provide

  2284. and so

  2285. he did

  2286. the

  2287. Lord

  2288. provided

  2289. well as

  2290. we look

  2291. to this

  2292. passage

  2293. here in

  2294. John

  2295. when John

  2296. the Baptist

  2297. is saying

  2298. behold

  2299. the lamb

  2300. of God

  2301. we're seeing

  2302. Jesus is

  2303. God's final

  2304. answer to

  2305. that question

  2306. posed to

  2307. Abraham

  2308. by Isaac

  2309. where

  2310. is

  2311. the lamb

  2312. where is

  2313. the sacrifice

  2314. for our

  2315. sin

  2316. who can

  2317. take our

  2318. sin away

  2319. Jesus

  2320. behold

  2321. the lamb

  2322. of God

  2323. the person

  2324. it was

  2325. Jesus

  2326. himself

  2327. and the

  2328. question for

  2329. people then

  2330. and for

  2331. ourselves

  2332. today is

  2333. do we

  2334. see the

  2335. lamb

  2336. for who

  2337. he is

  2338. do we

  2339. see the

  2340. lamb

  2341. as slain

  2342. for us

  2343. are we

  2344. listening

  2345. are we

  2346. looking

  2347. are we

  2348. beholding

  2349. Jesus

  2350. Christ

  2351. fixated

  2352. on him

  2353. as the

  2354. lamb

  2355. of God

  2356. we hear

  2357. it

  2358. so often

  2359. there was

  2360. a woman

  2361. called

  2362. Elizabeth

  2363. Barrett

  2364. a very

  2365. famous

  2366. poet

  2367. back in

  2368. the 1800s

  2369. but her

  2370. story was

  2371. a very

  2372. sad

  2373. story

  2374. her

  2375. background

  2376. was

  2377. from a

  2378. very sad

  2379. background

  2380. when she

  2381. was young

  2382. her father

  2383. was very

  2384. hard on

  2385. her

  2386. and he

  2387. never

  2388. wanted

  2389. her to

  2390. marry

  2391. but she

  2392. did

  2393. marry

  2394. a man

  2395. called

  2396. Robert

  2397. Browning

  2398. but the

  2399. wedding

  2400. was held

  2401. in secret

  2402. because her

  2403. father so

  2404. disapproved

  2405. of things

  2406. and eventually

  2407. the married

  2408. couple they

  2409. moved away

  2410. to Italy

  2411. so they

  2412. could live

  2413. their lives

  2414. but Elizabeth

  2415. she never

  2416. gave up on

  2417. the relationship

  2418. with her

  2419. parents

  2420. and every

  2421. week she

  2422. would write

  2423. a letter

  2424. to them

  2425. and not

  2426. once

  2427. did she

  2428. get a

  2429. reply

  2430. after

  2431. ten years

  2432. of writing

  2433. letters

  2434. a box

  2435. arrived

  2436. in the

  2437. post

  2438. one day

  2439. and inside

  2440. the box

  2441. she found

  2442. all the

  2443. letters

  2444. that she

  2445. had sent

  2446. unopened

  2447. unread

  2448. they hadn't

  2449. looked at

  2450. them

  2451. they just

  2452. boxed them

  2453. and sent

  2454. them

  2455. back

  2456. she was

  2457. writing to

  2458. them

  2459. pleading

  2460. for

  2461. reconciliation

  2462. pleading

  2463. for the

  2464. relationship

  2465. to be

  2466. made

  2467. right

  2468. but the

  2469. letters

  2470. meant

  2471. nothing

  2472. to her

  2473. parents

  2474. it might

  2475. have been

  2476. different

  2477. had they

  2478. just

  2479. opened

  2480. even

  2481. one or

  2482. two

  2483. of those

  2484. letters

  2485. and read

  2486. what she

  2487. had to

  2488. say

  2489. and yet

  2490. her story

  2491. is so

  2492. similar

  2493. to the

  2494. story of

  2495. how God

  2496. looks to

  2497. his people

  2498. for

  2499. reconciliation

  2500. how he

  2501. has given

  2502. us his

  2503. word

  2504. how he

  2505. has delivered

  2506. to us

  2507. a message

  2508. repeated

  2509. again and

  2510. again

  2511. from

  2512. generation

  2513. to

  2514. generation

  2515. saying

  2516. to us

  2517. like this

  2518. text

  2519. behold

  2520. the

  2521. lamb of

  2522. God

  2523. who takes

  2524. away

  2525. the sin

  2526. of the

  2527. world

  2528. and yet

  2529. we leave

  2530. our

  2531. Bibles

  2532. closed

  2533. we leave

  2534. things

  2535. unread

  2536. unsaid

  2537. and

  2538. poured

  2539. away

  2540. for another

  2541. time

  2542. but we

  2543. praise

  2544. God

  2545. that he

  2546. has opened

  2547. eyes as

  2548. well

  2549. that he

  2550. has opened

  2551. our ears

  2552. to hear

  2553. to understand

  2554. who this

  2555. is

  2556. that here

  2557. we are

  2558. seeing

  2559. the person

  2560. who is

  2561. Jesus

  2562. the one

  2563. who we

  2564. love

  2565. the one

  2566. who we

  2567. come

  2568. to remember

  2569. when John

  2570. is writing

  2571. here

  2572. and saying

  2573. here is

  2574. the lamb

  2575. of God

  2576. he's talking

  2577. now about

  2578. not just

  2579. a religious

  2580. observance

  2581. he's not

  2582. talking about

  2583. just going

  2584. through the

  2585. motions

  2586. anymore

  2587. as we

  2588. see so

  2589. often

  2590. happening

  2591. throughout

  2592. the Old

  2593. Testament

  2594. instead of

  2595. giving the

  2596. lamb

  2597. without

  2598. blemish

  2599. they would

  2600. give the

  2601. lamb

  2602. that was

  2603. sick

  2604. they lost

  2605. their fixation

  2606. on Jesus

  2607. on the

  2608. forgiveness

  2609. of sin

  2610. through what

  2611. was perfect

  2612. and right

  2613. they were

  2614. going through

  2615. the motions

  2616. the sacrificial

  2617. lambs

  2618. year by year

  2619. the Passover

  2620. being kept

  2621. but losing

  2622. its meaning

  2623. and can

  2624. that happen

  2625. to us

  2626. as well

  2627. we can

  2628. come to

  2629. another

  2630. Lord's

  2631. table

  2632. and just

  2633. go through

  2634. the motions

  2635. of it

  2636. just do

  2637. it as we

  2638. always do

  2639. it but

  2640. are we

  2641. really

  2642. fixated

  2643. on who

  2644. we are

  2645. doing it

  2646. for

  2647. on what

  2648. he has

  2649. done

  2650. for us

  2651. it's not

  2652. just

  2653. routine

  2654. it's our

  2655. relationship

  2656. with the

  2657. Lord

  2658. this do

  2659. in remembrance

  2660. of me

  2661. the person

  2662. who is

  2663. Jesus

  2664. Christ

  2665. do you

  2666. have

  2667. this

  2668. relationship

  2669. with him

  2670. do you

  2671. recognize

  2672. him

  2673. for who

  2674. he is

  2675. the

  2676. lamb

  2677. of

  2678. God

  2679. the

  2680. son

  2681. of

  2682. God

  2683. who

  2684. has

  2685. come

  2686. who

  2687. we

  2688. see

  2689. who

  2690. we

  2691. behold

  2692. do we

  2693. love him

  2694. with all

  2695. our hearts

  2696. well if

  2697. we do

  2698. we come

  2699. the

  2700. final thing

  2701. we see

  2702. here is

  2703. his

  2704. purpose

  2705. his

  2706. purpose

  2707. and we

  2708. see that

  2709. in the

  2710. last words

  2711. that he

  2712. says in

  2713. this

  2714. verse

  2715. behold

  2716. look

  2717. the

  2718. lamb

  2719. of

  2720. God

  2721. who

  2722. takes

  2723. away

  2724. the

  2725. sin

  2726. of

  2727. the

  2728. world

  2729. we

  2730. have

  2731. his

  2732. presence

  2733. we

  2734. have

  2735. his

  2736. passion

  2737. and

  2738. finally

  2739. here

  2740. we

  2741. have

  2742. his

  2743. purpose

  2744. who

  2745. takes

  2746. away

  2747. the

  2748. sin

  2749. of

  2750. the

  2751. world

  2752. coming

  2753. back

  2754. to the

  2755. question

  2756. we

  2757. had

  2758. at

  2759. the

  2760. start

  2761. as

  2762. we

  2763. come

  2764. there

  2765. can

  2766. be

  2767. this

  2768. burden

  2769. of

  2770. sin

  2771. the

  2772. burden

  2773. of

  2774. the

  2775. cost

  2776. of

  2777. our

  2778. sin

  2779. of

  2780. our

  2781. sin

  2782. being

  2783. so

  2784. heavy

  2785. a

  2786. load

  2787. that

  2788. it's

  2789. not

  2790. possible

  2791. for

  2792. it

  2793. to

  2794. be

  2795. forgiven

  2796. how

  2797. can

  2798. my

  2799. sins

  2800. be

  2801. forgiven

  2802. well

  2803. the

  2804. purpose

  2805. of

  2806. Jesus

  2807. coming

  2808. as

  2809. the

  2810. lamb

  2811. of

  2812. God

  2813. was

  2814. that

  2815. through

  2816. his

  2817. death

  2818. through

  2819. his

  2820. dying

  2821. on

  2822. the

  2823. cross

  2824. our

  2825. salvation

  2826. our

  2827. forgiveness

  2828. would

  2829. be

  2830. purchased

  2831. the

  2832. lamb

  2833. of

  2834. God

  2835. was

  2836. sacrificed

  2837. that's

  2838. what was

  2839. happening

  2840. throughout

  2841. the

  2842. Old

  2843. Testament

  2844. every

  2845. year

  2846. they

  2847. had

  2848. this

  2849. sin

  2850. offering

  2851. where

  2852. the

  2853. lamb

  2854. would

  2855. be

  2856. sacrificed

  2857. but

  2858. here

  2859. is

  2860. the

  2861. final

  2862. one

  2863. the

  2864. lamb

  2865. of

  2866. God

  2867. who

  2868. takes

  2869. away

  2870. the

  2871. sin

  2872. of

  2873. the

  2874. world

  2875. Psalm

  2876. 130

  2877. which

  2878. we'll

  2879. sing

  2880. in a

  2881. moment

  2882. it

  2883. speaks

  2884. of

  2885. that

  2886. very

  2887. fact

  2888. how

  2889. if

  2890. we

  2891. should

  2892. stand

  2893. before

  2894. the

  2895. Lord

  2896. and

  2897. if

  2898. the

  2899. Lord

  2900. should

  2901. mark

  2902. iniquity

  2903. O

  2904. Lord

  2905. who

  2906. could

  2907. stand

  2908. but

  2909. with

  2910. you

  2911. there

  2912. is

  2913. forgiveness

  2914. that

  2915. you

  2916. may

  2917. be

  2918. feared

  2919. that

  2920. is

  2921. what

  2922. the

  2923. psalmist

  2924. says

  2925. with

  2926. you

  2927. there

  2928. is

  2929. forgiveness

  2930. the

  2931. lamb

  2932. of

  2933. God

  2934. who

  2935. takes

  2936. away

  2937. the

  2938. sin

  2939. of

  2940. the

  2941. world

  2942. there

  2943. was a

  2944. woman

  2945. called

  2946. Clara

  2947. Barton

  2948. she was

  2949. one of the

  2950. founders of

  2951. the American

  2952. Red Cross

  2953. one

  2954. day

  2955. a

  2956. friend

  2957. came up

  2958. to her

  2959. and

  2960. they

  2961. started

  2962. speaking

  2963. and

  2964. the

  2965. friend

  2966. reminded

  2967. her

  2968. of

  2969. an

  2970. incident

  2971. in

  2972. her

  2973. past

  2974. when

  2975. something

  2976. bad

  2977. had

  2978. happened

  2979. to her

  2980. and

  2981. her

  2982. friend

  2983. was

  2984. speaking

  2985. to

  2986. Clara

  2987. and

  2988. saying

  2989. this

  2990. Clara

  2991. just

  2992. had

  2993. a

  2994. distant

  2995. look

  2996. as

  2997. if

  2998. she

  2999. had

  3000. never

  3001. even

  3002. heard

  3003. of

  3004. this

  3005. incident

  3006. and

  3007. her

  3008. friend

  3009. said

  3010. to

  3011. her

  3012. don't

  3013. you

  3014. remember

  3015. it

  3016. you

  3017. must

  3018. Clara's

  3019. answer

  3020. was

  3021. no

  3022. I

  3023. distinctly

  3024. remember

  3025. forgetting

  3026. it

  3027. she

  3028. put it

  3029. away

  3030. well

  3031. that's

  3032. what

  3033. the

  3034. Lord

  3035. does

  3036. for

  3037. his

  3038. people

  3039. God

  3040. sent

  3041. his

  3042. son

  3043. so

  3044. that

  3045. he

  3046. might

  3047. prick

  3048. our

  3049. conscience

  3050. so

  3051. we

  3052. might

  3053. be

  3054. brought

  3055. to

  3056. repentance

  3057. that

  3058. we

  3059. might

  3060. know

  3061. forgiveness

  3062. of

  3063. sin

  3064. that

  3065. our

  3066. sin

  3067. would

  3068. be

  3069. forgotten

  3070. as

  3071. the

  3072. psalmist

  3073. puts

  3074. it

  3075. in

  3076. psalm

  3077. 103

  3078. as

  3079. far

  3080. as

  3081. east

  3082. is

  3083. from

  3084. the

  3085. west

  3086. so

  3087. far

  3088. as

  3089. he

  3090. removed

  3091. our

  3092. transgressions

  3093. they

  3094. are

  3095. forgotten

  3096. so

  3097. if

  3098. we

  3099. are

  3100. to

  3101. stand

  3102. before

  3103. God

  3104. on

  3105. the

  3106. day

  3107. of

  3108. judgment

  3109. we

  3110. are

  3111. to

  3112. come

  3113. before

  3114. him

  3115. knowing

  3116. our

  3117. sins

  3118. but

  3119. yet

  3120. through

  3121. faith

  3122. in

  3123. the

  3124. Lamb

  3125. of

  3126. God

  3127. and

  3128. with

  3129. faith

  3130. in

  3131. Jesus

  3132. Christ

  3133. he

  3134. can

  3135. say

  3136. to

  3137. us

  3138. I

  3139. distinctly

  3140. remember

  3141. forgetting

  3142. your

  3143. sin

  3144. where

  3145. at

  3146. the

  3147. cross

  3148. when

  3149. Jesus

  3150. the

  3151. Lamb

  3152. of

  3153. God

  3154. gave

  3155. his

  3156. life

  3157. that

  3158. he

  3159. might

  3160. take

  3161. away

  3162. the

  3163. sin

  3164. of

  3165. the

  3166. world

  3167. so

  3168. what

  3169. does

  3170. that

  3171. ask

  3172. of

  3173. you

  3174. tonight

  3175. where

  3176. does

  3177. it

  3178. call

  3179. you

  3180. to

  3181. come

  3182. tomorrow

  3183. to

  3184. remember

  3185. what

  3186. has

  3187. been

  3188. done

  3189. to

  3190. remember

  3191. the

  3192. cross

  3193. the

  3194. Lamb

  3195. of

  3196. God

  3197. who

  3198. was

  3199. sacrificed

  3200. to

  3201. take

  3202. away

  3203. the

  3204. sin

  3205. of

  3206. the

  3207. world

  3208. behold

  3209. the

  3210. Lamb

  3211. not

  3212. at

  3213. a

  3214. distance

  3215. not

  3216. looking

  3217. at

  3218. this

  3219. from

  3220. a

  3221. way

  3222. of

  3223. perspective

  3224. but

  3225. coming

  3226. near

  3227. drawing

  3228. near

  3229. to

  3230. God

  3231. our

  3232. Father

  3233. through

  3234. his

  3235. son

  3236. Jesus

  3237. Christ

  3238. the

  3239. Lamb

  3240. of

  3241. God

  3242. by

  3243. the

  3244. power

  3245. of

  3246. his

  3247. spirit

  3248. not

  3249. at

  3250. a

  3251. distance

  3252. but

  3253. in

  3254. a

  3255. relationship

  3256. saying

  3257. this

  3258. is

  3259. my

  3260. Lamb

  3261. this

  3262. is

  3263. my

  3264. Saviour

  3265. this

  3266. is

  3267. the

  3268. one

  3269. I

  3270. am

  3271. trusting

  3272. my

  3273. life

  3274. my

  3275. soul

  3276. my

  3277. all

  3278. to

  3279. the

  3280. hymn

  3281. how

  3282. deep

  3283. the

  3284. Father's

  3285. love

  3286. the

  3287. second

  3288. verse

  3289. says

  3290. this

  3291. behold

  3292. the

  3293. man

  3294. upon

  3295. a

  3296. cross

  3297. my

  3298. sin

  3299. upon

  3300. his

  3301. shoulders

  3302. ashamed

  3303. I

  3304. hear

  3305. my

  3306. mocking

  3307. voice

  3308. call

  3309. out

  3310. among

  3311. the

  3312. scoffers

  3313. it

  3314. was

  3315. my

  3316. sin

  3317. that

  3318. held

  3319. him

  3320. there

  3321. until

  3322. it

  3323. was

  3324. accomplished

  3325. his

  3326. dying

  3327. breath

  3328. has

  3329. brought

  3330. me

  3331. life

  3332. I

  3333. know

  3334. that

  3335. it

  3336. is

  3337. finished

  3338. it

  3339. was

  3340. my

  3341. sin

  3342. that

  3343. held

  3344. him

  3345. there

  3346. and

  3347. we

  3348. can

  3349. look

  3350. and

  3351. behold

  3352. the

  3353. Lamb

  3354. of

  3355. God

  3356. who

  3357. takes

  3358. away

  3359. the

  3360. sin

  3361. of

  3362. the

  3363. world

  3364. what

  3365. does

  3366. the

  3367. Lamb

  3368. mean

  3369. to

  3370. you

  3371. will

  3372. you

  3373. come

  3374. to

  3375. the

  3376. table

  3377. not

  3378. out

  3379. of

  3380. routine

  3381. not

  3382. out

  3383. of

  3384. habit

  3385. or

  3386. without

  3387. thought

  3388. but

  3389. knowing

  3390. his

  3391. presence

  3392. seeing

  3393. his

  3394. person

  3395. who

  3396. it

  3397. is

  3398. that

  3399. came

  3400. for

  3401. our

  3402. sin

  3403. and

  3404. acknowledging

  3405. his

  3406. purpose

  3407. that

  3408. he

  3409. would

  3410. take

  3411. away

  3412. the

  3413. sin

  3414. of

  3415. the

  3416. world

  3417. if

  3418. you

  3419. believe

  3420. you

  3421. come

  3422. but

  3423. what

  3424. do

  3425. you

  3426. feel

  3427. you

  3428. can't

  3429. come

  3430. what

  3431. if

  3432. you

  3433. feel

  3434. that

  3435. you're

  3436. at

  3437. a

  3438. distance

  3439. that

  3440. your

  3441. sin

  3442. cannot

  3443. be

  3444. forgiven

  3445. well

  3446. look

  3447. look

  3448. and

  3449. behold

  3450. the

  3451. lamb

  3452. of

  3453. God

  3454. who

  3455. takes

  3456. away

  3457. the

  3458. sin

  3459. of

  3460. the

  3461. world

  3462. the

  3463. sin

  3464. of

  3465. the

  3466. world

  3467. you

  3468. are

  3469. included

  3470. your

  3471. sins

  3472. can be

  3473. forgiven

  3474. if

  3475. you

  3476. will

  3477. repent

  3478. confess

  3479. and

  3480. turn

  3481. and

  3482. look

  3483. behold

  3484. the

  3485. lamb

  3486. of

  3487. God

  3488. who

  3489. takes

  3490. away

  3491. the

  3492. sin

  3493. of

  3494. the

  3495. world

  3496. may

  3497. we

  3498. all

  3499. come

  3500. fixated

  3501. on

  3502. him

  3503. let

  3504. us

  3505. pray

  3506. our

  3507. father

  3508. in

  3509. heaven

  3510. may

  3511. you

  3512. bless

  3513. your

  3514. word

  3515. to

  3516. us

  3517. and

  3518. the

  3519. thankful

  3520. hearts

  3521. that we

  3522. have

  3523. for

  3524. a

  3525. love

  3526. like

  3527. no

  3528. other

  3529. how

  3530. deep

  3531. the

  3532. father's

  3533. love

  3534. for

  3535. us

  3536. we

  3537. thank

  3538. you

  3539. lord

  3540. that

  3541. you

  3542. have

  3543. remembered

  3544. us

  3545. that

  3546. you

  3547. look

  3548. down

  3549. upon

  3550. us

  3551. and

  3552. help

  3553. us

  3554. to

  3555. look

  3556. in

  3557. wonder

  3558. on

  3559. our

  3560. saviour

  3561. the

  3562. lamb

  3563. of

  3564. god

  3565. who

  3566. takes

  3567. away

  3568. the

  3569. sin

  3570. of

  3571. the

  3572. world

  3573. we

  3574. ask

  3575. it

  3576. in

  3577. his

  3578. name

  3579. amen

  3580. we

  3581. we're

  3582. going

  3583. to

  3584. conclude

  3585. by

  3586. singing

  3587. to

  3588. god's

  3589. praise

  3590. in

  3591. psalm

  3592. 130

  3593. psalm

  3594. 130

  3595. page

  3596. 421

  3597. the

  3598. scottish

  3599. psalter

  3600. version

  3601. the tune

  3602. is

  3603. martyrdom

  3604. we'll sing

  3605. the whole

  3606. of this

  3607. wonderful

  3608. psalm

  3609. lord

  3610. from the

  3611. depths

  3612. to thee

  3613. I cried

  3614. my voice

  3615. lord

  3616. do thou

  3617. hear

  3618. and to

  3619. my

  3620. supplications

  3621. voice

  3622. give

  3623. an

  3624. attentive

  3625. ear

  3626. lord

  3627. who

  3628. shall

  3629. stand

  3630. if

  3631. thou

  3632. o lord

  3633. should

  3634. mark

  3635. iniquity

  3636. but yet

  3637. with

  3638. thee

  3639. forgiveness

  3640. is

  3641. that

  3642. feared

  3643. thou

  3644. mayest

  3645. be

  3646. we'll

  3647. sing

  3648. the

  3649. whole

  3650. of

  3651. this

  3652. psalm

  3653. to

  3654. god's

  3655. praise

  3656. we

  3657. stand

  3658. to

  3659. sing

  3660. for

  3661. come

  3662. the

  3663. depths

  3664. to

  3665. thee

  3666. I

  3667. cry

  3668. my

  3669. voice

  3670. lord

  3671. do

  3672. thou

  3673. hear

  3674. unto

  3675. thy

  3676. supplications

  3677. voice

  3678. give

  3679. an

  3680. attentive

  3681. ear

  3682. lord

  3683. who

  3684. shall

  3685. stand

  3686. if

  3687. thou

  3688. o

  3689. lord

  3690. choose

  3691. my

  3692. benign

  3693. with

  3694. thee

  3695. are

  3696. dead

  3697. with

  3698. thee

  3699. forgiveness

  3700. is

  3701. the

  3702. fear

  3703. thou

  3704. mayest

  3705. be

  3706. I

  3707. pray

  3708. for

  3709. god

  3710. my

  3711. soul

  3712. the

  3713. great

  3714. my

  3715. hope

  3716. is

  3717. in

  3718. his

  3719. word

  3720. for

  3721. love

  3722. may

  3723. for

  3724. more

  3725. may

  3726. watch

  3727. my

  3728. school

  3729. waits

  3730. for

  3731. the

  3732. lord

  3733. !

  3734. my

  3735. save

  3736. more

  3737. than

  3738. they

  3739. like

  3740. to

  3741. watch

  3742. the

  3743. morning

  3744. night

  3745. to

  3746. see

  3747. !

  3748. let

  3749. Israel

  3750. open

  3751. the

  3752. Lord

  3753. !

  3754. give

  3755. the

  3756. Lord

  3757. !

  3758. for

  3759. with

  3760. him

  3761. mercy

  3762. be!

  3763. and

  3764. let

  3765. he

  3766. us

  3767. redemption

  3768. is

  3769. come

  3770. with

  3771. him

  3772. and

  3773. from

  3774. all

  3775. his

  3776. his

  3777. and

  3778. from

  3779. all

  3780. his

  3781. benign

  3782. his

  3783. shall

  3784. redeem

  3785. after

  3786. the

  3787. I'll go to the main door and close with the benediction.

  3788. After the benediction I'll go to the main door and close with the benediction.

  3789. Now may grace, mercy and peace from God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit rest upon and abide with you all now and forevermore. Amen.