The Lamb is the Word

The Lamb is the Word

INTRODUCTION

-ILL-- Hindu temple in Vancouver - layman who gave us tour- spoke highly of god of wealth.

-gods are not only religious idols. Gods are anything we give priority in our life.

-jobs, money, abilities, families, children

-It matters what you make a god in your life.

Are you putting your trust in things that moth and rust destroy or in the things that are eternal?

Are you trusting the true Lamb of God or something inferior?

John 1:1–3 ESV

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 was not any thing made that was made.

John 1:14–18 ESV

14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’ ”) 16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.

Set Up- What is the Word?

The Word= God’s Revelation of himself to man. God is revealed to us through Jesus. Jesus is the form of God we can see, understand, touch...

1 John 1:1–2 ESV

1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— 2 the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us—

God’s Word is the outward truth that controls His creation.

Genesis 1:3 ESV

3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.

Psalm 33:6 ESV

6 By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and by the breath of his mouth all their host.

Psalm 107:20 ESV

20 He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction.

Isaiah 55:10–11 ESV

10 “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, 11 so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

Greek use of Logos= reasoning, understanding. Greeks saw it as bringing order. John hijacks their term and points them to Jesus.

3 Reasons Jesus is a Worthy Lamb

1. Jesus Is Eternal (1)

John 1:1 ESV

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

In the beginning

Direct relationship back to Genesis 1:1

Genesis 1:1 ESV

1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.

Not a starting point- but a point in time before the starting point.

When there was a beginning he was already in it.

2. Jesus Is Relational (1-2)

John 1:1–2 ESV

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.

"with God"= literally, "toward God"= Face to face relationship.- An interaction between the Word and God.

It's the reason the Son offers us a relationship with the Father.

A relationship with the Son is a relationship with the Father.

John 14:7–11 ESV

7 If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” 8 Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves.

John 1:2 ESV

2 He was in the beginning with God.

vs 2- reiterates the relationship. “with God”

3. Jesus is Identical (1)

John 1:1 ESV

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

“was God”

Trinity= God is 3 in one. One God, consists of more than one person, they relate to each other, they've always existed.

Genesis 1:1–3 ESV

1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. 3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.

Trinity was all present in Creation.

Identical- I don't mean like Identical twins- I mean 2 of the same exact person. When you see one you see the other. Exactly alike. Separate yet the same.

3 Ways Jesus is Identical to God

A. Identical in Works (3)

John 1:3 ESV

3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.

No distinguishing one's work from the other.

"The deeds and the words of Jesus are the deeds and the words of God.", Gary Vanderet

vs 3- "All things"= because you cannot separate their work.

Colossians 1:16 ESV

16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.

Hebrews 1:1–2 ESV

1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.

"Through Him"= common preposition for Jesus- He is the Mediator. He works between man and God.

Like water running through a pipe.

They both deserve credit as one creator.

B. Identical in Glory (14)

John 1:14 ESV

14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

ILL- Tabernacle in the Old Testament

Shekinah glory= "God's presence with them."

It served as the visual representation of God with them as they journeyed in the wilderness.

glory is the visible representation of God.- His visual work.

"dwelt among us"= tabernacled= lived in a tent.

In Jesus the manifestation of presence and power was revealed.

Glory is going to directly relate to the cross throughout the book of John.

John 17:1 ESV

1 When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you,

C. Identical in Character (15-18)

John 1:15 ESV

15 (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’ ”)

John the Baptist lets disciples know that Jesus was superior to him.

John the Baptist was older than Jesus by about six months.

But he knew Jesus’ eternal nature.

John 1:16–17 ESV

16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

Two characteristics only described to God- Grace and Truth

Grace= God's unmerited favor-- a free gift

Truth= faithfulness, consistency-- God was faithful to send

Story of Abraham offering Isaac.

God was faithful and showed grace.

God was consistent to the end.

We can trust Jesus because he paid our part and he is truth.

John 14:6 ESV

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Jesus has made God known to us because he is God.

John 1:18 ESV

18 No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.

CONCLUSION

Jesus is God and therefore worthy of all our worship.

Who/what do you worship?

Matthew 6:19–21 ESV

19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Who is Jesus to you?

Is he someone you treasure?

-An object to obtain?

Is he someone you add on to your busy life?

Just one of many things you value?

Jesus does not want to be one of things you love, or even the one you love most above other things, but the only one you love.

Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away your sin?