The Lamb is the Only Son of God (VBS)
Notes
Transcript
The Lamb is the Only Son of God
Second Service (Simplified Version)
INTRODUCTION
Abraham and Isaac- God provided a lamb.
16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.
20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.
21 But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”
3 Reasons Why God Provided a Lamb
3 Reasons Why God Provided a Lamb
1. Love (16)
1. Love (16)
16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.
Love Gives Sacrificially
God is self-giving.
Only Son
Abraham's sacrifice of Isaac.
God told him to take his "only son Isaac."
Love Offers Freely- it is not forced. Eternal life is offered.
It's not free because it is cheap.
It cost God his Son.
It cost stepping away from His glory.
It is free because God paid for it and we do not have to.
Coming to Jesus like Nicodemus will not result in salvation. he had a superficial view. It will lead to confusion and frustration.
Salvation begins with God's love... NOT US.
But God's love requires us to make a choice.
Choice of Adam and Eve- he made in his image but did not force their allegiance.
Without free will there can not be love. You can not force love. Puppets don't love.
Without true love there is no relationship, only manipulation.
A proper view of God balances God's sovereignty and man's free will.
Love does not force its will on others.
4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant
5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;
2. Salvation (17-18)
2. Salvation (17-18)
17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
Jesus did not come to condemn because man was already condemned.
We are condemned because of our sin.
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Jesus came to save man.
10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
The purpose of Jesus' coming was to save man from the condemnation that is to come.
27 And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment,
28 so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.
3. Light (19-21)
3. Light (19-21)
19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.
20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.
21 But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”
Purpose of light is to show reality, truth. (19)
ILL- running in the dark- your eyes play all kinds of tricks on you.
every crack in the pavement is a snake ready to attack.
The light does not change the reality.
By pointing the flashlight, it is not changing a bear into a shadow.
It only reveals the truth.
Jesus and Nicodemus- Nicodemus came in the dark.
He was hiding his reality.
He came in literal darkness but it was a symptom of his spiritual darkness.
21- "comes to the light"- attracted to light or run from the light?
31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples,
32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Darkness will keep you captive. The Truth will set you free.
Come to the light.
CONCLUSION
Come to the light or die in darkness.
Jesus has come to us. He has come to save.
Will you accept his gift?