JOHN 1:29-34 | THIS IS MY PURPOSE

And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.

The other Gospels dive further into the events of Jesus’ baptism, but John’s Gospel gives us only a brief glimpse

He shares that the event that would solidify for John the Baptist exactly who Jesus is was the descending of the Holy Ghost upon Jesus when John baptized Him.

Based on the other Gospels it would seem the voice from heaven speaking and saying, “This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased” may have been additional confirmation, but here in John he makes mention only of the spirit descending.

After the baptism, John knew who Jesus was.

And for the remainder of his life his purpose was clear.

We find that purpose in v.29

John 1:29 KJV 1900

The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

Prior to this encounter, John challenged people to turn from their old ways and seek for a coming Messiah.

But in v.29, the Messiah was given a name from John’s lips: Jesus - The Lamb of God.

This description of Jesus is profound: the Lamb of God.

It was back in Exodus when the children of Israel were enslaved in Egypt.

Their taskmasters, the Egyptians, showed no mercy

As slaves that had no rights of their own.

Their entire lives were controlled by those who were in charge of them.

For 400 years bondage was the only life that they knew.

Until, one day, a man with a stutter stepped into Pharaohs palace with a message.

“God has sent me to tell you, ‘Let His people go’.”

Through 9 plagues that destroyed the land of Egypt and many of the lives living there, Pharaoh’s heart was hardened toward God’s message.

But everything changed with that 10th judgment.

The instructions from God were given, that night death would come to every first born in the land of Egypt.

To be spared of that judgment a sacrifice had to be made.

A precious, spotless lamb had to be sacrificed

The blood of that lamb would be taken and painted on the doorposts of the entry door of the house.

And when that angel of death would pass through that night, if he saw the blood from the sacrificial lamb, he would passover that house.

It was after that grisly night and the sacrifice of the lamb, that the children of Israel were released from their bondage.

In the centuries that followed, each year, the children of Israel would hold the passover feast.

Jewish families would take a precious, spotless lamb and spill it’s blood as a sacrifice and a covering for their sins.

Year after year, families would raise up these precious family lambs

They would ensure that the lamb had no defects or blemishes.

They would take it into their homes and it would be cared for and loved by the family.

And then year after year, the passover feast would come and they would take that precious lamb that they had come to love, and they would sacrifice it as a covering for their sins.

But the blood of a lamb could only cover their sins.

And on this day as John the Baptist looked out and saw Jesus is proclamation was one that would change everything.

This was the Lamb of God!

But He didn’t come to cover their sins.

No, He came to “Take away the sins of the world”

Isaiah 53 told of His coming:

Isaiah 53:3–7 KJV 1900

He is despised and rejected of men; A man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: And we hid as it were our faces from him; He was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, And carried our sorrows: Yet we did esteem him stricken, Smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: The chastisement of our peace was upon him; And with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned every one to his own way; And the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, Yet he opened not his mouth: He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, So he openeth not his mouth.

Jesus Christ came as the final sacrificial Lamb to take away the sins of the world!

And as John stood there on that day, he had a new message to preach… a new purpose to his life, “Behold (Look) it’s Jesus Who can take away your sins!”

YOU

APPLICATION: Friend, God didn’t make a mistake when He made you.

God created you with a specific and powerful purpose.

HE CREATED YOU TO HAVE A RELATIONSHIP

Weeks like the one we have just experienced make blatantly clear that we live in a sinful, wicked world.

It was a week in which you were almost afraid to turn on the TV for fear of what bad news would come next.

We are reminded of the fact that evil does exist.

The sinfulness of man heart left to itself only leads to absolute darkness.

And while we struggle to even begin to understand how someone could do such evil as in the case of the murder in Charlotte on the train, or the multiple school shootings, or the assassination of Charlie Kirk who challenged others with Biblical principles and values.

The danger that some can fall into is we can see the blatant sinfulness and evil of those who commit such atrocities, and believe that because “we would never do those things” then we must be good people.

It is the vile and wicked individuals who deserve to spend eternity in hell.

And I’m afraid that is exactly where Satan wants the minds of so many to be.

Because in the comparison of the wicked actions we have witnessed, we would deem ourselves as righteous.

But the Bible tells us Isaiah 64:6

Isaiah 64:6 KJV 1900

But we are all as an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; And we all do fade as a leaf; And our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

Romans 3:10 KJV 1900

As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

Romans 5:8 KJV 1900

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Jesus Christ bore your sins on calvary.

Friend you may not have wielded a knife or pulled the trigger on a gun in taking someone’s life this week, but we are all guilty of taking the hammer in our hands and nailing Jesus to the Cross!

It was your sin and my sin that put Him there.

But He willingly gave His life on the cross that you might have the forgiveness of your sins!

Because He created you to have a relationship with Him!

It’s a void in the heart of every person, and so many try to fill it with any number of things.

But it is a God sized hole that can only be filled by a relationship with Jesus Christ.

And to have a relationship with Jesus Christ you have to have you sins paid for and forgiven.

Isaiah 59:2 KJV 1900

But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, And your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.

If you are here today and you know that you are a sinner, and you realize that Jesus died on the cross to pay for your sins, why don’t you trust in him as your Savior?

He will forgive you of all your sins past, present, and future if only you will ask Him today.

And begin living the life created you for… a life with purpose because you have a relationship with Him.

Friend, you were created with a purpose to have a relationship with Christ… but it doesn’t end there.

HE CREATED YOU TO PROCLAIM CHRIST

Just as John the Baptist had a purpose of proclaiming that the Lamb of God was coming, so you and I have the responsibility to declare that the Lamb of God has come.

ILLUSTRATION: Over in Revelation 5, we are given a glimpse into the throne room of God as they encounter a problem.

There is a book that needs to be opened to begin some of the final judgments of God during the 7 year tribulation period.

But there is no one worthy to open the book.

Then John, the same author of the book we are in this morning, shares from the vision God had given him:

Revelation 5:6–14 KJV 1900

6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. 7 And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. 8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. 9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; 10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. 11 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; 12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. 13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. 14 And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.

It’s a powerful scene that we find as God gives us a glimpse into the presence of God in heaven.

But before the praises begin to reign out, there is another name given to Jesus, but this time He wasn’t called the Lamb.

Revelation 5:5 KJV 1900

And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

EXPLANATION: When Jesus was crucified, He offered Himself as the spotless Lamb of God.

But when He arose on day number 3, He came up as a Lion!

And the Lion of Judah never loses!

The Lion of Judah is always victorious!

And the Lion of Judah is worthy of your praise and your promotion!

APPLICATION: Friend, you can have boldness to proclaim the work of Christ because you have the Lion living within you if you are a child of God!

Matthew 5:11–12 KJV 1900

Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

Friend we know opposition is going to come and it isn’t going to get any easier.

But what did Jesus tell them immediately following the promise of persecution?

Matthew 5:13–16 KJV 1900

Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Salt and Light change everything for the person who is experiencing them!

And if you know Christ as Savior, you have a purpose from God to be His Salt and Light in the dark world!

We need more Christians that will determine to respond like Isaiah, “here am I, send me!”

More Christians who will say with Paul

Acts 20:24 KJV 1900

But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

Philippians 1:21 KJV 1900

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Romans 1:16 KJV 1900

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

To live a life that will leave an impact that will last beyond your life!

That is a purpose worth living for!

ILLUSTRATION: It was in the late 1800’s that Charles would come to faith in Christ at the age of 16.

He was an incredible athlete and if it weren’t for the sport that he played, the world would recognize him to this day.

Charles was one of the world’s greatest cricketeers.

Not only that, but he came from a family of wealth.

He had the opportunity for a luxurious life with all the fame that came with being a world renowned cricketeer.

But rather than follow the path of ease, he gave his life to God.

Most of his fortune, he gave away, and he gave his life on the mission field until he died in China at the age of 70.

Charles, better known as CT Studd, had made the decision to serve God, rather than the world.

He decided to put action to his beliefs

CT Studd’s life and ambition could be summed up in a poem he had penned.

Two little lines I heard one day, Traveling along life’s busy way; Bringing conviction to my heart, And from my mind would not depart; Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one, Soon will its fleeting hours be done; Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet, And stand before His Judgment seat; Only one life,’ twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, the still small voice, Gently pleads for a better choice Bidding me selfish aims to leave, And to God’s holy will to cleave; Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, a few brief years, Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears; Each with its days I must fulfill, living for self or in His will; Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

When this bright world would tempt me sore, When Satan would a victory score; When self would seek to have its way, Then help me Lord with joy to say; Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Give me Father, a purpose deep, In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep; Faithful and true what e’er the strife, Pleasing Thee in my daily life; Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Oh let my love with fervor burn, And from the world now let me turn; Living for Thee, and Thee alone, Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne; Only one life, “twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one, Now let me say, “Thy will be done”; And when at last I’ll hear the call, I know I’ll say ’twas worth it all”; Only one life,’ twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

ILLUSTRATION: On Wednesday of this past week, a great Christian’s life was taken.

Charlie Kirk is not God or Jesus, so he doesn’t deserve worship.

But Charlie Kirk was a Christian who boldly and unapologetically stood for God’s Word and the truths that we find in the Scriptures.

It wouldn’t take long in a search through some of his videos to find him sharing the Gospel with someone or talking about his relationship with Jesus.

In fact, by his own words and testimony, it was the proclaiming of the Gospel that he desired most to be remembered for.

It was the purpose of his life

And here for just a moment, I want you to hear from the lips of Charlie Kirk, what his purpose was:

“I want to be remembered for courage for my faith.” - Charlie Kirk

For being bold for Christ

ILLUSTRATION: I shared a picture this week on mine and Tressa’s social media account.

For those that don’t know, Charlie Kirk would often go to college campuses and sit under a canopy and would challenge young people along the lines of Biblical values.

Often it was during those interactions that he would boldly share Christ and the Gospel.

It was under one of those canopies preparing to do that very thing that he lost his life.

When I saw this picture I couldn’t help but pause

Because it represented a hole that now existed.

A hole that a once bold witness for Christ had filled.

And I asked the question in the post, “Who will have the courage to step into the gap, and sit in the chair?”

Because Charlie Kirk isn’t the only one God has given the purpose to proclaim Christ!

He was just one that answered that call!

CONCLUSION

And friend, can I tell you this morning, God is looking for people who will step into the gap, like John the Baptist, and CT Studd, and Charlie Kirk, and millions of others through the centuries who laid down their lives for the Gospel.

Who boldly proclaimed Jesus because they knew that was the purpose of their lives!

And God is looking for Christians who will decide like Paul, not to count their life dear to themselves, but will boldly proclaim the truth of the Gospel!

Friend, when you reach the end of your life, what do you want to be remembered for?

God’s purpose for you is to have a relationship with Christ… and to be a bold witness for Christ.

It is time that we start living a life that is worthy of Christ dying for it!

Our communities need it.

Our schools need it

Our colleges need it

Our work places need it

Our families need it

Our churches need it.

WBC, God has a purpose for your life!

It’s time we get busy fulfilling that purpose.

“Only one life, twill soon be past. Only what’s done for Christ will last.”

Who will have the boldness to step into the gap

To sit in the chair in their lives

To live for something that will outlive your life!

Friend let’s come alongside John the Baptist, and boldly proclaim the message to this lost and broken world, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sins of the world!”

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