Oh, Happy Day!
The Endless Journey - John • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Reading:
11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people,
12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,
13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,
14 who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession who are zealous for good works.
Introduction:
In 1755 a clergyman named Philip Doddridge sat and wrote a hymn.
The passage that sparked the writing was Acts 8:35
35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus.
[Explanation: Philip is called away from Samaria to a road that went down from Jerusalem to Gaza, to encounter the Ethiopian Eunuch reading Isaiah]
He was reading Isaiah 53:7-8
7 He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so He opened not His mouth.
8 By oppression and judgment He was taken away; and as for His generation, who considered that He was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people?
The Eunuch wanted to know the truth, he wanted to understand who Isaiah was speaking of and what it meant for himself.
Philip was how God met that desire.
Connection:
God took Philip from a fruitful ministry in Samaria to a road in the desert.
It probably didn’t make sense to Philip, what God was doing.
God knew exactly where the Ethiopian would have the heart searching question while reading the Isaiah passage.
It was the perfect moment to lead him to Jesus.
Point:
You may not understand where God has you or why.
You can trust His plans.
You may find that your where God needs you.
It shows us that He is faithful and provides for us at exactly the right moment, like He did with the Eunuch.
in 1755 a clergyman named Philip Doddridge, while reading this great account of salvation.
A hymn came to mind that was worthy to record.
In 1969 this hymn reached number 4 on the U.S. singles chart and number 1 in Germany and France.
It has sold over 7 million copies worldwide and is considered the second best selling song of all time.
The song refers to the glorious day salvation came:
“Oh, Happy Day!”
This is exactly the praise we need as we read this next section of the gospel of John.
Jesus had been “built up” by John’s message and peoples hearts, minds, and lives were excited for and ready for:
His Royal Entry! (29)
His Royal Entry! (29)
We get Jesus’ presence announced by the herald to all present.
29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
John is like the herald at the podium of a great hall where kings and queens presence and arrival is announced so all would hear who it was that came in.
John loudly announces: He’s finally here, the one I have been proclaiming would come.
John is not inventing a new category—he is placing a face on Isaiah’s suffering servant.
I bet there wasn’t a person who didn’t turn and give their attention to the royal entry of the anticipated King after John announced Him!
Notice when the announcement took place:
The next day.
There is a scene change, bringing in the notion that it probably isn’t all the same exact people present when Jesus is announced.
John announced Jesus in a certain way
He used the word “behold”.
This phrase would would draw all attention emphasizing what is said next!
Illustration:
What do you expect when you hear this sound at a wedding?
[Much like when your at a wedding and you hear someone clinging a glass and standing until all the room is silent to make a speech.]
In their culture most leaders had this kind of opening for making judgment of some kind.
Pilate used the same word in John 19:5
5 So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, “Behold the man!”
For us it may be something like: Can I have your attention...
Attention would’ve been given to John at the loud Behold, and the crowd would’ve awaited what He was going to say.
This indicates a theological marker in the gospel of John.
The scene and attention all shift to John’s proclamation.
Connection:
It isn’t just important to the text here in John, this should be important to us.
Jesus was proclaimed to you at some point in your life, He was announced by a friend, a parent, a pastor, or a stranger.
If you are a believer it is because Jesus was announced to you and you gave your attention to who He is!
There are many points in a persons life when Jesus reveals Himself, allowing an opportunity to respond.
Some know without a doubt the truth they are hearing; but they are hesitant to accept it.
Some of the reasons for hesitation might be:
Family relationships
Cultural religion
Pride: they like their life and it might change
Relationships: Accepting Him changes all relationships
Don’t hesitate, accept the truth and believe Him as the Eunuch did.
Point:
Jesus is proclaimed and announced and their attention has shifted to who He is, what His purpose is.
(?) What is John proclaiming about the man Jesus?
He categorizes Him very oddly.
He also states His purpose, which supports the claim he recently made.
We find John uses 2 phrases:
“The Lamb of God”!
John is connecting and associating Jesus to the sacrificial system God set up and specifically ringing the bell of Atonement!
John references the specific law regarding an sacrifice and what it could do.
All Jews would’ve been familiar with the statement that John was making.
The Lamb was a well known animal who’s blood was to be sacrificed.
The Lawful orders by God:
The “sinner” was to bring a lamb (inspected and to be found perfect) to the Priest and offer it as a substitution (temporary, considering that it had to be done each year) death to pay the price of sins.
The Lamb was specifically set apart as the sin offering.
God provided this lamb as a sin offering!
(?) Who was this sin offering for?
The whole world!
Jesus’ coming in flesh and blood as a human had many reasons; but one was specifically to be the sin bearer of all humanity.
He would be the last and final necessary payment to God for all Sin.
3 But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year.
4 For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.
The Lamb that God provided would impact this stance, as John reveals: Forever and for anyone who would believe in Jesus.
12 But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the right hand of God,
13 waiting from that time until His enemies should be made a footstool for His feet.
14 For by a single offering He has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.
Illustration:
Christ coming is the blank check.
It is addressed to: “anyone who would believe in Jesus, placing their faith in Him.”
It is an open invitation to accept access into the spiritual bank account, of which we are destitute and poor!
Think back to the passover lamb from Exodus 12.
The lamb was:
Chosen
Examined
Slain
Blood applied
Judgment passed over where the blood was present
Point:
In Egypt, the lamb died so the firstborn could live.
At the cross, the Firstborn died so the world could live.
Transition:
This is what John was announcing.
The last sacrifice offered by God is right there, His name is Jesus and my life is a witness to His arrival.
This was different than what the Jews expected from the Messiah.
They expected Him to be the great political liberator, not the suffering servant.
There will always be those who are skeptical or contentious of truth.
God knows this so I believe that God directs John to clarify who He is speaking of so there is no misunderstanding.
John’s Connection (30-31)
John’s Connection (30-31)
30 This is He of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks before me, because He was before me.’
31 I myself did not know Him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that He might be revealed to Israel.”
John’s appealing to those following him.
The people who accepted John’s message would be dedicated to Jesus when He appears.
If there are any doubts:
John’s whole life mission was pointing people to the Messiah to be ready.
There were probably quite a few people who heard John’s message, and this was the only time they heard:
Here He is, the One whom I have been telling you about.
Jesus fulfills John attributed to Him
He is the Logos!
He is the Lamb of God
He is no longer a hypothetical hope, He is a present reality.
Point:
Jesus is the same thing to us right now as He was to John’s audience.
Our payment and our Hope.
He existed before us, and His authority is above all.
Will you dismiss Jesus and the hope that He offers or will you receive forgiveness of the debt that you owe for sin?
It is not recorded anywhere that John had ever met Jesus, yet He knew who Jesus was the first moment He saw Him.
He chose in that moment to be obedient to the knowledge he possessed instead of keeping the fame on himself as a voice in the wilderness.
John connects and points people to Christ.
That was his calling as a “witness” and “testimony”.
There isn’t much difference for us.
We are called to be a witness of Jesus and testify of who He is, His goodness, and all He offers.
What ways do you witness Jesus working in this world and in your life?
In what ways do you testify of it?
John became a weirdo amongst his culture to do what God called him to do.
Let the Lord use the gifts and talents He gave you to point people to Him!
Be the new life heading towards a worthy goal, one that will last into eternity, and desire those you can bring with you!
Transition:
John’s witness is of Jesus; but what of His testimony, what does He testify?
John Testifies! (32-34)
John Testifies! (32-34)
32 And John bore witness: “I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on Him.
33 I myself did not know Him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’
34 And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.”
John tells people what he sees happening, this fulfills an expected traditional view of the Messiah.
1 There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.
2 And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.
Isaiah prophecies about the Spirit of the Lord coming to the world and resting on an individual.
He also expresses what the Spirit brings and offers.
Knowledge and the fear of the Lord.
How many people do you suppose that John baptized in the Jordan?
Probably a lot.
Do you think he ever accidentally proclaimed the wrong man to be the one he has been waiting for?
Not once.
Do you think John had any expectations for the moment he baptized Jesus?
Maybe.
John knew the scriptures, seeing how His dad was a priest and knew the scriptures and probably taught him what to look for.
John testifies and connects the Isaiah prophecy to Jesus.
This further proves what his claim was about Jesus.
He speaks and teaches those present:
What they can receive if they believe in Him.
Jesus will baptize with the Holy Spirit.
What does it mean to be baptized with the Holy Spirit?
The bible teaches it is God’s seal of approval to your salvation.
The bible teaches the temple location is now you.
The bible teaches the Holy Spirit will direct you in all knowledge, truth, and wisdom.
Jesus promised this to the disciples and to us.
16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever,
17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. You know Him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.
The holy spirit came into the world to the Jews first Acts 2, then to the Gentiles Acts 10.
The baptism of the Spirit has been fulfilled for all who believe in Jesus!
Jesus did as John testified He would.
John wasn’t doing anything supernatural, he was only telling people what God was doing:
With his life, as he was willing
In his life through connecting his knowledge of scripture to what purpose God had for him in those specific moments.
Connection:
When you testify of what Jesus has done for you, you don’t have to wonder whether or not it will impact others.
There is power in words, especially when they are backed by the Holy Spirit.
Being a testimony for Christ is to tell others what the Lord is doing in your life and believe in what He can do through your life when you aren’t afraid to share it with others.
Jesus offers to others what you testify He has done for you!
He brought peace.
Specifically between you and God.
He brought peace to your spirit knowing that your forgiven of your sins and have a relationship with your father.
Conclusion:
From the beginning of Scripture to the banks of the Jordan River, God has been telling one unified story:
He would provide the Lamb, reveal the Son, and invite the world to believe.
Jesus is not a suggestion to consider or a figure to admire
He is the Lamb of God, the Son of God, and the Savior of the world.
Every person must decide how they will respond.
John records that Jesus is announced and revealed!
We hear Him but delay responding
Application:
“The danger is not rejecting Jesus loudly—it’s postponing Him quietly.”
Ask:
Where have you heard Jesus announced but didn’t obey?
What is holding your attention elsewhere?
Don’t Delay when Jesus gets your attention!
When John said, “Behold,” it was a call to respond in the present—not later.
Ask yourself:
Where has Jesus already spoken clearly, but I’ve delayed obedience?
John proclaims Sin has been dealt with!
Why do we still carry guilt?
Some of us believe Jesus forgives sin—we just don’t believe He forgives ours.
Lay down the weight Jesus already carried!
If Jesus is the Lamb who takes away sin, then carrying guilt is no longer humility—it’s unbelief.
Some of us are still paying emotional debts that Jesus already paid in full.
Live this as someone whose sins are truly forgiven
free from shame, free from fear, and free to walk in joy.
John reveals each believer has a testimony and is a witnesses for Jesus!
Who needs your story this week?
Where has God clearly worked, that you’ve stayed silent about?
Point others to Jesus where God has placed you!
John didn’t try to be impressive—he tried to be faithful.
You are in places every day because God has placed you there.
Ask God this week to show you one person who needs to hear what He has done in your life—and then point them to Jesus.
Strong closing challenge:
You may not be called to be a voice crying in the wilderness—but you are called to be a voice where God has placed you.
Oh, Happy Day!
-Pray!
