SF734 - Jesus the Lamb of God - 3 JESUS THE GIFT THAT GIVES FOREVER (Luke 2 6-11)
Luke 2:6-11
Introduction
The Lamb of God was born in Bethlehem
The place was prophesied
Micah 5:2 (NASB) 2“But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Too little to be among the clans of Judah, From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, From the days of eternity.”
For centuries, shepherds had been raising Passover lambs in Bethlehem
The Jews for some strange reason despised shepherds. … It has been affirmed that the testimony of the shepherds was never permitted in a court of law…. Oftentimes when there were no wild beasts in an area; when thieves were not prevalent, the shepherding of sheep was entrusted to children. The talents and strength of men were required for more important tasks. It would seem then that the people who cared for the sheep were considered unfit for greater tasks. These men did the work of children!
To such men, came the announcement of the birth of Christ: probably in those early hours of that never to be forgotten morning, no other men were awake. … It is not the wish of this author to read into the story things which are not there, but the fact remains that some of those sheep might eventually have become offerings in the temple. The shepherds were guarding animals, which temporarily, at least, would make possible communion between God and man. Whilst other more important people made money, these simple folk remained in the solitudes guarding the sheep and lambs for which guilty people would soon be seeking. It was appropriate that the announcement of the Savior’s birth should be first made to them. (Powell, Ivor, “Luke’s Thrilling Gospel”)
The Lamb of God was born in a stable in Bethlehem.
1A. We See Bethlehem’s Lamb in History (Exodus 12:1-8)
1B. The Passover Lamb was a personal sacrifice
What the Passover pictured… (12:3)
The Lord Jesus fulfilled
1 Corinthians 5:7 (NASB) 7…Christ our Passover also has been sacrificed.
Ephesians 1:7 (NASB) 7In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses
2B. The Passover Lamb was a perfect sacrifice
What the Passover pictured… (12:5)
The Lord Jesus fulfilled
1 Peter 1:19 (NASB) 19with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.
Ø The virgin birth insured His sinless life! He became the son of man so that we might become the children of God
3B. The Passover Lamb was a prepared sacrifice
What the Passover pictured… (12:6)
The Lord Jesus fulfilled
Revelation 13:8 (NKJV) 8…the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
Ephesians 1:3-8
4B. The Passover Lamb was a purposeful sacrifice
What the Passover pictured… (12:7-8)
The Lord Jesus fulfilled
Hebrews 13:12 (NASB) 12Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people through His own blood, suffered outside the gate.
2A. We See Bethlehem’s Lamb in Mystery
1B. The revelation of the Lamb in glory
The Sovereign that no one can approach (Revelation 4:2-3, 9-11)
There is a story about a mother who noticed that her six-year-old son was deeply engrossed in trying to draw and color an elaborate picture. “What are you drawing, dear?” she asked. “I’m drawing a picture of God,” he answered. “That’s very nice, dear,” she said, “but you know, no one really knows what God looks like.” “They will now,” was the triumphant reply.
The scroll no one can open (Revelation 5:1-5)
Ø The scroll represents God’s purpose for His world.
Ø The scroll is the title deed to the earth
Ø The scroll represents the right to rule!
2B. The position of the Lamb in heaven. (Revelation 5:6-7)
He is in the center of heaven (5:6)
Beloved, is it so? Is Jesus the center of the whole heavenly family? Shall he not be the center of our Church life? Will we not think most of him-much more of him than of Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or any party-leaders that would divide us? Christ is the center; not this form of doctrine nor that mode of ordinance, but the Lamb alone. Shall we not always delight in him, and watch to see how we can magnify his glorious name? Shall he not be also the center of our ministry? What shall we preach about but Christ! Take that subject away from me, and I have done. These many years I have preached nothing else but that dear name, and if that is to be dishonored, all my spiritual wealth is gone: I have no bread for the hungry, nor water for the faint. (Spurgeon, Sermons, “The Lamb in Glory.”)
He is the small lamb (5:6)
“lamb, avrni,on noun nominative neuter singular common; avrni,on, lamb, sheep, a little lamb.
He is the standing lamb (5:6c)
Ø Standing = resurrection
He is the slain lamb (5:6b)
He is the strong lamb (5:6d-7)
Ø Seven horns = complete/perfect power (omnipotence)
Ø Seven eyes = complete/perfect knowledge (omniscience)
Ø He alone can take the scroll from God
3B. The celebration of the Lamb in worship. (Revelation 5:8-14)
Notice the kind of song they sang (5:8-10)
Ø It was a worship hymn – “Worthy are You…”
Ø It was a gospel hymn – “You were slain…”
Ø It was a missionary hymn – “purchase… men from every tribe…”
Ø It was a devotional hymn – “a kingdom of priest…”
Ø It was a prophetic hymn – “they will reign…”
Notice the praise He receives (5:11-14)
Ø He is to receive all power and riches
Ø He is to receive all wisdom and might
Ø He is to receive all honor and glory and blessing
Ø He is to receive praise from all creation!
Application
Are You Washed in the Blood?
Have you been to Jesus for the cleansing power? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Are you fully trusting in His grace this hour? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Are you walking daily by the Savior’s side? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Do you rest each moment in the crucified? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
When the Bridegroom cometh will your robes be white? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Will you soul be ready for the mansions bright? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Lay aside the garments that are stained with sin, And be washed in the blood of the Lamb.
There’s a fountain flowing for the soul unclean, O be washed in the blood of the Lamb.
Are you washed in the blood? In the soul cleansing blood of the Lamb.
Are your garments spotless? Are they white as snow? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Jesus, the Lamb of God
Jesus, The Gift That Gives Forever - Part 3 of 4
Luke 2:6-11
1A. We See Bethlehem’s Lamb in History (Exodus 12:1-8)
1B. The Passover Lamb was a _________ sacrifice
What the Passover pictured… (12:3)
The Lord Jesus fulfilled
1 Corinthians 5:7
Ephesians 1:7
2B. The Passover Lamb was a _________ sacrifice
What the Passover pictured… (12:5)
The Lord Jesus fulfilled
1 Peter 1:19
3B. The Passover Lamb was a _________ sacrifice
What the Passover pictured… (12:6)
The Lord Jesus fulfilled
Revelation 13:8
Ephesians 1:3-8
4B. The Passover Lamb was a _________ sacrifice
What the Passover pictured… (12:7-8)
The Lord Jesus fulfilled
Hebrews 13:12
2A. We See Bethlehem’s Lamb in Mystery
1B. The _________________ of the Lamb in glory
The Sovereign that no one can approach (Revelation 4:2-3, 9-11)
The _______ no one can open (Revelation 5:1-5)
2B. The _______________ of the Lamb in heaven. (Revelation 5:6-7)
He is in the __________________ of heaven (5:6)
He is the ________________________ lamb (5:6)
He is the _______________________ lamb (5:6c)
He is the ______________________ lamb (5:6b)
He is the _____________________ lamb (5:6d-7)
3B. The celebration of the Lamb in worship. (Revelation 5:8-14)
Notice the kind of __________ they sang (5:8-10)
Ø It was a worship hymn – “Worthy are You…”
Ø It was a gospel hymn – “You were slain…”
Ø It was a missionary hymn – “purchase… men from every tribe…”
Ø It was a devotional hymn – “a kingdom of priest…”
Ø It was a prophetic hymn – “they will reign…”
Notice the ______________ He receives (5:11-14)
Ø He is to receive all power and riches
Ø He is to receive all wisdom and might
Ø He is to receive all honor and glory and blessing
Ø He is to receive praise from all creation!