Christ is the Lamb of God (John 1:29-33)

Christ is the Lamb of God (John 1:29):

Here in verse 29 John proclaims Christ to be “lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”  These are strong words to a Jew who understands the Old Testament law and sacrificial system, for it was a lamb that was to be sacrificed for the atonement of ones sins, although it only forgave the sins it did not take away the sin (Leviticus 14:10-25). John is saying that it is through Christ that the sins of the world are going to be taken away.  He is saying that Christ is the one Isaiah was speaking of (Isa 52:12-13), John is pointing to Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross being the ultimate blood sacrifice for all of mankind’s sin.  We must understand that this does not mean all of the world is forgiven only those who accept Christ as their savoir.

It is through Christ we are baptized in the Holy Spirit (John 1:33)

John goes on to explain that he baptizes with only water but Christ is going to baptize with the Holy Spirit.  The other gospels also tell us that John the Baptist said this and Christ also mentions it in Acts 1:5 as well.  These five talk of what is coming after Christ’s time on earth.  In Acts 2:1-6 tells us when it happened for the first time and ever since then it has continued to happen.  This is important for all of us who follow and have accepted Christ into our lives.  For it through the Spirit of God, that we are able to be connected with God.   Christ’s blood sacrifice on the cross, is how we are able to be forgiven, it is through the spirit of God that we are cleansed and sanctified. 

Through the Spirit we are all connected (1^st Corinthians 12:12-13)

It wasn’t until the day Pentecost that the spirit of God came to dwell in men, the Spirit may have come and dwelled for a period of time in a person but not for a long period.  But because of the perfect sacrifice on the cross, being the ultimate atonement of mankind’s sin (1^st John 2:1-2).  It is through the Holy Spirit that we who believe and follow Christ are connected to one another.  Paul tells us in 1^st Corinthians 12:12-13, that it is through the Spirit of God that “we have all been baptized into Christ’s body by one Spirit, and we have all received the same Spirit.”  It is not that we receive a different spirit from God it is the same for all Christians. 

All believers (v. 3) are infused by the same God. by one Spirit we were all baptized: The verse might be better translated “in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body.” Christ, the exalted and ascended Head of the body, is the active agent who places the new member of the body in the sphere of the Holy Spirit for His care and safekeeping. All believers are baptized into the body in the sphere of the Holy Spirit and thereby made part of the body of Christ, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free. No one has it over another in Christ’s church; everyone enters the same way: by faith into the promise of Abraham (Gal. 3:26–29). Each of us has equal share in the same Spirit of God: we have all been made to drink into one Spirit. Some of the Corinthians—probably the pneumatikon (v. 1)—believed that only certain gifted individuals were especially in tune with the Spirit, but Paul puts every believer on an equal footing in the Spirit. It is unlikely that “drinking” refers to common participation in the cup of the Lord’s Supper. The Spirit not only surrounds us in baptism; but since we have drunk of the Spirit He also dwells within us.^[1]

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^[1]Radmacher, E. D. 1999. Nelson's new illustrated Bible commentary. T. Nelson Publishers: Nashville

Gideon’s Fleece and what it means for us today (Judges 6:36-40)

Gideon’s Fleece and what it means for us today (Judges 6:36-40)

Let us first understand that Gideon using his fleece and asking God for conformation is to be taken as sign of weak faith.  Many people seem to think that putting out a fleece like Gideon is a good idea, this is not the truth.  First many will ask for something that can happen naturally not supernaturally.  Second and even more importantly is, there is only one place in the Bible that shows us someone using this method.  If this was something God wanted us to be doing we would find it throughout the Bible yet we do not.  God wants our faith in him to be so strong that we understand no matter what He is going to be with us.  This doesn’t mean life is going to be peachy and we are never going to have to make some tough decision that requires us to go to prayer.   

How do we then know what the will of God is? (1 Thessalonians 4:1-12)

What if I told you knowing the will of God is not as difficult as some of us make it, take a look at His word and the answer is right in front of us.  We have the Ten Commandments and the teachings of Christ to guide us. We must realize that it is God’s will for us to give our lives over to Him to worship and be obedient to Him.  Paul tells us in 1^st Thessalonians 4:3 “God wants you to be holy,” this is so simple yet so hard for us.  God wants us to be obedient to Him.  As we read through the first twelve verses of 1^st Thessalonians we read that God wants us to continue to grow in Him, continue to show love to those around us. 

We are to be lights unto to the world. (Philippians 2:12-18)

So many times we go around wondering am I doing what God wants to do, am I where God wants me to be?  If you are following God with all your heart and being obedient to His word then the answer is yes.  Yes you are right where God wants you to be. (read Philippians 2:12-18) You see God wants us to follow and obey him, when it is time to make a life changing decision we need to go to God in prayer seek His counsel and go in the direction you feel God is leading you as long as it does not compromise His word but allows you to continue to honor Him then you are in the center of His will.

Who is John the Baptist? (John 1:19-28)

Who is John the Baptist? (John 1:19-28)

The Jewish leaders wanted to know, who is this person who is baptizing, not only gentiles but also Jews.   For the practice of baptism was not new, but was only preformed on gentiles, it was the cleansing act for proselytes, not for Jewish people who were already God’s people.  At the same time there was great tension between the Jews and the Roman Government so the leaders wanted to keep a close eye on those who they thought may cause problems for them.  They were also on the lookout for the Messiah whom they thought would come and deliver them out of the hands of Rome and create a kingdom for them to rule.  They ask John, are you Elijah? Why would they ask him this question?  Because once he clarified that he was not Christ, they remembered in Malachi 4:5, ““Look, I am sending you the prophet Elijah before the great and dreadful day of the Lord arrives.”

“I am the voice” (John 1:23)

When pressed for an answer of who he was. John answered with, “I am a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Prepare a straight pathway for the Lord’s coming” quoting Isaiah 40:3.  In doing this John is one, reminding the people of Israel that they must repent and turn from their sins, that they are to follow and be obedient to God.  The second being that he took the spotlight off of himself, and placed it on Christ.  He continues this trend when  in verse 27 he says, “He who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.”  When asked of who he was and by what authority he does what he does, John simply points to Christ.  Never once does He take any of the credit or tell them it is because he is the one God choose to do all these things. Instead he points to Christ.

Are we truly being humble (Romans 11:25-36)

As we look at this encounter John has with the Jewish leaders we learn one thing and that is John is being very humble.  He could have very easily said I am the for-runner to Christ.  God has chosen me to come first so that you may know he is on his way.  But he continues to point to Christ everything about John’s life is focused not on John but on Christ.  While the leadership of the Jews, was all about them, not at all about God or His kingdom.  In Romans 11:25-36 Paul talks about how we truly have nothing to brag about God’s grace is for all of us.  None of us have done anything to deserve.  We must empty ourselves of us and allow God to begin to work in our entire life.  We must stop thinking that we are better than others and start allowing our lives to point to Christ

Those who choose to Accept Christ Become a Part of His Family

Those who choose to Accept Christ Become a Part of His Family (John 1:12-13):

We have in these two verses a very amazing truth, which is great news when we stop to think about it.  Christ has not only come to show us the light, but to also invite us to become a part of God’s family.  In verse twelve we are told those “who did receive Christ and believed in His name” we need to Examine what John is saying here.   There are lots of people who say they believe in Christ but does that mean they saved?  Only if they have given their allegiance to Christ, John says it is more than just believing in Christ.  Before you become a part of the family you have to give your allegiance to Christ, you accept the fact that Christ is God.   We must give our lives to Christ, not just a part of our lives but give it all.  Then we become a part of Gods family.

What does being a part of Gods family mean for me (Galatians 3:24-4:6)?

       If we become a part of Gods family what does that mean for us? Paul told the Galatians that it was through the law that guided the Jews to God before Christ, after Christ it was through our faith in Christ that saves us.  Which means that we are to be obedient to Christ’s teaching?  Notice how Paul emphasizes that we were once slaves to sin, but now we are children on God, our freedom was paid for on the cross.  But that also means we are no longer truly a part of this world, when we become children of God we no longer can truly claim this earth as our home.  In fact we are warned about it Christ tells us in, Matt 10:22 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake Matt 24:9 Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake Mark 13:13 And you will be hated by all men for My name’s sake Luke 21:17 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake.  But we have a great promise of everlasting life and not everlasting death.

      How is this all Possible (Titus 3:4-8).

      When we look at this we wonder how is this possible, how can we be born into Gods family, as John says it is not a physical birth but it is through the will of God.  God allows us to be reborn through the Holy Spirit. It is through the Holy Spirit coming and renewing our hearts and minds.  When we give our lives over the Christ we are allowing the Spirit of God to come into our bodies it is through His spirit that the washing of regeneration and renewing  of our lives begin.  As we grow closer to God in our relationship we begin to love Him more. I like how Francis Chan describes in his book Crazy Love about the transformation we go through. “Most Christians have been taught in church or by their parents to set aside a daily time for prayer and Scripture reading. It's what we are supposed to do, and so for a long time it's what I valiantly attempted. When I didn't, I felt guilty. Over time I realized that when we love God, we naturally run to Him frequently and zealously. Jesus didn't command that we have regular time with Him each day. Rather, He tells us to "love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your mind." He called this the "first and greates commandment"(Matt 22:37-38). The results are intimate prayer adn study of His Word. Our motivation changes from guilt to love. This is how God longs for us to respond to His extravagant, unending love: not with cursory quite time plagued by guilt, but with true love expressed through our lives."