This sermon series explored various descriptions of Christ found in the Bible, focusing on different aspects of His character and divinity as revealed in Scripture.
Introduction: Scripture Reading- Matt. 26:58-66
- The Christ, the Messiah was waited for and longed for.
I. The Lamb of God
Text: John 1:29
"The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world."
1. The Significance of the Lamb
- Explain the Jewish context of the sacrificial lamb (Exodus 12:5-7, Leviticus 4:32-35).
- The role of the lamb in the Passover and sacrificial system foreshadowing Christ.
2. Christ as the Perfect Lamb
- Jesus' sinlessness (1 Peter 1:19): "But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot."
- He completed and fulfilled His purpose for coming to Earth.
- The sufficiency of His sacrifice: once for all (Hebrews 9:12).
3. Christ's Sacrifice and Redemption
- Taking away the sin of the world (1 John 2:2).
- The substitutionary death of Christ, bearing our sins (Isaiah 53:7).
4. Application: The Response to the Lamb of God
- The need for repentance and faith in His sacrifice.
- How we can reflect Christ's sacrificial love in our own lives.
5. Worship the Lamb
- Revelation 5:12: "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing."
II. The Good Shepherd
Text: John 10:11
"I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep."
1. The Role of a Shepherd
- Cultural background: shepherds in ancient Israel (Psalm 23).
- The shepherd's responsibilities: provision, protection, and guidance.
2. Christ as the Good Shepherd
- His care for His sheep: John 10:14 "I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine."
- The intimacy between the Shepherd and His sheep.
3. Christ’s Sacrificial Love
- He lays down His life for the sheep (John 10:15).
- Contrast with the hireling who abandons the sheep in danger (John 10:12-13).
4. Christ's Leading and Guiding
- Christ as the shepherd who leads us to green pastures (Psalm 23:1-2).
- The importance of listening to His voice (John 10:27).
5. Application: Following the Good Shepherd
- Trusting His guidance and provision.
- Living in faith and obedience to His leading.
6. The Eternal Shepherd
- Revelation 7:17: "For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters."
III. The Light of the World
Text: John 8:12
"Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
1. The Importance of Light
- The physical necessity of light for life, growth, and vision.
- Darkness as a metaphor for sin and separation from God.
2. Christ as the Light of the World
- Jesus reveals truth, dispelling the darkness of sin (John 1:4-5).
- Christ as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy: Isaiah 9:2.
3. The Light that Leads to Life
- The connection between following Christ and walking in the light (1 John 1:7).
- Spiritual enlightenment and understanding through Christ (Ephesians 5:8).
4. The Contrast between Light and Darkness
- The consequences of rejecting the light: John 3:19-20.
- Walking in darkness: ignorance, sin, and death.
5. Application: Becoming Lights in the World
- Matthew 5:14: "Ye are the light of the world." How believers reflect Christ's light.
- Living as children of the light in a dark world (Philippians 2:15).
6. The Eternal Light
- Revelation 21:23: "And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof."
IV. The Bread of Life
Text: John 6:35 (KJV)
"And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst."
1. Bread as a Symbol of Sustenance
- The essential nature of bread in ancient times.
- Manna as a foreshadowing of Christ (Exodus 16:4, John 6:49-51).
2. Christ as the Bread of Life
- Jesus offers spiritual sustenance that endures to eternal life (John 6:27).
- The difference between physical and spiritual hunger (John 6:63).
3. Receiving the Bread of Life
- The invitation to come and believe in Him (John 6:35).
- Jesus as the source of spiritual nourishment, sustaining believers in their walk.
4. The Satisfaction of the Soul
- Those who come to Christ will never hunger or thirst spiritually (Matthew 5:6).
- The completeness and sufficiency of Christ for our every need.
5. Application: Abiding in Christ
- How we "feed" on Christ through the Word and through communion with Him (John 6:56-57).
- The call to prioritize spiritual nourishment over worldly pursuits (Matthew 6:31-33).
6. The Eternal Feast
- Revelation 19:9: "Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb."
V. The Alpha and Omega
Text: Revelation 22:13
"I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last."
1. The Meaning of Alpha and Omega
- Alpha and Omega: the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet.
- Christ’s role as both the Creator and the Consummator of all things.
2. Christ as the Beginning
- Christ’s role in creation: John 1:1-3, Colossians 1:16-17.
- His eternal nature, preexistent before all things (Micah 5:2).
3. Christ as the End
- Christ’s role in bringing history to its culmination (Revelation 21:6).
- The final victory of Christ over sin and death (1 Corinthians 15:24-26).
4. The Eternal Reign of Christ
- Jesus’ reign is from everlasting to everlasting (Isaiah 9:7).
- His sovereignty over time and history.
5. Application: Living in Light of Eternity
- The call to trust Christ in every season, knowing He is both the beginning and the end.
- Encouragement for believers: Christ’s ultimate victory gives us hope and perseverance.
6. The Eternal Christ
- Revelation 1:8: "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty."
Conclusion:
- All of these descriptions of Christ have one thing in common, they all show the love and care God has for His chosen people, the Israel of God or Spiritual Israel, the church.
- The Israelites of the Old Law reject God’s care and love. The Jews we read about in the NT, many also rejected God’s care and love. So He extended His care and love to the Gentiles, you and I (John 3:16).
- What will we do with the love of God? Will we be obedient to Him or continue to be obedient to Him until death?
- Invitation- Will you have an obedient faith and heed the words of the Christ himself and those who witnessed those words and left them for us that we might believe?