Delivered June 24, 2007
by Pastor Eric Henderson
The comedian George Burns once said, "A good sermon should have a good beginning and a good ending, and they should be as close together as possible." (Holy Humor p. 121)
George may have gotten his idea from John the Baptist who declared,
"Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!"
"This is he of whom I said,"
"'After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me.' I myself did not know him; but I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed in Israel."
And John testified,
"I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, 'He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.' And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God."
John's short sermon introduced hearers to Jesus. If you were introducing Jesus Christ to someone what would you say?
John the Baptist used images of Jesus that made sense to the Jews that heard him. John called Jesus the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Most would have gone to the temple with a lamb to be sacrificed by the priest as a guilt offering (Lev. 14.10-25.) Or the listeners may have thought of the Passover Lamb used by most families who were slaves in Egypt. Just before being set free, Moses told them to sprinkle the blood of a lamb on their door frames which would protect their oldest child from the plague God was sending. John declares Jesus as having redemptive power like the Passover lamb (Ex. 12.21-27.)
If you were introducing someone to Jesus you might say Jesus is like someone who pays for our credit card debts to save us from bankruptcy.
John also introduced Jesus as the one that permanently received the Spirit of God, The Jewish listeners may have thought of God's Spirit coming to hover over the darkness and formlessness creating light, and plants, birds and all living things. Spirit was power like the power of wind that is not seen, but the affects are felt and seen. Coming of spirit of God was coming of God to humanity. John's listeners were aware of the Spirit controlling and inspiring prophets for special times, but the Spirit remained with Jesus as a sign of God's eternal presence and power.
If you were introducing someone to Jesus you might say that Jesus is like the signals used by cell phones that are all around and we are aware of the affects of them, but we can't see them.
John ended his short sermon by testifying that Jesus is the Son of God. Jesus is the hope for deliverance. Jesus is the lamb that takes away the sin of the world replacing the animal sacrifices that needed to be made daily, over and over again. Jesus is the promised one. God had come in the flesh to earth. Jesus fully reveals God.
The gospel of John is packed with images that describe Jesus. Jesus is the bread of life, light of the world, gate for the sheep, the good shepherd, resurrection and life, the way, the truth and life, the only way to God the Father, the true vine, the word that was from the beginning, the word that became flesh, grace and truth.
John the Baptist Introduced Jesus Christ because he had seen, believed and received. The good news according to John is that "to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God." (1.12)
John the Baptist was certain he was certain of his identity. He was not the one who saved people, nor was he a special prophet, but a messenger. He was calling others to repent, be baptized, and join this new movement of God that was Jesus in the flesh.
If we believe Jesus is the Son of God we can take opportunities to tell others about Jesus. People of our generations may not relate to the images used by John the Baptist, but many are looking for hope and salvation. People are trying to save themselves with self-help books, or are medicating their spiritual pain with all kinds of addictions, or some give up and kill themselves and others.
For those of us who renewed our church covenant, we committed ourselves to "sharing in some way the reality of God's love with a neighbor, schoolmate, or fellow worker." May the Spirit of God help us share in some way that we have seen Jesus and will tell others that Jesus is the Son of God.
The following information gives some practical application for sharing Jesus with others having some relationship with a congregation. I used other resources to create this information sheet which gives some ideas for introducing Jesus to those who may already have a desire to become more acquainted with him. I strongly encourage each of us to introduce Jesus to those who may be waiting for someone to care enough to spend time with them.
REACHING OUT TO THOSE ON THE FRINGES OR WHO BECOME INACTIVE.If you have questions, concerns, or comments about anything in this sermon or other needs please contact me.
Eric Henderson
756-2442
Petitcodiac Mennonite Church