GOD'S WRITTEN WORD: John 13:19-34 SERMON NOTES: “WHO CHRIST IS”
I. John tells us in this passage who “Christ” is.
ii. How does John tell us in this passage who “Christ” is?
III. John tells us in this passage that “Christ” is:
A. “Not” John the Baptist
B. Jesus
Let’s look at the first way John tells us who Christ is.
John tells us who Christ is by telling us who he isn’t, he is:
A.“NOT” JOHN THE BAPTIST
Explanation
John, the Apostle, tells us that: John, the Baptist, was the one who:
1. Called out in the desert. (v 23) 4. Was unworthy to untie his sandals. (v 27)
2. Made straight the way of the Lord. (v 23) 5. Revealed who “Christ” was. (v 30-31, 33-34)
3. Baptized with water. (v 24-26)
Illustration:
Isaiah 40:3-5 A voice of one calling: In the desert prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God. Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.
Baptism by water = an external baptism or cleansing of repented “acts” of sin
Baptism by the Holy Spirit = an internal Baptism or cleanings by the Holy Spirit of the “nature” of sin
Matthew 3:11-12 He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.
Untying sandals was a task for slaves – John is beneath a slave in his worthiness next to the holiness of Jesus.
John 1:34 I have seen (the Holy Spirit come down & remain on him) and I testify that this is the Son of God.
Application:
Where is our voice in the world today? Are we calling out?
Are we calling out to make the road straight for the LORD, or to the LORD for those who don’t know him?
And do we live our lives baptized by water or by the Holy Spirit? Do we proclaim Christ by how we live?
Do we become greater for the world to see or smaller so Christ is the one who is seen?
What is our testimony? 1 John 5:11-12 And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.
Transition:
The other way John tells us who Christ is in this passage is by telling us who he is:
B. JESUS
Explanation
John, the Apostle, tells us that: Jesus is the One who:
1. Is the Lamb of God. (v 29) 4. Baptizes with the Holy Spirit. (v 33)
2. Takes away the sin of the world. (v 29) 5. Is the Son of God! (v 34)
3. The Spirit came down from heaven and remain on. (v 32)
Illustration:
“Lamb of God” expression found only in John 1:29 & 1:36
John 1:36 The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus passing by he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!”
Isaiah 53:7-9 He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. By oppression and judgment he was taken away. And who can speak of his descendants? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgressions of my people he was stricken. He was assigned a grave with the wicked.
Jesus will be the “sacrifice” that will atone (like the Passover lamb) but for the sin of world
Matthew 3:16-17 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love, with him I am well pleased.”
John 1: 33-34 …The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain on is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit. I have seen and I testify this is the Son of God.
Application:
Like John, do we see the Lamb of God passing by?
Where do we see him? In the Cross, in the Word, in the Elements, in live giving self-less acts of believers, in the sufferings of those around us, in our sufferings?
Like John, when we see the Lamb of God passing by do we say something, do we point him out to others?
Do we acknowledge the Lamb of God, Jesus as Christ the Son of the Living God?
Do we point him out and acknowledge him to others so that they too may follow him as Christ, the Messiah?
And, have we experienced the descending of the Holy Spirit upon us like our Savior?
Have we been baptized by the Holy Spirit? Has our sin nature been cleansed in this way? Have we been claimed as a child of God through Christ in this way?
Transition:
In conclusion, John tells us who Christ is in this passage in two ways: first by telling us who he isn’t, that he is “Not” John the Baptist and secondly by telling us who he is, that he is Jesus.
One called out in the world to prepare for and make Christ known.
One came as Christ - the Spirit-filled Son of God who died for our sin.
What is our testimony? What have we seen and heard” What has happened in our lives?
Are we preparing to make Christ known? Are we preparing others to know Christ?
Are we doing it so He, not us, is the one seen.
Are we aware of Christ in the world today? Can we point others to the Cross, the Word, the Elements?
Can we point to sufferings in the world, to our own suffering and the sacrifices of others?
Can we say like John, “I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God.”
In the name of the Father, Son & Holy Spirit. Amen.
PRAYER
Our Father, forgive the sins we commit each day that make us unworthy to be in Your presence without the mercy and forgiveness You show to a repentant and contrite heart.
Our Father, we thank You for Your Lamb that takes away the sin of the world and for Your baptism with water and the Holy Spirit.
Our Father, we ask that Your Holy Spirit empower us to be a voice calling out in our barren world, to those who are spiritually thirsty.
Our Father, we ask that Your Holy Spirit empower us to make straight the way of the Lord to those who are seeking Him and like John, help to reveal “the Christ” as the “Son of God” to others through our witness and testimony.
Our Father, we pray all of these things in the Name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.
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