The Lamb - God's Sacrifice for Humanity

Behold The Lamb! Pastor Richard Rico Tubbs

Ephesians 2:1-10 2 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins,2in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.3All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh[a]and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.4But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,5made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions it is by grace you have been saved.6And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,7in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God 9not by works, so that no one can boast.10For we are God s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

While there are many god's worshipped today, only the God of the Bible is able to demonstrate His power and love in such a way that compels humanity to stand back in amazement and awe saying "Now That's God! The God of the Bible stepped out from eternity and informed us that in the beginning God Gen. 1:1 John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God

God simply steps out from eternity and introduces Himself as the I AM Ex. 3:14 Our God of the Bible is all powerful, all knowing, all present, all loving and He not only created us but desires an intimate day-by-day relationship with us. He does not compel us to service by motivating us with fear but compels us to service by motivating us with love

It was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 1 Peter 1:18-19 One such prophetic symbol is the sacrificial lamb. Throughout the Old Testament, a lamb was sacrificed at an altar as an act of worship to God and the means of atoning for sin. The word atonement means to cover over. The sacrificial lamb was a substitute Instead of a man or woman dying for his or her sins, God provided the lamb to take the place of that person, and the blood of the lamb paid the penalty for their sin.

John the Baptist declared Him as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world John 1:29. As a Lamb: Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, sacrificed more than His wealth, although He did give up Glory to don human flesh. And He was able to save more than 400 people from death. He was able to reconcile the entire human race by His gift that we might not be eternally separated from God the Father. He sacrificed so much as the lamb, even tasting death that we might have life and that we might have it more abundantly - John 10:10.

God is so in the details! And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, Let s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about. Luke 2

Flocks of sheep covered the fields of Bethlehem. Historians teach us that these shepherds cared for the lambs destined for sacrifice in the temple, and only spotless ones could be offered. Don t miss one incredible truth: the angels specifically told the shepherds that Jesus would be wrapped in swaddling clothes. Shepherds kept watch over their sheep and when they gave birth they marked the spotless ones for temple sacrifice. Each spotless lamb was caught in the hands of the shepherd before touching the ground and carefully wrapped in swaddling clothes as a sign of purity.

Homework In his death, we find life. In His resurrection, we find hope. By His stripes, we are healed! Let Jesus sacrificial love declare your worth and your new identity. This week take the time to fully understand the sacrifice of the Lamb of God