James di Castiglione
25 October 2015
John 1: 29 – 34
Sermon notes compiled by Paul Voke
This morning’s sermon by James was based on John 1: 29 – 34, although he took us back
to verse 28 to set the scene, pointing out that it was “on the other side” of the Jordan river –
the side from which the Israelites would have come before they crossed the river into the
promised land (Joshua 3) where John was baptising
John was preaching a baptism of repentance, a necessary first step on our journey to find
and know God for ourselves. Scripture is full of wonderful links and pictures from the Old
Testament to the New Testament. Like the Israelites, we need to come by the way of
repentance from “the other side” (our old lives) into the “promised land” (blessing and
communion with God)
James then pointed out that John described Jesus as “The Lamb of God”. (vv29 & 36)The
only times this expression used in scripture. Another link with the Old Testament was when
the Passover lamb was sacrificed before the Israelites began the journey from Egypt to the
“Promised Land”, the households that covered the doorpost and lintel of their houses with
the blood of the sacrificial lamb were saved from the loss of the first born. (Exodus 12)
Again a picture of the work of Jesus as the “Passover lamb” whose blood was shed “to take
away the sin of the world” (v29) Also, James highlighted the instructions to the Israelites that
they were “not to break any of the bones” of the sacrificial lamb (Exodus 12: 46, Numbers
9:12) and the fact that while the thieves on the cross had bones broken, Jesus did not,
because he was already dead! Psalm 34:20 is another reference to this part of the crucifixion
story.
James went on to speak of the fact that John forecasted that Jesus would bring a different
baptism, “that he would baptise with the Holy Spirit” (v33) an experience in which we can all
share. The mark of this baptism can produce transformed lives, there is nothing that Jesus
cannot deal with and release us from.
James encouraged us to preserve the power of the Holy Spirit amongst us by keeping short
accounts between ourselves, by talking about things together, by being available for God to
have control in our lives.
1 How does it make you feel when you find “links” between different parts of the Bible, such
as in our passage today? Often 100s of years apart. Does it inspire you/amaze you/give you
great confidence in the unique, inspirational Word of God?
2 Have we all taken the first step of repentance? Share testimonies of when/how this
happened in our lives.
3 Are there occasions when we are particularly aware of the power of the Holy Spirit?
4 How can we cultivate this in our lives for our blessing, and the blessing of others?
Do you know the song below?
Spirit of the living God,
Fall afresh on me.
Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me.
Spirit of the living God,
Fall afresh on me.