Key Truth: The Holy Spirit reveals that Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world and the Son of God who effectually baptizes us in the Spirit to newness of life in God.  

Introduction:

Who or what has most shaped your understanding of the person and work of the Holy Spirit?

Behold the Lamb of God Who Takes Away the Sin of the World:

John 1:19-31

“(For John to call Jesus the Lamb of God) meant that Christ was the great sacrifice for sin, who was come to make atonement for transgression by His own death upon the cross. He was the true Lamb which Abraham told Isaac at Moriah God would provide. (Gen. xxii. 8.) He was the true Lamb to which every morning and evening sacrifice in the temple had daily pointed. He was the Lamb of which Isaiah had prophesied that He would be “brought to the slaughter.” (Isaiah liii. 7.) He was the true Lamb of which the Passover lamb in Egypt had been a vivid type. In short, He was the great propitiation for sin which God had covenanted from all eternity to send into the world. He was God’s lamb.”

J.C. Ryle, Expository Thoughts on the Gospels, Vol. 3: John 1:1-John 10:30

Do you fully believe that Jesus is the all-sufficient Lamb of God who takes away the guilt, shame, and penalty of your sin?
Is this evident in how you live, repent, love, forgive?

The Baptism of the Spirit: A Sea-Change in Redemptive History:

John 1:32-34

“Jesus came that (humanity) might be brought into contact with the divine Spirit. But baptism is a figure which stresses abundant supply. So John will mean that the Spirit leads (humanity) into the infinite divine spiritual resources. This had not been possible previously, for there is a quality of life that Christ and none other makes available to (humanity). This life is a positive gift coming from the Spirit of God. Baptism with water had essentially a negative significance. It is a cleansing from —. But baptism with the Spirit is positive. It is the bestowal of new life in God.”

Leon Morris, The Gospel According to John

What are some ways in which you have been transformed to new life in God through your union with Christ in the baptism of the Holy Spirit?

John 1:19-34 teaches us that the Holy Spirit reveals that Jesus is:
-the Lamb of God whose sacrifice is sufficient for the redemption of the whole world
-the Son of God who baptizes in the Holy Spirit transforming us to new life in God

Communion

Benediction:

Romans 15:13