Month: May 2024

THE LION OF THE TRIBE OF JUDA

“And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.” Revelation 5:5

  • Text:      Revelation 5:5
  • Introduction:
    • The lion has long been recognized as “The King of the Beast.”
      • A male lion can weigh any where from 350 to 600 pounds.
      • Most males are about nine feet long from the nose to the end of the tail.
      • They are about 3 1/2 feet tall at the shoulder.
      • Male lions are the only cats with manes.
      • This collar of long thick hair covers their head, except the face, and the neck down to the shoulders and chest.
      • As well as providing a majestic appearance, it also protects him during a fight.
    • If God has compared His Son to a Lion there are undoubtedly some necessary applications that can be made.
      • The lion is known for several things:
  • I.   HIS STRENGTH (Prov. 30:30)
    • Lions are built for strength.
      • They have been observed dragging 600 pound animals that they have killed considerable distances.
      • The strength of a lion has long been the standard by which to judge real strength.
      • “Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they were not divided: they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions.” (2 Sam. 1:23)
    • Often people make the mistake of supposing Jesus’ compassion and love is a sign of weakness.
      • Please consider:
    • A.      Jesus driving the money changers from the temple – (Matt. 21:12,13)
    • B.      The officers sent to arrest Jesus came back empty handed because of His words – (Jn. 7:32, 45-47)
    • C.      The angry mob parted as Jesus passed through – (Lk. 4:28-30)
    • D.      The ability to carry a cross after being scourged – (Matt. 27:26)
    • E.      The Second Coming of Christ – (Rev. 19:11-21)
  • II. HIS ROAR
    • “The lion hath roared, who will not fear? the Lord God hath spoken, who can but prophesy?” (Amos 3:8)
    • The roar of a lion has been compared to the voice of God.
      • “They shall walk after the Lord: he shall roar like a lion: when he shall roar, then the children shall tremble from the west.” (Hos. 11:10)
      • (See also Rev. 10:3)
    • According to National Geographic, April 1969, the roar of a lion has more than one function:
    • A.      A soft moaning sound – a roar of low intensity – a lioness call’s her cubs from the hiding place, generally for food.
      • “The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their meat from God.” (Ps. 104:21)
    • B.      When a member of the pride (family) is looking for others, it will roar loudly, then listen attentively for an answer. (Job 38:1-3,18; 40:1-7)
  • NOTE:
    • Lions usually live and travel in family groups called “prides”.
      • There may be as few as 4-6 or as many as 30.
      • The family setup seems to be some what symbolical of the local church.
    • According to the same article in National Geographic: “Although some members of the pride, especially the males, may roam widely, the lions usually confine themselves to a definite territory.”
    • Another interesting note is, “Pride members are affectionate among themselves.
      • They rub cheeks when they meet.
      • They rest and hunt together, but strangers or members of a neighboring pride are not usually accepted.” (Jer. 31:3; Eze. 16:6-14)
    • Lions never kill unnecessarily but only when there is a need.
      • A lion seldom eats everything, but leaves some for the scavengers.
      • God’s blessings overflow to the bystanders. (Matt. 15:21-28, Gen. 30:27)
    • C.      The roar strikes fear because of its deafening, ferocious sound.
      • Of course in the case of the “Lion of the tribe of Juda”, there is good cause for fear.
  • III.          AN INSTRUMENT OF JUDGMENT
    • There have been a variety of occasions where lions have been used by God as an instrument of judgment.
    • A.      Judgment upon the Assyrians – (2 Kings 17:24-26)
    • B.      The young prophet who disobeyed God – (1 Kings 13:24-26)
    • C.      The man who ignored the prophet – (1 Kings 20:35-36)
  • Note:
    • According to Encyclopedia Americana, “Lions after the kill usually rip the carcass open and commence eating the entrails, heart and liver.”
    • Jesus Christ exposes with one motion our inner most being. “Lest he tear my soul like a lion, rending it in pieces, while there is none to deliver.” (Ps. 7:2)
    • D.      Lions are known for their powerful teeth.
      • They do not have teeth to chew, but only to tear, swallowing large chunks of meat. (Rev. 9:8; Joel 1:6)
    • Even the Devil, also pictured as a lion (1 Pet. 5:8), will be used as an instrument of judgment upon Israel. (Hos. 13:8)
  • Conclusion:
    • Today the Sons of God ought to have the boldness of a lion.
      • “The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.” (Prov. 28:1)
      • The question may well be asked as Nahum did, “Where is the dwelling of the lions, and the feeding place of the young lions, where the lion, even the old lion, walked, and the lions whelp, and none made them afraid?” (Nah. 2:11)

Today Christianity has a lot more pussy cats than lions.

THE LILY OF THE VALLEY

“I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys. As the lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters. As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste.” (Song of Songs 2:1-3)

  • Text:      Song Solomon 2:1-3
  • Introduction:
    • The Lily of the Valley is found practically world wide in temperate and tropical regions.
      • The flowers are very fragrant, white, bell shaped on slender stems about 9 inches tall.
      • The stem rises between two shiny leaves.
      • With the white fragrant flowers in the center the plant reminds us of the Trinity.
      • Jesus Christ is the focal point of attention (Phil. 2:5-11).
      • Not only are these plants perfectly hardy, but they thrive in spots where most things balk, even in dense shade under trees. (Matt. 28:20)
      • According to Encyclopedia International, 1979, they do very well along the north side of a wall (Lev. 1:11), the lily flowers in May (Solomon’s Song 2:8-13) and the blossoms produce scarlet berries. (Isa. 1:18).
    • However, there are several other things that need to be noted about this incredible flower:
  • I.   THE ROOT SYSTEM – (Rev. 22:16)
    • The Lily of the Valley has a creeping root system from which the flower actually springs forth at close intervals.
      • Because of the persistent root the plant persists with great tenacity.
    • When the icy blast of winter (persecution) comes the top part of the plant withers away but the root thrives underground!
      • The religion of Jesus often does best in the face of persecution.
    • Christians in modern-day Chad, Africa, were being persecuted for refusing to participate in old tribal initiation rites they say are pagan.
      • Reliable sources reported the torture deaths of pastors, evangelists, and other church leaders who declined to commit acts counter to their faith:
        • drinking chicken blood offered to idols,
        • handling fetishes, and the like.
      • The accounts told of persons buried alive with just part of a leg left above ground or – for slower death – with only the head exposed, a terrifying warning to others who resist.
    • The persecution originated when President Francois N’garta Tombalbaye launched a cultural revolution assertedly to rid the nation and its four million inhabitants of unwanted foreign influences and to establish an identity with the country’s past.
      • But church leaders reportedly met and agreed to oppose the rites, and some church groups say they would not readmit members who take part.
      • The evangelical churches in Chad number more than 1,500 congregations with tens of thousands of members.
  • II. THE CHEMICAL SUBSTANCE
    • According to students Encyclopedia 1977 “All parts of the plant contain a chemical substance called convallatoxin, which is similar to the drug digitalis and may be used as a heart stimulant.”
      • Nothing has the ability to stimulate and change the heart like the Lord Jesus Christ.
    • He has the ability to:
      • A. Prick men’s hearts – (Acts 2:37; 7:54)
      • B. Dwell in your heart – (Eph. 3:17)
      • C. Bring joy to the heart – (Jn. 16:22)
      • D. Comfort your hearts – (Eph. 6:22)
      • E. Keep your hearts – (Phil. 4:7)
  • III.          THE FRAGRANCE (Solomon’s Song 5:13)
    • Because of its fragrance the Lily of the Valley is used in the manufacture of perfume.
      • A highly esteemed perfume, eau d’or, is made in France from the flowers.
      • The ancients were fond of sweet perfumes of all kinds (Prov. 27:9; Ps. 45:8)
    • The Old Testament tabernacle contained an altar of incense (Ex. 30:1-10; 30:34-38) that stood before the veil.
      • A special incense that was to be mixed for God alone (Ex. 30:37) finds a very significant New Testament application in (Eph. 5:2 and Phil. 4:18).
    • The idea is that God delights in appropriate sacrifices.
  • IV. THE FALSE LILY OF THE VALLEY
    • According to Concise Encyclopedia of Favorite Wild Flowers, 1965, there is a flower that imitates the Lily of the Valley but under close examination fails the test.
      • Jesus told us there would be a variety of false Christs (Matt. 24:24) who would attempt to deceive.
    • One afternoon in 1965, Daniel Waswa, a citizen of Kenya, struggled up a hill and was crucified by his wife at his own direction.
      • As he hung on the cross, he told the gathered crowd. “I am dying for the sins of all Kenyans.”
      • After nailing her husband to the cross, the woman collapsed on the ground and died, apparently from shock.
      • Waswa’s neighbors knew this was no spur-of-the moment act.
      • He had talked about it for a year and had told them he had been called by God for this purpose.
    • They begged him to let them take him down.
      • He refused all requests.
      • Finally he was taken down still alive, but he soon died from the nail wounds which had become infected.
      • Superstitious people now make pilgrimage to the spot where Daniel Waswa died and pray for him to forgive their sins.
    • Hitler was the most evident type of Antichrist in the twentieth century.
      • He coerced, forced, and misled millions to accept him as God’s messiah.
        • Helmut Thielicke wrote of Hitler: “He made free use of the Christian vocabulary, talked about the blessing of the Almighty … he showed his tattered Bible and declared he drew the strength for his great work from the Word of God … he caused many religious people to welcome him as a man sent from God.”

THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD

“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

 “As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” (John 9:5)

  • Text:      John 8:12; John 9:5
  • Introduction:
    • One of the most famous illustrations that the word of God uses to show the difference between righteousness and unrighteousness, between good and evil, between truth and error, is the difference between light and darkness.
      • The Gospel of John especially uses this picture.
      • In it, Christ’s life is called “the light of men” (1:4), and His light is said to have shined “in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not” (vs. 5).
      • The Lord Jesus Christ is called “the Light,” (vs. 7,8,9) who “lighteth every man that cometh into the world” (vs. 9).
      • He didn’t come just to enlighten the elect.
      • In (Jn. 8:12 and 9:5), Jesus calls Himself “The light of the world.”
    • Whenever the Bible uses any illustration, and particularly an illustration such as this one that is used so often, we’d better expect it to say a lot more than can be gleaned from just the casual glance.
    • There are several things that we can learn about the Lord Jesus Christ through studying something about the thing that He called Himself – light.
  • I.   THE POWER OF LIGHT
    • A.      Light is a powerful provider
      • Light is energy-pure energy.
        • The greatest natural source of light is the sun.
        • Jesus Christ is called “the Sun of righteousness” (Mal. 4:2), and just as the sun’s light is the physical source of our energy, Jesus Christ is the true source of our spiritual energy.
      • Whatever we eat ultimately comes from the energy of the sun’s light.
        • Green plants, through photosynthesis, convert light energy into stored energy.
        • When we eat the plant, we are consuming energy that was once light.
      • We cannot escape the power and energy of light, just as the power of Jesus Christ is the thing which keeps all things together (Col. 1:17; Rom. 11:36) and the power that gives us the ability to be what we spiritually can be (Eph. 3:16, 6:10; Phil. 4:19; Col. 1:11).
    • B.      Light is powerful in its speed
      • Light travels at approximately 186,282 miles per second.
        • Nothing in our experience can move faster.
        • It is the universal, absolute standard of speed.
        • Einstein, in fact, postulated that everything-even time itself – is relative to only one existing constant: the speed of light.
      • Jesus Christ is the absolute standard by which all other things are measured (Acts 17:31).
        • He never changes His character (Heb. 13:8).
        • It is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for anything that comes from His mouth to be annulled, changed, or altered (Matt. 5:18, 24:35) – and even time itself is subject to Jesus
        • Christ, He was alive before there was time (John 1:1), and He will be alive when the new heavens and new earth are made (Rev. 21:6).
      • When Jesus wants something done, nothing can slow Him down; nothing can hinder Him from the execution of His plan (Matt. 28:18).
  • II. THE “PROBLEM” OF LIGHT
    • It is very difficult to explain or fully understand exactly what light is.
      • This is because light has a dual nature.
        • For 300 years, there have been fierce arguments in the scientific community whether light was a particle or a wave.
        • Presently, scientific dogma says that is both – even though scientists readily admit that this is “impossible.”
        • They shrug their shoulders and call it a “wave” when it does what a wave is expected to do, and they call it a “particle” when it does what a particle is expected to do.
        • According to all the present evidence, light is not part particle and part wave (or a particle moving in a wave like pattern, as many falsely imagine), but it is all wave and all particle, all at the same time.
      • Jesus Christ is all God and all man.
        • He is proclaimed to be God (Isa. 9:6; Jn. 1:1; 1 Tim. 3:16; Tit. 1:3; Heb. 1:8), and yet we know that He is all man (I Tim. 2:4).
        • He tired (Jn. 4:6), He wept (Jn. 11:35), He thirsted (Jn. 19:28), and He was “in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin” (Heb. 4:15).
  • III.          THE PURPOSE OF LIGHT
    • Light is that which makes manifest.
      • Obviously, if it were not for light, nothing could be seen.
        • Light shows things for what they really are.
        • Light never lies.
        • If there is a scratch in the paint, light will show it.
        • If there is an imperfection in a diamond, light will manifest it.
    • A.      Light manifests sin for what it is
      • “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light”
        • WHY?
        • “because their deeds were evil” (Jn. 3:19).
      • One reason that the world doesn’t love Jesus Christ is because He, as the Light, shows people that their sin is hopeless, wicked, and unprofitable.
        • The “angel of light,” the devil (2 Cor. 11:14) tries to glorify sin, but this is a counterfeit light.
        • The true Light tells the truth about sin.
    • B.      Light manifests God for Who He is
      • Jesus bore witness of the Father (Jn. 1:18; 148,9; 17:26) and Himself (Jn 8:18).
        • He manifested God and God’s character to us.
    • C.      Light, because it manifests, dissolves our unfounded fears.
      • There is nothing more terrifying than not knowing what is scaring you.
        • Being in the dark is the worst.
        • If you see something fearful, at least you know how to deal with it.
        • But when you are in darkness, that is fear.
      • Jesus Christ scatters all of our illegitimate fears with His glorious light.
        • He tells us that we do need to fear-we need to fear God (Luke 12:5), but if we have that mastered, we will fear very little else, and will live a joyful life (Rom. 14:17; Gal. 5:22; Phil. 1:4,25; 1 Pet. 5:7- 1 Jn. 4:18).
    • D.      Light makes it possible to work
      • In the context of Jesus’ proclamation that He is the light of the world (Jn. 9:5) comes the statement, “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is yet day: the night cometh, when no man can work” (vs. 4).
      • Without Light, it is virtually impossible to do any kind of profitable work.
        • Without Christ, service to God is meaningless, and in vain (2 Cor. 13:5).
        • Works without Jesus Christ is as much vanity and worthlessness as trying to paint a picture in absolute darkness.
        • With the light, however, all labor is worthwhile.
        • You can see what you are doing.
        • You can work what God has asked you to work without frustration, knowing “that your labour is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Cor. 15:58).

THE LAMB OF GOD

“The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29)

  • Text:      John 1:29
  • Introduction:
    • Since the dawn of creation man has sought to worship by offering sacrifice to his deity.
      • From the Moabites in the Middle East, to the Aztecs in South America, man has sacrificed to placate the gods he served in hope that he might produce a good crop, prosper throughout the year, enjoy health, and be victorious over hostile peoples living around him.
      • In 2 Kings 3:26,27, when the battle went against the King of Moab, he offered his eldest son for a burnt offering upon the wall of his city.
    • Why do men sacrifice?
      • There are a number of answers that we could suggest:
        • First, as already pointed out, men seek to obtain divine favors;
        • Second, sacrifices are offered to demons to drive the spirit out of a sick person into the sacrificial victim that would then be destroyed;
        • A third possibility, a sacrificial meal is offered to establish fellowship and communion with his god;
        • Lastly, sacrifices are offered by man to show dependence and homage to deity.
      • All of these overlook God’s primary intent in the concept of sacrifice, that is God intended sacrifice to provide an atonement for man’s sin so that man could ‘draw nigh’ to a holy God.
  • I.   The Lamb Of God Typified By The Patriarchs And By Old

Testament Law

  • “…God will provide himself a lamb… ” (Gen. 22:8)
    • A.      (Gen. 3:21) God provided Adam and Eve with coats of skins to clothe them from their nakedness.
      • “…it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.” – (Lev. 17:11)
    • B.      (Gen. 4:3-5) Abel brought of the firstlings of his flock…”
      • “…a more excellent sacrifice…” (Heb. 11:4).
    • C.      (Gen. 8:20-22) – “…Noah builded an altar … and offered burnt offerings…“
    • D.      (Job 1:5) – The patriarch Job offered sacrifice on behalf of his children.
  • II.The Lamb Of God Personified In The Prophets
    • “…he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter…” (Isa. 53:7)
    • A.      Israel’s response to the lamb, (Isa. 52:13-53:3).
      • 1.  -Many were astonied at thee”… (Isa. 52:14)
      • 2.  The Kings shut their mouths at him… ” (Isa. 52:15)
      • 3.  “there is no beauty that we should desire him…” (Isa. 53:2)
      • 4.  “…despised and rejected … we hid our faces from him … we esteemed him not…” (Isa. 53:3)
    • B.      The substitutionary death of the Lamb, (Isa. 53:4-9).
      • 1.  “wounded for our transgressions” (53:5)
      • 2.  “bruised for our iniquities” (53:5)
      • 3.  “the chastisement of our peace was upon him with his stripes we are healed…” (53:5)
      • 4.  “…the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all” (53:6)
      • 5.  “he was cut off for the transgression of my people” (53:8)
    • C.      The triumphant resurrection of the Lamb, (Isa. 53:10-12).
      • 1.  “he shall prolong his days. ” (53:10)
      • 2.  “…he shall divide the spoil…” (53:12)
  • III.          The Lamb Of God Identified In The Gospel
    • “…Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world…” (Jn. 1:29)
    • A.      The Lamb is God Incarnate.
      • The Old Testament sacrifices could never take away sin.
        • Only God can forgive sin; forgiveness of sin must be accomplished in harmony with the nature of God.
        • A holy, righteous and perfect God demands a sacrifice, which is holy, righteous and perfect.
      • The Redeemer must have the redemptive price to perform the task of redemption; he must be willing to redeem; he must be related to mankind as a kinsman.
        • It was man who lost man’s inheritance, and only man could redeem it back.
        • Yet only God could pay the price.
        • Man’s sin brought eternal consequences,
        • God’s blood was required for an eternal remedy.
        • In the final analysis, it is the God-man who is the perfect Lamb; Son of God, Son of Man. (Jn. 3:16; Gal. 4:4)
      • “…God would provide himself a Lamb…” (Gen. 22:8. 1 Pet. 1:18,19; 2:24,25)
    • B.      Jesus is the Lamb, the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy.
      • The Lamb’s place of birth, (Mic. 5:2);
      • The Lamb’s unique birth, (Isa. 7:14);
      • The Lamb’s time of birth, (Dan. 9:24-26);
      • The Lamb’s suffering, (Isa. 53);
      • The Lamb’s death, (Isa. 53);
      • The Lamb’s resurrection, (Ps. 16:10) and 300 other prophecies fulfilled in one person, the Lord Jesus Christ.
      • “…the blood of Jesus Christ his son cleanseth from all sin.” (1 Jn. 1:7)
  • IV. The Lamb Of God Glorified In The Revelation
    • “…Worthy is the Lamb that was slain…” (Rev. 5:12).
    • A.      The Worship of the Lamb, (Rev. 4,5).
      • “Who is worthy … ?” (5:2) – no man was found worthy…” (5:4)
        • “…Behold the Lion…the Root … hath prevailed…” (5:5).
      • He is “a Lamb” (5:6).
        • “…for thou wast slain and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood…” (5:9).
        • (See Acts 20:28).
        • “… And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him…” “…Worthy is the Lamb “(5:8,12)
    • B.      The Wrath of the Lamb, (Rev. 6-18).
      • The Lamb offers His love to all who will receive it.
      • Those who spurn His love must face His wrath.
      • Have you received the Lamb as your sacrifice for sins???
        • Or will you experience His wrath? (Rev. 6:16; 17:14)
    • C.      The wedding of the Lamb, (Rev. 19-20)
      • 1.  Bridegroom and bride are betrothed at a formal ceremony. (2 Cor. 11:2) – Salvation or New Birth.
      • 2.  The bridegroom arrives for his bride at a set time to take her away to his father’s house. (1 Thess. 4:13-18) – The Rapture
      • 3.  The bridegroom takes the bride to his father’s house where the marriage is consummated.
        • We’ll go to the Father’s house and remain in seclusion for the honeymoon. (Rev. 4:1)
      • 4.  The bridegroom publicly presents his new bride, (Rev. 19:14), at his second coming.
    • D.      The Wife of the Lamb, (Rev. 21,22).
      • The New Jerusalem is the dwelling place of the Lamb’s bride (21:9).
      • It is as a “bride adorned for her husband” (21:2).
      • The Church, the body of believers in Christ, is the bride. (Rom. 7:4; Eph. 5:22-31; 2 Cor. 11:2; Gal. 4:19-31)
    • E.      Abraham offered many sacrifices to God.
      • In chapters 12, 13, &15, God personally instructed Abraham to sacrifice in connection with the covenant which God made with him. (Gen. 12:7,8; 13:4,18; 15:7-21)
    • F.      (Gen. 22:8) “…God will provide himself as lamb…”
      • He provided a ram … then! (vs. 13).
    • G. (Ex. 12:12,13) The Passover Lamb …
      • Teaches us that:
        • 1.       Israel must atone for their sins before entering into the covenant.
        • 2.       The covenant was a covenant of pure grace.
        • 3.       God promised to deal graciously with Israel if they endeavored to follow Him in obedience.
      • See I Cor. 5:7
  • H. The Levitical Offerings, (Lev. 1:1; 6:6).
    • 1.       Prophesied the suffering and death of Christ.
    • 2.       The animals portray the work of Christ in His earthly ministry.
      • “…these sacrifices were but a shadow of good things to come … for it is not possible that they should take away sins…” – (Heb. 10:1,4)
    • Why did God demand such an elaborate system?
      • First, acknowledgment was made that an atonement was necessary for sin;
      • Second, admission was made that another must make substitutionary atonement for him;
      • Third, the blood covered the sin to make it possible for God to withhold judgment;
      • Fourth, it made possible the communion of sinful man with a holy God; lastly, his sacrifice pointed to a day when Christ would once and for all atone for sin. (Heb. 9:26-28)