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[0:00] As the Lord should be pleased to help me, I shall call your attention to a subject in the Gospel of John, chapter 1, the second half of the 29th verse.

[0:18] Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

[0:32] Chapter 1, the Gospel of John, the second half of the 29th verse.

[0:48] Every man ordained of God to preach the Gospel, every time he is helped to do so, whatever his text may be, in the sermon as he unfolds it, he will be saying to poor sinners, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

[1:22] The subject is one that has a deep that couches beneath, and as grace is given, I would desire to look at it from three or four viewpoints of it.

[1:42] There is that which, in approaching the subject, is interesting to ponder in our hearts concerning the setting of it.

[1:55] And now it was John the Baptist, as he saw Jesus coming to him, that said, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

[2:15] It was a wonderful title, John the Baptist gave to Jesus Christ as he saw him approaching him.

[2:31] And it was made manifest to John the Baptist from heaven itself as to who Jesus Christ really was.

[2:46] In John bear record saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. You all will remember when that was, when Jesus Christ as verily man was baptized in Jordan's flood.

[3:05] Then there was this wondrous heavenly dove, seen by John the Baptist, by God-given eyes. And he knew of a truth, it was the Messiah.

[3:19] And he saw in Jesus Christ, what he declares in our subject, the Lamb of God. God's Lamb.

[3:32] God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him, should not perish, but have everlasting life.

[3:46] And he says, I knew him not, but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending and remaining on him, the same as he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.

[4:07] And I saw and bear record that this is the Son of God. And now, there is one thought I want to put into words, not that I want to take up too much time out of the sermon in doing it.

[4:23] But it is not recorded that when John the Baptist first of all proclaimed, Behold, the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world, that there were any signs following the declaration.

[4:43] And it impressed it on my mind as I read the chapter down. I have observed it before. Again, the next day after, John stood and two of his disciples, in looking upon Jesus as he walked, he said, Behold, the Lamb of God.

[5:06] And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. And do listen to this. Then Jesus turned and saw them following, and saith unto them, Whom seek ye?

[5:26] No. What seek ye? And now that brings us to where the sermon really should begin.

[5:39] What seek ye? Here were these two disciples, wrought on by the Spirit of God, and they followed Jesus.

[5:51] And many of you gathered together this Sabbath afternoon, are following Jesus. What for? It can be said to you. And you can let your consciences tell you what is the answer.

[6:06] What seek ye? Is it not the truth that many of you, as grace is given, desire to get in touch with him, as the sinner's friend, and get some good for your soul?

[6:26] You want to get a glimpse of him, as the sinner's friend. You want something to assure you, that as the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world, your own sins, black as they are, many as they are, were taken away, when he died in the stead of poor sinners like you, on Calvary's cross.

[7:00] You might look this chapter down, when you get home, and think on it prayerfully, for yourselves. There is indeed, much that you could ponder in your hearts, to purpose and profit.

[7:16] Then Jesus turned, and saw them following. And now he sees you following. While there is all the world abroad this Sabbath day, the word of God tells us, as you are here, under Union Chapel roof, every one of them in Zion, appeareth before God.

[7:45] And Jesus, as you follow him in worship, is saying to you, as the worship proceeds, what seek ye?

[8:00] And do you respond, I seek and hope to find a portion, for my soul? The Lord bless you.

[8:12] Yea, you are blessed already, if you feel like that. Blessed are they, which do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled.

[8:26] And now, I want to look at the subject, from two or three viewpoints of it. Behold, the Lamb of God, which taketh away, the sin of the world.

[8:42] And now, it is wonderful to contemplate, that, throughout Old Testament times, as God instituted, how he was to be worshipped, and especially, by Israel, as a nation, when they were in their wilderness, wanderings for forty years, and then in the land of promise, there must have been, millions of lambs, offered up for sacrifices, and yet, there was no virtue, no value, in all that vast, host of lambs, offered up, although their blood was, shed, and sprinkled before the mercy seat.

[9:39] it did not avail, it did not avail, to bring, poor sinners, before God, with whom they had to do, to realize, peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners, reconciled, because, all those lambs, were offered, and sacrificed, to be as a type, of the Lamb of God, of whom the word of God says, when the fullness, of time was come, God sent forth, his own son, made of a woman, made under, the law, and now, here is Jesus Christ, as verily man, round about, thirty years of age, about to begin, his public ministry, and John the Baptist, is inspired, by the spirit of God, to see in him, the son of God, and to, recommend him, to those gathered round about, where he was, preaching, behold, the Lamb of God, which taketh away, the sin of the world, and, it is helpful, in seeking, to behold, the Lamb of God, to observe, what a contrast, there was, between the lambs, that were offered up, under the Mosaic law, and this dear,

[11:31] Lamb of God, of whom, John says, behold, the Lamb, of God, and now, when a lamb, was brought along, for a sacrifice, it was, not a voluntary, offering, him, he, who was offering it, had to bring it, and when it was, to be slain, as a sacrifice, what do we read, in the Psalms, bind the sacrifice, with cords, even to, the horns, of, the altar, not only so, a lamb, was not, of sufficient, value, to, to satisfy, offended, justice, the thing, was, impossible, and most, of all, the lamb, which was brought, was not, of the same nature, as the man, who brought it, and now, you bring, all those things, to bear, on the Lamb, of God, oh, blessed, be his name, he was, a voluntary, offering, what did he say, lo, glad,

[13:01] I come, in the volume, of the book, it is written, of me, I delight, to do thy will, oh, God, not only so, although, he was, the eternal, son of God, in his divine, nature, yet, he came down, into this world, and took, our human nature, into union, with his divine nature, so that, he did love's redeeming, work, clothed in a body, like our own, and therefore, he was, of the same nature, with those, on, whose, behalf, he came, to suffer, bleed, and die, and what, shall we say, of the value, of the sacrifice, which was made, by the Lamb of God, when he went, up Calvary's hill, and died, in the stead, of poor sinners, like you, and me, it was, of infinite value, beyond any preacher's words, to describe, and it was, of infinite, efficacy, and there is, a word, to describe it, the blood, of Jesus Christ,

[14:31] God's son, cleanseth us, from all sin, all manner, of sin, shall be, forgiven, it is, a wonderful word, to inspire, a poor sinner, when he feels, undone, hell deserving, and guilty, before God, if we, confess, our sins, he is faithful, and just, to forgive us, our sins, and to cleanse us, from all, unrighteousness, yes, Jesus blood, through earth, and skies, mercy, eternal, mercy, cries, behold, the Lamb, of God, which taketh away, the sin of the world, and to encourage you, to hope in God, if any of you, even this Sabbath, afternoon, are hard put to it, and wondering, depth of mercy, can there be mercy, for a wretch like me, the gospel, says, to you, yes, there is, the vilest sinner, out of hell, who lives, to feel his need, he's welcome, to the throne, of grace, the Savior's, blood, to plead, and this word, is recorded, to encourage you, to wait on God, wait for God, behold, the Lamb, of God, which taketh away, the sin, of the world, and now,

[16:25] I must make this plain, as grace is given, look at this word, behold, and now, you could not ask, a man who was blind, to do it, because, his eyes are, forever closed, to beholding, what is beneath the sun, therefore, if this word, is to be, of help, encouragement, blessing, benefit, to you, as a poor sinner, in time, and eternity, there must be, a miracle, wrought, and wrought, by the blessed spirit, of God, who alone, can do it, and the eyes, of the blind, shall be, opened, and you find, in the days, when Jesus Christ, went about, doing good, preaching his own gospel, and, healing, all that had need, of healing, how often,

[17:36] I have reminded you, that many, who were healed, like that, had their eyes, opened, to see, who Jesus Christ, was, and they, saw him, to be, verily God, verily man, they, were given, living faith, to see, in him, the God, shines, gracious, through, the man, therefore, how did, they address him, Lord, help me, Lord, remember me, when thou, comest, into, thy, kingdom, and, think to, of blind, Bartimaeus, by the highway side, begging, on the Jericho road, and, they tell him, when he, realized, there was, a multitude, passing along, Jesus of Nazareth, passeth, by, a, but blind,

[18:40] Bartimaeus, was not blind, as to who, Jesus Christ, really was, Jesus, thou son of David, great David's, greater son, have mercy, upon me, what wilt thou, that I should do, unto thee, Lord, that I might receive, my sight, and, the dear, saviour, blessed him, granted, his desire, and, immediately, he received, this sight, some of you, dear people, I was going to say, young people, but it includes, some of you, who are old enough, to know better, I'm not fitting, any caps on, but I am bound, to tell you, this, as regards, blind, Bartimaeus, it is said, and immediately, he received, this sight, and followed, Jesus, in, the way, and some of you,

[19:44] God has given you, sight, to a great degree, and you hope, you were following him, in, the way, but there is a way, wherein, Jesus walked himself, and you might think, again, and seek, divine aid, to walk, to walk, in it, too, Jesus says, to each believer, be baptized, in my name, he himself, in Jordan's river, was immersed, beneath, the stream, mark, that, little record, it is not recorded, just as a piece, of history, it is, to inspire, with hope, in God, those, whose eyes, are opened, in ages, to come, and immediately, he received, this sight, he followed, Jesus, in, the way, yes, behold, all it needs, this miracle, of grace, must be wrought, and how good, it is, if you cannot, say much, as yet, as to what, you humbly hope,

[21:01] God has done, for you, if you can say, as much, as this, one thing I know, whereas, I was blind, now, I can, see, and remember, although, as yet, it may be, you can see, but a little, there is a word, in Isaiah, which I have looked at, many times, the eyes of them, that see, shall not be dim, and now, that seems, a very strange, expression, speaking with, great reverence, but it means, that, as yet, they see, but a little, but, it was said, to one, thou shalt see, greater things, than these, and so, it will be, with all the, blind, whose eyes, are opened, they may, at first, see men, as trees, walking, but the dear,

[22:02] Savior, will give them, another touch, and then, they will see, the things of God, clearly, and they will see, their own interest, in the things of God, which is what, many of you, are concerned about, I trust, and it is said, the vision, is for an, appointed time, though it tarry, wait for it, in the end, it shall speak, and not lie, it will surely come, it will not, tarry, the time, of love, will come, when each, shall clearly see, not only that, Christ shed his blood, but each, shall say for me, and now, let us look, at this subject, from yet another viewpoint, behold, the lamb, of God, which, taketh, away, the sin, of the world, the margin reading, is, beareth, and now, how beautiful it is, to think of Jesus Christ, as the lamb, of God, you remember the picture, you ought to, for I have told you about it, quite a few times, of Abraham, going up the hill, going up to Mount Moriah, to offer, of Isaac, and now, the Lord, wrote on his behalf, there, as they are going along,

[23:40] Isaac, who was to be the offering, as far as Abraham's mind was, about it, says to his father, father, you have, everything, regarding, offering a sacrifice, but the main thing, is missing, where is a lamb, for a burnt offering, and says Abraham, and you think, if you can, you dear fathers, with your sons, and think of Abraham, as he was, aged, with this son, on whom the promise, depended, to be fulfilled, that, there should, in the fullness of time, be the lamb of God, made manifest, which taketh away, the sin of the world, and now, think of Abraham, ponder, if you can, God will help you, to think about it, what must his feelings, have been,

[24:43] God will provide, himself, a lamb, for a, burnt offering, my son, my son, and now, that is just, what God, was pleased to do, because when, Isaac was laid, on the altar, ready to be offered, God, forbade it, and Abraham, lifted up his eyes, and beheld, a ram, caught in a thicket, and he went, and took it, and offered it, instead, yes, and what did, the Savior say, your father, Abraham, saw my day, he saw it, and was glad, and that was on, Mount Moriah, when he lifted up his eyes, and saw that ram, caught in a thicket, and he went, and took it, what did he do, as he was, offering it, he did just, what I hope, God will help you, to do, behold, the Lamb of God, which taketh away, the sin of the world, yes,

[25:55] Abraham, Abraham was a wonderful, man, in the age, in which he lived, and, it was a wonderful, experience, for him, and, these things, are recorded, for our instruction, behold, the Lamb of God, which taketh away, the sin of the world, and now, in Old Testament times, when the Israelite, who had made, some breach of the law, committed, some, sin, whereby, it was essential, he should be made, clean, nationally, clean, in Israel's, host, he, would go, with a lamb, and it was, to be, without, blemish, and it must, oft times, have been, quite a difficulty, but, that was, how the law, demanded, it was, to be, of such a nature, that, when it was examined, it was, as far as could be, without, blemish,

[27:13] I, have wondered, sometimes, if some, Israelite, offerers, when, there was a blemish, found in their lamb, had to return, and obtain, another one, that was more, acceptable, bull, it was, a very, solemn, business, to live, like that, throughout, Old Testament, times, and, it is said, that when, Israel, began to, depart, from God, that one, evidence, of their, departures, you can read, of this, in Malachi, and very, solemn, reading, it is, that the, priests, would take, the blind, and the lamb, and offer them, for sacrifices, and God, was offended, thereby, and his judgments, were poured out, on Israel, as a nation, because they, had so departed, from the standard, of worship, but it still, remains, if you, and I, are to, worship God, aright, whenever, we appear, before his, holy majesty, we must, bring a lamb, bring him, as it were, in the arms, of our faith, as an offering, and it must, be one, that is, without blemish, and now, you and I, can never, find such a lamb, on the earth, but God, has made, the provision, for us, oh, do think, on it, the lamb, of God, the holy, harmless, undefiled,

[29:01] Son, of God, and that, helps you, when you, try to pray, to do, what the hymn writer, says, I can, no denial, take, while I, plead, for, Jesus, sake, all, the lamb, of God, is an, all sufficient, sacrifice, he, was, innocent, harmless, meek, of a truth, without blemish, and without, spot, in him, the father, never saw, the least, transgression, of his law, in him, we then, perfection, view, and the saints, in him, are perfect, too, but then, there is, another way, and a, blessed way, whereby, we are helped, by faith, to behold, the lamb of God, which taketh away, the sin of the world, and that is, the lamb, would be suitable, for food, and also, the fleece, was suitable, for clothing, and now, that leads, our thoughts, to the righteousness, of God, which is, by faith, in Jesus Christ, if guilt, disturb thy peace, or Satan, harass thee, behold, the Saviour's, righteousness, which sets, the guilty, free, much, might be said, along that, line, of thought, but I must, look at the subject, from another, viewpoint, line, and remember, this sacrifice, the lamb, of God, is always, acceptable, to God, the father, in our approaches, to him, as the majesty, of heaven, for, when John, saw the spirit, descending, from heaven, like a dove, and it abode, upon,

[31:13] Jesus Christ, in Jordan's flood, what did, John the Baptist, hear, God the father, speaking, do think, of what honor, was conferred, on John the Baptist, what a privilege, and he heard, this is my beloved son, in whom, I am well pleased, yes, and if you have, the mercy, to be taught, of God, more, and more, as you journey, on through life, and what you are, by nature, is made manifest, to you, as it will be, as you go, deeper down, into your soul's, need, and you, remember, none but Jesus, none but Jesus, can do, helpless sinners good, I will venture, to say, that you will be, more and more, well pleased, in Jesus Christ, as the Lamb of God, which taketh away, the sin, of the world, behold, the Lamb, of God, which, taketh, away, the sin, of the world, look at this word, taketh, it means, in the present tense, of a truth, it was, taken away, absolutely, when Jesus, died, on Calvary's cross, when, he said, it is, finished, then, the guilt of the, church of Christ, hundreds of millions, untold, beyond, any preacher's, ability, to reckon up, a number, it is a number, which no man, can number, yet, when Jesus said, it is finished, then, the salvation, for each one, everyone, in that vast, horse, was fulfilled, in every, jot, and tittle, and all, for whom, he lived, and died, and rose again, will ultimately, be found, forever, with the Lord, in the rest, that remaineth, for, the people, of God, and as I pondered, this subject, a word, came to my mind, and, it seemed, just a blink of light, came with it, and now, you dear young people, sometimes, when you read, you might light on, this scripture, where it says, that Jesus Christ, was the lamb slain, from the foundation, of the world, and yet, we all know, that Jesus Christ, was not, actually, crucified, until, he hung on,

[34:22] Calvary's cross, when the world, was at least, four thousand years old, and now, what does that mean, I could tell you, that it means, first of all, that it was, recorded, in eternal purposes, and that, before time, was born, or the world, was built, that Jesus Christ, guaranteed, that in the fullness, that in the fullness, of time, he would be made, manifest, as the lamb of God, which taketh away, the sin of the world, but it opened up, to me like this, and now, for four thousand years, the world, had run on, and there were, already in heaven, through those, four thousand years, millions, of sinners, who had been, made welcome there, speaking with, great reverence, on the credit, of what,

[35:27] Jesus Christ, would do, in the fullness, of time, and therefore, in that sense, he is declared, to be, the lamb, slain, from the foundation, of the world, and all, who were taught, of God, throughout, Old Testament, times, in their approaches, to God, did behold, the lamb of God, which taketh away, the sin, of the world, think that over, as the Lord, to help you, and you will find, it is a deep, that coucheth, beneath, but it is a blessed, reality, you and I, if we are taught, of God, look back, my soul, looks back, to see, the burdens, thou didst bear, when hanging, on the accursed tree, in hopes, of guilt, was there, but throughout, Old Testament, times, all who were taught, of God, looked forward, to that day, that they knew, would inevitably, dawn, when Jesus Christ, would die, in the stead, of poor sinners, such as they were, and, they were led, into the truth, of it, and they died, in the happiness, of it, and their redeemed, spirits, are around, the throne, of God, because, of, the Lamb, of God, in the fullness, of time, doing that, which he was, ordained, to do, love's, redeeming work, oh, my dear friends, young and old, it would do you good, to behold, the Lamb of God, which, taketh, away, the sin of the world, and it means, taketh away, the sin, of Jews, and Gentiles, alike, hence, you find, it is said, behold, the Lamb of God, which, taketh away, the sin, of the world, people, of every kindred, tribe, and tongue, when Jesus Christ, died on Calvary's cross, oh, he died in their stead, and they will be found, in the realms, of bliss, singing his eternal, praises, but then, let us look, at it like this, behold, the Lamb of God, which taketh away, the sin of the world, and now, where was that sin, taken to?

[38:12] You might find it, quite profitable, I like to set you, going on something, that will do you good, from a spiritual viewpoint, I say, you might find it, quite profitable, to look up, the word of God, as regards, the different, illustrations, used by the spirit of God, to set forth, what you want to know, in your soul's experience, if you do not know it already, forgiveness of sins, and now it says, as far as the east, is from the west, so far hath he removed, our transgressions, from us, yes, and Micah, godly man, that he was, says, thou will cast, all our sins, into the depths, of the sea, or sins, unnumbered, as the sand, and like the mountains, for their size, the seas, of sovereign grace, expand, the seas, of sovereign grace, arise, eh, but what did,

[39:20] Ezekiah say, thou hast, cast all my sins, behind, thy back, oh, what a matter, for faith, to meditate, upon, and then, it is said, also, in, Jeremiah, there is, a word there, which is, very striking, in setting forth, where, sin, was, taken, away, it is a great, word, to contemplate, in those days, and in that time, saith the Lord, the iniquity, of Israel, shall be sought for, and there shall be none, and the sins, of Judah, and they shall not, be found, for I will pardon, them, whom I, reserve, oh, great subject, through this man, there is preached, unto you, the forgiveness, of sins, behold, the Lamb of God, which taketh away, the sin, of, the world, and remember this, as I come along, to the Amen, in the book, of Revelation, there is a picture, given to us, where godly John, as it were, was, favored, to look into heaven, itself, and what does he say, and I beheld, and I heard, the voice, of many angels, round about the throne, and the elders, and the number, of them, was ten thousand, times ten thousand, and thousands, of thousands, just think, what this must sound like, if you can, saying, with a loud voice, worthy, is the Lamb, that was slain, to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and blessing, yes, and every creature, which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto him, that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb, forever, and ever, you will find, in the book, of Revelation,

[42:01] Jesus Christ, is referred to, as the Lamb, between twenty five, and thirty times, but the thing, for you to think about, is this, as the Lord, shall help you, worthy, is the Lamb, yes, and to demonstrate it, in your, everyday life, is you have, opportunity, to do so, to show, whose you are, and whom, you serve, worthy, is, the Lamb, Jesus, is worthy, to receive, honor, and power, divine, and blessing, more than we can give, be Lord, forever thine, there is just one other thought, I must put into words, and that is in the book, of Revelation, also, and, there, it is, referred to like this, when, the heavens, will depart, as a scroll, and every mountain, and island, be moved out, of their places, and, men's hearts, everywhere, will fail, for fear, as they see, what is coming, on the earth, and then, they will pray, but not to God, with whom, they have to do, to the mountains, and rocks, fall on us, and hide us, from the face of him, that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath, of the Lamb, all that you, and I, may rejoice, to feel, in our souls, experience, worthy, is the Lamb, but, if you, should never know, what that is, and die, altogether, ignorant of it, you will know, when time, shall be no more, what is the wrath, of the Lamb, for the great day, of his wrath, is come, and who, shall be able, to stand, if you, have known, what it is, to stand, before the throne, of grace, there, as a guilty, suppliant, pouring out, your petitions, and, obtained, mercy, and found grace, to help, in your time, of need, you will stand, before the Lamb, when time, shall be, no more, behold, the Lamb, of God, which, taketh away, the sin, of, the world,

[44:53]  Amen.