In this episode, delve into the transformative message of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, and His eternal purpose. We discuss His miraculous birth, His mission to seek and save the lost, and how His apostles carried forth this message. Reflect on the scriptural foundation that underscores His unparalleled role in redemption and consider how these truths invite us into a deeper understanding and practice of our faith.
Concerning the Christ, it was John who said, The Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, and our hope for eternal life, because of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God. Let us see His eternal purpose for us today, right here from the International Gospel Hour. Again, stay right here with us.
SPEAKER 02 :
Hi, this is Jay Webb for International Gospel Hour. Welcome to our broadcast today. For over 90 years, Churches of Christ have proclaimed God’s Word through our broadcasts. Just ahead is another Bible-based lesson with Jeff Archie of International Gospel Hour. Let’s begin.
SPEAKER 01 :
Well, thank you to our J-Web, and greetings to all of you. Great having you with us today as we study the Word of God together from the International Gospel Hour. 2 Timothy 3 and verse 16 says that all Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete. thoroughly furnished unto all good works. And friends, it is the Word of God that we wish to study that will help us. Now, I’m going to pause quickly, and normally I don’t pause this quick, but we have something that will be of interest to you. It’s a free email publication and help you in your Bible study. That will help you in your Bible study, I should say. So I’m going to pause for our J-Web very quickly. Then let’s come back and let’s study our subject today.
SPEAKER 02 :
You can subscribe to Truth, a monthly four-page publication by our friend and brother Roger Campbell. It’s available by email. Please send an email to info at internationalgospelhour.com and leave your name, your email address, and write Truth in the message blank. Again, please send an email to info at internationalgospelhour.com and leave your name, email address, and write truth in the message blank. It’s free and it’s worthy for your Bible study.
SPEAKER 01 :
The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Again the words of John from John 1 verse 29. Jesus, the Lamb of whose blood was shed for the remission of our sins. 1 Peter 1, 18 and 19 and Ephesians 1 and verse 7. It would be Jesus who would take away the sin of man. Nothing else and nobody else could take away my sin nor yours. We note that from Hebrews 10 and verse 4. And how Jesus gave His life for everybody and anybody. John 3, verse 16. When He walked on this earth, Jesus said in Luke 19, 10, For the Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. That was embraced within the eternal purpose of God that we read about in Ephesians 3, 8-11 when Paul said, “…to me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God, who created all things through Jesus Christ.” to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. The eternal purpose of God that He accomplished, that He purposed in Christ Jesus. The eternal purpose. Before time began, God knew His plan would be through His Son. His Son, as noted in Revelation 13 and verse 8, the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. To think of God and His foresight. To think of how almighty God is and His eternal purpose. In Jesus Christ, that we can also learn the eternal purpose of Christ through His birth, through His life, and through the declaration of others. Let’s think more of Christ and the eternal purpose of God and how His purpose was declared throughout all the earth as He walked among men. We see the eternal purpose of Christ from His birth. Prophesied in Isaiah 9, verse 6, Jesus was born of a virgin. The virgin Mary, who brought forth a son, called him Jesus, and he would save people from their sins. Matthew 1, verse 21. Yes, friends, his birth was different from any other birth before and since. born of a virgin, the only one, the eternal purpose in Christ Jesus, and the eternal purpose of Christ and His purpose to come to this earth was even stated at His birth. And number two, as He walked through His life. Well, as we noted earlier, there in the household of Zacchaeus, the wee little man, as we say with our children from time to time, for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost. And then in Mark chapter 2 and verse 17, with a parallel passage of Matthew 9, 12 through 13, Jesus could hear what they were saying, and he said to them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. You see, friends, those that are whole have no need of the physician. I know of no one who is in great health that will go to a doctor just to go. Dear friends, we go to the doctors when we’re sick, or we go to the doctors to keep us from getting sick. There’s the purpose. And Jesus said, I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. Through Jesus, people could change their lives. And Acts 10 and verse 38 simply said these words about Jesus. He went about doing good. And are we not thankful? Oh, how Jesus made possible for you and for me to have that victory in Christ Jesus. 1 Corinthians 15, 57 and 58. So we see the eternal purpose of Christ at His birth and as He walked in life. But then when we look at the declaration of others who saw Jesus and those that would preach Jesus. As we mentioned earlier, John the Baptist described Jesus as we have noted, In John 1.29, the next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. You see, John made that declaration, and others that were following John followed the Christ. What about the words of Peter? When in Acts 4 and verse 12, when he stood before that council, that governing authority, And he said, Neither is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. Only Jesus Christ, friends, the eternal purpose of Christ, brought forth in this life. I mentioned 1 Peter 1, 18 and 19 moments ago. Let’s consider that again. knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things like silver and gold, or from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. The very best was given to man through God’s eternal purpose, and that was purposed through Jesus Christ.” Let’s consider the words of the Apostle Paul, who in Romans 5, verses 6-8, reminds us that when we were still without strength, in due time, Christ died for the ungodly. When we were people without strength, and when we are weak, Paul said that is when he is strong, 2 Corinthians 12, 7-10. And he attributed that to the Christ. Friends, we may be weak, but through Christ we can be strong. Paul once again in 1 Timothy 1.15 said, This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. And in Ephesians 1 and verse 7, Paul said, In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of His grace, writing there to those Christians in Ephesus. Oh my, for these to declare, and how they preached the eternal purpose in Christ, and they preached it and made it very clear. Friends, the eternal purpose of Christ, beginning with God Almighty who sent Christ into the world at His birth, during His life, and the declaration of others after He ascended into heaven, and even when He walked on this earth, and how we are thankful that Christ came in John 10 and verse 10 when He declared, I am come that they might have life and that they might have it more abundantly. Not only that one can have life in Christ, but to have an abundant life, to imagine the growth therein, all due to the eternal purpose of Christ. You know, friends, this is worthy for us to consider and worthy for you and I to study a little bit more. You know, we are blessed here at International Gospel Hour to offer a number of study materials absolutely free. Maybe you’ve heard us talk about our Bible study course by mail and you’ve never reached out for it. Well, friends, it’s never too late to give it a try. It would be a good tool to use in daily study and to help seek those things that be of God. Maybe we talk about some things that may sound a little foreign to you that you want to study further in. Folks, we encourage you, as long as that study is done within the Word of God to come to the conclusion, that’s what we encourage you to do. I’m going to pause once again for our Jay Webb, who will tell you how you can get that Bible study course by mail. And friends, if you just want to give it a try, that is fine. We would love to send it to you. And here is Jay with the details.
SPEAKER 02 :
Our long-time free Bible study course by mail is always available. Have you tried it yet? Just call us toll free at 855-444-6988. and leave your name, address, and just say, Home Study. That’s it. You may also go to our website at internationalgospelhour.com, click on the Contact tab, and leave us the same information, name, address, and type Home Study in the message box. Study the Bible at your own pace. Again, it’s free from your friends here at International Gospel Hour.
SPEAKER 01 :
Well, friends, the eternal purpose of Christ continually comes forth to now, in time before time even began, eternal. And then it comes forth to now, not only prophesied of old, and not only in His birth and His life, but with His death, burial, and resurrection, how thankful we are for the eternal purpose of salvation in Christ. that we can hear as He commanded us to do so in Matthew 15, 10, to believe on Him, John 8, 24, to repent of our sins as He said in Luke 13, 3, to confess Him, Matthew 10, 32, and as He told us in Mark 16, 16, He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved. I’m going to trust the words of the Lord, my friends. And when I do that, in light of Scripture, then I have carried forth what He’s asked me to do. The eternal purpose becomes my purpose now and into eternity when I am obedient to the gospel. Let’s continue these studies together at another time, but for now, thank you for joining me today here on the International Gospel Hour. I’m Jeff Archie, and friends, keep listening.
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God be with you till we meet again.
SPEAKER 02 :
Thank you for listening to our broadcast today, and we hope you continue onward with your search and study of God’s Word. Please join us next time and visit our website at internationalgospelhour.com God be with you till we meet again.
