John 1:29-34
1. God has done something about our sin, v. 29
“Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.”
-Psalm 32:1
“For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near. Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have any consciousness of sins? But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.”
-Hebrews 10:1-4
What the law cannot do…
a) the law can never make perfect
b) under the law sacrifices never ceased to be offered
c) under the law people never felt cleansed
d) the law reminds people of their sins
“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.”
-Romans 8:1-4
What Jesus Christ makes possible…
a) in Christ I am perfect (complete, not lacking)
b) I don’t have to make sacrifices for my sin.
c) in Christ I am clean
d) sin is no longer necessary
2. God allows for progress, v. 31
3. Embrace the part you play
4. Learn to live in the reality, v. 31-33
“I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. 26 And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.”
-Ezekiel 36:25-27