Feb. 11, 2024

Believe Again

The Spotless Lamb

Primary Text: 1 Peter 1: 18-20               

This Week’s Teaching: 

1)  Without Sin

1 John 3:4-6:    Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness.  But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins.  And in him is no sin.  No one who lives in him keeps on sinning.  No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him. 

DQ 1) How is sin “lawlessness”?

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2)  The Great High Priest

Hebrews 4:14-15:  Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.  For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.  

James 1:13-15:  When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.”  For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.  Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. 

DQ 2) How could Jesus be “tempted in every way” when “God cannot be tempted by evil?”

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3)  Who Knew No Sin

2 Corinthians 5:20-21:  We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.  We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.  God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 

1 Peter 1: 18-20:  For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.  He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. 

DQ 3) Why was it necessary for Jesus to be without sin in order to atone for human sins?

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4)  False Claims

1 John 1:7-10:  But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.  If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.  If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.

DQ 4) Do humans often deceive themselves about their sinful characteristics?

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5)  The Good Shepherd

John 10:9-11:  I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture.  The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.  “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”  

DQ 5) What makes Jesus “The Good Shepherd”?

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