Behold the Lamb: Bring Others to Jesus

The congregation is invited to see Jesus anew as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Drawing on John 1:29–42, the narrative moves through three consequential days: John the Baptist’s testimony at the Jordan, two of his disciples following Jesus at his invitation, and Andrew bringing his brother Simon to meet Jesus. The label “Lamb of God” is unpacked against Israel’s sacrificial life and the Passover memory, presenting Jesus both as the sacrificial means of atonement and the victorious one of Revelation. That name summons the whole story of Israel, points forward to the cross, and anchors Jesus’ identity as God’s chosen one who baptizes with the Spirit.

Jesus’ simple question to the followers—“What do you want?”—and his gentle reply, “Come and see,” model how discipleship begins with presence and relationship rather than argument. Spending time with Jesus, asking questions, sharing a meal, and staying into the evening become the settings where faith forms and conviction grows. Andrew’s immediate response—finding Simon and declaring, “We have found the Messiah”—shows the natural overflow of encountering Christ: a witness who leads another into encounter.

When Jesus renames Simon as Cephas (Peter), the moment signals an invitation into new identity and vocation. A biblical name change marks not mere label-shifting but a reorientation of life—one called, enabled, and entrusted with care for the community. The preacher ties these biblical threads to a present call: faith that is passed on through relational invitation can shape not just individual lives but generations—faith stewarded across families, friendships, and congregations.

The closing charge reframes evangelism as neighboring and accompanying: being an Andrew who brings a Simon to Jesus. The goal is not merely information but formation—introducing another person to the living Christ so that they may be seen, named, forgiven, and sent. A brief liturgical rhythm—prayer, scripture, testimony, and song—frames this work as communal, Spirit-dependent, and hopeful for a “thousand generations” to come.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. Jesus is the Lamb of God John’s declaration ties Jesus to Israel’s sacrificial language and to the Passover rescue, insisting that atonement is both historical and cosmic. This name refuses a purely moral portrait of Jesus and instead locates him at the axis of judgment, mercy, and divine deliverance. It calls hearers into a posture of trust that rests on God’s appointed means for reconciliation rather than human effort. [31:09]
• 2. The "Come and See" invitation Discipleship often begins with an open invitation to observe and stay, not with a program or argument. “Come and see” invites curiosity, embodied presence, and patient relationship—conditions where belief can arise through encounter. It models evangelism as accompaniment, not coercion, trusting the Spirit to do the converting work. [32:10]
• 3. One Andrew can change generations A single act of bringing someone to Jesus can set off chains of transformation that outlast a lifetime. Andrew’s uncomplicated witness—taking his brother to meet Jesus—frames evangelism as ordinary, relational, and repeatable. Investing in one person is a strategic and faithful way to steward hope for countless futures. [42:23]
• 4. Name change marks new identity When Jesus renames Simon Cephas, it signals a shift from old patterns to vocation shaped by Christ’s purposes. Biblical renaming indicates divine seeing and calling: a person is now to live into a role grounded in grace, not merit. That new name carries responsibility, vulnerability, and the promise of restoration even after failure. [42:54]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [01:35] - Church Announcements & Events
• [06:07] - Opening Prayers
• [31:09] - John 1:29–42 Scripture Reading
• [34:35] - Explaining "Lamb of God"
• [40:47] - The "Come and See" Invitation
• [42:23] - Andrew Brings Simon to Jesus
• [42:54] - Simon Renamed Cephas (Peter)
• [51:22] - Be an Andrew: Thousand Generations
• [59:05] - Closing Hymn & Sending

Here is a Bible study guide based on the sermon:

Bible Reading

John 1:29–42 (ESV)

The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.’ I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel.” And John testified, “I saw the Spirit descend as a dove from heaven, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.”

The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples, and he looked at Jesus as he walked, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, “What are you seeking?” They answered him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?” He said to them, “Come and see.” They came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour. One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ). He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon, the son of John. You shall be called Cephas” (which means Peter).

Observation questions

1. John the Baptist declares Jesus as "the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world." What does this title evoke from Israel's history and sacrificial system? [35:45]
2. When Jesus asks the two disciples, "What are you seeking?", what is the nature of their response and Jesus' invitation? [40:24] [40:47]
3. Andrew's immediate action after encountering Jesus was to find his brother Simon. What does this tell us about the natural overflow of encountering Christ? [41:42]
4. Jesus renames Simon "Cephas," which is translated as Peter. What does this renaming signify in the context of biblical narratives? [42:54]

Interpretation questions

1. The sermon highlights that Jesus is identified as the "Lamb of God," moving beyond a purely moral portrait to one at the axis of judgment, mercy, and divine deliverance. How does understanding Jesus as the sacrificial Lamb of God invite a posture of trust in God's provision rather than human effort? [35:24]
2. The invitation "Come and see" is presented as a model for discipleship and evangelism, emphasizing presence and relationship over argument. What does this invitation suggest about the way faith is formed and conviction grows? [40:47]
3. The renaming of Simon to Peter signifies a shift into a new identity and vocation, grounded in grace. How does this biblical renaming illustrate that a person is called, enabled, and entrusted with care for the community, even after failure? [42:54]
4. The sermon suggests that evangelism is about neighboring and accompanying, being an "Andrew" who brings a "Simon" to Jesus. How does this relational approach differ from simply sharing information about Jesus? [50:08]

Application questions

1. The sermon emphasizes that Jesus is the Lamb of God who atones for sin. In what ways can we personally rest in God's appointed means for reconciliation, rather than relying solely on our own efforts? [35:24]
2. The "Come and See" invitation models discipleship as an open invitation to observe and stay, fostering belief through encounter. Who is someone in your life that you could extend a simple "Come and see" invitation to, perhaps by spending time with them or inviting them to join you in an activity? [40:47]
3. Andrew's uncomplicated witness of bringing his brother Simon to Jesus frames evangelism as ordinary, relational, and repeatable. Who is a "Simon" in your life – someone you could intentionally bring closer to Jesus through your relationship with them? [41:42]
4. The renaming of Simon to Peter signifies a new identity and vocation. In what ways has Jesus given you a new identity or called you into a new vocation? How are you living into that new identity and purpose? [42:54]
5. The sermon charges us to reframe evangelism as neighboring and accompanying, being an Andrew who brings a Simon to Jesus. What is one tangible step you can take this week to be an "Andrew" for someone, not just by talking about Jesus, but by bringing them into a closer encounter with Him? [50:08]
6. The vision of faith stewarded across generations, aiming for "a thousand generations," begins with simple acts of relational invitation. How can you intentionally invest in the faith journey of someone younger than you, or someone who is newer to faith, to help pass on hope for the future? [51:22]