Jesus, The Sweet Lion Of The Tribe Of Judah

Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday evening, Aug. 07, 2005, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia. 

JESUS, THE SWEET LION OF THE TRIBE OF JUDAH

By Michael D. O’Neal
Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church
Albany, Georgia

Scripture Reading: Judges 14:1-9

Text: Judges 14:8

Judges 14:8 And after a time he returned to take her, and he turned aside to see the carcase of the lion: and, behold, there was a swarm of bees and honey in the carcase of the lion.

Introduction: We continue to find Jesus in the Old Testament, even as He told the people of His day:

John 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

Luke 24:27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

In this particular passage, we see Jesus typified by the lion, and God the Father typified by Samson. The type doesn’t match perfectly in every point, but there are similarities which point to Jesus.

Revelation 5:5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

Hebrews 7:14 For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.

I. THE DEATH OF THE LION

Judges 14:6 And the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and he rent him as he would have rent a kid, and he had nothing in his hand: but he told not his father or his mother what he had done.

    A. The Spirit of the Lord worked

    B. The strength to kill was evident

    C. The slaying was done without help
       1. Jesus died as He yielded Himself to the Father’s will. No man took His life from Him.


II. THE DWELLING INSIDE THE LION

Judges 14:8 And after a time he returned to take her, and he turned aside to see the carcase of the lion: and, behold, there was a swarm of bees and honey in the carcase of the lion.

What is in the lion? BEES!

Let me mention some B’s that are in Christ because He died for us:

    A. BLESSINGS

    B. Believers

    C. A born-again experience
       1. 2 Cor. 5:17

    D. Business – bees were at WORK

III. THE DELIGHT IN THE LION

Judges 14:8 And after a time he returned to take her, and he turned aside to see the carcase of the lion: and, behold, there was a swarm of bees and honey in the carcase of the lion.

1 Peter 2:3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

    A. The sweetness of the Savior – 1 Pet. 2:3

    B. The sweetness of the scriptures
       1. Psalms 19:10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much
          fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

    C. The sweetness of the Spirit of God – 1. Gal. 5:

    D. The sweetness of the song of redemption

    E. The sweetness of satisfaction