WHAT THE BIBLE TEACHES ABOUT THE EFFICACY OF THE BLOOD OF JESUS

The Blood of Christ (#2)

 

Intro.

 

1. Part 1: Blood is an essential part of God’s plan to save sinners.

 

2. The death of the Son of God gives life to sinners, Jno. 14:6; Col. 3:4.

 

3. We have spiritual life only because of His death (Jno. 3:16-17):

 

a. Love of God, Rom. 5:8.

 

b. Grace of God, Heb. 2:9.

 

4. Christians (above all others) must appreciate what the blood (death) of Christ accomplishes, for we are the recipients of its great blessings.

 

 

 

I. HOW SINNERS OBTAIN THE BLESSINGS OF CHRIST’S BLOOD.

 

A. Christ’s Blood (His sacrificial death) must be Applied to Our Sins for us to Receive the Benefits of His Death. 1 Tim. 2:6

 

-God will apply the blood of Christ to the sins of those who have faith in Jesus, Rom. 3:26. (Through humble, obedient faith)

 

1. Baptized into (the benefits of) His death, Rom. 6:3.

 

2. By this action of faith the sinner obtains the benefits of Christ’s death (blood), Acts 22:16.

 

B. The Blood of Christ Cleanses the Sins of Christians when we Obey God’s Conditions (confess sins, repent), 1 Jno. 1:7-9; Acts 8:22.

 

 

 

II. WHAT CHRIST’S BLOOD (DEATH) ACCOMPLISHES.

 

A. Takes Away Sins, Jno. 1:29. (Remission, Heb. 9:22; 10:17-18)

 

B. Dedicated His New Covenant, Matt. 26:28; Heb. 9:15-17.

 

1. Initiated the authority and blessings of the new covenant.

 

2. Announced on Pentecost (Acts 2).

 

3. Lord’s Supper memorializes and proclaims the death by which we obtain covenant blessings, 1 Cor. 11:26.

 

C. Reconciliation with God is through His Death, Col. 1:19-22.

 

1. “The meaning of the word is simply at-one-ment, i.e., the state of being at one or being reconciled, so that atonement is reconciliation.” (Easton’s Dictionary)

 

2. Atonement (reconciliation) is the effect of the offering of Christ’s life (shedding of blood) – We have now received – New relationship with God, Rom. 5:10-11 (Eph. 2:16).

 

D. Redemption through His Blood, Eph. 1:7. (Forgiveness of sins)

 

1. “A releasing effected by payment of ransom…deliverance…liberation procured by the payment of a ransom” Rev. 5:9.

 

2. Jesus gave His life as the ransom price for sinners, Matt. 20:28; 1 Pet. 1:18-19.

 

E. Justification by His Blood, Rom. 5:9; 3:24.

 

1. Declared just, rendered righteous; innocent, faultless.

 

2. Faultless: Freed from the guilt of sin and from its just penalty.

 

F. Propitiation by His Death, Rom. 3:25 (1 Jno. 4:10).

 

1. To appease wrath and thus, obtain mercy.

 

2. As High Priest, Christ secures mercy for sinners with His blood, Heb. 9:11-12 (cf. Lev. 16:15-16).

 

3. We enter God’s presence because of His blood, Heb. 10:19-22.

 

G. Sanctification with His Own Blood, Heb. 13:12.

 

-“To separate from profane things and dedicate to God.”

 

1. Cleansing from dead works of sin, Heb. 9:14.

 

2. Perfected forever, Heb. 10:14.

 

3. Washing (purifying) away, Rev. 1:5.

 

H. Purchased His Church with His Own Blood, Acts 20:28.

 

1. Promise of salvation is to His body (church), Eph. 5:23.

 

2. Church is cleansed/sanctified by His blood, Eph. 5:25-26.

 

3. Must be in His church to be saved by His blood.

 

4. Entrance into His blood-bought body, Acts 2:36-41, 47. (Faith, confess faith, repentance and baptism)

 

 

 

Conclusion

 

1. Without the blood of Christ applied to your sins you are forever lost.

 

2. Because of it, we “receive the promise of the eternal inheritance” (Heb. 9:15).

 

3. Be saved by the blood of Christ on His terms: By grace, through faith.

 

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN; “THERE’S NO SUCH THING AS A PAINLESS CHRISTIANITY”

                              TEXT: GAL 2:17-21  “CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST”

Intro.

 

1. Gal. 2:20: Although Paul did not speak literally, he described something very real in his life; Crucified with Christ.

 

2. To be crucified with Christ is essential to salvation & being His disciple.

 

 

 

I. CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST. (“I have been crucified with Christ”)

 

A. The Symbolism of Crucifixion.

 

1. Crucifixion was death by torture; Painful (excruciating, “out of the cross”).

 

2. Paul speaks of a real death that can be excruciating as we put ourselves to death for the sake of Christ; pain involved, Phil. 3:4-8.

 

3. Some want a “painless Christianity” – That is not the Christianity of the apostle Paul.

 

B. Death with Christ (Rom. 6:8):

 

1. Death of the old man of sin, Rom. 6:2, 5-7.

 

a. No longer in bondage to sin, Rom. 6:6. Choice we make.

 

b. Of the flesh, Gal. 5:24. Rom. 13:14

 

c. To the world, Gal. 6:14; Col. 2:20.

 

2. Death of self, 2 Cor. 5:14-15 (Lk. 9:23).

 

a. Cf. Pride, Gal. 2:11-13. The fear that motivated Peter was an expression of self-preservation rather than self-sacrifice for the sake of truth.

 

b. Transgression, Gal. 2:18 (11, 14).

 

3. Death to the law, Gal. 2:14-21 (as means of justification from sin).

 

a. Self, by means of law keeping, can never free us from our sin.

 

b. This is establishing “their own righteousness,” Rom. 10:3.

 

c. Can never save; makes the death Jesus useless! (2:21)

 

C. This Death to Sin Occurs when we are Converted to Christ.

 

1. By means of baptism, Rom. 6:4.

 

2. WITH the prerequisites of belief, confession of faith & repentance.

 

3. United with Him in the likeness of His death, Rom. 6:5.

 

 

 

II. IT IS NO LONGER I WHO LIVE, cf. Rom. 6:4-5.

 

A. Justification from Sin, Rom. 6:7-8, 11.

 

1. Spiritual life out of sin’s death (Eph. 2:5); new creation, 2 Cor. 5:17.

 

2. Forgiveness of sins, Col. 2:12-13.

 

B. Christ Lives in Me.

 

1. Personal relationship & identification with Christ, Eph. 3:17.

 

a. Christ is seen in the Christian, Lk. 6:40.

 

b. Taught & trained by Christ.

 

c. Influenced by Christ, Jno. 8:31-32 (truth; Eph. 4:20-21).

 

d. Fellowship with Christ, Jno. 14:21, 23; 15:4-5.

 

2. We now live a life unto God, not unto sin, Rom. 6:9-11.

 

 

 

III. LIVING BY FAITH (“the life I now live in the flesh”).

 

A. By the Faith, We Obtain Life (the objective standard).

 

1. The gospel gives life, Gal. 2:16; Rom. 1:16-17. (By obeying the gospel, one obtains life out of the death of sin.)

 

2. Why Paul withstood every error that would corrupt it, Gal. 1:6-12; 2:5, 11.

 

3. Why we must, too!

 

B. Personal Faith in the Son of God.

 

1. The objective standard produces personal faith, Rom. 1:17 (10:17).

 

2. Active faith, 2 Cor. 5:7; Heb. 11:6.

 

3. Practical applications, Col. 3:1-3 (3:5-4:6).

 

 

 

IV. WHY BE CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST & LIVE BY FAITH?

 

A. Because Christ Loved Me.

 

1. He acted in my best interest, 2 Cor. 8:9; Gal. 2:21.

 

2. He loved me so that I may live, 1 Jno. 4:9-10.

 

B. Because Christ Died (was Crucified) for Me, Gal. 3:1; Rom. 5:6-11; Isa. 53:4-6.

 

 

 

Conclusion

 

1. Have you been crucified with Christ? Is your old man of sin dead? Has self been abandoned for the will of Christ in your life?

 

2. If so, is Christ living in you? Is He seen in you? Is He influencing you (i.e., are you living for God & not for sin)? Are you living in & by His word?

 

3. If not, then be crucified with Christ now.

 

HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE WHAT IT MEANS TO BE HAPPY?

                 “A  BIBLICAL  LOOK  AT  WHAT  IT  MEANS  TO  BE  HAPPY”

Intro.

1. Are you happy? What is happiness to you?

a. World’s definition: Fame, fortune, glory; self-satisfaction (we must not confuse the pleasures of sin with genuine happiness; sin destroys happiness, Prov. 13:15.

b. God’s definition: 1 Pet. 3:10-12 (Matt. 5:3-12).

2. God wants us to be happy as He defines it, Eccl. 3:12-13; 9:7-9.

3. Jesus is our way out of unhappiness & despair.

I. UNDERSTANDING HAPPINESS.

A. Happiness: A State of Mind, an Attitude of Heart (Prov. 23:7).

1. “…having, showing, or causing a feeling of pleasure, joy, etc.; glad,” Webster.

2. Happiness is an attitude of heart; not just an emotion.

3. Christian should be the happiest person on earth because his thinking should be right (forgiveness of sins, One in whom to trust, promise of eternal life, hope…), Jno. 14:1, 27; 16:22; 2 Cor. 6:10.

4. But, faith can weaken (faith’s contentment & trust is tested).

B. To Build a Happy Life, Build Faith in God.

1. Set your hope on God, Heb. 13:5-6.

2. Happiness is learned by trusting God, Phil. 4:10-13.

3. Count your blessings, Eph. 1:3 (Phil. 4:4).

II. THINGS OF EARTH DO NOT GIVE LASTING HAPPINESS, Eccl. 2:3 (1:13).

-(Each has its place, but none bring ultimate satisfaction.)

A. Pleasure, Eccl. 2:1-2.

1. Prov. 14:13: Even laughter may contain sorrow.

2. Pleasure does not last; therefore, it cannot ultimately fulfill (Heb. 11:25; Lk. 12:19).

3. 7:2-4: Tends toward not properly assessing life & the future.

B. Material Things (wealth, possessions), Eccl. 2:8-11 (Lk. 12:15-21).

1. 4:7-8: Tends to isolate & make one suspicious of others.

2. 5:10-11: No satisfaction to lover of money – Increased anxieties (1 Tim. 6:10).

3. Great possessions, yet great sorrow, Matt. 19:21-22.

C. Wisdom, Eccl. 2:12-17.

1. 2:13: While better than foolishness, to trust in one’s wisdom is foolish, 1 Cor. 3:18.

2. 2:14: Death still comes; Human wisdom doesn’t save us.

3. 8:16-17: Divine wisdom needed – 1 Cor. 1:21.

D. Labor, Eccl. 2:18-23.

1. 2:18-19 (Lk. 12:20): Whose shall they be?

2. 2:20: Elements of despair; 5:13-17 (its fruit does not last).

3. Work is good, but not the source of ultimate happiness, 1 Ths. 4:11-12.

4. Don’t let your work consume you…Regret it.

E. Success, Eccl. 4:4-6.

1. 4:4: Often envied by others.

2. While trying to be successful we must learn to be content with what our labor provides, 1 Tim. 6:6-8.

F. Fulfilling Desire, Eccl. 6:7-9.

1. When our desire rules us we are never satisfied.

2. “Bird in the hand worth two in the bush.”

3. Desires must be godly; controlled by contentment, Phil. 4:11-13 (sufficiency, enough).

III. THINGS NEEDED TO BE HAPPY IN LIFE.

A. Fear & Obey God, Eccl. 12:13 (Acts 10:34-35).

B. Address Sin in God’s Way. (Acts 2:41-42)

1. Sin destroys happiness by destroying one’s relationship with God (the source of joy).

2. Despair of sin turned into joy of salvation, Acts 16:27, 34.

C. Seek First the things of God, Matt. 6:33 (1 Pet. 3:10-12).

D. Pray Often, 1 Jno. 5:14 (Confidence in prayer; power, Phil. 4:4-7).

E. Count Your Blessings, 1 Tim. 6:7-8.

-Measure the good things in life & rejoice in them.

F. Patient Faith (“wait on the Lord”), Isa. 40:27-31. Always trust God – He always cares for you (1 Pet. 5:7; Heb. 13:5-6).

Conclusion

God wants you to be happy as you live for heaven. Be happy by obeying God & trusting Him in all things; walk with God, Psa. 128.

 

“IF YOUR HAPPY AND YOU KNOW IT….”

“WHAT THE BIBLE TEACHES ABOUT OUR HAPPINESS”

Intro.

1.  Are you happy?  What is happiness to you?

  a.  World’s definition: Fame, fortune, glory; self-satisfaction (we must not confuse the pleasures of sin with genuine happiness; sin destroys happiness, Prov. 13:15.

  b.  God’s definition:  1 Pet. 3:10-12 (Matt. 5:3-12).

2.  God wants us to be happy as He defines it, Eccl. 3:12-13; 9:7-9.

3.  Jesus is our way out of unhappiness & despair.

 

I.  UNDERSTANDING HAPPINESS.

  A.  Happiness: A State of Mind, an Attitude of Heart (Prov. 23:7).

    1.  “…having, showing, or causing a feeling of pleasure, joy, etc.; glad,” Webster.

    2.  Happiness is an attitude of heart; not just an emotion.

    3.  Christian should be the happiest person on earth because his thinking should be right (forgiveness of sins, One in whom to trust, promise of eternal life, hope…), Jno. 14:1, 27; 16:22; 2 Cor. 6:10.

    4.  But, faith can weaken (faith’s contentment & trust is tested).

  B.  To Build a Happy Life, Build Faith in God.

    1.  Set your hope on God, Heb. 13:5-6.

    2.  Happiness is learned by trusting God, Phil. 4:10-13.

    3.  Count your blessings, Eph. 1:3 (Phil. 4:4).

II. THINGS OF EARTH DO NOT GIVE LASTING HAPPINESS, Eccl. 2:3 (1:13).

    -(Each has its place, but none bring ultimate satisfaction.)

  A.  Pleasure, Eccl. 2:1-2.

    1.  Prov. 14:13:  Even laughter may contain sorrow.

    2.  Pleasure does not last; therefore, it cannot ultimately fulfill (Heb. 11:25; Lk. 12:19).

    3.  7:2-4:  Tends toward not properly assessing life & the future.

  B.  Material Things (wealth, possessions), Eccl. 2:8-11 (Lk. 12:15-21).

    1.  4:7-8:  Tends to isolate & make one suspicious of others.

    2.  5:10-11:  No satisfaction to lover of money – Increased anxieties (1 Tim. 6:10).

    3.  Great possessions, yet great sorrow, Matt. 19:21-22.

  C.  Wisdom, Eccl. 2:12-17.

    1.  2:13:  While better than foolishness, to trust in one’s wisdom is foolish, 1 Cor. 3:18.

    2.  2:14:  Death still comes; Human wisdom doesn’t save us.

    3.  8:16-17:  Divine wisdom needed – 1 Cor. 1:21.

  D.  Labor, Eccl. 2:18-23.

    1.  2:18-19 (Lk. 12:20):  Whose shall they be?

    2.  2:20:  Elements of despair; 5:13-17 (its fruit does not last).

    3.  Work is good, but not the source of ultimate happiness, 1 Ths. 4:11-12.

    4.  Don’t let your work consume you…Regret it.

  E.  Success, Eccl. 4:4-6.

    1.  4:4:  Often envied by others.

    2.  While trying to be successful we must learn to be content with what our labor provides, 1 Tim. 6:6-8.

  F.  Fulfilling Desire, Eccl. 6:7-9.

    1.  When our desire rules us we are never satisfied.

    2.  “Bird in the hand worth two in the bush.”

    3.  Desires must be godly; controlled by contentment, Phil. 4:11-13 (sufficiency, enough).

III. THINGS NEEDED TO BE HAPPY IN LIFE.

  A.  Fear & Obey God, Eccl. 12:13 (Acts 10:34-35).

  B.  Address Sin in God’s Way.  (Acts 2:41-42)

    1.  Sin destroys happiness by destroying one’s relationship with God (the source of joy).

    2.  Despair of sin turned into joy of salvation, Acts 16:27, 34.

  C.  Seek First the things of God, Matt. 6:33 (1 Pet. 3:10-12).

  D.  Pray Often, 1 Jno. 5:14 (Confidence in prayer; power, Phil. 4:4-7).

  E.  Count Your Blessings, 1 Tim. 6:7-8.

      -Measure the good things in life & rejoice in them.

  F.  Patient Faith (“wait on the Lord”), Isa. 40:27-31.  Always trust God – He always cares for you (1 Pet. 5:7; Heb. 13:5-6).

 

Conclusion

   God wants you to be happy as you live for heaven.  Be happy by obeying God & trusting Him in all things; walk with God, Psa. 128.