The Power of the Blood of Christ

Theme: Isa. 59:1-2; Heb. 9:26

INTRODUCTION:
Isa 59:1, "Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear."

Heb. 9:22, 26 "�without shedding of blood is no remission." "� but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself."

INTRODUCTION:
      Psa. 62: 11 says, "Power belongeth unto God." That power is available and at man's disposal. But, there is one thing that separates between man and God, that is SIN. Our sin has caused has separation from God and before we can know God's power in our lives and service, sin must be dealt with, put away. Paul states in Hebrews that blood is the only way to forgiveness. It is through the blood that sin is put away. Before we can know and experience the power of God, we must know the power of the blood.

Let us see what the blood of Christ has power to do:

  1. . Has Power of Propitiation for Sin. (Romans 3: 25)
    "Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;"
    • God, a holy God who hates sin.
    • We have all sinned and therefore must face the wrath of God
    • God provided the atonement in the blood of His Son, our "passover"
    • When He see the blood, He will pass over and spare us from His wrath.

  2. . Has Power of Redemption, the Forgiveness of Sin. (Ephesians 1: 7)
    "In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;"
    • Not something we look forward to in the future, but something we already have.
    • Not something we have to work for, but something , but something Christ's blood already secured.
    • (Illustration) woman & preacher and peace with God.

  3. . Has Power to Cleanse from ALL Sin. (I John 1: 7)
    "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin."
    • It continually cleanses, day and night, every hour.
    • Cleansing from the Guilt of Sin. Where cleansing is mentioned in connection with blood, it is always from the guilt of sin.
    • Cleansing from the power of sin and the presence of sin is by the Word of God, the Holy Spirit and the indwelling Christ, not the crucified Christ.
    • Christ on the cross saves from the guilt of sin, Christ on the throne saves from the power of sin, Christ coming again saves from the presence of sin.
    • Remember what Isaiah said, "though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool"

    • . Has Power to Justify. (Romans 5: 9)
      "Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him."
      • Every believer in Christ is already JUSTIFIED.
      • Means more than "cleansed" and "forgiven". Forgiveness is a negative thing. It means our sins have been put away and we are looked on as if we had never sinned. Justification is positive. It means we are looked on as positively righteous. The righteousness of Christ is put to our account.
      • It is good to be stripped of filthy rags but far better to be clothed with garments of glory and beauty. In forgiveness we are stripped of our filthy sin. In justification we are clothed with the robe of Christ.
      • It is the blood that secures that for us.

    • . Has Power to Cleanse the Conscience from Dead Works. (Hebrews 9: 14)
      "How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?"
      • A glorious truth. When a man realizes he is a sinner and that God is holy, he feels he must do something to please God and atone for his sins. He must "do penances," "keep Lent," do something.
      • These are all "dead works." They can never bring peace of mind and conscience.
      • The blood of Christ has already perfectly atoned for sin. Has already washed away sin and justified us before God. We are already pleasing and acceptable in God's sight because of the shed blood.
      • Our conscience is relieved from the burden of guilt as well as the burden of self-effort.
      • We can now serve the living God, not in slavery of fear but in the liberty of freedom and joy.
      • Many today have not permitted the blood of Christ to cleanse their conscience from dead works.

    • . Has Power to Purchase us unto God. (Acts 20: 28; Rev. 5: 9)
      "Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood."
      "And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;"
      • The blood of Christ makes me God's own property
      • As God's property it brings a feeling of responsibility. I must serve Him wholly.
      • As God's property it brings a feeling of security. God takes care of His property.
      • The blood of Christ makes me eternally secure.

    • . Has Power to Provide Entrance into the Presence of God. (Hebrews 10: 19-20)
      "Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;"
      • Only the high priest could enter the holy place once a year with blood.
      • Because of the blood of Christ we can enter without fear but with boldness. Once for all my sin is forever put away.

    • . Has Power to Give Believers a right to the Tree of Life. (Rev. 22: 14 NIV)
      "Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city."
      • Chap. 7:14 tells us it is the blood of Christ that robes are washed
      • Sin in the first place shut man off from the tree of life in Eden (Gen.3: 22-24).
      • The shed blood of Christ opens to us again the tree of life and the holy city.

Conclusion:
      These are but a few things of the power of the blood of Christ. Have you appreciated that blood? Have you let it have the power in your life that it ought to have? If we want to know the fullness of power in Christian living, we must first of all know the power of the blood of Christ for it is His blood that brings us pardon, justification, and boldness in our approach to God.

Do you know the Power of the Blood????

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