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The Blood of Jesus Christ
Revelation 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
Introduction
One of the most neglected and forgotten topic in the modern pulpits is the Blood of Christ. Modern Bible versions deliberately omitted and removed the blood of Christ (Col. 1:14). Is there any conspiracy behind this? Christianity differs from the rest of the religions in the world in that salvation involved the shedding of the blood. If Christ did not die on our behalf, we have no hope. If his blood has not been shed on the cross, nobody can go to heaven. There are 290 references to God’s love in the NT and there are 313 distinct references to redemption through the blood of Christ. This morning we will be talking about the power of the Blood of Christ.
1. We can overcome Satan by the Blood of Christ. Revelation 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
Illustration:
This is the last reference in the Bible to the shed Blood of Jesus Christ. His blood can enable us to withstand the deceptions, persecutions, accusations, tortures, as well as death threats by Satan. If the Lord allows him, he may even kill us physically. During the Dark Ages when millions of Christians suffered martyrdom in the hands of his evil executioners, believers increased in numbers and was never subdued, proving that the Christian faith is indeed the true faith. It was said that “the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church. Jesus said the gates of hell shall not prevail against it (Mat. 16:18). Despite of all the persecutions, murders, etc., Satan did not prevail against the church. We can overcome Satan by using blood of Christ in freeing somebody possessed by the devil.
2. The blood of Jesus Christ purchased a full ransom for all men. Colossians 1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: (Heb. 9:12-15, 1 Pet. 1:18-19).
Illustration:
I just visited the biggest shopping mall in Singapore that they say contains everything you need. I’ve seen how big the Mall of Asia in Manila, and I’ve seen the shopping Malls of Dubai where the rich just go and spend their money. In any country in the world, at least they have one big commercial center where people can find everything they want, luxury cars, jewelleries, signature clothes, perfumes, sport gears, electronics, foods, etc. I read about the Sultan of Brunei spending millions of dollars just to buy a luxury airline. But the biggest purchase in the history did not happen in a shopping center. No money was involved, and it took place in a small place called Calvary, and the purchase price was the blood of Jesus. It was the blood of the innocent Lamb of God that purchased what every people, tribe or nation needed most —salvation.
3. Cleanses us from all sins. 1 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. (John 1:29, 1 Pet. 2:21-24).
Illustration:
There is no sin that the Blood of Christ cannot cleanse. If a sinner repents, no matter how big or how many his or her sins are, they will be forgiven and cleansed because the Blood of Christ has the power to do so. Our text tells us “all sins” and when the Word of God say “all” it means “all”. I have seen, heard, and read testimonies of murderers, law breakers, thieves, extortionists, drunkards, etc., who have been washed by the blood are now a new man serving the Lord. I know a young man who became a drug addict. In his miserable condition he came to know Jesus Christ. He got saved and now serves as a pastor in one of the local Baptist Church in the Philippines and his church is fast growing. All his sins have been washed by the precious blood of Christ and he is now a living testimony to people around him. See also Isaiah 1:18.
4. The blood of Jesus Christ justifies us. Romans 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
Illustration:
Justification has been defined commonly as “just as if I’d never sinned”. It is God’s declaration that those who trust Jesus Christ are perfectly righteous before Him. Before I am saved, God declares that I am a condemned sinner (Rom. 3:10, 23, Rom. 6:23). After I come to Christ, God declares that I am righteous because of what Christ did for me on Calvary. We do not become righteous before God through good works, religious rituals, morality and law-keeping. We are justified because of Christ’s blood and death. Christ’s blood deals with who we are (sinners) and what we do (sin), and we are no longer held accountable to it. Man’s part in justification is to repent of his sin and to receive Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour.
5. Peace making capability. Colossians 1:20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.
Illustration:
In theology this is termed as Reconciliation. Reconciliation is changing for the better a relationship between two or more persons. Theologically it refers to the change of relationship between God and man. We are naturally children of wrath (Eph. 2:3), and are at enmity with God (Eph. 2:11-15); but, “…we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son…” (Rom. 5:10), and through the blood of His cross. Because of the death of Jesus, the Christian’s relationship with God is changed for the better. We are now able to have fellowship with Him (1 John 1:3) whereas before we could not. So, we are reconciled to Him (Rom. 5:10-11). The problem of sin that separates us from God (Isaiah 59:2) has been addressed and removed in the cross. It was accomplished by God in Christ (2 Cor. 5:18).
6. By Christ’s blood we have access to God. Hebrews 10:19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus. Isa. 59:2 says that “But your
iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.”
Illustration:
Our sins separate us from God. When we receive Christ as our Saviour, His blood removes the barrier or the obstacles that keeps us from God (Rom. 5:1-2). Now we have access to God the Father anytime we desire it.
I read a story about a young man who lost his father and older brother during the American Civil War. He went to Washington DC to ask President Lincoln for an exemption from military service so he can help his sister and mother on the farm. When he was at the gates of the palace, he was sent away by the guards because there was a war and the president was busy. In his frustration he sat on park bench near the White House. It was then that a young boy came near him and talk to him. In his sadness he told the boy his difficult situation, how he was desperately needed in the farm to keep his sister and mother alive. Without second thought, the boy held his hand and they went to the White House. They went past the guards, and all the generals and high ranking government officials until they got to the presidential office. The boy didn’t even knock but just walk to President who is studying the battle plans in his desk. The President looks at his son and said “what can I do for you Todd?” The boy answered, “Daddy this soldier needs to talk to you”. The soldier quickly stated his situation and got an exemption. The key to such an action was the one who led the soldier into the president’s office. Because of the special relationship Todd Lincoln had with the president he had access to the most powerful man in the US. Now because of Christ, we have access to our heavenly Father.
7. Christ’s blood Sanctifies. Hebrews 13:12 Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.
Illustration:
The basic meaning of sanctification is separation. Sanctification is to be set apart (a) by God (b) for God (c) from sin (d) unto a holy life—Heb. 12:14, 2 Tim. 2:21. Christians are to sanctify Christ as Lord in their hearts (1 Pet. 3:15). God sanctified Israel as His own special nation (Ezek. 37:28). People can be sanctified (Ex. 19:10, 14) and so can a mountain (Ex. 19:23), the Sabbath day (Gen. 2:3), the tabernacle (Ex. 20:39), and every created thing is sanctified through the Word of God and prayer (1 Tim. 4:4). Sanctification has two fold meaning for believers (a) separation from evil (2 Chr. 29:5, 15-18 (b) Separation unto God (Lev. 27:16). The basis of our sanctification is the blood of Jesus Christ. It was the blood of the Lamb that purchased our sanctification.
Conclusion:
The Blood of Jesus Christ, though neglected by modern day pulpits must be preached no matter what. The Blood of Jesus Christ can overcome Satan, purchase our salvation, cleanse us from all sins, justifies us, reconciles us to God, give us access to God the Father, and sanctifies us. There is more but space and time is not enough to tell you all. The question now is: are you washed with the blood of the Lamb? If not yet why don’t you repent from your sins and received Him as your personal Saviour?

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