Power In The Blood

Opening Illustration: “At a great parliament of religions, held in Chicago many years ago, practically every known religion was represented.

During one session, Dr. Joseph Cook, of Boston, suddenly rose and said: ‘Gentlemen, I beg to introduce to you a woman with a great sorrow. Bloodstains are on her hands, and nothing she has tried will remove them. The blood is that of murder. She has been driven to desperation in her distress. Is there anything in your religion that will remove her sin and give her peace?’ A hush fell over the gathering. Not one of the company replied.

Raising his eyes heavenwards, Dr. Cook then cried out. ‘John can you tell this woman how to get rid of her awful sin?’ The great preacher waited as if listening for a reply. Suddenly, he cried, ‘Listen to John speaks; ‘The Blood of Jesus Christ his Son, cleanses us from all sin’ (1 John 1:7).

Not a soul broke the silence; the representatives of Eastern religions and Western cults sat dumb. In the face of human need, the Gospel of Jesus Christ alone could meet the need. The sin of race demanded the blood of Calvary.”

Introduction & Historical Background:

A. God used blood for several reasons:

(Scene 1) Covered the sins of Adam & Eve-

Genesis 3: 21 “Also for Adam and his wife the LORD God made tunics of skin and clothed them.”

God had to take a sacrifice from animals to cover the nakedness & sin (temporarily) of the first Adam because the sin of humanity cannot be redeemed permanently by the blood of animals.

The second Adam – Jesus gave the sacrifice with His blood for covering the sin of mankind for ever (permanently).

(Scene 2) At Mount Moriah to proclaim God as Yahweh Jireh-

God providing a substitute for the burnt offering of Abraham

(Scene 3) In Egypt for Protection of His people - Passover – Exodus 12:21–30

Blood of the Passover lamb placed on the lentil to protect the children of Israel

(Scene 4) Tabernacle

Blood of the Goat of the sin offering sprinkled upon the Mercy Seat

(Scene 5) Calvary

The Blood of Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, shed for the sins of man

Is it still the Blood? …

B. However, sooner or later, somebody had to wonder how the blood of bulls and goats could take away their sins.

Let’s face it, the only link these animals had to the sins of the offerors was that these animals were owned by the sinner. These goats and bulls and lambs (etc.) had no tie-in to what was going on in the lives of their owners.

There was nothing inherently powerful in the blood of these animals that would offer forgiveness to sinners.

That’s why Hebrews 10:4 tells us “… it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.” Their blood couldn’t forgive anybody.

But God used their blood (the blood of animals) to help us realize that there would come an Ultimate Blood Sacrifice that WOULD remove all of our sins, and that ultimate blood sacrifice was the blood of Jesus. As I John 1:7 tells us, it’s “the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin”

For 4,000 years the blood of goats and bulls has not met the requirements for the fulfilling of the law, HIS BLOOD IS SUFFICIENT. There is wonder working power in the precious blood of the Lamb of God, power to take away the sins of the world.

What Power does the Blood of Christ have?

1. Power to Redeem (vs. 11–12)

“Redeemed, redeemed, redeemed by the blood of the lamb. Redeemed, redeemed, His child forever I am.” By Fanny Crosby

Galatians 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, cursed is every one that hangs on a tree:

? The law was hard; It was almost a curse upon mankind. No one could be pure enough, good enough, holy enough to obey the entire law.

? The law held men in bondage and showed every imperfection in humanity.

? However, the blood of Jesus freed us from the curse of sin and death.

Romans 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

? The law had no completion.

o Today a lamb, tomorrow a dove, next week a goat, the next a bull.

o It never stopped, constantly trying to cover the sins of a nation.

o The priest had to enter the Holy of Hollies once a year every year to sprinkle blood upon the Mercy Seat of the Ark of the Covenant to atone for the sins of the nation of Israel.