Why Was The Blood Of Jesus Necessary?

Why Was The Blood of Jesus Necessary?

Sunday Morning - Feb. 17, 2008

1) FOR 2000 YEARS THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST HAS NEVER CHANGED.

a) It's still true that Jesus was God, manifested in the Flesh, born of a virgin, suffered and died on Calvary for the redemption of man, rose again and now sits at the Right Hand of the Father until the day every enemy will be put under His Feet.

b) Those who accept Jesus as Savior will go to Heaven.

c) Those who reject Him as Savior will not.

d) That's the Gospel in a nutshell and it will never change.

2) WHAT IS CHANGING IS THE WAY THE GOSPEL IS PRESENTED.

a) Today there is a trend to make churches more sensitive to the wants" of the people.

b) Notice I didn't say to the "needs" of the people, but to the wants".

3) Subjects like sin, salvation, the cross, the Blood of Christ, and hell are being replaced by Starbucks, donuts, strategies, market researchers, rock music, worldly entertainment, and anything else that will draw people into a church.

a) The idea seems to be that in the “modern” church the Gospel and churches have to adjust to the society of today.

4) WHEN I READ MY BIBLE I DON'T SEE WHERE JESUS ADJUSTED TO ANYTHING.

a) His message was "Repent! For the Kingdom of Heaven was at hand!"

b) If anyone has to adjust it's the sinner.

5) A FAMOUS TV STAR ONCE STARTED A SATELLITE RADIO SHOW CALLED, "A COURSE IN MIRACLES"

a) On the surface it sounded good, we all want to see miracles.

b) But this all came about when a woman heard a voice saying it was Jesus and he gave her a new revelation that was supposed to "help humanity through these troubled times."

c) It went something like this: Just forget the "old rugged cross", there is no such thing as sin, & "evil" is just an illusion that must be overcome by the “right thinking".

d) Also, in their minds there is no such thing as a devil, and god is in you, in everyone, and in everything. There is no such thing as going to heaven because you have never left. We live on mother earth and we must devote much of our time to taking care of it, etc., etc.

6) ONE OF THE BIGGEST & FASTEST GROWING CHURCHES IN THE U.S. BELIEVED THEY HAD THE ANSWER TO FILLING CHURCHES WITH PEOPLE. IT'S IN CHICAGO.

a) A lot of churches around the nation have been influenced by the unique ways the church has pioneered to make the church grow.

b) They appealed to the wants of the people and called it being 'seeker sensitive".

c) They said to throw out the old and replace it with new ways to do church.

d) It worked. . . . and still works for other churches because they are growing large congregations using these methods.

e) However, after attracting thousands of members they decided to do an in-depth study and made an amazing discovery.

f) It didn't work.

g) Oh, they had a big congregation alright, but learned that it doesn't produce disciples, it only produces church members.

h) Here is a quote from the Pastor, "We made a mistake. We have put millions of dollars into programs thinking it would really help our people grow & develop spiritually. When the data came back, it wasn't helping people that much. Other things that we didn't put that much money or staff into is the stuff our people are crying out for."

i) What do you suppose his people were wanting?

k) Could it possibly be the truth of the Gospel such as heaven & hell are real?

l) That Christ suffered & died for us, rose from the grave, that His Blood still washes white as snow, and about His soon return to earth in glory?

m) Isn't that old fashion?

n) Won't that kind of preaching drive people away from church instead of leading them to church?

o) The Great Commission is not to fill a church. The Great Commission is to fill the Kingdom of Heaven with souls and when we're faithful in the little things, God will fill the church!

p) A mega-church in Chicago, and many others around the nation, all forgot one principle that hasn’t changed in 2000 years which is:

q) The mission of the church is to preach the Gospel to change people.

r) The people don't change the church or the Gospel.

7) JESUS NEVER CHANGED HIS MESSAGE.

a) He never condoned sin but He never condemned a sinner.

b) He just walked this earth as an example of righteousness, working miracles, healing, and delivering people from evil spirits.