I want to start this second part on our two part message on "The BLood of Jesus" by asking a few questions.
Last message (Part One) covered the blood of Jesus sprinkled on us by the Spirit, who dwells in us, sealing the Covenant for our forgiveness and our protection through His sacrifice.
Jesus sprinkles His own blood on us when, by faith, we receive His finished work at Calvary. This isn't a physical sprinkling; rather, it is a legal, spiritual transaction. He sprinkled or washes the blood onto our hearts in response to our faith. And until we truly believe in the power of His sacrifice at Calvary, the blood of Jesus cannot produce any effect upon our souls!
It is unfortunate how so many believers do not enjoy the power and benefit of the blood of Jesus. Scripture makes it clear. It is important for us to know how the blood has been washed over our hearts and how the covenant has been sealed by His blood shed for us. This is done in a couple ways:
Romans 3:25 "Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation [a reconciliation] through faith in his blood..."
Churches around the world participate in communion regularly. Yet, Paul warns us not to "drink [the cup] unworthily." This doesn't mean merely partaking of a communion service after we've failed in some way. We know that if we repent of our sin, Jesus will forgive us and cleanse us of all sin.
No, I believe Paul is saying we are to discern Christ's body properly. He's talking about coming to the Lord's table, drinking of the cup and yet not believing in the power of that blood! It has to do with sitting in condemnation and fear, not believing that Christ's blood has justified and sanctified us in God's sight.
Many believers are condemned out of the wonderful experience of the Lord's table, because they don't come to the blood in faith. Paul is saying, "No wonder so many are sickly among you. You are left weak because you do not believe in the total victory of Christ's blood!"
These people are basically saying, I know it's wonderful to be justified through the blood of Jesus Christ. But I still have trouble believing the Lord considers me righteous. After all, I still haven't arrived. I still struggle. I still fall short.
The truest evidence of faith is rest! If you believe with all your heart, it brings your conscience and soul into rest. And when you come to the Lord's supper and partake of the cup, you can say, "I believe I am saved, forgiven, healed, justified, worthy because I believe in the blood. I trust in it!"
? The blood of Jesus is on our soul through the Holy Spirit.
When you hear Christ and His blood being exalted by the Word, you can know the blood is being washed over you!
When Philip preached the gospel to the eunuch, that man's heart was ravished by the Word. Immediately, he begged to be baptized. In Acts 8:37 Philip said to him, "If you believe with all your heart, you may."..."
At this point, you may be wondering, How can I know whether the blood has been applied to my heart?
1. If you are now willing to walk in the light and allow the Holy Spirit to expose all darkness in you, you can know you've been covered.
1 John 1:7 says "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 cleans us from all sin"
John is clearly talking about someone who is in love with the Word, unafraid of criticism, who says, Lord, shine Your Holy light into every crevice of my heart. I want to walk in the light. If you love the light, it's a sure sign you've been covered!
2. If you call on the power and authority of Christ's blood when you're under enemy attack, you know you've been covered by the blood.
When those who have not been covered by the blood are in trouble, they call their best friend or a counselor, or they wallow in fear and condemnation. But those covered by the blood immediately stands on the blood of Jesus!
We are warriors, blood-bought, blood-saved, more than conquerors through Jesus Christ! We are not in a courtroom with the devil, pleading a case. No, we are victors! Jesus has won the victory for us; His blood has prevailed. And I believe our battle cry should be, "I proclaim the victory by the blood of Jesus! I am blood-washed, blood-bought, blood-justified, blood- safe, blood-ransomed. And I proclaim the victory by the blood of Jesus!"
3. You will know the Blood has been applied to your heart when you are so secure in the cleansing, justifying power of the blood that your conscience no longer condemns you, you know you've been washed by the blood.
Your conscience does evil work when it does not stir you to obedience of Gods Word. It does evil when it condemns you, accuses you, constantly reminds you of how you failed God, causing depression and fear.
But when you fully rest in the cleansing, justifying power of the blood of Jesus, you take command of your conscience through the Spirit, your conscience is no longer an accuser, but rather, it follows what it is told through the Spirit. When the devil rises up with an evil accusation, your conscience proclaims the victory by the blood!
Hebrews 10:22 says "Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience..."
A peaceful, clean conscience is a sign of being covered with His blood!
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Are you covered by the blood?
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Are you a warrior, blood-bought, blood-saved, more than a conqueror through Jesus Christ!?
We never end a service without asking these important questions.
If you do, say this prayer aloud after me
Jesus, I am a sinner and need forgiveness. I believe that Jesus Christ shed His precious blood and died for my sins so I might live. I want to turn from sin filled life and I commit my life to serving Christ but I need your strength. I invite You into my heart as my personal Savior. Thank you for covering me with your blood for the forgiveness of my sins and for my protection. Amen. and Amen!
If you have said this prayer for the first time or if you have recommitted your life to Christ by saying this prayer, we welcome you as a new person in Christ today. God has been long-awaiting for you. And He says welcome home my child. welcome home. We encourage you to find a Faith based Church, spend time in prayer, listen to what God places in your heart, join a Bible study or life Group, pick up that Bible and read it daily, openly discuss your struggles, your questions and concerns with a Pastor or someone you trust and believe. If you don't have a Pastor, drop me a line, I will gladly help.
I believe we serve a loving God, a Healing God, and a God of compassion, a forgiving God and a God of restoration. God who wants us Free! God says whenever two or more come together in agreement He will be among us and He shall answer our prayers. Well, your one, I am the second and He is third, present and is with us. Father as we go our own way we pray for your guidance and direction. We Pray for healing our bodies and we thank you for restoring our soul. In Jesus Name we pray Amen and Amen.
Old Mill Ministries depends upon the generous contributors of people like you. We want to thank our Covenant Partners and those who sponsor children and families in our area. We would love to hear from you, so drop us a line, share with us, give us your prayer requests so we can stand in agreement with you, bind the enemy and be free as God intended. We would also like to send you some information so write to us.
