SUFFICIENT III Cleansing through the Blood

 

1 Peter 1;2

Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ.

 

I.               GOD’S O.T. SACRIFICIAL SYATEM

Heb 9:22

And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.

 

Burnt Offering. -  For Sin in General. -  Unblemished male (ox, sheep, goat or dove)

 

Sin Offering – Specific Transgressions where restitution not possible –( bullock: he-goat or she-goat)

 

Trespass Offering - Specific Transgressions where restitution was possible (Ram only)

 

Guilt Offering - Made by a person who had either deprived another of his rights or had desecrated something holy (Ram or lamb without blemish)

 

These sacrifices only provided temporary covering of sin and in some cases removal of sin

 

II.              JESUS THE PERFECT LAMB

 

John 1:29

Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world

 

Hebrews 9:26-28

but now, once at the end of the ages, He (Jesus) has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself… so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many

 

III.            WHAT DID JESUS DO WITH HIS BLOOD?

 

1.     Entered into the Holy Place. 

Heb 9:12

Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.

 

                      Redemption – lytrosis – set free, liberate, deliver, ransom, release

 

2.     Became Mediator of the New Covenant. 

Heb 12:24

to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel

 

3.     Reconciliation

 

To change. It deals with relationship. We are restored or changed back to right relationship with God.

Col 1:20

and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.

 

·      Brings you into peaceful relationship with God

·      Gives free access to God and all of is resources

·      We are united with Jesus in His Death and risen in His resurrection 

·      We are a new creation, and all has become new

·      Saved from penalty of sin (death) and the power of sin (enslavement)

 

 

4.     Justified us . 

Rom 3:24-25

being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, ²⁵ whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed.

 

Rom 5:9

Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him

 

·      Justification means peace with God

·      Justified from everything law of Moses couldn’t do

·      Sets us free from Condemnation

·      No one can bring any charge against us

·      We are saved from God’s Wrath

·      We shall reign in life through Jesus Christ

 

5.     He Bought us

1 Cor 6:20

For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.

 

Agorazo – 

(agora) – to buy in a market

Agorazo – To buy in a slave market (We were slaves sold under sin Rom 6:23; Rom 7:14)

Exagorazo – to buy out of the market by purchasing and removing from sale.

 

Gal 3:13

Christ has redeemed (exagorazo) us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”)

 

6.     Brought us near 

Eph 2:13

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

 

7.     Sanctified Us

Heb 13:12

Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate

 

IV.            HOW TO ACTIVATE THE BLOOD

 

1.     Boldness and Confidence

Hebrews 10:19-23

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; ²¹ And having an high priest over the house of God; ²² Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. ²³ Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

 

                        Pure Conscience means greater faith

                        1 John 3:20-22

For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. ²¹ Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. ²² And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.

 

2.     Continual Cleansing

 

Cleansing is not pardon but it’s deliverance from pollution, defilement and impurity sin brings in our life

 

Cleansing Different from Pardon – Separate from it – the result of it

 

The blood cleanses from all sin. Original sin and actual sin

 

Faith in the blood when fully effective results in the old nature being hindered from manifesting it’s power

      

Lev 17:11

For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.’

 

a.     Carries oxygen and nutrients to every cell  

b.     Removes carbon dioxide and waste from cells,

c.     Regulates bodies pH balance

d.     Regulates body temperature

e.     Circulatory system circulates 2000+ gallons of blood per day

f.      RBC’S make up 45% of your total blood volume. They carry oxygen and carbon dioxide from lungs to cells and from cells to lungs

g.     WBC’S and Platelets 1% of blood. They protect against viruses , bacteria and toxins

 

1 John 1:7

But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin

 

Katharos – Pure and clean. Katharizō – to make pure and clean (verb, present tense, active, indicicative, third person)

 

1 John 1:9

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

 

Katharizō – (aorist, active, subjunctive, third person)

 

                        2 Cor 7:1

Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

 

                        Heb 13:20-21

Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, ²¹ make you complete (perfect) in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE POWER OF THANKSGIVING

 

 

1 Thessalonians 5:15-18

See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all. ¹⁶ Rejoice always, ¹⁷ pray without ceasing, ¹⁸ in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

 

We are commanded to be in a perpetual state of Thanksgiving

INTRO

The one thing you cannot do too much of is Thanksgiving .

The one thing God does not reject this Thanksgiving .

One thing God never says is too much is giving thanks.

Everything increases and multiplies by Thanksgiving. 

Everything stops increasing with Thanksgiving stops 

Nothing appreciates destiny like Thanksgiving 

When your hands go up and Thanksgiving your life goes up and blessings 

Thanksgiving is the most attractive thing to God next to holiness 

When you are thankful your tank will always be full 

 

I.               THE POWER OF A THANKFUL HEART

1.     Lifts you up to new spiritual levels. 

Psalm 100:2,4-5

            Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before His presence with singing. ³ Know that the Lord, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. ⁴ Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.

2.     Refocuses our perspective

3.     Keeps your eyes on an eternal source

John 1:3

All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 

 

4.     Increases your personal happiness.

Phil 4:6

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; ⁷ and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus

 

Col 3:15

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful

 

5.     You attract more of what you want

Luke 17:12-17

Then as He entered a certain village, there met Him ten men who were lepers, who stood afar off. ¹³ And they lifted up their voices and said, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” ¹⁴ So when He saw them, He said to them, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed. ¹⁵ And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, ¹⁶ and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan. ¹⁷ So Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? ¹⁸ Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” ¹⁹ And He said to him, “Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well.”

6.     You may prolong your life

7.     Helps you manage stress

 

II.              THE DANGERS OF INGRATITUDE

 

1.     We quickly forget what God has done. 

 

2.     We open ourselves to the destroyer. 

1 Corinthians 10:10

                        Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were                                                      destroyed of the destroyer.

            

3.     We expose ourselves to darkness. 

Romans 1:20-25

For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, ²¹ because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. ²² Professing to be wise, they became fools, ²³ and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. ²⁴ Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, ²⁵ who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

4.     We expose ourself to unnecessary temptations

 

                        Proverbs 5:15-23

Drink water from your own cistern, And running water from your own well. ¹⁶ Should your fountains be dispersed abroad, Streams of water in the streets? ¹⁷ Let them be only your own,And not for strangers with you. ¹⁸  Let your fountain be blessed, And rejoice with the wife of your youth. ¹⁹           As a loving deer and a graceful doe, Let her breasts satisfy you at all times; And always be enraptured with her love. ²⁰ For why should you, my son, be enraptured by an immoral woman, And be embraced in the arms of a seductress? ²¹ For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord, And He ponders all his paths ²² His own iniquities entrap the wicked man, And he is caught in the cords of his sin. ²³        He shall die for lack of instruction,And in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray.

 

III.            START NOW

1.     Practice giving thanks in everything

1 Thess 5:18

in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

 

2.     Bless the Lord at all times

Psalm 34:1

I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.

 

3.     Stop Complaining

Phil 2:14-15

Do all things without complaining and disputing, ¹⁵ that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world

 

4.     Take frequent Praise Breaks

 

a.     God lives in Praise

Psalm 22:3

But You are holy, Enthroned in the praises of Israel.

 

b.     God is lifted with praise

Psalm 47:5

God has gone up with a shout, The Lord with the sound of a trumpet.

 

c.     God is motivated by Praise

2 Chron 20:22

Now when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were defeated.

 

d.     God intervenes by Praise

Acts 16:25-26

But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. ²⁶ Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed.

 

a.     Singing

Psalm 18:49

Therefore I will give thanks to You, O Lord, among the Gentiles, And sing praises to Your name.

 

b.     Dancing

Psalm 149:3

Let them praise His name with the dance;…”

 

c.     Clapping

Psalm 47:1

Oh, clap your hands, all you peoples! Shout to God with the voice of triumph!

 

d.     Shouting

Psalm 32:11

Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous; And shout for joy, all you upright in heart!

 

e.     Lifting up Hands

Psalm 134:1-2

Behold, bless the Lord, All you servants of the Lord, Who by night stand in the house of the Lord! ² Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, And bless the Lord.

 

f.      Falling Prostrate

Rev 4:10-11

the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying: ¹¹ “You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created.”

 

g.     Playing Musical Instruments

Psalm 149:3

Let them praise His name with the dance; Let them sing praises to Him with the timbrel and harp.

 

5.     Change clothes whenever you need to

Isaiah 61:1-3

To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.”

 

6.     Practice gratitude from the deepest part of your being

Luke 1:46-47

And Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord ⁴⁷And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior

 

7.     Start your day by being thankful for what you have

 

8.     Write down three things a day you are thankful for  (6 weeks)

 

9.     Don’t get caught in the vicious cycle of waiting for something to happen before you are thankful

 

10.  Journal about your gratitude

 

11.  Start and end your day with thanksgiving

Psalm 92:1-5

It is good to give thanks to the Lord, And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; ² To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning, And Your faithfulness every night, ³ On an instrument of ten strings, On the lute, And on the harp, With harmonious sound. ⁴ For You, Lord, have made me glad through Your work; I will triumph in the works of Your hands. ⁵ O Lord, how great are Your works! Your thoughts are very deep.