INSIGHT
 

   It is encouraging to know that in Christ, we have mercy. Many times we may feel hopeless in our struggles. We may even say statements such as, “How can God forgive me?” or “God probably won’t forgive me.” Mind sets such as these can only lead to despair and discouragement, thus giving Satan the victory! But thanks be to God, who is rich in mercy (Eph. 2:4), gives us victory over guilt through the blood of Christ! It is a matter of confessing and acknowledging sin! Confession is a significant element in the lives of believers. It can be divided into two primary responses: the confession of sin (1 John 1:9) and the confession of faith, that is, the acknowledgment of Christ as Lord of our lives (Romans 10:9,10).

   Confession of sins is an aspect of both individual and corporate worship. At the Jordan, John’s followers were baptized, confessing their sins (Matt. 3:6; Mk. 1:6). Christians are reminded that God faithfully forgives the sins of those who confess them (1 John 1:9). James admonished his readers not only to pray for one another but also to confess their sins to one another (James 5:16). It is by our coming to the Lord and trusting in His mercy that we are released from all guilt! But we must believe! We must trust and have faith that He is able to forgive! If we doubt, then we are saying God can’t forgive! In order for us to receive, we must first believe. For Scripture says, “...without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him” (Heb. 11:6) and “...when he asks, he must believe and not doubt...” (James 1:6).

   Belief (faith, or trust) and confession are two sides of the same coin. If we truly believe He is able to pardon, then He will forgive our sins when we confess them. God does not lie. He is faithful to His Word!
The Life in Christ
Relying on the Blood

Key Text:                         1 John 1:9

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

 

Theme:

Penitent confession and acknowledgment of sin are the means of deliverance from guilt. It is encouraging to know God will have mercy on us, if we seek His mercy. Our brother John says, in confidence, that He “will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness!” God is faithful to His word. He has promised forgiveness to penitent believing confessors. Therefore, trust Him who is full of mercy and grace! Trust the cleansing power of the blood. For He will pardon and cleanse you from the guilt of all unrighteousness! AMEN!

 

Application:

Here are some practical suggestions:

1. Have the right mind set! Hate sin! Do not

    take sin lightly. Hate it with a vengeance.

2. Confess your sins! We see that the Bible

    teaches us that confession of sin leads to

    pardon. Confess your sins before the Lord

    and seek His mercy. He is faithful to

    forgive and purify a contrite believer’s

    heart!

3. Seek prayers from the saints! Scripture

    also teaches that confession should be made

    to one another (James 5:16). Seek out

    loving brothers and sisters to confess your

    sins to. Let them help you, pray for you, and

     remind you of the grace of the Lord!

4. Trust in His blood! God truly loves you

    and wants to forgive you. For this reason,

    Christ died for you! He have an awesome

    God who graciously forgives us through

    His Son’s blood! Confess and believe!

 May the Lord richly bless you!

 

Sermon Outline

Relying and Trusting The Blood!

 

I. Jesus, Our Priest--Hebrews 7

 

 A. Perpetual Priest--7:18-21

 

      1. Law was weak and useless

          a. Law is holy and good (Rom 7:12)

          b. Unable to make right for those who sin

          c. Cannot perfect us

 

      2. We have hope in Christ

          a. Brings us into the presence of God

          b. Hope of salvation and pardon

          c. Hope from a sworn oath by God

             (vs 21)

 

 B. Perpetual Intercessor--7:22-26

 

   1. He is our Guarantor

      a. A better covenant: the Gospel

          --it makes right through His sacrifice

          --it perfects us through His sacrifice

 

      b. He intercedes always

         -- on behalf of the debtor (us)

         -- He promises mercy

         -- His blood cleanses us from guilt

             (Heb 10:22)

 

      c. He meets our needs

        -- Our need of pardon

        -- Our need of salvation

        -- Rescues us from the consequences of sin

 

 

II. Conclusion

 

1 John 1:9--Trust God that He will forgiven

                  when you confess your sins.
Small Group Study

Warm-up:

What is the purpose of insurance? What does the insurance do in case of a default on a loan?

 

See To It                              Hebrews 7:1-3,18-26

 

1. Who was Melchizedek? How was Christ like

    him? List some attributes.

 

2. Why were the regulations of the Law weak and

    useless? How does Law differ from the hope of

    the Gospel?

 

3. How is the priesthood of Christ differ from the

    Levitical priesthood? What does it mean when

    the Hebrew writer says, “others became priests

    without any oath”?

 

4. As our Priest, what does Christ guarantee?

 

Seeing It Closer:

 

1. What does verse 25 mean when it says, “He is

    able to save completely”? Explain.

 

2. Read 1 John 1:7-9. What two things promote

    pardon?

 

3. What does this tell you about the nature of God?

 

4. What does tell you about those in Christ?

 

 

Getting To It:

 

Pray for each other that we may become people of confession. Not only confessing Jesus before men as we share the gospel with the lost, but confessing sin in our lives. Pray that we would trust in the cleansing power of Christ’s blood as we confess our sins to God and to one another!

 

This week's Quiet Times:

Relying on the BLOOD...

 

MONDAY

The precious blood of Jesus, shed on Calvary two thousand years ago, is what brings peace between you and God. Nothing else in Heaven or on Earth can reconcile you to God except your faith in Jesus Christ--faith in the gospel (good news) that He came to bring you--trusting that He can and will save you from eternal Hell if you believe Him. Read Colossians 1:19-23. What brings reconciliation? How can that reconciliation be applicable to you (vs. 23) ? Now read Titus 3:4-6. Why did God save us? Was it because of something we did? This verse speaks of the renewal that occurs when you have initially been purified by Jesus’ blood. How is this renewal succeeded? When you rely on the kindness and mercy of God three things happen: (1) You are justified, (2) You are sanctified, (3) You are glorified. Write Ephesians 2:13 on an index card and memorize it. Prepare yourself for each day by thinking about God’s kindness toward you and praying to be kind to everyone.

 

TUESDAY     The blood of Jesus justifies...   delivers us from sin’s penalty...

God’s loving kindness, expressed graciously by Jesus’ sacrifice, provides a righteous standing before God for those who believe in what Jesus Christ has done for them. Read Romans 3:24-27. How does justification reach us? Look up justify in a good dictionary. Why did God sacrifice Jesus? How is God’s justice effected in those who have faith in Christ? Ans: God’s justice is to justify those who have faith in Jesus; those who rely on His sacrifice for cleansing and not on themselves. Through Jesus’ blood you become blameless in God’s sight! Just like if you have never sinned!!! AMEN! Our righteousness is “borrowed” from Jesus’ sinless blood that was poured out to clean us! Read Romans 5:9-11. Here’s where trust comes in. Paul reasons with you: If God has justified you, will He not save you from the coming wrath? The gift of reconciliation (to be made one) comes as a result of relying on the blood to justify us before God. Write Galatians 2:20-21 on an index card and memorize it.

 

WEDNESDAY           The blood of Jesus redeems...   delivers us from sin’s power...

Read Ephesians 1:7-8. How does redemption come about? What else comes with this redemption? Notice how God lavishes these gifts on you! Because He is gracious (kind, loving)! (Look up lavish in a good dictionary). The reason why redemption can occur (renewal of our minds and spirit despite sin’s presence) is because your conscience can be cleansed by Jesus’ blood. Read Hebrews 9:14-15. Your clean conscience can only come as a result of believing in the power of Jesus’ blood, not on your own acts. What do your acts usually lead to? Because you are a sinner, you need to continually approach God’s throne with a sincere heart: read Hebrews 10:19-22. How is it that you can enter Heaven’s throne (by prayer)? Should you enter the throne confidently or with fear? How does your heart need to be when you enter God’s throne (vs. 22)? Write Psalm 130:7-8 on an index card and memorize it.

 

THURSDAY              The blood of Jesus glorifies...   delivers us from sin’s presence...

Since we are redeemed by the blood of Christ expressed through the grace of God in Jesus’ death on the cross, our purity needs to continue on the basis of faith in the resurrection of Jesus. The fact that Jesus was raised and glorified gives us faith and hope in God. Faith that God has sanctified (purified) us and hope that we will be delivered from sin’s presence when we see Jesus face to face! Read 1 Peter 1:18-23. Because of the value and expectation of your glorification, imitate the loving kindness of your Savior. Let this love express itself as sincere love for your brothers. Remember that your hope is not in what is perishable, but in the imperishable riches of Jesus Christ! Write Revelation 12:11 on an index card and memorize it.

 

FRIDAY

How marvelous is the kindness of our God!  We are so weak that He continually reassures us of His ever-present love in the promises described in the Word. People, this is why we need to continuously feed our minds with His Word, letting His Spirit renew our thoughts and rely on Jesus blood to cleanse us from sin and guilty consciences. Read 1 John 1:7. What does walking in light mean? (Hint: “as He is in the light”)  Walking denotes a life-style based on deeds by faith.  We don’t “sit” in the light, we walk in it (Colossians 3:12-14)! The verb here also denotes continuous action. Do you sin even if you walk in the light? How is this sin taken care of? The word “cleanse” (Gk. katharizo) is in the present tense and also denotes continuous action. Isn’t this an awesome gift that God has given us!!! Write Ephesians 2:8-10 on an index card and memorize it. Today’s memory verse summarizes in a nutshell this week’s venture into the amazing blood of Jesus. Share this great and exciting news!!!