SPEAKING THE TRUTH IN LOVE

TV PROGRAM FOR JUNE 7, 2004

by Murray Wade



We are members of the Oak Ridge church of Christ. We call ourselves Christians (Acts 11:26) and we hold to the Bible as our one and only Truth. Church of Christ is a biblical description of Christians who work together for the cause of Christ (Romans 16:16). We are independent assemblies with no organization beyond our own number as described in Philippians 1:1. There are Christians across the world who work with local congregations of God's people such as described in Revelation chapters 2 and 3. Christians are members of Christ's body, which is also known as His Church (Acts 2:47, Ephesians 5:23). Our mission is to stand for God's truth (the gospel) and teach it to all people (Matthew 28:18-20, Romans 1:16, 1 Timothy 3:15). We are accountable to our one and only Head Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:22-23, Colossians 1:18).



THE BLOOD OF JESUS



A. What can the blood of Jesus do for you and me?



1. Can buy us back (redeem us) by paying for our sins (Acts 20:28, Colossians 1:13-14,

1 Peter 1:17-19)



2. Takes away our sin (remission of sins) (Ephesians 1:7, Hebrews 9:22, 26)



4. Can save us (Romans 5:9)



3. Can give us hope (Hebrews 9:27-28, Ephesians 2:13)



5. Can give us freedom (Hebrews 9:12-14, 10:10-27)



6. Can bring true peace (Colossians 1:19-20)



7. Should make us ashamed of our sins (Acts 2:36-37)



8. Can take away our guilt and sorrow of sin (1 Corinthians 6:9-11, 1 Peter 3:21)



9. Shows that God loves you and me and that our souls are worth a great deal

(Matthew 16:24-27, Revelation 1:4-6)



10. Can make all people pure (Revelation 7:14)





B. What are some Consequences of the blood of Jesus?



1. Should not have been needed (Mark 14:24)



2. Brought Pain and Suffering to the Savior of the world (John 17:5, 19:28-34)



3. Hurt the Heavenly Father (John 3:16, Hebrews 5:7-8)



4. Satan lost the War because there is power in the blood of Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:54-57, Revelation 12:10-11)



5. The innocent died for the guilty (Matthew 27:1-4, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Hebrews 4:15,

1 Peter 2:21-25, 1 John 3:5)



6. It shows us all how terrible sin is (James 1:15, Romans 3:23)



7. It demonstrates God's mercy, righteousness, and justice (Romans 3:24-26)



8. There will be atonement (Revelation 1:7, Romans 12:19, Hebrews 10:29-31)



Look at these consequences. These consequences are because of the sins you and I commit.

When there is someone who has sin in their life that has not been forgiven, it is very important to encourage them to repent of their sins and be baptized. They are in serious danger. If one has not repented and been baptized for the remission of sins, they will face severe eternal consequences for their sins! If one is a Christian, and then sins, they are also in danger. When a Christian sins, they need to ask the Lord for forgiveness. All souls are precious and in need of salvation (Acts 2:40-41, James 5:19-20, Jude 22-23).



Sin is so serious that there was only one who could pay the price, only one who was perfect and able to atone for our sins, and only one who could take on our sins and arise victorious over their consequences. All mankind need to come in contact with the blood of Jesus or their sins will condemn them eternally.



What about you tonight? Have you contacted the blood of Jesus that brings forgiveness? Have you repented of your sins? Have you been baptized for the remission of your sins (Acts 2:38)? There is only one way to contact the life-giving blood of Jesus and that is through obedience to the Lord's commandments, including baptism in water (Romans 6:1-5).



Are you a Christian who has sinned and not repented of it? There is only one cure for the disease of sin and that is the blood of Jesus (1 John 1:7-10). We sometimes sing a song called "Nothing But The Blood". Listen to some of the words from this song.



Verse 1 - What can wash away my sins? Nothing but the blood of Jesus; What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.



Verse 3 - Nothing can for sin atone, Nothing but the blood of Jesus; Naught of good that I have done, Nothing but the blood of Jesus.



Chorus - Oh! Precious is the flow, that makes me white as snow; No other fount I know, Nothing but the blood of Jesus.



The hope that God has for all people can be summed up in one final reading found in Hebrews 13:20-21. Why not repent, be baptized, and choose to follow Jesus? After all He is the one who paid the price by giving His blood for you and me. We hope to see you next time on Speaking the Truth in Love.