Sermon Tone Analysis

The Blood of Jesus

Sunday, December 16, 2007

“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7

1.

As we saw last week that it is no use talking about fellowship with God if we walk in the realm of darkness.

Instead, we must repent of our sins, believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and follow Him.

2. This week we will see that if “we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.”

3. Walking in the light is the exact opposite of “walking in darkness.”

It does not mean that I claim absolute perfection but it does mean that I now claim I belong to a different realm - to the kingdom of light and to the kingdom of God.

“He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”

Col 1:13-14

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2:9

4. To get to this light takes some serious steps.

First of all we pass through the foolish stage where we think we already have fellowship with God, but as soon as we are convicted of sin, that delusion is vanquished.

5. Then the next stage is one of utter hopelessness, we see our sin for what it is and we begin to despair because it seems that there is no hope nor an end to this life of wretchedness.

The light has exposed us for what we really are and we feel as if there is no way God would want someone like ourselves.

6.

It is the character of light to reveal the hidden things of darkness and this is especially true of walking with God.

When we walk with God and His Word dwells within us, it is necessary for it to convict us of sin, everything that is wrong, unworthy and sinful in us is at once brought to the surface and from human eyes there is nothing that can save us from it.

7.

But the other side of the same coin is what God has already done for us.

If we are walking “in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.”

8.

This is where some clarification needs to be made between two great doctrines of the Christian faith.

Justification and Sanctification.

9. Justification is the New Testament term which represents our standing in the presence of God.

It not only means the forgiveness of our sins but also that our sins have been dealt with and have been removed from us.

It means that God regards us as righteous, as if we had never sinned.

In other words it is stronger that forgiveness in that God not only doesn’t punish us for our sins but that He looks upon us as righteous - as if we had not sinned.

10.

Sanctification is the New Testament term for the process where the very principle and activity of sin within us is being worked out of us and removed a little at a time as we grow in grace and truth.

“as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God.

All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.”

“Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive.”

“The venom of asps is under their lips.”

“Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.”

“Their feet are swift to shed blood; in their paths are ruin and misery, and the way of peace they have not known.”

“There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God.

For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.

But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe.

For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith.

This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins.

It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.”

Romans 3:10-26

11.

God has made away for you and me to be completely forgiven of all of our sin - through the blood of Jesus.

However it is not automatic, we must repent (turn away from) of our sins and trust (turn to) Christ in faith believing that He is who He says He is and that He did what He said He was going to do.

12. God has promised that in Christ he has provided the perfect sacrifice so that sin with be entirely forgiven.

God is faithful - all that He has promised has been perfectly fulfilled.

He has promised that if we confess our sins, if we look to His Son dying upon that cross, He will forgive us freely.

Therefore have no doubts, instead, rely upon the faithfulness of God to His own Word and promises.

13.

After you know the faithfulness and justice of God and the power of the blood of Christ to deliver me and to cleanse me from the guilt and stain of my sins, I can with confidence go forward, knowing that all is clear, my conscience has been cleansed and I can continue to walk with God.

GracePointe Baptist Church

2209 N Post Road

Oklahoma City, OK 73141

Phone: (405) 769-5050

http://www.gracepointeonline.com