How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God. — Hebrews 9:14 (KJV)

Yesterday, our pastor’s subject was Wonder Working Power, taken from Hebrews chapter 9, verse 14.

In his introduction, he went into the book of Leviticus and explained the importance of the sacrificial offerings that God instituted in the Old Testament. It was necessary because God put Adam and Eve in a perfect environment, but they didn’t behave themselves. So it was necessary that we be covered with the blood of Jesus. We cannot go through this life without knowing that we’ve been forgiven of our sins and cleansed. There is so much power in the blood of Jesus.

The text says that His blood has wonder-working power because it can purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God. Outside of Jesus Christ, no matter how moral or good we may think we are, it is impossible to live a sinless life.

For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. — Romans 3:23 (KJV)

The smell of death was upon us before we came to Christ, but Jesus, through His precious blood, has cleansed our consciences from dead works. We’ve all been there. That’s why Bishop always tells us to be patient with our young people, even when they go astray and cause sleepless nights. We still need to exercise grace. Sometimes you may feel like picking up a bat or something else, but I beg you, my brothers and sisters, exercise grace.

From death and decay to life and holiness — the blood of bulls and goats satisfied only temporarily and had to be repeated over and over. But when Jesus Christ went on the cross and shed His precious blood for us, it was once and for all. It happened once, and it was enough. It was efficacious for everyone — for the thief on the cross, all the way back and all the way forward. That blood is more than sufficient; it is enough to change us. It’s not just an outward change but a transformation that begins from the inside.

If any man be in Christ, he is a new creation; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. — 2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV)

Every one of us has a story. We’ve made decisions, burned bridges, been disrespectful, but thank God — the wages of sin is death, yet the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ. When the enemy tries to beat you down, remind him that there is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit. God is able to transform us and make us brand new because of the precious blood of Jesus Christ.

The death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. — Romans 6:10 (KJV)

Jesus Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again. Death has no dominion over Him, nor over us. We must consider ourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus, free from the control of Satan. How can we who are dead to sin live any longer in it? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? I encourage you to read Romans chapter 6.

Jesus Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again. Death has no dominion over Him, nor over us. — Romans 6:9 (KJV)

We have to daily crucify this flesh and walk in the grace of God. Don’t use the grace of God as an excuse to sin. Don’t say, “God’s going to forgive me anyway.” No. All those sacrifices of the past were temporary. God provided a way even for Abraham when he was commanded to sacrifice Isaac — yet God provided a ram.

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. — John 3:16 (KJV)

Sometimes we forget how precious the death of Jesus Christ is. We are not defined by what we’ve done but by what Jesus Christ did on the cross. The beautiful thing about His death is that it was powerful enough to reach every soul. The blood of Jesus never loses its power.

There is power, power, wonderworking power in the blood of the Lamb. — Hymn Reference

From now until the last soul is saved, the blood of Jesus is powerful — for the murderer, the one behind prison doors, the one on death row facing execution. If they cry out to Jesus for forgiveness and mean it from their hearts, God will forgive them. Thank God for the power of the blood of Jesus. It has never lost its power. Everyone can experience the forgiveness of Jesus Christ.

Pastor Rod said there are three things the blood of Christ does for us today:

1. The Blood Frees Us from Sin: We were all bound in iniquity, but God pulled us out. He ransomed us and made us new. Having been set free from sin, we are no longer slaves to sin but slaves to righteousness.

Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.— Romans 6:18 (KJV)



2. The Blood Forgives Us: When God looks at us, He doesn’t see our sins. He sees the blood of Jesus Christ. When He said, “When I see the blood, I will pass over you,” that same principle applies today. Just as the Israelites were spared when the death angel passed over, when the blood has been applied to our lives, judgment passes over us.
   

And when I see the blood, I will pass over you.— Exodus 12:13 (KJV)<



3. The Blood Empowers Us to Fight: The blood gives us authority over the enemy. We are marked by the blood of the Lamb. We can rise up in authority and speak the name of Jesus. There is power in the blood — power to live right, power to live holy, power to walk upright, power to change what seemed impossible. With God, nothing is impossible. We have the power to forgive others and to overcome because there is power in the blood.

Jesus died the most painful death. His body was broken, His blood shed for all creation. That blood means power for us. Father God, this morning, thank You, Jesus. It’s all about the blood — the blood of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who shed His blood on Calvary. Thank You for the blood that was shed when the thorns were pressed into His head, for the lashes, for the pain, for the price He paid on our behalf.

The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin. — 1 John 1:7 (KJV)

Thank You for the precious blood of Jesus shed for us. Help us to walk in the light and in the liberty where Christ has made us free, that we would not be entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Father, have Your way. We give You all the glory and all the praise. Let our lives speak of Jesus Christ more than our words. Let the blood of Jesus speak louder than any words we could say. Have Your way, Lord, and we will be careful to give Your name all the glory, honor, and praise. We ask this with thanksgiving, in Jesus’ name. Amen.