There's Power in the Blood

PRAYER: Reading the Word and Preaching

Here is the scripture I emphasized to the boys at camp this year:

1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

1 John 1:7 (NASB95) … if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.

In our study on Ephesians we read (and it is in the bulletin:

Ephesians 1:7 (NASB95) In Him [In Jesus] we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace

In Acts 20:28 (NASB95) The Apostle Paul reminded the Ephesian church:

… the church of God [has been]… purchased with [Jesus’] own blood.

As a young Christian, pastors and teachers impressed upon me the Power of the Blood of Jesus.

I was told I needed to be washed “in the Blood of Jesus”

I was encouraged to “plead the Blood of Jesus” in order to defeat the devil

On many Sundays we would sing hymns about the Blood of Jesus.

Are You Washed in the Blood?

There Is A Fountain Filled With Blood

Nothing But The Blood

When I [God] See The Blood

Andre Crouch’s: The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power was a popular song when I first got saved.

Indeed, as I pursued God’s call for me to enter ministry, I knew there was power in the Blood.

At some point, long ago, I picked up a paperbacked book written by a Dutch, South African preacher named Andrew Murray and through him I learned even more about this extremely important teaching from the Bible.

Entitled: The Blood of the Cross

I couldn’t find a date for its original publication, but it was written in Dutch during his life. He lived between 1828 and 1917.

So it is an old book, but the truths it contains are not so much old as tried and true.

IN his preface to the Dutch Edition … Murray, … tells us that it was on a journey to Europe that his mind was definitely directed by the Holy Spirit to the consideration of the “power of the blood of Jesus.”

That phrase gripped him and seemed to keep demanding from him, “What does the power of the blood really mean?”

He says, “My consideration of this question, and my meditation upon the Scriptures to find an answer to it was made a great blessing to me.”

On his return to South Africa, he took up this subject for consideration during Passion week in his congregation in Wellington.

Fifteen addresses were delivered on that occasion, then five at a later date.

The substance of the first ten of these discourses has already been published in a companion volume, The Power of the Blood of Jesus; the remaining ten are now sent forth under this title, The Blood of the Cross.

He published them, he says,

“because I am deeply convinced that we Christians can never know too much about the truths which the blood proclaims.

There can be no freedom of approach to God, nor fellowship with Him, apart from a truly vital and powerful experience of the efficacy of the blood of Christ.

Its efficacy is a hidden, spiritual, divine reality, and therefore can be experienced only in a heart that is humbly and entirely submitted to the guidance of the Spirit of God.

And just in proportion as we have an insight into the disposition that inspired Christ to shed His blood, shall we understand and experience what that power is which can produce that disposition in us.

Oh, loved ones, let us humbly and yet FULLY embrace the power of the Blood!

We KNOW the Power is there!

We sang it this morning: There is Power in the Blood

As I’ve already metioned, there are a lot of songs about the Blood.

Because the Bible tells us…

Hebrews 9:22 “… all things are cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”

Hebrews 9:13-14 (Amplified Bible - AMP) For if the sprinkling of [ceremonially] defiled persons with the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a [burnt] heifer is sufficient for the cleansing of the body, 14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal [Holy] Spirit willingly offered Himself unblemished [that is, without moral or spiritual imperfection as a sacrifice] to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works and lifeless observances to serve the ever living God?

The Cross was not only an act of suffering but the place where Christ’s blood was poured out to cleanse us from sin and give us eternal life.

This is why hymns, songs and choruses about the blood of Jesus, such as we have sung this morning, remain so meaningful.

They remind us that forgiveness is not earned by effort or good works but received through faith in Christ’s finished sacrifice.

But, few songs capture this truth as powerfully as There Is Power in the Blood.

There Is Power in the Blood was written in 1899 by Lewis E. Jones, a man whose life combined both ordinary work and extraordinary devotion.

Jones was not a famous preacher or a world-renowned musician.

He spent much of his career working with the YMCA, investing in young people and promoting Christian values.

Yet it was during a Christian camp meeting where that inspiration struck, and he penned the hymn that would outlive him by generations.

Like many hymns of the era, There Is Power in the Blood arose out of the revival movement sweeping across America.

Camp meetings, evangelistic gatherings, and gospel services often emphasized salvation through Christ’s blood, and Jones’ hymn captured that message in words and melody people could remember.

Its refrain — “There is power, power, wonder-working power in the blood of the Lamb” — became an anthem of victory and redemption.

The hymn was first published in a collection of gospel songs and quickly spread through churches and revival services.

It gained even wider popularity when used in the evangelistic campaigns of Billy Sunday, the fiery preacher of the early 20th century.

Congregations sang it with such energy that it became one of the defining gospel hymns of its time.

One early hymnal described it simply as “a song of triumph through Christ’s blood.” And that is exactly what it remains today: a joyful proclamation that what Jesus accomplished on the cross is more than enough to save, cleanse, and keep us.

The story of There Is Power in the Blood reminds us that God often uses ordinary people and simple settings to create something eternal.

What began as a camp meeting hymn became a worldwide declaration of the gospel — proof that the Spirit still inspires timeless truth in unexpected moments.

First sung in the closing years of the 19th century, the Power in the Blood hymn has inspired revivals, echoed in tent meetings, and encouraged countless believers in moments of doubt.

Its message is simple yet profound: there is cleansing, victory, and joy in the blood of Jesus.

From the moment it was first sung at camp meetings, There Is Power in the Blood struck a chord with believers.

Its upbeat rhythm, memorable refrain, and bold declaration of Christ’s victory made it a natural fit for revival services.

Evangelists like Billy Sunday often used it to stir crowds, calling people to salvation and renewal.

When hundreds of voices joined together in repeating, “There is power, power, wonder-working power in the blood of the Lamb,” the effect was electric.

But the hymn’s influence was not confined to revivals and gospel concerts.

It found its way into hymnals across denominations, sung in small rural chapels and large urban congregations alike.

For some, it was the song of their childhood; for others, it was the anthem of their conversion.

Generations of Christians have clapped, shouted, and rejoiced while singing about the cleansing blood of Christ.

But let’s dig a little deeper for the Biblical truths behind the lyrics

Verse 1: Cleansing from Sin

“Would you be free from the burden of sin? There’s power in the blood, power in the blood.”

The opening verse speaks to the universal human condition — the weight of sin and guilt.

Scripture says, “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow” (Isaiah 1:18).

The hymn points us straight to the solution: forgiveness and cleansing through Christ’s blood.

Forgiveness Through the Blood

As we’ve already read in Hebrews 9:22 says plainly, “Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”

From the sacrifices of the Old Testament to the final sacrifice of Christ on the cross, God has always taught that forgiveness requires atonement.

The hymn’s first verse captures this truth, offering hope to anyone weighed down by sin: Jesus’ blood cleanses us completely.

Verse 2: Victory Over Evil

“Would you o’er evil a victory win? There’s wonderful power in the blood.”

Here the focus shifts from forgiveness to freedom.

Sin not only stains; it enslaves.

But through the blood of Jesus, believers are given victory over temptation, fear, and the grip of the enemy.

Revelation 12:11 (NASB95) “And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death.

Evil does not have the last word — Christ does. Singing this hymn becomes an act of defiance against fear and temptation.

Verse 3: Power for Daily Living

“Would you be whiter, much whiter than snow? There’s power in the blood.”

This verse emphasizes the ongoing work of sanctification — the Spirit’s daily shaping of our lives into Christ’s likeness.

The imagery of being “whiter than snow” recalls Psalm 51:7: “Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.”

The hymn echoes David’s prayer, asking God to purify us through the power of Christ’s blood.

Verse 4: Joy and Service

“Would you do service for Jesus your King? There’s power in the blood.”

The final verse lifts our eyes from what we receive to what we give.

Cleansed and empowered, we are free to serve Christ joyfully.

Paul wrote, 1 Corinthians 6:20 (NLT) for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.

That “high price” is the precious Blood of Jesus.

Redemption isn’t just about what we escape; it’s about Who we belong to.

The hymn celebrates the privilege of serving Jesus joyfully because His Blood has set us free.

The Refrain: A Shout of Triumph

Between every verse comes the unforgettable refrain: “There is power, power, wonder-working power in the blood of the Lamb.”

Its repetition is no accident.

It’s meant to be shouted, celebrated, and remembered.

In every age, the church needs to declare this truth loudly and joyfully: there is still power in the blood of Jesus.

When we sing There Is Power in the Blood, we are not just recalling an old revival tune.

We are declaring Scripture in song — proclaiming forgiveness, victory, cleansing, and joy in Christ.

That’s why this hymn has lasted for more than a century and still speaks to hearts today.

Enduring Power

We need to emphasize and celebrate the power of the Blood

Enduring Power of a Gospel Hymn

When Lewis E. Jones wrote There Is Power in the Blood in 1899, he could never have imagined how far the hymn would travel.

From humble camp meetings to worldwide revivals, from gospel quartets to modern recordings, this simple song has carried a message that never grows old.

The reason is clear: its truth is eternal. The Power in the Blood hymn reminds us that Jesus’ sacrifice is enough

— enough to forgive sin,

enough to bring victory,

enough to cleanse and renew,

enough to fill us with joy and purpose.

When we sing it, we are not only echoing the voices of past generations but also declaring with confidence what Scripture proclaims: “The blood of Jesus… cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7).

In a world searching for freedom from guilt, fear, and despair, this hymn points us back to the cross.

It is both a song of salvation and a song of hope.

Each time we join in the refrain — “There is power, power, wonder-working power in the blood of the Lamb” — we reaffirm our faith in Christ’s finished work and lift high the name of Jesus.

So let us keep singing. Let us pass this hymn on to the next generation. And let us never forget the truth it proclaims so clearly: there is still power in the blood.

The Lord’s Supper

The Lord’s Supper is another way that we remember the power of the Blood.

This Supper should cause us to remember and to think deeply about the Cross and the Blood spilled on it.

We hear Jesus telling the crowds …

John 6:53–56 (NASB95) … “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in yourselves. 54 “He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. 55 “For My flesh is true food, and My blood is true drink. 56 “He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him.

Oh, they didn’t like that!

Not one bit!

Many years ago now, when I pastored in Shreveport, LA before coming here…

We had a missionary come to the church and share what God was doing in the jungles along the Amazon River.

He talked about going to churches and at one of them having a pastor tell him to not mention the Blood of Jesus.

Shame on that pastor!

The Blood needs to be emphasized — not hidden!

We are sons and daughters of Light because we are sons and daughters of Jesus — through His Blood!

1 Peter 1:18–19 (NLT) For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And it was not paid with mere gold or silver, which lose their value. 19 It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God.

Since we are made SPIRITUALLY alive through the Blood of Jesus, we understand and press in to symbolically partake of the Body and Blood of Jesus.

PREPARATION

Before we partake, let us prepare ourselves as says…

1 Corinthians 11:26–31 (NLT) For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord’s death until he comes again. 27 So anyone who eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord unworthily is guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28 That is why you should examine yourself before eating the bread and drinking the cup. 29 For if you eat the bread or drink the cup without honoring the body of Christ, you are eating and drinking God’s judgment upon yourself. 30 That is why many of you are weak and sick and some have even died. 31 But if we would examine ourselves, we would not be judged by God in this way.

So, let’s do that right now…

Let’s allow the Holy Spirit to shine His light of holiness into our lives and expose those things that need to be repented of.

DISTRIBUTE ELEMENTS

Becky Gill is coming to serve us the Bread.

As the worship team comes and receives the elements…

You don’t have to be a member to partake.

Receive the symbols of the Lord’s Supper and hold them until we all partake at the same time.

Could we stand together across the front of the sanctuary?

Song: Thank You Jesus for the Blood

BREAD

Jesus said in John 6:48–51 (NASB95) “I am the bread of life. 49 “Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. 50 “This is the bread which comes down out of heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. 51 “I am the living bread that came down out of heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread also which I will give for the life of the world is My flesh.”

End prayer with prayer from Seder:

Blessed are you, O Lord our God, who brings forth bread from the earth.

CUP

Mark 14:23–25 (NASB95) And when [Jesus] had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, and they all drank from it. 24 And He said to them, “This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. 25 “Truly I say to you, I will never again drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”

End prayer with prayer from Seder:

Blessed are you, O Lord our God, King of the Universe, who creates the fruit of the vine.

TIL HE COMES

Again 1 Corinthians 11:26 (NLT) For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord’s death until He comes again.

Jesus is coming!

As we return to our seats for the memorial service, take a minute to encourage someone that Jesus is coming again! To seek things above. To contemplate the glory of eternity.

Sing: Where I Belong