The Precious Blood Series, Part 1

All Sufficient Grace for Even Me! 1 Peter 1:18-21 (ESV) 18  knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19  but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. 20  He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you 21  who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. This verse (19) has been on my heart all week. The Lord has been dealing with my heart about how precious the blood of the lamb is. There is too much to say about the blood of Jesus to fit it in to one sermon, so today we are going to look at just one thing that makes the blood so precious to the church. Psalm 103:8 - (ESV) The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. Do you have things in your past you are not proud of? I know that I do! Some of you today may even have things going on right now in your life that you are ashamed of, but they are there. Broken relationships, fears, struggles, battles, etc. This morning, before we receive The Lord’s Table, I want to let you know something very important. I believe that it is key to being who we ought to be in the church. No matter what you have done, God’s grace is sufficient! His Grace is Sufficient: 1. To save us from our sin a. Jesus died for us, although we did not deserve it (Romans 5:6-8 For when we were w/o strength, in due time, Christ died for the ungodly) b. Salvation is a gift of GRACE! (Ephesians 2:8 – For by grace are you saved through faith) c. Nobody is so deep in sin they cannot be saved by Jesus! (1 Corinthians 6:9-11 (ESV) 9  Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, 10  nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11  And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.) 2. To help us deal with hardships a. God promises to protect us from any temptation that would be too much for us to handle! (1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV) No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.) b. When we endure hard trials, God’s grace is enough to help us endure the trial and gain the victory! (2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (ESV) 9  But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10  For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.) c. God allows us to come boldly before His throne so that we can obtain mercy and grace for our time of need (Hebrews 4:16) 3. To forgive us when we sin a. God’s grace is conditional! i. When we as Christians repent, God is gracious to forgive (1 John 1:9 (ESV)  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.) ii. True repentance means not doing it anymore. b. This forgiveness is undeserved, unmerited – that’s why it is called GRACE (Unmerited favor) c. Whenever sin abounds, Grace abounds much more. i. There is no sin so great that grace cannot cover it (Romans 5:20 (ESV) Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more,) 4. To help us do the work of the church a. We are only able to do Spiritual work because God enables us to do it (2 Corinthians 3:4-5 Our sufficiency is of God who has made us to be able ministers) i. We must be empowered by the Holy Ghost or our work will be insufficient ii. To go where he leads, to do what He asks, God will bless and we will enjoy success. b. God is able to “Make all grace abound” toward us and cause us to “have an abundance for every good work” i. 2 Corinthians 9:8 (ESV) And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. ii. Ephesians 4:7 (ESV) But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. c. When we realize that it is by God’s grace that we are heirs with Christ, we begin to labor more abundantly i. Because its not by might, not by power, but by God’s spirit! ii. Its not a matter of obtaining gold stars for being good, it’s a matter of acknowledging God in all our ways! Conclusion: What a wonderful gift is God’s grace! It is for all persons (He is not a respecter of persons) This is the age of Grace! No need to fear the wrath of an angry God if you will accept his loving offer of Grace! Will you taste of God’s grace today? (1 Peter 2:2-3 (ESV) 2  Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— 3  if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.) To save you To help you deal with life To forgive you of your sin To help you do His work What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus; What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. Refrain Oh! precious is the flow That makes me white as snow; No other fount I know, Nothing but the blood of Jesus. For my pardon, this I see, Nothing but the blood of Jesus; For my cleansing this my plea, Nothing but the blood of Jesus. Refrain Nothing can for sin atone, Nothing but the blood of Jesus; Naught of good that I have done, Nothing but the blood of Jesus. Refrain This is all my hope and peace, Nothing but the blood of Jesus; This is all my righteousness, Nothing but the blood of Jesus. Refrain Now by this I’ll overcome— Nothing but the blood of Jesus, Now by this I’ll reach my home— Nothing but the blood of Jesus. Refrain Glory! Glory! This I sing— Nothing but the blood of Jesus, All my praise for this I bring— Nothing but the blood of Jesus. Refrain