Only One Thing...
Notes
Transcript
7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
Introduction
Introduction
Sin is a prevalent theme in the book of 1 John…What we find in our text this morning is the first of approximately 27 references to sin or sinning in the book.
John says that “sin is a transgression of the law” in chapter 3, verse 4 and that “all unrighteousness is sin” in chapter 5 verse 17.
Sin involves rebellion against God’s good order and instruction. He tells us in verse 8 that nobody is free from sin…
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
However, sin is not only about doing the wrong thing. Sinful people are rebels against God by position. John writes,
8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
The sinner is opposed to god by allegiance to his enemy. What we are seeing in the world today, all the wrongdoing, all the violence, all the sin being praised by our society. It’s all just a symptom of a deeper problem, and that is the rejection of God in men’s hearts.
Here in our text today, John connects the death of Jesus (more specifically, his “blood”) to cleansing from sin. The shedding of Jesus’s blood at his crucifixion achieves the all-important removal of sin that enables believers to walk in the light.
Without the blood preaching is lifeless and there is nothing to say.
Without the blood there is no salvation and we are still dead in trespasses and sins.
Without the blood the Bible is a dead book and not worth the time it takes to read it.
Take the blood teaching out of the Bible and nothing is left but a few unrelated pages, signifying and saying nothing.
The Bible is a red book. From beginning to end the Word of God is wringing wet with the blood of Jesus Christ.
These words from 1 John 1:7 sum up all the Bible has to say about the blood.
All the Old Testament had to say about it, when it was promised; all the Gospels had to say about it, when it was poured out; all the epistles had to say about it, when it was preached, is summed up in this one verse.
1 John 1:7 (KJV 1900)
7 ...the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
This verse shows us several things…Let’s take a look today. First of all, we learn from this verse that:
Only One Thing Is Wrong
Only One Thing Is Wrong
1 John 1:7 (KJV 1900)
7 ...sin.
Back in 1908, the British newspaper, The Times, invited various writers to answer a question; the question was “What’s wrong with the world?” - The shortest, but most striking answer was given by the renowned Christian writer, G.K. Chesterton, he wrote, “Dear Sirs, I am. Sincerely yours, G.K. Chesterton”
The problem with the world is sin in every human heart - The heart of the problem is the problem of the heart!
12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
Sin and death are the two fundamental problems with us and our world.
Sin is the sponsor of every lie that has ever been told, of all the hate the world has ever known, of all the wars that have ever been waged, of all the blood that has ever been shed, of all the crimes that have ever been committed, of all the hopes that have ever been shattered, of all the hearts that have ever been broken, of all the mistakes that have ever been made, of all the vile deeds that have ever been done, of all the steps that have ever been taken away from God, of all the impure thoughts that have ever passed through the minds of men and all the evil that has ever been experienced.
It’s all one thing and that is sin!
We also learn from this verse:
Only One Thing Is Necessary
Only One Thing Is Necessary
1 John 1:7 (KJV 1900)
7 ...the blood of Jesus Christ his Son...
The only way that a person can go to heaven is to belong to the family of God, the only way a person can belong to the family of God is to be washed in the blood of the Lamb.
The blood is necessary! It’s the only thing that is necessary!
Both in the Old Testament and in the New Testament the sinner’s approach to God was only by the way of the blood.
Abel was accepted only because he brought the blood of the lamb.
The only homes in Egypt which were not visited by the death angel were those marked with the blood of the lamb.
The High Priest in the Old Testament did not enter the Holy of Holies, which symbolized the presence of God, until he could enter with the blood of the lamb.
18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
O! Precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.
The pathway of righteousness is red with the blood of Jesus Christ. This is the only thing which is necessary.
This verse teaches us that only one thing is wrong, and only one thing is necessary, we also see:
Only One Thing Is Evident
Only One Thing Is Evident
1 John 1:7 (KJV 1900)
7 ...the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
The one thing that is evident from the shed blood of Jesus to cleanse us from all sin is the love of God!
16 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.
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
We have all kinds of ways of expressing love. Some might say 'I love you' and show it with flowers, or with a look - a greeting card - a note - a delicate touch - an embrace - a box of chocolates, or a romantic meal.
Some of these are more extravagant and expensive than others.
God, however, did not just say 'I love you.' He demonstrated His love for humanity with a very costly gift: the gift of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Was there ever a better or more sacrificial gift than that?
The love of God is a proven love. It was proved by the sacrificial death of the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross. We can be certain that God loves us when we see how He sent His only Son to die for us.
9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
Jesus Christ is proof of one thing - God’s love for us!
Another thing we see here is:
Only One Thing Is Required
Only One Thing Is Required
1 John 1:7 (KJV 1900)
7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light...
Walking in the light involves confession of our sins.
Notice the wording of the verse:
7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
Without confession, there is no cleansing!
Before sin can be dealt with, it must be exposed to the light!
As Christians, we are responsible as to how we live for God!
We are to observe God’s commands, and we are to obey God’s commands.
15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
The Christian life is not only possessing Christ—it is practicing the teachings of Christ.
It is not only being a member of God’s family—it is obeying God’s command.
Moving on, this verse tells us:
Only One Thing Is Promised
Only One Thing Is Promised
1 John 1:7 (KJV 1900)
7 ...cleanseth us...
Cleansing is the promise!
Cleansing is complete! Notice, His blood cleanses from all sin!
3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; Who healeth all thy diseases;
He removes our sin as far as the east is from the west!
It’s not for some, or most, but all sin!
◦ Would you be free from your burden of sin? There’s power in the blood, power in the blood.
◦ Would you o’er evil a victory win? There’s wonderful power in the blood.
◦ Would you be free from your passion and pride? There’s power in the blood, power in the blood.
◦ Come for a cleansing to Calvary’s tide; There’s wonderful power in the blood.
◦ Would you be whiter, much whiter than snow? There’s power in the blood, power in the blood.
◦ Sin-stains are lost in its life-giving flow; There’s wonderful power in the blood.
◦ There is power, power, wonder working power in the blood of the Lamb; there is power, power, wonder working power in the precious blood of the Lamb.
Oh what a precious promise! Cleansing from all sin!
You know that’s one promise, but it brings several things with it!?
It brings peace...
20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.
It brings position...
13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
It brings power...
Revelation 12:11 (KJV 1900)
11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb...
It brings priesthood...
9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
It brings protection...
Exodus 12:13 (KJV 1900)
13 ...when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.
Conclusion
Conclusion
One things this morning from this one verse...
Only one thing is wrong - sin.
Only one thing is necessary - the blood of Jesus Christ.
Only one thing is evident - God’s love.
Only one thing is required - Confession of sin.
Only one thing is promised - Cleansing.
