Once again, thank you for your warm welcome. It's lovely to be with you again tonight,
and we pray God's blessing as we join together around his word. And so we're going to begin
by worshiping God, singing to his praise from Psalm 9. Psalm 9 and sing Psalms,
that's on page 8 of the Blue Psalm books, 9a.
We'll read from verse 9.
We'll sing down to the end of the verse marked 14, to the tune done firmly,
and standing to sing, The Lord Will Be a Hiding Place.
The Lord will be a hiding place, for the host of our rest,
and he will be a strong defence, for those who are distressed.
All those who know your name, O Lord, in you their just will place,
for you do not abandon those who seek your gracious face.
Sing praises to the Lord who saith, in Zion on his throne,
among the nations of the world,
proclaim what he has done.
For he, the adventurer of man's blood,
remembers evermore, the cry of the afflicted one,
he never will ignore.
O Lord, see how my enemies are persecuting me,
and mercy from the gates of death,
let me have set me free.
So that in Zion's city gates, pure grace I may declare,
and that I may exult with joy in your salvation air.
Let's unite our hearts in prayer.
Let us pray.
Gracious God, we are humbled this evening hour of worship,
that a God who is infinite, eternal, and unchangeable,
one who is holy, holy, holy, holy,
one who inhabits eternity,
has indeed chosen to condescend to reveal himself to us,
that you are not a God who is distant or detached,
a God who cannot be known,
but rather a God who tells us even today to come.
Come unto me, all you who labor and are heavy laden,
and I will give you rest, rest for your souls.
And how we long this evening hour to know that,
rest afresh as we come and as we find ourselves
as those who are sojourners through this wilderness that is time.
negotiating our way through many trials and temptations,
difficulties and discouragements.
But yet in the midst of it all, you are God.
And so we praise you, O Lord,
that we are not found this Saturday evening as we once were,
perhaps, worshiping idols dumb,
giving ourselves over to the things of this world
that cry out peace, peace,
where there is no peace.
Those many temptations that captivate our hearts and our minds,
those things that even give to us pleasure,
but yet only for a moment.
We praise you, O Lord,
that by the grace of God,
we are able to see,
at least in a measure,
the deceitfulness of sin,
a world that promises us so much,
yet time and time again fails to deliver.
And so we bless you and we praise you then
for the fact that you never fail to deliver,
that you are a covenant-keeping God,
that you are a God who,
in spite of our unfaithfulness,
remains faithful,
a God whose promises are from everlasting to everlasting.
And in light of this,
we pray that we might be found as your people
pleading these promises,
for we have nothing else.
Not only would we plead these promises
that are set before us,
the innumerable truths in your scripture,
but that we would do so with confidence.
Forgive us, O Lord,
for our lack of faith.
Forgive us for neglecting to remember
that you are the creator of the heavens and the earth
and all that in them is.
You are the one who has wrought
perhaps even the greatest miracle of all
by bringing sinners such as we are
from darkness into your own marvellous light.
And as we reflect upon who you are
and the power of your hand,
help us all the more to believe,
to trust,
to come and to cast ourselves upon you.
And Lord, we pray this evening,
especially for this town.
We are so mindful of the fact that,
relatively speaking,
we are few in number gathered here,
that there are so many
seeking to find that fulfilment elsewhere.
Those who have no word of their soul,
those who are captured by the world
and the flesh and the devil.
Remind us, O Lord,
that it is but by the grace of God
that we are what we are.
And were it not for that grace,
we would be there also.
But what we long for, O Lord,
is to see this town revived and renewed,
that we as your people
might see afresh the wonder
of that salvation
that has been wrought for us
on Calvary's tree,
that we would afresh be amazed
by that sacrificial act of love
that has given unto us a hope
not only for time,
but for all eternity.
And that us being renewed
and revived in our own spirit,
that this would indeed
flow out to those around us,
our friends, our neighbours,
our family.
And that we would indeed see
days where your name
is high and lifted up,
even days,
as in days not so long ago,
where this very building
would be filled
with men and women,
boys and girls,
with that longing
and that desire in their heart
to come and worship you.
O Lord, you are able.
And so we pray it to be so,
for the glory of your name.
But in the meantime,
O Lord, we give thanks.
We give thanks
that you are still saving souls.
We praise your name
for our dear sister
who has professed faith
for the first time
in this congregation.
Although perhaps we know,
we do not all know her,
you know her.
You are the God
who has called her to yourself.
And we pray
that you would be with her
as she takes this step of faith
that she would know
in a very real way
the strengthening
that follows obedience.
That you would,
as it were,
put that wall of fire around her,
protecting her
from the fiery darts
of the evil one
who no doubt
even this evening hour
seeks to distract her
and to bring her
to that place of despondency.
We know that he is a liar.
He is the one
who seeks to rob us
of our peace.
And what we pray for her,
we pray for us all
as we prepare,
as we prepare to come
and to do this
in remembrance of you.
That we would do so
in remembrance of the one
who is so worth remembering.
In remembrance of the one
who never forgets us
although we forget him.
Lord,
that you would be pleased
in your mercy
and your grace
and your love
to grant unto us
even a glimpse
of yourself.
That we would behold
the beauty of the king
through the lattice
of his word.
That you would show
unto us something
of who you are
and what you have done
for wretched sinners
such as we are.
We are not worthy.
We are not worthy
of the smallest
of your mercies.
But yet we praise you
all the more
that we come not
leaning upon our own
worthiness,
our own good works,
but rather upon the one
who has cried out,
it is finished.
And if there are any
here tonight
who are yet to come
and to profess your name,
who perhaps have many fears
and questions
at the front of their mind
that are perhaps
prohibiting them
from doing so,
that you would
take these things
from them
and enable them
to see even tonight
that we are called
to a life of faith.
We are not to look
through the eyes
of our own reason,
but through the eyes
of Scripture.
That we would come
and that we would believe
that you are a God
who has never once
let down any
who have come out
on your side.
Yes, we know
for all of us here
we have times
of difficulties,
times of joy,
times of expectation,
times of sorrow.
Yet every step
of the way
you are there
by our side
leading us
and guiding us.
And so we pray then
that you would bless us
as we come around
your word this evening.
We thank you for it.
As it speaks to us,
as it challenges us
and encourages us
that you would grant
unto us hearing ears
and hearts
that are ready
and willing to receive
not the word
of the preacher
but the word
of God himself.
That your Holy Spirit
might truly be
in our midst
accompanying your truth
so that we might
be able to see
it was good
for us to meet.
We pray for
our dear brothers
here,
for James
and for Colin Mordo.
We give thanks
for their ministry,
for their witness,
for their faithfulness.
We pray, O Lord,
that they would see
fruit for their labor,
that they would be
encouraged in their work
as they continue
to reach out
with the good news
of the gospel
and that together
with their
curccession,
deacon's court,
their members
and their adherents,
they would have
that zeal
and vision
to indeed
go out
with that glorious
message
for time is short
and eternity
is long.
Go with us
then,
we pray,
and forgive us
for Jesus' sake.
Amen.
We're going to sing
then,
friends,
once more
from Psalm 19
in the Scottish Psalter.
Psalm 19.
I'm going to pick up
our reading
at verse 8.
That's on page 223.
Psalm 19.
The statutes
of the Lord
are right
and do rejoice
the heart.
The Lord's command
is pure
and doth light
to the eyes
impart.
Unspotted
is the fear
of God
and doth endure
forever.
The judgments
of the Lord
are true
and righteous
altogether.
We'll sing
down to the
end of the first
part of verse 13
to the praise
of God
and to the tune
Bethesda.
Standing to sing
The statutes
of the Lord
are right.
The statutes
of the Lord
are right
and do rejoice
the heart
the Lord's
heard The Lord's
peace
no matter
is pure
and dumb
high
to be
Fot swerve
little
And doth endure forever
The judgment's all the Lord are true
And righteous all together
They bore and bore
In much time old
To be desired and
And money, money
From the cold
That drop the sweeter fire
Moreover day
Thy servant mourn
Are thee this life should pain
A great reward provided is
For them that keep us safe
Who can this ever understand
Oh, thanks I'll be within
From sin
Thy cause
Thy servant keep
From all
Resanctious sin
Well friends, let's join together
To read the word of God
We're going to read from 1 Peter
1 Peter chapter 1
We can read the whole chapter together
Let us hear the word of God
Peter
An apostle of Jesus Christ
To those who are elect exiles
Of the dispersion in Pontus
Galatia
Cappadocia
Asia
And Bithynia
According to the foreknowledge
Of God the Father
In the sanctification of the Spirit
For obedience to Jesus Christ
And for sprinkling with his blood
May grace and peace be multiplied to you
Blessed be the God and Father
Of our Lord Jesus Christ
According to his great mercy
He has caused us to be born again
To a living hope
Through the resurrection of Jesus Christ
From the dead
To an inheritance that is imperishable
Undefiled and unfading
Kept in heaven for you
Who by God's power
Are being guarded
Through faith
For a salvation
Ready to be revealed
In the last time
In this you rejoice
Though now for a little while
If necessary
You have been grieved
By various trials
So that the tested
Genuineness of your faith
More precious than gold
That perishes
That it is tested by fire
May be found to result
In praise
And glory
And honor
At the revelation
Of Jesus Christ
Though you have not seen him
You love him
Though you do not now see him
You believe in him
And rejoice with joy
That is inexpressible
And filled with glory
Obtaining the outcome
Of your faith
The salvation
Of your souls
Concerning this salvation
The prophets
Who prophesied
About the grace
That was to be yours
Searched
And inquired carefully
Inquiring what person
Or time
The spirit of Christ
In them was indicating
When he predicted
The sufferings of Christ
And the subsequent glories
It was revealed to them
That they were serving
Not themselves
But you
In the things
That have now been
Announced to you
Through those
Who preach the good news
To you
By the Holy Spirit
Sent from heaven
Things
Into which the angels
Long to look
Therefore
Preparing your minds
For action
And being sober-minded
Set your hope
Fully on the grace
That will be brought
To you
At the revelation
Of Jesus Christ
As obedient children
Do not be conformed
To the passions
Of your former ignorance
But as he
Who has called you
Is holy
You also be holy
In all your conduct
Since it is written
You shall be holy
For I am holy
And if you call on him
As father
Who judges impartially
According to each one's deeds
Conduct yourselves
With
Conduct yourselves
With fear
Throughout the time
Of your exile
Knowing that you
Were ransomed
From the futile ways
Inherited from your forefathers
Not with perishable things
Such as silver or gold
But with the precious blood
Of Christ
Like that of a lamb
Without blemish
Or spot
He was foreknown
Before the foundation
Of the world
But was made manifest
In the last times
For your sake
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
Having purified your souls
By your obedience
To the truth
For a sincere
Brotherly love
Love one another
Earnestly
With a pure heart
Since you have been
Born again
Not of perishable seed
But of imperishable
Through the living
And abiding
Word of God
For all flesh
Is like grass
And all its glory
Like the flower
Of grass
The grass withers
And the flower falls
But the word
Of the Lord
Remains
Forever
And this word
Is the good news
That was preached
To you
Amen
And we pray
God's blessing
On that portion
Of his own
Holy word
Friends
We're going to
Sing once more
To the praise of God
This time from
Psalm 51
And sing Psalms
That's on page 67
Psalm 51
Reading at the beginning
Of the psalm
Oh my God
Have mercy on me
In your steadfast love
I pray
In your infinite compassion
My transgressions
Wipe away
Cleanse me
From iniquity
Wash my sin
Away from me
For I know
My own transgressions
I can see
My sinful plight
We'll sing down
To the end of the verse
Marked 12
To the tune Ottawa
Standing to sing
Oh my God
Have mercy on me
Oh my God
Have mercy on me
In your steadfast love
I pray
In your infinite compassion
My transgressions
Wipe away
Cleanse me from iniquity
Wash my sin
Wash my sin away
From me
For I know
My own transgressions
I can see my sinful fight
You, you, only I've offended
And done evil
In your sight
And done evil
In your sight
So your words
Are verified
And your verdict
Justified
And your verdict
Justified
From my birth
I have been sinful
Such a nature
I receive
Sinful
From my first beginning
In my mother's womb
Conceived
Truth you look for
In my heart
Wisdom to me
You impart
In my heart
Cleanse with this
Of purifying me
I'll be whiter
Than the snow
Let the hope
You crush
Be joyful
May I joy
And gladness
Know
From my failure
I hear
Peace
Brought out all my
Wickedness
Lord
Create a pure heart
In me
And a steadfast mind
Clean you
Do not take your spirit
From me
Cast me not away
From you
Give me
The joy
I have
Keep my
Willing
Spirit
Act
For a short time
Friends
Let's turn back
To the chapter
We read together
1 Peter
Chapter 1
We can read
Verses 18
And 19
We'll read
From verse 17
And if you call
On him as father
Who judges
Impartially
According to
Each one's
Deeds
Conduct yourselves
With fear
Throughout the time
Of your exile
Knowing that you
Were ransomed
From the futile
Ways
Inherited from
Your forefathers
Not with
Perishable things
Such as
Silver
Or gold
But with the
Precious blood
Of Christ
Like that of
A lamb
Without blemish
Or without
Spot
Especially those
Four
Five words
The precious
Blood
Of Christ
The precious
Blood
Of
Christ
I wonder
Friends
This evening
Do you have
Any phobias
Might seem like
A strange
Question to ask
At the beginning
Of a sermon
Are there any
Things in life
That you're
Particularly
Scared of
To the point
That you cannot
Be near them
In any
Way
Shape
Or form
There are of course
Many different
Phobias
Claustrophobia
Of course
Is that
Fear
Of confined
Spaces
So that when
You find yourself
In a confined
Space
You have to
Get out
Aerophobia
Is a fear
Of flying
Arachnophobia
Is a fear
Of spiders
The list
Goes on
And on
There's a
Phobia
For nearly
Everything
In this
World
But perhaps
One of the
Most common
Phobias
Is
Hemophobia
What is
Hemophobia
Well hemophobia
Is a
Phobia
Of blood
There are
Countless
People
No doubt
Some of you
Here tonight
Who simply
Cannot stand
The sight
Of blood
And in
Seeing blood
They might
Faint
They might
Pass out
Yet what's
Interesting about
Hemophobia
More than
Any other
Phobia
Is the
Irony
That's
Attached
To it
Because
In being
Scared of
Blood
You're being
Scared of
The one
Thing
That we
Need
To be
Alive
Blood
Is of
Course
The most
Important
Thing
If you
Like
In
Your
Body
Or
Mine
It's
Blood
Circulating
Around
Our
Bodies
As we
Sit
Here
In this
Church
Tonight
That is
Keeping
Us
Alive
When the
Blood
Fails
To do
So
When it
Doesn't
Reach
Various
Cells
And members
Of the
Body
What
Happens
Will
Those
Cells
Die
For example
We know
That at
Times
People
Might need
To have
One of
Their
Limbs
Amputated
When the
Blood
Stops
Flowing
To
That
Particular
Limb
Or
More
Commonly
When the
Blood
To
Our
Hearts
Is
Somehow
Obstructed
Or
Blocked
We
Can
Have
A
Heart
Attack
And
We
Can
Even
Sadly
Die
Why
Is
That
Death
Well
Quite
Simply
Friends
Because
Without
Blood
There
Is
Death
And
So
That
Very
Thing
That
We
Can
Perhaps
Be
Scared
Of
Or
Cause
Us
To
Be
Squeamish
Is
The
Very
Thing
That
We
All
Need
To
Live
Last
Night
We
Considered
Why
We're
Here
We're
Here
Of
Course
As
We
Saw
In
Peter's
Encounter
With
Satan
We
Are
Here
Because
We
Are
In
Christ
Our
Security
Is
Not
In
Ourselves
In
Our
Own
Confidence
If
You
Like
But
Our
Security
Is
In
His
Commitment
To
Us
And
Tonight
Friends
We're
Going
To
Think
About
The
How
Has
It
Been
Made
Possible
For
Tonight
Your
Confidence
And
My
Confidence
To
Be
In
Christ
For
Us
To
Have
Such
A
An
Unshakeable
Security
In
Him
The
Answer
Blood
And
Specifically
The
Precious
Blood
Of
Christ
That
Which
We
Need
To
Live
Not
Only
Physically
But
More
Importantly
Spiritually
Now
It's
True
It's
True I
Would
Say that
There are
Many parts of the Bible that for many of us not all but for many of us here tonight we've been brought up knowing we hear certain phrases and we just take them for granted we don't really think too much about them we don't look into them and and perhaps delve into exactly what they mean
What they mean i wonder tonight does the precious blood of christ come into that we hear about the blood being spilled we hear of the importance of the blood for our to cover our sins but what exactly does that mean well that's what we're going to think about for a time tonight but before we consider the blood just a little bit by way of context here we are in first Peter
Now bear in mind the words that are penned here in this epistle that we have before us are the words of the very same man that we considered last evening the one who had denied the lord three times yes peter he had many faults he had many failings he was brash he was bold he was impulsive at times but but nonetheless what did the lord choose
To do with him did he write him to do with him did he write him to do with him did he write him off did he cast him to one side no he didn't he chose to use him how by strengthening his brethren by strengthening his brethren and that's what he went on to do he went on to strengthen his brethren
Peter was in many ways the spokesman for the twelve disciples the one who would voice certain opinions on behalf of the group at certain times and we see this in the book of acts in particular where we see peter being described as a rock the one in that position of leadership and authority
In acts 1 15 we see that peter sets that ball rolling if you like when it comes to getting a replacement for judas he's the one who's proactive in ensuring that happens
on the day of peter's делать it's starts BOB on the exodus on the day of peter and acts 2 peter wpft peter he stands up in order to to affirm overwhelmingly
to assumption of the spirituality
of the purity of the people
There was a reason for this the spirit of the lord at that time working mighty
amongst the people so much so that you will remember they were accused of being
drunk
an accusation which Peter stands up and refutes as he he did in in many areas and in front of
the masses of people time and time again Peter went on to do what the Lord said he would do
by strengthening his brethren not least by writing the epistle that we have before us here tonight
now it's thought that this epistle was written around about AD 64 65 sometimes with epistles and
letters the exact dates are debated but round about that time and this was a an extremely significant
time in the history of the Roman Empire in July of AD 64 the city of Rome it was completely
annihilated by fire it was destroyed and and it's thought the city was set alight on purpose
who was it set on a light by well the emperor himself Nero and so we might ask well why would
the emperor want to to set a light to to his own city why would he want to burn it down
well the reason he wanted to burn it down was that he wanted to to build it bigger and better than
before now naturally the people of Rome they were devastated by this they lost absolutely everything
their homes and in some cases their lives and what happened following this well resentment set in amongst
the people that they're outraged that Nero could have done such a thing and as often happens when when
the spotlight comes upon leaders in any kind of negative way what do they do they deflect they take the
spotlight from themselves they move it to someone or to something else to take the heat off them and
that's what Nero does he removes the spotlight from himself and who does he place it on the young
Christian church of Rome and because of this persecution sets in the people gather momentum if you like in
their persecution of the Lord's people you know what it's like when when people get carried away when
people begin to whisper and and people get ideas in their head that aren't necessarily based on fact
but still uh they they go with it that's what we see happening here in Rome and so that's why Peter's writing
this letter he's writing this letter to the persecuted church he's writing this letter to Christians
just like you and just like me well we're not in the persecuted church but nonetheless
Christians who need to be
encouraged to strengthen the brethren to help them to try at least to to keep positive in such dark days to to to not
become bitter in their faith or to lose hope to always remember to trust in the person and in the work of the
Lord Jesus Christ now that wouldn't have been easy for them it's not easy for any of us when we have
difficult providences just to to to to let go of those if you like and and to somehow always feel
strong in the Lord it's hard and so that's why we continually need those reminders just to help us just to
to encourage us as we negotiate our way through this world and we're better friends to start in this first chapter
and to make direct reference to the precious blood of Christ
the precious blood of Christ
now the Bible it's it's full of blood
there are around 450 references to blood throughout the pages of scripture
blood is central
to the whole narrative of redemption
but you know the the very God who's it's amazing how God works things
just so wonderfully together there's always a temptation that we divorce God from certain
things and we forget that it's it's God who's created all things it's God who created blood to work in
such a miraculous way in our bodies it's it's him that's the author of it all he's a creator he's a designer
and so in using blood in the at the center of the narrative of redemption he knew exactly what he was doing this this
crimson thread if you like that that runs right the way from Genesis to Revelation
but why blood
well I hardly need to remind you that
we have Genesis 1
and what do we see in Genesis 1 2 3 we
we see things not quite as they ought
to have been
we see do we not
that disobedience of Adam
that disobedience of Adam that plummeted mankind you and me with you into sin
and into
misery and because of this what happened
consequently
communion between the creator God
and his created beings
was
broken
but not only was this this communion between God and man broken
but also death
came into the world that's why death isn't natural
death is ugly
it's no way to be celebrated or glamorized
it's not the way things were supposed to be
we were not
created
to die
it's the last
enemy
and so we all
died
in
Adam
and we're reminded are we not
in Romans 5
that just
as sin
came into the world
through one man
and death
through sin
and so death spread
to all men
because
all
sinned
we all
died
in Adam
and as Adam
took off that fruit
what happened was that
his very blood
itself
was contaminated
by sin
so that the process of
of decay
in the body
it began to take place
not only in him
but in all of his offspring
including you
including me
and why was this
it was because the wages of sin
is death
physical death
yes
but spiritual death
also
spiritual death
in a lost
eternity
but that's not the end of the story
is it
because the wonder
and the marvel of the gospel
is that the Lord
has not left us
to ourselves
that's why we're here tonight
to not
as we once were
drinking from the broken cisterns
of this world
he's not left us
to ourselves
the world
leaves us
to ourselves
the world doesn't care about us
the devil doesn't care about us
but the Lord does
and because he cares
for mankind
what has he done
he has opened up
to us
that way of escape
that way
of forgiveness
forgiveness
and in order for there to be forgiveness
there needs
to be blood
what do we read in
Hebrews 9 22
and according to the law
almost all things
are purified
with blood
and without
the shedding
of blood
there is
no
remission
of
sins
and that's why we see so much blood
in the Old Testament
at times
as we read through the pages
of the Old Testament
we can
see that
there maybe is
too much blood
for our liking
and we wonder
why
what's
this
all
about
well the clue is found
in Leviticus 7
11
sometimes we look at Leviticus
and we think
well what relevance does that have
to us today
it's
it's hard
and it's heavy
but Christ is there
for in Leviticus 17
11
what do we read
for the life
of the flesh
is in
the blood
a wonderful statement
the life
of the flesh
is in the blood
and I have given it
to you
upon the altar
to make atonement
for your souls
for it is the blood
that makes
atonement
for the soul
now the way
in which these offerings
were to be
administrated
is outlined
in Leviticus 1
and verses 2 to 3
highlight the fact
that the worshipper
I'm not going to go
into detail about this
but just as an overview
the worshipper
was to bring
an offering
to the Lord
an offering
of his own flock
or herd
that was to be
a male
without blemish
it was to be
perfect
then what would
happen is
the offerer
was to place
his hand
on the head
of the burnt
offering
and it would
be accepted
accepted as what
well it would be
accepted
as a means
of atoning
for his sins
it would
it would act
as a symbolic
and it's important
to remember
it's symbolic
a symbolic
transfer
of his sin
and his
guilt
so the guilt
the sin
symbolically
was transferred
to the animal
and then the animal
would be killed
and as the animal
would be killed
the blood of the animal
would then be sprinkled
all around
the altar
that was by the door
of the tabernacle
of meeting
and we're going to think
a bit more
about the tabernacle
tomorrow
God willing
now this was
of course
the Old Testament
the Old Covenant
and because it was
the Old Testament
it was the blood
of animals
and not humans
that was shed
and because it was
the blood of animals
and not humans
what we see
in the Old Testament
is but a shadow
of what was still
to come
because the blood
of goats
or bulls
could never ever
hope to atone
for the sin
of mankind
ultimately
because it was
man who sinned
it was man
who would have
to pay
the price
for sin
and that's where
we come to the pages
of the New Testament
because there
we meet that man
that man
that has brought us
here tonight
together
the Lord
Jesus
Christ
1 Corinthians
15
21
for since
by man
came death
by man
also came
the resurrection
of the dead
for as
as in Adam
all die
even so
in Christ
all
shall be
made
alive
and so really
friends
the blood
of Christ
it's but a
synonym
of
the gospel
for the gospel
a synonym
for salvation
and
for
redemption
that's why
Peter needs
to remind
believers
he needs
to remind
these struggling
believers
that the blood
is precious
that's why
you and I
need to be
reminded tonight
that the blood
is precious
we hear these
things being said
we say them
we read them
but we need
reminded as
to exactly
what they
mean
and we
might ask
well why
why is
this blood
precious
we know
what it
does
but what
makes it
so precious
well there's
a few
things
firstly what
we know
is that the
blood of
Jesus Christ
it justifies
now we hear
theological words
like
justification
and perhaps
we switch
off
and we
think well
that's
just
theology
I don't
really want
to think
about that
just now
these words
at times
can lead
us perhaps
not to
tune in
but these
words behind
them have
very simple
meaning
the blood
of Jesus
Christ
justifies
what does
that mean
well we
are as
sinners
by nature
unjust
people
we're
unjust
people
we break
God's law
in our
thoughts
in our
words
in our
actions
and because
of this
God's
justice
it needs
to be
satisfied
we're
unjust
God is
just
his
justice
has to
be
satisfied
in the
same way
that if
someone
commits a
crime
we expect
to see
justice
and if
we don't
see
justice
we're
not
happy
we expect
to see
someone
being dealt
with
accordingly
now as
we've
already
said
our
sins
have
left
all of
us
with
that
which
needs
to be
dealt
with
accordingly
the
wages
of
sin
is
death
and
that's
where
Jesus
Christ
comes
in
because
Christ
died
did he
not
as a
substitute
a
just
man
dying
for
unjust
people
so we
are
justified
in
Christ
we are
safe
we are
secure
in
Christ
and
because
we are
safe
and
secure
in
Christ
because
we're
justified
in
Christ
we can
never
face
the
wrath
of
God
isn't
that
wonderful
that
no
matter
what
happens
if
we
are
in
Christ
we
cannot
face
his
wrath
his
curse
that's
a
thought
a
thought
that
ought
to
lead
us
to
praise
and
worship
all
the
more
reminds
me
of a
story
I
read
about
a
man
in
a
church
in
Germany
it was
in
the
city
of
Worden
and
there's
a
church
there
with a
lamb
that's
carved
out of
stone
and
placed
on
its
roof
now
it's
said
that
when
this
church
was
being
built
a
stone
carving
mason
he was
working
really
high
up
on
the
scaffolding
when
he
fell
he fell
a
great
height
a
height
at
which
you
could
never
hope
to
survive
and
so
his
colleagues
went
down
his
workmates
went
down
expecting
to
find
the
man
dead
on
the
ground
but
no
there
he
was
alive
with
minor
injuries
how on
earth
you might
ask
did he
survive
providentially
and this
is true
providentially
a flock
of sheep
just
happened
to be
passing
beneath
the tower
at that
very
time
and what
happened
he
landed
on top
of a
lamb
he
landed
on top
of a
lamb
the
lamb
broke
his
fall
and was
of course
crushed
to death
but the
man was
saved
that is
of course
a
poor
picture
of
what
justification
is
but yet
it's
a
picture
the
just
dying
for
the
unjust
the
lamb
of
God
protecting
us
from
eternal
death
taking
to himself
that
death
himself
being
crushed
so we're
justified
through the
blood
but that's
not all
because we're
also
redeemed
Job
famously
said
I know
that my
redeemer
lives
and you know
Christ is called
many things in
scripture but
isn't it so
that the term
redeemer
it paints
such a
beautiful
picture
because what
we have here
is that
idea of
being
in bondage
being
enslaved
what are we
in bondage
to
we are of
course by
nature
in bondage
to and
enslaved
by sin
this was
language that
those in
Peter's day
were familiar
with
half the
world
were bought
and sold
into
slavery
they were
held in
bondage
as a
slave
or a
captive
only until
someone
would come
and buy
them back
with silver
and with
gold
that's what
the word
redeem
means
we see in
Isaiah 43
but now
thus says
the Lord
he who
created you
O
Jacob
he who
formed you
O
Israel
fear not
for I
have
redeemed
you
I've
brought you
back
I've
redeemed
you
I have
called
you
by
my
name
you
are
mine
again
wonderful
that all
of us
who were
once
slaves
to sin
in bondage
to sin
again a
vivid picture
just in
shackles
sin
not allowing
us
to do
that
which we
were
created
to do
to offer
ourselves
daily
as living
sacrifices
unto
the Lord
Christ
just
paid
the price
the full
price
of our
redemption
and this is all
tied up
with that
word that
we used
another
theological
term
that we
used
earlier
atonement
and it's
interesting
when you
look at
that word
atonement
and if you
break it
down
words are
interesting
you can
come to
to saying
at one
meant
at one
meant
and that's
what happens
when we
are
redeemed
by Christ
we are
at one
with God
in Christ
the word
atonement
it literally
means to
to pay
a ransom
to pay
a ransom
and of course
the idea
of a ransom
it's often
associated
with
with the
idea
that
that someone's
needing to be
released
from captivity
or in
bondage
and in
order for
this to
happen
a price
needs
to be
paid
it must
it simply
must
be paid
and it
has
tonight
it's
been
paid
in
full
why am
I stating
the obvious
that we're
justified
that we're
redeemed
we know
all this
yet friends
how often
do we
remind
ourselves
of these
wonderful
realities
these
wonderful
truths
the
implications
of
the
precious
blood
of
Christ
our text
says
that we
cannot be
redeemed
with gold
or silver
or precious
stones
but with
the precious
blood
of Christ
he
he came
into the
world
friends
as a
ransom
for many
we could
never ever
afford
to pay
that ransom
no matter
what we try
to do
to be
free
we're all
looking for
freedom in
the world
are we not
and we try
various outlets
to be
free
but yet we
don't have
what it takes
to buy
that
freedom
but he
does
and he's
paid for
it from
that bank
of his
eternal
love
through that
currency
of his
precious
blood
so the
blood
justifies
it
redeems
time is
going
but it
also
reconciles
what do
we read
in
Isaiah
59
verse 2
but your
iniquities
have made
a separation
between you
and your
God
and your
sins
have hidden
his face
from you
so that
he does
not hear
this is a
picture of
us by
nature
because
we're all
fallen
in Adam
we have
God
here
we have
ourselves
here
and in
between
there is
this
great
gulf
we are
separated
from God
by nature
we are
as those
who need
to be
reconciled
to God
you know
what it's
like
when perhaps
you
have a
disagreement
with someone
perhaps a
bitter
disagreement
with someone
perhaps
you're in the
middle of that
at the
moment
I don't
know
and what
happens is
that someone
perhaps who
you were
close with
goes in
that direction
and you
go in
that direction
and there's
this great
gulf
between you
and for you
to come
together
you need
once more
to be
reconciled
well that's
the way it
is with us
and God
the Father
we need
to be
reconciled
because by
stranger
by nature
rather our
iniquities
have made
this
separation
what do we
read in
Romans 5
9
we read
that since
therefore
we have
now been
justified
by
his
blood
much
more
shall we
be saved
by him
from the
wrath of
God
for if
while we
were enemies
that's what
we are
by nature
we were
reconciled
to God
how
by the
death
of
his
son
by the
shedding
of
his
blood
that's what
the blood
does
so that
that great
gulf between
us
and God
it's
restored
it's
bridged
so that
once more
we can
be in
fellowship
in
relationship
in union
and communion
with our
father
through the
son
who shed
his
blood
for us
isn't there
something so
special when
fragmented
relations
are restored
perhaps people
you haven't
spoken to
for years
and there's
that coming
together
something
wonderful
about that
that almost
the union
that you
have now
is stronger
than what
you had
before because
you've come
through so
much to
get to
that point
and so
tonight
friends it's
worth us
celebrating
the reality
that by the
precious blood
of Christ
we are not
strangers
to God
we are
reconciled
to God
not so
that we
call him
just God
which he
is
but because
we can
now call
him our
father
and our
friend
there's that
intimacy
that
closeness
that
being
at one
that at
one meant
with
him
the blood
justifies
it redeems
it reconciles
but finally
it also
cleanses
it cleanses
now if you've
ever had
anything stained
by blood
you'll
you'll know
that it
leaves a
stain that
is deep
and lasting
a stain that
is so difficult
to get out
no matter how
many times
you wash it
there's always
this dull
brown stain
there it
just will
not go
away
yet here
is the
great
paradox
because the
blood of
Jesus Christ
instead of
staining
what does
it do
it washes
away
any
stain
of sin
the blackness
of the black
of our
sinful hearts
it washes
each
and every
stain away
that is the
wonder
working power
of the
blood
sin
has left
a crimson
stain
which can
only
be washed
by the
blood
it doesn't
matter how
dark our
hearts are
maybe tonight
you're not a
Christian
and you think
I'm too
far gone
my heart's
so black
if only
you could
see within
and you think
there's nothing
that can be
done for you
you're a
lost cause
rubbish
his blood
is sufficient
to wash
the darkest
of sins
the darkest
of
hearts
will your
sins
be as
scarlet
they shall
be as
white
as snow
although
they be
red
like
crimson
what are
they like
yeah that's
wool
that's what
the blood
of Jesus
Christ
is able
to do
it
justifies
it
redeems
it
cleanses
it
reconciles
what does
the hymn
writer
say
well he
says
this
there is
a fountain
filled
with blood
drawn
from
Emmanuel's
veins
and
sinners
plunged
beneath
that flood
lose
all
not some
all
their
guilty
stains
and you know
the church
in Rome
she needed
to be
reminded
of this
as
she and
her people
navigated
their way
through the
challenges
of life
and so
do you
need
reminded
tonight
your
heart
I'm sure
feels
so dark
so full
of sin
even as
the Lord's
people
especially
as the
Lord's
people
and we
hang out
heads
in shame
coming to
his table
and that's
why we
need
to remember
that's
why we
need
to be
reminded
that's
why
tomorrow
we are
going to
take of
that wine
symbolizing
that blood
to be
reminded
of what
to be
reminded
of its
power
to lead
us to
that place
of worship
and praise
and adoration
of the
one whose
blood it
was that
was shed
the Lord
Jesus Christ
it's all
about Jesus
it has to
be about
Jesus
if it's
not about
Jesus
we're
wasting
our time
the one
who has
bridged
that great
gulf
between us
and God
with that
path
that is
stained
by his
precious
blood
so that
all of
us
if we
are in
him
tonight
and this
is why
you need
to profess
if you
are
it's the
least
you can
do
so that
all of
us
if we
are in
him
we can
confidently
and
experientially
say
our
amen
to the
words
of the
hymn
writer
when he
said
and I'm
going to
close
by reading
these
few
verses
that
sum up
the
essence
of what
we've
been
thinking
about
tonight
would you
be free
from the
burden
of sin
there's
power
in the
blood
power
in the
blood
would you
or evil
a victory
win
there's
wonderful
power
in the
blood
sin
stains
are
lost
in its
life
giving
flow
there's
wonderful
power
in the
blood
would you
do service
for Jesus
your
king
there's
power
in the
blood
power
in the
blood
would you
live
daily
his
praises
to sing
that's
what we're
called
to do
there's
wonderful
power
in the
blood
there is
power
wonder
working
power
in the
blood
of the
lamb
there is
power
wonder
working
power
in the
precious
blood
of the
lamb
let us
pray
we thank
you lord
this evening
that our
power is
found in
you
a power
that
has enabled
us to
come into
union
and
communion
with a
god who
is of
pure
rise
and to
behold
iniquity
a power
that has
given unto
us that
spirit of
adoption
whereby we
cry out
Abba
father
and lord
we pray
this evening
hour as
we come
as your
children
to remember
your death
that you
would be
with us
also
tomorrow
that we
would come
around word
and sacrament
with that
reality of
the power
of the
blood at
the forefront
of our
hearts
and our
minds
and that in
doing so
we would
worship
for truly
you are
worthy
go with us
now we pray
we ask
forgiveness
for all our
many sins
in jesus name
amen
friends we're
going to
conclude
apologies
I've kept
you a little
longer than
I'd hoped
we're going
to conclude
by singing
from psalm
16
and sing
psalms
verse 8
this is a
psalm that
reminds us
of the
power
of
the
blood
a power
that
will not
leave us
even in
death
to see
the tombs
decay
before me
constantly
verse 8
this is on
page 17
I set
the lord
alone
because he
is at my
right hand
I'll not
be overthrown
we're going
to sing
to the
end of
the psalm
to the
tune
golden hill
standing to
sing
before me
constantly
I set
Because he lives at my right hand, and not the overthrown.
Therefore my heart is gone, my tongue with joy will sing.
My body too will rest secure in open wavering.
For you will not align my soul in death to stay.
For will you leave your holy one to see the tomb she gave?
You have made no to me, the path of life divine.
This child I know that your right hand, joy from your face will shine.
Now may the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, rest on and abide with you now and forevermore. Amen.