The Story of Jesus His Blood Is Precious (Lesson 76)
Introduction:
1. God's people are to grow in the knowledge of His Son (2 Peter 3:18). 2. To accomplish this growth we must "search the Scriptures" (John 5:39). 3. In 1 Peter 1:18-19 "the precious blood of Christ" is mentioned. 4. In our lesson we are studying passages that explain why the Lord's blood is precious. 5. Before we do so, let us first point out that . . .
Discussion:
I. GOD HAS ALWAYS CONSIDERED BLOOD TO BE SPECIAL
A. God was highly displeased when Cain shed Abel's blood (Genesis 4:10-12). B. God commanded man to abstain from eating blood (Genesis 9:4). C. God commanded capital punishment for those who shed blood (Genesis 9:5-6). D. The patriarchs presented blood offerings to God as they worshiped, including: 1. Abel (Genesis 4:4) 2. Noah (Genesis 8:20-21) 3. Abraham (Genesis 22:13). E. God commanded the Israelites to put blood around and over the doors of their homes so He would "pass over" them in Egypt (Exodus 12:7, 12-13). F. Although the Israelites presented animal sacrifices to God on a regular basis, a special offering was made on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:29-30, 34). G. While blood is special in a general sense, . . .
II. THE BLOOD OF CHRIST IS PRECIOUS
A. Jesus shed His blood when He was crucified (John 19:33-34). B. Jesus shed His blood "for many for the remission of sins" (Matthew 26:27-28). 1. "Remission" requires the shedding of blood (Hebrews 9:22). 2. However, animal blood cannot remove sin (Hebrews 10:3-4, 11). 3. Jesus offered Himself as a perfect sacrifice once for all (Hebrews 10:12). C. The Lord's blood makes redemption possible (1 Peter 1:18-19). 1. Corruptible things such as silver and gold cannot provide redemption. 2. Redemption is only available through the blood of Christ (Ephesians 1:7; Hebrews 9:12). 3. We learn from 1 Peter 1:22-23 when the Lord's blood purifies our souls. D. Jesus' blood provides continual cleansing for His followers (1 John 1:7, 9). E. Jesus purchased the church with His blood (Acts 20:28).
