Empowered by Testimony: The Blood of Jesus

 

Summary

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. Today, we reflect on the power of testimony and the blood of Jesus Christ, as inspired by Revelation 12:11. This year, our theme is "Story: My Life, His Story," emphasizing how our personal narratives are intertwined with God's greater story. We are reminded that Satan, the great accuser, constantly seeks to condemn us, but through the blood of Jesus, we are free from condemnation. Romans 8 assures us that there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus, and this truth is foundational to our faith.

In my own journey, I have struggled with believing the gospel for myself, particularly regarding past sins. A pivotal moment came when a friend, Derek, pointed out that I did not fully embrace the gospel's truth for my own life. This revelation, coupled with prayer and teaching, transformed my understanding and acceptance of God's grace. It is crucial to recognize that the blood of Jesus cleanses us from sin, purchases our freedom, offers eternal life, and makes us right with God. These truths are not just theological concepts but realities that shape our lives and testimonies.

Our testimony is a powerful tool in defeating the enemy. It is not about eloquence or theological depth but about accurately declaring what God has done and is doing in our lives. Like the blind man healed by Jesus, our testimony is simply sharing how we were once lost but now are found. The courage to share our testimony is rooted in the blood of Jesus, which secures our victory over the enemy.

As we move forward, let us embrace the power of our stories, not as isolated narratives but as part of God's grand story. We are called to share the impact of the blood of Jesus in our lives, not out of obligation but out of gratitude for what He has done. Let us not love our lives so much that we are afraid to die, but rather live boldly, proclaiming the victory of the Lamb.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Power of the Blood of Jesus: The blood of Jesus cleanses us from sin, purchases our freedom, and offers eternal life. It is the foundation of our faith and the reason we can stand against the accusations of the enemy. Embracing this truth transforms our lives and empowers us to live boldly. [42:09]

2. Freedom from Condemnation: Romans 8 assures us that there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. This truth liberates us from the enemy's accusations and allows us to live in the freedom and grace of God. Embracing this freedom is essential for a victorious Christian life. [30:23]

3. The Role of Testimony: Our testimony is a powerful tool in defeating the enemy. It is not about eloquence but about accurately declaring what God has done in our lives. Sharing our testimony is an act of courage and faith, rooted in the blood of Jesus. [51:01]

4. Believing the Gospel for Ourselves: It is crucial to believe the gospel's truth for our own lives, especially regarding past sins. Recognizing and embracing God's grace for ourselves is transformative and essential for spiritual growth. [33:17]

5. Living Courageously: We are called to live courageously, not loving our lives so much that we are afraid to die. This courage is rooted in the blood of Jesus and our testimony, which secures our victory over the enemy. [53:43]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [27:41] - Satan's Defeat and Accusation
- [29:35] - The Accuser's Lies
- [31:34] - Personal Revelation and Change
- [32:50] - Leadership and Gospel Belief
- [36:58] - Victory Through the Blood and Testimony
- [38:39] - The Enemy's Nature
- [40:21] - The Armor of God
- [42:09] - The Blood of Jesus
- [44:11] - Made Right with God
- [45:23] - Holiness Through the Blood
- [47:28] - Redeemed by the Lamb
- [49:21] - The Necessity of Words in Testimony
- [51:01] - Demystifying Testimony
- [53:43] - The Courage of Our Testimony

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Revelation 12:11
- Romans 8:1
- 1 Peter 5:8

#### Observation Questions
1. What does Revelation 12:11 say about how believers overcome the enemy? How does this relate to the theme of "Story: My Life, His Story"? [36:58]
2. According to Romans 8:1, what assurance do believers have in Christ Jesus? How was this truth emphasized in the sermon? [30:23]
3. How is Satan described in 1 Peter 5:8, and what does this imply about the nature of spiritual warfare? [38:39]
4. What role does personal testimony play in the defeat of the enemy, as discussed in the sermon? [51:01]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of "no condemnation" in Romans 8:1 impact a believer's daily life and spiritual journey? [30:23]
2. In what ways does the blood of Jesus provide freedom and victory over the enemy, according to the sermon? [42:09]
3. How can believers effectively use their personal testimonies as a tool against the enemy, based on the sermon’s insights? [51:01]
4. What does it mean to "not love our lives so much that we are afraid to die," and how does this relate to living courageously in faith? [53:43]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt accused or condemned. How can the truth of Romans 8:1 help you overcome those feelings? [30:23]
2. How has the blood of Jesus set you free in your personal life? Share a specific example of how this freedom has shaped your story. [42:09]
3. Consider your own testimony. How can you share it more effectively with others, focusing on what God has done in your life? [51:01]
4. What steps can you take to ensure you are living courageously, not fearing death, but boldly proclaiming the victory of the Lamb? [53:43]
5. Identify a specific area in your life where you struggle to believe the gospel for yourself. How can you begin to embrace God's grace more fully in that area? [33:17]
6. How can you incorporate the "armor of God" into your daily routine to stand firm against the enemy's accusations? [40:21]
7. Think of someone in your life who needs to hear about the power of Jesus' blood. How can you share your testimony with them this week? [49:21]

Devotional

I'm ready to provide the 5-day devotional based on the steps outlined. Here it is:

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Day 1: The Cleansing Power of Jesus' Blood
The blood of Jesus is not just a theological concept but a transformative reality that cleanses us from sin, purchases our freedom, and offers eternal life. This truth is foundational to our faith, allowing us to stand firm against the accusations of the enemy. Embracing the power of Jesus' blood empowers us to live boldly, knowing that we are made right with God. This understanding should not remain abstract but should deeply influence how we live our daily lives, shaping our actions and interactions with others. [42:09]

Hebrews 9:14 (ESV): "How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God."

Reflection: In what ways can you allow the truth of Jesus' cleansing blood to transform your daily actions and interactions with others today?


Day 2: Living in Freedom from Condemnation
Romans 8 assures us that there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. This liberating truth frees us from the enemy's accusations, allowing us to live in the grace and freedom of God. Understanding and embracing this freedom is essential for a victorious Christian life. It means letting go of past guilt and shame and stepping into the new identity that Christ offers. This freedom is not just a future promise but a present reality that should influence how we perceive ourselves and our relationship with God. [30:23]

Colossians 1:13-14 (ESV): "He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."

Reflection: What past guilt or shame do you need to release today to fully embrace the freedom and grace offered by God?


Day 3: The Courage of Testimony
Our testimony is a powerful tool in defeating the enemy. It is not about eloquence or theological depth but about accurately declaring what God has done in our lives. Sharing our testimony is an act of courage and faith, rooted in the blood of Jesus. Like the blind man healed by Jesus, our testimony is simply sharing how we were once lost but now are found. This courage to share is not about us but about the victory of the Lamb and the transformative power of His blood in our lives. [51:01]

1 Peter 3:15 (ESV): "But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect."

Reflection: Who is one person you can share your testimony with this week, and how can you prepare to share it with gentleness and respect?


Day 4: Embracing the Gospel for Ourselves
It is crucial to believe the gospel's truth for our own lives, especially regarding past sins. Recognizing and embracing God's grace for ourselves is transformative and essential for spiritual growth. This involves moving beyond intellectual assent to a heartfelt acceptance of God's love and forgiveness. It means allowing the gospel to penetrate our hearts and change how we view ourselves and our past. This personal embrace of the gospel is a journey that requires prayer, reflection, and a willingness to let go of self-condemnation. [33:17]

Ephesians 1:7-8 (ESV): "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight."

Reflection: What is one past sin or mistake that you need to bring before God today, asking Him to help you fully embrace His grace and forgiveness?


Day 5: Living Courageously in Christ
We are called to live courageously, not loving our lives so much that we are afraid to die. This courage is rooted in the blood of Jesus and our testimony, which secures our victory over the enemy. Living courageously means stepping out in faith, even when it is uncomfortable or risky. It involves trusting in God's promises and being willing to sacrifice our comfort for the sake of the gospel. This kind of courage is not self-generated but is a result of understanding and embracing the victory that Jesus has already won for us. [53:43]

2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV): "For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to step out in faith and live courageously today, trusting in God's power and love?

Quotes


And when you think about it, isn't that how he works? I mean, think about it. We are drug away and enticed by our own sinful nature. The book of James tells us that. Anytime we want to go, hey, it's not my fault, it's that thing, no, no, no, no. We are dragged away and enticed by our own sinful nature. [00:29:13]

But what happens is, is when we do that, Satan is really quick to be like, told you so. You thought the blood of Jesus was going to make a difference. Has he ever said these things to you? You thought the blood of Jesus was going to make a difference in your life. Fool. Fool. Told you so. You see, you don't just do wrong, you are wrong. [00:29:42]

But church, you have to understand something. I believe God's word. I believe Romans chapter 8 that says, there is therefore no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. And when I sit with you, and I tell you those things, I am not a liar. I'm not a hypocrite. I believe it with every ounce of my being, that when you give yourself to Jesus Christ, there is therefore no condemnation. [00:30:54]

I paused and he says don't don't don't get me wrong he says you know how to preach the gospel it's not that you don't know the gospel it's not it's not that it's not that you're not able to share the gospel with other people it's not that you don't believe the gospel but you do not believe the gospel for yourself related to your past sin I just saw Derek on Friday and I just I said thank you again it's one of the greatest gifts that anyone's ever given to me. [00:33:46]

And they defeated him, Satan, the great dragon, the ancient serpent, the accuser, all that kind of stuff, by the blood of the lamb and by their testimony. And they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die. [00:36:58]

The blood of Jesus makes all the difference in the world. So what I want to do is I want to remind us of just some of the things that the blood of Jesus does. There's verses in your program. There'll be verses on the screen. That's for this week. That's for this week. To grab your Bible and just read. Here you go. It cleanses us from sin. [00:42:09]

The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from sin. And can I tell you, it cleanses you from sin. And the effects of Satan and the accusations of Satan up against the blood of Jesus Christ that you and I put on and put on, his accusations cannot stand up against us. It cleanses us from sin. We don't cleanse ourself. We don't clean ourselves up. [00:42:32]

The amazing part is, is that we can be right with God. It doesn't matter what you have done or what has been done to you. It doesn't even matter how many times you've done it. That's the scandal of the gospel. The scandal of the gospel says that, like, no matter what has happened, you can be made right with God, not because of what you have done, but because you have put your faith in the blood of Jesus Christ. And he forgives. [00:44:43]

It's not about my story. We're not playing comparison games here. What we are saying is, it is about the blood of Jesus Christ and how that has affected my story. The power is in the blood of the Lamb and how he has changed us from the inside out. [00:50:22]

Here's what a testimony is. It is just accurately declaring what God has done and is doing in your life. That is it. Testimony. Think about it. If you haven't been in court or whatever, you've watched TV shows. When they bring somebody on the stand, what is their testimony? All they're doing is talking about what they have seen and heard. [00:51:01]

And so you're just sharing about what that is and what that looks like in your life. Over the next two weekends here at church, we're going to talk about the power of story. Why is story so important? The story is just a story. It's a story. It's a story. It's a story. It's a story. It's another word for testimony, right? But why is story important? [00:52:42]

Because of the blood of the Lamb and our testimony, that is how the evil one is defeated. I don't know about you but part of me is just like well can it just be the blood of the lamb like do i have a part in this and yet revelation said it was by the power of the blood of jesus christ and their testimony that the evil one was defeated. [00:54:02]

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?