Our name | Mission | Vision | Leaders Ministries | Schedule | Directions | Contact Home   Gateway Church gathers for worship Sundays at 10:30 a.m. Location: 6425 Jefferson Rd. (Hwy. 129) in Athens, Georgia. For directions, click here. Ministry of the Word: Recent sermons Our quarterly e-magazine Gateway Today For the Gateway family Pastor Jerry's Weekly E-Mail A GATEWAY SERMON SUMMARY AUDIO Our weapons: The blood of Jesus (Thirteenth in the series, 'A Christian worldview') Jerry Varnado, pastor Gateway Church, Athens GA November 14, 2004 Main Scripture text: Revelation 12:10-12. A Christian Worldview Sermon Series Aug. 8, 2004 • The Power of Perspective Aug. 15, 2004 • The Holy Bible: Our Guide for Faith and Practice Aug. 22, 2004 • Origins Aug. 29, 2004 • Will the Real God Please Stand Up? Sept. 5, 2004 • The Spirit World Sept. 12, 2004 • A Warfare Worldview Sept. 19, 2004 • War Stories: Invasion and Liberation Oct. 10, 2004 • War Stories: At the Front Oct. 17, 2004 • The Enemy's Battle Plan Oct. 24, 2004 • Personal Defense Oct. 31, 2004 • Our Weapons: The Sword of the Spirit Nov. 7, 2004 • Our Weapons: The Name of Jesus Nov. 14, 2004 • Our Weapons: The Blood of Jesus Nov. 28, 2004 • Warfare Worldview: The Real Star Wars Suppose you're witnessing to someone who had no church experience and had never heard the gospel. You tell about how Jesus bled and died cross. You explain that there is power in the blood of his sacrifice that can set people free from sin and to preserve their lives for all eternity. It seems preposterous, laughable, and totally ludicrous. The blood of Jesus is so offensive, even some well-meaning Christians try to play it down. But there really is "power in the blood" -- and we need to focus on it. Our text in Revelation 12 says it took three things to overcome the devil: 1) The blood of the Lamb; 2) word of testimony; and 3) total commitment. Why "the blood?" First, we have to understand that God's revelation of Himself to humanity came at a particular time, a particular place, and in a particular culture. Understanding that culture and those times is key to understand the power of the blood. In particular there are two ancient concepts critical to our understanding: 1) blood sacrifice, and 2) blood covenant. Blood sacrifice. In the biblical culture, blood was considered sacred because of the idea that it was synonymous with life. Modern medical science has only affirmed this ancient understanding. We now know that the body depends on the quantity of blood; it is the basis of physical life. From all this we can understand that blood (family) relationships were very important in biblical culture. Blood covenant. Cutting a blood covenant with another person was a declaration that you have become as "blood kin." At the Last Supper, Jesus held up the cup and said: "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you." This covenant was of such cosmic importance that God sealed it with divine blood! Through this covenant in the blood of Jesus we have become God's blood kin, His children, entitled to all the rights and privileges -- as well as the duties -- of blood relationship. There are two reasons why there's power in the blood: 1) Through the blood we have access to God as His children. … since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place [where God dwells] by the blood of Jesus… let us draw near to God. (Hebrews 10:19-22) 2) Jesus pours His life (blood) into believers. This is what is symbolized in Holy Communion: by drinking his blood and eating his flesh, we receive His life into our lives through the Holy Spirit. Let's look at the other two things used by the heavenly saints -- in conjunction with the blood -- to overcome the enemy. 1) Word of testimony. They were vocal about whose side they were on. God is not looking for secret agents but courageous men and women who will stand up for Jesus and be his witnesses. 2) Total commitment. They stood for God regardless of the consequences. We may have to give up popularity and acceptance in this world because what is required to have them would cause us to deny Jesus in some way. The blood of Jesus is our access to God -- and to all the provision and power of the Godhead. But we must choose, by faith, to bathe in it. To receive all the benefits of the covenant, we must "live" the covenant. Supporting texts: Genesis 9:4 | 1 John 3:1 | Hebrews 10:19-22 | Ephesians 2:18 | 2 Corinthians 4:11 | Luke 12:8-9 | Luke 9:23 A mp3 audio file of this sermon is here (36:00). (Download to a PC by right clicking on the link and choosing "Save Target As." Mac users: click, hold, and choose "Download Link to Disk." Depending on your connection speed, the file may take several minutes to download.) An audio tape of this sermon is available free of charge (U.S requests only). Request a tape by calling or writing the Gateway Church office. Please specify tape number 041114a: Our Weapons: The Blood of Jesus. © 2004 Gerald R. Varnado To the Gateway Church home page How to contact us