Have You Said “I Do”?

“. . . that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” EPHESIANS 2:12-13

 

PONDER THIS

We share a story with Ruth. Think about it: Your past was as an alien. Your present was as a stranger to the covenants of promise. Your future was without hope. But there is a Boaz, a kinsman redeemer. He is legally worthy. He is lavishly wealthy. He is lovingly willing. And He says, “I want to give you a family. I want to give you a fortune. I want to give you fruitfulness. I want to give you fame. I want to give you a future.” And that’s what Jesus is saying to you today. “I gave My life to redeem you. I want you to be My bride.” That’s what the Church is, the bride of Jesus.

Can you imagine Ruth saying, “Boaz, I really would like to be married to you, but I don’t want anybody to know it. Could we just do this in secret?” At a wedding, all watch as the bride comes down the aisle. She’s not hoping that no one sees her. She’s hoping everybody sees her. Don’t be ashamed of the One who died in agony and blood on the cross for you. He is your Kinsman Redeemer: legally worthy, lavishly wealthy, and lovingly willing. And He has said “I do” to you. It’s time you said “I do” to Him.

What is your testimony? How do you relate with Ruth, who was a foreigner but brought into the family of God?

What are some ways you live out daily love and commitment to Jesus?

PRACTICE THIS

Pray for someone who has not made the decision to follow Jesus yet.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Past, Present, and Future

“Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh—who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands— that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.”

EPHESIANS 2:11-13

 

PONDER THIS

Ruth had three problems: her past, her present, and her future. Every unsaved man, woman, boy, or girl is like Ruth. What was her past? She was born a Moabite. The Moabites were descendants of Lot, who had a child through an incestuous relationship with his daughter. The Moabites were a thorn in the side of Israel. And the curse was on them. According to the law, she was shut out. Spiritually, she was born on the wrong side of the tracks. But so were all of us.

In the present, Ruth was without the things of God. Hers was a life marked by tragedy and sorrow; her dreams had turned to dust and her hopes had melted away. And if you’re without Christ, that’s where you are today. Christ is the One who heals your past, deals with your present, and then gives you a hope for the future.

What are some of the pain and sins of your past that Christ has healed? What would your life be like apart from God?

What is the hope God gives for the future? How should that change the way you live today?

PRACTICE THIS

Pray for someone who does not know the hope of Christ.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

The Only Conscience-Cleanser

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. (Hebrews 9:14)

Here we are in the modern age — the age of the Internet, smartphones, space travel, and heart transplants — and our problem is fundamentally the same as always: Our consciences condemn us and make us feel unacceptable to God. We are alienated from God. And our consciences bear witness.

We can cut ourselves, or throw our children in the sacred river, or give a million dollars to charity, or serve in a soup kitchen, or a hundred forms of penance or self-injury, and the result will be the same: The stain remains and death terrifies.

We know that our conscience is defiled — not with external things like touching a corpse, a dirty diaper, or a piece of pork. Jesus said it is what comes out of a man that defiles, not what goes in (Mark 7:15–23). We are defiled by attitudes like pride and self-pity and bitterness and lust and envy and jealousy and covetousness and apathy and fear.

The only answer in this modern age, as in every other age, is the blood of Christ. When your conscience rises up and condemns you, where will you turn? Hebrews 9:14 gives you the answer: “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.”

The answer is: Turn to the blood of Christ. Turn to the only cleansing agent in the universe that can give you relief in life, and peace in death.

John Piper 

The Only Conscience-Cleanser

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. (Hebrews 9:14)

Here we are in the modern age — the age of the Internet, smartphones, space travel, and heart transplants — and our problem is fundamentally the same as always: Our consciences condemn us and make us feel unacceptable to God. We are alienated from God. And our consciences bear witness.

We can cut ourselves, or throw our children in the sacred river, or give a million dollars to charity, or serve in a soup kitchen, or a hundred forms of penance or self-injury, and the result will be the same: The stain remains and death terrifies.

We know that our conscience is defiled — not with external things like touching a corpse, a dirty diaper, or a piece of pork. Jesus said it is what comes out of a man that defiles, not what goes in (Mark 7:15–23). We are defiled by attitudes like pride and self-pity and bitterness and lust and envy and jealousy and covetousness and apathy and fear.

The only answer in this modern age, as in every other age, is the blood of Christ. When your conscience rises up and condemns you, where will you turn? Hebrews 9:14 gives you the answer: “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.”

The answer is: Turn to the blood of Christ. Turn to the only cleansing agent in the universe that can give you relief in life, and peace in death.

John Piper 

Blood on Every Page

PRAY OVER THIS

“By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace.”

Hebrews 11:31

 

PONDER THIS

The whole Bible is about a blood sacrifice. You cut this blessed book anywhere, and it will bleed. The blood of Jesus seems to stain every page. You can begin with Abel’s lamb, go right on through to Noah’s sacrifice to Abraham’s ram on Mount Moriah, then to all the smoking sacrifices on every Jewish altar till finally you come to Calvary where the Lord Jesus Christ hung in agony and blood. All of it is saying, “When I see the blood, I will pass over you” (Exodus 12:13). The Bible says in Hebrews 11:31 that Rahab was delivered from destruction. This was because of the scarlet cord that hung in her window, representing the sacrifice of blood (Joshua 2:18). She did not perish. This reminds us of John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish.” And if you’ve trusted in the blood of Jesus, neither will you.

How does it build your faith to see the way the Bible points over and over again to the sacrifice of Jesus?

Who do you need to tell about the sacrifice of Jesus?

PRACTICE THIS

Share with someone today about the sacrifice of Jesus.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Saving Blood of the Crucified Lamb

Why do Christians preach Christ crucified?

Why is this Lamb so eternally important for the soul of man?

Who is this Jesus, the Lamb that was slain?

Hebrews 9:18-22

[18] Therefore not even the first covenant was inaugurated without blood. [19] For when every commandment of the law had been declared by Moses to all the people, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, [20] saying, “This is the blood of the covenant that God commanded for you.” [21] And in the same way he sprinkled with the blood both the tent and all the vessels used in worship. [22] Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.

Leviticus 17:11

[11] For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar to make atonement for your souls, for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life.

Matthew 26:28

[28] for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

Romans 3:25

[25] whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins.

Ephesians 1:7-10

[7] In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, [8] which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight [9] making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ [10] as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

1 Peter 1:19-21

[19] but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. [20] He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you [21] 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.

1 Corinthians 1:20-25

[20] Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? [21] For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. [22] For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, [23] but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, [24] but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. [25] For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

Matthew 3:16-17

[16] And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; [17] and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

Matthew 14:28-33

[28] And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” [29] He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. [30] But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” [31] Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” [32] And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. [33] And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

Don't be doomed!

God’s People Were Prepared

PRAY OVER THIS

“And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.” Hebrews 9:22

 

PONDER THIS

Pavlov, the Russian psychologist, did experiments in what we call “conditioned response.” He had his dogs, and he would ring a bell, feed the dogs, ring a bell, feed the dogs, ring a bell, feed the dogs. He conditioned the dogs so that all he had to do was ring a bell and they’d begin to drool. They began to salivate because they knew that the bell meant food. What was God doing in the Old Testament with all the sacrifices, beginning with the skins that clothed Adam and Eve and continuing with Abel’s offering? He was conditioning His people. When they saw the blood, they were reminded repeatedly that sin meant death. Therefore, God’s people were ready for the death of the Lord Jesus Christ upon the cross. For, “without shedding of blood there is no remission.”

As you read God’s Word, how do the Old Testament sacrifices help you look for the coming sacrifice of Jesus?

How does it change your perspective of the Old Testament to read it in this way?

PRACTICE THIS

Take time in prayer to thank God for the sacrifices of the Old Testament that continually pointed to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Only By The Blood of Jesus

There is no other way to be forgiven of your sin against Holy God!

No other way to be reconciled to Holy God, no restoration, and no justification.

In other words, when you die, you go to Hell. 

Your works or good deeds can't save you!

The only hope is found in Christ alone!

It's by mercy from God's provision of the atoning blood of sinless Christ Jesus!

Hallelujah praise God for mercy!

For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar to make atonement for your souls, for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life. - Leviticus 17:11

For the life of every creature is its blood: its blood is its life. Therefore I have said to the people of Israel, You shall not eat the blood of any creature, for the life of every creature is its blood. Whoever eats it shall be cut off. - Leviticus 17:14

for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. - Matthew 26:28

And he said to them, "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. - Mark 14:24

whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. - Romans 3:25

Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. - Romans 5:9

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, - Ephesians 1:7

in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. - Colossians 1:14

and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. - Colossians 1:20

So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood. - Hebrews 13:12

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. - 1 John 1:7

Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins. - Hebrews 9:22

and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood  - Revelation 1:5

Warning: For Mature Audiences Only

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand”... John 10:28

 DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

Tongue cannot tell, throat cannot sing, hand cannot paint, the tragedy that was called Calvary and the suffering of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Romans used crucifixion to inspire stark terror. Anybody who saw crucifixion said, “Romans, whatever you tell me to do, I’ll do it. Just don’t crucify me.” Our word excruciating comes from the Latin word excruciatus, which means “torment greatly,” or, in some translations, “out of the crucified.” When the executioners nailed the victim’s hand to the cross, they would separate the metacarpals and place the nail, not in the palm, but in the wrist. They would try to hit the median nerve to send pain up the body and into the torso. Jesus would have been crucified with his hands at a 90-degree angle, but when the body falls, it goes down to a 65-degree angle. The weight of the body comes down on the chest and leaves the crucified person gasping for breath. In order to breathe, he must lift himself up, but as he does he must push down on the nails that are in his feet. So he is between gasping for breath and searing with pain.

ACTION POINT:

On the cross, Jesus took Holy God with one hand, sinful man with the other hand, and by the blood of His cross reconciled God to man. He took us by the hand and presented us to God the Father. He said, “Father, these are Mine. I purchase them with My blood.” Have you taken His hand?

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

What Gives You the Right to Pray?

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“Now while I was speaking, praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the Lord my God for the holy mountain of my God…the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, reached me about the time of the evening offering.”... 

(Daniel 9:20-21)

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

What is the “evening offering” Daniel is referring to? Daniel is living in Babylon. There was no temple or altar in Babylon. No evening sacrifices were being offered. Those had ended almost seventy years ago.

In God’s temple, the one back home in Jerusalem, evening sacrifice time was between 3 and 4 p.m. in the afternoon. That’s when the animals were slain. It was also called “the ninth hour.”

When Daniel says, “I was praying at the time of the evening sacrifice,” he’s basing his prayer on the sacrifices made long ago, linking his prayer to those sacrifices.

May I tell you, Jesus died exactly the same hour! “And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, ‘Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?’ that is, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken Me?’” (Matthew 27:46).

Daniel was praying long after being made and hundreds of years before Jesus’ death.

ACTION POINT:

Daniel’s prayer, like any prayer ever offered, will only get to heaven on the basis of a blood sacrifice. Whether that sacrifice was made seventy years ago, as in Daniel’s case, or two thousand years ago as in our case. Whenever we pray, we must link our prayer with Calvary.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers