Lesson 4   

#4 THE IMPORTANCE OF JESUS CHRIST AND HIS SHED BLOOD
...
Jesus is God in flesh ...1 Timothy 3:16, "God was manifest in the flesh, ...
preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory."
John 1:1, "In the beginning was the Word [Jesus], and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God."   ...   Philippians 2:5-6, "Christ Jesus: Who, being in the
form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:"
Jesus said in John 10:30, "I and my Father are one."
John 18:4-6, "Jesus therefore, ...said unto them, Whom seek ye?   They answered
him, Jesus of Nazareth.   Jesus saith unto them, I am he.   ....   As soon then as he had said
unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground."
(Also) Jesus received worship (would have been blasphemy if not God).

Jesus existed in eternity past ...
(Mohammed, Buddha, Mary, Confucius did not)..
Micah 5:2, Bethlehem...out of thee shall he [Jesus] come forth unto me that is
to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

Jesus created the Universe ...Colossians 1:15-16, For by him [Jesus] were all
things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth... all things were created
by him, and for him... John 1:3, All things were made by him [Jesus]; and
without him was not any thing made that was made.

Jesus is the only one to live a sinless life ... Heb. 4:15, (Jesus) "was in all points
tempted like as we are, yet without sin."   (Other religious figures cannot say that).

Jesus is the key to finding God ... Jesus claimed to be the only way to Heaven.
He clearly stated in John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man
cometh unto the Father, but by me."   Notice that Jesus did not say He was a good
way, or a better way, or even the best way.   He said I am the way, and added that
you cannot come to God (or Heaven) except through Him!   Now that would be
perceived as pretty narrow in all-inclusive days, but that is what the Creator of
the Universe said.   Will people believe the broad-minded teacher, or God the
Son?
John the Baptist also added, "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life:
and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth
on him" (John 3:36).   Again, the Bible intimates that He is the only way to
Heaven.

The apostle Peter was pretty narrow as well.   He spoke of Jesus Christ
and said, "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name
under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).

The apostle Paul adds, "For there is one God, and one mediator between God
and men, the man Christ Jesus;" (I Timothy 2:5).   St. Paul did not
think there were many different ways to Heaven.

The Apostle John stated, "this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal
life [Heaven], and this life is in his Son.   He that hath the Son hath life; and he that
hath not the Son of God hath not life."   (I John 5:11-12).   St. John
did not feel that all roads led to Heaven.   There are a number of other Bible verses,
but the conclusion is clear.   According to Jesus Christ and His Word, He is the
only way to Heaven.   If you claim to be a follower of Christ, do you believe that?

Jesus said He came to ... Open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to
light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of
sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me (Acts
26:18).   Apparently people are in spiritual darkness and need illumination.
Luke 19:10, For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
He did so by dying on the cross for us!

SO WHY DID JESUS HAVE TO SHED HIS BLOOD FOR OUR SINS?

God shed the first blood to cover Adam & Eves sin... Genesis 3:21, Unto
Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed
them (most likely skins from lambs who had to shed blood and die.)

Cain's bloodless sacrifice was rejected ... Genesis 4:3-5, Cain brought of the
fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. And Abel, he also brought of the
firstlings of his flock ... And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering:
But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth...

Noah made a blood offering after the flood .. Genesis 8:20, And Noah builded
an altar unto the LORD; and ... offered burnt offerings on the altar.

God taught Abraham (first Jew) to sacrifice lambs.. Genesis 22:13, "and
Abraham went and took the ram [male lamb], and offered him up for a burnt
offering...."   The sacrifices continued for hundreds of years... (Isaac, Jacob, etc).

God gave Moses the Passover ... Exodus 12:5, Your lamb shall be without
blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep...and shall kill
it in the evening.
Illus.: (*male, prime of life, spotless, innocent for the guilty, etc) .. The
Tabernacle became the Temple ...(Solomon slew thousands of lambs at the
Temple dedication... Illus.: Cistern).

O.T. Principle.. Leviticus 17:11, For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I
have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is
the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.   (i.e.- forgives sins)

Blood must be shed for forgiveness of sin ... Hebrews 9:22, All things are by
the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission,
(i.e. - no forgiveness of sin)

Finally ... John 1:29, John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the
Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world... (*same 4 qualities)..

N.T.= 1 Corinthians 5:7, For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.
...When Jesus died on the cross He said "It is finished" and the veil in the
temple tore in half...(no more blood sacrifices) ...

Ephesians 1:7, In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness
of sins, according to the riches of his grace ... No where does the Bible say that
water (baptism) can wash sin away ... forgiveness is always by blood!

1 Peter 1:18-19, Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with
corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by
tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb
without blemish and without spot: ...Colossians 1:14, In whom we have
redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
Revelation 1:5, Jesus Christ... him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in
his own blood.

What are you trusting in to take you to Heaven?

Go to Lesson #5