목양연가(牧羊戀歌)

1 Peter 1:13-23  “The Power of Salvation”

As we look closely at the current time in these days, it must be the end times which point to the last days.  Every shown-sign proves the time, especially pay attention to the increasing heresy.  And every day, as we watch the news, there is a new kind of virus found which threatens our lives.  In fact it is true that every new kind of epidemic threatens our lives, however the most fearful thing is the heresy which is hunting our souls.  The physical illness may be cured or if it is impossible to cure then the body dies, if the spirit is well there is no problem.  We all have fear of death because we only die once and the only difference is that some go earlier or some go later.  However, instead of that, I believe we must think that the most fearful thing is that the body and soul together enter hell.  Therefore we need to definitely learn about the doctrine of Salvation.  Then how do we receive salvation?  I believe that it is only through faith by believing in the precious blood of Jesus Christ.  Therefore today we will receive grace through a sermon titled “The Power of salvation.”  May God’s grace overflow in your hearts.

First of all, let us consider what kind of blood is Jesus’ blood?  Jesus’ blood is precious.  Then why is Jesus’ blood precious?  It is precious because it is jwithout blemish, kwithout spot, land as of a lamb.  Let’s read verse 19 together, “But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.”  Then how is the blood of Jesus without blemish and without spot?  That is because Jesus’ blood is God’s blood.  In fact every man is born with a gene of the sinful nature.  Because of the original sin of Adam and the sin of our grandfather and grandmother and the sin of our father and mother we are born with a gene received from them.  But Jesus was not like that.  Because Jesus Christ was conceived by the Holy Spirit, was born through the body of Virgin Mary, He is holy and spotless.  Do you believe this?  Isaiah 7:14 says, “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.”  As it says, the seed of God conceived in the body of the virgin, therefore it is Emmanuel; the seed of God, God became man.  The blood that flows in Him is pure and priceless blood and the blood of God and is precious blood.

Secondly, let’s consider the power of the blood of Jesus Christ reaching to man.  The blood of Jesus jit is the power of salvation.  Beloved saints!  We must become blessed saints who firmly believe that only the blood of Jesus Christ can save and redeem us from our sins.  Let’s read together verses 18-19, “Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.”  If a man gets on board a train it doesn’t mean he goes to Seoul.  If you need to get to Seoul, you need to get on the train that goes to Seoul.  Likewise flying in an airplane, is getting on an airplane going to take you to Seoul?  Not at all!  Some airplanes go to L.A.  Some airplanes go to Hong Kong.  If you would like to go to Seoul, you must get on the airplane that goes to Seoul.  Isn’t this right?  Proverbs 14:12 says, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” (Ref Proverbs 16:25)  For example, we know from the history of Israel that the Israelite people were slaves in Egypt for 430 years (Ref. Exodus 12:40-41).  We may easily say 430 years, but think about how difficult it would have been?  It became so miserable later on as each male child born was killed (Exodus 1:15-22).  Their cry came up to God because of the bondage (Exodus 2:23B).  God heard their cry and put a person, Moses, as their leader and saved them.  However, the interesting thing is in the process that the miracles and the signs Moses performed, the magicians of Egypt also performed the same thing.  Therefore when Israelite people and Pharaoh saw this they probably could not tell who the true servant of God was or who was the fake, finally the last plague from God upon the people was the death of the first born.  Death came upon the first born in Egypt, from Pharaoh to the first sons of servants, even the first born of the animals died.  At that moment, the genuine and the fake were clearly revealed.  The magicians and sorcerers of Egypt could not even imitate this.  Why is that?  It is because God Himself selected His people.  It was whether the blood of the lamb was on the two doorposts or not.  The standard by the angel of the Lord was the blood of the lamb, which God commanded.  The houses with the blood of the lamb on it were the ones the plague of the death angel of God passed over.  It was not a matter of who lived in the house; rich, poor, even Egyptian, as long as they were in the houses with the blood on the doorposts, they would all live.  This is the sign and standard for judgment by God.  No matter what religion there is in this world or how much wealth there is, they will not save us in the day of God’s wrath.  Only those who believe in the blood of Jesus Christ in their hearts will be saved.  I believe the blood of Jesus Christ becomes the power that can save us from death.  The world religions that don’t believe in the blood of Jesus Christ are fake.  kThe blood of Jesus Christ has the power to free us from sin.  Let’s read verse 16 of today’s text, “Because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy."”  As we see this, God commands us to be holy, for He is holy.  Isn’t this true?  As we live in this world, we always commit sin instead of being holy.  Each time we do that we become troubled and discouraged.  At this time Satan condemns us and says things like this, “Do you as a believer of Jesus Christ commit sin?  Then you say you are children of God?  Do you think you can go to heaven even after committing that kind of sin?  Give up soon!”  As a matter of fact we are all sinners.  But we should not worry at all.  Committing sin is not right, however Jesus promised that if we repent and make up our minds to believe and follow Jesus, the blood of Jesus will cleanse us from the aimless conduct.  Isaiah 43:25 says, “I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; and I will not remember your sins.”  Please believe that when Jesus died on the cross, all our sins were forgiven.  There is great power in the blood of Jesus Christ which is more than enough to redeem all of our past sin, present sin, and future sin.  Therefore in Romans 8:2 it says, “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.”  And Romans 6:22 says, “But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life.”  From now on we must not be slaves to sin.  I bless you in the name of our Lord that you all be blessed saints who receive freedom by the blood of Jesus Christ and trust remaining steadfast in the blood of Christ.

Thirdly, let us consider a few things about our attitude for the blood of Jesus Christ.  That is jwe must keep our faith firm and believe in Jesus Christ, kwe must have our spirits cleansed with the blood, lwe must be holy in the truth, mwe must live with hope in heaven, nwe must fervently love our brethren.  Why?  Because myself and my brethren are cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ and become children of God (Acts 20:28, 1 Corinthians 6:20).  Let’s read together verse 21-22 of today’s text, “Who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.  Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart.” 

Beloved saints!  I finish with this word.  This world is evil and is in the last days of the end time and compared to this wicked world we are weak.  Even though we are powerless, I believe the blood of Jesus Christ is our power, which saves and cleanses us from transgressions.  Therefore we are saved people.  From now on let us enjoy the freedom in the blood of Jesus Christ.  Our belief in the blood of Jesus Christ is the power that cleanses our soul.  May God’s grace fill your hearts.


By: Rev. Samuel Choi