The Blood of Christ
A Sermon on Ephesians 2:13
Scripture
13But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
Sermon Description
A new pathway to God cannot be invented. Whether through morality and good deeds or by the ritual of religion and mysticism, there is no human invention that will save humanity. On their own, none of these are sufficient to bring people near to God. In this sermon on the blood of Christ from Ephesians 2:13, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones shares that the theology of blood is offensive to modern people. The blood of Christ, in His sacrificial death, is a scandal to people today. While people, even some who claim to be Christian, go to great lengths to deny this teaching, one cannot escape the truth that is found throughout Scripture about the necessity of the blood of Christ. Dr. Lloyd-Jones traces this theme in the Bible in order to demonstrate why the death of Christ was necessary. Far from being a doctrine to be despised, it is a doctrine to be cherished by those with eyes to see it. It is a doctrine where full assurance and forgiveness can be found. Listen attentively as Dr. Lloyd-Jones expounds on wonderful truths of expiation, atonement, and sacrifice.
Sermon Breakdown
- The apostle Paul emphasizes the contrast between what we were (non-Christians) and what we are now (Christians). There is an absolute difference between the two states.
- We are now made nigh unto God. We have the privilege of entering into God's presence. This brings us joy, rejoicing, praise, thanksgiving, assurance and confidence in Christ.
- There are three things emphasized in this passage: the contrast between what we were and now are; what we now are - made nigh unto God; and how this comes to pass - in Christ Jesus, and by His blood.
- We cannot draw near to God through our own goodness, good deeds, religion or mysticism.
- We are made nigh in Christ Jesus, not through His teaching or example, but through His death - His blood. His blood makes expiation for our sins.
- God's punishment for sin is death. Christ came to taste death for every man and bear our sins in His body on the tree. God made Him to be sin for us.
- God took our trespasses and imputed them to Jesus Christ. He demanded the penalty from Him, and it was paid. This is how God forgives us.
- Every covenant of God is ratified by the sprinkling of blood. The new covenant is ratified by the blood of Jesus.
- We must believe this teaching and come boldly to God through the blood of Jesus. We must listen to what the blood of Christ says - it speaks of pardon, expiation and peace with God.
- We can have our conscience sprinkled by the blood of Christ, cleansing us from dead works to serve God. Though we will continue to sin, the blood of Christ cleanses us from all sin.
- We have been made nigh if we rely utterly on Christ and His blood alone, not on our own goodness. We can have boldness to enter the holiest place through His blood.
The Book of Ephesians
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.