Run to the Rock

CHRIST JESUS

By Pastor Max Solbrekken, D.D.

 

 “Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the Scriptures,  The STONE which the builders rejected, the same is become the Head of the Corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes?

     

“Therefore I say unto you, the Kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. And whosoever shall fall on this STONE shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.” (Matt.21: 42-44)

     
Our Saviour was quoting a prophecy by David, concerning the Messiah. (Psalms 118: 22, 23). His warning, however, went unheeded. Instead of receiving their Messiah, Lord and Saviour, they delivered Him to the pagan Romans to be crucified on Golgotha as a common criminal.

     

Just as Jesus warned, the nation of Israel was crushed, decimated, and destroyed. In 70 A.D. a scant 37 years later, Jerusalem lay in ruins and Israel remained non-existent as a nation for nearly 2,000 years until God in His mercy returned them to their land in 1948 A.D.

     
His Word still holds true today. If you throw yourself upon His mercy, you will end up being broken and His mercy and grace will heal you. If, however, He falls on you in judgment you will be destroyed!

     
My advice for everyone is to believe His Word and cast yourself upon Him to receive His grace and mercy! He has promised to hear our prayers, forgive our sins, heal our sicknesses, and grant full pardon and eternal Life!

       
St. Peter said: “To Whom coming, as unto a LIVING STONE, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, Ye also as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

     
“Wherefore also it is contained in the Scriptures, Behold I lay in Sion a Chief Corner Stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on Him shall not be confounded.

 

 “Unto you therefore which believe, He is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the STONE which the builders disallowed has become the Head of the CORNER, and a STONE of stumbling, and a ROCK of offense, even to them that stumble at the Word. being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.” (1 Peter 2: 4-8)

 

Dotty Rambo wrote the great song, 'I go to the Rock'. Others have written hymns that have given comfort and strength to multitudes across the ages! They have mostly been the Holy Scriptures put to music. In 1880, Vernon J. Charlesworth wrote, 'A Shelter in the Time of Storm. It goes like this:

 

The Lord's our Rock, in Him we hide, a Shelter in the time of storm

Secure whatever ill betide, a Shelter in the time of storm

 

Oh, Jesus is a Rock in a weary land, A Weary land, a Weary land,

Jesus is a Rock in a weary land, A Shelter in the time of storm

 

A shade by day, defense N by night, A shelter in the time of storm

No fears alarm, no foes afright, A Shelter in the time of storm

 

O Rock Divine, O Refuge dear, A Shelter in the time of storm

Be Thou our Helper ever near, A Shelter in the time of storm

 

ROCK OF AGES CLEFT FOR ME!

In 1776 Augustus M. Toplady wrote the words of the glorious hymn, 'Rock of Ages'. Here are those inspiring, anointed, and riveting words:

 

Rock of Ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in thee

Let the water and the blood, From Thy wounded side which flowed

Be of sin the double cure, Save from wrath and make me pure

 

Not the labour of my hands, Can fulfill Thy laws demands

Could my zeal no respite know, Could my tears forever flow

All for sin could not atone, Thou must save and Thou alone

Nothing in mine hand I bring, Simply to Thy cross I cling

Naked, come to Thee for dress, Helpless, look to thee for grace

Foul, I to Thy fountain fly, Wash me, Saviour, or I die

 

While I draw this fleeting breath when my eyes shall close in death

When I rise to worlds unknown, and behold Thee on Thy throne

Rock of Ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in Thee.

 

ON CHRIST THE SOLID ROCK I STAND!

Edward Mote (1797 - 1874) wrote one of my favourite songs, 'The Solid Rock'. These powerful evangelical words that God gave him have inspired multitudes. They were his testimony and by God's grace, they are also my personal testimony. Here they are:

 

My hope is built on nothing less, Than Jesus' blood and righteousness

I dare not trust the sweetest frame, But wholly lean on Jesus' name

On Christ the solid Rock I stand, All other ground is sinking sand

 

When darkness veils His lovely face, I rest on His unchanging grace

In every high and stormy gale, My anchor holds within the veil

On Christ the solid Rock I stand, All other ground is sinking sand

 

His oath, His covenant, His blood, Support me in the whelming flood

When every earthly prop gives way, He then is all my hope and stay

On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand, All other ground is sinking sand

 

When He shall come with trumpet sound, Oh, may I then in Him be found

Clothed in His righteousness alone, Faultless to stand before the throne

On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand, All other ground is sinking sand

 

JESUS THE CHIEF CORNERSTONE

 

Much confusion has been generated by the age-old, manufactured doctrine held by the Roman Catholic Church on Simon the son of Jonas, whom Jesus called Peter.

To call him the ROCK upon which the Church of Jesus Christ is built is not only scandalous but an outrageous identity theft! They are guilty of grand larceny in the first degree!

To STEAL from Jesus Christ His very name; the Chief Corner Stone, the Rock of Offence and the Foundation of the Church is not only unforgiving; but blasphemous. And upon this phony name grab they have built their church!

     
Jesus Christ had a habit of giving nicknames to people. He called James and John the 'sons of thunder' and Simon the son of Jonas 'petros the fragment of a rock', while He called Himself 'Petra, the huge unquarried boulder'. He called Herod, that fox and the scribes 'vipers'!

     
St. Peter's name was Simon which means a reed, and very often a person's name reflected his personality. We see this truth emerge in the life of Jacob whose name means swindler, trickster. Almighty God made a name change and called him Israel, a prince of God.

     
Jesus knew Simon's personality was changeable and weak like a reed and that had to change if he was to become a solid, trustworthy leader. He would make his character rock-like instead of reed-like.

     
Immediately after the Holy Spirit had revealed to Simon that Jesus was the Christ the Son of God, he tried to dissuade Him from going to the cross: “From that time forth began Jesus to show unto His disciples, how that He must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed and be raised again the third day.

     
“Then Peter took Him; and began to REBUKE Him, saying, Be it far from Thee, Lord: this shall not be unto Thee. But He turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind Me, Satan: thou art an offense unto Me; for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.” (Matt.16: 21-23)

   
Two things happened, Simon became PROUD of his new name, and the old changeable reed nature kicked in and he began telling Christ how to run His business. He went ballistic, physically taking hold of Jesus and rebuking Him. That was the REED nature that Jesus was going to change in the 'Big Fisherman'! How did Jesus handle the situation?

 

GET THEE BEHIND ME SATAN!

     
Jesus called him 'Satan' (Enemy, Opposer). The Lord was speaking to the Devil who was directing Simon's actions and speech. He was still a Reed! And just before going to the cross, Jesus warned Peter:

     
“Simon, Simon (reed, reed), behold, Satan has desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.” (Luke 22: 31, 32)

     
Simon Peter answered: “Lord, I am ready to go with Thee, both into prison, and to death. And He said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest Me.” (Luke 22: 33, 34)

     
The BOAST made by Simon Peter turned out to be just talk and the prophetic statement made by Jesus of Nazareth was fulfilled to the letter. Each time I read this it brings great sadness to my heart. Here is the tragic account: 

     
"Now Peter sat without in the Palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee. But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest. And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him and said unto them that were. This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth.

       
And again he denied with an OATH, I do NOT KNOW the man. And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech betrayeth thee. Then began he to CURSE and to SWEAR, saying, I know NOT the man.

      
"And immediately the cock crew. And Peter remembered the Word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt DENY Me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly." (Matt. 26: 69-75)

      
Here is St. Luke's commentary on Peter's denial: "As the Lord turned and, and looked upon Peter and Peter remembered the Word of the Lord, how He had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny Me thrice. And Peter went out and wept bitterly. " (Luke 22:61,62)

     
I believe that the COMPASSION, together with sadness, and forgiveness that Simon Peter saw in Jesus' eyes saved the backslidden Apostle from doing what Judas had done, finding  a tree from which to take his own life!

      
Even in that dark moment, hearing one of His Inner Circle apostles curse and swear that he did not know THAT MAN, must have torn at Christ's heartstrings! Not only had Simon the son of Jonas denied that he knew Jesus but stated that if he was not telling the truth let a curse fall upon him! 

     
St. Paul who agreed with St. Peter and the Prophets, on Jesus' status as the Foundation of the Church, writes: “For through Him (Christ) we both (Jews and Greeks) have access by one Spirit (Holy Spirit) to the Father. Now therefore, ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God:

     
“And are built upon the FOUNDATION of the apostles, and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the Chief Corner Stone.” (Eph.2:18-20)

     
Again St. Paul writes: “For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. According to the grace of God which is given unto me as a wise master builder, I have laid the FOUNDATION, and another buildeth thereupon.

     
“For other FOUNDATION can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (1 Cor.3: 9-11). The Bible says: “And they continued steadfastly in the Apostle's Doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread and in prayers.” (Acts 2: 42)

     
For three years after his amazing encounter with Jesus Christ on the Damascus Road and his healing and Baptism in the Holy Ghost under the hands of Ananias, St. Paul stayed in Arabia being tutored by our Lord.

     
He then went up to Jerusalem and spent fifteen days with Peter and met James the Lord's brother, who was the Pastor of the Church.

       
The Apostle's Doctrine had no mention of Simon Peter's supremacy. St. Paul writes: “And when James, Cephas, and John who seemed to be PILLARS, perceived the grace that was given to me they gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.” (Gal.2:9)

     
St. Paul places James ahead of Peter in his letter to the Galatians. He also blames Peter for vacillating and displaying his old Simon (reed nature): “But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be BLAMED. For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles; but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.” (Gal. 2: 11, 12)

   
If St. Peter had SUPREMACY over the church, he would NOT have been publicly rebuked and corrected by St. Paul. St. Peter received the Correction that the great theologian and Church Builder in the Gentle world gave him! 

   
And Peter's man-fearing attitude in appeasing a certain faction of the church - in opposition to the teachings of Christ - led some of the brethren into error and influenced Barnabas, until St. Paul upset their pride-filled partiality by rebuking and correcting Simon the son of Jonas!

 

JESUS: DON'T LORD IT OVER OTHERS!

     
The Bible states: “But Jesus called them unto Him, and said, Ye know that the Princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them; and they that are great among you, let him be your minister: and whosoever will be CHIEF among you, let him be your SERVANT:  

   
“Even as the Son of Man came not to be ministered unto but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for you.” (Matt. 20: 25-28). And St. Peter wrote: “The Elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an Elder and a Witness of the sufferings of Christ and a Partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:

     
“Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being examples to the flock. And when the CHIEF SHEPHERD shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.” (1 Peter 5: 1-5)

   
The teaching of 'one man lording it over others' is not found in the Gospels or in the Epistles of the New Testament! Jesus alone is the Head of the Church and the Holy Spirit has been given to the Church to lead and direct us into all Truth.

     
St. Peter is being VICTIMIZED by the Roman Catholic Church. He would be the first to rebuke their false teachers who continue espousing and proclaiming such an erroneous characterization of him for their politico-religious purposes. He clearly taught that he was only an Elder among elders!

     
According to the BIBLE the Holy Spirit is in charge of the Church that Jesus Christ shed His blood to Purchase! (Acts 20: 28)

     
Jesus said: “Nevertheless I tell you the truth; it is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him unto you. 

     
"And when He is come, He will reprove the world of SIN, and of RIGHTEOUSNESS, and of JUDGMENT: Of sin because they believe not on Me; of righteousness, because I go to My Father, and ye see Me no more; of judgment, because the prince of this world is JUDGED.” (John 16: 7-11)

     
The Holy Bible states: “As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate Me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.” (Acts 13: 2,3)

      
In October 1986 I had the privilege of being one of six preachers to address the 35,000 people gathered for the First Pentecostal Conference of Latin America in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on the topic of the Holy Spirit.

     
Shortly before that Conference, Newsweek Magazine's Cover carried the Headline: LATIN AMERICA CARDINAL RED TURNING PROTESTANT BLACK! This referred to Protestants carrying their black Bibles to church. The statistics spoke for themselves: 400 Roman Catholics were converting EVERY HOUR to Evangelical Christianity, through our Lord Jesus Christ!

THE HOLY SPIRIT: NO EARLY RETIREMENT!

     
In my weekly column in the Edmonton Sun, I wrote about the great Conference in Sao Paulo and I ended my column with these words: “The Roman Catholic Church teaches that the Pope is the vicar of Jesus Christ and as such is guiding the Church. The Holy Bible, however, teaches that upon His ascension to Heaven Jesus Christ poured out upon the Church the Blessed Holy Spirit to empower, lead and guide His Church. I'm sorry John Paul 11, I didn't know that the Holy Spirit has taken Early Retirement.”

     
JESUS said to His disciples: “Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ the Son of the Living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona (Reed son of Jonas): for flesh and blood hath not revealed this unto thee but My Father which is in Heaven.

     
And I say also unto thee, Thou art Peter (petros, a little rock) and upon This Rock (Petra, an unquarried boulder) I will build My Church and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind upon earth shall be bound in Heaven and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” (Matt. 16: 13-19)

     
Some say that Peter was given primacy over the other apostles and that he is the foundation of Christ's Church. How ridiculous! A little later, Jesus is speaking to all the disciples with the same words: “Verily I say unto you, whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in Heaven: and whatsoever ye shall lose on earth shall be loosed in Heaven.” (Matt. 18: 19)

       
St. Paul declared: “And are built upon the FOUNDATION of the Apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ HIMSELF being the Chief Corner Stone: In Whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto a holy temple in the Lord ye also are builded together for a habitation of God through the Spirit.” (Eph. 2: 20-22)

     
Disproving the FALLACY that St. Peter is the foundation of the Church, we have the word of the Angel sent by our Lord Jesus Himself to St. John regarding the New Jerusalem: “And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the TWELVE APOSTLES of the Lord.” (Rev. 21: 14)

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And notice that St. Paul, the Apostle to the Gentile World wrote: “According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise Master builder, I have laid the FOUNDATION, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can NO MAN lay then that is laid, which is JESUS CHRIST. Now if any man build upon this Foundation (CHRIST) gold, silver. Precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;

              
"Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the FIRE shall try every man's work of what sort it is.” (1 Cor. 3: 10-13)

   
There are a number of questions that demand an answer: Why would Jesus immediately after declaring Simon (Reed) the Petros (Rock) call him Satan (Enemy, Opposer, Wicked One) when Simon rebuked Jesus for saying that He had come to die and be raised on the third day? Answer, He was turning him from a reed character to a rock character!

 

THE KEY TO THE KINGDOM OF GOD!

     
What is the Key to the Kingdom of God? It is believing that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God! That He came to earth as the propitiation for our sins to meet the Demands of Divine Justice in payment for Adam's high treason against Almighty God, through the shedding of His pure and perfect BLOOD on Calvary's Cross at Golgtha.

       
It is believing that death could not hold God's Pashcal Lamb, and that on the third Day He arose from the dead and is today seated on His Father's right hand as our Heavenly High Priest. It is believing the record that God gave of His Son!

     
Who else made the statement that Simon the son of Jonas made? Although the Holy Spirit revealed to Simon who Jesus really was, the pagan Samaritan woman at the Well of Sychar also confessed Jesus Christ as the Messiah:

   
“The woman saith unto Him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, He will tell us all things. Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am He. The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and said to the men, Come see a man who told me all things that ever I did. IS NOT THIS THE CHRIST?” (John 4: 25, 26, 28, 29)

     
In concluding this important paper on Christ, the Rock and Foundation of the Church, here is a powerful truth: “Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask Him, Who art Thou? Knowing that it was the LORD. Jesus then cometh, and talketh bread, and giveth them and fish likewise. This is now the third time that Jesus showed Himself to His disciples, after that He was Risen from the dead.

 

JESUS CALLED HIM SIMON MEANING REED!

     
“So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon (Reed) son of Jonas, lovest thou Me more than these (fish)? He saith unto Him, Yea, Lord; Thou knowest that I love Thee. He saith unto him, Feed My lambs. He saith unto him the second time, Simon (Reed), son of Jonas, lovest thou Me? He saith unto Him, Yea, Lord; Thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him Feed My sheep.

     
“He saith unto him the third time, Simon (Reed), son of Jonas, lovest thou Me? And he said unto Him, Lord, Thou knowest all things; Thou knowest that I love Thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed My sheep.” (John 21: 12-17)

     
 It is obvious that Jesus Christ had forgiven Simon the son of Jonas. It is also clear that He had a work for him to do and that was to minister to His sheep. It is also clear that Our Lord did not call him Peter (petra, rock). He was working on the son of Jonas to change his character from reed-like to rock-like!

     
A legend says that every time throughout his life, whenever St. Peter heard a rooster crow, he fell to his knees in thankfulness for God's great mercy to a former liar, coward, and Christ denier!

   
Was Simon the son of Jonas ever a Pope? Never, don't sully his name with that baggage! Was he a great man of God and one of the leading apostles? Definitely! Did he err and was he corrected by St. Paul? Yes, he did, and being an uneducated man, he had a great respect for the Apostle to the Gentiles. The Bible states:

     
“Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of Him in peace, without spot, and blameless. And account that the long-suffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother PAUL also according to the wisdom given him, hath written unto you;

     
“As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.

     
“Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the Wicked, fall from your own steadfastness.” (1 Peter 3: 13-17).

 

I believe that Jesus’ forgiveness of Simon Peter proves beyond the shadow of a doubt the great MERCY of GOD toward us all. A man who had walked with our Saviour for three years, denied repeatedly that he knew Jesus and with an oath that it was so! And to use such a lying, cursing, man-fearing person as a great man of God is to me the best argument proving the Love and Mercy of Jesus Christ toward us all! Thank You Jesus! Amen.

 

ONE FINAL WORD OF WARNING!

       
Remember: If you cast yourself into the loving arms of Jesus Christ you will be safe for time and eternity. You will be broken so that He can restore you and heal you. Do not reject His love and mercy NOW for one day in the future He will be your judge, and His holy righteousness will destroy you forever! He waits for you now. Call upon Him in sincerity and truth! (John 3: 16 – 18). Amen.

Max Solbrekken World Mission Box 44220 RPO Garside Edmonton, AB T5V 1N6; Email: [email protected]; comehometojesus.ca; Facebook; Youtube; Donations can be made by e-Transfer; Make your donation to [email protected];  May God bless you!

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                                    WARBURG TENT CRUSADE SEPT 8-14

  

                                         Max Solbrekken preaching in Guatemala Crusade

                      THE AWESOME POWER OF JESUS’ BLOOD! 

                                                        By Pastor Max Solbrekken, D.D.

Jesus said: “For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.” (Mark 7: 21-23)

Man’s natural tendency is toward that which is sinful, immoral, and illegal! You don’t need to teach children how to lie. That comes naturally to them, even before they have learned to speak. When asked if he has raided the cookie jar, little Billy will shake his head meaning “no”, even while he is hiding it behind his back!

The questions I pose are: “Where did sin come from? Why are we in this terrible predicament? Is there any hope of being free?”

The Bible – our highest moral authority – gives it to us straight: “Ye are of your father, the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar and the father of it.” (John 8: 44)

THERE WAS NO SIN IN EDEN!

There was no sin in the Garden of Eden until Satan introduced it to our first parents, Adam and Eve! When they rebelled against the Almighty, disobeying His command, sin entered the world. With sin came guilt, condemnation, sickness, death; as well as perdition, damnation – Hell!

There was no hope for mankind - until God in His mercy - sent His Son Jesus Christ to bear our punishment and die in our place, shedding His pure and perfect blood as atonement for our sins! Then, He arose from the dead, a Mighty Conqueror over sin, death, hell, and the grave!

The Bible says: “Jesus was delivered for our offences (sins) and raised again for our justification.” (Rom. 4: 25). Justification is an act of free grace by which God pardons the sinner and accepts him as righteous, because of the atonement of Christ. Faith is the only means of justification. (Rom.3: 25)

God’s Word states: “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” (Rom.3: 23, 24); “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Rom.6: 23)

The Bible says: “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.” (Rom.5: 6-10)

GREATEST LOVE STORY EVER!

Here is the greatest love story ever recorded in the ‘Annals of History’. Heaven came down and kissed the earth, when God’s Love overflowed from the Throne of the Father and entered a stable in Bethlehem of Judaea. And how Heaven’s angel band lit up the night and sang of His Peace to the shepherds that night. (Luke2: 6-18)

“For God so loved the world that He gave His begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.” (John 3: 16-17)

The Bible says, “Without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins.” (Lev. 17:11,14); “It is the blood that maketh atonement for the soul.” (Heb. 9:22); “And the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanseth us from all sins.” (1 John 1:9);

The blood of Jesus, shed for us all on Golgotha, has purchased our salvation! When a sinner comes to Jesus, however, he receives a New Nature - the nature of God! “Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the Divine Nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” (1 Peter 1: 4)

THE HOLY SPIRIT AND CHRIST'S BLOOD!

When Jesus Christ hung on the Cross dying for the sins of lost humanity – past, present, and future – the blessed Holy Spirit was reconciling the world unto Himself.

As His Heavenly Father was judging Jesus of Nazareth on our behalf, to meet the righteous Demands of Divine Justice, the Holy Spirit was in Jesus Christ, making salvation available for every lost soul who will receive Him as Saviour and Lord!

If you don't believe this great fact, you are denying God's great plan of salvation made in the courts of Heaven by God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, which St. Paul named, 'The Blood of the Everlasting Covenant'.

“That is, God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the Word of Reconciliation.” (2 Cor. 5: 17-19)

This is the work of the cross, unseen by human eyes, known and directed by the Holy Spirit. God was in Christ reconciling, straightening out everything between God and man. God the Holy Spirit was in Christ saving the world while His Son was dying, shedding His precious and holy Blood. Amazing grace, abundant mercy, forgiving love, omnipotent power, omniscient wisdom! Amen.

St. Paul wrote: “Therefore if any man be in Christ Jesus, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of Reconciliation.

JESUS' BLOOD DID NOT DIE!

The Blood of Christ did not die. The Holy Spirit guarded the Body and Blood of Christ while our Saviour was in Abraham’s Bosom in Hades. On the third day God raised Jesus Christ from the grave and our Lord carried His own BLOOD into the Holy of Holies in Heaven, where it resides today interceding for us together with our Saviour, day and night. The Holy Spirit lives in and works out from the Precious Blood of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!

The Holy Bible says: “But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people: The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing:

“But Christ being come an High Priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building: Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own BLOOD He entered in ONCE into the Holy Place, having obtained Eternal Redemption for us.” (Heb.9: 11,12)

I) WE RECEIVE FORGIVENESS OF OUR SINS THROUGH HIS BLOOD!

“In Whom we have redemption through His blood, even the FORGIVENESS OF SINS, according to the riches of His grace”. (Eph. 1:7). The forgiveness of our many sins comes to us at the cost of the vicarious death of Jesus Christ on the cursed tree; only by His mercy and grace!

The heaviest weight to carry is the ‘load of sin’. And the greatest blessing in the world is the removal of that horrible burden!

The Bible says: “There is therefore no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (Rom. 8:1) “Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity…” (Ps. 32: 1,2)

(II) WE RECEIVE REDEMPTION THROUGH HIS BLOOD!

“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:” (1 Peter 1:18-19). “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock…which He hath purchased with His own blood.” (Acts 20:28)

To be redeemed means to be bought back, set free, rescued, saved! We were lost in sin, slaves to the devil, the world and self. And then, Jesus Christ came to our rescue and purchased our freedom, through His sacrificial death on the cross for us!

“In Whom we have Redemption through His Blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” (Eph. 1:7); “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

“Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in His Blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God: to declare, I say, at this time His righteousness: that He might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.” (Rom. 3 23-26)

(III) WE RECEIVE CLEANSING FROM SIN THROUGH HIS BLOOD!

“But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, And the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sins.” (1 John 1:7).

To be cleansed means to be made clean, washed, purged! We were unclean – sinners by birth, nature and choice. The Bible states: “But we were all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousness are as filthy rags…and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” (Is. 64: 6) “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and the Lord hath laid upon Him (Messiah Jesus) the iniquity of us all.” (Is. 53: 6)

Jesus’ blood makes us clean in the sight of Almighty God. His vicarious death for us satisfied the demands of Divine Justice. God honours Christ’s act of substitution on our behalf – so we are free. He paid our debt! (Col. 2:14,15). There is no stronger cleansing solvent than the pure, holy, untainted blood of God’s Divine Son, shed for our sins!

(IV) WE HAVE DELIVERANCE FROM OUR SINS BY HIS BLOOD!

The Bible states: “Grace be unto you and peace, from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father” (Gal. 1: 3,4); “Christ hath Redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is everyone who hangeth on a tree.”

“And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the Prince of the kings of the earth. Unto Him that loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood.” (Rev. 1:5)

To be free from the guilt of sinfulness is wonderful. To walk in victory over sin by the power of Jesus’ blood is a definite reality. Only in the strength of the Holy Spirit is this possible!

Our sins are gone forever – they have no more power over us! Past sins are forgiven and forgotten by our Lord. And we receive strength through Jesus’ blood, the Holy Spirit and the Word of God to overcome new temptations!

(V) WE ARE JUSTIFIED THROUGH HIS BLOOD!

“Being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.” (Rom. 5:9) “Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in His blood, to declare the righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God.” (Rom. 3:24-25)

The word propitiation means satisfaction, expiation, mercy seat. God was satisfied with Jesus Christ’s vicarious death on the cross for our sins!

To be justified means to be made right and just in the sight of God. Through Jesus’ blood, we are able to stand in God’s presence without fault, fear or condemnation. God looks upon us through the blood of Jesus, His Son and does not see our sins and shortcomings!

The Bible says: “Thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption; for Thou has cast all my sins behind Thy back.” (Is. 38: 17) The Hebrew word that is used here for back is very specific. Literally, it says: “behind Thy back, between Thy shoulder blades.” It is impossible to see something behind one’s back, between the shoulder blades!

“…He will have compassion upon us; He will subdue our iniquities; and Thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.” (Micah 7:19). At it's deepest point the sea is about seven miles deep! Micah didn't know how deep the sea is, but he uses terminology that people could begin to understand the greatness of God's mercy!

(VI) WE RECEIVE PEACE THROUGH HIS BLOOD!

“And having made peace through the death of His cross, by Him to receive all things unto Himself.” (Col. 1:20). Life’s most precious commodity is peace of mind. People spend fortunes seeking peace through vacation, exotic travel, erotic pleasure, new therapies, and alternate medicines, often to no avail!

Real peace of mind comes only through receiving Christ: “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Rom 5:1) “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:7). The peace that Christ gives takes away guilt, condemnation, and fear!

Here is God's warning to the ungodly: “But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. There is no peace saith my God to the wicked.” (Is.57: 20,21)

(VII) WE RECEIVE ACCESS TO THE FATHER THROUGH HIS BLOOD!

“Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which He hath consecrated for us through the veil, that is to say, His flesh.” (Heb. 10:19-20)

By the blood of Christ, we have access to the Father’s Throne Room. The Gospel song says, ‘Take me into the Holy of Holies, take me in by the Blood of the Lamb. Take me in through His infinite mercy, His child and forever I am.”

The blood that Jesus shed provides access for us into the very presence of God in Heaven. The Blood of Jesus did Not die! David prophesied of Messiah: “Therefore My heart is glad, and My glory rejoiceth: My flesh also shall rest in hope. For Thou wilt not leave My soul in hell (hades); neither wilt Thou suffer Thine Holy One to see corruption.” (Ps.16: 9,10)

In his Pentecostal message, St. Peter quoted David’s prophecy to prove that Jesus was raised from the dead, without His body corrupting! (Acts 2: 25-27)

JESUS’ BLOOD IS ALIVE!

Jesus' blood grants us access into God’s presence! Jesus fulfilled all the requirements of both the ‘Sacrifice Lamb’ and ‘High Priest', when He gave Himself as our substitute in the “death of the cross”. (Phil.2: 8)

The Bible says: “Seeing then that we have a Great High Priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.” (Heb.4: 14; 6: 19,20)

“But this Man, because He continueth forever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore He is able to save them to the uttermost that come to God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them.

“For such an high priest…Who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this He did once, when He offered up Himself.” (Heb. 7:24-27)

“But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands…not of this building; Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood He entered in once into the Holy Place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

“For if the blood of bulls and goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purification of the flesh: How much more shall not the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the Living God?

BY MEANS OF DEATH!

“And for this cause He is the mediator of the New Testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.” (Heb. 9: 11-15)

“By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God. (Heb.10: 10-12) “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the Blood of Jesus.” (Heb.10: 19)

When Jesus appeared to Mary at the tomb, He said: “Touch Me not; for I am not yet ascended to My Father: but go to My brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto My Father, and your Father; and to My God and your God.” (John 20: 17).

BY HIS OWN BLOOD!

JESUS had to carry His own blood into the ‘holy of holies’ in heaven, to atone for the sins of the entire world before anyone was allowed to touch Him!

Why? The high priest was not allowed contact with anyone on the ‘Day of Atonement’, until he had finished his ministration. He alone could enter the holiest – where God’s presence was - with the sacrificial blood of an innocent animal, to sprinkle on the mercy seat for his sins and that of his nation!

If God accepted the offering, he returned with the good news. If He did not, the high priest would die and had to be ‘pulled out’ by a rope that was tied to his left ankle. No one else could enter God’s Awesome presence and live!

Dealing with sin is serious business. An innocent life had to die so that sin could be forgiven! That is why Jesus, God’s Son, came to this earth as ‘Jehovah’s Suffering Servant’ (Is. 53) to suffer, bleed and die in our place, to implement God’s great salvation plan to redeem fallen mankind!

The great theologian, DR. ARTHUR MURRAY, in his powerful book ‘The Blood of His Cross’ states: “Reconciliation and deliverance from guilt will become the blessed entrance for us into a life in which the blood - as it was transported into heaven and abides there – will be truly the power of divine abiding life in us.”

MARTIN LUTHER writes: “First, the Blood of Christ remains the blood of the same Christ. For we believe and hold that the Blood of Christ that is NOW at the right hand of God was shed for us once only.” (Church and Ministry, Luther’s Works vol. 40, page 215)

(VIII) WE RECEIVE DIVINE HEALING THROUGH HIS BLOOD!

“But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed.”(Is. 53:5) “Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by Whose stripes ye were healed” (1 Pet. 2:24)

Through His wounds, Jesus purchased divine healing for all who appropriate God’s promises for themselves! The Holy Bible states:

“When the even was come, they brought unto Him many that were possessed with devils: and He cast out the spirits with His Word, and healed all that were sick: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.” (Matt. 8: 16,17)

(IX) WE HAVE VICTORY OVER SATAN THROUGH CHRIST'S BLOOD!

“And they overcame him (Satan) by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.” (Rev. 12:11) There is no one as evil, deceptive and wicked as Satan, the adversary of God and man. The devil, however, is no match for Jesus. In His name, we can overcome Satan’s temptations and onslaughts!

When we drive out evil spirits in the all-powerful name of Jesus Christ, Satan must obey us. The all-atoning blood of Jesus is Satan's nightmare and causes him to leave! Demons fear the blood of Jesus Christ which has condemned them to Hell and eternal damnation. They also fear and obey a command by a servant of God to release their victims in the Name of Jesus Christ!

Jesus Christ stated: “And into whatsoever city ye enter...heal the sick. And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through Thy name. And He said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning FALL from Heaven. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the Enemy and shall by any means hurt you.” (Luke 19: 17-19)

“And He said unto them. Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but He that believeth not shall be damned. And these Signs shall follow them that believe: In My name shall they cast out devils...” (Mark 16: 15-18)

The Bible says: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist steadfast in the faith…” (1 Peter 5: 8,9) “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil and he shall flee from you.” (James 4:7)

(X) WE ARE SANCTIFIED THROUGH HIS BLOOD!

“Wherefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify His people with His own blood, suffered without the gate.” (Heb. 13:12). To be sanctified, means to be set apart for God. Sanctification is a holy state in which we are given over wholly to the Lord. We are separated unto the Lord, from the world!

The Bible says: “…to the elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit unto obedience and the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.” (1 Peter 1: 1, 2)

Dr. Andrew Murray stated: “Everything is of the Father, everything is in the Son, everything is through the Spirit. The entire carrying out of the counsel of God is through the Holy Spirit, and the sanctification and the impartation of divine holiness which He works.”

(XI) WE RECEIVE A CLEAR CONSCIENCE THROUGH HIS BLOOD!

“How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the Eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, purge your conscience (mind) from dead works, to serve the Living God?” (Heb. 9:14)

No amount of counselling can give a person a clear conscience. That comes only through confession of sin to God and receiving assurance of sins forgiven by the blessed Holy Spirit. Only the blood of Jesus Christ and the Word of God has the power to cleanse, purge and free the conscience!

“Wherefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people, suffered without the gate. Let us go forth therefore unto Him without the camp, bearing His reproach.” (Heb. 13:12, 13)

The Blood of Jesus purifies our minds and thoughts. We receive the mind of Christ: “For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that He may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.” (1 Cor. 2: 16); “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 2: 5)

“These are they which come out of great tribulation and have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore, are they before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple: and He that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them…

“For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them and shall lead them unto living fountains of water: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.” (Rev.7:14-17)

(XI11) WE ARE RECONILED BY THE BLOOD OF JESUS!

“But God commended His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by His BLOOD, we shall be saved from wrath to come.” (Rom. 5: 8,9)

“Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation:

“That is that God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses (sins) unto them and hath committed unto us the Word of reconciliation. For He hath made Him (Christ) to be sin (sin offering) for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.” (2 Cor. 5: 17,19, 21)

(X1V) WE RECEIVE SPIRITUAL DRINK THROUH JESUS’ BLOOD!

“Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink His blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth My flesh and drinketh My blood, hath Eternal Life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For My flesh is meat and My blood is drink indeed.

“He that eateth My flesh, and drinketh My blood, dwelleth in Me, and I in Him.” (John 6: 54-57). When we partake of the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, we are not receiving His physical blood and flesh. We are receiving His Life by faith into our spirit, soul, and body!

St. Paul stated: “Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we Him no more.” Our faith in Christ's death and resurrection brings the Saviour into our lives!

We know Christ by the power of His Word, His shed blood (now in Heaven) and the Holy Spirit. St. Paul stated that if Jesus Christ were here in His flesh, it wouldn't help anyone. The R.C. Wafer God is a farce. By faith we receive the life of Jesus Christ that comes to us through Holy Communion in the Lord's Supper!

(XV) THE BLOOD OF JESUS OPENS HEAVEN'S DOORS TO BELIEVERS!

“And having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself; by Him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or in Heaven. And you, that were sometimes alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works has He reconciled. In the body of His flesh through Death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in His sight.” (Col.1:20-22)

“As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

“For God sent not His Son to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he has not believed on the name of the only begotten Son of God.

“And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. He that believeth not the Son shall not see life but the wrath of God abideth on Him. 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 3:14-19,36)

(XV1) THE BLOOD OF JESUS RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD!

“Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by His Own Blood he entered in once into the Holy place having obtained Eternal Redemption for us.” (Heb.9:12);

“Now the God of Peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the Everlasting Covenant make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever.” (Heb. 13:20-21)

“Therefore being by the right hand exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, He had shed forth which ye now see and hear.” (Acts 2: 22-24). The Word of God states that the entire Godhead was involved in the resurrection of our Saviour.

God the Father: 

“Ye men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by Him in the midst of you, as you yourself already know.

“Him being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: Whom God has raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that He should beholden of it. This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we are all witnesses.

God the Holy Spirit:

“But if the Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by His Spirit that dwelleth in you.” (Rom. 3: 11); “For Christ also hath once suffered for our sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: By which also He went and preached unto the spirits in prison. “ (1 Peter 3: 18)

God the Son:

 “Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up....But He spoke of the temple of His body. When therefore He was risen from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said these things unto them; and they believed the Scripture, and the Word which Jesus had said.” (John 2:19-22)

“Therefore doth My Father love Me, because I lay down My life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down and power to take it again. This commandment have I received of My Father.” (John 10: 17,18)

(XVII) THE BLOOD OF JESUS CLEANSED HEAVEN!

“It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into Heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us.” (Heb. 9: 23)

What can wash away my sins? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. O’ precious is the flow; that makes me white as snow; No other fount I know; Nothing but the blood of Jesus! Amen.

Max Solbrekken World Mission Box 44220 RPO Garside, Edmonton AB T5V 1N6; Email: [email protected]; comehometojesus.ca; Youtube; Blog: MSWM; Donations can be made by e-Transfer. Make donation to [email protected]: May God bless you!