Out of the Basin, Onto the Door: Overcoming by the Blood of the Lamb

Sermon outline

We overcome Satan by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony, so the blood must be taken out of the basin and applied to our lives by what we confess.

1. The hidden truth in the Good Samaritan

   He reads the parable as a picture of salvation. The man who went down is the Adamic race, stripped by the devil of dignity, wealth, inheritance and sonship; the priest is the law, which only condemns; the Levite handled the blood of bulls and goats, which could only cover sin; the Samaritan is Jesus, full of compassion. The oil and wine are the Holy Spirit who heals, the beast shows that we are carried by God's strength and not our own, and the inn is the church, the place of divine exchange.

   Illustration: The road from Jerusalem, a type of heaven, to Jericho was known as 'the bloody way'. In the inn 'that's where your croissants are, that's where the red velvet cakes are'.

   “This is a place of divine exchange.”

   • Luke 10:30-37
   • Psalm 23:1
   • Ephesians 5:26
   • Psalm 23:5

2. Two pence and the promise to repay

   The two pence were two days' wages, and since a day is with the Lord as a thousand years, he sees two thousand years since Christ and his return drawing near. Jesus told the innkeeper to care for the man and promised to repay whatever more was spent, so God will take care of his people. Withholding tithes and offerings keeps you in the world's economy of struggle and the devourer, but giving faithfully puts you in God's economy.

   Illustration: People will spend thirty or fifty thousand rand on a holiday but give five or ten rand in the house of God. In prayer that morning he saw people phoning him at one, two and three in the morning because God would not let them sleep until they gave.

   “The more you're trying to keep, the more you're going to lose.”

   • 2 Peter 3:8
   • Luke 22:35
   • Malachi 3:10-11

3. They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb

   Thanks to the blood, the past has been cleansed and every curse broken. The precious truth is that we overcome Satan when we personally testify to what the Word of God says the blood does for us.

   “We overcome Satan when we testify personally what the word of God says the blood does for us.”

   • Revelation 12:11

4. The sevenfold shedding of the blood

   Jesus shed his blood in seven places: in Gethsemane as his sweat fell like drops of blood, when they struck his face in the high priest's house, when they plucked out his beard, when he was scourged at Pilate's court, under the crown of thorns, when the nails were driven into his hands and feet, and when the spear pierced his side. This fulfilled the sevenfold sprinkling of the Day of Atonement, because the life is in the blood, and Jesus poured out his soul to become the final sin offering.

   Illustration: The thorns in Israel are long and sharp; forced down on his head, they cut through his skin to his skull until he could not be recognised.

   “Jesus became the final sin offering.”

   • Luke 22:44
   • Isaiah 52:14
   • John 19:34
   • Leviticus 17:11
   • Isaiah 53:12

5. Two ways we overcome: the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony

   There is a direct conflict between Christians and Satan, and we overcome by these two things, loving Jesus more than our own lives. The Christian life is not a cruise; there are fights to be fought, so be strong in the Lord and do the will of God.

   Illustration: A soldier who joins the army does not ask for a guarantee that he will not die; his zeal for his country overrides the risk.

   “We're not on a cruise ship going on holiday. We're dealing with real stuff.”

   • Revelation 12:11
   • Ephesians 6:10
   • 1 John 2:17

6. Christ our Passover: stay in the house under the blood

   Israel had to stay inside the house to enjoy the covering of the blood, just as we are covered while we walk in the light. The fathers of Israel applied the blood, so fathers must take their place in the family, and where they are absent, mothers pray over and protect it. In the church, submit to and honour your spiritual fathers, so that you receive the blessing that flows from the office, and keep yourself small in your own eyes as God prospers you.

   Illustration: Lot prospered because he was joined to Abraham, but when given the choice he took the best land instead of honouring his uncle. He adds his own testimony: his prosperity came when he began to honour men and women of God, and God told him to keep himself small in his own eyes.

   “Humility is strength because it's harnessed power.”

   • 1 Corinthians 5:7-9
   • Exodus 12:21-23
   • 1 John 1:7
   • 1 Peter 5:5
   • 1 Corinthians 4:15
   • Galatians 5:9
   • Exodus 20:12
   • Genesis 13:8-11
   • Proverbs 16:18
   • Numbers 12:3
   • Exodus 4:10-16

7. Number one: the blood in the basin will not help you

   The blood protected no one while it stayed in the basin; it had to be applied with hyssop to the lintel and doorposts. In the new covenant we apply it by our confession, and obedience comes before the sprinkling of the blood. Make your words agree with God's Word, do not apologise for prospering, and let the redeemed of the Lord say so.

   Illustration: When people wonder how you are prospering, let them wonder, because you are a sign and a wonder.

   “No confession, no protection.”

   • Exodus 12:22
   • 1 Peter 1:1-2
   • Hebrews 3:1
   • Psalm 107:2

8. Abel's blood and Jesus' blood

   As the church receives communion, he gives three contrasts. Abel's blood was shed against his will, but Jesus gave his willingly; Abel's blood was sprinkled on the earth, but Jesus' blood on the mercy seat; Abel's blood cries for vengeance, but Jesus' blood cries for mercy, so whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be helped.

   “Abel's blood calls out for vengeance. Jesus' blood calls out for mercy.”

   • Genesis 4:10
   • Hebrews 12:24
   • Hebrews 4:15
   • Joel 2:32