The Blood Abel Offered

Temple Baptist Church

Hebrews 11:4; Genesis 4:1-5

 

Introduction:

 

A.  We have studied this verse coupled with the biblical accounts found in the Old Testament of not only this verse but also the events leading up to Genesis 4.  I could continue to preach on this verse for a while but want to finish with it today, if I can.

 

B.  God, from the beginning of man’s sinful condition, COMMANDED AND DEMANDED that death be the “wages of sin” and blood be the price of redemption.  These two things have never changed.  Genesis of “Beginnings” is called the “seed bed of the Bible.”  Here, in Genesis 3-4, we find the First Mention Principle of Bible Interpretation: “God indicates in the first mention of a subject the truth with which that subject stands connected in the mind of God.”

 

C.  Abel, in obedience to God’s command, brought a sacrificial lamb to God and was accepted by which he was declared righteous.  Matthew 23:35  That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.

 

D.  Cain, in disobedience to God’s command, brought the fruit of his labors and was rejected.  You and I brought the first fruit of our labors this morning in the form of the tithe and that is a right thing to do, but Cain’s offering was not the “tithe” but his offering was for “righteousness” or salvation.

 

E.  God also established the blood covenant under the Law:  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.

 

F. Hebrews 9:11-26.  Concerning the shedding of blood for both atonement and salvation, God established two covenants.  Hebrews 12:24  And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.  (This verse contrasts the “new covenant” with “that of Abel” or the “old covenant.”)

 

G.  The blood of the first testament was of animal sacrifices which brought atonement or a covering of sin until the blood of the new covenant, which was the blood of Christ, brought about the remission of sin!

 

H.  I want to take a look at the blood of Christ this morning.  The blood of Christ is and has been under attack for a long time.  I want to take a biblical look at the blood and its eternal work of redemption for God’s children.

 

I.  I want to quote J. P. Morgan, a noted financier and multi-millionaire of an earlier American generation.  Before his death, he composed a will consisting of 37 articles and 10,000 words.  While Mr. Morgan had been involved in transactions involving millions of dollars during his illustrious business career, he left no doubt as to what was the greatest transaction he had ever made. In his will he wrote: 

 

 "I commit my soul in the hands of my Savior, full of confidence that having redeemed me and washed me with His most precious blood, He will present me faultless before the throne of my Heavenly Father. I entreat my children to maintain and defend at all hazards and at any cost of personal sacrifice, the blessed doctrine of complete atonement through the blood of Christ with regard to the believer's salvation."

 

J. P. Morgan recognized the priceless value of the atoning sacrifice of Christ's blood that was shed in His death on the cross.

 

The Blood of Christ

 

1.  It is God’s Blood.  It is the blood of God, though we do not fully understand this, which was different from our blood.  I can no more explain this statement than I can the conception and birth of Christ.  I just believe what the Bible says!  Matthew 26:28  For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. 

 

Acts 20:28  Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.  (Jesus Christ’s conception, birth, body, life, death, resurrection, and blood were different from ours.) 

 

2.  It is Incorruptible Blood.  The blood of Christ was not subject to Adamic sin!   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;  (19)  But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:  (Two things in these verses stick out to me: a)  It is not corruptible in nature   b)  It is precious  in the sight of God.)

 

1 John 1:7  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 sin.  (According to the Bible, that same blood that Christ shed is still alive and available for the cleansing of the sinful.  That means it remains, not perished.)

 

3.  It is Presented Blood.  The blood of Christ did not run into the ground and perish but was purposefully placed on the mercy seat in heaven but our High Priest.  Hebrews 9:11-12  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;  (12)  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.  (As the blood of bulls and goats were applied to the mercy seat under the old covenant, the blood of Christ was applied to the mercy seat in heaven under the new covenant.)

 

4.  It is Eternal Blood.  Animal blood had to be applied often but the blood of Christ only once forever.  If it is incorruptible and precious (and it is), then it must be therefore eternal (which it is).  Hebrews 9:12  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.

 

5.  It is Saving Blood.  Our salvation is not through the death of Christ but through the blood of Christ!  Ephesians 1:7  In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;  (It is of no wonder that the blood of Christ is under the same attack as the Word of God.  Salvation comes through faith hearing the Word of God and personal application of the blood of God.  There can be salvation without either!)