Living By Faith

THE CENTER OF THE GOSPEL

Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood, he entered once into the Holy Place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. (Hebrews 9:12)

The Gospel contains the power that God released in Christ two thousand years ago. Mark Hankins

The center of the Gospel is the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. After His resurrection, Jesus told the disciples, “Go into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15)

The death, burial, and resurrection of Christ are eternal God events. We give them a date and place because they are historical events, but they are more than just history. They are supernatural, eternal God events, and they can be visited at any point in time as though they were happening right then. The same power that God released in these events is in the message.

The Gospel produces faith. The Word of God is a living thing. Christ hath redeemed you! The Gospel is not the good news that God can help you. It is not the good news that God wantsto help you. It is the good news that God has already helped you in Christ.

Confession: The price has been paid. I am no longer a prisoner to sin; I am free. The curse of sin and Satan has been broken in my life by the blood of Jesus!

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THE STORY OF THE BLOOD

So Christ was ONCE offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. (Hebrews 9:28)

As believers, we can take the Word of God and tell the devil a bedtime story! Mark Hankins

Whenever you face any challenge, remember this story and tell it again: “Once Upon a Time!” As believers, we can take the Word of God and tell the devil a bedtime story. Say, “Devil, ONCE upon a time Jesus defeated you for all eternity.” Speak the Word of God with boldness and rock the devil to sleep!

By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ ONCE for all…For by ONE offering he hath perfected forever them that are sanctified.”(Hebrews 10:10,14)By looking at these scriptures we see that Jesus cancelled and abolished sin ONCE for all time and for all men. The Holy Spirit continues to emphasize the word “ONCE.”  We must know this story well. It is the story of Christmas, Easter, Pentecost, Heaven, and Earth. This story is well known by angels and demons. The story of the blood of Jesus is an established fact throughout eternity!

Confession: I am sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ! By one offering he hath perfected forever them that are sanctified.(Hebrews 10:10,14)

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CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST

KNOWING THIS

Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. (Romans 6:6)

This is the power of being dead to sin: the old man no longer exists. Mark Hankins

When Paul says “old man,” to whom is he referring? Other translations of Romans 6:6 say, “Our old sinful nature,”  “The old person I used to be,”  “My old inherited self,” (Jordan, Cressman, Bruce).

Here are a few things the “old man” refers to: my old sick self, my old poor self, my old confused self, my old defeated self, my old condemned self, my old guilty self, and my old sinful self was crucified with Him!

If someone were in the Mafia and decided to testify against the organization, the federal government would have to give him a new identity so that he could not be traced. He would be given a legal identity change including birth certificate, passport, etc. If anyone from his former lifestyle tried to contact him, his mail, legal notices, and bills would be returned marked,“Return to sender. No such person. No such place.”  This is the power of being dead to sin: the old man no longer exists.

Confession:My old self was crucified with Christ. I am not the same person I used to be! No such person exists!

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POSITION, PRIVILEGE, POTENTIAL, POWER, AND PROMISE IN CHRIST

In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of Him. (Ephesians 3:12)

The blood of Jesus has given us great boldness and confidence!
Mark Hankins

We enjoy great position, privilege, potential, power, and promise In Christ. God sees us In Christ, and we look a lot better In Christ than we do outside of Him. If you are not impressed with who you are in Christ, you haven’t seen Him lately.

We are the workmanship of God created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God has before ordained for us to walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10) We have come into closest fellowship with Christ. We are In Him. The Apostle Paul uses the phrase In Christ, In Him, and In Whom, over 130 times in his letters. Take your position in Christ and live in the privileges and advantages God has provided for you.

Confession: God sees me in Christ. I am the workmanship of God created in Christ Jesus unto good works. For in Christ dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. I am complete in Him, which is the head of all principality and power. (Colossians 2:9-10)

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A NEW DAY OF BOLDNESS

Having therefore, brethren, BOLDNESS to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus. (Hebrews 10:19)

The blood of Jesus has given us great boldness and confidence.
Mark Hankins

Another word that stood out to me in Hebrews was the word, “boldness.” The blood of Jesus has given us great boldness and confidence. “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace.” (Hebrews 4:16) “That we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper.” (Hebrews 13:6)

Some other translations of Hebrews 10:19 translate boldness as “freedom of speech” or “outspoken.” The blood of Jesus has given us great boldness and confidence. As believers, we need to exercise our “freedom of speech” and be outspoken about the blood of Jesus and who we are in Christ. Instead of being a victim of our experiences, our experiences are a victim of us.

Now we as believers can take the Word of God and speak with great boldness and confidence! When Satan comes against you, just bring up the story of the blood of Jesus.

Confession: The Lord is my Helper. I can come boldly unto the throne of grace. I am sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. (Hebrews 10:10, 14)

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