The transformative power of Christ's blood is the central theme, illustrated by the conversion of a highway robber encountered by John Wesley. Wesley's encounter with the robber, where he offered the robber his meager possessions and then shared the gospel message, serves as a pivotal moment. Years later, the robber, now a tradesman and a believer, testifies to the redemptive power of Jesus' blood. The sermon emphasizes that this blood is the sole remedy for sin and the source of spiritual healing. Jesus' experience in his hometown, where his ministry was hindered by unbelief, highlights the significant impact of faith on the reception of God's power.
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Five minutes to help you go on your way with a song. Moments of melody time again. John Wesley returned from preaching the gospel one night and he rode across a place that had a bad reputation for possessing a good share of highway robbers. Halt! shouted a fierce voice with a firm hand that seized the horse's bridle. Your money or your life? Well, Wesley emptied his pockets, which contained only a few coins, and then invited the robber to examine his saddlebags, which were filled with books. Disappointed at the result, the robber turned away.
Just then Mr. Wesley, bending toward him, said in solemn tones, My friend, you may live to regret this sort of life in which you're engaged. If you ever do, I beseech you to remember this. The blood of Jesus Christ, God's Son, cleanseth us from all sin. Many years later, at the close of a Sunday evening service, a stranger stepped forward and earnestly begged to have an interview with the preacher, which was readily granted. It was the highway robber, now a well-to-do tradesman in the city, and better still, a child of God. What had transformed a highway robber into a humble disciple of Christ?
the precious blood of Christ, believed in, relied on, trusted to the fullest. There is no other remedy, no other way of salvation than by the blood of Jesus Christ. There is a bomb in Gilead. To make the wounded whole There is a bomb in Gilead You heal the sin-sick soul.
Sometimes you feel discouraged and you think your works in vain. And then the Holy Spirit revives your soul again. Now we're going to pause and read from God's book, The Bible, reading the translation of Monsignor Ronald Knox.
The Gospel According to St. Mark, chapter six. Then the Lord Jesus left the place and withdrew to his own countryside, and his disciples followed him. Here, when the Sabbath came, he began teaching in the synagogue, and many were astonished when they heard him. How did he come by all this, they ask? What is the meaning of this wisdom that's been given him? Of all these wonderful works that are done by his hands, is not this the carpenter? son of Mary, the brother of James and Joseph and Judas and Simon. Do not his sisters live here with us? And they had no confidence in him.
And then Jesus said to them, It is only in his own country, in his own home, and among his own kindred, that a prophet goes unhonored. Nor could he do any wonderful works there, except that he laid his hands on a few that were sick and cured them. He was astonished at their unbelief. So he went on round about the villages preaching. Lord Jesus did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief. He had all power, and yet he was hindered by unbelief.