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Visit Grace House Church in Florence, AL

Grace House is a Spirit-filled, non-denominational church located at 389 Seville St, Florence, AL 35630, serving Florence, Muscle Shoals, and the greater Shoals region.

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Grace House – 389 Seville St, Florence AL

The following blog is a summary of a message preached by Pastor Eddie Lawrence.

Watch the Sermon HERE!

The Old Testament contains powerful shadows and prophetic pictures that point toward Christ. As Augustine said, "The New Testament is in the Old Testament concealed, and the Old Testament is in the New Testament revealed." One of the most vivid pictures of Christ's redemptive work is found in the first Passover in Exodus 12, where blood on the doorpost protected God's people from destruction.

What Does the Old Testament Teach Us About Christ?

Paul reminds us in Colossians that Old Testament sacrifices, prophecies, and ceremonies were "shadows of things to come, but the substance is Christ." These weren't just historical events—they were prophetic pictures pointing toward the Messiah who would come as the real deal, the way, the truth, and the life.

In Revelation 12, we see that believers "overcame him [the dragon] by the blood of the Lamb." This same Lamb is described as "slain from the foundation of the world," showing that God's plan of redemption through blood sacrifice existed from creation itself.

Why Was the First Passover So Important?

After 400 years of slavery in Egypt, God sent Moses to deliver His people. Through a series of plagues, God demonstrated His power over Egypt's pagan gods. The final judgment was the death of the firstborn—but God provided a way of protection for His people through the blood of a lamb applied to their doorposts.

Paul makes the connection clear in 1 Corinthians 5:7: "Christ, our Passover was sacrificed for us." The Old Testament Passover was fulfilled in the New Testament through Christ's sacrifice.

What Are the Key Principles of the Blood's Power?

The Principle of Separation

The Passover lamb had to be unblemished and separated from the flock. Similarly, believers are called out (ekklesia) from the world to live sanctified lives. We're to be like diamonds on black velvet—shining lights in darkness that make Christ visible to a lost world.

This separation isn't about hatred toward the world, but about living differently. We're called to be in the world but not of the world, representing Christ through our distinct way of life.

The Principle of Substitution

The choice was clear: either the lamb dies or the firstborn dies. This beautiful picture shows us that Jesus became our substitute. He took our place, died instead of us, and bore the punishment we deserved.

Without Christ, we are condemned already. It's not that God will make up His mind about us—the sentence has already been passed. Only through faith in Jesus Christ as our substitute can we be saved from the wrath to come.

The Principle of Application

The blood in the basin wasn't enough—it had to be applied to the doorpost with hyssop. Similarly, knowing about Jesus isn't sufficient for salvation. The blood must be applied to your life through faith.

Romans 10 explains this application: confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead. This is how the blood is applied—through personal faith and confession.

The Principle of Restoration

After applying the blood, the Israelites ate the roasted lamb completely, preparing for their journey to the promised land. They left Egypt with silver and gold, and there wasn't a feeble one among them.

When you're saved, you need to "eat the lamb"—dive deep into God's Word and discover who you are in Christ. The blood of Jesus cleanses your conscience and gives you a new moral compass through the Holy Spirit.

The Principle of Protection

The death angel passed over every house marked with blood. This protection principle applies to believers today. We can plead the blood of Jesus over our families, marriages, and homes, declaring the protection that comes through Christ's sacrifice.

The enemy hates the blood of Jesus. When we understand and declare our position under the blood, we have power to overcome spiritual attacks and warfare.

How Should We Apply This to Our Families?

The Passover was about household protection. As believers, we need to:

 

  • Teach our children who they are in Christ
  • Help them memorize Scripture and hide God's Word in their hearts
  • Plead the blood of Jesus over our families regularly
  • Create spiritual boundaries around our homes through prayer and faith

 

Our children need to know their identity in Christ more than anything else the world offers. They need to understand that following Jesus means being different, being separated, being lights in darkness.

What Does It Mean to Plead the Blood?

Pleading the blood means confessing and declaring truths you believe in your heart about what Christ has already accomplished. It's faith in your heart combined with confession from your mouth—a dynamic combination that declares your belonging to Jesus Christ.

When you were saved, you were covered with His blood. You don't need to fear the enemy because you're under divine protection. This isn't about making the devil bigger than he is, but about recognizing the superior power of Christ's blood.

Life Application

This week, gather your family for communion in your home. Use this time to discuss the worthiness of Jesus and the difference He makes in your household. Talk about what it means to be covered by the blood of Christ and how this should impact the way you live.

Additionally, begin regularly pleading the blood of Jesus over your family members, your home, and your daily activities. Declare the protection and power that comes through Christ's sacrifice.

 

Consider these questions as you apply this message:

 

  • Have I personally applied the blood of Jesus to my life through faith in Christ?
  • Am I living as someone who has been separated and called out to represent Christ?
  • How can I better teach my family about their identity and protection in Christ?
  • What areas of my life need to be surrendered to Christ's lordship?
  • Am I living with the same passion for the lost that motivated those early missionaries?

 

The blood of Jesus is not just a historical fact—it's a present reality with power to transform, protect, and restore. May we live with deeper appreciation for what Christ accomplished and greater boldness in applying His blood to every area of our lives.

Blood on the Doorpost

A blog from Grace House Church in Florence, Alabama, exploring the significance of the blood of Christ — its power to protect, redeem, and cleanse believers.

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