Washed By The Blood
1 Corinthians 6:11
April 27, 2025
Andrew Boone
Jargon isn’t always bad—but it’s only helpful when it’s understood.
In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!” —Isaiah 6:1-5 ESV
God’s holiness isn’t just a better version of ours—it’s something entirely different.
God’s holiness is not just burning hot—it’s fantastically pure. Radiantly clean. Spotless and shimmering.
Sin is not a smudge—it’s an indelible stain that ruins us in light of God’s holiness.
If God’s holiness is glistening snow, then sin is an oil spill that soaks everything it touches.
Sin isn’t just breaking rules—it’s being spiritually locked out because of our filth.
Behold, the Lord ’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear; but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear. For your hands are defiled with blood and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies; your tongue mutters wickedness. —Isaiah 59:1-3 ESV
For the wages of sin is death… —Romans 6:23 ESV
We don’t need a cover-up. We need a miracle of cleansing.
God made a way back—but the path runs through sacrifice.
Washings testified: “You need cleansing.” Blood testified: “Cleansing costs life.”
For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar to make atonement for your souls, for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life. —Leviticus 17:11 ESV
Jesus didn’t just bring a sacrifice—He was the sacrifice.
He entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. —Hebrews 9:12 ESV
Jesus’ blood doesn’t hide the stain of sin—it removes it completely.
Jesus didn’t die in general—He died in our place. His life for ours.
“Washed by the blood” means the stain is gone, the badge is granted, and the door to God’s presence is open.
And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. —1 Corinthians 6:11 ESV
We still sing about the blood—not because we love drama, but because we’ve been rescued.
Big Idea:
Sin stains, but the blood of Jesus washes us clean and opens the way back to God.
SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
Memory Verse: Proverbs 2:6
For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.
The goal of these questions is to foster meaningful discussion and to encourage participants to reflect on God’s Word and lead to heart transformation. Feel free to modify or expand upon these questions based on the dynamics and needs of your Small Group.
(1) Read Leviticus 17:11. God says that He has given us a way to atone for sin. What does this teach us about God? What does atonement having to come through death express about the weightiness of sin? Are there areas in your life where you still try to atone for your own wrongs? What would it look like to fully trust that Jesus’ blood is enough?
(2) Read Hebrews 9:22. Because God is holy, the things and people who interact with Him must also be holy. Sin creates a divide between us and God and the way to mend that gap is through the shedding of blood. In what ways have you felt or experienced distance from God because of sin?
(3) Read Hebrews 10:11-14. What do these verses reveal about the difference between the blood of animals and the blood of Jesus? What habits or spiritual practices help you stay mindful of the cleansing you’ve received through Jesus?
(4) Read John 1:29. At the very beginning of Jesus’ ministry, John the Baptist proclaims that Jesus is the “Lamb of God.” What do you think John the Baptist was telling people around him about Jesus? How does that connect to the idea of cleansing through sacrifice?
(5) Read Matthew 26:26-28. Jesus draws on the rich history of Israel and the many covenants they have made when He shares that His blood is a new covenant. What are some other covenants you are familiar with from the Old Testament? How is this covenant similar or different from the Old Testament covenants?
(6) Read Revelation 7:13-14. The robes are made white in the blood of the Lamb. What does it mean to you that your own righteousness is not based on your good deeds but on the sacrifice of Jesus? How does this truth impact your daily walk and your sense of identity in Christ?
(7) Read Romans 10:9-10. We don’t have to literally get blood on us. How do we receive forgiveness, washing, and access to God today? Faith in Jesus is personal, but it’s never meant to stay private. Is there someone in your life right now who might need to hear this good news from you? What would it look like to share it?
(8) Read Ephesians 2:1-10. Paul emphasizes that salvation is “by grace through faith and not from yourselves.” Why do you think it’s sometimes hard to accept that salvation is a gift we can’t earn? How would you describe the difference between justification and sanctification? How would you describe the transformation you’ve experienced—or are still experiencing—through God’s grace?