Why is it important to remember the church was "purchased with His own blood"? Purchased with His Own Blood – Why We Must Remember Acts 20:28 sets the theme: “Be shepherds of the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood.” Rooted in Redemption • The price of the church is the precious blood of Christ—infinitely valuable, never to be repeated (1 Peter 1:18-19; Hebrews 9:12). • Because the payment is complete, our salvation stands on a finished work, not ongoing human effort. • Remembering the purchase keeps the gospel central in every gathering and ministry. Guarding Against Spiritual Amnesia • People naturally drift toward self-reliance; forgetting the cost encourages pride. • Recalling the blood-bought nature of the church protects against treating worship, service, or fellowship as casual add-ons. • It anchors leaders and members in gratitude instead of entitlement. Fuel for Humble Service • Overseers shepherd a flock that belongs to God, not to themselves (Acts 20:28). • Understanding ownership cultivates humility: leaders become stewards, not celebrities. • Members likewise serve one another as debtors to grace, imitating the self-giving Savior (John 13:14-15). Template for Self-Giving Love • Christ “gave Himself up for her” (Ephesians 5:25-27). • The pattern of sacrificial love becomes the model for marriages, friendships, and ministries. • Where the price is remembered, relationships move from consumerism to covenant loyalty. Anchor for Church Identity • The church is not a social club, business, or political movement; it is a blood-bought people (Revelation 5:9). • Identity flows from ownership: belonging to God unites believers across cultures, generations, and preferences. • Remembering this truth steadies the church amid cultural pressures and shifting trends. Motivation for Purity and Unity • “You are not your own; you were bought at a price” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). • Personal holiness honors the costly purchase; casual sin cheapens the gift. • Unity matters because wounding a fellow believer means harming someone Christ valued enough to die for (Romans 14:15). Inspiration for Worship • Worship erupts when hearts grasp the cost (Revelation 5:9-12). • Songs, sermons, ordinances, and daily devotion gain depth when tied to the cross. • Forgetting the price deflates worship into ritual; remembering rekindles awe. Confidence in Future Hope • The blood that redeemed also guarantees final victory (Colossians 1:20). • If God has already paid the highest price, He will not abandon His investment; perseverance is secured. • Suffering saints draw strength from the certainty that redemption will culminate in glory. Practical Takeaways • Regularly rehearse gospel truths in teaching, singing, and conversation. • Approach every ministry decision asking how it reflects the value Christ placed on His church. • Guard personal and corporate holiness, knowing the cost of sin’s cure. • Cultivate gratitude over obligation; the bill is paid, so service becomes joyful response. |
    |