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Grounded-In-Biblical-Truth | |
Sovereign Grace
Doctrines
Concerning 'THE GOSPEL' - JESUS CHRIST
WITH HIS OWN BLOOD
Ken Wimer, PASTOR
"Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood." Acts 20:28
Pastors and elders have a great responsibility in caring for the sheep over which the Lord has put them. First, they must be on guard for themselves. Their example and doctrine is to be founded upon the gospel of God's grace in the Lord Jesus Christ, 1 Timothy 4:16. Second, they are to take care of the flock. They are to feed the sheep, not fleece them; pray for the sheep, not prey on them.
Why are the sheep so precious? They are "the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood." Note these three facts concerning the death of the Lord Jesus Christ for His church.
1. Jesus Christ was not just an innocent man, He is the God-Man. (John 1:14, 1 Timothy 3:16). Being as truly God as well as man, His sacrificial death was a just ransom to redeem the sheep from sin and the curse and condemnation of the law. A mere man could never have made such a purchase, even for one single sheep. There is no mortal human being, no matter how good and honest, who can ever give to God a ransom for himself, much less for a brother, or even the whole flock, (Psalm 49:7).
2. Jesus Christ's death is priceless, but not without price. The price for the ransom of the soul cannot be measured out in silver and gold. It required nothing less than the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, His life and death. He came to fulfill a legal transaction, to satisfy all the righteous requirements of God the Father on behalf of those that God has chosen to save, (Hebrews 10:7-10).
3. The death of the Lord Jesus Christ is a finished purchase- "which He HATH purchased." It leaves no part of the sinner's salvation to chance or conditions. There is nothing lacking in Christ's work which man needs to firm up. Christ's death is a particular death (SUBSTITUTION), for a particular people(GOD'S ELECT), with a particular result (REDEMPTION). Ephesians 1:14 refers to the Lord's people as God's "purchased possession."
How can I know I am one of the Lord's sheep? Listen to the words of the Shepherd Himself. "My sheep HEAR my voice, and I know them, and they FOLLOW ME." John 10:27
Shreveport Grace Church
P.O. Box 5028
Shreveport, LA 71135
Ken Wimer, Pastor
(318) 869-0860
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