In this episode of the International Gospel Hour, we delve into the profound message of sacrifice and salvation as explained by host Jeff Archie. Through the teachings of the New Testament, we explore the significance of being ‘bought with a price’ and how this shapes our understanding of the church and our personal faith journey. Join us as we discuss the cost of discipleship and the unparalleled love demonstrated by Christ’s sacrifice.
SPEAKER 01 :
To those Christians in Corinth, Paul reminded them, for you are bought with a price. Let’s think about this today from the International Gospel Hour. Stay with us for our study.
SPEAKER 02 :
Hi, this is Jay Webb for International Gospel Hour. Welcome to our broadcast today. For over 90 years, churches of Christ have proclaimed God’s Word through our broadcasts. Just ahead is another Bible-based lesson with Jeff Archie of International Gospel Hour. Let’s begin.
SPEAKER 01 :
Well, thank you to our J-Web, and hello everyone. It’s great having you with us today. We appreciate each and every listener of the International Gospel Hour and your choice for tuning in and listening to our broadcast. In Matthew 16 and verse 18, Jesus promised to build His church, and indeed He paid the price for the church and for us. Listen to Acts 20, verses 27 and 28. For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God, which he purchased with his own blood. It was the blood of Jesus Christ that purchased the church. The church that we read of in the New Testament. The pre-denominational, the non-denominational body of Christ. And we note that from Ephesians 4, 4, there is but one body. And God always intended for there to be one church. And Jesus purchased one church. And what a blessing to know that we can be of that church we read about in the New Testament. Among the members of that church was the congregation in Corinth. The letters of 1 and 2 Corinthians are written. And we learn about this congregation that was established in Acts the 18th chapter. But in 1 Corinthians 6 and verse 20, we note the first part of the verse, For you are bought with a price. Absolutely, indeed, amen. It’s as in the song that our youth sing, and a lot of us older ones do as well. He paid a debt he did not owe, and I owed a debt I could not pay. In this day and age, of course, there is a price for everything. And we are individuals who budget. We look for the best deal. As of the recording of this broadcast, I was reading about a worldwide grocer that will be expanding more in the United States. It’s because they became popular as people were looking at cost there. They were concerned about cost. So many times we ask, how much does it cost? I myself, when I get discussing or something comes up, I usually look at somebody and say, let’s just get right down to it. What are you talking about? Let’s look at the cost. Let’s look at the price. Let’s look at what is there. Indeed, we even ask ourselves concerning that, is it worth the price one would pay? Well, when Jesus bought us with a price, He believed we were worth the price. For after all, God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, John 3.16. But friends, let me ask this question. What are we willing to pay when it comes to our obedience? Yes, we see the Christians, we see those bought with a price. But now let’s look and ask ourselves this. What is our standing, and what is our salvation, knowing you are bought with a price? We’ll continue that study in just a moment, but first, we are honored through our friends at Apologetics Press of Montgomery, Alabama, to share with you a variety of free materials, and here is our J-Web of how you can receive Reason and Revelation.
SPEAKER 02 :
Leave your name and address and just say, Reason. That is it. You can also send your requests through our website at internationalgospelhour.com. Click on the contact tab and leave us your name and address and put reason in the message box. We will send you a copy. Again, we have a limited supply, so get yours now.
SPEAKER 01 :
Friends, you are bought with a price. What is your standing? Let’s think about this for a moment. We are individuals, like Christ, we don’t live to be served, but to serve. It was Jesus who said in Matthew 20, verses 26-28, Yet it shall not be so among you, but whoever desires to be great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave, just as. Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give His life a ransom for many. He paid the price. He came to serve. Therefore, friends, our standing in life should be, Are we serving? Are we giving? Are we following the example of Christ? Let’s think about this. What about the attitude of humble and not haughty? Jesus taught in Matthew 18 in verse 4 that we should come and humble ourselves as a little child. And how Christ humbled himself, Philippians 2, 5-8. Remember? Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God. but made himself of no reputation, and took upon himself the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men. And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. He did the will of the Father. How often do we call his prayer in the garden in Matthew 26? Father, let this cup pass from me, nevertheless not my will, but thy will be done. Continuing the thought of being humble or as a servant, in Matthew 11 and verse 11, Jesus said, Think about being least in the kingdom. In the kingdom. In Matthew 16, 18, when Jesus promised to build His church, and indeed He did, He said in verse 19, And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven. And whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be loosed in heaven. And whatsoever you shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. The binding and the loosing are dictated by God. And how there were those in the book of Colossians 1 and verse 13 who were translated or conveyed into the kingdom of the Son of His love. And in the kingdom, one will serve the king. 1 Timothy 6 and verse 15. The king of kings and the Lord of lords. That humble servant will follow the example of the humble king, the Christ. So yes, friends, we are bought with a price. Thus we humble ourselves, serve the Lord, and embrace His blessing. What is our standing? Are we relying on ourselves or upon a Savior? Let’s continue our thought. You are bought with a price. So let’s recall one’s salvation. To the Christians in Corinth who were bought with a price, it was paid for them to receive salvation. Acts 18 verse 8 simply says that the Corinthians hearing believed and were baptized. Well, that’s simple, friends. That’s all we need to do today. One gets into Jesus Christ when one is baptized into Christ. Galatians 3.27 and Romans 6.3-6. But we realize, folks, it’s not enough just to immerse somebody into water. One must have faith in God to believe. He that believes and is baptized shall be saved, Mark 16, 16. And the belief of what God will provide for those who are in Christ and to get into Jesus Christ. One must abide in Christ as the branches abide in the vine. John 15, 5 and 6. One must live in Christ. Philippians 1 and verse 21. Paul said, For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. And also one must die in Christ. Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord. Revelation 14, 13. So if Christ paid the price for our sins, and indeed He did… Then why don’t we think about the blessed question that was asked in Acts 2 in verse 37. Men and brethren, what shall we do? What will you do, friend? Are you willing to pay the price? Do you see the cost? You see it’s worth it. Friends, are these things to consider? Well, most assuredly. And we need to think about these things and maybe study a little further. Yes, we appreciate you listening to our broadcast. But we also like to share with you tools, just like the Reason and Revelation tool that we offered earlier. Well, we want to also send you a free Bible course by mail. At each broadcast, we try to offer something that you can use, you can study, you can learn, and know God’s will for your life. Would you like to try that free Bible study course by mail? Oh, thousands have tried it. They’re still working on it, Lord willing. We’d love to send it to you absolutely free. Here is our J-Web with those details.
SPEAKER 02 :
Our long-time free Bible study course by mail is always available. Have you tried it yet? Just call us toll-free at 855-444-6988 and leave your name, address, and just say Home Study. That’s it. You may also go to our website at internationalgospelhour.com, click on the Contact tab, and leave us the same information, name, address, and type Home Study in the message box. Study the Bible at your own pace. Again, it’s free from your friends here at International Gospel Hour.
SPEAKER 01 :
Well, friends, Jesus paid the price indeed. Oh, I love that old hymn, Jesus paid it all, all to him I owe. Sin had left its crimson stain, but he washed it white as snow. Oh, how Nehemiah the long-ago acknowledged of God that he is a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness. To know God is ready to pardon, what a joy. That’s why God instructs us of the importance of faith, Hebrews 11 and verse 6, of repentance in Luke 13 and verse 3, of confessing our faith in Christ, Acts 8, 37-38. and to be baptized into Christ based upon our faith in order to be saved, Mark 16, 16. Friends, we’ll continue our study together at another time. Our time is gone today. But thank you for joining me here on the International Gospel Hour. I’m Jeff Archie, and friends, keep listening.
SPEAKER 03 :
God be with you till we meet again.
SPEAKER 02 :
Thank you for listening to our broadcast today, and we hope you continue onward with your search and study of God’s Word. Please join us next time and visit our website at internationalgospelhour.com God be with you till we meet again.