"You Have Been Bought and Paid For!"

Sunday, October 2, 2005 - Rev. Rurel Ausley

I Cor. 6:19-20; Rev. 5:9; Col. 1:14, 20; Acts 20:28

1. Can you remember and share any childhood experiences of buying something special? Describe your feelings of having something of your very own that you bought and paid for with your own money? How protective were you? Would you let others use it? Or did you want it only for yourself?

2. What "purchase" has God made according to our text in Rev. 5:9 and I Cor. 6:20? What was the "price"? What are the implications of this for us? Who "owns" us?

3. The first implication of this is: Jesus Has All Rights to Us. Why is a bill of sale so important for merchandise? Why does a store staple your receipt on the bag? Receipts say that this customer has all rights to this merchandise because he has paid for it. Really, the Lord has a twofold right to us. What=s the first right in Gen.1:27? The above Scriptures give us the second way God has rights on us - He bought us!

4. From whom were we purchased? Who "owned" us previously? (John 8:44.) Why was the "purchase price" so expensive? (Rom. 6:20-22, II Cor. 5:21) Jesus gave Himself in our place. He gave His life for our life, bearing the curse of death, that we might have Life. He didn't just "post bail," he bought you and gave you your freedom. In John 20:25-27 how did Thomas come to recognize his "proof of purchase"? How did Thomas express his submission to his new "owner"? (John 20:28) What should be our response to His nail pierced hands? How should this affect our response during Holy Communion?

5. The second implication is: The Claim That He Makes Upon Us. Someone may have a right to something without exercising that right. They lay no claim to it. But, not so, with Jesus. What claim does He make upon us? (Rom. 6:1-14) From what has He delivered us? What is it that He wants from within us? (Rom. 10:9, 10; Mark 12:33) We must give up "our rights" and give Him our whole heart. We must give up our loyalty to sin.

6. We must also give up our loyalty to the world. (I John 2:15-17) How does the world lay claim to our lives? To be approved? Fear of other's displeasure? Good activities? Legal obligations: house/car payments, etc.? Are we free to obey or are we enslaved to the world's system? Our loyalty is now to Jesus, not the world! (Rom. 12:2)

7. We must also give up our loyalty to ourselves. (Rom. 2:8, Eph. 4:22-24, Col. 3:9) We are changed from self-seeking, to seeking the Savior. Why is self-seeking hostility toward God? Jesus asks that in all things His will, not ours, should be supreme.

8. The third implication of His purchasing us is: He Receives Us with Joy. Many feel unworthy to be received by Jesus. Have you ever bought something small and left it on the counter after paying for it? Feel embarrassed? Ha. Have you ever bought a new car and left it on the lot? I doubt it. God has paid a tremendous price for you, and gladly takes you with Him. As you receive Communion today, experience the joy that He feels in receiving you!