THE BLOOD BOUGHT CHURCH

Text: Acts 20:28

Introduction:  Paul was talking to the elders of the 
church at Ephesus in the city of Miletus on his third 
missionary journey when he stated that the church was 
purchased with the blood of Jesus (which he shed in 
His death).  Today, let us study this blood-bought 
church.

Body:

  I. The church was purchased with blood.			
     A. The meaning of the word “church” according 
        to Vine’s.
        1. It is translated from the Greek word 
           EKKLESIA (ekklhsia): from EK (ek) - “out 
           of” and KLESIS (klhsis) – a calling.
        2. There are two applications to the 
           church:
           a. To the whole company of the redeemed 
              throughout the present age.
           b. To a company consisting of professed 
              believers.
        3. We see that the word “church” refers to 
           people who are believers in Christ and 
           does not mean a “building”.
     B. These believers are brought with a price. 
        (1 Corinthians 6:20).
        1. The price is the blood of Christ.
        2. Nothing else could have done this.
           a. No price that the sinner could have 
              paid.
           b. If Christ had not paid the price, we 
              would be forever the slaves of sin.
        3. Since we have been purchased, ransomed, 
           redeemed, we are bound to devote 
           ourselves to God only, and to keep His 
           commands.
        4. What are just a few things we are to do?
           a. Present our bodies as a living 
              sacrifice. Rom. 12:1.
              1) One of the things that this 
                 involves is time.
                 a) Time to attend the worship 
                    services (Heb. 10:24-25; James 
                    4:17).
                 b) Time to study (2 Tim. 2:15).
                 c) Time to “visit” those in need 
                    (James 1:27; Mt. 25:31-46; 
                    Romans 12:13).
                 d) Time to teach our fellow man 
                    (Win souls for Christ) 
                    1) Matthew 28:19-20
                    2) Just not preachers job (it 
                       is every Christian’s job).
           b. Parents are to bring their children 
              up in the nurture and admonition of 
              the Lord.  Eph. 6:1.
           c. Children are to obey their parents. 
              Eph. 6:1
           d. Christians are to obey the 
              government. Rom. 13:1-2 (This 
              includes the speed limits).

 II. The church is sanctified and cleansed.  Eph. 
     5:23-27.
     A. “Washing of water” – this is baptism
     B. “By the word”
        1. It is the teaching of the word.
        2. The gospel is the seed, the instrument 
           of conversion.
     C. An example: The Church at Corinth:
        1. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11. How were they 
           washed?
        2. Acts 18:8 shows that they were baptized 
           just like Paul in Acts 22:16.

III. The church is the body of Christ.  Eph. 1:22-
     23.
     A. One body.  Eph. 4:4. (Can there be division 
        in that one body?)
     B. Jesus prayed of oneness. John 17:20-21. 
        (How can there be unity in the body with 
        all of the division in the religious 
        world?)
     C. The example of the human body. (We would 
        say that there is something wrong with a 
        human body if one foot wanting to go to the 
        right, the other wanting to go to the 
        left.)

 IV. Baptized into the body. 1 Corinthians 12:13.	   
     A. An example: Acts 2:38.
     B. Romans 6:3.
     C. Galatians 3:27.

Conclusion: Are you a member of this blood bought church?