The Witnesses Of Salvation

Temple Baptist Church - 4-29-2018

Romans 8:14-17

Introduction:

A.  Last week, I dealt with the obligation of the child of God.  An obligation to God in service and to the world in witness.  It is important that we realize that the witness that we give to others is an inward witness that we possess.

B.  Our inner witness, which every child of God possesses, is important for a couple of reasons. 

1.  To the child of God, our inner witness gives us blessed assurance.  God wants His children to know that they are saved. 

1 John 5:13  These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

2.  To the unsaved, our inner witness shows them the reality of salvation!

Acts 4:13  Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

C.  Tonight, I want to look at five witnesses of salvation.

1.  The Witness of Confession - Romans 10:9-13  That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  (10)  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.  (11)  For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.  (12)  For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.  (13)  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.  (The old song says, “I can tell you about a time and I can take you to a place where the Lord saved me by His marvelous grace.”  I have never been ashamed of my Lord.)

Matthew 10:32  Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.

2.  The Witness of Communion -  2 Corinthians 13:14  The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.

1 John 3:23-24  And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.  (24)  And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.

1 Kings 19:12  And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.  (The child of God has a still small voice that only he or she can hear.)

3.  The Witness of Comfort - John 16:7  Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

John 14:16-17  And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;  (17)  Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-14  But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.  (14)  For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4  Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;  (4)  Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

4.  The Witness of Change - Romans 6:3-4  Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?  (4)  Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

2 Corinthians 5:17  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Ephesians 2:10  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

1 John 3:24  And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.

5.  The Witness of Comprehension - John 14:26  But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

1 John 2:27  But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

1 Corinthians 2:13-14  Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.  (14)  But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Holding The High Ground

Temple Baptist Church - 4-29-2018

1 Samuel 17:1-11

A.  We all know well the story of David and Goliath.  I want to make a practical application from these few verses this morning as I continue to preach on the subject of “The Local Church.”

B.  We know the story of David killing the Goliath after exclaiming, “Is there not a cause.”  Many sermons have been preached on that subject, but I want to give an application to an important strategy of war. 

C.  The armies of both the Philistines and Israel were afraid of coming down into the Valley of Elah and, for 40 days, had maintained the high ground that was found on either side.

1 Samuel 17:3  And the Philistines stood on a mountain on the one side, and Israel stood on a mountain on the other side: and there was a valley between them.

1 Samuel 17:16  And the Philistine drew near morning and evening, and presented himself forty days.

D.  Let me give you some quick typology before I get into the message too deeply.

1.  The army of the Philistines is a type of the world.  They hold their ground but challenge us to come down to the valley and fight their giant.

2.  The army of Israel a type of the people of God.  As long as they hold the high ground, the enemy cannot defeat them.

3.  The valley is a type of Compromise.  Notice that they are not challenged to come down for they will never give up their high ground.

4.  The giant a type of Satan.  He is not of the children of God, he is the giant of this world!

5.  The 40 days is a type of testing.  The giant of the valley of compromise never gives up!

6.  The challenging is a type of war.  Give me a man to fight!  If one of us goes down to fight the giant and loses the battle (and he will), then we all become servants of the world.

E.  Now for an example of what I am preaching about.  July 1-3, 1863 was the Battle of Gettysburg. 

1.  The battle took place in Pennsylvania as the Confederate general, Robert E. Lee, let the Army of Northern Virginia against the Union Army of the Potomac, led by General George G. Meade.  This battle was the turning point of the Civil War as both sides had fought to a virtual stalemate. 

2.  General Robert E. Lee led his army into the heart of the Union north in an attempt to break the Union’s back and bring the Civil War to an end.  The result of the battle was app. 46,000-51,000 dead and the Civil War lost. 

3.  The key to the battle was that the Union army held the high ground and General Lee chose to fight there instead of retreat until another day.  Though the Civil War would go on for another 2 years, the war was lost at Gettysburg.

4.  General Robert E. Lee was a brilliant general and well versed in the art of war but, for what ever reason, chose to violate an imperative strategy of war:  always hold the high ground.

F.  In our story, we find both opposing armies holding their “high ground,” while a giant walked in the valley that lay between.  In verse 10, the giant cried, “Give me a man!” Goliath was prepared to both fight and die in the valley. 

G.  We, as independent Bible believing Baptists, have been often maligned as being legalistic and cultic because we have tried to maintain the “high ground” through the years.  This is rapidly changing as many independent Baptist churches have given in to the pressure of compromise.  They have chosen numbers and worldliness over worship in the beauty of holiness.

H.  I have been referred to by some as being to “straight laced,”  too “old fashioned!” One man, as he was leaving our church for the last time said that he was “tired of the Independent Baptist mentality.”  I am not mad at these people.  I feel sorry for them because they have missed the point and do not understand why your pastor holds the church and pulpit to such high standards.

I.  Last week, we established that Christ is the Head of the Church and the Church belongs to Him.  2 Timothy 3:15 refers to the local church as the “House of God, which is the church of the living God.”

J.  The greatest danger of the church is not that we will suddenly leave our “high ground” for the “high ground” of the world.  The greatest danger is that our church will slowly descend into the valley of compromise where we will find a “giant” who is willing to fight and die.  That our church will take that first step towards compromise.

K.  When a local church begins down the road of compromise, it enters the valley where there is a “worldly giant” who is willing to fight and die for what he believes.  The question must be asked, “Are we?”  How do we maintain the “high ground?”

L.  Though there are many, I want to look at four “giants” that we will face if we begin our descent into the “valley of compromise.”

1.  There is a “giant of confusion” that awaits us in the “valley of compromise.”  We MUST continue to honor the Word of God as the Final Authority for both faith and practice. The high ground” of the Biblical Singularity.  We are all together on this subject but to slip is to eventually face a giant that we cannot defeat!  Look at all the churches and schools who “gave an inch” to the new satanic versions.  Once in the valley, there is no turning back.  Biblical incorrectness is virtually uncorrectable.

2.  There is a “giant of ecumenism” that awaits us in the valley of compromise.  We MUST continue to walk in the “good way” of the Old Paths of purity and surety. We must “hold the high ground” of doctrinal purity.  We are who we are, Biblicists!  We are independent Baptist in name, but the Bible is our standard.  Just this week I was invited to a revival in town at another “Baptist” church.  The person who invited me said that they missed the old days when Baptist, Methodists, Presbyterian, Pentecostal, Catholic and other denominations came together for worship.  Ecumenism is virtually uncorrectable.

3.  There is a “giant of liberalism” that awaits us in the “valley of compromise.”  We MUST suffer the Word of Exhortation.  Allowing the preaching to have free course. I try to come to this pulpit with something that will help you and me.  I do my best to protect this pulpit by preemptively question each preacher that stands here.  Men who stand here must be men of God and God never called a man to preach doctrinal error!  Men who help me to live a more consistent life for Christ.  As goes the pulpit, so goes the church.

2 Timothy 4:1-2  I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;  (2)  Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

2 Thessalonians 3:1  Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:

4.  There is a “giant of worldliness” that awaits us in the valley of compromise.”  We MUST give God the benefit of every doubt.  Abstaining from all appearance of evil in every aspect of our worship.  Maintaining holiness in our worship; maintaining integrity in our music; maintaining purity in our membership; maintaining love and forgiveness in our fellowship.  Twice in the Book of Judges the Scripture says, “In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.”  Everyone’s standards of music and dress are a little different so there must be a common standard that protects the convictions of everyone. 

1 Thessalonians 5:22  Abstain from all appearance of evil.  (All and always!)

Lot - Who, How, And Why

Temple Baptist Church - 4-25-2018

2 Peter 2:6-8

Introduction: 

A.  In our text for tonight, we find the ultimate deliverance of God’s people in the midst of false teachings, falling away, and ungodliness in this present, evil world.

B.  The grace of God is both evident and marvelous in light of history.

1.  God delivered Adam and Eve from presumptuous sin in the Garden of Eden by shedding the blood of an animal to make atonement for their sinfulness.  Then, God gave Genesis 3:15, the promised Seed of the Woman, for eternal remission of the sins of those who believe upon Christ.

2.  God delivered Noah and his family from the destruction of the flood through obedience to God’s commandment to build an Ark.  Noah’s family was kept safe through the promise of God and was given the promise that God would never destroy the Earth by water again.

3.  God delivered Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked because of his imputed righteousness through faith.

C.  I have always marveled at this passage because of the compromise and sinfulness found in Lot.

1.  The Book of 2 Peter deals with the problems associated with the end-times and the second coming of Christ.  The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah are a type of the impending doom of those who have rejected the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

2.  Lot is a type of the end-time church with its association and consequent defilement just prior to the Rapture.  These Old Testament examples are written for our admonition and need to be scrutinized in light of the times in which we live. 

2.  The last mention of Lot finds him living in a cave, getting drunk, committing incest with his two daughters, with no mention of him ever getting right with the Lord.  Lost his salvation?  There is not place in Scripture where a saved man was ever lost again. 

D.  Let’s look at the marvelous grace of God manifested in an Old Testament saint.

1.  Who Was Lot?

a.  Lot was a man of great heritage - Genesis 12:4   So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran.

b.  Lot was a man of great wealth - Genesis 13:5   And Lot also, which went with Abram, had flocks, and herds, and tents.

c.  Lot was a man of great rebellion - Genesis 13:8, 10-11  Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren.  And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar.  Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other. 

d.  Lot was a man of great compromise - Genesis 13:12-13  Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom.  But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly.

e.  Lot was a man of great salvation - 2 Peter 2:7-9   And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:   (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with [their] unlawful deeds;)  The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:

1)  He was declared Just in verse 7 - a judicial term meaning “just as if he had never sinned”

2)  He was declared Righteous in verse 8 – imputation of Christ’s righteousness

3)  He was declared Godly in verse 9 – meaning pious or devout(like it or not, Lot was eternally saved!)

2.  How Was Lot Defiled?

a.  He dwelt – 2 Corinthians 6:17  Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

2 Corinthians 7:1   Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Psalms 1:1   Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

b.  He saw – Psalms 101:3  I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.

                        1 Thessalonians 5:22  Abstain from all appearance of evil.

c.  He listened – Colossians 2:8  Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

d.  He vexed (to oppress) - 2 Peter 1:9  But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.

            e.  He continued – “day to day”

3.  Why Was Lot Delivered?

            a.  Because of God’s eternal promise.

John 5:24  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

John 10:28  And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

1 Thessalonians 5:9  For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

            b.  Because of God’s eternal love.

Ephesians 2:4   But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

Jeremiah 31:3  The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.

Brethren, We Have An Obligation

Temple Baptist Church - 4-22-2018

Romans 8:12-14

Introduction:

A.  Along with our great salvation comes a great responsibility.  Over the past few weeks, we have been studying our relationship to God.  As children of God, we have obligations.  With so many professing Christians, salvation is something that does not affect their daily lives. 

Matthew 15:8  This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.

B.  Christ is our life!

Colossians 3:3-4  For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.  (4)  When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.  (We not only have life in Christ, He is our life!)

b.  We have an obligation to the Lord:

1.  To walk worthy of the Lord.  Colossians 1:9-10  For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;  (10)  That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

2.  We have an obligation to Serve.  Romans 6:22  But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.

C.  We have an obligation to the Lost.  Matthew 10:8  Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. (God has been gracious to save us and we need to be gracious to the unsaved.)

1.  We are obligated to the Masses.  Matthew 9:37-38  Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;  (38)  Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.

2.  We are obligated to the Message - Romans 10:14-15   How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?  And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

1.  We have an obligation to See.  John 4:35  Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.

a.  An Imperative Look – “Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest”

b.  A Compassionate Look – “for they are white already to harvest”

c.  An Urgent Look – “white already”

2.  We have an obligation to Shine – Matthew 5:13-16 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.  Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.  Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

a.  A Solitary Light – “ye are the light of the world”

b.  A Guiding Light – “see your good works”

c.  A Glorifying Light – “glorify your Father”

3.  We have an obligation to Share.  Romans 1:14-18  I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.  So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.  For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.  For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.  For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

Ezekiel 33:8-9  When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.  Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.

The Church Belongs To Christ

Temple Baptist Church - 4-22-2018

Matthew 16:13-23

Introduction: 

A.  What is the Local Church? 

1.  The local church is the body of Christ corporately gathered.  It is a called-out assembly of saints.  It is neither a building nor is it a denomination.  I am a Baptist without apology, but I am a Biblicists first! 

2.  The Bible is the final authority for faith and practice.  There are many so-called Baptist churches that have radically changed and should remove the name Baptist from their names.  I am an independent Baptist as the Bible teaches. 

B.  The local church is to be autonomous (independent and self governing) in nature and indigenous (home grown) in nature.  Not only self-governed but also self-sufficient.

C.  The Local Church building is one that is consecrated to the worship of God.  It is where God’s people assemble, united under one form of ecclesiastical government, in one creed.  It is God’s instrument on Earth that carries out the work of the Great Commission.

D.  The Local Church needs to be respected.  There are those who say that the local church is just a building made of earthly materials, but we need to be often reminded that it is the House of the Lord and should be respected it as such.  When I go to your homes, I respect them because it is your home!  When I come to Temple Baptist Church, I respect it and obey the rules of the Bible because it is God’s House.

E.  The meaning of “church” in our text is the Body of Christ, also called the Family of God and the Bride of Christ.  The foundation of Christ’s church is the statement “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 

F.  We build the local church, but salvation is the work of God and He builds His Church.  With this thought in mind, let us look at the Church that Christ owns.

1. The Church is built upon Christ. “Upon this rock”

a.  Jesus Christ is the Rock upon which the Church Stands. 

Matthew 16:18  And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.  (We are but pebbles, but Christ is The Petros, the mighty Rock!)

Acts 4:10-12  Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel,that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.  (11)  This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.  (12)  Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

b.  Jesus Christ is the Foundation of the Church.  The Church is built upon Christ: the Deity, the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.  The Gospel of Christ! 

1 Corinthians 3:11  For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 

c.  Jesus Christ is the Chief Corner Stone of the Church.  He bears the weight of the Church. 

1 Peter 2:6-8  Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.  Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,  And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. 

2. The Church is built by Christ.  "I will build" It is Christ who saves us.

a.  It is Christ Jesus who works in the hearts of men. 

Ephesians 2:8-10  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  Not of works, lest any man should boast.  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. 

b.  It is Christ Jesus who saves sinners. 

1 Corinthians 3:5-9  Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?  I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.  So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.  Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.  For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. 

c.  It is Christ Jesus who adds to the Church. 

Acts 2:6-7  And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,  Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. 

Psalms 127:1  Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it:

  3. The Church belongs to Christ.  "I will build my church"

a.  Christ Jesus is the Head of the Church. 

Ephesians 1:22  And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 

b.  Christ Jesus is the Saviour of the Church.

Ephesians 5:23  For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. 

c.  Christ Jesus is the Sustainer of the Church.

Colossians 1:17-18  And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. (Consist: to abide, to continue, to hold up.)

4.  The Church is loved by Christ.  “my church”

a.  Christ Jesus’ union with the Church.

Ephesians 5:25  Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 

b.  Christ Jesus’ sacrifice for the Church.

1 Peter 1:18-19  Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;  But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 

c.  Christ Jesus’ love for the Church.

Revelation 1:5  And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth.Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, 

John 15:12-13  This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.  (13)  Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

5.  The Church is protected by Christ.  "the gates of hell shall not prevail against it"

a.  Christ Jesus will present to Himself a glorious Church.

Ephesians 5:25-27  Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;  That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,  That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

b.  Christ Jesus protects the purity of the Church and will present us faultless.

Jude 24  Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, 

6.  The Church is the used by Christ.  "And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven..."

a.  Christ Jesus has empowered the Church.

Matthew 28:18  And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 

b.  Christ Jesus has commissioned the Church.

Matthew 28:19-20  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.