Bought with a Price Series: Studies from
1 Corinthians 6:12–20 1 Corinthians
INTRODUCTION
What do you figure you’re worth? According to an estimate by scientists from the American Chemical Society, the total value of all the elements in an average adult body would be $25. But before you settle on such a nominal fee, be sure to read what else these chemists had to say. When you start combining the chemical properties of a human body to make complex bio–chemicals such as DNA, proteins, enzymes, and hormones, the market value increases to $6 million. The key for determining the value of a human body is in how you look at it. If you simply look at what is, rather than what could be, you’ll end up with a blue-light special. If you take the time to research all of the inherent potential, you end up with an astronomical price tag. With Christ, we all have exponential potential.
In our passage we see Paul dealing with those who were justifying their immorality. He continues to explain WHY they needed to live morally correct lives.
They had something precious. What they had was worth more than they knew. The one thing I want you to take from this lesson: We all possess something inherently valuable and therefore we need to act as if our lives depended upon it, because it does! MAIN BODY
I. What makes us so valuable? 1 Cor. 6:15
A. We are made in the image of God. Gen. 1:26
B. Your soul is valuable because of the cost it took to redeem it. 1 Cor. 6:20
C. A man’s worth is determined by association. 1 Cor. 6:17
D. While in New Orleans with friends, author Bern Keating was showing them the apartment he had once occupied in the French Quarter. On the front of the building was a plaque identifying it as the former home of William Faulkner. "Faulkner was a dear friend of mine," Keating told them, "and when I found I was going to live in New Orleans for a while, I did some research and found out he had lived here. I was able to move into the apartment." Keating said he then convinced the local historical society that the apartment was a former Faulkner residence and got the plaque installed. "When the landlady saw it," Keating said, "she doubled the rent and I had to move out."
E. As a Christian, you are identified with one who is far more valuable and important than any human. 1 Peter 1:18–19
II. Because of our Value we should live A New Life, A Pure Life 1 Cor. 6:18–19
A. We must live a pure life, glorifying God in the way we live.
B. There is a story of a young man who proposed marriage to a young woman. He gave her an expensive, beautiful diamond ring enclosed in an attractive blue velvet box. The following day after their engagement the young woman said, “How can I ever thank you enough for the beautiful blue velvet box? I love it and will always cherish it!” How do you think that young man felt? A crazy story? Yes, except that it sadly describes the care and attention that we give in this life to our body and physical well beings which is like the blue velvet box. We spend about 99% of our resources and time on something that will return to dust and we neglect the gift of the diamond inside, which is our living, eternal soul.
III. We are not our own, We belong to God 1 Cor. 6:20
A. We have been purchased by the blood of Christ.
B. Because we belong to God we should be devoted to God. 1 Cor 7:23
C. We have a choice in life and you will make that choice.
1. You will either choose to honor God or choose to honor the devil.
2. “I’d never choose to honor the devil.”
3. If you are not honoring God you have already made your choice.
D. We are either God’s or the Devil’s.
1. If Jesus had not died to purchase our salvation we could not be servants of God.
2. But Jesus did pay the price.
a. We must be devoted to him, keep his commands.
b. We must glorify him.
CONCLUSION
When we are tempted to sin let us think of the cross, where Jesus shed his blood for us to purchase our salvation. Remember His sufferings, remember His pain. I wonder how sin would look to us if we could stand beneath the cross and feel the warm blood of Jesus run out upon us! Would we sin there? Could we only see the price he paid and then devote body and soul to God as we stood beneath the cross of Jesus? Jesus Paid a great price! You were bought at a great price! You are Valuable! It is up to you whether or not you will take advantage of what Jesus has done for you.
