THE CHURCH’S GREATEST ASSETS
As important as land, location, bricks and mortar are, their value pales in comparison with the eternal assets that really constitute the body of Christ. The church’s greatest assets are to be found in the spiritual realm and not in the material realm. They are God-given and not man made. Consider these glorious assets that are included in the eternal heritage of the church of our Lord Jesus Christ.
I. A BLOOD-BOUGHT REDEMPTION!
"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." Acts 20:28.
The church is beholden to no man, government, or ecclesiastical authority for we have been "bought with a price" [I Corinthians 6:20].
II. A SURE FOUNDATION!
"…the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone." Ephesians 2:19b-20.
"For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ." 1 Corinthians 3:11.
Samuel J. Stone majestically expressed this thought in the hymn he wrote “The Church’s One Foundation”. Karen Silvis writes in her series Stories of The Hymns: “In 1866, an influential and liberal Anglican bishop wrote a book which attacked the historic accuracy of the Pentateuch. This caused a widespread controversy throughout the Anglican church. A pastor ministering to the poor of London at the time was deeply disturbed by the debate. He wrote a collection of twelve creedal hymns which were based on the Apostle’s Creed. His purpose was to instruct his people in the truth and to combat the liberal attacks on the Bible. The author of these hymns was Samuel J. Stone and Stone knew that the foundation of the church must be the Lordship of Christ and not the views of the people.
"It was from this cauldron of doctrinal dispute and crisis over a century ago that one of the great hymns of our faith came into being. Stone’s faith in the inspiration of Scripture, his refusal to compromise before the Higher Criticism of his day, and his conviction of the Lordship of Christ has given us this stately hymn.”
The first verse defines his primary thesis. “The church’s one foundation is Jesus Christ her Lord; she is His new creation by water and the Word. From heaven He came and sought her to be His holy bride; with His own blood He bought her, and for her life He died.”
III. A PERFECT WORKMANSHIP
"And I say unto thee, thou art Peter [Petros], and upon this rock [petra] I will build My church; and the gates of hell [Hades] shall not prevail against it." Matthew 16:18.
"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." Ephesians 2:10.
IV. A MATCHLESS COMPANY!
"To the church of God…to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints." I Corinthians 1:2.
"God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord." I Corinthians 1:9.
V. AN ALL-INCLUSIVE INVITATION!
"And the Spirit and the bride say, ’Come!’ And let him who hears say, ’Come!’ And let him who thirsts come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." Revelation 22:17.
“The Lord is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9
