======================================================================== ONE PEARL OF GREAT PRICE - MATT. 13:45 by Bernard Fell ======================================================================== Summary: The sermon emphasizes the immense value of the Church as the Pearl of Great Price, acquired through Christ's sacrificial love and offering assurance of salvation to believers. Topics: "Christ's Love", "Redemption Through Sacrifice" Scripture References: Ephesians 5:25 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ DESCRIPTION ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Bernard Fell preaches about Jesus as the gracious and loving Merchant Man who seeks goodly pearls, representing His people as precious jewels in His sight. He highlights how Jesus values even the most unworthy sinners, seeing them as shining gems to be redeemed and gathered into His glorious Church. The sermon emphasizes the sacrificial love of Christ at Calvary, where He gave His all to acquire His treasure, the Church, through His blood of sacrifice. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ CONTENT ------------------------------------------------------------------------ A merchant man, seeking goodly pearls. Matthew 13:45 O, my soul, behold the Saviour, Gracious, loving Merchant Man, Stooping down from highest glory Working out redemption's plan. Ever in His Father's business Seeking jewels, goodly pearls, For His own peculiar treasure, Men and women, boys and girls. Though by nature worthless sinners, Costly pearls He valued them; E'en in one confessed the chiefest He perceived a shining gem! Now His saints, clothed in His beauty, Constitute His glorious Church, One great Pearl, redeemed and gathered From all nations of the earth See! the Merchant Man at Calv'ry Sinking deep in weeds and mire, 'Neath God's waves and raging billows, This bright treasure to acquire. Yes, He gave His all and bought it; Who can estimate the price? When He sealed the great transaction With His blood of sacrifice. Fashioned as no other jewel, Product of a living one; So the Church owes her existence To the anguish of the Son. Cruelly pierced by our transgressions, When He took the sinner's place; Then He wrapped His glory round her, Wondrous process of His grace! As the pearl in shining lustre Needs no lapidary's hand, So the Church in her formation, In His perfectness doth stand. Bought and prized by Him forever In His diadem to shine; Vain is man's weak contribution, For the work is all Divine? Do you lack complete assurance? Doubt not! you can ne'er be lost: He will safely guard His people Bought at such tremendous cost. Look with joy to His returning When His glory you shall share. In that Pearl, caught up to heav'n, All His children will be there. ======================================================================== Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/bernard-fell/one-pearl-of-great-price-matt-1345/ ========================================================================