One Pearl of Great Price - Matt. 13:45
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.
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.
Text
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.
Sermon Outline
- I points: - '{''A'': ''Introduction to the Merchant Man'', ''B'': ''The significance of pearls in the parable'', ''C'': ''Understanding the value of souls''}' - The Merchant Man's Search
- II points: - '{''A'': ''The price paid by Christ'', ''B'': ''The significance of His sacrifice'', ''C'': ''The concept of being bought with a price''}' - The Cost of Redemption
- III points: - '{''A'': ''The Church as the Pearl'', ''B'': ''The role of Christ in the Church''s existence'', ''C'': ''The beauty and perfection of the Church''}' - The Formation of the Church
- IV points: - '{''A'': ''The promise of eternal security'', ''B'': ''Encouragement for believers'', ''C'': ''The hope of Christ''s return''}' - Assurance of Salvation
Key Quotes
“Yes, He gave His all and bought it; Who can estimate the price?” — Bernard Fell
“Vain is man's weak contribution, For the work is all Divine?” — Bernard Fell
“Do you lack complete assurance? Doubt not! you can ne'er be lost.” — Bernard Fell
Application Points
- Reflect on the value God places on your life and the lives of others.
- Embrace the assurance of your salvation and the security it brings.
- Live in gratitude for the sacrifice Christ made to redeem you.