"GIVE ME MY PRICE"

ZECHARIAH 11:1

A. UNUSUAL REQUEST: "GIVE ME MY PRICE"
  1. Christ is speaking:
  2. He speaks to professed Christians:
  3. That means that He wants us to put a price on His person, His service, and His sacrifice:
  4. Ancient Israel, when they consecrated a gift to the Lord, had to place a price on:
    1. Men and women, young and old.
    2. Beasts too - Lev. 27:1-6
B. "GIVE ME MY PRICE"
  1. How can poor, sinful, finite beings evaluate the Majesty of heaven?
    1. Judas did - Matt. 26:15
    2. Mary Magdalene did - Luke 7:38-40
  2. When we place a price upon the Lord Jesus Christ:
    1. When our faith in Him requires a special sacrifice - EXAMPLES -
      1. Abraham offered Isaac - Gen. 22:1-12
      2. The poor widow placed all her living on the altar - Mark 12:41-44
      3. The rich young ruler refused - Matt. 19:16-22
    2. In the hour of temptation - EXAMPLES -
      1. Joseph paid a price for purity - Gen. 39:7-12
      2. Daniel, too, paid a price for standing up for principles - Dan. 1:8; 6:10-17
    3. When we are asked to give up the world and its sinful pleasures - Matt. 10:32-39 EXAMPLES -
      1. The disciples - Mark 10:28-30
      2. The New Converts at Ephesus - Acts 19:18, 19
  3. How much are we willing to endure for the Lord Jesus?
    1. Are we minded as Paul was? Acts 21:13
    2. Peter was crucified with his head downward.
    3. Think of the martyrs of Christ in all ages; how they joyfully endured cruel tortures for Christ's sake - Heb. 11:36-40
    4. It is under severe trials that we place a price upon the Lord Jesus; we either pay the price or we refuse, as many do.
C. HOW MUCH DOEST THOU OWE THY LORD? BY FINDING THE RIGHT ANSWER TO THIS QUESTION, WE HAVE A GOOD UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT VALUE TO PUT UPON THE LORD
  1. We evaluate our Lord by what He did for us:
    1. He became poor to make us rich - 2 Cor. 8:9; Phil. 2:6-11
    2. How poor was He? Matt. 8:20; Luke 9:58
    3. He bore our sins in His own body - 1 Pet. 2:24
    4. He became curse to redeem us from the curse - Gal. 3:13
    5. He died for us that we may live - 1 Cor. 15:3; Gal. 2:20
  2. We show that it means to us by what He is doing for us:
    1. He is our advocate, our mediator before God; pleads our case before the Father - 1 John 2:1-3; 1 Tim. 2:5; Heb. 7:25
    2. He is preparing mansions for us, whatever that means! John 14:1-3
  3. In placing a price upon the Lord Jesus, we must keep in mind a number of facts:
    1. The value that Heaven has placed upon Him!
    2. What He actually means to us - EXAMPLES -
      1. What will I do with my sins without Him?
      2. What shall I do with sorrow when it strikes?
      3. What does the future hold for me without Christ?
  4. The least I can do to show how much I value my Lord and Saviour:
    1. I can give my unworthy, sinful self to Him!
    2. I can acknowledge Him in all my ways.
    3. I can witness for Him in word, thought and deeds.
    4. I can commune with Him day by day, and enjoy His fellowship.
    5. I can, by His Spirit, obey His will.
    6. Finally, I can live to His wonderful praise the remainder of my life!


Design © John Bryant 2011