I.They are founded on Christ (Mat_16:18; 1Co_1:2).
II. They are built by Christ (Eph_4:16).
III. They are the body of Christ (Eph_1:23; Eph_4:12).
IV. They are redeemed through Christ (Act_20:28; Eph_5:25).
V. They are consecrated to Christ (Eph_5:26).
VI. They will be glorified in Christ (Eph_5:27). We arereminded of the beautiful symbol of the prophet, as he saw in the Messianic age flecks of doves, varied it may be in their plumage, speeding with fleet wings to the windows of the true ark, safe in Christ “from the windy storm and tempest” (Isa_9:8); or the still more apposite figure employed by the Redeemer Himself when not only does He speak of the individual members of His flock, calling His own separate sheep by name, and one by one leading them out; but also refers to them in the aggregate. They constitute, though with divers folds and many under-shepherds, one great flock--reposing in green pastures, and by “the waters of comfort” under Himself, the chief Shepherd and Bishop of souls. (J. R. Macduff, D. D.)
