The final sermon in our love series is on LOVE CHURCH. The text comes from a section in Ephesians that is often referred to as a 'household table,' where there are instructions for how anyone within a household should live out their faith (cf. Col 3:18-4:1). Specifically, this section is addressed to husbands. The Apostle Paul calls upon husbands to love their wives as Christ loves the church. Consider this list of what Christ has done/is doing/will do for the church:
Christ has come into a one-fleshed union with believers, as husbands and wives are one flesh. (31-32)
What an amazing list! When we consider these things— some past, some present, and some hopeful future— we need to recognize that to be a believer is the bride of Christ. We are called into a covenant relationship with Him... are we fulfilling our vows to him in this marriage? Now let us not be confused— our relationship with Him is wholly based on his work. Yet we are called to respond to him as wives are called to respond to their husbands. Consider Ephesians 5:22-24:
Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.
To the world, these verses seem antiquated and out of step with modern life. Space doesn't allow for unpacking all of this (we will be studying Ephesians in the autumn, so it will come later), but the key idea here this: human marriage is a picture of the ultimate marriage between Christ and the church. We are called to faithfully respond to the work he has done for us at the cross. This analogy is used throughout Scripture to describe the relationship between the LORD and Israel (think: Hosea). The relationship between idolatry (read: anything put before God) and adultery is a well-established theme in the OT and is built upon here and in Revelation 19:1-10. Churches in Milwaukee have people who do faithfully serve week in and week out.
Ultimately, it is time to 'define the relationship' with the Christ and his church. Are you living out your walk with Christ in the context of the body? Are living as one joined to him as a member of his body? If not, what is the step forward for you? Is it committing to regular attendance? serving? membership? Help your group members to see the call given to believers as a response to Christ to love the church and help them to see a practical step forward to be better disciples. If you don't have a home at one of Milwaukee churches then find one. While it doesn't have to be epikos, do find one.
- Christ loved the church. (25)
- Christ gave himself up for her [church is a feminine noun in Greek]. (25)
- Christ hopes to sanctify her. (26)
- Christ cleansed her by the washing of the water with the word. (26)
- Christ hopes to present her to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle. (27)
- Christ hopes that she might be holy and without blemish. (27)
- Christ nourishes and cherishes the church. (29)
- Christ has made believers members of his body. (30)
Christ has come into a one-fleshed union with believers, as husbands and wives are one flesh. (31-32)
What an amazing list! When we consider these things— some past, some present, and some hopeful future— we need to recognize that to be a believer is the bride of Christ. We are called into a covenant relationship with Him... are we fulfilling our vows to him in this marriage? Now let us not be confused— our relationship with Him is wholly based on his work. Yet we are called to respond to him as wives are called to respond to their husbands. Consider Ephesians 5:22-24:
Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.
To the world, these verses seem antiquated and out of step with modern life. Space doesn't allow for unpacking all of this (we will be studying Ephesians in the autumn, so it will come later), but the key idea here this: human marriage is a picture of the ultimate marriage between Christ and the church. We are called to faithfully respond to the work he has done for us at the cross. This analogy is used throughout Scripture to describe the relationship between the LORD and Israel (think: Hosea). The relationship between idolatry (read: anything put before God) and adultery is a well-established theme in the OT and is built upon here and in Revelation 19:1-10. Churches in Milwaukee have people who do faithfully serve week in and week out.
Ultimately, it is time to 'define the relationship' with the Christ and his church. Are you living out your walk with Christ in the context of the body? Are living as one joined to him as a member of his body? If not, what is the step forward for you? Is it committing to regular attendance? serving? membership? Help your group members to see the call given to believers as a response to Christ to love the church and help them to see a practical step forward to be better disciples. If you don't have a home at one of Milwaukee churches then find one. While it doesn't have to be epikos, do find one.
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