Christ's Love: A Model for Sacrificial Marriage

 

Summary

In reflecting on the profound love of Christ for the church, we are reminded of the selfless sacrifice He made, not for His own benefit, but for the redemption and sanctification of His bride, the church. Christ's love was not deterred by the church's imperfections or sins; rather, He embraced the church in its most unworthy state, demonstrating a love that transcends human understanding. This love is the model for how husbands are called to love their wives, with a selflessness that mirrors Christ's devotion to the church.

The essence of this teaching is rooted in the doctrine of the atonement, which should not be relegated to mere conversion but should permeate every aspect of Christian life, including marriage. The atonement is not just about forgiveness and justification; it is the beginning of a transformative process that leads to sanctification. This process is not optional for believers; it is a divine act initiated by Christ, who continues to sanctify and cleanse the church, setting it apart for His own purpose and glory.

Sanctification is not a decision we make independently; it is a work that Christ performs in us. He has chosen us, set us apart, and continues to purify us, ensuring that we are prepared as a glorious church, without spot or wrinkle. This divine process underscores the inseparability of justification and sanctification, emphasizing that the Christian journey is one of continual growth and transformation.

As Christians, we are called to recognize our status as a chosen people, set apart for God's purposes. This realization should influence how we live, understanding that we are no longer of this world but are strangers and pilgrims, belonging to the kingdom of God. Our lives should reflect this sanctification, living in a way that honors the sacrifice Christ made for us.

Key Takeaways:

- Christ's love for the church is unconditional and sacrificial, serving as the ultimate model for how husbands should love their wives. This love is not based on the church's worthiness but on Christ's commitment to redeem and sanctify it. [21:51]

- The doctrine of the atonement is central to Christian life and should not be confined to the moment of conversion. It is the foundation for understanding marriage and other aspects of life, emphasizing the need for continual reflection on Christ's sacrifice. [25:13]

- Justification and sanctification are inseparable in the Christian journey. Christ's death was not only for forgiveness but also to initiate a process of sanctification, setting believers apart for His glory. [29:14]

- Sanctification is primarily a work of Christ, not a personal decision. He has chosen and set us apart, and He continues to purify us, ensuring that we are prepared as a glorious church. [33:06]

- As Christians, we are called to live as a chosen people, set apart for God's purposes. This identity should influence our actions and attitudes, recognizing that we are no longer of this world but belong to the kingdom of God. [41:15]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [21:03] - Christ's Selfless Sacrifice
- [21:51] - Love for the Church
- [22:26] - While We Were Sinners
- [23:36] - Husbands, Love Your Wives
- [24:36] - Love Never Fails
- [25:13] - Marriage and Atonement
- [26:58] - The Cross and Christian Life
- [28:07] - Sanctification Begins
- [29:30] - Justification and Sanctification
- [31:52] - Christ's Work in Us
- [33:06] - The Process of Sanctification
- [35:35] - God's Methods of Cleansing
- [37:05] - Meaning of Sanctification
- [41:15] - Called Out Ones

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Ephesians 5:25-27
2. Romans 5:6-10
3. Titus 2:14

---

Observation Questions:

1. According to Ephesians 5:25-27, how is Christ's love for the church described, and what purpose does it serve?
2. In Romans 5:6-10, what terms are used to describe the state of humanity when Christ died for us, and what does this reveal about His love? [22:42]
3. How does Titus 2:14 explain the purpose of Christ's sacrifice, and what does it say about the nature of the people He redeems?
4. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between justification and sanctification in the Christian journey? [29:30]

---

Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the concept of Christ's unconditional love for the church challenge common perceptions of love in human relationships, particularly in marriage? [23:36]
2. What implications does the inseparability of justification and sanctification have for a believer's daily life and spiritual growth? [29:30]
3. How does the sermon describe the role of Christ in the process of sanctification, and what does this mean for believers who might feel they are not progressing in their faith? [33:06]
4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that Christians are "set apart" for God's purposes, and how should this influence their interactions with the world? [41:15]

---

Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own marriage or close relationships. How can you model Christ's selfless love in these relationships, especially when faced with imperfections? [23:36]
2. The sermon emphasizes the ongoing nature of sanctification. What steps can you take to remain open to Christ's transformative work in your life? [33:06]
3. Consider how you view your identity as a Christian. In what ways can you live more intentionally as someone "set apart" for God's purposes? [41:15]
4. How can you ensure that the doctrine of the atonement remains central in your understanding of Christian life, rather than being confined to the moment of conversion? [25:13]
5. Identify an area in your life where you struggle to see yourself as a "chosen" person. How can you remind yourself of your identity in Christ in that area? [41:15]
6. Think about a recent situation where you felt challenged in your faith. How can the understanding of Christ's ongoing work in sanctification provide comfort and guidance in similar situations? [33:06]
7. How can you practically demonstrate that your citizenship is in heaven, as mentioned in Philippians 3:20, in your daily interactions and decisions? [44:13]

Devotional

Day 1: Christ's Unconditional Love as a Model for Marriage
Christ's love for the church is a profound example of unconditional and sacrificial love. He embraced the church despite its imperfections, demonstrating a love that transcends human understanding. This love serves as the ultimate model for how husbands should love their wives, not based on worthiness but on a commitment to redeem and sanctify. In marriage, this means loving selflessly, mirroring Christ's devotion to the church. [21:51]

Ephesians 5:25-27 (ESV): "Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish."

Reflection: In what ways can you demonstrate unconditional love to your spouse or loved ones today, reflecting Christ's love for the church?


Day 2: Atonement as the Foundation for Christian Life
The doctrine of the atonement is central to Christian life, extending beyond the moment of conversion. It is the foundation for understanding marriage and other aspects of life, emphasizing the need for continual reflection on Christ's sacrifice. The atonement is not just about forgiveness and justification; it initiates a transformative process leading to sanctification. This process should permeate every aspect of a believer's life, including relationships and daily decisions. [25:13]

Colossians 1:19-22 (ESV): "For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him."

Reflection: How can you incorporate the significance of Christ's atonement into your daily life and relationships today?


Day 3: The Inseparability of Justification and Sanctification
Justification and sanctification are inseparable in the Christian journey. Christ's death was not only for forgiveness but also to initiate a process of sanctification, setting believers apart for His glory. This divine process underscores the continual growth and transformation expected in a believer's life. Understanding this inseparability helps Christians recognize that their journey is not static but dynamic, requiring ongoing reflection and commitment to spiritual growth. [29:14]

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 (ESV): "Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it."

Reflection: What steps can you take today to actively participate in the process of sanctification in your life?


Day 4: Sanctification as Christ's Work in Us
Sanctification is primarily a work of Christ, not a personal decision. He has chosen and set us apart, and He continues to purify us, ensuring that we are prepared as a glorious church. This divine process emphasizes that believers are not alone in their spiritual journey; Christ is actively working within them to bring about transformation and holiness. Recognizing this truth can bring comfort and encouragement in times of struggle and doubt. [33:06]

Philippians 1:6 (ESV): "And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to trust Christ's ongoing work of sanctification today?


Day 5: Living as a Chosen People
As Christians, we are called to live as a chosen people, set apart for God's purposes. This identity should influence our actions and attitudes, recognizing that we are no longer of this world but belong to the kingdom of God. Understanding our status as a chosen people encourages us to live in a way that honors the sacrifice Christ made for us, reflecting His love and grace in our daily interactions and decisions. [41:15]

1 Peter 2:9-10 (ESV): "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy."

Reflection: How can you live out your identity as a chosen person of God in your community and relationships today?

Quotes


He didn't talk about his rights he didn't talk about his du he didn't say why should I suffer why must I be giving in why must I humble myself he didn't consider the cuss he didn't consider the shame he knew what was to be involved he knew that he'd be there buffeted by these Pharisees and scribes and Sadducees and doctors of the law common people juring at him throwing stones at him people spitting upon him he knew it was all to come he had done nothing to deserve it all well then why did he do it for the church his love for the church humbled himself made himself of no reputation he had but one thought that was the good of the church this body that was to become his bride is buying her is purchasing her thinks of nobody but her not himself but her let this mind be also in you husbands husbands love your wives even as Christ also loved the church and gave himself for it [00:21:51]

Our Lord did that for us for the church what while we were yet sinners while we were ungodly while we were enemies you remember Paul's argument in Romans 5 how he uses those very terms Due Time Christ died for the ungodly died for Sinners if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his son how much more being reconciled shall we be saved in his life but you notice the terms we were ungodly we were enemies we were Sinners we were vile there was nothing to recommend us at all you who feel you must read renes and conjure up Notions about Cinderella look at this look at the church in her vness in her rags in her sin in her enmity in all her ugliness the Son of God the prince of Glory loved her even like that when she was like that and to the extent of even giving himself for her dying for her [00:22:26]

Love Never faileth Love Goes On Loving in spite of certain things that is the love where with Christ has loved the church well now is there anything so wrong I ask once more as the separate Doctrine and practice but oh how guilty we all are of that how many of us have realized I wonder that we are to think of the marriage state in terms of the doctrine of the atonement is that your customary way of thinking of marriage husbands wives all of you is that how you instinctively think of marriage in terms of the doctrine of the atonement no no you you look at the books where do you find what the books have got to say about marriage section under ethics doesn't belong there no no you see you consider marriage in terms of the doctrine of the atonement [00:24:36]

You can't separate these things you don't dare relegate the doctrine of the atonement simply to your conversion that's why so many Christian people don't attend an evening service oh they say that's going to be about the cross that's going to be about forgiveness that's the beginning of the Christian life I've been a Christian for years now of course that's got nothing to say to me foolish Christian have you got tired of hearing about the cross do you know so much about it and do you know about it so exhaustively that it can't any longer move you oh you say I want the hire teaching now I want of course the detail teaching as to how I to live this Sanctified life my friend you'll never live the sanctified life unless you are always there by that cross and it's governing the whole of your life and influencing the whole of your outlook and your every activity [00:25:13]

Forgiveness and deliverance from condemnation and from hell are never an end in and of themselves and must never be considered to be such they are but a means to a further end you cannot stop at forgiveness and justification now let us look at what the Apostle teaches us here about this great doctrine of sanctification and here is the first principle that there is nothing which is so utterly unscriptural as to separate justification and sanctification there are many people who do that you know they say you can believe on the Lord Jesus Christ as your savior your sins will be forgiven and you'll be justified and you can stop at that if you like this of course you shouldn't do it you should go on to the second step but you can there are many Christians they say stop at net they've believed on Christ un salvation and they're Justified and they forgiven their Christians all right but of course they they haven't taken up sanctification [00:29:14]

The death of Christ is not merely meant to for bring us forgiveness and to justify us and to make us righteous in the sight of God he gave himself for it that in order that it's only the first move in a series it isn't a last move in any sense and you can never stop there now the Apostle not only says that here but he says it in many other places I had occasion to quote these same verses only last Friday night in studying the epistle to the Romans it's the same point exactly listen to the way the Apostle puts it in Titus 2:14 he gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify unto himself for peculiar people zealous of Good Works same thing again that's why he gave himself for us not merely that we might be forgiven not merely to save us from hell no but to purify and separate unto himself this peculiar people who are zealous of Good Works [00:31:52]

He gave himself for the church why that he might sanctify and cleanse the church he's going to do it you see the whole trouble is that we will regard sanctification as something that we decide to go in for that's never taught in the scripture anywhere at all the teaching of the scripture is this he has set his heart and his affection upon the church there she is under condemnation in her sin and in her rags and in her vness very well he came the Incarnation at happen he took on him the likeness of sinful flesh he took her sins upon him and he bore them in his own body on the tree he's taken the punishment he's died he's made atonement he's reconciled to God he's delivered from condemnation but that doesn't make her his bride he can't marry her like that no no he wants her to be a glorious church he wants to presenter to himself a glorious Church Without spot or wrinkle or any such thing so he immediately proceeds to prep prep for that he cannot stop at the first he now goes on to sanctify [00:33:06]

If you're a Christian you have no choice at all it is something he does he died for you and then having died for you he's going to wash you sanctify you cleanse you and he'll do it let there be no mistake about this if he has died for you he will go on with the process of sanctification he will get you perfect you know Christian people there's something alarming about this but it's essential Biblical teaching if you and I don't submit voluntarily to this teaching he has another way of cleansing us and he'll use it whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth and scourgeth every son whom he cth he will not allow you to remain where you were in your filth and vness saying I'm all right Christ has died for me I'm forgiven I'm a Christian no no he won't have it he's loved you here are for him and he'll make you clean if you won't come positively and voluntarily and in the right way he'll put you into that gymnasium of which we read in Hebrews 12 he'll get rid of the Hors he'll get rid of the filth and the vness he'll wash you [00:35:35]

Sanctification is primarily and essentially something that the Lord Jesus Christ does to us he's got his way of doing it and that includes of course obedience and our part but you mustn't put your emphasis there the decision for sanctification is not ours that's his that was taken before the foundation of the world in eternity but it is his act it is his operation and having died for you he will will do it resist him at your peril but he will bring every son who has being called unto that final and everlasting Glory well now there is the great principle at the bottom of all this I want to say one further thing only this morning how does he do this and we can look only now for a brief moment at the word sanctify even as Christ also loved the church and gave himself for it that he might sanctify what does this mean well now this word sanctify is used in many different ways in the Bible but it's primary meaning is this one it means to set apart for God and for his peculiar possession and for his use [00:37:05]

The Lord Of Glory the Eternal Son of God has set us apart he's isolated us for himself we are the people for his peculiar possession let me read you again that great ninth verse of that second chapter of the first Epistle of Peter which we read at the beginning do you know what the truth is about you this morning my friend listen to this here we are all together you are a chosen generation a royal priesthood a kingdom of priests an holy nation set apart we are not perfect and sinners no but we a holy nation in the sense that we're a group a nation of people set apart yes and he goes further they're peculiar people a people for his own personal and peculiar position that we should show forth the Praises of him who has called us out of Darkness Into His Marvelous Light That is what Christ has done for the church he's called us out it's the meaning of the word Ecclesia the called out ones we are called out to the world put together here to form this body this Bride for Christ [00:41:15]

He gave himself for her that in order that he might put her on one side for himself his own peculiar possession oh the privilege of being a Christian of belonging to this company for whom Christ died and who he is preparing for himself set apart from the world for the glory which we are to enjoy with him and husbands love your wives like that [00:44:32]

Chatbot

  • I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from May 24, 2017. Do you have any questions about it?

Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?