Untitled Sermon (4)

CHRIST AND THE CHURCH

EPHESIANS 5:21–33

The union brought about by a truly Christian marriage is here used by the apostle as a metaphor of that spiritual union between Christ and His Church. Let us examine—

I. The Relationship of Christ to the Church.

1. It is that of A LOVER. “Christ loved the Church” (v. 25). When did this love begin? He loved it before it was born, as the promised gift of the Father. His love is an abiding benediction, a love that passeth knowledge (chap. 3:19).

2. It is that of A REDEEMER. “He gave Himself for it” (v. 25). Like a true lover, He gives Himself first. He has bought the Church for Himself by the ransom of His own precious Blood (Eph. 1:7). “Ye are not your own.”

3. It is that of A HUSBAND. “The husband is head of the wife, even as Christ is the Head of the Church” (v. 23). The Head is the seat of authority. With the Head also rests the responsibility of supplying the needs of the wife—the Church. Why, then, for the work of the Head, do we constantly appeal to the wife for the means to carry on? If we are doing the Lord’s work we ought to do it in the Lord’s way, by trusting Him who is “able to supply all our need” (Phil. 4:19).

4. It is that of A SANCTIFIER. “That He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing by His Word” (v. 26). He sanctifies, or separates, her for Himself. He found her in rags and wretchedness, but He looked on her in love and spread His skirts of mercy over her. He washed and clothed her with broidered work. He anointed her and decked her with ornaments and jewels, and made her perfect with the comeliness He put upon her (Ezek. 16:5–14). It is all His doing. Praise His Name.

5. It is that of A SATISFIER. “He nourisheth and cherisheth it” (v. 29). No mother was ever more careful over her child than the Lord is over His Church. He nourisheth her with the milk of His Word, and fondles her in the arms of His love (John 17:14, 15). He satisfies with good things by His comforting Spirit (John 16:13, 14).

6. It is that of A BRIDEGROOM. He longs to “present it to Himself a glorious Church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing” (v. 27). A Bride without blemish in His eyes. Seeing that this is His ultimate purpose concerning all His own, should we not expect Him to work out that which is pleasing to Him now in each individual life? Let us ever remember that we are always in the hands of Him who is able to keep us from falling, and to present us faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy (Jude 24, 25). That will be the happy day of the “Marriage of the Lamb.”

II. The Relationship of the Church to Christ. It is that of—

1. SAVED ONES. “He is the Saviour of the body” (v. 23). It can never be forgotten that the Church is as a brand plucked out of the fire.

2. MEMBERS OF HIS BODY, of His flesh, and of His bones (v. 30). So close is the relationship that “they two shall be one flesh” (v. 31) The members of the body are the operators on behalf of the Head (Rom. 12:5).

3. SUBMISSION. “Therefore the Church is subject unto Christ” (v. 24). The members of the body that is not subject to the control of the Head is either separated or paralyzed.

4. REVERENCE. “The wife see that she reverence her husband” (v. 33). We reverence our Lord when we believe His Word, love His will, and adore His Holy Name. This is the happy slavery of love. “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive honour.”

Smith, J., & Lee, R. (1971). Handfuls on Purpose for Christian Workers and Bible Students, Series I–XIII (five-volume edition, Vol. 10, pp. 177–179). Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.