He will present them "blameless."II. The text shows us, and its answer to the question reminds us of the fourth means of our sanctification — the Word of God. It was not His mere tears, nor groans, nor sighs: though the Lord Jesus was "a Man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief." Use 1. W. He gave Himself to His Church by leaving heaven and becoming incarnate that He might assume her nature.2. In a way of gratitude, wondering more and more at such love.2. Among nations and in families authority and power must go together. Of this the apostle speaks when he admonishes the Romans, saying, "I beseech you, therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." Children! CHRIST'S LOVE FOR HIS CHURCH. "Christ loved the Church." )Christ's love to the ChurchJ. The Bridegroom's gift. (2) His love is persevering. And again, in his Epistle to the Colossians, he says, "Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus." "(Newman Hall, LL. do you say, that such can be the destiny of the often poor, despised, and persecuted Church? But I walk into some vast conservatories, into some gentleman's garden, acres in extent, and there are beds of flowers, the blue, and scarlet, and yellow. Why, it is this — that they will no more have any "spot or wrinkle, or any such thing." Loved; chosen; pardoned; rid of all past guilt; washed; sanctified; clothed; beautified: — what is the Church? THE PROOF He has given of His love. And, moreover, as the earthly bride is exalted to the same dignity, and enjoys the immunities and wealth of her husband, so the Church will share the honours and glories of her Husband and Lord. The love of Christ, thus generous, persevering, tender, and fervent, is to be the model of our own. And also this glorious estate; He gave Himself not only to sanctify His people, but glorify them. HOW CHRIST LOVED HIS CHURCH.1. We are now obscure, afflicted, poor, disgraced in the world. Its trees are green forever. And also this glorious estate; He gave Himself not only to sanctify His people, but glorify them. They ought to "love their wives as their own bodies; for he that loveth his wife, loveth himself" (ver. (1) To glorify God and Christ, who intend so much glory to us. The day of presentation has not yet come — the day of maturity, perfection, and bloom; but come it shall! Jay.I. Christ, then, having loved us, and chosen us, and died for us, and given us life, preceded next to make us fit and worthy for the high position to which He destined us. He is both our standard and model. So does the love of Christ outshine all other love. a garden! I observe in the text, that those who are presented to Christ, and by Christ to God, is His Church, and is a glorious Church.4. My text says, "That He might present it to Himself." Whether it is the love of the babe for her doll, or the love of the older children for the babe, or the blessed love of the mother for all her children, it is still the same exquisite, joy-giving sentiment. For Adam was first formed, then Eve. In a way of reverence. The father did much for his boy when he dashed into the burning house to rescue him; but that was frenzy, the transient ecstasy of love, and it was for his own boy, not for a stranger, much less an enemy. Bradley, M. What shall be the law? Though now often poor, despised, and persecuted, she shall then be proclaimed the Lamb's wife, and be lifted up to sit with Christ on His throne.2. Here we may remark four things very briefly. (3) This presentation is applied to Christ Himself. We may go farther — the chief glory of God is the holiness of God. Let it still cling there — following the oak's growth, leaning on it, finding its stability and life in it, while it clothes the oak's strength and ruggedness with grace and beauty. As the Church is subject to Christ so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. His power and immensity strike us more, for our minds are debased, we have lost the perception of that which is most elevated in its character — moral greatness; but go up into heaven, or rather read the language of heaven as we find it in the Bible — power and majesty are both extolled in it, but this is the one great subject of adoration in heaven, in the very world where all the Divine greatness is most fully manifested — the purity of Jehovah; and this the song which, next to the song of salvation, rises most constantly in its splendid courts — "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts." It was more than he could endure. But the angel said, "See thou do it not. Slade, M. The nuptial figure is still continued, and the allusion is to the presentation of the bride to her husband. Seek the cleansing of His atoning blood and the daily baptism of His Holy Spirit.3. Johannine Writings And what is the consequence? Neither with filthy garments, nor with shrivelled flesh, nor blind, nor lame. He does it by the instrumentality of His word. The Bridegroom's ultimate purpose. His birth, life, and death were but, as it were, a stage whereon the hottest love imaginable, from first to last, acted its part to the life. His love to his wife, Cornelia, was so great, that he killed the male, saith Plutarch, and died quickly. THE LOVE OF CHRIST. If there be any gleaming of light upon the point, so far as it sees it, it dislikes it, hates it, despises it. One flower is sweet, but a garden! Christ was not only a preacher, but a sacrifice; He not only talked, but died.II. (4) His love is fervent. GenesisExodusLeviticusNumbersDeuteronomyJoshuaJudgesRuth1 Samuel2 Samuel1 Kings2 Kings1 Chronicles2 ChroniclesEzraNehemiahEstherJobPsalmsProverbsEcclesiastesSong of SongsIsaiahJeremiahLamentationsEzekielDanielHoseaJoelAmosObadiahJonahMicahNahumHabakkukZephaniahHaggaiZechariahMalachiMatthewMarkLukeJohnActsRomans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemonHebrewsJames1 Peter2 Peter1 John2 John3 JohnJudeRevelation, Select a Beginning Point Christ can do no greater work for us and in us than promoting such resemblance. Oh, how glorious is this! No "spot."(2)Youthful. 4. Now comes the final purpose. And what is the consequence? In a way of obedience, as the wife obeys the husband.3. See that this work be begun, for heaven is but the perfection of what is begun in this life; and when it is begun, never give over till you attain this perfect estate. Then it should soothe you under the removal of those who sleep in Jesus. Impossible! W. Atkinson.I. H. Bayliss.I. N. Norton, D. D.)Christ's love for the ChurchT. A. How is this? Slade, M. A.I. (2) You see how these imperfections are metaphorically expressed. It is hard to admit that you are worried or concerned about your job. We may go farther — the chief glory of God is the holiness of God. "Glorious" she is — for she reflects the face, and the unity, and the glory of her God! The righteousness which justifies — Christ's.3. Instead of a companion and counsellor she would only be his echo or his shadow. A spot is in the garments, a wrinkle is in the flesh; and then follow the general words, "Or any such thing." Ephesians 5 etc. The question usually is which came first, the chicken or the egg. All the attributes of God are glorious, but one shines above the rest and seems to gather up into itself all the others, viz., love. Even so, when humanity had been stung by the foul and deadly serpent, sin, Christ came forth and volunteered to extract the poison, although the effort cost Him His life. 2. He gave Himself throughout His life on earth by spending all His strength to bless His beloved.3. It is alone, which in some respects exceedeth that we owe to our parents and other near relations (Genesis 2:24).3. (4) Improve it to the love of God's people; a necessary lesson in these days, when they fly from others that are in trouble, as the rest of the herd from the wounded deer (Psalm 15:4). As regards the earthly state. It had no beginning, and it had no bounds. I observe in the text, that those who are presented to Christ, and by Christ to God, is His Church, and is a glorious Church.4. "Glorious" she is — for God is glorified in her! "Glorious" she is — from rays of light of heavenly beauty upon her! Loving Him, and others for His sake.(C. (3) This presentation is applied to Christ Himself. This is what the apostle means when in his Second Epistle to the Corinthians he says, "I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ." The gospel counterpart of "Wives submit yourselves to your own husbands," is not "Husbands, command our wives." This He does by the sanctifying influences of the truth through the operation of the Holy Spirit, which is compared to the cleansing of the body by water. Manton, D. D.In this verse we have the last end of our redemption by Christ, the perfection and consummation of our sanctification in the life to come. a garden! Well might the apostle speak of "the breadth and length and depth and height of the love of Christ which passeth knowledge." That the final end of our redemption is that we may be presented at the last day glorious in pretty and holiness.1. This indicates where authority should reside. As the Church is subject to Christ so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.2. This is seen —1. We sometimes think the night is glorious, and so it is, with the moon shining in her full splendour; but when the sun rises the moon fades away into the intenser light. Here we may remark four things very briefly. (4) Improve it to the love of God's people; a necessary lesson in these days, when they fly from others that are in trouble, as the rest of the herd from the wounded deer (Psalm 15:4). He loved it in all eternity. B. Baker.I. It is. What other feeling could have stooped to such guilt, and raised it to such glory? No "wrinkle. As regards the earthly state. First He purchased it for us, and then communicateth it to us.(T. We have to go on now to our last point — THE GREAT END FOR WHICH ALL THESE MEANS OF HOLINESS ARE BROUGHT INTO OPERATION. Its glory is now partially prevented and obscured by intermixtures. Not only does He originate the change, but He sustains it; for He "abides" within us. Let us dismiss these explanatory notes by first asking whether you will be found among the saints, in this glory everlasting?2. Two or three remarks, and I close. What it was that He gave. a garden! (1) Consider the generosity of Christ's love. A real and sincere love (Hosea 2:4).4. No wonder then that the Church will be "a glorious Church"; the likeness of God will be put on her the image of Godwill shine in her; that attribute of Divinity, which is the perfection of Divinity, will be her crown.(C. Surely common gratitude will suggest that a recompense of true affection is due to her for this; otherwise men are unthankful, unholy, and without natural affection, which is the worst character can be given to them. All the attributes of God are glorious, but one shines above the rest and seems to gather up into itself all the others, viz., love. There is no great difficulty in avoiding unpleasant differences with the world, if we do nothing to thwart and oppose it.IV. He shall see of the travail of His soul, and be satisfied" (Isaiah 53:11). Glorious from her connection (John 17:22, 23).4. Loving Him, and others for His sake.(C. Glorious in bliss. The text makes concerning this love but this simple record, He loved the Church, "and gave Himself for it." Sometimes people are warned against loving each other too much, lest they should become idolaters, and thus have the object of such inordinate affection taken from them as a punishment. Nonsense! One flower is very sweet. His love constrainedly operates in her heart.6. "No man ever yet hated his own flesh but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the Church." )The bride of ChristJ. I observe in the text, that those who are presented to Christ, and by Christ to God, is His Church, and is a glorious Church.4. (1) In word (Revelation 5:9). He died to sanctify the Church. N. Norton, D. D.What a broad scope of thought is embraced in these few words! Spurgeon. So Christ gave Himself; a donation which infinitely transcends all the universe besides. Prophets As the Church is subject to Christ so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.2. In a way of imitation. Instead of a companion and counsellor she would only be his echo or his shadow. Though the marriage relationship should not be based on mere external charms which may deceive and must soon decay, yet beauty is often in the first instance the attractive cause of a pure and abiding affection. Then, lastly, how are we bound to the Saviour who has destined such glory for us, and is now preparing us for it!(W. "Who hath loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood" (Revelation 1:5). "He that loveth his wife loveth himself." There is a common love which belongeth to believers of either sex, as brothers and sisters in Christ (John 13:34).2. Does a father "pity his child," when others can hardly bear with him, "remembering that he is but dust"? THE LOVE OF CHRIST. Of our nearness to Christ, "That He might present it to Himself"; that is, assume or take us home to live with Him, and abide always in His presence.2. We fully acknowledge that the Church of Christ is just like its Author; it has "no form nor comeliness" in the eyes of the world, and "no beauty that men should desire it"; and so, like Himself, it is "despised and rejected of men." But His love was intense. How often a husband who may bestow large gifts on a wife, grieves her by the lack of delicate sympathy and gentle care for her comfort in the trifles which make up life. Vaughan, M. A.That love is the initiative of everything. 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