The Marriage of the Lamb - Eph. 5:25
Christ's love for the Church is a sacrificial and redemptive love that demonstrates His desire for companionship and a relationship with humanity.
Bernard Fell preaches about the sacrificial love of Christ for the Church, illustrating how Jesus left His heavenly abode to seek a bride among humble sinners, purchasing her with His own blood to present her as a radiant and beautiful bride in His righteousness. The sermon delves into the deep relationship between Christ and His Church, a divine union purposed by the Father before the world began, culminating in an eternal and joyous union in heaven.
Text
Christ also loved the Church,
and gave Himself for it.
Ephesians 5:25
"Tis not good," we hear God saying,
"For the Man to dwell alone;
I will make a meet companion
Who shall share His glorious throne."
Worshipped and adored by angels,
Cherubim and seraphim,
Yet among the shining myriads
Was no consort found for Him.
So He left His Father's dwelling,
For this cause to seek a wife;
From the plenitude of glory
To a hostile world of strife.
Passing by the proud self-righteous,
Unrepentant in their sin,
Saw in humble, contrite sinners
His own lovely bride to win.
But His blood must be the purchase,
From that spear-pierced opened side,
Ere His bride could be presented,
By a Father satisfied.
Wonder of succeeding ages,
This relationship with man;
Secret of the Father's bosom,
Purposed ere the world began.
Never was a bride more happy,
Never was more costly dress,
As she stands, with radiant beauty,
In His perfect righteousness.
Woven on the looms of Calvary,
And designed by wisdom, too:
Lo! its threads are gold and silver,
Spotless white, and heavenly blue.
Yet another robe is given,
Made by her in "single" days,
Bright reward for faithful service
On her wedding day displayed.
Kindly words compose its fabric,
Every stitch a deed of love,
Righteous acts for Christ recorded,
Reproduced in heaven above.
Soon the day of His espousal,
Heavenly Lover, spotless Bride,
When together, and forever
In unclouded joy abide.
Now He waits in priestly service
For that meeting in the air;
Long years seem but fleeting moments
For the love He hath to her.
Sermon Outline
- The Marriage of the Lamb
- The cost of the purchase
- The relationship between Christ and the Church
- God's desire for companionship
- The search for a bride
- The price of redemption
- The presentation of the bride
- The beauty of the bride
- The reward for faithful service
Key Quotes
“Tis not good, we hear God saying, For the Man to dwell alone;” — Bernard Fell
“Never was a bride more happy, Never was more costly dress,” — Bernard Fell
Application Points
- Christ's love for us is sacrificial and redemptive, and we should strive to reciprocate that love in our relationships with others.
- We should seek to be holy and blameless, just like the Church, by following Christ's teachings and living a life of faithfulness.
- The relationship between Christ and the Church is a model for our own relationships, demonstrating the importance of love, companionship, and sacrifice.