The Bride

The Bride

Ephesians 5:22-33 (NIV)

22Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. 23For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. 24Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.

25Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church— 30for we are members of his body. 31“For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” 32This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. 33However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

I.        Introduction:

II.      The Church is Ruled by Christ: Her Members Are Obedient

A.      Submit to Christ as Head of the Church

B.      Submit to Christ in Everything

III.   The Church is Loved by Christ: Her Members Are Cherished

A.      Giving Himself for the Life of the Church: Love That Sacrifices

B.      Giving Himself for the Cleansing of the Church: Love that Sanctifies

IV.    The Church is Nurtured by Christ: Her Members Are Cared For

A.      We Eat of the Table of Christ: He Feeds Us

B.      We Enjoy the Attention of Christ: He Watches Over Us

V.      The Church is One With Christ: Her Members Are United

A.      United as Members of His Body

B.      United in Mysterious Communion

C.      United in Mutual Relationship

VI.    Conclusion: