Bible Readings:
John 6:22 – 40, Romans 8:18 – 30
Sermon Outline:
Ephesians 5:25–27 (NKJV)
25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.
I The church’s dignity
her definitive sanctification, her being set apart.
Ephesians 5:26 (NKJV)
26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word,
40. ἅγιος hágios; fem. hagía, neut. hágion (39), adj. from hágos (n.f.), any matter of religious awe, expiation, sacrifice. Holy, set apart, sanctified, consecrated, saint. It has a common root, hág-, with hagnós (53), chaste, pure. Its fundamental idea is separation, consecration, devotion to the service of Deity, sharing in God’s purity and abstaining from earth’s defilement.
(I) Pure, clean, ceremonially or morally clean, including the idea of deserved respect, reverence.
(II) Consecrated, devoted, sacred, holy, meaning set apart from a common to a sacred use.
(III) Holy, hallowed, worthy of reverence and veneration.
II The church’s therapy
her progressive sanctification
Ephesians 5:27 (NKJV)
27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.
Romans 8:29 (NKJV)
29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.
III The church’s destiny
her glorification.
Philippians 1:6 (NKJV)
6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;
The bride eyes not her garment, but her dear bridegroom’s face.
Romans 8:24 (NKJV)
24 For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees?