““As Christ Loved As Christ Loved the Church”the Church” A A Love StoryLove Story

Jacob Loved Rachel

• At first glance, the story of Jacob and Rachel seems like a fairytale romance (Genesis 29:11,17 20)– Note that God loved Israel like

Jacob loved Rachel (Deut. 7:7-8)

• Rachel was pretty, but she had glaring character flaws (Genesis 30:15; 31:19) – The sinful behavior of one

spouse can generate bitterness in the other spouse (Eccl. 7:26; Prov. 12:4)

– But it doesn’t have to!

God Loved IsraelGod Loved Israel – Even when She

Was Unlovable• God used the personal life and marriages of

Hosea to illustrate His love for His people. • The Lord loved Israel even after she had

sinned against Him many times (Hosea 2:6-20)

– He cherished her and made her happy.– He became her Husband, not just her Master– He promised a permanent covenant with her.

Christ came as

the Bridegroo

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• Jesus is introduced as the groom by John (Jn. 3:29)

• The church is His bride (Ephesians 5:25-28)– He gives Himself for her to

present her to Himself as a glorious church (Acts 20:28)

• Christ’s love for the church is a model for husbands (Eph. 5:32-33)– A husband must dwell with

his wife "with understanding (1 Peter 3:7; Col. 3:19)

If a man is going to call himself a Christian and be a husband, this is the kind of selflessness it takes.

If a woman is going to call herself a Christian and be a bride, this is the kind of utter devotion and submission that it takes.