advent.

Literally meaning “coming” or “arrival,” this term refers to the coming of Jesus Christ to earth to provide salvation by his life, death, resurrection and ascension. Christians now anticipate a second advent when Christ will return to earth in bodily form to receive the church and to judge the nations. The term Advent also refers to a season of the church year during which the church prepares to commemorate Christ’s first coming to earth (Christmas). The Advent season encompasses the four Sundays prior to Christmas Day (PDTT, 7-8).

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Sovereign Grace Bible Church

Jim Kang, Pastor-Teacher

THE ROLE OF CHRISTIAN HUSBANDS – PART 4

Ephesians 5:27

INTRODUCTION

The primary point in this context or section is about the redemptive relationship between Christ and his church. And it is from this redemptive relationship between Christ and the church that the subject of the role of Christian husbands is addressed.

From verse 25 we find the mandate and the manner in which to love our wives as Christian husbands. Furthermore, from verse 26 we have examined six implications. For the sake of review, let me briefly restate them: 1) God’s act always serves a deeper purpose, 2) in biblical Christianity, salvation is not the end, 3) in God’s plan of salvation, our justification is not the end, 4) be very clear about the difference between justification and sanctification, 5) the church is and should be different than the world, and 6) the means in which the church can be sanctified is already given by Christ, namely the word.

We come now to verse 27 this morning. Once again I want to draw out three critical implications from the text.

1. Just as justification is not the end in biblical Christianity, sanctification is also not the end for biblical Christianity.

Just as verse 26 begins with purpose clause, verse 27 also begins with purpose clause – i.e., that. The ESV and the NET Bibles have properly translated the hina clause in Greek to “so that.” The point is verse 26 does not end with period but comma, which implies that sanctification is not the end.

Perhaps another way to say it is this: As you can see from the text, verse 27 does not stand on its own. It is continuation from the previous text. That means just as justification is not the end in biblical Christianity in verses 25, sanctification is also not the end for biblical Christianity in verse 26. Since verse 26 does not end with period, but with comma, the thought continues into verse 27. And if that is the case, then what is verse 27 all about?

Before I answer that question, let me unpack verse 26 a little bit more, since this has a direct bearing on the following verse. The fact that the church needs to be sanctified clearly implies that she has not fully arrived. She is the bride of Christ positionally, but practically she is not perfect.

Therefore, in terms of how to be more and better in loving our wives by learning from Christ in his redemptive relationship to the church, we need to realize that though our wives are our wives positionally and legally, she is not perfect just as the church isn’t perfect. Yet, Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her sacrificially, unconditionally, with special and particular love. Hence, though our wives is not perfect, we need to love and be patient, just as we husbands are not perfect.

^NAU Philippians 3:12 ¶ Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.

If the apostle Paul says that he is not perfect, who are we to act as though we are, especially toward our wives? That is not an evidence of grace but self-righteousness and pride. Always remember that though the church is not perfect at this time in her practical sanctification, Christ loved her and still loves her. By what standard we need to love our wives is none other than the biblical standard. Let me help you with some biblical descriptions of love from 1 Corinthians 13:1-8a. As one of my pastors used to say, substitute your name into where the word love is (vv. 4-8a). You do that and you’ll quickly experience humility! By the way, this principle not only applies to husbands but wives too.

Now back to our text in Ephesians. As you can see, verse 26 does not end with period but with comma, which means just as salvation does not end with justification in verse 25, salvation does not end with sanctification in verse 26. Rather, it continues to verse 27. In fact, verses 25 to 27 is one unit of thought. So we are back to our earlier question: what is verse 27 all about? Here’s the answer.

Here in verse 27, we have the reason or purpose for sanctification. Just as verse 26 explains the reason or purpose for justification in verse 25, here in verse 27 it explains the reason or purpose for sanctification. The key word is that, that is, so that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory.

In theology, this is an aspect of glorification. It refers to a future event when the church will present herself before Christ and God the Father. It is definitely an eschatological event.

2. The purpose of sanctification is for glorification.

The reason why Christians must pursue holiness is so that we may stand before Christ as the presentable people. The reason why Christians must grow up spiritually is to that we may stand before Christ as the presentable people. The reason why we cannot be like the world is to that we may stand before Christ as the presentable people. The reason why we fight against temptations and hate sins is so that we may stand before Christ as the presentable people.

And the means in which we can do that is the word of God that the church has already received. God’s word is our soul detergent that washes our dirty feet regularly. As Jesus said in John 13, what indicates that we are part of him is that we get our feet clean regularly. He said, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with me” (13:8). Moreover, in his priestly prayer to the Father, Jesus said John 17:17, “Sanctify them (reference to his disciples) in the truth; Your word is truth.”

As I already mentioned, the word glorification is an eschatological term. It speaks of a future event. In fact, the language of the entire verse 27 is that of the future. One of the key words here is present or pari,sthmi in Greek, which has official ceremonial sense as in wedding.[1] For example:

• ^NAU 2 Corinthians 11:2 For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy; for I betrothed you to one husband, so that to Christ I might present you as a pure virgin.

• Revelation 19:7-9; 21:9

Moreover, the word means to present a person for another to see, especially, the quality which the person exhibits.[2] For instance:

• ^NAU Colossians 1:22 yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach—

• ^NAU 2 Timothy 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.

Furthermore, the word present also has an eschatological sense, specifically, the final judgment in view. For example:

• ^NAU Romans 14:10 ¶ But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.

• ^NAU 1 Corinthians 3:13 each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work.

All that is to say, the church needs to be sanctified, so that on the Day of Judgment we would be found faithful and join other saints at the union ceremony between Christ and the church.

3. Christ will make his church glorious for himself.

The key word is himself – i.e. “that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory.” The primary focus needs to be placed on the fact that ultimately it is Christ himself who will make the church glorious, and that is a good-news.

Think of it: the church glorious. This may sound so farfetched because of your experiences with bad or unbiblical churches. Or, because of the fact that church is seen as a joke for most people. Sure, people may show up to church time to time when there is a crisis or during holidays, but generally she is despised, neglected, and not taken seriously by anyone.

Although today’s church may not look beautiful to behold or even to be admired, one day she will stand glorious. That is God’s promise. This future transformation or glorification of the church is likened to the Danish story The Ugly Duckling, one of the most popular stories in the world. The story tells of a little bird born in a barnyard who suffers abuse from his neighbors until, much to his delight (and to the surprise of others) he matures into a graceful swan, the most beautiful bird of all.[3] That’s why I said, although today’s church may not look beautiful to behold or even to be admired, one day she will stand glorious. That is God’s promise.

Notice the future transformation or glorification of the church – i.e., having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing. Did you hear that? Having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing! In fact, the end of verse 27 says “[so] that she would be holy and blameless.” According to Charles Hodge, “That is glorious which excites admiration. The church is to be an object of admiration to all intelligent beings, because of its freedom from all defect, and because of its absolute perfection.”[4]

^NAU Romans 8:29 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; ³⁰ and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.

[1] TDNT, 5:840.

[2] “pari,sthmi” from Thayer’s Greek Lexicon from BibleWorks 7.

[3] “The Ugly Duckling” from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ugly_Duckling (accessed on November 19, 2009).

[4] Charles Hodge, Ephesians (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1991), 242.

The following message was preached on Sunday, November 15, 2009.

THE ROLE OF CHRISTIAN HUSBANDS – PART 3

Ephesians 5:26

INTRODUCTION

The primary point in this context or section is not about marriage, or about the roles of wives or husbands. Rather, it is about the redemptive relationship between Christ and his church. And it is from this redemptive relationship between Christ and the church that the subject of the roles of wives and husbands are addressed.

Hence, last Lord’s Day we have examined the mandate and the manner to love from verse 25. First, the mandate to love is “Husbands, love your wives,” which is not a suggestion but a command. This is a nonnegotiable command for all Christian husbands to obey.

Next, we noticed the manner in which the husband is to love his wife: just as (which is the key word regarding the manner) Christ also loved the church and gave himself up for her. What this means is that the mandate to love our wives is directly connected to Christ’s love for his church. That is why, in order to love our wives more and better, we must understand how or the manner in which Christ loved the church. To say it negatively, I cannot love my wife just as Christ loved the church, if I don’t know how Christ loved the church. So, we were forced with a very important question, that is: How did Christ love the church? And what kind of love was this? Hence, last Lord’s Day we answered those questions.

This morning we come now to verse 26. And I want to present six implications to you, so that we can better understand Christ’s love for the church, hence, as a result we can better love our wives for the glory God.

1. God’s act always serves a deeper purpose.

This is especially true for the sacrificial death of Christ. He didn’t simply die to set moral example for others to follow or as a radical religious martyr. Rather, Paul offers the purpose or reason for the sacrificial death of Christ. The verse begins with the most important key word, which is “so that.”

In the Pauline Epistles, this word “so that,” which is a purpose clause, is one of the most important words, because it tells us the reason, the purpose, or to what end the previous action is committed. Here the point is Christ loved the church and he loved her so much that he gave himself up for her – so that he might sanctify her. There you have it, the reason, the purpose!

And this leads to our second implication.

2. In biblical Christianity, salvation is not the end.

In most of American evangelical churches, salvation is seen as the ultimate goal. In fact, that becomes the primary goal of almost all evangelistic crusades and efforts. Moreover, a lot of churches believe that they exist exclusively for evangelism. For that reason, a lot of churches are driven primarily for the purpose of catering to reach-out to non-believers, almost at the expense of malnutrition of the saints.

While I don’t disagree that church exists for evangelism of the lost, I don’t believe that church exists exclusively for evangelism. That is to say, church exists also to exalt the supremacy of Christ, and edify and equip the saints for the work of the ministry, as our mission statement clearly states.

So, as you can imagine, if evangelism is the exclusive reason or primary reason for church’s existence, then once someone supposedly “gets saved” then you can almost hear a sense of relief, as if “getting saved” is the end. However, that is not what the Bible teaches. Almost always in the Pauline Epistles, Paul points out the reason for our salvation, which he clearly implies that “getting saved” is not the end. Though you can find many examples from elsewhere, let me give you some examples from Ephesians so that we can stay within the context – e.g., 1:4, 12, 13-14; 2:8-10; 4:1-3, 25; 5:1, 7, 15. Again, all that is to say, in biblical Christianity, salvation or “getting saved” is not the end.

And this leads to our third implication.

3. To say the second implication in more precise theological term, in God’s plan of salvation, our justification is not the end.

That is to say, God did not save us only for our justification in Christ, which speaks of our positional sense. No, he saved us so that our justification leads us to sanctification. Here, I’m making two theological distinctions – between justification (our position) and sanctification (our practice). In fact, Paul makes such distinction between verses 25 and 26. The act in which Christ loved the church, namely in agape love, which is particular and special kind of love, sovereign love, and unilateral love (unconditional), which he ultimately demonstrated with his sacrificial and substitutionary death, is for our justification. Hence, verse 25 speaks of Christ’s act of love for our justification.

However, in verse 26 the theological implication is beyond our justification, but also includes our sanctification.

• ^NAU 2 Corinthians 7:1 ¶ Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

• ^NAU Titus 2:14 who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.

4. Be very clear about the difference between justification and sanctification.

If not, you’ll clearly fall into either legalism or easy-believism, which neither are true gospel. In fact, failing to understand the difference has created all sorts of cult groups, aberrant teachings and practices. Some are not so obvious but very subtle, but nonetheless, both legalism and easy-believism are killing our churches today.

Let me begin with the definition first. By the way, I hope you pay attention to our “theological word of the week” that is posted every week in the bulletin so that you can learn at least one theological term every week. I’m doing this for your good and the good of our church. Let me begin with the definition of justification. Justification is a judicial language. It is a judicial declaration. Since this was one of our theological words of the week, let me simply quote you what was said:

A forensic (legal) term related to the idea of acquittal, justification refers to the divine act whereby God makes humans, who are sinful and therefore worthy of condemnation, acceptable before a God who is holy and righteous. More appropriately described as “justification by grace [alone] through faith [alone],” this key doctrine of the Reformation asserts that a sinner is justified (pardoned from the punishment and condemnation of sin) and brought into relationship with God by faith in God’s grace alone (PDTT, 69).

What is important to point out is that justification is when God declares a sinner righteous, not makes a sinner righteous. That is why I said it is a judicial declaration. God declares a sinner righteous as if he never sinned.

Now, the question is how do we know whether such person is genuinely converted? Since the Bible warns about all sorts of false professions, what is the standard in which we test such profession or what are some visible attributes that we look for? The answer? Jesus said a number of things, for example:

• ^NAU John 8:31 ¶ So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine;

• ^NAU John 15:8 “My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.

The type of fruit that Jesus implies is the fruit of obedience to Christ and his word. By so doing, the evidence or the by-product of obedience to Christ is sanctification, namely both the position and practice of holiness. Let me explain what I mean.

To sanctify refers to an act in which something or someone is set aside specifically or consecrated especially to God, for God, and for his service.[1] Hence, that is what I mean by the position of holiness or sanctification. It is what God did. It is our present spiritual and redemptive reality. We the Christians and the church have been set aside specifically to God and for God. Thus that is the meaning here in verse 26, namely the purpose of Christ’s sacrificial death is to set aside the church to God and for God.

But there is also another sense of the meaning of sanctification, that is, the practice or pursue of holiness. In the Septuagint the same word is used in reference to moral cleansing of the people. And in the NT the same OT imageries and meaning are echoed in Pauline Epistles. For example:

• ^NAU 2 Corinthians 7:1 ¶ Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Perhaps, nowhere in the Bible does the distinction between justification and sanctification better portrayed than in the John’s Gospel. With that in mind, would you please turn your Bible to John 13:1-11? In verse 10, please notice the distinction between having been bathed and washing feet. According to Jesus, one who has been bathed is completely clean; hence, all he needs is to have his feet cleaned only. This is the picture between justification (having been cleaned positionally), whereas, feet cleansing is your daily sanctification. The point is even though we are justified positionally, we still need cleansing in daily practical sense because we are not perfect in practical sense.

Also, note what Jesus says in verses 12 to 15. This is a picture of sanctification within the community of God’s elect. That is to say, God’s people need to clean each other. That is why I say that your sanctification is a community project. That is why you need other Christians. That is why you need to belong to a local church that is serious about your sanctification.

5. The church is and should be different than the world.

By the simple definition of what sanctification means, namely that we have been set apart for God, we are and should be different than the world. When a church is no different than the world, then there is no testimony for the life-transforming gospel. I would even go further by saying that if a church is no different than the world, then by that very description, such church is no longer a genuine church.

Perhaps, I should raise an important question here, namely, in what sense should a church be different than the world? I would say, the church is fundamentally different in her identity, her worldviews, her values, her priorities in life or life goals, and her lifestyles. All that is to say, church is radically different than the world because of who she is positionally and practically.

6. The means in which the church can be sanctified is already given by Christ, namely the word.

• ^NAU Psalm 119:9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word.

• ^NAU Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.

• ^NAU Psalm 119:133 Establish my footsteps in Your word, And do not let any iniquity have dominion over me.

• ^NAU Psalm 119:160 The sum of Your word is truth,

Again, please keep in mind that the instrument or the means in which Christ has already given to his church to be clean is the Word of God. That is why we as a church put such important emphasis on preaching the Word, teaching the Word, working to have the Word-centered church, the Word-centered worship service, the Word-centered leadership, the Word-centered educational curriculum, and so on.

[1] Peter T. O’Brien, The Letters to the Ephesians, PNTC (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1999), 421; Harold W. Hoehner, Ephesians: An Exegetical Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2004), 751.

will of God.

God’s divine purpose for creation as a whole and for human beings in particular. Many theologians distinguish between God’s “free” will and God’s “necessary” will. God’s will is free in that as Creator God acts toward creation out of freedom rather than compulsion, but God’s will is necessary in that God always acts in a manner consistent with the divine nature or character. Theologians likewise sometimes differentiate between God’s “hidden” will (what God alone knows he will do) and God’s “revealed” will (what God discloses to humans about what he will do or purposes that creatures do).

Because we desire to have a distraction-free service, please turn off all pagers and cell-phones. Also, we do not pass offering plate during the service, but our offering basket is located near the front of the pews for your giving. Thank you.

Lord’s Day Worship Service

November 22, 2009 – 9:30 AM

Rev. Jim Kang, Pastor-Teacher

Announcements

Call to Worship

• Psalm 98

Songs/Hymns of Praise

• Indescribable
• Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)
• Every Promise of Your Word

Scripture Reading

• Revelation 2:12-17

Sermon** ……………………………………………………. Rev. Jim Kang       

THE ROLE OF CHRISTIAN HUSBANDS – PART 4

Ephesians 5:26-27

Song of Praise

• O, Church Arise

Recite VOW

Benediction

• 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

**This sermon can be heard again or download at www.sovereigngracebiblechurch.org. You can also read its transcript at www.sgbc.wordpress.com.

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Your responsibility, by God’s enabling, is to constantly apply the divine truths you have heard (Philippians 2:12-13; 1 Timothy 4:7-9; James 1:22-27). As you meditate on this message, ask yourself these questions:

• How does God want my beliefs/actions to change?
• How can I accomplish this change?
• What is the first step toward bringing about this change?

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VOW (Verse of the Week)

^NAU Proverbs 16:32 He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

Congratulations to Scott Schultz for his official engagement to Emily Breyfogle! Please pray for them as they’re planning for the wedding in April.

Please help us by becoming our verbal advertisers for us! Help spread the word about SGBC to friends, family, neighbors, etc. Also, invite them to visit SGBC, or simply bring them on the Lord’s Day with you.

No Midweek meeting on the eve of Thanksgiving Day.

No Equipping Hour next Lord’s Day.

Monthly Men’s Fellowship @ Pastor Kang’s on Saturday, December 5^th, from 7 AM to 9 AM. Currently we are reading and discussing John MacArthur’s The Gospel According to Jesus.

Leadership Meeting on Monday, December 7^th @ the church campus at 7 PM.

Books of the Month (Sale): Spiritual Depression by D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, $13 (reg. $18); Handbook of Church Discipline by Jay Adams, $12 (reg. $15).

Birthdays/Anniversary for November 2009:

• Leutholds anniversary (11/4)
• Todd’s birthday (11/17)

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Theological Word of the Week (#22)

will of God.

Due to limited space here, please visit our church’s blog for its definition.

Because we desire to have a distraction-free service, please turn off all pagers and cell-phones. Also, we do not pass offering plate during the service, but our offering basket is located near the front of the pews for your giving. Thank you.

Lord’s Day Worship Service

November 15, 2009 – 9:30 AM

Rev. Jim Kang, Pastor-Teacher

Announcements

Call to Worship

• Deuteronomy 13:6-11

Songs/Hymns of Praise

• Holy Is The Lord God Almighty
• How Great Is Our God

• And Can It Be?

Scripture Reading

• Revelation 2:8-11

Sermon** ……………………………………………………. Rev. Jim Kang       

THE ROLE OF CHRISTIAN HUSBANDS – PART 3

Ephesians 5:26-27

Song of Praise

• There Is A Fountain

Recite VOW

Benediction

• 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

**This sermon can be heard again or download at www.sovereigngracebiblechurch.org. You can also read its transcript at www.sgbc.wordpress.com.

**************************************************************************************

Your responsibility, by God’s enabling, is to constantly apply the divine truths you have heard (Philippians 2:12-13; 1 Timothy 4:7-9; James 1:22-27). As you meditate on this message, ask yourself these questions:

• How does God want my beliefs/actions to change?
• How can I accomplish this change?
• What is the first step toward bringing about this change?

************************************************************************************************

VOW (Verse of the Week)

^NAU Revelation 21:5 ¶ And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” And He said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.” ⁶ Then He said to me, “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost. ⁷ “He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

Please help us by becoming our verbal advertisers for us! Help spread the word about SGBC to friends, family, neighbors, etc. Also, invite them to visit SGBC, or simply bring them on the Lord’s Day with you.J

Reformation Society for the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals, for Sioux Falls area will have its first information meeting this Tuesday afternoon for the invited pastors in the area, which is led by our own pastor and Rev. Aalsburg of URC. Both men covet your prayers for this strategic event.

Calvin for the Church Today: John Calvin’s Biblical Legacy for the Church in the 21^st Century [sponsored by United Reformed Church of Sioux Falls] on Saturday, November 21, 9 to 4, at Sonrise Baptist Church on 3300 E. Oak Street, Sioux Falls. Cost is $15 (includes lunch).

No Midweek meeting on the eve of Thanksgiving Day.

Books of the Month (Sale): Spiritual Depression by D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, $13 (reg. $18); Handbook of Church Discipline by Jay Adams, $12 (reg. $15).

Birthdays/Anniversary for November 2009:

• Leutholds anniversary (11/4)
• Todd’s birthday (11/17)

***************************************************************************************

Theological Word of the Week (#20)

vicarious (atonement).

Due to limited space here, please visit our church’s blog for its definition.

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Sovereign Grace Bible Church

Jim Kang, Pastor-Teacher

THE ROLE OF CHRISTIAN HUSBANDS – PART 2

Ephesians 5:25

INTRODUCTION

The primary point of this context or section is not about marriage, or about the roles of wives or husbands. Rather, it is about the redemptive relationship between Christ and his church.

This section begins with two aspects of the role for all Christian husbands, namely the mandate to love and the manner in which to love. First, the mandate to love is “Husbands, love your wives,” which is not a suggestion but a command. This is a nonnegotiable command for all Christian husbands to obey.

Next, notice the manner in which the husband is to love his wife: just as (which is the key word regarding the manner) Christ also loved the church and gave himself up for her. What this means is the mandate to love our wives is directly connected to Christ’s love for his church. That is why, in order to love our wives more and better, we must understand how or the manner in which Christ loved the church. To say it negatively, I cannot love my wife just as Christ loved the church, if I don’t know how Christ loved the church.

So, we are forced with a very important question, that is: How did Christ love the church? And what kind of love is this? Hence, it is my goal this morning to help you unpack those questions from our text, so that we can love our wives better and more, for the glory of God. With that in mind, let me first define what kind of love this is, and then describe such love demonstrated by Christ to the church.

I. Definition: What Kind of Love Is This?

In Greek language there are several words for love. For instance, there is eros, a pure physical and sensual type. There is also phileo, a friendly sentiment, or having a sense of fond affection for something or someone. Then there is agape, the highest form of love that is reserved only for God, Christ, and Christians in the NT.

In this section all the words for love in Greek are agape. Six times the verb “love” or agape is mentioned: twice in verse 25, three times in verse 28, and once in verse 33. Certainly, there is nothing wrong to have a physical/sensual love for your wife, or even to have a fond affection for your wife. However, God’s mandate for husbands is to love our wives with agape love, just as Christ loved (agape) the church.

I want to help further with your understanding of its definition, namely that this love does not refer to general or universal love. Rather, it is special love, a particular love.

Let me ask you a question, men: Do you love all wives the same? If so, then you’re in a big trouble! Of course not! You have a special love for the special individual; and it is particular, not universal.

In theology, this kind of love is what God’s special grace or sovereign grace means. While God allows the sun to shine on both believers and unbelievers, God demonstrates special love toward his own. This isn’t hard to understand. Just look at your own family. Do you not treat your own family different than you do to others? Do you not have special love for your own children than other children?

Let me summarize what kind of love is agape: God’s agape love is special and particular, not universal. It is based on his sovereign choice, not my choice.

• ^NAU 1 John 4:10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

• ^NAU Romans 9:15 For He says to Moses, “I WILL HAVE MERCY ON WHOM I HAVE MERCY, AND I WILL HAVE COMPASSION ON WHOM I HAVE COMPASSION.” ¹⁶ So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.

Hence, agape is unilateral (unconditional), cannot be earned, and it is redemptive.

II. Descriptions: How Did Christ Loved the Church?

I want to point out three very important observations from verse 25. One, why does it say “Christ loved the church,” which speaks of the past action? Second, why does it say, “…just as Christ also loved the church,” which implies that someone else loved the church besides Christ? If so, who? Third, how did Christ give himself up for her?

Those are three very important questions that would help us to better understand the manner in which Christ loved the church. All answers are found in Ephesians. Let me first begin with the second observation. With that in mind, please turn your Bible to Ephesians 1. Draw your attention to verses 3 to 6. Notice verse 4 says, “In love (lit. in agape) He predestined us…,” which means that agape love is the basis for God’s choice for our salvation, specifically predestination and adoption.

Next, draw your attention to 2:1-6. Notice from verse 4 that agape love is the basis for his mercy toward us, specifically, our spiritual regeneration (v. 5) and position with him (v. 6).

As you can see, although everyone deserves to be perished eternally, God chose to save some. That is why his agape love is special and particular, not universal. It is based on his sovereign choice. It is unilateral (unconditional) and redemptive. Therefore, answer to the question, who else loved the church besides Christ, it is God our Father!

Now, answer to the first question, why the verse states “Christ loved the church,” which speaks of the past action, it is none other than his sacrificial and substitutionary death. Just like our heavenly Father’s love for the church, Christ loved the church even before she came into existence and even after her existence! That means the Father and the Son loved the church even when she was sinful and unfaithful to God. That is why God’s agape is sovereign, unilateral and redemptive.

• ^NAU Romans 9:15 For He says to Moses, “I WILL HAVE MERCY ON WHOM I HAVE MERCY, AND I WILL HAVE COMPASSION ON WHOM I HAVE COMPASSION.” ¹⁶ So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.

• ^NAU 1 John 4:10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

I have answered so far why the verse points out the love of Christ in past action and what the word “also” implies. Now, let me answer our final observation. Grammatically, this last phrase is an illustration of Christ’s love, that is, Christ loved the church by giving himself up for her, namely his sacrificial and substitutionary death, which Paul already mentioned in 1:7; 2:13; and 5:2.

Just like in 5:2, the key word in 5:25 is the reflexive pronoun “himself.” This has a huge implication because it suggests that he was not forced to die at the hand of evil doers but that he laid down his own life for the church (cf. John 10:11, 14-15, 17-18).[1]

^NAU Hebrews 12:2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Perhaps, no other place in the Pauline Epistles this is clearly portrayed than Philippians 2, so with that in mind, please turn your Bible to there. Draw your attention to verses 5 to 8. As you can see Christ gave himself up for church voluntarily, sacrificially, salvifically, particularly, and unilaterally (unconditionally).

Now, husbands, this is the way in which we are mandated to love our wives!

[1] Harold W. Hoehner, Ephesians: An Exegetical Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2004), 750.

universalism.

Known historically as apokatastasis, the belief that all persons will be saved. Hence universalism involves the affirmation of universal salvation and the denial of eternal punishment. Universalists believe that ultimately all humans are somehow in union with Christ and that in the fullness of time they will gain release from the penalty of sin and be restored to God. Twentieth-century universalism often rejects the deity of Jesus and explores the “universal” bases of all religions.

Because we desire to have a distraction-free service, please turn off all pagers and cell-phones. Also, we do not pass offering plate during the service, but our offering basket is located near the front of the pews for your giving. Thank you.

Lord’s Day Worship Service

November 8, 2009 – 9:30 AM

Rev. Jim Kang, Pastor-Teacher

Announcements

Call to Worship

• Deuteronomy 13:1-5

Songs/Hymns of Praise

• My Hope Is Built On Nothing Less
• You Are The Way

• Speak, O Lord

Scripture Reading

• Revelation 2

Sermon** ……………………………………………………. Rev. Jim Kang       

THE ROLE OF CHRISTIAN HUSBANDS – PART 2

Ephesians 5:25

Song of Praise

• There Is A Fountain

Right-Hand Fellowship

Recite VOW

Benediction

• 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

**This sermon can be heard again or download at www.sovereigngracebiblechurch.org. You can also read its transcript at www.sgbc.wordpress.com.

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Your responsibility, by God’s enabling, is to constantly apply the divine truths you have heard (Philippians 2:12-13; 1 Timothy 4:7-9; James 1:22-27). As you meditate on this message, ask yourself these questions:

• How does God want my beliefs/actions to change?
• How can I accomplish this change?
• What is the first step toward bringing about this change?

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VOW (Verse of the Week)

^NAU Revelation 21:4 and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.”

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

If you’re here for the first time, we want to give you a warm and friendly greeting, and we hope you’ll stay. Let us serve you with love in Christ’s name; and we hope you’ll come to serve with us. We ask that you fill-out the visitor’s card and dropped it into the offering basket.

However, if you come here regularly, week after week, have committed yourself to this ministry in membership and service, have put your hand to the plow with us, and support this local work of God with your prayers, your time, your labor, and your gifts, we want to give you a special greeting. We’ll never take you for granted!

Congratulations to Tanner Leuthold as he officially becomes a member of SGBC!

Monthly Women’s Fellowship this Saturday morning at Eunah’s at 9 am. Currently we are reading and discussing Spiritual Depression by D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones.

Calvin for the Church Today: John Calvin’s Biblical Legacy for the Church in the 21^st Century [sponsored by United Reformed Church of Sioux Falls] on Saturday, November 21, 9 to 4, at Sonrise Baptist Church on 3300 E. Oak Street, Sioux Falls. Cost is $15 (includes lunch).

Books of the Month (Sale): Spiritual Depression by D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, $13 (reg. $18); Handbook of Church Discipline by Jay Adams, $12 (reg. $15).

Birthdays/Anniversary for November 2009:

• Leutholds anniversary (11/4)
• Todd’s birthday (11/17)

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Theological Word of the Week (#20)

universalism.

Due to limited space here, please visit our church’s blog for its definition.