Beyond the Weekend

August 30 | A Bride is Loved

August 30, 2022

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. Ephesians 5:25-27

Read: Ephesians 5:25–27
Listen: 
Ephesians 5

TODAY’S MESSAGE

Caesar was the ruler of the Roman Empire and was master over all. At the same time, the man of each household was master over the household. He could divorce his wife for any reason and was encouraged to pursue extra-marital affairs. Jesus turns this upside down.

Paul says to the Ephesian church that husbands are to “love their wives as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.” They weren’t to rule over their wives or treat them as second-class. Each man was to love, value and be faithful to his wife. But even more, Jesus gave himself up for his bride, the church. He laid his life down as he died a humiliating and painful death on our behalf.

A big part of the church as the Bride of Christ is understanding that Jesus loves the church and those who make it up. The truth is that Jesus’s love gives us hope and comfort. We can be comforted when we feel rejected at school or work and need to remember Jesus loves us and died for us. Be comforted when our marriage didn’t last, isn’t loving now or something we are still waiting and hoping for. Most importantly, this hope reminds us we are defined not by those who rejected or hurt us—but by the one who chooses, loves and died for us.

IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY

Listen to the song Promises, and let the words be your prayer to God today. As you hear the lyrics, may you remember God loves for you is faithful and firm.


2022 BIBLE MEMORY PRACTICE

Develop spiritual roots and tap in the power of God’s word by memorizing monthly a Bible verse! View previous verses at beyondtheweekend.org/biblememorypractice.

PROVERBS 3:5–6
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.


Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.

 

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