The Presentation of a Glorious Church
W. Jay. Ephesians 5:25-27 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;… I. The first regards THE PRESENTATION OF THE CHURCH — "That He might present it to Himself." Now, in the Scripture, my brethren, we find a three-fold presentation of believers spoken of. 1. The first of these presentations is what we call personal; and this is made by themselves. Of this the apostle speaks when he admonishes the Romans, saying, "I beseech you, therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." In the experience of every believer there is a solemn scene in which he has acknowledged God's claims; has asked, "Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?" and has said, with resolution and zeal, Lord, I am Thine; save me. Other lords besides Thee have had dominion over me; but henceforth by Thee only will I make mention of Thy name. To Thee I dedicate Myself. My understanding is Thine, to know Thee; my will, to choose Thee; my heart, to love Thee; my conscience to fear Thee; my memory, to retain Thee. Thine are mine eyes, to behold Thy glory; mine ears, to hear Thy voice; my tongue, to show forth Thy praise; and my feet, to walk in Thy ways. Thine is my time, and my substance, and my influence; and if I had the innocency of Adam in paradise, the meekness of Moses, the faith of Abraham, the patience of Job, the fervour of Paul, the perfection of angels, they should be equally, they should be mere Thine, than these poor imperfect offerings which I now present. 2. The second of these presentations we call official; and these are made by ministers. This is what the apostle means when in his Second Epistle to the Corinthians he says, "I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ." And again, in his Epistle to the Colossians, he says, "Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus." Ministers have a charge. It is, to endeavour to bring souls to Christ. 3. The third we call Divine. And this is here intended. And the presentation here unquestionably regards a future day that day for which all other days are made; and which is more than once so emphatically called "the day of Christ." This presentation is a very peculiar one, for you see, it is by and to the very same Being. "That He might present it to Himself." It is by Him — He presents it; and it is to Him. How is this? By Him; for He shall present them. But when it is here said that He will "present it to Himself," it implies some present distance or absence — a want of some present recognition and acknowledgment. And so, while they are at home in the body, they are absent from the Lord. Indeed, there is now a connection and a communion between them; but the distinction is rather this: He is now with them — hereafter they will be with Him. And then, you see where they will be presented with this exceeding joy: "before the presence of His glory": that is, His glorious presence. You see also in what state they will be presented with exceeding joy before His presence. He will present them "blameless." II. This brings us to the second part of our subject; which is, THE GLORY OF THE CHURCH. "A glorious Church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing." Here Paul tells us, that the Church then presented will be glorious; and he also reminds us wherein that glory will principally consist. We must review both these. You are ready to ask perhaps, "Is not His Church glorious now?" It is. It is not a glorious Church indeed in the eyes of the world, for the world knoweth them not; they are often, like their Lord, "despised and rejected of men": but they are glorious in the eyes of the Lord. But though the Church is now "glorious," and "more glorious than the mountains of prey," yet its glory is partially prevented and obscured now. It is so by the thinness of its numbers. Its glory is now partially prevented and obscured by intermixtures. The lilies are among thorns; the tares are among the wheat. It is now also partially prevented and obscured by their outward condition. They are now often poor; then they shall "possess all things." Above all, the glory of the Church is now partially prevented and obscured by moral infirmities. Wherein this glory of the Church will then principally consist. And according to the apostle it is this: "He will present it to Himself a glorious Church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing." Here we may remark four things very briefly. (1) We see they have their imperfections now. (2) You see how these imperfections are metaphorically expressed. They are held forth as spots, and wrinkles. You cannot notice spots in black; and you never do notice spots in coarse and repulsive visages. No; spots suppose comeliness and loveliness upon the whole. Spots are consistent with beauty; but yet they detract from it. There are deficiencies which are compatible with sincerity, and the life of God in the soul. Wrinkles are one of the common symptoms of age or weakness. (3) We see that from all these blemishes and defects they are to be effectually, completely freed, when they are "presented before the presence of His glory, with exceeding joy." Yea, "without spot or wrinkle," says the text, "or any such thing." Oh! the power of Divine grace! (4) Then you will see, lastly, what it is that achieves and finishes their glory. Why, it is this — that they will no more have any "spot or wrinkle, or any such thing." What makes the difference between angels and devils? Holiness makes the angel; the want of it the devil. Devils may have possibly, and I am persuaded they have, knowledge or talent; and Voltaire and Byron would be fools by the side of some of them. Wicked men have often now more knowledge and science than good men; but they do not make a good use of it. And what is the consequence? Why it sinks them the lower in disgrace, and degrades them the more. 1. Let us dismiss these explanatory notes by first asking whether you will be found among the saints, in this glory everlasting? 2. Christians, well should the prospect that we have been imperfectly opening, animate and comfort you. 3. Then it should soothe you under the removal of those who sleep in Jesus. Jesus said to His disciples, who were sorrowing, "If ye loved Me, ye would rejoice because I said, I go to the Father, for My Father is greater than I." 4. Then, lastly, how are we bound to the Saviour who has destined such glory for us, and is now preparing us for it! (W. Jay.) Parallel Verses KJV: Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; WEB: Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the assembly, and gave himself up for it;