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The Lord's Nourishing and Cherishing
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsCherishing, as a vital aspect of marriage, reflects a deep, tender concern that mirrors the care Jesus Christ shows for His church. A wife needs specific personal attention and proper appreciation, not just vague or casual acknowledgment, to feel truly valued and special to her husband. Husbands must set aside quality time for discussing common interests, concerns, and family issues, allowing for intimate conversation and delicate intimacy. The warmth associated with cherishing indicates a husband's duty to defend his wife from cold by providing for her needs, such as proper clothing and resources. Together, nourishing and cherishing signify providing food and clothing, ensuring the wife's physical well-being, just as Christ tends to the spiritual necessities of His church. This ongoing act of cherishing is not a one-time effort but a continual process, demonstrating a husband's constant watchfulness, care, and concern for his wife's thriving and growth. Husbands are called to reflect this same tender affection in their marriages, striving to meet their wives' needs with the same dedication Christ shows in preparing His bride for glory.
Marriage and the Bride of Christ (Part Eight)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsCherishing, as a vital aspect of love and care, holds a profound significance in the relationship between husbands and wives, mirroring the tender concern Jesus Christ shows for His church. The term "cherish," meaning to soften with heat, conveys warmth and protection, indicating that a husband should defend his wife from cold by properly clothing her and providing for her physical needs, just as Christ does spiritually for the church. Cherishing is something every woman needs and desires, requiring specific personal attention and proper appreciation rather than vague or casual acknowledgment. A wife must know she is special and important to her husband, deserving quality time for discussing common interests, concerns, and family issues, as well as intimate conversation and delicate intimacy. Husbands are called to prioritize this cherishing, recognizing that their wives are priceless, far above the value of precious gems, reflecting how Christ views His future Bride, the church. Encouraging wives to learn, grow spiritually, study, pursue hobbies, and get the most out of life is also part of cherishing, ensuring they are not discouraged or restrained but supported in their development. This ongoing act of cherishing, combined with nourishing, demonstrates a constant watchfulness and concern for a wife's thriving and growth, paralleling Christ's continuous care for His church.
Marriage and the Bride of Christ (Part Twelve)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsIn the sacred bond of marriage, a husband is called to cherish his wife with a love that mirrors the profound devotion of Christ to the church. He must be willing to deny himself, to promote her happiness, to watch over her in sickness, and even to risk his health and life for her welfare. Recognizing the immense trust she placed in him by leaving her family and entrusting her heart, honor, and happiness to him, he should strive to make her life joyful. A husband's love must be a sustaining force, cheering her through life's trials, and never withholding affection or neglecting her needs. Cherishing also demands mutual kindness and excellence of character. Both husband and wife should avoid displays of anger and irritation, cultivating instead a humble and loving attitude. The strength of their virtue is tested in the constant, everyday moments through ongoing little acts of kindness and gentleness that flow noiselessly through their shared life. This gentle love is a continual need in marriage, fostering happiness through small, consistent expressions of care.
Marriage and the Bride of Christ (Part Four)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsHusbands are instructed to nourish and cherish their wives, reflecting the care Christ shows for the church. This cherishing involves both spiritual and physical nourishment, where husbands take the lead in encouraging fear of God, obedience to His laws, Bible study, prayer, and activities that please Him. Physically, husbands should provide for their families, anticipating and arranging for their probable needs, just as God foresees and prepares for ours. The husband must care for his wife as he does his own body, not neglecting but nourishing and cherishing her with the same instinct to preserve and protect. This responsibility extends to shielding his wife from harm, acting as a preserver in a physical sense, mirroring how Christ safeguards the church. The wife, understanding this, should help her husband succeed in this role, realizing her position in the relationship. Husbands are to love, care for, respect, and honor their wives, recognizing that there is no sense of inferiority but a shared completeness and unity in marriage.
Loyalty and Submission (Part 3)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughHusbands are called to cherish their wives with a deep and tender affection, holding them dear and cultivating their relationship with care. This cherishing is likened to the gentle way a mother nurses her own child, cooing and tending to every need with utmost kindness. It reflects a responsibility to provide the affectionate love a wife craves, placing her needs before other passions or pursuits. By cherishing his wife as he naturally cherishes his own body, a husband removes barriers of selfishness, fostering a marriage where mutual care thrives. This act of cherishing is not just a duty but a pathway to learning godly leadership, preparing for greater roles in life and beyond.
Loving Christ
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)God's love, as revealed in Deuteronomy 33, is not merely a legal obligation but a deep, cherishing affection that draws His people close to His bosom. This love is timeless, consistent, and tenderly embraces those consecrated to Him, offering eternal security in His hand. Saints, separated from the world and dedicated to God, are held so close that no one can snatch them away, though they can choose to walk away by not responding to His love. In response to this divine embrace, God's people are called to sit at His feet, submissively receiving His word, and to follow Him with a docile attitude, reflecting a transformed mind compelled by His love. This relationship, initiated by His tender affection, is the foundation for a life of submission and love in return, ensuring a close and secure bond with Him.
What Are You Leaving?
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeThe Ephesians had a strong sense of duty and served as a vanguard in the battle against false doctrines. What was lacking was devotion to Christ.
What Is the Work of God Now? (Part Four)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe scattering of the church was an act of love by God to wake us from our lethargic, faithless condition. The feeding of the flock is the priority now.
Intimacy with Christ (Part Four)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWe don't really know something unless we have experienced it. Knowing God manifests itself in the way one lives, reflecting faithfulness and obedience.