1. Without Spot or Blemish Ephesians 5:22-33

2. Introduction Context: Submission –Benefits and duties –Husbands and wives Application to the church –Benefit of God’s love (vv. 26, 29) –Obligation to be glorious, holy, without spot, wrinkle, or blemish (v. 27)

3. Christ’s Bride Glorious –Splendid, fine, honor (Proverbs 31:34) –How we live (Matthew 5:13-16) Without spot –No moral blemish –Readily visible, indicates licentiousness (James 1:27; 1 Peter 1:19; 2 Peter 2:13)

4. Christ’s Bride Without wrinkle –Something “drawn together” –Due to carelessness (2 Timothy 2:15) Holy –Separation from sin –Holy because He is holy (1 Peter 1:15)

5. Christ’s Bride Without blemish –I–Inward impurity (Philippians 2:15) –N–No hidden faults (Hebrews 9:14) All detract from His bride –G–Great care at weddings –H–How about in our lives?

6. Spots, Wrinkles, and Blemishes False teachers (2 Peter 2:13-22) –Enslave (v. 19) –Worse off than beginning (vv. 20-22) Materialism (1 Timothy 6:6-14) –Flee, follow, and fight (vv. 11, 12, 14) –Lack of faith (Matthew 6:33)

7. Spots, Wrinkles, and Blemishes Adultery (Matthew 19:1-9) –Problem in the church –Even among preachers and elders (1 Corinthians 4:6) –Above reproach (Philippians 2:15)

8. Spots, Wrinkles, and Blemishes Worldliness (James 4:4) –Dancing (Galatians 5:19-21) –Immodesty (1 Timothy 2:9, 10) –Drinking (1 Peter 4:3) –Impure speech (Ephesians 4:29)

9. Spots, Wrinkles, and Blemishes Apathy (1 Corinthians 15:58) –Old problem (Haggai 1:2-6) –A “wrinkle” in our lives –Need active concern for the lost (Romans 9:1-3; 10:1; Luke 15:1-10)

10. Conclusion Pure when presented to Christ Be found blameless (2 Peter 3:14)