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She is ugly!

Ruth Bryan • August, 13 2008 • Audio
5 Sermons
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RB
Ruth Bryan • August, 13 2008
5 sermons
Choice Puritan Devotional

The sermon "She is ugly!" by Ruth Bryan addresses the profound grace of Christ in redeeming His Bride, the Church, despite her intrinsic sinfulness and unworthiness. The preacher outlines how Christ engages to cleanse, adorn, and heal His people, using vivid metaphors that illustrate their spiritual condition: polluted, naked, diseased, and poor. Specific Scripture references, such as Hosea 2:17 and Ephesians 3:19, highlight God's transformative work through the Gospel. The practical significance lies in recognizing the depth of Christ's love and grace towards believers, offering assurance of their worth and identity in Him, which moves the believer from despair to delight in their relationship with Christ.

Key Quotes

“But she is filthy and polluted. Then his own precious veins shall pour forth the rich crimson flood to cleanse her...”

“He will cast his skirt over her, and will for her weave in the loom of the law fine linen, clean and white...”

“But she is poor. So He bestows Himself and His fullness upon her, And thus endows her with unsearchable riches.”

“He replies, do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name. You are mine.”

What does the Bible say about Christ seeking His bride?

The Bible reveals that Christ seeks to claim His bride, the Church, despite her unworthiness.

Throughout Scripture, Christ's love for His bride is depicted as profound and sacrificial. Even though the Church is described as filthy, naked, and impoverished, Christ's act of coming to seek and cleanse her demonstrates His immense grace. As mentioned in Ephesians, we are reminded that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8), illustrating that despite our unworthy state, He seeks us out and gifts us with His righteousness and love.

Ephesians 5:25-27, Romans 5:8

How do we know that Christ cleanses us from sin?

Christ's cleansing power is shown through His sacrificial death and the outpouring of His blood.

The cleansing of sin is a central theme in the Bible, fulfilled in the work of Christ. Isaiah 53:5 states, 'He was wounded for our transgressions; He was bruised for our iniquities.' Christ's blood, shed on the cross, serves as the perfect atonement for our sins, washing us clean. As seen in Ephesians 1:7, 'In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace.' Thus, Christ's death provides the assurance of cleansing and reconciliation for believers.

Isaiah 53:5, Ephesians 1:7

Why is it important for Christians to understand their need for a new heart?

Understanding our need for a new heart emphasizes our reliance on God’s transformative power.

The human heart is depicted in Scripture as deceitful and desperately wicked (Jeremiah 17:9), highlighting the necessity for spiritual renewal. Ezekiel 36:26 promises that God will give His people a new heart and spirit, which is crucial for true faith and obedience. Recognizing our inability to change ourselves leads us to rely on God, who promises to transform us and make us willing in the day of His power. This transformation is foundational for living as new creations in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Jeremiah 17:9, Ezekiel 36:26, 2 Corinthians 5:17

How does God assure us of His love despite our shortcomings?

God's love assures us that we are beautiful in His sight despite our flaws.

In Jeremiah 31:3, God declares His love for His people with an everlasting love, affirming that despite our sins and shortcomings, we are cherished. The narrative of the bride in Scripture showcases this immense grace where God sees beauty in us through Christ. As He reassures, 'You are all beautiful, my love; there is no spot in you,' it emphasizes His cleansing power and the new identity we have in Him. This doctrine not only comforts us but empowers us to live out our faith confidently, knowing we are adopted and beloved.

Jeremiah 31:3, Song of Solomon 4:7

Sermon Transcript

Auto-generated transcript • May contain errors

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SHE IS UGLY by Ruth Bryan

WONDER, O HEAVENS, AND BE ASTONISHED, O EARTH, THAT THIS MOST GLORIOUS EMMANUEL, THE PRINCE OF PEACE, WHOM ANGELS WORSHIP AND BEFORE WHOM THE SERAPHIM BOW, SHOULD FROM ALL ETERNITY ENGAGE TO COME AND SEEK HIS BRIDE FROM THIS POOR WORLD AND CLAIM HER FOR HIS OWN. YET SO IT IS.

BUT SHE IS FILTHY AND POLLUTED. Then his own precious veins shall pour forth the rich crimson flood to cleanse her, and his spirit shall open the fountain to wash her from her sin and uncleanness.

But she is naked and bare. Then he will cast his skirt over her, and will for her weave in the loom of the law fine linen, clean and white, a robe in which she shall be fit to appear at his court. Moreover the spirit shall bring near the righteousness of Jesus, clothing her with the garments of salvation, and covering her with the robe of righteousness, as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

But she is diseased, she is a leper, yet will he bring her health and cure. For he says, I am the Lord who heals you. and He is actually made to be sin for her, that she might be made the righteousness of God in Him.

But she has no personal charms, she is ugly. Then He will put His loveliness upon her, and through it her beauty shall be perfect.

But she is poor. So He bestows Himself and His fullness upon her, And thus endows her with unsearchable riches.

But she is unwilling and has no heart to the match, For she obeys a hostile prince. Her delights, too, are in the world and the flesh. A new heart will He give her, and a right spirit will He put within her. The Holy Spirit shall make her willing in the day of His power. I will cause you to forget your images of Baal. Even their names will no longer be spoken. Hosea 2 verse 17.

So that prostrate at his feet she shall say, O Lord our God, other lords than you have ruled over us, but we remember your name alone.

And now that the Spirit has touched her heart, she feels she is diseased. and discovers her filthiness and nakedness, and knows she is ugly and poor, and cannot think the bridegroom's heart is towards her, or that she can find favor in his eyes. And therefore she cries out, I am black, behold, I am vile, my loveliness has turned into corruption.

But he overwhelms her by responding, you are all beautiful, my love. there is no spot in you." Then she exclaims, place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm, for love is as strong as death.

He replies, do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name. You are mine. When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up. The flames will not consume you. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.

Now she ventures with a captivated heart to declare, My beloved is mine and I am his. He is the chief among ten thousand. He is altogether lovely.

May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great, you will never fully understand it. Ephesians 3 verse 19

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