2. 2 Corinthians 11:1 - 2 I hope you will put up with me in a little foolishness. Yes, please put up with me! 2 I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him.

3. Ephesians 5:25 - 32

4. Jesus really, really loves His Bride, the church; but do we really have to love the church?

5. Jesus is… Ephesians 5:23 “the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior.” Colossians 1:18 “ 18 And he is the head of the body, the church;”

6. Colossians 2:18 - 19 18 Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you. Such a person also goes into great detail about what they have seen; they are puffed up with idle notions by their unspiritual mind. 19 They have lost connection with the head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.

7. 1 John 4:19 - 21 19 We love because he first loved us. 20 Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. 21 And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.

8. Jesus won’t let you hide from loving His Bride!

9. Gilbert Bilezikian Christ had many loves. But the dominant love of his life was his love for the church, his bride. His life was driven by a compelling, irresistible passion for the church. He loved the church to death. His love for her is inalterable. She will remain his bride in all eternity. Anyone who claims to love Christ without loving the church that Christ loves does not really love Christ. When authentic, love for Christ necessarily translates into love for the church (1 John 4:20–21).

10. Gilbert Bilezikian The hermit who cultivates spirituality in the remote solitude of a cave does not really love Christ. The evangelist who thinks he saves and heals people without pressing them to join the church does not really love Christ. The priest who claims to be the church does not really love Christ. The parachurch staffer who remains unchurched does not really love Christ. A boring preacher does not really love Christ. A passive church attender does not really love Christ. A competitive church planter does not really love Christ.

11. Gilbert Bilezikian An irascible missionary does not really love Christ. A racist, sexist Christian does not really love Christ. A greedy Christian does not really love Christ. Leaders who shackle ministry with hierarchy do not really love Christ. Christians who allow churches to wallow in mediocrity do not really love Christ. Able-bodied Christians who watch TV evangelists instead of joining local congregations do not really love Christ.

12. Reasons why people try to “hide from the Bride” 1. I don’t “need” church

14. Galatians 5:22 - 23 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control.

15. Reasons why people try to “hide from the Bride” 2. Hurt by the church

16. Ephesians 5:25 - 27 …just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.

17. Matthew 6:12 12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

18. Jesus won’t let you hide from loving His Bride!

19. Ephesians 5:25 - 27 15 Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; 16 for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need. 17 Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. 18 I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. 19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

20. 2 Corinthians 9:6 - 8 6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.