The Gospel ‘Negative'

“The Gospel ‘Negative’”
Hosea 1:1-3; Ephesians 5:22-30

Introduction—a photograph (Eph. 5:22ff) & its negative (Hosea 1:2-3)

I. Some History and Context

A. Historical Setting (v. 1)

B. Spiritual setting (v. 2)

II. Examining the Negative

A. A living metaphor (vv. 2-3)

B. The Covenant Context (v.2; Gen. 12:1)

III. Developing the Gospel Picture

“Sometimes Christ must wound us before He heals us.”—Sinclair Ferguson

A. The Covenant of grace is a _______ _________________

B. Not _____________, but _____________ (Hosea 2:19-3:5)

… Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. Ephesians 5:25-27

Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure"-- for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. Rev. 19:7-8