Bride of Christ

The church is the bride of Christ. Today, we will explore why this matters.

I. For the marriage of the Lamb has come

Let us

Rejoice

State of well-being

Exult

State of delight, often involving verbal expression and appropriate body movement

Give Him Glory

Praise and honor due to Him

For the marriage of the Lamb has come

Fullness of the indissoluble union with Christ.

Bride has made herself ready

2 Corinthians 11:2 “For I feel a divine jealousy for you, since I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ.

II. Granted her

God gives

Isaiah 61:10 “I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.”

Revelation 7:14 “I said to him, “Sir, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”

III. Clothe herself

Fine linen, bright and pure

She has an active part (though the emphasis is on what Jesus has done).

In contrast to Babylon

Revelation 18:16 ““Alas, alas, for the great city that was clothed in fine linen, in purple and scarlet, adorned with gold, with jewels, and with pearls!”

Not to find her own clothes but to put on what God has given her.

Putting On The right garment

2 Corinthians 11:3–4 “But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough.”

What Jesus didn’t say or only what he said

Leading does not match revelation Jam 3:17

Social gospel

“The title is the ultimate and Jesus is the just a way to get to the ultimate.” Rick Dugan

Is the righteous deeds of the saints

Emperor's New Clothes

May it not be purely spiritual but physical so the world can see what Christ has done. May we show off the beauty of this garment to the world now.

IV. Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb

The church is the bride, the Christians as individuals are guests. Mixed metaphors were common.

Guests criticizing the bride’s dress

These are the true words of God

The importance of the wedding supper

Summary

What is the Church?

The church is the bride the Christ

Why does that matter?

Lets treat her with the respect that is due to her.

As part of the bride of Christ, everything you need has been given to you.

The church helps you to know the provisions of God and counterfeits.

Would you try to build your own house. Not just the construction, but make the lumber, the copper wiring, shingles, etc.? We recognize the importance of community in this area, we should also see this with the church.

A Possible Next Step

Speak reverently when commenting on the church. She is the bride of Jesus and he has supplied her with her beauty. May we not criticize her before him.