The Beautiful Bride of Christ

Introduction:

The fact that Israel was God’s bride under the Old Testament is clearly taught in .

1. But Israel was an unfaithful bride

But...Israel was an unfaithful bride.

a.In her unfaithfulness, she committed two basic sins

In her unfaithfulness, she committed two basic sins

b.

According to the words of , they forsook God and worshiped idols.

1) Forsook God

Forsook God

2) Worshiped idols

Worshiped idols

Nevertheless, God pleaded with His bride to repent.

2. Nevertheless, God pleaded with His bride to repent

In , God pleaded, “Return, backsliding Israel....‘I will not cause My anger to fall on you. For I am merciful...‘I will not remain angry forever. Only acknowledge your iniquity, That you have transgressed against the Lord your God...“Return, O backsliding children,” says the Lord; “for I am married to you.”

In , God said, “Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say: ‘Return, backsliding Israel,’ says the Lord; ‘I will not cause My anger to fall on you. For I am merciful,’ says the Lord; ‘I will not remain angry forever. Only acknowledge your iniquity, That you have transgressed against the Lord your God, And have scattered your charms To alien deities under every green tree, And you have not obeyed My voice,’ says the Lord. “Return, O backsliding children,” says the Lord; “for I am married to you. I will take you, one from a city and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion.”

a.

But still, Israel rejected the mercy of God.

b. But Israel rejected the mercy of God

B. There came a time though when the Jews were free to remarry

There came a time though when the Jews were free to remarry.

The Jews, so long as the law of Moses was in existence was married to that law as their husband.

1. The Jews, so long as the law of Moses was in existence was married to that law as their husband.

a. Notice Paul’s argument in

Notice Paul’s argument in , “Or do you not know, brethren (for I speak to those who know the law), that the law has dominion over a man as long as he lives? For the woman who has a husband is bound by the law to her husband as long as he lives. But if the husband dies, she is released from the law of her husband. So then if, while her husband lives, she marries another man, she will be called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from that law, so that she is no adulteress, though she has married another man. Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another—to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God.”

1) If during its continuation they were to be married to another law, they would have been guilty of adultery

If during its continuation they were to be married to another law, they would have been guilty of adultery.

2) But if the first law were blotted out, or done away, then they are loosed from that law and are not adulterers, though they be married to another law.

But if the first law were blotted out, or done away, then they are loosed from that law and are not adulterers, though they be married to another law.

Paul therefore said …….

b. Paul therefore said …….

1) They were married to what another? Unto “him,” but what “him?”

They were married to what another? To “Him,” but what “Him?”

The answer is, “To Him who is raised from the dead.”

2) The answer is, “even to him who is raised from the dead.”

3) Thus a marriage was consummated between Christ and His church at His resurrection from the dead.

Therefore, a marriage was accomplished between Christ and His church at His resurrection from the dead.

What is the purpose of this marriage?

2. What is the objective of this marriage?

Paul teaches them that they are married to Him who is raised from the dead.

a. Paul teaches them that they are married unto Him who is raised from the dead.

Paul affirms that one of the purposes of this marriage is “that we should bear fruit to God.”

b. Paul affirms that one of the purposes of this marriage is “that we should bring forth fruit unto God.”

3. The church of Christ, having becoming married to Christ, has the right to take upon themselves the name of the husband.

The church of Christ, having becoming married to Christ, has the right to take upon themselves the name of the husband.

Also, the children who result from this union have the right to take on the name of the husband.

a. Also, the children who result from this union have the right to take on the name of the husband.

b. The children formed in this union have become beneficiaries of the Son of God, and are members of the body ().

The children formed in this union have become beneficiaries of the Son of God, and are members of the body ().

It is our highest privilege to become and to be members of the body of Christ.

4. It is our highest privilege to become and to be members of the body of Christ.

It is a great honor to be a part of the beautiful bride of Christ

5. It is a great honor to be a part of the beautiful bride of Christ

Discussion:

Christ and His Bride:

We all need to know and appreciate the very close relationship and the wonderful parallel between a husband and a wife and Christ and His church.

2. Isaiah predicted that God’s people would have a new name, better than that of a son or daughter, but a name that would suggest a divine union

Isaiah predicted that God’s people would have a new name, better than one of a son or daughter, but a name that would suggest a divine union: , . Let’s begin by looking at....

a.

, “Even to them I will give in My house And within My walls a place and a name Better than that of sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name That shall not be cut off.”

b.

, “For Zion’s sake I will not hold My peace, And for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, Until her righteousness goes forth as brightness, And her salvation as a lamp that burns. The Gentiles shall see your righteousness, And all kings your glory. You shall be called by a new name, Which the mouth of the Lord will name.”

, “You shall leave your name as a curse to My chosen; For the Lord God will slay you, And call His servants by another name...”

c.

In these verses we learn:

3. In these verses we learn:

a. A new name was to be given in God’s house, one better than that of a son or daughter

A new name was to be given in God’s house, one better than that of a son or daughter.

b. The name was to be an everlasting name that would never change

The name was to be an everlasting name that would never change.

c. It was to be given to both Jew and Gentile

It was to be given to both Jew and Gentile.

It would be a name given by God Himself.

d. It would be a name given by God Himself.

This new name was to be “Christian” ().

4. This new name was to be “Christian”

a.

Look at , “And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.”

b. This new name would be given to any who would become married to Christ through their obedience to the Gospel.

This new name is given to any who would become married to Christ through their obedience to the Gospel.

There Is One Bride, Therefore There Is One Church:

The word “church” comes from “ekklesia” meaning the “called out.”

a. The church is composed of those who have been “called out” of darkness and into the light of Jesus Christ.

The church is composed of those who have been “called out” of darkness and into the light of Jesus Christ.

bSuch a called out group of people are called the church in whatever location they find themselves

Every “called out” group of people are called the church in whatever location they find themselves.

The church at Corinth ()

1) The church at Corinth ()

2) The church at Thessalonica ()

The church at Thessalonica ()

The church at Galatia ()

3) The church at Galatia ()

3. There is only one church described in the New Testament as is seen in the following truths:

There is only ONE church described in the New Testament as is seen in the following truths:

a. First, the church is the bride of Christ

First, the church is the bride of Christ: , , .

1) John the baptizer said, “He that hath the bride is the bridegroom” ().

John the baptizer said, “He that has the bride is the bridegroom...” ().

2) Paul told the brethren that composed the church at Rome that they had “become dead to the law” and that they “should be married to another, even him who is raised from the dead.”

Paul told the brethren that composed the church at Rome that they had “become dead to the law” and that they “should be married to another, even Him who is raised from the dead.”

3) To the church at Ephesus, Paul said …

In , to the church at Ephesus, Paul said, “Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body.”

4) Thus we learn that Christ is the husband and the church is His bride

Therefore, we learn that Christ is the husband and the church is His bride.

5) There is just one husband and there is just one bride, Christ does not have more than one wife.

There is just one husband and there is just one bride, Christ does not have more than one wife.

b. Secondly, Christ owns the church

Secondly, Christ owns the church: , .

1) … built one church

In , Jesus said, “I will build MY church...” Singular, Possessive. Therefore, He built one church that is His.

2) … died for one church

In , Paul wrote, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her…” Singular. Therefore, He died for one church.

c. Thirdly, the church is the body of Christ

Thirdly, the church is the body of Christ: , , , .

1) … church = the body

Consider , “And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.” There church = the body.

2) … church = the body

Also consider , “He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.” Again, the church = the body.

3) and informs us that there is one body, thus there is but one church

and informs us that there is one body. Therefore, there is only ONE church.

The Great Parallel Between Adam and Eve & Christ and the Church:

In the beginning God brought Adam into existence.

In the beginning God brought Adam into existence

Then God made a helper for him.

a. God made a help meet for him

Adam was put to sleep … rib taken … woman made.

b. Adam was put to sleep … rib taken … woman made

Adam and Eve was commanded to multiply and replenish the earth.

c. Adam and Eve was commanded to multiply and replenish the earth

Just as Eve was brought into existence by the process through Adam, in later centuries, when the fullness of time had come (), the church was formed.

2. Just as Eve was brought into existence by the process just described, in later centuries, when the fullness of time had come (), the church was formed.

Just as Eve was brought into existence by the process just described, in later centuries, when the fullness of time had come (), the church was formed.

As a deep sleep came over Adam, even so, after Jesus’ earthly ministry, Jesus was crucified.

a. As a deep sleep came over Adam, even so, after Jesus’ earthly ministry, Jesus was crucified.

While He slept the sleep of death, a Roman soldier pierced the side of our Lord and out came the blood that purchased the church (; ).

b. While He slept the sleep of death, a Roman soldier pierced the side of our Lord and out came the blood that purchased the church

1)

2)

Therefore, the spiritual bride, the church, was purchased by the blood of Christ, and brought into existence in like manner as Eve, Adam’s bride.

c. Thus, the spiritual bride, the church, was purchased by the blood of Christ, and brought into existence in like manner as Eve, Adam’s bride.

The Bride of Christ Must Remain Pure and Beautiful:

Consider , “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.”

Therefore, every Christian and the entire church must “adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.” ().

a. Every Christian, and therefore, the entire church must “….adorn the doctrine of God our savior in all things” ().

In , God commands the church to “speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine.”

b.

2. The bride of Christ, the church, must be kept beautiful

The bride of Christ, the church, must be kept beautiful:

We must maintain proper priorities … “Seek first the kingdom of God and His rightoeusness...” ().

a. We must maintain proper priorities …

We must practice the highest moral standards. Consider the words of , “Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.”

b. We must practice the highest moral standards …..

Preventative and corrective discipline must be practiced in the home and in the church.

c. Preventative and corrective discipline must be practiced in the home and in the church

1)

Consider , “The rod and rebuke give wisdom, But a child left to himself brings shame to his mother. When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increases; But the righteous will see their fall. Correct your son, and he will give you rest; Yes, he will give delight to your soul.”

Consider , “But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us.”

2)

d. We must train our children properly …

We must train our children properly. commands us, “And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.”

e. Christians must be cooperative …

Christians must be cooperative …

We must know, teach, and defend sound doctrine.

f. We must know, teach and defend sound doctrine

teaches that there are those who “pervert the gospel of Christ.”

1)

Therefore, the church must “Hold fast the pattern of sound words...”

2)

The church must remember her wedding day and always be faithful to it. As we close, let’s look at , “Can a virgin forget her ornaments, Or a bride her attire? Yet My people have forgotten Me days without number..”

g. The bride must remember her wedding day and ever be faithful to it …

Conclusion:

Friends, the church is the beautiful bride of Christ.

Let us do our best to keep it that way.

B. Let us do our best to keep it that way

Invitation

Invitation