THE ESPOUSED BRIDE OF CHRIST - THE CHURCH

THE ESPOUSED BRIDE OF CHRIST - THE CHURCH

Text: John 3:29

INTRODUCTION - A CHOSEN BRIDE

John 15:16 (NIV)

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit--fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.

Arranged Marriages - Dowery given (Jesus Himself for His bride) John 3:16.

Deputy or Legal Representative - (John the Baptist). “Friend of the Bridegroom.” v.29

Betrothal established - legally binding

A CLEAN BRIDE - Ephesians 5:25-27 (NIV)

25 Husbands, love your wives, 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.

Washed by the Word

Radiant

Stainless

Wrinkle-Free

No Blemishes

Holy

Blameless

A COMMITTED BRIDE

Fidelity - Committed to Christ. When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior we make a commitment to be faithful to Him.

WORSHIP HIM

PRAISE HIM

SUBMIT TO HIM

OBEY HIM

Description of the Wedding night - Bridegroom comes to get the Bride and brings her to his home. (RAPTURE). Midnight - The celebration starts when she arrives after a processional where all the town sees. Lamps and torches.

They are dressed like royalty (as much as possible). Crowns, robes, (the bride’s dressed is white). The groom has a crown and wears the scent of Frankincense and myrrh. (Sound familiar?)

A CELEBRATING BRIDE - Revelation 19:7-9 (NIV)

7 Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. 8 Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear." (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.)

9 Then the angel said to me, "Write: 'Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!'" And he added, "These are the true words of God."

CONCLUSION - Matthew 25:1-13 (NIV)

1 "At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4 The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps.

5 The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. 6 "At midnight the cry rang out: 'Here's the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!'

7 "Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps.

8 The foolish ones said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.' 9 "'No,' they replied, 'there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.' 10 "But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut 11 "Later the others also came. 'Sir! Sir!' they said. 'Open the door for us!' 12 "But he replied, 'I tell you the truth, I don't know you.' 13 "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.

Oil = The indwelling Holy Spirit

Are you prepared when the Bridegroom comes?