June 29, 1997

Here Comes the Bride?

Can the church be called the Bride of Christ?

By: Ron George Jr.

Fifteen years ago I watched as my wife Lynn walked down the aisle to become my bride. I have never seen a more beautiful picture than that. As a matter of fact I have never seen an ugly bride. Can you imagine that the Lord has a bride and we are her?

The Text:

Ephe 5:21 (KJS) Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.

23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.

24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so [let] the wives [be] to their own husbands in every thing.

25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.

29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:

30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. 31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.

32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife [see] that she reverence [her] husband.

The Great Mystery: the great mystery that Paul refer’s to in v.32 is the wonderful relationship that Christ has with his bride the church. The church includes all of those people who have chosen to repent of their sins and follow Jesus in a life of faith in the living God. The true church crosses all denominational barriers, and includes only those who have truly been born again.

Matt 7:21 (KJS) Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Christ desires to enter into an intimate relationship with his church that can only be compared to the earthly relationship between the bride and the groom. Will we be willing to get so close to the Lord that he knows us better than anyone else and we know him equally as close? This is the Lord’s desire for us. This is why he came and gave himself for us so that we may live with him in an intimate relationship. The relationship begins with:

I. The Engagement:

The selection has already been made. Christ has chosen us to be his bride. How do we know? He came down and lived with us and died for us. He has made his decision, but have we made ours? Will we want to enter into an intimate relationship with the Lord? Will you say I do to the Lord and allow him to place his ring of unconditional love on your finger ?

II. The Preparation:

The preparation includes three elements.

1. The cleansing:

Have we cleaned up ourselves in the sight of the Lord. We must remember that the Lord sees all in the intimate relationship of the Groom and the Bride.

1Joh 1:9 (KJS) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

2. The committment:

Have we given ourselves completely and totally to the Lord? The Groom has forsaken all that he had to become the sacrifice for our sins to make this relationship with him possible. Will we forsake all others and keep ourselves only to him so long as we will live? This is the holiness that they Lord requires. This holiness is wholeness in the Lord’s service and relationship.

3. The compassion :

How much do you love the Lord? How much does the Lord love us?

Truly love for the Lord can be seen by our actions toward the Lord.

Love is a decision.

John 14:15 (KJS) If ye love me, keep my commandments.

III. The Wedding:

Reve 19:6 (KJS) And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.

7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.

8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. {white: or, bright}

9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed [are] they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.

When all the preparations have been made by the groom , he will come again to take us to be with him. But of that day and hour knoweth no man, except the Father in heaven. Ready or not Jesus is coming. Will you be ready to meet the groom in the air?

O’ can we say we are ready brother .. ready for the souls bright home?

Ready or not....