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Sunday Life Mirror
Theme: UNDERSTANDING THE CONCEPT OF THE CHURCH (8)
__________________________________________
Topic:
THE CHURCH AS A BRIDE
TEXTS: 2Cor11: 2; Col 1:22; Eph1: 4; Songs 4: 7, Lev. 21:7-13; Eph5: 22-33; 1Thess 4: 13-18.
Memory Verse:
For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For
I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. 2Cor.11: 2 (NJKV)
INTRODUCTION
The relationship between God and the children of Israel transcends the boarders of father and son to that of husband and wife or groom and His bride for example, Jer3: 14, says ¡°Return, O backsliding children,¡± for I am married unto you¡¡± In Jer. 31:32, God also declared that He was a husband to them. Reference to the following passages will also shade more light on this truth. Jer2: 2; Isa. 54:5; Hosea 2:19-20; Ezek 16:18etc.
However it is also interesting to discover that what the physical children or nation of Israel was and still is to God is what the spiritual Israel the "Church" is to Jesus Christ today. How do we know that? See 2Cor 11:2; Eph 5:22-33.
STUDY:
- In the Old Testament the high priest was forbidden to marry a wife that is a whore, profane, or divorced because he is holy unto God, Lev 21:7.
- He was also instructed to take a wife in her virginity, Lev 21:13.
- Today, Jesus Christ is our great high priest after the order Melchizedek King of (Salem) righteousness.Ps.110: 4, Heb.7: 21. If he must marry he must marry according to the requirements of His office as a high priest. The only thing that qualifies us for this marriage relationship is our faith in Jesus Christ, for it is only in Him that our virginity, purity, and righteousness is restored since we couldn¡¯t have met the requirements while still playing whoredom and living in profanity in the world.
- . Though Jesus loves the world but He will not engage or marry any one who is not born again no matter how long they have been attending church. John 3:3 is the only engagement that ushers one into a spiritual marriage relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore if any one is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2 Cor.5: 17 (NKJV).
- . After engagement or marriage, begins a new experience. Comment on the analogy of husband and wife relationship in Eph.5: 22-33 as it relates to Christ and the church at present
- . In what state will the church be when Jesus comes to present her to Himself in the rapture? 2Cor.5: 26-27.
- . How will this event take place? 1Thessalonians 4:13-18
For Question and comments use the Feedback Form to submit your information.
Thank you
See Archive for Past Study Outline
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