“THE BRIDE OF CHRIST”

1. Last summer legislation in Louisiana enacted a unique piece of legislation

2. Lawmakers created the “Covenant Marriage Act.”

3. Before couples marry, they are asked if they want to abide by this law.

4. If the man and the woman decide to part/divorce to obey the CMA.

5. A restriction is created normal proceedings.

A After 2 people marry, normal proceedings divorce can only occur if one of the spouse,

B. Can prove adultery, abandonment, abuse, or another serious charge.

C. If the couple goes to a judge and says, “We have fallen out of love judges cannot grant a divorce.

D. Unless a couple can prove that there is some type of abuse.

E. Couples must wait two years before a divorce can be granted.

I IN OUR SOCIETY THE BOND OF MARRIAGE HAS DISCENTGRATED SO MUCH THAT A STATE HAS DECIDED THAT IT NEEDS TO OFFER THE COVENANT MARRIAGE ACT.

A. The breakdown of marriages in America has created several problems.

B. We are going to look at one of these problems in this lesson. A little while ago Eph. 5:31-32

C. Was read, if your Bible is still open to this chapter, look closely at how Paul describes marriage

(1) God’s plan for marriage involves one man and one woman.

(2) Two people “leave” their parents and “cleave” to each other.

(3) The two become one; they are “joined” together.

D. In verse 31, Paul says that when he describes (marriage as a “mystery.”

E. The word “mystery” is a very significant word.

(1) It occurs 28 times in the New Testament

(2) Of these 28 occurrences, Paul uses the word 21 times.

(3) The original word was used several times in book of Ephesians.

F. Based upon what I have studied about the original word,

G. I want to propose something for you to consider.

(1) Gen. 2:24 is very similar to Eph. 5:31.

(2) That passage says, “Therefore shall a man leave his father and mother, & shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall become one.

(3) Back at the beginning when marriage was instituted, God said, “One man/one woman/for life.

(4) Paul presents this same teaching in Eph. 5:31-32.

(5) However, he says that this union is a “Mystery.” What is the Mystery?

(6) It is not marriage- Adam and Eve understood matrimony.

(7) They were not confused about the one man/one woman plan.

(8) Here is what I would like for you to consider.

(9) The Words of Gen: 2:24 described more than marriage.

(10) This description of 1 man and one woman pointed to the church.

I Adam and Eve did not understand that marriage will illustrate the church.

J. Scores of others didn’t understand the entire significance of marriage.

K. Though this was not understood, marriage did insinuate God will.

L. If you have turned to Eph: 5 turn back a page or two.

(1) Let’s look at another passage which uses the word “mystery”

(2) This text is found in Eph. 3.

(3) I will start reading with vs. 3 and go through v. 6 – READ

M. This “mystery” is not the “mystery” described in Eph. 5.

(1) The mystery in this context involves the Gentiles.

(2) Many did not understand the Gentiles would be fellow heirs.

(3) Verse 5 says, “Which in other generations was not made known”.

(4) Although God had good things planned for the Gentiles,

(5) People in the past did not understand this. Eventually this information was made clear.

N. Men have no difficulty in understanding Eph. 3: 3-6.

O. Is it possible that many have missed the point in Eph. 5:31-32?

(1) Paul describes marriage I Eph. 5:31. He then says “This mystery is great” (32A).

(2) What is the “mystery” Paul? Christ and the church. The mystery is that the church is Christ’s bride. (3) The institution of marriage Gen. 2:24 hinted at the church.

P. Back with Adam and Eve God quietly indicated that Christ will be joining.

II LET’S TAKE THIS INFORMATION AND BUILD UPON IT. WE HAVE DETERMINED THAT MARRIAGE IS AN ILLUSTRATION OF CHRIST AND THE CHURCH. IF MARRIAGES IN OUR COUNTRY ARE CURRENTLY FALLING APART; IF MARRIAGES ARE OFTEN NOT AS GOD WOULD HAVE THEM TO BE; IS IT NOT VERY PROBABLE THAT WE WILL ALSO FIND PROBLEMS IN THE CHURCH.

A. Yes, when a culture has erroneous ideas about marriage,

B. It is very likely that there will also be a warped view of the church.

C In our day and time this is exactly what we find.

D. Marriages are so commonly dissolved that the state of Legislation had adopted

E. Other problems involving marriage are common place.

(1) Las Wednesday there was an unusual event in Fresno, Ca.

(2) A husband and wife were (and are) having problems.

(3) They went to a church counseling session. The wife tried to leave the session.

(4) She was stopped by her husband. How was she stopped?

(5) Her husband took out a gun and shot her. The story does not end here.

(6) The wife took out as gun and returned fire. The husband was treated and released;

(7) Wife is in serious condition. I again wish to make this point:

(8) If marriage is an illustration of the church and marriages are in a state of decay,

(9) We should expect to find similar problems with in the church.

F. If we look at the church we find apostasy and other troubles.

G. With the balance of my time I am going to draw parallels between marriage and the church.

H. Some of the parallels will be positive; others will be negative.

(1) When people get married, a pledge of faithfulness is made.

(2) The man and the woman agree to forsake all others.

(3) The two agree to cleave to each other and no one else.

(4) Jesus said in Matt. 19: 5-6 QUOTE “The husband and wife are to be “one flesh”

(5) This union involves the husband and wife; no one else.

I. This is how marriage is to be; God’s plan. This is also how the church is to be.

J. There is one groom (Christ) and one bride (church). This is it

(1) Although this is what the Bible teaches,

(2) Do you know what some men and women have proposed?

(3) It has been said that Jesus loves all the churches.

(4) It is said that Jesus owns this church, and this church.

(5) It has been said that Jesus will save many denominations.

K. If we accept the fact that the church is Christ’s bride, there is only one church for the Lord.

L. More than one is too many. This is why in Acts 20:28 the text says, “The Church of the Lord.

M. How many “Lords” did Luke describe? one – singular.

N. How many churches did Luke mention – one- singular.

O. Luke knew the truth and wrote the truth – one groom and one bride.

P. Questions about fellowshipping with denominations are now common.

Q. Some of our brethren want to and even are fellowshipping denominations.

R. What should we within the church do? Should we swap pulpits with the Baptists;

S. Pray with the Methodists, If we understand that we are the one bridge and Christ is the one groom.

T. We do not extend any fellowship, support, or help to denominations.

U. The fact that God used marriage as an illustration of the church.

V. Forever answers the question of fellowshipping w/denominations. This cannot be done if we are

W. Going to have God’s approval. Christ has joined Himself to only one bride.

Y. Jesus does not want any other. He is not looking for another.

(1) Other brides (churches) may clothe themselves in good works.

(2) They may come with a bank account that is heaped full of money.

(3) They may have the ability to speak beautiful words of praise

(4) Perhaps they are zealous in worship and prayer,

(5) No matter how attractive other brides might appear to be, Jesus does not want them.

Z. Christ has selected one bride (Church).

A. Jesus is not going to change His mind and exchange or add additional.

B. All brides aside from the 1 JC selected w/experience w/ MT. 15:13.

C. Another parallel: When two people get married, there is to be love and respect.

D. Eph.8 says, READ.

(1) What would we think of a husband who mistreats his wife.

(2) In this marriage the wife has plans and ideas. She has goals and dreams.

(3) The husband comes along and says, “Tough. What you want is unimportant.

(4) “I do not care what you want, Everything will be my way.”

(5) “My desires and interest are the only ones that count.”

E. What words would adequately describe this kind of spouse?

F. Harsh, cruel, thoughtless, domineering, uncaring, hateful and mean.

G. A spouse like this is in clear violation of vs. like Eph. 5:28.

(1) It is possible for the church to treat Jesus in this way. Jesus says, through the word, Sing.

(2) Members of the bride may come along and say to the husband, “we are going to sing and play”

(3) Though you have been specific, we do not care about what you want.

(4) What does this kind of attitude say about the bride?

(5) What does this say about our love and respect for our husband?

(6) It says that we really do not care about Christ. Our way, our will would please us.

(7) This kind of attitude says that we are self centered.

(8) Instead of being a bride, we are spiritual babies.

(9) The groom says, “Forgive those who trespass against you.”

(10) Members of the church say, “No. I won’t forgive.”

H. Love, respect, and submission are part of a good marriage. All three of these things are to exist,

I. In the church as well. In fact, Jesus said in Lu. 6:46 – QUOTE. Jesus is not a cruel, dominating,

J. Husband. Since He is kind, submission is possible and pleasant. This is the responsibility

K. That the church has. Submit to Christ and follow His word and will 100%.

CONCLUSION:

1. There was once a young couple who got married. They headed off on their honeymoon.

2. Before getting too far they had a car accident. Most of the husband’s body was paralyzed

3. The wife did not dump her husband; she pushed him in a wheelchair. On the back of the Chair,

4. Was a sign: “For better or for worse – till death to us part.” As the bride of Christ;

5. This is the correct and only route for better or worse, until death we as the church will be a,

6. Faithful bride to Christ.