“WHY I AM A MEMBER OF THE CHURCH OF CHRIST” (REV. 22:7; EPH. 5; 31-32)

 

1.  Have you ever wondered why the wedding ring is on the third finger?

2.  Why not put this ring on the first finger, or the second finger?  Why select finger number three?

3.  It used to be believed that there was a (nerve) in the 3rd finger and this nerve runs right to the heart.

4.  Hence, a tradition was started that has lasted until now.

 

I    THERE ARE ALL KINDS OF TRADITIONS AND BITS OF HISTORY THAT ARE CONNECTED WITH MARRIAGE AND WEDDINGS.

 

     A.     Marriage is an important part of life in almost every culture.

     B.     Because marriage is so common there are references to it in the Bible.

     C.  In fact, two of these references were read.

     D.  This morning we want to pay close attention to these verses.

     E.   From Rev. 22:17 we heard, the “Spirit and the bride say come.” This is an invitation.

     F.   Part of this invitation is coming from the “bride.”  Who is the bride?

     G.  We could make an accurate guess.  We will get the answer from the other scripture that was read.

     H.  Paul spoke of a husband and wife in Eph. 5:31. Paul indicated that this relationship describes

     I.    Jesus Christ and the church, Eph. 5:32.  Eph. 5 we can conclude that Christ is likened a husband.

     J.    The church is likened to a wife and bride.  The church is His bride.

     K.  The bride who is doing the inviting in Rev. 22:17 is the church.

     L.   Since the church is compared to a bride, we can learn some things.

     M.  For instance, what does a bride promise when she gets married?

           1)   She promises to forsake all others.  Her interest in other men ends.

           2)   As Jesus said Mt. 19:5-6 Read.  A bride cleaves to a single man.

           3)   A groom cleaves to a single bride.

     N.  This is what a man and woman promise in an actual marriage.

     O.  This is at the top of the chart on the board.  Across from this there is a question mark.

     P.   What does this punctuation mark symbolize?  It asks if what I have just described

     Q.  Is 1 husband 1 woman parallel to Christ and His Church?

     R.   We just learned that in an actual marriage, a bride is to forsake all others.

     S.   Does this have any bearing on Jesus and His bride? Yes.

           1)   We have hundreds and hundreds of groups which are called Christians.

           2)     But, each of these bodies is different.  All are distinct.

           3)     Most would tell us that Jesus will save all (most) of these Christians.

           4)     Have we ever really thought about this kind of conclusion? The church is as a bride, and it is.

           5)     And Jesus is going to save let’s say 500 different churches, then we must believe

           6)     That Jesus has 500 different brides.  Is this what the Bible teaches?

           7)     “The spirit and the Bible say come.”

     T.   If we believe that many different groups are part of Christ, and his bride.

     U.  We imply that Jesus is a polygamist and adulterer.  Jesus has only one bride (church).

           1)     This is one thing to be learned.  There is another point.

           2)     Within the religious world, religious people enjoy fellowship.

           3)     Though groups do not agree with each other, they fellowship with each other.

           4)   We get things in the mail all the time inviting us to fellowship.

           5)     Let’s ask this question:  Can we, as Christ’s bride, fellowship.

           6)     Can we join in with church groups which are different from us?”

     V.     Consider this before an answer to this question is given.

           1)   If a woman got married, what would you think if she said to other women?

           2)     “Here is my husband.  I am going to share him with you.

           3)     This would be unthinkable and wrong for all.

     Z.   If this is wrong, and it is,

           1)     How could it be right for Christ’s bride to say to other Groups?

           2)     Come and share my husband.  Come and join us.”

           3)     This is basically the same offer, only it is in the spiritual sense.

     A.  As a woman forsakes all others, JC has only 1 bride and this bride must not

     B. Allow others to fellowship with her husband.

 

II  AS WE LOOK AT BRIDES AND MARRIAGE WE NORMALY FIND A DESIRE TO PLEASE.  MOST WIVES WANT TO MAKE THEIR HUSBANDS HAPPY.

 

     A.  Is there a parallel to this regarding Christ and His bride?  Listen to LK. 6:46 READ.

     B.  If we are going to be Christ’s bride, we will do what He says.

     C.  Christ’s bride – the church – has a desire to please the Lord.

     D.  For this reason, when it comes time to make music, make music sing.

     E.   Eph. 5:19 says, “Speaking one (READ)

     F.   I am obligated to sing “make music” with my heart” not a piano.

     H.  God wants to be praised with the fruit of our lips, Heb. 13:15.  A good wife pleases her husband

           1)     Christ’s bride will please him with singing from her heart.

           2)     There are many groups which are very structured.

           3)   We do not have these things. How come? The Husband Christ, hasn’t given us this type of                 4)   Plan. The Lord has put church organization on a local level, Phil 1:1

           5)   If we are going to be Jesus’ bride, we will do what He says.

           6)   We will be organized exactly as God’s word describes.

     I.    In speaking about Jesus we know that He died.  He wants us to remember.

     J.    Luke tells us that the early Christians did this, Read ACTS 2:42.

     K.  The breaking of bread (communion)     was a “steadfast” practice.

     L.   When Sunday came, those in the church remembered the Lord.  Acts 20:7 is an example of this.

     M.  If the church is going to please the Lord, she will remember her.

     N.  The church (bride) also pleases her husband in another way giving.

           1)   VP Al Gore has been charged strong arming people to give.

           2)     What would we expect from a wife in the area of giving?

           3)     Would we expect that a bride would be stingy and tight fisted?

           4)     Would we expect her to be greedy and ungiving?  No.

           5)   We would expect free-will, generous, spontaneous giving.

           6)     This is exactly what the Bible describes. Instead of laying down a set percent in the NT

           7)     God says READ 2nd Cor. 8:5   this sounds just like a wife. She gives of herself.

           8)     This is to occur with Christ’s bride.  God’s bride (church) first gives of her time, labor, and work.

           9)     Then it offers money.  2nd Cor. 9:7 “Let each man…

           10)     Groups that are not Christ’s bride tell people how much to give.

           11)     Christ’s bride has liberty (choice) in the area of giving, what a beautiful picture of Christ                   and his church.

     O.  Our desire to please God means that we do what His word says.

     P.   When it comes to telling people about how to be saved, we respect the husband – Jesus.

     Q.  We present the plan exactly as it is found in His word.  Being faithful bride,

     R.   We organize the church as the Bible states; we worship and live as scripture teaches.

     S.   Jesus’ bride wants to and does please her husband.

 

III       IN THIS DESIRE TO PLEASE, WE WEAR THE HUSBAND’S NAME.

 

     A.  Wives have done this for a long time as a sign of respect.

     B.   Christ’s bride also wears a name – the name of her husband.

     C.  For a long time I gave little consideration to a name.

     D.  There was a time in my life when one religious name was as good as another.

     E.   This viewpoint is still held by a number of sincere people.

     F.   I have come to realize that names are important Names matter.  Names are significant.

     G.  Go to a car lot and refer to a Mercedes as a Chevy. Go to a jewelry store call a piece of gold tin.

     H.  Names and descriptions are important.  If you were to look in most phone books you would

     I.     Discover that most religious names do not honor the Lord (deity).

           1)     People pick out a particular object & name a church after it. “The church of fire”

           2)   A group may be named after some man, likely the founder; or a church may be named.

           3)   After a religious act.  Faith Community Church or “The Revival Center.”

     J.    The Bible designates the church in ways that honor deity.  One of these ways is found in

     K.  Rom. 16:16, READ, To be Jesus bride we must wear His name. We do in speaking about a name.

     L.   It is important to mention Acts 11:26, “Christian” identifies us with Christ.

     M.  Other terms identify people with religious objects & acts.  When the public sees

     N.  The sign for where we meet, Or when people ask who we are we honor the Lord by using H name.

 

CONCLUSION:   

1.  Jesus has only one bride.

2.  Some say this is exclusive, and a narrow minded view.

3.  Is it really any more exclusive that marriage?

4.  One woman/one man – one husband (Christ) and one bride (church).

5.  Some here may not have thought about this information until now;

6.  If this is true of you we would like the chance to speak to you.

7.  Some here know about Christ’s bride know how to be part of the church.