Download this sermon (right click and save)

The Holy Spirit and the Bride
(Rev22:16-17)

God is true (Ps117:2; Rev3:7).
For He does not change (Jas1:17)
Meeting with Him is joyful and His love is forever.
 
Faith is believing Him and loving Him.
The life of this faith is preparing to be dressed for an eternal union with Him (Rev21:2).
 
Being with someone who is insincere is uncomfortable and miserable
As sincerity is the foundation of any human relationship.
The most sincere relationship is that between father and son
For there is no sin that a father cannot forgive and
Even after leaving there is infinite waiting as
It is not a relationship based on covenant or choice.
Marriage, on the other hand, has limits on forgiveness and waiting
Since it is a covenantal relationship and one that is by choice.
As such, a change of heart and double-mindedness is a decisive reason for separation.
 
Deceived by the devil, Adam sinned (Ge3:4-6) and
All mankind became hell-bound with the devil (Mt25:41).
 
The Bible is the history of God’s effort to restore the relationship with His beloved.
The Law which God gave to Israel, the people whom He chose to love (Dt4:37-39),
Commanded them to love God (Dt6:6) and
Forbid them from even invoking the names of other gods (Ex20:3, 23:13),
Anyone breaking it was put to death, even their own flesh and blood (Dt8:19, 13:6-10).
In spite of this, however, Israel brought curse on themselves
Because God’s beloved committed adultery with idols (Jer3:9, 11:15).
 
Prophet Hosea prophesied that, because the LORD still loved them (Hos3:1-2)
He would betroth them to Him (Hos2:19-20).
 
Yeshua said, “Destroy this temple and I will raise it again in three days,” because
Through the death and the resurrection of the temple of His body (Jn2:19-21),
He would show His love for all mankind and
Bring them to the Father’s house to live with Him forever.
Accordingly, He came as the bridegroom to take His bride
When He prepares a place for them (Mt9:15; Jn3:9, 14:1-3).
 
As He died, He said, “it is finished” (Jn19:30), declaring that He:
1)    With His blood sanctified and prepared the spiritual heaven (He9:21-23);
2)    Judged the separator the devil (Ge3:4-6; 1Jn3:8); and
3)    Loved all mankind to the point of giving His life, His blood, for whomever to receive (1Jn4:10).
 
He resurrected and sat on the heavenly throne
Still bearing the marks of loving to the point of death (Rev1:5, 5:6).
 
The Holy Spirit whom He sent
Gave birth to the Church on earth and
To present Her as His blameless bride when the groom Christ comes,
As a glorious church, He nurtures and protects her (Eph5:25-29).
 
The man of the Spirit knows
The invitation to the wedding banquet of the Lamb as the greatest blessing (Rev19:9).
Therefore, to death he remains attached as a member of the Church (Eph5:30) and
In order to keep clean the fine linen washed by His blood
He maintains the purity of faith (2Co11:2-3).
To build a community of faith
He testifies, sacrifices and dedicates himself (Rev21:11, 22:17),
As he has been given the right to call as many as he wants (Mt22:9, Ac2:39),
For many are called, but few are chosen (Mt22:14).
 
O Lord,
Among many many churches…
Thank You for calling me to the Church of Jesus, a pure bride.
On the day You come, let us all enter the New Jerusalem! Amen.