June 11, 2017 Worship in Spirit and Truth today

The Church-A Bride, A Building, A Body Eph. 5:22-33

The Church-A Bride, A Building, A Body Eph. 5:22-33

Introduction: It is common to describe relationships, such as that between two lovers, through metaphors. For instance, one may say to a beloved, :I miss you like the flower misses the rain.” Or, “Our love is forever in bloom.” In referring to a flower, the speaker does not literally mean the two lovers have petals. The point in the first statement, is that the lover longs for the beloved; the point in the second, a metaphor, is that their love is constantly experiencing new life. Such images are not intended for scientific detail. Rather, they evoke profound truths individual words are unable to convey on their own. Biblical metaphors allow us to understand more clearly the mysteries of God. For example, when Paul spoke of the relationship between husband and wife in Ephesians.

The relationship a husband has with his wife is supposed to model a spiritual truth concerning Christ and His church. In the metaphors of the church as a bride, a building, and a body, we learn that our life as a community of disciples proceeds from within the life of the God who is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. These three metaphors unfold the mystery of Christ’s intimate relationship with His beloved church. *The Bride of Christ: John the Baptist was the first to picture Christ as a groom. (Jn.3:29 Paul used this metaphor in (Eph. 5:22-23). John the Apostle found the metaphor of the bride of Christ, “the bride, the Lamb’s wife” (Rev. 21:9).

Like Christ, a husband is to care for his wife in the same way he cares for his own body, nourishing and cherishing her. There is love between the husband, Christ, and His bride, the church, with no hint of anything unloving or hateful. Paul pointed to God’s design for husband and wife to “become one flesh” (Eph. 5: 31-32). The relationship between the church and her Lord is so intimate that nothing remains between the two of them; they have become one! Christ’s intimacy with His bride is characterized by righteousness, purity, and faithfulness, and their marriage is worthy of the most wonderful wedding celebration ever, one that will begin the new age. When God the Father will present the Lord’s bride to Him. Beautiful picture, most brides are!

*The Building of God: Th New Testament also employs the image of a building, specifically a temple, it describes the relationship of God to His church. Jesus referred to His own body as the temple (Jn. 2:20-22). In the person and work of Jesus, the concept of the temple and its religious implications were thereby radically transformed. The old covenant, temple, priesthood, and sacrifices were surpassed and fulfilled in the once for all sacrifice of Jesus, the High Priest, who has established a new covenant (Heb. 5-8). Paul applies the image of the temple to individual Christians (I Cor. 6:19-20), to the local congregation ( I Cor. 3:16-17, and to the universal church ( Eph. 2:21).

Those who were not among God’s people, but who believed in the elect and precious cornerstone, Jesus, are now considered elect and special ( Pt. 2:4, 6-7, 9-10). The church as a priesthood has been given the privilege works of offering “spiritual sacrifices” through Him (2:5) and of proclaiming His praises (2:9). The key to understanding how the temple imagery is applied to the church is to remember that the propitiatory sacrifice of the Lamb of God, sanctifies us as His temple through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. The church is made holy in and through the presence of the triune God. We have become important, precious, valuable, powerful, enabled, because God now dwells with in us to His glory. (Every moment/Not alone).

*The Body of Christ: So much of the Bible is written about the “body of Christ.” Bible authors wrote so much about the body (church), and also how we are to act and ,behave within the church of Christ. Paul referred to the literal body of Christ. To begin with, sinners are delivered from “the body of this death” through “the body of Christ” (Rom. 7:4,24-25). Through Christ resurrected body and ascended body. (I Cor. 15:20-23). The first Adam was a living being, but this second Adam, Christ, is “a life giving Spirit” (45). The resurrection life of the God-man is the source of life for believers. This “body” of Christ has both a “head” and “members.” The “ body, the church,” is Christ Jesus. He is the source, sustenance, and goal of all that exist (Col. 1:15-18).

Christ was made head over all things for the church, and thru Christ’s headship, we share fully in the divine life and in His rule. Christ’s life thoroughly permeates the church. We His body have been given diverse gifts by the Holy Spirit found in I Corinthians 12, and each are necessary for the proper functioning of the body. When Christians partake of the Lord’s supper, they memorially participate in the very “body of Christ,” in Christ and one another, “for we all partake of that one bread” ( I Cor. 10:17). Christians must learn to “discern the body” (their own Christ, and His church), if they wish to avoid judgment in celebrating communion (11:29). Which is serious, it’s not all about me when I take communion, it’s about us as a body of believers.

Summary: We see that the mystery of God is revealed in Christ through His Spirit, and He invites us to experience Life with Him. He is an intimate God. The Father calls us to come “to” Him “through” His Son and “in” His Spirit (Eph. 2:18). He is our intimate God. He calls us to live from, in, and with Him, which also entails that we worship and serve with those who believe in Him. His bride-We experience intimate communion with Him/wedding. We are close and one with Him. His building-We experience the glorious reality of God actually dwelling in us and among us. Working in our hearts His will. His body-We operate and cooperate as one whole unit, under direction of the Head, according to His purposes. (Oneness)

The Bride (Us) Bridegroom (Christ)

The Church His Dwelling place (Us)

Body of Christ (Head-Him, Body Us)