THE BRIDE OF CHRIST 02

The story of Creation in Genesis is significant. Very Important to the New Testament Church. It tells us, in type and anti type, in shadow form and in figurative language, who and what we are. Adam was created for one purpose. For fellowship with God. Eve was created for fellowship with Adam. In 2 Cor. 11:2, Paul speaks to the Christians at Corinth, and says, “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.” What’s Paul saying? I am the matchmaker who brought you and Christ together. It is my obligation to see that you honor your engagement and marriage. You have to listen to the language.....the symbolism, type and anti type, analogies are there.
It’s there for a reason. To help us grasp and understand the importance of our relationship to God and to each other. You are cleansed and made pure by the blood of Jesus. Betrothed as a pure, chaste virgin to Jesus Christ. As such you keep yourself pure and honor your betrothal, commitment to God. 1 Cor. 11:3, 7-9, 11-12, “But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.......For a man is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man. For man is not from woman, but woman from man. Nor was man created for the woman, but woman for the man...... Nevertheless, neither is man independent of woman, nor woman independent of man, in the Lord. For as woman came from man, even so man also comes through woman; but all things are from God.”
a. We were created for each other and for fellowship with God. In the garden of Eden, we were
created in perfect fellowship. Sin destroyed that fellowship. God was the jilted Suitor. But God
did not stop loving or pursuing us. Sought to restore us. That restored fellowship occurs in the
Church. That relationship is so special, Intimate it’s Like the sacred relationship between a
husband and wife.
(A) Genesis, the 1st book in the Bible, says God created man for this Special fellowship. Rev. 21:9-10, the last book in the Bible says, “See there, He did it.” And that relationship has been completely restored.
Now lets see the fulfillment of this Relationship in a Comparison between Adam and Eve and that of Christ and the Church. Adam and Eve reflect the spiritual reality we have in Messiah’s kingdom.
For Adam’s bride to come into existence God put Adam into a death like state. For Christ’s bride to come into existence Jesus actually died. Sacrificed Himself to give her life. But, Adam did not die for Eve’s sins. She had no sin. Adam was put into a death-like state to give her life and existence so she might have fellowship with Adam and God. This whole analogy is about giving life for the purpose of having fellowship.
On the cross Jesus shed His blood to take way our sins so we could have fellowship with God the way Adam and Eve did. Adam died figuratively so Eve could have life. Jesus died literally and shed His blood so we could have true life that is eternal.
Deut. 12:23, God says, “Life is in the blood.” That’s a statement of fact both physically and spiritually. Jno. 19:34, says that on the cross, “One of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out.”

1 Jno. 5:5-8, talks about Jesus bringing Salvation and “He is the one who came by water and blood........not only by water, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth. For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness on earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree as one.”
Jesus died and shed His blood to give us spiritual life and spiritual fellowship with God. In His death on the Cross, and in His life giving resurrection, the bride of Christ, the church came into Existence.
(3) The Church is that Company of People who are Alive with the Life of Christ. Gal. 2:20. 1 Cor. 15:22, explains it this way, “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.” Jesus gives Spiritual Life to His Spiritual Bride.
(1) As a husband, that’s what Jesus did. That’s what a husband is obligated to do. That’s the statement of Eph. 5:25-32.
The Church are those who are alive with the implanted Life of Jesus given by the indwelling Holy Spirit that was given when you were baptized and Christ washed away your sins, and Vs. 26-27, tell why, “to make you holy, cleansing you with the washing of water by the word, that He might present you to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that you should be holy and without blemish.”
(b) That’s what 1 Cor. 15:44-49, is talking about, “There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. And so it is written, "The first man Adam became a living being." The last Adam (That’s Jesus) became a life?giving spirit. However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual. The first man was of the earth, made of dust; (That’s Adam) the second Man is the Lord from heaven (That’s Jesus). As was the man of dust, so also are those who are made of dust; and as is the heavenly Man, so also are those who are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man.”
Our recreation, new birth is when we are born again, recreated in His image. That’s what Jesus was talking about in Jno. 3:3, 6. Spiritual birth from above so God can fellowship us.
(1) Man can only have fellowship with one like Himself. That’s why God created Eve. Man cannot fellowship a monkey. They’re not alike. No common ancestry. God can only have fellowship with man. Man is created in God’s image. That’s why we must worship God in His prescribed spiritual way, Jno. 4:23-24, "But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."
Have you been born again? Come believing, repent, confess, immersed = Born of the water and the Spirit? Without that spiritual birth you will never become that Spiritual being with whom God can have fellowship through His Son Jesus. That’s why He calls, and we plead.
(4) And that’s why we always leave you with Acts 20:32.

Spur - 05/25/03 am