Jesus, and His Wondrous Bride
Feb 10, 2013 PM
Pastor Craig
Ledbetter
I.
Introduction (2Corinthians 11:1-2; Psalm 45:17)
A. Paul preached, and taught, and wept, and laboured so that the people under his ministry would be pure, and clean and prepared to meet Jesus one day like a BRIDE!
1. We have been “espoused” to one husband – engaged for marriage
2. What will it be like, to see Jesus?!
3. It will be like when a bride enters the wedding hall, and sees her groom!
B. This Psalm (45) is called a “Song of Loves” pointing to the Marriage of the Lamb of Rev 19
1. Psalms is chocker-block full of pictures of God’s Son. They are referred to as Messianic Psalms – clearly show the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ
2. It starts off sounding like “David” is the one writing, but it is clearly God the Father writing through David, describing the wedding of His Son (45:17)
a. God is boasting about the upcoming marriage of His Son
b. God is describing a kind of relationship, NO OTHER god or goddess has ever offered! A close, abiding, intimate relationship between God and His people!
c. Everybody wants passion in their flesh, some want it in their soul and emtions, but only a few want it in their spirit! But that is where worship only takes place!
C. What you have here is the description of a wedding in heaven:
1. A Groom - Jesus
2. A Bride – all New Testament believers in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour
3. Friends of the Groom (John 3:29) – Old Testament Believers – they are already there!
4. Guests and Onlookers – Angels
5. God, the Father conducting the wedding itself
D. God has always sought this kind of a relationship
1. Not “platonic” – dry, empty, religious, unemotional, intellectual
2. But a committed choice to walk with Him, and lean upon Him, and rely upon Him for everything we need
3. And most of all, to love Him as much as He loves us! (Mt 22:37)
a. David said, “I love the Lord…” (Psalm 116:1)
b. He commanded in Psalm 31:23, “O love the Lord ye his saints!”
c. Jesus said to the Pharisees in John 8:42, “Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God”
d. Jesus asked Peter, “Lovest thou ME?” Three times!
e. Paul said in 1Cor 16:22, “If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha.”
f. And then again in Ephesians 6:24 “Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity.”
g. James promises “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” (1:12)
4. Evidently, it is very important to have a close walk with God that involves all of our heart
E. It is a great description of our relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 5:25-27,32)
F. Is anyone in this room ready to meet the Groom?
1. Do you really think that you will be able to “catch-up” on your love life with the Lord Jesus all at the last moment?
2. Remember the parable of the 10 virgins? Half of them weren’t ready when the Groom came!
3. I fear so many “christians” aren’t ready either: not even saved, much less doing anything with their hearts in preparation for that day!
II.
Message
-
An Introduction to the King and His Bride
A.
The
Groom (Psalm 45:1-9)
1. This is a description of the Messiah.
a. In modern weddings, most of the attention is on the Bride, on the church building, the decorations and flowers
b. But in heaven, our attention will not be on ourselves, or on the angels – it will be focused on ONE Person – the Groom!
2. He is THE Most Good Looking of all Men (45:2)
a. Fairer looking that all men that have ever been
b. Wasn’t always that way
1) Born poorest of poor
2) Plain simple appearance at first – looked like everyone else
3) No beauty that anyone would desire Him (Isa 53:2)
4) Marred more than any human (Isa 52:13,14)
c. But He will be awesome at His Second Coming (Rev 1:12-17; Mt 17:1,2; Song 5:10-16)
d. Every eye will see Him one day, screeming across the skies at His Second Coming, but the bride will get to see Him first… in All His Glory!
3. He is a Most Gracious Speaker (45:2)
a. Kind words – not angry words, or barking words! We will be enthralled at every word
b. “Never a man spake like this man” the crowd said!
c. Jn 1:17 “For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ”
d. Because of His WORDS, God is pleased with Him – perfectly pleased!
4. His Royal Apparel (45:3-4)
a. Even though He is kind, He has power and authority!
b.
He is Dressed as a
Victorious Captain (45:5) like when Prince William, Duke of
c. Sword at His side
d. Here stands, THE KING, all glorious! Glorious, and majestic clothing
e. Solomon, in all his glory and riches could not compare!
f. No more hiding His glory like He did while living here on this earth
g. No wonder the Jews only looked for this kind of a Messiah!!!
5. His Dread (45:5)
a. His very eyes strike fear in His enemies’ heart (Cf Rev 1:14 “His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire”)
b. Because He is Judge, and Avenger
c. Better make sure you are on HIS side!
d. To His bride, His eyes are tender, THANK GOD!
6. His Throne (45:6,7)
a. David speaks to the King
b. David calls Him GOD (Cf Heb 1:8)
1) Not ‘a’ god, but GOD ALMIGHTY!
2) The Son, who is the King, is also God
c. And He is, for ever and ever!
d. He has a throne that last forever
e. He has a right sceptre – the RIGHT to rule – not stolen, but earned!
1) David had a sceptre, but it had some dark secrets behind it
2) Solomon broke 3 big commandments as king
3) Every “king” and president and prime minister has failed to keep a right sceptre
4) Except Jesus!
f. He has a throne of righteousness – not like all the thrones, and parliaments of the world (that are infested with bribes and paybacks, and lies and deception)!
g. Because He CHOSE to LOVE righteousness, and HATE wickedness
h. Therefore, GOD, thy GOD hath anointed this King, this GOD above everyone else who has ever been – no matter who they were!
1) From Nimrod, to Nebuchadnezzar
2) From Alexander the Great, to Abraham Lincoln
3) From Emperor Nero to Genghis Khan
4) Above Josef Stalin, Fidel Castro, Henry VIII, Adolf Hitler
5) And especially above Barak Hussein Obama!
6) Listen to Php 2:5-11 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
i. Therefore He is anointed with OIL – the fulness of the Holy Spirit
7. His Aroma (45:8) – mixture of the most amazing perfume/cologne
a. What an amazing thing to notice, but God notices!
b. Myrrh – a bitter tasting tree resin that smells wonderful! Worth its weight in gold!
c. Aloes – like Aloe vera – a sweet smelling wood aroma
d. Cassia – Cinnamon
e. This aroma, this smell makes HIM glad!
8. His Attendees (Eph 3:14,15) the whole family of God
a. Honourable women all around Him. All washed and clean!
1)
Don’t forget, all
the Ninevites, those that trusted the lamb from Adam and Eve, and Abel, and
2) As well as all the Gentiles that get saved during the Tribulation!
b. But His queen will be at His RIGHT side
c. He has found a “pearl of great price” (Mt 13:46), and paid dearly for her!
B. The Bride – the Queen (Psalm 45:10-15)
1. Some Background Scriptures (Song 6:10; Eph 5:23-25; Rev 19:7,8; 21:9)
a. Song 6:10 Who is she that looketh forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners? THAT IS SOME WOMAN!
b. Eph 5:23-25 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it
c. Rev 19:7,8 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
d. Rev 21:9 And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife.
2. Three Instructions for the Bride
a. Don’t Look Back
1) The Bride of Jesus Christ has forfeited everything to be loved by this King (Mt 19:5; Gen 24:67) – to be loved, and to know His love
a) Christ forfeited all for us – pearl of great price
b) He “sold all He had”
c) He is worthy of any and all sacrifice – worth dying for
2) Forget your people – your race, nationality (Cf Ruth 1:16)
3) Forget your family, and the home you came from
a) No matter how great
b) Or how messed up
4) You now have Someone greater than all, in love with you
5)
Set your affection
on HIM, and on everything that is ABOVE in heaven (
b. Worship the Groom
1) Only ONE Groom should be worshipped – Jesus
2) HE is thy Lord
3) What do you think the “bride” will do as we all get close to the King of kings? We will fall on our faces and WORSHIP Him!
4) None of this back-talking, clamorous, nagging, discontented, disrespectful talk!
a) The anger in a woman today may seem to be justified, but it is SO unlike Christ, and His expectations of a bride!
b) I don’t care how long you have been married, you have no right to blaspheme God with your actions, or attitudes (Titus 2:4,5)
c) That goes for us husbands too!
c. Ignore the Guests
1) You will be THE talk of heaven
2) The wealthy will try and seek your approval
3) Just keep your eyes on the Groom
d. SO SHALL THE KING GREATLY DESIRE THY BEAUTY – that’s when he will take notice of you and me!
1) We waste all our effort trying to get God’s attention the wrong way… Complaining, badgering, demanding, bringing up the past
2) When all we need to do is focus on Him and walk with HIM
3. Three Descriptions of the Bride
a. Big thought… shouldn’t a person be able to tell who the bride is? Shouldn’t she be stabdubg out from everyone else?
b. She is A King’s Daughter
1) Not a commoner or foreigner – at least not any more
2) She has been raised up, and made to sit with Christ
3) She has been accepted into the beloved’s royal family!
4) She is of royal blood now – by adoption, but also by the blood of Christ, her Saviour
c. She is ALL Glorious WITHIN
1) Notice no mention of her sinfulness, or unfaithfulness before the engagement. Talk about GRACE man!
2) No spot
3) Washed, cleansed, forgiven, perfect on the INSIDE
4) That is where it counts
5) God likes us to work on our INSIDES (1Pet 3:1-4)
6) REAL beauty begins there (1Sam 16:7; Pr 31:25-31)
d. AND, she is stunning on the outside too – she is wearing her “treasures” she laid up for the occasion (Mt 6:20)
1) Gold laced clothing
2) Robe of righteousness
3) Threaded with gold threads
4) Fine needlework
5) Provided by the Father! She could never have afforded such a dress
4. She is brought to the King (45:14) – RAPTURE!
a. Could not come on her own
b. Yet brought all the way to the presence of her Groom – the lover of her soul!
5. Her Bridesmaids (Psalm 45:14,15) – all the preachers who got the bride ready!
a. Excited for her marriage
b. They get to go into the wedding, and to the reception – King’s palace
6. Wouldn’t you like to be there? I will be!
C. Married Life (Psalm 45:16,17)
1. Ever wondered where the idea for a honeyMOON came from? See Isaiah 24:23!
2. Jesus will be MORE famous through His children than through His lineage
a. We often know of people who are famous because of their lineage
b. Jesus was the descendant of David, and Abraham, and all the way back to Adam
c. But His people, those who become born again will make Him more famous than David, Abraham, or Adam!
3. Jesus and His Bride do more for this world than any other king, or leader, or religion, or empire
a. They do MORE than Adam and Eve ever could have imagined
b. More than Abraham and Sarah and their descendants the Jews
c. More than Mahatma Ghandi
d. More than Muhammad and his many wives
e. More than democracy, and politics
4. This marriage of sinners with Jesus Christ has produced the best princes, and greatest kings of all time!
5. And it will make for the best leaders in the Millennial Kingdom of Jesus in the near future!
III.
Conclusion – What is YOUR Place at that Wedding?
A. Depends upon how you view Jesus Christ
1. As fire-insurance only, or as a genie
2. Maybe as a novelty – as an onlooker
3. Or, as Lord
4. I think the Scripture dictates us to see Jesus as
a. King and Lord
b. Beautiful, handsome to you – just the very thought
c. The Messiah
d. God – not a second-class being
e. Holy and Pure – doesn’t like sin in your life
f. Joyful – full of joy, not discouragement and defeat
B. Without the new birth, you will not be allowed into that wedding! Thrown out like the Paparazzi!
C. Folks, when you got born again, you gave your heart to Jesus – and He became engaged to YOU and me (2Cor 11:2,3)! We need to be ready for the calling out for the wedding!
1. Laying up treasures for our wedding – hope chest
2. All beautiful within – our own righteousness which started with the righteousness of Christ, but continues on as my own righteousness
3. Forsaking all others, for Him alone!
D. Is anyone in this room ready to meet the Groom? Remember the parable of the 10 virgins. Half of them weren’t ready. I fear so many “christians” aren’t ready either: not even saved, much less doing anything with their lives!