The Bride of Christ and the Coming of the Lord

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The Scriptures state that God has purposed that the Church, the body of believers, is to be perfect in Christ. Perfection in the text is defined as complete, mature in knowledge of the faith of Christ, knowledge of the love of God, and mature in holiness. (Matthew 5:48, Leviticus 19:2, Ephesians 5:1, 1 Peter 1:15). The Church when complete will be without stain or blemish – she has prepared herself for the wedding to the Lamb of God.

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Revelation 19:7 – “Let us rejoice and celebrate and give Him the glory. For the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready.”

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When the body of Christ has attained perfection, the marriage of the Lamb and the Church will commence. The return of Christ, the beginning of the new age, and the end of all former things will be at hand. (Ephesians 4:3, Revelation 19:9)

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Therefore, I sense an urgency by the Spirit for His people to be edified, so they may reach perfection (completion) and usher in the coming of the Lord.

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Your role in the coming of Christ

Dear friend, what the Scriptures are saying is that you have a part to play in the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. You are called to be perfect according to the measure of faith God has given. Having this hope and expectation of the coming of Lord, we are commanded to purify ourselves and prepare for holy matrimony with our Lord and Savior. (1 John 3:3, 2 Corinthians 7:1, James 4:8, Isaiah 1:16)

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Faith is the bridesmaid of the Church

The Scriptures state by faith we receive the promise of the Spirit which is life eternal. (Galatians 3:14) And that faith is given to those who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. (Galatians 3:22) Therefore, we can say faith is a type of bridesmaid, the power of God that prepares the believer (bride) for the wedding to the Son of God. (Matthew 22:2)

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With this great hope and expectation of eternal union with our Lord, it is important to understand the doctrine of faith. For the Scriptures state no man can please God without faith. (Hebrews 11:6) 

 

QUESTIONS

 

Definitions

• Define faith

• What is a common faith

• What is a measure of faith

• What is dead faith (also called head faith)

• What is a saving faith (also called heart faith)

• What is  blind faith

• What does it mean to be weak in the faith

• What does it mean to be strong in the faith

• Matthew 5:48 states the believer is to be perfect. What does perfect mean in this text?

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• SCRIPTURES: Romans 12:3, 10:17, Mark 5:25-34, 1 John 5:12, Matthew 25:14-30, Job 28:12-19, Proverbs 8, James 2:17, Revelation 3:1-5, Matthew 24:48, Matthew 5:48, 1 Peter 1:16, 1 John 2:15, John 13:34, Matthew 5:44, Romans 12:20, Romans 8:3, John 8:58, 17:5, 1:1, Matthew 1:18, Hebrews 2:17, Philippians 2:5, 1 Corinthians 15:24, Romans 14:10, Revelation 2:4, Matthew 7:18, Romans 14:1, 15:1. 5:21, 6:14, Matthew 15:11, Ephesians 4:14, 2 Corinthians 11:3-4

 

Growth in faith

• How do you grow in faith

• What things hinder the believer from growing in faith

• How can you grieve the Holy Spirit

• How can faith overcome the world, the Devil and the flesh (sin nature)

• Who gives power to the believer to abide in Christ by faith

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• SCRIPTURES: 1 Timothy 1:18, Hosea 4:6, Isaiah 5:13, 11:12, Isaiah 56:10, Isaiah 1:3, Zechariah 13:9, Job 23:10, Psalm 66:10, Isaiah 48:10, 1 Peter 1:7, Psalm 17:3, James 1:2-4, Luke 21:19, Romans 5:3, Proverbs 3:6, John 14:21, Hosea 4:6, 4:14, John 16:13, 14:16, Ephesians 4:12-15, 4:19, 2 Peter 3:18, Matthew 14:30, Matthew 8:23-26. Acts 5:15, 1 Peter 2:11, Galatians 5:24, 2:20, Romans 13:14

 

The purpose of faith

• Where does faith come from

• Name 12 results of having faith (the purpose of faith)

• Why do the Scriptures state the believer must purify himself

• What does purify mean

 

• SCRIPTURES: Ephesians 4:13, 4:31, 1 John 3:3, John 17:19, 16:1, 2 Corinthians 7:1, 6:14; James 4:8, 1 Peter 1:15-16, 1:22, Colossians 3:2, 3:8, Acts 15:9, Leviticus 11:44, Ephesians 1:4, Romans 8:29, 8:37-39, 1 Corinthians 15:49, 6:17, 1 John 2:15, Mark 7:20-23, Galatians 5:24, 5:22, 1 Peter 2:1, 2:11, James 1:21, 2 Corinthians 12:20, Romans 12:10, 15:6, Hebrews 13:1, John 13:34, 1 Peter 4:8, John 15:8, Matthew 5:16, Romans 4:17, Ephesians 5:9, 6:16, Galatians 1:22, 2 Corinthians 11:12, Hosea 2:19, Revelation 19:7-9, Matthew 9:15, 11:6, 1 Timothy 4:1, Hebrews 11:1, 13:5-6, John 10:28-29, Colossians 1:23, Matthew 24:13-14, 1 Corinthians 1:8, Hebrews 10:39, Philippians 2:13, Luke 4:16

 

Walk by faith

• What does it mean to walk by faith

• What is the evidence you walk by faith

• How does a believer fail to abide in Christ

• What does it mean to renew your mind

• How can a believer know God’s will

• Describe all the elements of salvation

 

• SCRIPTURES: John 15:1-12, 1 Corinthians 2:16, Ephesians 5:31-32, Romans 6:3-5, 6:23, Philippians 3:10, Romans 8:17, 8:28, Exodus 17:11, Luke 11:13, Exodus 16:4, John 6:50-51, 1 Peter 4:8, Job 13:15, John 15:10, Isaiah 12:2, Psalm 62:8, Proverbs 3:5, John 15:7, 1 Corinthians 2:16, Matthew 14:22, Ephesians 4:23, Romans 6:4, 12:2, Colossians 6:10, James 1:8, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Romans 6:4, Galatians 6:15, 2 Corinthians 6:17, 5:18, 7:1, Isaiah 52:11, Revelation 18:4, Proverbs 3:5-7, Galatians 5:17, Romans 7:23, 8:28, Colossians 2:9, 1 Corinthians 3:1-4, Philippians 1:6, James 1:2-4

 

Misunderstandings about faith

• James 5:13-18 talks about “prayer of faith” regarding healing. Why has this text presented many problems for believers

• Mark 11:20-24 talks about asking the Lord in prayer for certain things. Why has this text presented many problems for believers

• Describe wrong concepts of faith

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• SCRIPTURES: James 5:13-18, Mark 11:20-24, 1 Corinthians 12:28, 11:20-32, Matthew 9:27-30, Matthew 5:44-45, Ezekiel 18:32, Romans 8:26, James 4:3, Luke 12:31, Matthew 6:33, Matthew 16:13-17, Mark 5:25

 

Walk by the Spirit

• What does it mean to walk by the Spirit

• What prevents the believer from walking in the Spirit

• What does it mean to be double-minded

• What is the prayer of faith (Habakkuk 3:17-18)

 

• SCRIPTURES: Galatians 5:16-17, 5:24, Galatians 5:22, Ephesians 5:9, 1 Corinthians 13:4, Colossians 3:12, Ephesians 4:24, Romans 13:14, John 15:26, 3 John 1:1-6, James 1:5-8