Living Word Windhoek

WHO IS THE BRIDE OF CHRIST?

You and I are called for a purpose and a destiny.
We each have a function within the Body of Christ.
God is ready to pour out His Spirit on all flesh! (Joel 2:28-29)
Will we be the generation to usher in the second coming of Jesus Christ?

We are the Bride of Christ, the bride must be ready for when the bridegroom returns.

Two Bible study principles we'll look at today:

1. Law of first mention: interpret other mentions of similar subjects.
2. Types: something or someone representing something else.

Today we are going to spend time Genesis 24.

Background: Abraham was looking for a bride for his son, Isaac.
In this story, Abraham is a type of "God" and Isaac a "type" of Jesus.

Servant name Eliezer means helper or comforter ("type" of Holy Spirit).

What are the characteristics of the Bride?
- See scriptures below each point.

1. The bride must be willing to be led by the Holy Spirit and be separated for that purpose.
- "Willing": consent, to breathe after, eager to respond.
- The servant took 10 camels, travelled 1000km to find a wife.

2. The bride draws daily from the well of God's presence.
- The end of the day refers to the end of the age.
- Pitcher on the shoulder: in Hebrew culture, the right shoulder spoke to strength, blessings, and God's government.

3. The bride must have a servant's heart.
- Rebecca gave a drink to Eliezer and the 10 camels.

4. The bride must understand God's government.
- We are containers for the water of the Holy Spirit.

5. The bride must be pure and holy.
- Matthew 5:8 (blessed are the pure in heart, they shall see God).
- The pure will see in the Spirit.
- Jesus' blood purifies all those who believe.

6. The bride must be full of the Word and Spirit.
- Matthew 25 story of the 10 virgins waiting on the bridegroom. Only 5 were prepared with oil in their lamps...
- Olive oil represents two things: knowledge of scripture and joy.
- What are our foundations based on?

7. The bride must recognize the voice of the Holy Spirit and obey instantly.
- Are you hearing God's voice in your life at the moment?
- God speaks all the time: through His Word, impressions, conviction, dreams, visions, pictures in the Spirit.

8. The bride must persevere in test and trial, and must not quit.
- Ever had a season where we don't hear from God? Tests come into our lives for the purpose of promotion, not a demotion.
- During test time, persevere and pass the test, don't give up halfway!
- Proverbs 27 speaks of a furnace for gold. Each time we pass a test or trial, we walk through the furnace and come out as pure as gold. The fire brings the impurities to the surface.

9. The bride must prepare herself for the return of her groom.
- Getting ready means we have to do something.
- Every person receives an invitation.
- We need to live ready as if Jesus can come back any day.
- Expect more and we'll receive more!

10. The bride must be led by the Holy Spirit.
- It all comes down to living a life steady with the Holy Spirit.

HERE'S THE PICTURE: End of age - Bride of Christ with gifts of sanctification and redemption - walks in holiness and purity and carrying the mantel/authority for this hour to see through the fulfillment of the promises of Christ.

Banking details:

Living Word Namibia
Account name: Living Word Namibia Trust
Bank: First National Bank Namibia
Branch code: 280172
Account number: 622 689 73 916

Prayer requests:

If you have any prayer requests, call/WhatsApp church office on 081 693 7055 or email Johannes & Marissa at info@livingword.com.na.

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