We Love God!

God: "I looked for someone to take a stand for me, and stand in the gap" (Ezekiel 22:30)

[A pastor’s] work, when earnestly undertaken, lays us open to attacks in the direction of depression. Who can bear the weight of souls without sometimes sinking to the dust? Passionate longings after men's conversion, if not fully satisfied (and when are they?), consume the soul with anxiety and disappointment. To see the hopeful turn aside, the godly grow cold, professors abusing their privileges, and sinners waxing more bold in sin – are not these sights enough to crush us to the earth? The kingdom comes not as we would, the reverend name is not hallowed as we desire, and for this we must weep. How can we be otherwise than sorrowful, while men believe not our report, and the divine arm is not revealed?
C.H. Spurgeon

The Bridegroom Is Coming

The Bridegroom Is Coming THE BRIDEGROOM IS COMING B6-22-6A Mt. 25:6 (also Rev. 22:10-17)

PURPOSE: To remind the Church that Christ is coming back very soon and to encourage full committment to Him today. INTRODUCTION: III. BRIDE’S DECISION IS FINAL A. Sunday School lesson on “Marriage Relationships” A. Choice belongs to the bride B. Good marriages built on mutual respect & love B. If you have no love or respect, then you will 1. “Let the husband render unto the wife due have no part in the wedding benevolence: and likewise also the wife C. V.11 “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still; unto the husband” (1 Co. 7:3) & he which is filthy, let him be filthy still; & 2. Someone said recently that marriage is not he that is righteous, let him be righteous still; a 50-50 proposition but requires 100% & he that is holy, let him be holy still” C. Christ & the Church are also united similarly 1. They have love for each other IV. LOVE MUST NOT “WAX COLD” (ie., “because iniquity 2. Observe the protocol of courtship & marriage shall abound,” Mt. 24:12) A. Five foolish virgins (Mt. 25) I. INVITATION TO THE BRIDE (Rev. 22:10-17) 1. They were pure virgins A. Christ will not arrive totally unannounced 2. They had oil in their lamps “But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that 3. They did not have oil in their vessels that day should overtake you as a thief” B. Five wise virgins (1 Thes 5:4) 1. They obeyed fully B. A final call will be made prior to His coming? 2. They were prepared to meet Him C. A continual call is being made NOW! 3. They were looking for Him (Heb. 9:28) “The Spirit & the bride say, Come.” (Rev. 22:17) “To them that look for him shall he appear 1. Love demanded that He purchase the bride the second time without sin unto salvation” 2. Respect demands that He ask her to decide CONCLUSION: II. INSTRUCTIONS TO THE BRIDE A. Christ loves and respects us & requires the same A. Respect for the bridegroom requires her to obey B. Christ will not come to us as a “thief in night” his wishes prior to the wedding C. At some point, our choice is irrevocable 1. Remain pure–“Seeing then that all these D. We must be prepared and looking for Him things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God” (2 Pe. 3:11-12) 2. Look for His return–“Abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming” (1 Jn. 2:28) B. Love for her caused Christ to give her presents 1. Right to the tree of life 2. May enter in through the gates into the city