FBCD_FaithEssentials_June_FlipBook

Faith Essentials

to this as Jesus was about to begin His public ministry: “‘I am not the Christ but am sent ahead of him.’ The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice” (John 3:28-29). Paul picked up on this in one of his letters to the church at Corinth. He said, “I am jealous of you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him” (2 Corinthians 11:2). Unfortunately, the Corinthians had strayed from their pure devotion to Christ, which was part of what prompted Paul to write to them. The most exciting part of this bride/bridegroom relationship is yet to come. At the end times, when Christ returns, the wedding between the Lamb (Christ) and His bride (the church) will be celebrated with a supper (Revelation 19:7, 9). Only born again believers whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life will attend this great feast (Matthew 22:1-14). Later, after Satan’s final defeat and the judgment of the lost, the Holy City, the New Jerusalem (the church), will come down from heaven to the new earth as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband (Revelation 21:2). Obviously, this list of symbols is not exhaustive. I do hope it gives you a clearer picture of who the church is and what she does. This last section, the significance of the church, provides further insight. Five key functions of the church came to mind as I considered this critical issue. Accountability— This function of the church isn’t a popular one, especially in this day of tolerance. “Don’t judge me” is the cry of this generation, even in the church. And while it’s certainly God’s job to do the judging, it’s ours to keep a watchful eye out for our friends and family in Christ. Some may say otherwise, but most people want to be noticed and welcome contact when they fall away from the fellowship. We are our brother’s keeper. The Bible says, “Iron sharpens iron, So one man sharpens another” (Proverbs 27:17). Never underestimate the potential

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