The Bride of Christ
Audio Recording
Sermon Outline
Speaker: Rev. Scott Strickman
Sermon Series: Imagining the Church
Revelation 19:6-10 (ESV)
6 Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out,
“Hallelujah!
For the Lord our God
the Almighty reigns.
7 Let us rejoice and exult
and give him the glory,
for the marriage of the Lamb has come,
and his Bride has made herself ready;
8 it was granted her to clothe herself
with fine linen, bright and pure”—
for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.
9 And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.” 10 Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God.” For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
Sermon Outline
The picture of the church as a bride (v7) helps us see that the message of God’s love is profound (and includes commitment, sacrifice, joy)
1. The Marriage Supper
v9 “blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper…”
v6 “the Lord, our God… reigns”, v7 “for the marriage… has come”
2. The Lamb
v7 “marriage of the lamb” (cf v9)
v10 “the testimony of Jesus”
v10 “he fell down to worship”
3. The Linen Garment
v7 “the bride has made herself ready”
v8 “it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen… the righteous deeds of the saints”
v7 “let us rejoice”
Prayer of Confession
Our loving God, you have been faithful to us, but we have not been faithful to you. We have taken you for granted. We have assumed a contractual relationship where we have served you in exchange for things we want from you. We have presumed upon your patience by persisting in what you have warned us not to do. We have failed to trust you. We have sinned in ways that have dishonored people whom you have made. Forgive all of our sins. Wash us clean. Show us again your grace and favor, as we strive to put off the old ways and put on what is fitting for those awaiting the great celebration you have invited us to. We pray this through Christ, the one who loved us and who alone is worthy. Amen.
Questions for Reflection
Do you find the message of God’s love appealing? What skepticism, cynicism, fear or incredulity do you have towards this message? Why?
Does it feel like you relate to God under a contract (a practical relationship, a sense of duty, a foundation of exchange, etc.) or a covenant (a personal commitment, a desire to be faithful, a foundation of love)? How does your framework shape your expectations, your experience of God, your interpretation of life events, etc.?
Does love typically include joy, commitment and sacrifice? Are all three necessary? Are they always present? What else does real love need?
Why is it important to recognize that God is patient and faithful with unfaithful people?
Why is Jesus pictured as a lamb in the book of Revelation? What other passages of the Bible help you understand why Jesus is the “lamb of God”?
How is a marriage celebration a helpful image for understanding where God is leading history?
What does the metaphor of the church as a bride imply about how we are to live? What does it look like to get changed/dressed if the garment is “righteous deeds”?
Do you believe the future is hopeful, and that a joyous occasion awaits? Why or why not? How are you currently affected by what you believe about the future?