Jesus Loves His Bride; Do You?

Millersport Covenant Church Sermon Podcasts

The book of Acts gives three accounts of the conversion of Saul (a.k.a. Paul). While we glean different things from each account, there's one glaringly phrase spoken by Jesus that should make us all sit up and take notice. Three times we read the following exchange between our Lord and the chief enemy of The Church: Jesus: "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” Saul: “Who are You, Lord?” Jesus: “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting." (See Acts 9, 22, & 26, respectively.) No matter what you think about The Church, known also as The Bride of Christ, she's definitely Jesus' beloved! When we put the bad mouth on her, Jesus takes it personally! The Scriptures make clear, walking with Christ is not a me and Jesus thing; it's a Jesus and all of us, thing! 1 Corinthians 12:18-21 puts it this way: "But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired. If they were all one member, where would the body be? But now there are many members, but one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; or again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” (ESV) What is clear by these verses and so many others is that our Lord's Church--His body, His Temple, His Family, His Bride—is deeply, very deeply, loved by Him! And what is the ultimate proof of His love? He went to the cross and gave Himself up for Her! When it comes to The Church, The Bride of Christ, we most certainly must tread lightly, mindfully, humbly, and above all, lovingly...