What the Bride Will Wear
Hebrews 13 contains some surprising language and commands for the church regarding her leaders; statements that fly in the face of much of what is accustomed and assumed in the modern, evangelical church. But God’s wisdom shines through in this text, for His teaching her is a key part of His design for what the church is to be and how she is to be healthy in Him.
God has given pastors and elders to lead the church (Ephesians 4:11-16). But this leadership must never be for their own agenda or glory. The church must pray for and expect leaders who put the focus on God’s word and His plan, and who are themselves examples of the sufficiency and power of His grace through and to fallen people.
What do we do with our money in the church? How much should we give? How do we know what is the right amount? Or, are those perhaps not the right questions at all….could there be an entirely different way to think about the subject of stewardship in the church?
In the church, we are to be a place and a people through which others come to know Jesus Christ better. It sounds glorious…and it is so hard when the people around us are so difficult! What does it mean to be a member of a church full of fallen and broken people? Is membership worth it, when it is so difficult to really be connected and invested with each other?
In the church, we are to be a place and a people through which others come to know Jesus Christ better. It sounds glorious…and it is so hard when the people around us are so difficult! What does it mean to be a member of a church full of fallen and broken people? Is membership worth it, when it is so difficult to really be connected and invested with each other?
We live in a world where any claims of absolute Truth or statements of doctrine (what to believe and why to believe it) are met with suspicion or downright opposition. But the True Church, the Faithful Bride, must stand on doctrine that enunciates the “very truth of God” – for it is indeed the only hope for us and for the world around us.
Churches today clamor and compete to find a message that resonates with culture. But the Bible says that there is one message that should mark us – and one Gospel alone that is True.
The culture around us attacks and denies the inerrancy, the truth, and the authority of God’s Word. While the true church affirms these things, she often falls into the pragmatic trap of denying “Sola Scriptura” – that God’s word is enough and sufficient for all that we need in life and doctrine and growth.
The Bride of Christ lives and walks in a world where many voices call to her; they try to distract her and confuse her with their messages. But the Bride hears one voice, one Word – the Word of God Himself, given and spoken by Him.
The Bride of Christ lives and walks in a world where many voices call to her; they try to distract her and confuse her with their messages. But the Bride hears one voice, one Word – the Word of God Himself, given and spoken by Him.