See the bride coming down the Aisle, The Music is
triumphant and joyful, the people are in awe. The bride is not quite ready. She is
in a wheelchair paralyzed by the traumatic life of trials and tribulations. The
bridegroom lifts her up and she is whole without wrinkle or spot. That is a
picture of the Church. See the picture in 2 Samuel 9: 1-10.
David meets with the crippled Mephibosheth, all because of a covenant he had made with
Jonathan. A promise that cannot be broken. The promise is extended beyond this life. "Even
when you are gone Jonathan I will show Kindness, Favor and Blessing on your
descendants".
Now return to the altar where the bride and groom are solemnly
declaring their love for one another. "I have first loved you. With an
everlasting love I will always love you" he says.
She responds "I will always love you for you have shown me what love is."
"I am Faithful, I will keep all the promises I have made. Never will I leave you,
never will I forsake you" he says.
She responds: "I will be faithful to you, there will be no one else.
Only you will have access to my thoughts, my heart, my will and my life."
The promises are sealed with a token of great value
and once again they both agree: "With this Ring I seal this Promise."
The Eternal Unity of covenant is so part of marriage but let us unveil the bride.
What did God Promise us?
Eternal Life that starts from the moment we say "YES" to his promise in John 6: 47.
Covenant Relationship of security, He will never leave or forsake us Hebr.13: 5.
Blessing and prosperity, our future is certain. Jer 29: 11.
What do we Promise God?
To Serve Him Zeph 3: 9. Commitment.
No Foreign gods 1Sam 7: 3. Contentment.
Faithful in Prayer Rom 12: 12. Communication.
Can God break a PROMISE?
No! Never! Num 23: 19
Impossible He cannot Lie Heb 6: 18
Unthinkable! Titus 1: 2
Why do we break Promises?
Someone dropped us and we became servants of SIN 2 Sam 4: 4, Gen 3: 17.
Limited by Language and Legalism 2 Sam 9: 8.
Crippled by Cares (Matt 11:28 Invitation).
Ruined by Rejection 2 Sam 19: 24.
Jostled by Jealousy 2 Sam 16: 3.
We were unable to keep our promises relying on our own strength.
We needed a Savior. Our Bridegroom can Save us, Heal us,
Restore us, Forgive us and make us whole again.
What happens when a Bride Breaks Covenant?
Intimacy Stops - No Fellowship
Resentment Increases -Barriers of Sin Isa 59: 2.
Coldness creeps in - Spiritual growth is stunted 1 Cor 1: 10.
Divorce. Mal 2: 16...Heb 6: 4 - 6 Falling Away.
What is Jesus offering us?
Reconciliation.
Royal status; Come and feast at His Table.
Reign with Him.
Right Standing, Right Living, Righteousness.
Read PART 2 coming soon. It continues from this sermon's ending !!!
The Promise of Power...
