In the Book of Solomon's Love Song, we see with our spiritual eyes the love of Christ and His Church running full speed towards each other. And that is the essence of what you and I confess when we say, "I believe an holy catholic church." We confess that "the Son of God, from the beginning to the end of the world, gathers, defends, and preserves to himself by His Spirit and word, out of the whole human race," a bride, His Church, chosen to everlasting life, agreeing in true faith. It is a love bond, therefore, which will last and which cannot be broken, no, not even by death.
This 21st Lord's Day is a most beautiful Lord's Day in the light of the Song of Solomon. It is a wonder that in so few words and with such precision, our Reformed fathers could express the truth so richly. And most emphatically is that true with this 54th question and answer. You have so many scriptural truths and doctrines tied into the truth concerning the church. Sovereign election is prominent, the irresistible grace of Christ through His Spirit, the means of grace, the preservation of the saints, and so on and so forth. One could spend weeks preaching on this one question and answer, by leading God's people to Scripture and developing each one of these truths. But the purpose of the Catechism is not that we preach series of sermons on any particular Lord's Day. The purpose of the Catechism is that we are led through Scripture to consider the whole counsel of God in an orderly and timely fashion. But more. The purpose of my sermon this morning must be that you and I join in confessing what is expressed in the last phrase of the 54th answer, namely, "that I am and forever shall remain a living member" of that church of Christ. If the Holy Spirit so works in your heart that you express that for yourself, then practical purpose of my sermon will have been realized by God's irresistible grace. And then you take upon your lips the very words of the inspired Solomon in chapter 2:16: "My beloved is mine, and I am his."
CHRIST'S HOLY BRIDE
I. GIVEN TO CHRIST
II. ONE BODY WITH CHRIST
III. CONTINUALLY DRAWN BY CHRIST
I. THIS BRIDE, WHO MAKES THE CONFESSION THAT WE CONSIDER IN SONG OF SOLOMON 2:16, WAS GIVEN TO CHRIST.
FAIRLY OFTEN IN SCRIPTURE, THE FIGURE OF THE BRIDE AND GROOM ARE USED TO DESCRIBE THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CHRIST AND HIS CHURCH.
That is certainly the figure in the Song of Solomon. Solomon, as was his father David, was a type of Christ. Only, in contrast and as a further revelation of the Messiah Who was yet to come, Solomon was a type as the king of peace. And His love life, his life with the bride described in his inspired song and which bride joins that song with him, pictures the relationship between the church and our Lord Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul, you remember, winds up that whole beautiful section on marriage, Eph. 5:22ff, saying, "This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church." Thus the text before us describes that sacred union whereby we are mysteriously and wonderfully united to Christ.
That truth, you understand, is an matter of faith, an object of faith. "I believe an holy catholic church." The bride of Christ is not seen, as was the bride of Solomon. Or, perhaps better to say, that bride is seen, but only under a veil. We do not see the bride as Christ her husband sees and knows her. We see our own church. We see many other churches. But what we see does not reveal the bride of Christ in all her beauty. We confess that there is an holy catholic church, though we do not see it. That church is invisible. The manifestation of her, which we see, is a very imperfect manifestation, only a shadow of the real bride.
But of that bride Christ says, "She is beautiful." Which means that she is holy. Christ cannot have fellowship with and call beautiful that which is wicked. We believe an holy catholic church. Which is to say, positively, the church is consecrated to Christ. The church gives herself completely to Christ, and to none other but Christ. She is separated unto her husband, and is not an adulteress.
Or, you can look at it from another perspective. The church, Christ's bride, is separated from the world. She is the Bride of a King! She dwells not in the gutter, nor in the filth of the world. In her whole life she is separated from the world, holy. That bride is also one. Christ does not have a multitude of brides. We see a multitude of churches, of all different sorts, with many different members, all going under different names and of a multitude of different denominations, some close to the Word, others far from the truth of Scripture. That is what we see. But Christ has one bride.
Which is to say that His church is catholic, universal. By the use of that term "catholic" we are not referring to the Roman Catholic Church. Some modern translations of the Catechism have changed that to the term "universal." There is nothing wrong with changing a term as such. But we ought not concede the use of that term to the Roman Catholic Church. The Reformers did not. They spoke of an holy catholic church. And by the catholicity of the church we mean the true elect church of Jesus over the whole world as she is gathered from the beginning to the end of the world. We ought not speak of the Romish church as the catholic church. The catholic church is far from Rome. She is the Romish church or, if you wish, the Roman Catholic Church. But we believe the catholic church which Christ gathers from the beginning to the end of the world. That is the universal church. It is of that church that we read in Galatians 3:28: "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus." That text has nothing to do with breaking down roles within the church, as so many corrupt it today. That text has everything to do with the fact that Christ's church is catholic, made up of all kinds of people, from all kinds of social backgrounds and races, male and female. They are all one in Christ Jesus, the one Bride of Christ who sings in Song of Solomon 2:16: "My beloved is mine, and I am his."
THAT BRIDE WAS GIVEN TO CHRIST BY HIS FATHER.
According to the election of grace God the Father gives the Bride to His Son, and the Holy Spirit ties the knot in marriage, uniting Christ's love to us, and knitting our wills to Christ. The church is chosen to everlasting life. That is a very important and comforting element in our understanding of scriptural truth, and therefore a very important truth in our Protestant Reformed faith, as you know. When you and I say, I believe that I am and forever shall remain a living member of the church, we mean, "I believe that God has chosen me to everlasting life and glory by His sovereign good pleasure. And whom He has chosen He shall certainly save as living members of His beloved church. If you know this doctrine spiritually, what a wonderful doctrine it is! It is the anchor of your salvation. And particularly when we know how impotent we are and how strong and mighty are the forces of evil against us, how precious is the doctrine of election to us who believe in Jesus Christ.
This is a truth, properly understood, that brings us to our knees unto all eternity, praising God. But I emphasize, we must know this truth spiritually. If all the knowledge that you have of this doctrine is merely intellectual, it were better for you if you had never been born. We must know this doctrine spiritually. We have here a truth that must live in our consciousness. Christ, as the perfect antitype of Solomon, says about His Bride, using the figure not of a bride, however, but of the sheepfold (John 10:27-30): "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand."
The Apostle Paul writes in Eph. 1:3ff: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him"--notice that. He did not chose us as the Bride of Christ--to return to the figure of the tex/t we are consider-ing--because we were holy and without blame before Him. God has chosen us that we should be holy and without blame before Him. "In love having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved." According to the Father's good pleasure, His Son should be a Groom, a husband. For that beloved Son, He chose a Bride. That is the scriptural truth of election which is the basis for the confession in Song of Solomon 2:16, and which we confess in Q & A 54.
But because the whole human race which God created does not belong to that elect church, there is not only election, but there is also sovereign reprobation. And although that is not set forth in connection with the text nor with the article of our confession that we are considering, it is fitting here that we recognize this scriptural truth. Reprobation stands inseparably connected with election. God eternally and sovereignly chose His Church in Christ. And God eternally and sovereignly rejected the rest of mankind into everlasting destruction. That is a hard doctrine, I know. And especially is it hard for those who do not believe. But the truth of what we term sovereign double predestination is also a comforting truth. Because God is the subject of it all. And when we confess that God is God, then we can be satisfied and take comfort from that; because God is certainly good and right in all that He does. Oh, if men must rule, if men must work out their own salvation without God, it is a terrible world, people of God. But the truth is that God rules. God determines.
And He determines and works all things to accomplish the purpose which is His own good pleasure, well-pleasing in His sight. Reprobation is that sovereign decree of God according to which He determined from all eternity to lead those who are not members of Christ's church to everlasting damnation in the way of their sin. That is not my philosophy. That is the inescapable teaching of Scripture.
Let me remind you of two passages. First of all, we read Paul's account of the history of Isaac and Rebecca and their two sons in Romans 9:11-13 (a history also recounted in Malachi, chapter one, by the way): "(For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that have I loved, but Esau have I hated."
A couple things we need to notice in connection with that passage. For one thing, Why was Esau born first? That was no accident, you know. Scripture emphasizes that. The first-born in Israel was to receive the birthright blessing. But why wasn't Jacob born first, if God would have him receive the birthright blessing? Think of all the trouble that could have been spared that family, if only Jacob had been born first. Why did Esau come first, with Jacob clinging to his heel? Because God reverses, as it were, the laws of nature, to emphasize that He does what He wills. God caused the heir of the birthright to be born second.
But then we ask another question: Why did God reveal this to Rebecca even before these twins were born? That matter is important, you understand, because it is recorded in the Scriptures. It was not merely for Rebecca's sake, therefore, that God revealed that to her; but it was for our sake. Before the twins were born God revealed to Rebecca that the elder would serve the younger, and that in order that the purpose of God according to election might stand. In other words, God loved Jacob and God hated Esau, not because of any works in them, but that His purpose in election might stand. If we had judged Esau in the light of how he revealed himself, we would have come to the conclusion that Esau had made himself unworthy of salvation and was rejected because of his profane lifestyle. Though he was a very nice child, and outwardly much more pleasant than Jacob, Esau certainly was ungodly. He certainly showed himself unworthy of the birthright blessing in all its significance, no question about it. He despised his birthright and for that sin he stands forever responsible before God. But that God hated Esau was revealed to Rebecca before the twins were born, and to us today, in order that we might understand that Esau was rejected, reprobated, not because of his sin. He was condemned in the way of his own sin. But he was rejected because of God's sovereign good pleasure. For God will have mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth. That is Scripture.
Which means, positively, the election of the church is divinely sovereign. I call your attention to only one more passage, although this truth runs as a thread right through the Bible. We read in I Peter 2:5-9, where the inspired Apostle writes to the church, "Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed." Those who would deny the truth of sovereign reprobation have no idea what to do with that powerful text. But--and this little conjunction points us to our comfort--"But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light." You are the chosen bride of Christ. Do you believe and confess that, beloved?
One more thing I should say about the truths of election and reprobation before I return more directly to the concepts of the text and Lord's Day.
Often in the past those who do not want the truth of Scripture have accused us of overemphasizing predestination and especially reprobation. They say that we put the two on a par, and then emphasize reprobation, because we say that the majority of those born are reprobate. Because of that accusation that has nipped at our heels for years, I want you to understand without any doubts that we do not place election and reprobation on a par. They are not equal, and we certainly do not glory in the truth of reprobation. Rather, Scripture teaches that reprobation is subordinate to election, that reprobation serves election. God never does anything arbitrarily. He never does anything without a reason. We must remember that. We must remember that in the face of all our trials and afflictions. But we must remember that as well when we consider such an awesome truth as sovereign predestination. When I think of all the hell-bound people in this world, and as far as we can tell, by far the majority of the human race is reprobate, then I begin to shudder--for I understand full well that I deserve to be in that majority--until I remember that God does nothing without a reason. He even rejected that multitude for a reason. The question is, What is that reason?
Why could not God have saved all men? Why could not Christ have died for all men and taken the whole human race as His beloved Bride? The answer is found in that fact that God never does anything without a reason. And the reason why there must be reprobation as well as election, is that reprobation and those who are reprobate must serve the elect.
You see that truth repeatedly in Scripture. Think, e.g., of the figure of the wheat as a picture of the elect. You already have the question posed in Jeremiah 23:28: "What is the chaff to the wheat?" John the Baptist used that figure in Matthew 3:12, when he spoke of the coming of Christ, "whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire." That is a clear picture of salvation by election, and reprobation unto judgment.
The little kernel of wheat is the only thing that counts. From a little seed a large stalk and a beautiful plant develops. Yet that beautiful plant is destroyed. The kernel of wheat is the only thing that counts. But just as that whole plant must develop and ripen and serve to bring forth that kernel, so the reprobate in God's counsel must be here in order to serve the realization of the church, even to serve as self-seeking and unwilling servants of the Bride. Just as there are those involved in the making of a wedding who do not themselves have a place in that ceremony, so there are those who serve the church who do not have a place in that true invisible church that belongs to Christ by election. Reprobation serves election. How should Christ die and purchase His Bride, except there be ungodly men to crucify Him? Judas Iscariot must serve the salvation of the church. How should He come again to take His Bride to that great wedding feast of the Lamb in heaven, unless there be the reprobate to pave the way for His coming in judgment for the salvation of that Bride?
Do you understand now what I mean when I say that this truth of sovereign election and the subservient reprobation is fundamental and basic to our faith and comfort? Therein lies the very heart of God's love for His Son and for that beautiful Bride, the Church.
II. THAT CHURCH, CHOSEN BY GOD AND GIVEN TO CHRIST, IS ONE BODY WITH HIM.
HE GATHERS, DEFENDS AND PRESERVES TO HIMSELF HIS BRIDE.
"My beloved is mine, and I am his." Christ and His Bride live together in a state of which holy marriage is only a faint picture. This union is indeed mysterious. It is hard to describe the manner of it in a way that really conveys its beauty. But Christ makes Himself one with His spouse in such a way that He conveys upon her His own image, and impregnates her with His own holiness. As John writes in John 1:16, "of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace." He takes us to Himself in such a way that our love for Him is not mere talk or show. It is not enough to give Him a few complimentary visits to His house on Sunday, not when we are members of His Bride. When we sing from the heart, "my beloved is mine, and I am his," we are those who are compelled from the Spirit within to dwell upon the thoughts of our Beloved Christ. Though in holy marriage a man and woman become one flesh, Christ and the believer make one spirit. The joy that flows from this mystical union is unspeakable and full of glory.
And that marriage which Christ establishes with the spouse given Him by God the Father is fruitful. He loves His Bride in such a way that she loves Him in return. As Paul writes in Romans 7:4, we are married to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God. The Bride of Christ brings forth the fruits of the Spirit--love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, meekness, and so on. To be barren of such fruits is impossible for Christ's Bride. She is, after all, a living, fruitful Spouse. That is the meaning of the confession we are considering. But don't forget, that confession is personal. "My beloved is mine, and I am his." Shall we say that? Is that your own experience? Are you seen with and do you see in yourself the fruits of that marriage?
THIS MARRIAGE UNION WITH CHRIST IS THE MOST HONORABLE AND EXCELLENT UNION THAT COULD EVER BE CONCEIVED BY GOD HIMSELF.
So intimate is this perfect marriage relationship between Christ and His Bride that she becomes His own body. And that the church is the body of Christ means that every member has his or her own place in that body. That is marvelous in itself. When all the millions of the elect are gathered and glorified together, when all the body of Christ is together before the throne of God in the new heavens and the new earth, then every single one shall have his or her perfect place. Then that perfect place shall be recognized. But even now is that true. From the Apostles and Prophets to the retarded child and the elderly saint who lies in the nursing home stricken with Alzheimers Disease, every one has a place in that one body of Christ. For all are living members of that body, each according to his or her capacity.
But again, shall we say, "I am and forever shall remain a living member thereof"? Don't overlook that truth that the members of Christ's body are living members. There are no dead members in Christ's body. The members of Christ's body do not show up to honor Him and worship Him only occasionally. The members of His body do not continue to run with the world, and find their fellowship with the ungodly. The members of Christ's body do not continue to live on the fringes. They contribute to the welfare of the body. The dead branches are cut off by the command of Christ. The cancerous members, if not cured through repentance and faith by the grace of God's powerful Word and Christian discipline, must be surgically removed by the exercise of that same Christian discipline. The body of Christ is made up of living members, holy by the powerful influence of their Husband and Head.
III. AND CHRIST CONTINUALLY DRAWS HIS BRIDE TO HIMSELF.
HE TAKES THAT BRIDE TO HIMSELF, GATHERING HER BY HIS SPIRIT AND WORD.
He gathers, defends and preserves her by His Spirit and Word. As Christ He took us to Himself, beloved. He came into this world in the likeness of our sinful flesh, though without sin, to teach us the knowledge of the Father and to take us unto Himself. He went to the cross to die for us, to purchase us as His precious Bride and to merit for us a place in Father's house of many mansions. That is our Husband, Christ. And He arose from the dead, to ascend to God's right hand in glory, exercising His lordship over all things for the sake of His spouse, the church. And through His Spirit and by His Word He makes us living members of that Bride, of His own body.
That is His purpose with the preaching, also the preaching this morning that you hear with your own ears. When you are members of Christ's Bride, the Spirit works in your heart by the Word preached. And the Spirit applies that Word to our heart, so that you know it and believe it and take it as your own love song from Christ.
AND HE CALLS US HIS BRIDE BY HIS LOVE SONG, UNTIL HE SHALL TAKE US UNTO HIMSELF AND WE SHALL HEAR HIS VOICE AND SEE HIM FACE TO FACE AND KNOW HIM EVEN AS WE ARE KNOWN.
I am and forever shall remain a living member thereof. Because I have been
given Christ by the Father, no one, absolutely no one can pluck me out of His hand. He
accomplishes His purpose in taking His Bride to Himself. So Christ gathers His Church in
the generations of believers and their seed, and even reaches outside to fulfill His
purpose according to election. And the time is coming when from our voices as His redeemed
Bride there shall arise from before His throne the perfected song, "My beloved is
mine, and I am his." May God grant that to you and to me.
Amen.
Preached:Randolph PRC 2/2/97 (am)
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