The Bride of Christ

My wife has recently started working in bridal again. She works in the alterations department at a bridal and prom store. She has always liked working with brides because this is one of the happiest times of their lives and she gets to be part of it.

She also loves watching "Say Yes to the Dress", a TV program about life in a very high end bridal store in New York. So, of course, I see it as well.

It got me thinking about Ephesians 5, where the church is called the Bride of Christ.

"Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior... Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word... For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body... This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church."

On "Say Yes to the Dress", it often concludes with showing the bride walking down the aisle, beaming from ear to ear as she sees her husband-to-be waiting for her with a huge smile on his face as well. She can't wait to be with him, and he can't wait to be with her.

What will it be like at the marriage supper of the lamb, when Christ receives his Bride, the church, in Revelation 19?

"Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. 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; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure."

You are His church. You are His bride. What will that day be like when we see Him face to face? Will our face be able to contain the smile?

Like the bride, do you look forward to that day when you will be with Him?

Scotte Meredith

Why are we here?

Why are we here?

I'm not asking why we are here on earth, although that's important. I'm not asking why we showed up here today.

I'm asking why you are here at Shiloh.

Why are you here?

Are you here because you like the youth program? You like the worship time? You like the preaching? Maybe it's the church you grew up in. Maybe you are just comfortable here.

Why are you here?

Does it make any difference where you go? It depends... What has God called you to do? For whatever reason, God put you here. You may not even know why, but He does. if God has put you here, then why are you here? It is no accident you are here, so what is the reason?

Romans 12: 4-6: "For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them..."

What do the parts of the body do? In I Corinthians 12, we are told they work together. Notice both parts... they "work," they contribute to each other and the rest of the body... and "together," they do it in community.

So what is your purpose here? Every cell in the body contributes to the whole in their own way. Every little finger, big toe, spleen, skin and elbow has their own reason for being part of the body, and they are coordinated with others in the body.

So why are you here?

Among other things, to minister. To paraphrase a former president, "Ask not what your church can do for you, ask rather what you can do for your church."

Does that mean you will not be ministered to? Absolutely not. In fact, you will find that when you minister to others, you are ministered to yourself, and God will bless you as well.

So practically, what do you do about it? Many of you are already deeply involved in ministry at Shiloh and we appreciate that so much. Many people in the body would not be ministered to the body today if not for your gift of serving.

Shawn Smith is going to help coordinate volunteers and ministries. Just after Easter, on April 19 & 26, we will be putting out cards for you to indicate your interests and talents and areas where you believe God is calling you to serve and minister. And ministry leaders will be determining areas where service is needed. He'll put the two lists together and someone will get in touch with you. Or go to a ministry leader of an area you want to be involved and ask how you can help.

Our church direction is: Worship, Belong, Serve

How are you going to Serve?

There are people here to whom God is calling you to minister at this point in time, and He has uniquely suited you to do this in your own way as a part of the body.

So we'll ask the question one last time:

Why are you here?

Encouraging you to serve the Lord,

Your Shiloh Hills Fellowship Elders