CHURCH IN PROVERBS 31-
Who raised up the righteous man from the east, called him to his foot, gave the nations before him, and made him rule over kings? he gave them as the dust to his sword, and as driven stubble to his bow.
Thou hast heard, see all this; and will not ye declare it? I have shewed thee new things from this time, even hidden things, and thou didst not know them.
ON VIDEO-
.Speak now- or forever hold your peace
.The bride as a type of the church
.Not just an ideology- but God’s Spirit in a community
.Yes- Jesus is the only way
.Open 24/7
.Not simply a forum for one voice
.24/7 prayer rooms?
.Worldwide community fulfills it [Gates of the city open all the time- see?]
.We are the ‘local church’ [universal too]
.She exalts her husband
.She is not idle [open 24/7- the universal nature of the church]
.God gives grace to implement the vision
.She effectively functions as the bride
.Story of redemption
.Ecclesia
.Communion of the saints
I have raised up one from the north, and he shall come: from the rising of the sun shall he call upon my name: and he shall come upon princes as upon morter, and as the potter treadeth clay.
He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias.
I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.
NEW-
The virtues of the ‘virtuous woman ‘of proverbs 31 are seen in the church- the bride of Christ.
She is a bride that engages in works of social justice-
Proverbs 31:8 Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.
Proverbs 31:9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
She rises at all times- and gives food to her children-
Proverbs 31:15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
Paul the apostle refers to her as the Mother of us all-
But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.
The heavenly city is the church- the bride- the lambs wife-
And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
We are pillars in this temple- and bare the name of this city- on us-
Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.
The people of God are this church- both individually and collectively.
The church radiates the glory of Christ- her HUSBAND is known in the gates of the city-
Proverbs 31:23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
Yes- believers are the only place on earth where God’s Spirit actually lives.
Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
The church [local/universal] is not one particular denomination- or church building.
But the church is made up of all the people of God- even those who have gone on to be with the Lord- are still alive in Him-
He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living: ye therefore do greatly err.
What God did thru redemption was create a people- unique- in that he actually dwells in us.
He speaks thru us- all the time.
Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me,
Which refers to all the Old Testament prophecies concerning him- and this- in this volume Christ was foretold.
For as much as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.
Peter declares we are living stones that make up this temple-
New Living Translation
And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What's more, you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God. Peter 2:5
And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What's more, you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God. Peter 2:5
God is working thru his people- day and night-
Proverbs 31:15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
He speaks thru the church all the time-
Yes- we are the bride that gives food to her household- that serves the word of God-
As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
There have been other good communities of people who have done good-
But what God has done in the Church is indeed unique-
Because of his Spirit in us- we excel all previous efforts to effect real change in the world-
Proverbs 31:29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
Over the years- as I read this famous proverb I began to see the people of God in her.
Of course this proverb speaks in a generic way as well- the nobility of a woman of character-
It speaks of the fleeting glory of natural beauty as compared to inward righteousness-
Proverbs 31:30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
Yes- for many centuries women have put into practice these principles- and have excelled.
But the Church- The Bride of Christ- that's us- you and me.
The very reality that the Spirit of God only resides in us- not in a book- or a church building- or in any other well meaning religion-
The fact that God’s Spirit is uniquely in the church- the people-
Makes us this city on a hill- a special people.
People on the earth- who are now partaking of the Divine nature-
Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
Yes- there is no other people like the Bride of Jesus- the Christ.
NOTES- When I sit down and right- it’s like when I speak- I try not to change- or re-work the original text.
Even if I think some might take it wrong-
So here are a few after notes-
BIBLE-
When I say God's Spirit ONLY dwells in us- that's actually what the bible teaches us.
I believe the bible is indeed the inspired ‘word of God’.
We use this language because it is indeed written- in the bible-
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
It actually means ‘God breathed’.
Yet- when you touch a bible- or a church building- or any other thing on the earth- God’s actual Spirit does not dwell in that thing.
Yet- he dwells inside human beings who have been redeemed- actually.
This makes us- the people of God- the church [community] very unique.
When God speaks thru the church- we are not ‘speaking’ new canon- meaning new bible books.
But when he is doing the speaking- it is indeed the work of the Spirit.
I have written a few books over the years- that tried to combat the false idea that the local church is actually the church building on the corner- or the 501c3 non profit- that in our country is described as ‘local church’.
This has caused many well meaning people- Pastors- to think that God’s plan is in the corporate entity defined as- quote ‘local church’.
This is a mistake-
The Local church or universal church- are the people of God- dwelling [or meeting] locally-
or those around the globe [universal].
It’s easy to see- if you don’t lose the simplicity of what God has actually done in the people of God.
Because we are this Bride- this virtuous woman- we have intimacy with God-
An intimacy that NO OTHER THING has.
We read in the bible that we are partaker's of this Divine nature-
We- you- me- all of us who have been redeemed.
All men are made in the image of God-
Genesis 1:27 (KJV)27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
And because of this- all people have value in God’s eyes.
But the redeemed community has now been restored in relationship with God- and that’s why his Spirit is now dwelling in us.
When we meet in a church building- or print copies of the scripture- yes- these things are good- and part of the work of God.
But we- the church- are actually the only entity on the earth- where God’s Spirit resides- abides- lives.
The apostle Paul actually refers to us as living letters- not written with ink and pen-
2 Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men:
3 For as much as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.
2nd Cor. 3
He wrote this to the church-
Comparing the New Covenant Church [Not the New Testament scriptures]- to the Old Covenant letter of the law-
6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.
7 But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away:
8 How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?
9 For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.
He said we have this greater glory- because of who we are in Christ.
We are indeed a living people of God- containing this treasure in earthen vessels-
7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. 2nd Cor. 4:7
Yes- one day we will die- physically.
But the church will continue.
There will be a day when God will raise the dead- yes- physically-
"Do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs will hear His voice, and will come forth; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment.
The People of God will receive resurrected bodies-
Verse Concepts
in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.
And live forever in a new heaven and new earth- yes- the city we have been talking about today- the bride- the virtuous woman- is where God dwells-
21 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
Rev.
But for now- the church of God- all of us- are a special people-
We are the virtuous woman of proverbs 31.
PAST POSTS- [My past teaching that relates to this post- Proverbs 31]
VERSES- [These are the verses I taught- or quoted on today’s post]
All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
These wait all upon thee; that thou mayest give them their meat in due season.
The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season.
Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?
51 Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the Lord: look unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye are digged.
2 Look unto Abraham your father, and unto Sarah that bare you: for I called him alone, and blessed him, and increased him.
3 For the Lord shall comfort Zion: he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the Lord; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody.
For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias.
In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul.
And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel:
John 15:1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
John 15:2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
John 15:3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
John 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
John 15:6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
John 15:7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
John 15:8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
John 15:9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.
Proverbs 31:1 The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.
Proverbs 31:2 What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?
Proverbs 31:3 Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.
Proverbs 31:4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:
Proverbs 31:5 Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.
Proverbs 31:6 Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.
Proverbs 31:7 Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
Proverbs 31:8 Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.
Proverbs 31:9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
Proverbs 31:10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
Proverbs 31:11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
Proverbs 31:12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
Proverbs 31:13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
Proverbs 31:14 She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
Proverbs 31:15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
Proverbs 31:16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
Proverbs 31:17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
Proverbs 31:18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
Proverbs 31:19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
Proverbs 31:20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
Proverbs 31:21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
Proverbs 31:22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
Proverbs 31:23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
Proverbs 31:24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
Proverbs 31:25 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
Proverbs 31:26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
Proverbs 31:27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
Proverbs 31:28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
Proverbs 31:29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
Proverbs 31:30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
Proverbs 31:31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
Note- Please do me a favor, those who read/like the posts- re-post them on other sites as well as the site you read them on- Thanks- John.#
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