“GETTING THE BRIDE”
One of Fedena's Greatest Messages!
(imho - r. madden)
NOTE FROM ROB MADDEN:
***I had Fedena preach this in a church plant in Roanoke Rapids, NC. It so fired the Church up, that Victory Baptist Church became, and is the largest Church in that city! ***In two subsequent churches I preached his message, and both churches grew by leaps and bounds! |
“GETTING THE BRIDE”
TEXT: Gen. 24
THESIS: To show the beautiful picture of the Holy Spirit’s ministry in the world of “Getting A Bride” for the Savior through the soul-winning efforts of believers.
INTRO.: A. Leading up to this subject of “Getting A Bride” for Isaac in ch. 24, the subject of ch. 21 is a Birth (Isaac – a “supernatural son” is born), the subject of ch. 22 is a Burnt Offering, the subject of ch. 23 is a Burial (Abraham lays to rest his beloved wife Sarah), and of course the subject of ch. 24 is a Bride.
Harold Willmington calls this “the most type filled chapter in the Bible.
B. Isaac is a picture of Christ. The last time we saw Isaac (22:13) he was figuratively resurrected! We do not see him again till 92 verses and a long time period later, when he comes forth from his father’s house to meet his bride! We hear much about him, but we do not see him! “Oh, Lord Jesus, how long…till we shout that glad song – Christ returneth! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Amen!”
C. Abraham is now 140 yrs. old and very wealthy. He is about to transfer all his wealth to his son Isaac. Isaac is 40 years old and still has no bride! Abraham makes a covenant or pact with his servant Eleazar, to get a bride for his son…
I. THE TYPOLOGY OF THE PASSAGE: vv.1-4
A. Abraham = God the Father: v.2
Matthew 22:2 The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son…
B. The Servant = God the Spirit: v.2
1. The servant is not mentioned here by name, his sole purpose is to “Get a Bride” for the son and magnify him.
John 16:14-15 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. 15 All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
2. During this age the Holy Spirit’s primary ministry is to “Get a Bride” for God’s Son and magnify Him and comfort the Bride till they come together.
C. Isaac = God the Son: v.4
NOTE: Though the focus of this chapter is on the son, his presence is minimal.
1 Peter 1:8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory…
D. Rebekah = The Bride, the Church, the Believer: v.4 (cf. v.16)
Ephesians 5:27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
NOTE: Rebekah is the perfect type of the Church. Before anyone can become a member of the true Church, he or she must favorably answer the question of the Father’s servant “Wilt thou go with this man?” And she said, “I will go.” v. 58
E. The Far Country = the World: v.4 (approx. 500 miles from Hebron)
II. THE TEST OF THE PACT:
ILLUS.: Role play the story w/4 helpers taking the lead parts.
A. The Pact: vv. 2-4
1. The success or failure of the servant hinges on “GETTING THE BRIDE!”
2. Eleazar will be a “good servant” if he GETS THE BRIDE – “a bad servant” if he fails.
a. He may be kind, zealous, enthusiastic, loving, etc., but if he doesn’t GET THE BRIDE, he is a failure.
b. His sole purpose is to GET THE BRIDE for the son.
ILLUS.: 🚒Organize a fire dept: ✔Fire Chief (when no fires he answers the phone), ✔Fireman #1 (polishes the truck), ✔Fireman #2 (presses the uniforms), ✔Fireman #3 (greases the pole). So the fire alarm rings...What is their job❔ 💦💦💦TO PUT OUT FIRES❗❗❗
💥A Christian may have a beautiful voice and sing specials, 💥another may be a great bookkeeper or treasurer, 💥another may be a deacon. What is their job❓❓ TO GET THE BRIDE❗❗❗
B. The Problem: vv. 10,11
1. The servant takes 10 camels and “power of attorney” (v.10 “all the goods of his master were in his hand”) and went to the “far country” of Mespotamia.
2. The problem is not that there are not enough prospects, but WHICH ONE?! v. 11
C. The Prayer: vv. 12-14
1. The prayer included a test of watering 10 camels (each one would drink about 5 gallons of water – total 50 gallons!
2. “Before he had done speaking” (in prayer) v.15, God was working!
3. Here comes Rebekah! (God is never surprised when someone gets saved! vv.15-20
ILLUS.: Have “servant” ask “Rebekah” to “give me a drink…” etc.
III. THE THEOLOGY OF THE PICTURE:
A. The Fruit of the Spirit: (Gal. 5:22,23) = Characteristics to aid in GETTING THE BRIDE!
ILLUS.: I send my son to the store to get bread, butter and eggs. He goes and shows love, joy, longsuffering, etc., but doesn’t come home with the groceries. Good son or bad son? Bad son! Etc. Have “servant” be loving, kind, sweet, etc. – but Rebekah refuses.
B. The Gifts of the Spirit: (1 Cor. 12 = Sign Gifts; Rom. 12 = Service Gifts; Eph. 4 = Speaking Gifts) …Aids or Helps in GETTING THE BRIDE!
ILLUS.: Cf. vv. 22,35,53 Token gifts were offered and great wealth was promised. The Holy Spirit is the token (earnest) of everything the believer will receive when the marriage takes place!
1. Silver = redemption;
2. Gold = glory and riches;
3. Raiment = righteousness – the garments of salvation. All is provided by the Father through the Son and the Spirit.
C. The Fulness of the Spirit: (Eph. 4:30) Fuel or Power for GETTING THE BRIDE! vv. 58,61
1. Camel riding is tiresome and tough, up and down, up and down!
2. Rebekah “followed the man” over mountains, through valleys, etc.
ILLUS.: Only HE knew the way to Isaac! He was always present with the Bride. When she grew weary he would come alongside her camel and tell her some sweet things about Isaac: his wealth, his power, his position, his miraculous birth, his willing sacrifice, his resurrection, and his personal charm and wisdom.
3. At long last the journey is over and the Bridegroom appears! vv. 62-67
CONCL.: The ministry of the Holy Spirit in this age is to used the believer to GET THE BRIDE for the Lord Jesus Christ! He does not operate independently of us; He works through us! The FRUIT, GIFTS AND FULNESS of the Spirit are given by God to help us in GETTING THE BRIDE for Jesus! How are you doing?!
NOTE FROM ROB MADDEN:
***I had Fedena preach this in a church plant in Roanoke Rapids, NC. It so fired the Church up, that Victory Baptist became and is the largest Church in that city!
***In two subsequent churches I preached his message, and both churches grew by leaps and bounds!
***I had Fedena preach this in a church plant in Roanoke Rapids, NC. It so fired the Church up, that Victory Baptist became and is the largest Church in that city!
***In two subsequent churches I preached his message, and both churches grew by leaps and bounds!