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Matthew 13:24
Jesus told the crowd another story.“ Here is what the kingdom of heaven is like,” he said.“ A man planted good seed in his field.
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Revelation 19:7-9
Let us be joyful and glad! Let us give him glory! It is time for the Lamb’s wedding. His bride has made herself ready.Fine linen, bright and clean, was given to her to wear.” Fine linen stands for the right things that God’s holy people do.Here is what the angel told me to write.“ Blessed are those invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” Then he added,“ These are the true words of God.”
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Luke 14:16-24
Jesus replied,“ A certain man was preparing a great banquet. He invited many guests.Then the day of the banquet arrived. He sent his servant to those who had been invited. The servant told them,‘ Come. Everything is ready now.’“ But they all had the same idea. They began to make excuses. The first one said,‘ I have just bought a field. I have to go and see it. Please excuse me.’“ Another said,‘ I have just bought five pairs of oxen. I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.’“ Still another said,‘ I just got married, so I can’t come.’“ The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry. He ordered his servant,‘ Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the town. Bring in those who are poor. Also bring those who can’t see or walk.’“‘ Sir,’ the servant said,‘ what you ordered has been done. But there is still room.’“ Then the master told his servant,‘ Go out to the roads. Go out to the country lanes. Make the people come in. I want my house to be full.I tell you, not one of those people who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.’ ”
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Ephesians 5:24-32
The church follows the lead of Christ. In the same way, wives should follow the lead of their husbands in everything.Husbands, love your wives. Love them just as Christ loved the church. He gave himself up for her.He did it to make her holy. He made her clean by washing her with water and the word.He did it to bring her to himself as a brightly shining church. He wants a church that has no stain or wrinkle or any other flaw. He wants a church that is holy and without blame.In the same way, husbands should love their wives. They should love them as they love their own bodies. Any man who loves his wife loves himself.After all, no one ever hated their own body. Instead, they feed and care for their body. And this is what Christ does for the church.We are parts of his body.Scripture says,“ That’s why a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife. The two will become one.”( Genesis 2:24)That is a deep mystery. But I’m talking about Christ and the church.
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John 3:29-30
The bride belongs to the groom. The friend who helps the groom waits and listens for him. He is full of joy when he hears the groom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete.He must become more important. I must become less important.
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Matthew 13:31-33
Jesus told the crowd another story. He said,“ The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed. Someone took the seed and planted it in a field.It is the smallest of all seeds. But when it grows, it is the largest of all garden plants. It becomes a tree. Birds come and rest in its branches.”Jesus told them still another story.“ The kingdom of heaven is like yeast,” he said.“ A woman mixed it into 60 pounds of flour. The yeast worked its way all through the dough.”
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2 Corinthians 11 2
My jealousy for you comes from God himself. I promised to give you to only one husband. That husband is Christ. I wanted to be able to give you to him as if you were a pure virgin.
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Matthew 22:2-14
“ Here is what the kingdom of heaven is like. A king prepared a wedding dinner for his son.He sent his slaves to those who had been invited to the dinner. The slaves told them to come. But they refused.“ Then he sent some more slaves. He said,‘ Tell those who were invited that I have prepared my dinner. I have killed my oxen and my fattest cattle. Everything is ready. Come to the wedding dinner.’“ But the people paid no attention. One went away to his field. Another went away to his business.The rest grabbed his slaves. They treated them badly and then killed them.The king became very angry. He sent his army to destroy them. They killed those murderers and burned their city.“ Then the king said to his slaves,‘ The wedding dinner is ready. But those I invited were not fit to come.So go to the street corners. Invite to the dinner anyone you can find.’So the slaves went out into the streets. They gathered all the people they could find, the bad as well as the good. Soon the wedding hall was filled with guests.“ The king came in to see the guests. He noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes.‘ Friend,’ he asked,‘ how did you get in here without wedding clothes?’ The man couldn’t think of anything to say.“ Then the king told his slaves,‘ Tie up his hands and feet. Throw him outside into the darkness. Out there people will weep and grind their teeth.’“ Many are invited, but few are chosen.”
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Psalms 45:10-16
Royal bride, listen and pay careful attention. Forget about your people and the home you came from.Let the king be charmed by your beauty. Honor him. He is now your master.The people of Tyre will come with gifts. Wealthy people will try to gain your favor.In her room, the princess looks glorious. Her gown has gold threads running through it.Dressed in beautiful clothes, she is led to the king. Her virgin companions follow her. They have been brought to be with her.They are led in with joy and gladness. They enter the palace of the king.Your sons will rule just as your father and grandfather did. You will make them princes through the whole land.
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Matthew 25:1-14
“ Here is what the kingdom of heaven will be like at that time. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went out to meet the groom.Five of them were foolish. Five were wise.The foolish ones took their lamps but didn’t take any olive oil with them.The wise ones took oil in jars along with their lamps.The groom did not come for a long time. So the bridesmaids all grew tired and fell asleep.“ At midnight someone cried out,‘ Here’s the groom! Come out to meet him!’“ Then all the bridesmaids woke up and got their lamps ready.The foolish ones said to the wise ones,‘ Give us some of your oil. Our lamps are going out.’“‘ No,’ they replied.‘ There may not be enough for all of us. Instead, go to those who sell oil. Buy some for yourselves.’“ So they went to buy the oil. But while they were on their way, the groom arrived. The bridesmaids who were ready went in with him to the wedding dinner. Then the door was shut.“ Later, the other bridesmaids also came.‘ Sir! Sir!’ they said.‘ Open the door for us!’“ But he replied,‘ What I’m about to tell you is true. I don’t know you.’“ So keep watch. You do not know the day or the hour that the groom will come.“ Again, here is what the kingdom of heaven will be like. A man was going on a journey. He sent for his slaves and put them in charge of his money.
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Matthew 13:44-47
“ The kingdom of heaven is like treasure that was hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again. He was very happy. So he went and sold everything he had. And he bought that field.“ Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a trader who was looking for fine pearls.He found one that was very valuable. So he went away and sold everything he had. And he bought that pearl.“ Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net. It was let down into the lake. It caught all kinds of fish.
