Song of Songs

Song of Songs

We make fun of some of the images of Songs of Songs, your hair is like a flock of goats descending Mt. Gilead, and your teeth are like shorn sheep each with its twin. Other parts can make you blush if you good understanding the imagery that is used. As you read this steamy little book it becomes difficult to follow the romance.  It is not a picture of perfect love; it is a picture of the relationship between God and Israel, and even God and us.

 

A. love begins

            a. 1:1-4 passionate desire they can’t wait to get alone together.

            b. Her friends are happy for her and in vs. 8 tell her to follow the tracks of the sheep to find her lover.

            c. So starts the relationship between God and the people of Israel

            d. They worship God alone; they keep His laws and celebrate life with God.

 

B. God looks for us

            a. 2:17 – 3:3 the people have started staying out late and not coming home.

            b. 3:3-5 God goes out and finds them and brings them home.

            c. by 5:2-8 Israel shows up at the door but does not come in, God runs and opens

            d. Then God goes out to search for them but is beaten and bruised.

            e. 5:9 what makes them special. 5:10-16 God tells of his love for Israel

            f. 6:8-9 now God is only the best of many. “of all my girlfriends you’re the best”

            g. 8:13 Israel longs to hear God voice.

 

C. God has a passion for you

            a. God designed us for passionate love for one person.

            b. God designed us to also be passionate in our love for God and only God.

            c. long in your heart to hear His voice.

            d. He is calling come back to me.     

           

Ecclesiastes 12:1-8 “Remember God”

Ecclesiastes 12:1-8 “Remember God”

            Silvia and John are 56 years old, they have been married for 37 years, raised their family and retired from their jobs. There first few years were painful but they stuck it out and got a routine together. They did not spend time talking together other than a few stolen moments, a vacation, or when a struggle demanded it. Now they have time, but they find it hard to talk. The opinions and habits of the past get in the way. They find that 90% of their life is not connected to each other. Being alone with each other for so much of the day scares them.

            Many retired couples find themselves in this same place. Solomon finds himself in the same place in his relationship with God. He and God made a good start but now Solomon is overwhelmed by the meaningless things he did and the relationship with God he does not have.

 

1. Solomon in old age

            a. the days of trouble

            b. find no pleasure in them

            c. v 2 your eyes go

            d. v3 legs tremble and arms are weak

            e. v3 teeth are few

            f. v3 friend no longer come to call

            Solomon sits on a throne of compromise knowing he has given his best strength to the wrong things.

           

2. our time

            a. in our teens: church is boring, prayer, reading, (what is out there)

            b. family to build, careers to cultivate, money to save, we just need a rest.

            c. My life is full of troubles and even though I am interested in God …

            d. I got time to do the things I have missed…

            e. now in old age with all the time to think, pray, focus on God but I don’t

 

3. Build it now

            a. the last full measure of devotion.

            b. Lincoln was asking for our first measure of devotion

            c. Live your lives with Jesus while your children can see it

            d. live your life with Jesus now so you retire with a friend not a stranger

            e. given your best strength to Jesus who gave His best to you.

            f. vs 13 love God…

            g. teach your children to do the same.

 

 

Gettysburg Address

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Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battlefield of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.

But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate - we can not consecrate - we can not hallow - this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us - that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion - that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain - that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom - and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

Ecclesiastes 1:1-10 “The Man Without God”

Ecclesiastes 1:1-10 “The Man Without God”

Introduction: This is the great book on the meaning of life written by the wisest person to ever live, Solomon. For a book that is to give us the meaning of life, it is not starting out in a promising way. Everything in the world is utterly meaningless. It is amazing what a person will do to try and make their lasting mark on the world. Some have tried to rule it, killing millions of people in the effort, yet none ever have. Some people have built great structures, pyramids, sphinx, Stonehenge, great stone heads on Easter Island, Indian mound in the united states and great cities. Yet for all their effort we do not know the who, what, why and when, of these people. Some people have made great fortunes only to leave it behind for fighting relatives.

 1. Endless ages.

            a. Solomon could trace his ancestry back to Adam in the garden.

            b. generations came and went and many more to come.
            c. The earth had been designed with a renewing cycle.
                        Renews the earth
                        Washes away most evidence of the generations past
                        Peoples appetite for more vs 8&9
            d. Solomon saw the meaninglessness of pleasures, work, riches, even his wisdom
            e. everything has it’s time. Chapter 3

 

2. Solomon’s life without God

            a. nothing on earth escapes the cycle

            b. only when God is part of your life does life make sense.
            c. it is our relationship with God that takes you beyond the cycle of life.
            d. the round-a-bout
            f. 3-3x6x9+16=
            g. everything does mean something if there is God
            h. everything does mean something because it effects our eternal relationship

 

3. What should we do

            a. do not despair about the cycle

            b. focus on the eternal
            c. build your relationship with Jesus
            d. submit all of your life, all of your cycle to Jesus
            e. Matthew 6:19-20

 

Conclusion: Life does not have to be meaningless, it can be eternal. The meaningful life starts when you ask Jesus to forgive you and give Him control of your life. Do that while we pray and step out of the great meaningless cycle of earth and into the eternity of heaven.

Proverbs 31

This is the last bit of advice to be given to the son’s of Solomon. We have finished this book of teachings and sayings that were meant to prepare a boy for manhood. Proverbs 31 stands as a mark that woman should strive for and it is a guide for a man in seeking a wife. This passage starts with the old joke “A wife of noble character who can find?” ___ Then it says she is more valuable than rubies. This kind of Godly woman is rare and valuable to the life of her husband. She stands in contrast to the other women of proverbs.

 

1.THE EASY TO FIND WOMAN

            A. the adulteress and wayward wife. 2:16  5:3

            B. prostitute 6:24-29

            c. the immoral woman 6:24

            d. The gossip

            e. the disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones 12:4

            f. the quarrelsome wife 19:13 21:9 21:19

 

2. the noble wife

            a. of great value 12:4, 31:10

            b. gives her husband confidence 11-12

            c. she is industrious a business woman 13-19

            d. kind and giving to the poor 20

            e. takes care of her family 21-22

            f. brings respect to her husband when he sits with other men

            g. She teaches her children well

            h. She watches over her family

 

3. what to do with this

            A. Women

                        a. your character and conduct shape your family

                        b. the limits of what you would do are limitless

                        c. Your actions greatly affect your husband, you have the power to encourage him, or defeat him.

            B. Men

                        a. before you marry, evaluate and choose wisely

                        b. treasure your wife, give her, her rightful praise

                        c. encourage her to be the woman of God

                        d. do not dismiss her council lightly

 

Being a woman of noble character can make or break your family. Will they rise up and call you blessed , or wish they were living in a leaky house or even a desert. A wife of noble character is a treasure beyond all measure, husbands treat her that way.

May of 1607 214 settlers land in Jamestown at it becomes the first settlement in the United States. By 1609 only 60 were left alive. They were found by a supply ship, starving to death. In 2 years they had cleared very little land, failed to build houses, plant crops or any of the industrious things you picture they would do. They even had don’t work you don’t eat laws, and the people still failed to get to work. Jamestown was not an example of the courage, ingenuity, determination and strength that came to define the “American Spirit” but it was a good example of Proverbs 24:30-34

 

One of the favorite characters found in Proverbs is the Sluggard. This lazy and unprosperous man is found throughout the book. The sluggard is always looking for the easy way out, the get rich scheme, using others to get ahead. The generous spirit of the first Christians ran afoul of the sluggards to the point where Paul mentions it often, Eph 4:28 “no longer steal, but get to work” Col 3:23 Work with all your heart at whatever you do” 2 Tim 3:10 “if a man will not work he shall not eat.” 1 Tim 5:8 a person who fails to provide for his family has denied the faith.

 

Sluggards are found unemployed and in board rooms of companies.  Some Gut companies as they jump from job to job sacrificing long range sustainability for good bottom line and bonus, then they move on before anyone realizes what has been done.

 

But enough of economics. What happens when we apply this to the church and to our spiritual life.

 

A.GOD HAS GIVEN WHAT WE NEED

            a. A FIELD

            b. SEED

            c. EVEN A WALL OF PROTECTION

 

B. ALL WORK IS EVALUATED

            a. THE SLUGGARDS FIELD

            b. 1 COR 3:12-15

            C. Matthew 3:8-10

            D. Matthew  7:19

 

C.  GETTING TO WORK

            a. PHIL 1:6

            B. PHIL 2:12

            c. COL 1:10 LIVE THE LIFE

            d. 2 TIM 2:21 CLEANES YOUR SELF

            e. 2 TIM 3:16 STUDY THE SCRIPTURES

 

CONCLUSION: As we have done in the past we must continue to do. Mend the protective wall, pull the weeds, plant the crop so we can have the time of harvest. This is the work of every one of us and it is the work of the church. When Jesus comes let Him not find us sleeping.

 

^{1Co 3:13} his work will be shown for what it is, ^f  because the Day ^g  will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work. ^h  

 

^{Phil 2:12} Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, ^o   

^{Phil 2:13} for it is God who works in you ^p  to will and to act according to his good purpose.

 

 

^{Phil 1:6} being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion ^k  until the day of Christ Jesus. ^l  

 

^{Col 1:10} And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy ^u  of the Lord and may please him ^v  in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, ^w  

 

^{2Ti 2:21} If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work. ^b  

 

 

^{2Ti 3:16} All Scripture is God-breathed ^m  and is useful for teaching, ⁿ  rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, ^o   

^{2Ti 3:17} so that the man of God ^p  may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. ^q  

 

 

^{Mt 7:24} “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice ⁱ  is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.  

^{Mt 7:25} The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.  

^{Mt 7:26} But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.  

^{Mt 7:27} The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

 

 

 

^{Mt 3:8} Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. ⁱ   

^{Mt 3:9} And do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ ^j  I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. 

^{Mt 3:10} The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. ^k  

^{Mt 3:11} “I baptize you with ¹³ water for repentance. ^l  But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit ^m  and with fire. ⁿ   

^{Mt 3:12} His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

c^{ol 3:23} Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 

^{Col 3:24} since you know that you will receive an inheritance ^l  from the Lord as a reward. ^m  It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

 

^{Eph 4:28} He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, ^y  doing something useful with his own hands, ^z  that he may have something to share with those in need.

 

 

^{2Th 3:10} For even when we were with you, ^g  we gave you this rule: “If a man will not work, ^h  he shall not eat.”

 

^{1Ti 5:8} If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied ^r  the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

.

 

 

Proverbs 19:1-8

Bessy Smiths 1927 song “No Body Knows You When Your Down and Out” could have been lifted from the pages of Proverbs.

 

Once I lived the life of a millionaire,
Spent all my money, I just did not care.
Took all my friends out for a good time,
Bought bootleg whiskey, champagne and wine.

Then I began to fall so low,
Lost all my good friends, I did not have nowhere to go.
I get my hands on a dollar again,
I'm gonna hang on to it till that eagle grins.

Cause no, no, nobody knows you
When you're down and out.
In your pocket, not one penny,
And as for friends, you don't have any.

When you finally get back up on your feet again,
Everybody wants to be your old long-lost friend.
Said it's mighty strange, without a doubt,
Nobody knows you when you're down and out.

 

This passage in Proverbs is not talking about any poor man it is talking about the blameless poor man. The rest of the passage is a list of the things men will do for wealth.

 

1. What will we do for friends and money

            a. perverse lips

            b. zeal and go for it without thought

            c. vs 5 false witness and pouring out lies

            d. vs 6 curry favor, giving gifts

            e. the end result is ruin, punishment, and they will blame God

 

2. No Body Knows You

            a. shunned by relatives vs 7

            b. friends deserts him vs 4

            c. Jobs wife 2:9

 

3. Better the Poor Man

            a. 18:24 “a man who sticks closer than a brother

            b. despite the worlds opinion God will bless you in the end.

            c. Look at what Jesus says about the Down and Out Matthew 5:3-10

            d. Jesus reflects the message of Proverbs 19 in Matthew 6:19-24

           

Conclusion: There is one who sticks closer than a brother. There is one who gave His life for you, Not because of your wealth, fame, power, or your vote. When you were sinful He loved you. When you were powerless He died for you. Jesus is the one who sticks with you closer than a brother, because your down and out.

Proverbs 8

We have come to the book of Proverbs to start our walk through the Bible. The Old Testament is broken up into sections, The Books of Law, Major Prophets, Minor Prophets, History, and Wisdom. Books of Wisdom are Job, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes. Proverbs is a group of sayings, meant to be taught and memorized by young people. There is a lot of parent child sayings and a number of teachers to student sayings. This book uses different devices to teach. Some sayings are set to the alphabet, some are set in rhyme, at times they use sarcasm, and comparison. The book starts as a collection of sayings from Solomon, but later others included. There is a repetitive way about the book much like psalms. There are common caricatures in the book, the Adulteress, the sluggard, the fool, the prostitute, the woman without discretion, the neighbor, sinners, scoffers, rulers, Kings, and a whole host of others. Proverbs is not only an interesting book it can be funny at times so I encourage to read along each day and collect some of your favorites to put on the refrigerator door.

 

Proverbs 11:22 (NIV2011)
²² Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion.

Proverbs 26:14 (NIV2011)
¹⁴ As a door turns on its hinges, so a sluggard turns on his bed.

Proverbs 31:10 (NIV2011)
¹⁰ A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.

 

Wisdom; if there is one thing our world needs it is wisdom. The world is filled with easy answers, ultimatums, and cliffs. 90% of people would not understand national economics if you drew a simple picture of it, yet 70% of people think they could easily solve our countries economic problems, and the other 30% say there is no solution. It seems that every word we say is being analyzed and judged. We watch the news and say “He, She, or they should have known better than that.” There seems to be a lack of common sense, basic morals, and civilized restraint. With all that is wrong in this world, God says that all the answers of life are in this one encyclopedia of life the Bible. 66 books with the answers to personal and global economics, social behavior, personal and world peace.

 

1. Wisdom and understanding are easy to find.

            A. the Gold rush.

            A.2  vs1-3

            B. There is no source of mystical, magical, or hidden knowledge.

            C. God is screaming at us here it is.

            D. Prov 9:10 The fear of

            E. Ecc 12:13&14 the end of the matter

            F. everything we need to know is in this Book

 

2. It is simple to understand

            A. Romans 1:19-20 (it has been made plain and put in your heart)

            B. 1 Cor 18-25 (it is simple to understand )

            C. Because we will not accept it we try to make it complicated.

            D. take a simple law “do not steal” then clearify that sentence with 5000 pages of legealeze. Translate, “I can steal from you but you can not steal from me.”

 

3. Gods’ word is the key to life

            A. worth more than Gold ($1655.00 an ounce)

            B. worth more than silver ($30.00 an ounce)

 

4. Seek it, pursue it, hunt it down

            A. vs 11 choose it over everything else

            B. listen to it 1:8

            C. seek it out, hunt it down

            D. follow it, do it, 8:32-36

            E. James 1:22-25

 

The answers to our worlds troubles are not new, or hidden, and not even expensive. They have all been gathered together by God into this one book The Bible. Wisdom is there and it is worth more than Gold, and it is simple to find.