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SONG OF SOLOMON 4:16

"HIS GARDEN"

I. AS A CHRISTIAN,  MY LIFE IS "GOD'S GARDEN."
        A. His work within my life has one general purpose - fruit.
                1. God first broke the soil to prepare it for the seed.
                2. He watched the developing plant.
                        a. Cultivating, weeding.
                        b. Watering.
                3. Blossom time is always beautiful.
                        a. Beautiful to see young Christians begin to
                           blossom in His love.
                        b. Purpose not yet fulfilled.
                        c. Blossoms presage the fruit.
                4. The fruit itself takes time to develop and ripen.
                        a. Days of interest and anticipation.
                        b. Cheryl and my walks through garden.
                5. What glorious days when you can come into the garden
                   and eat its fruits.
                        a. Days of fulfilled purpose.
                        b. Days of reward as you partake of the fruit
                           of your labor.
        B. How disappointing when a fruit tree does not bear fruit.
                1. It cannot abide.
                        a. Jesus and fig tree.
                        b. "Every branch that bears not fruit He takes
                            away."

II. "LET MY BELOVED COME INTO HIS GARDEN AND EAT HIS PLEASANT FRUITS."
        A. Our         ist primarily for God. "His garden."
                1. The fruit of our lives for His enjoyment.
                2. "The husbandman must first be partaker."
                        a. "My Father is the Husbandman."
                3. Try to alter this fact and you are destined to
                   disappointment and emptiness.
                        a. If you put yourself first.
                                1. Life totally wasted.
                        b. Put others first (superior).
                                1. You will become disappointed.
                                2. Some who will take and take till
                                   you have no more to give, then curse
                                   you for not giving more.
                                        a. Why the proverb, "don't bite
                                           the hand that is feeding you."
                        c. Put God first. Full, rich, rewarding.
                                1. What is done for others done in His
                                   name. He will reward you.
        B. How beautiful when God can come into the garden of your life
           to eat His pleasant fruits.
                1. When you can share in that rich fellowship and
                   communion of love.
                        a. Oh, what joys, how full the peace.
                        b. What bliss, glory.
                2. Have you invited your beloved into His garden lately?