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SONG OF SOLOMON 6:10

"THE GLORIOUS CHURCH"

Intro: Three methods of interpretation - Eastern love song; ethical,
       allegorical. The relationship between Christ and His church.
       Spurgeon "Take your  shoes off your feet."  Description of the
       church. Brilliant eastern skies  darkness before dawn.

I. IN RELATION TO HERSELF "LOOKETH FORTH AS THE MORNING."
        A. The continual consciousness "the day is coming."
                1. We read of turmoil in the mid-east.
                2. We read of college campus rioting.
        B. By this consciousness is strength to endure.
                1. The darker it gets, the closer to dawn.
        C. This is an exciting time of the day.
                1. The birds begin to sing.
                2. The petals of the flowers begin to open.
                3. A gentle breeze begins to stir.

II. IN RELATION TO THE WORLD "FAIR AS THE MOON."
        A. The moon is a light that shines in darkness.
                1. "Ye are the light of the world."
        B. It is a reflected light.
                1. Its glory comes not of itself.
                2. The source of the light is the sun.
                3. At this moment the world is in darkness,
                   but the sun still shines.
                        a. How did I know?
                                1. Maybe the sun has gone out; Never be
                                   another dawn.
                                2. See the moon up there, she is witness
                                   that the sun still shines; the world in
                                   long night of darkness.
                        b. The church is that witness that the son still
                           shines.
                        c. "Let your light so shine before man."

III. IN RELATION TO HER LORD "CLEAR AS THE SUN"
        A. We are painfully aware of imperfection within.
                1. There are strivings.
                2. Petty jealousies and competition.
                3. Factions and parting spirits (pulling apart).
                4. So many followers of Christ, divided in purpose,
                   concepts.
                        a. Within large circle of followers smaller
                           circle of believers.
                                1. Jesus knows who they are.
                                2. They know themselves.
                                3. Jesus sees them as "clear as the sun."
                        b. Does this mean they are perfect?
        B. Though we oft see ourselves in our imperfections, God sees us
           in Christ.
                1. Righteous as He is righteous; pure as He is pure.
                2. Not my works that count - righteousness which is by
                   faith.
        C. Do you become discouraged because you do not see yourself
           "pure as the sun?"
                1. Begin to trust Him more and yourself less.
                2. Come into the Son and the Father will see you in
                   Christ.

IV. HER RELATION TO THE ENEMIES OF GOD "TERRIBLE AS AN ARMY WITH BANNERS."
        A. We tend to excuse our weakness by calling it love.
                1. In our love and peace chant, We forget that Christ
                   made a scourge and drove the wicked money changers out
                   of the temple.
                2. We have taken a soft tolerant attitude toward evil.
                        a. We have consented to Satan's line of peaceful
                           co-existence.
                        b. There can never be peace while evil is in the
                           world.
                        c. We are at war! Fighting in deadly conflict with
                           forces of hell.