Print

SONG OF SOLOMON 6:10

"THE BRIDE OF CHRIST"

Intro: Eastern song of marital love. Jews saw it as allegory of Jehovah
       and Israel. Church sees it as Christ and the Church. Bernard of
       Clairvaux; 80  sermons on the first two chapters.

I. "LOOKETH FORTH AS THE MORNING" THE CHURCH TOWARD ITSELF.
        A. Living in world of darkness.
                1. Men might well give in to despair.
                        a. Crimes in Orange Co. this week.
                        b. Educational system given to philosophy that
                           man is highly evolved animal.
                        c. Judicial system given to philosophy that
                           criminal should be protected from society.
                        d. Men given to philosophy of lawlessness.
        B. Israel during Isaiah's time - dark days, sat in sackcloth and
           lamented "awake, awake, put on strength O arm of the Lord."
        God answered:
        "Awake, awake, put on strength O Israel, clothe thyself in
         beautiful garments."
                1. God said I have not been sleeping.
                2. Many no longer believe Christ is coming again.
                        a. Peter - last days scoffers.
                3. The darker the days the greater the message.

II. "FAIR AS THE MOON" THE CHURCH TOWARD THE WORLD."
        A. Reflecting the glory of the hidden Son.
                1. Moon tells us sun still shining.
                2. It may be lost from sight.
        B. "And we with open face beholding the glory of the Lord."
                1. That glory that we see should be reflected to those
                   who sit in darkness.
                2. Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me.
                3. If in dark days of trial I collapse and give in, I
                   have told nothing to world.

III. "CLEAR AS THE SUN" THE CHURCH TOWARD HER LORD."
        A. The burning fire of devotion to Christ.
                1. Enthusiasm of missionaries, "For the love of Christ."
        B. Pure of clear as the sun is how Christ sees His bride.
                1. "Tis a glorious church without spot or wrinkle."
                2. "Now unto Him who is able to keep you from falling..."

IV. "TERRIBLE AS AN ARMY WITH BANNERS THE CHURCH TOWARD THE ENEMIES OF
     THE LORD."
        A. The church should be a terror towards evil doers.
                1. Here lies great weakness of church today.
                2. Compromise with evil always weakens.
                3. Some areas more open compromise.
                        a.            parade.
                        b. Passion play.
        B. Evil spirits cried out to Christ "Leave us alone."
                1. Evil spirits cry the same today.
        C. "Upon this rock I will build my church and the gates of hell
            shall not prevail against it."
                1. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood.