WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.400 Morning everyone. I hope you're well. It's great to see you today. Great to meet some people for the first time today as well. 00:00:08.400 --> 00:00:13.820 ! My name is Graeme and I'm the pastor of the church here and it's just lovely to have you with us. 00:00:14.599 --> 00:00:20.559 If you have a Bible then please turn to the Song of Songs. We're going to be taking in 00:00:20.559 --> 00:00:31.640 chapters 6 from 6-4 to 8-4 today. Is that right David? We've got that? We've got that. 00:00:33.379 --> 00:00:40.700 And it's brilliant. So please come there. We're going to read this in about 10 minutes time. David's going to come and read that for us as we get into it. 00:00:40.700 --> 00:00:47.840 But I thought it'd be helpful, like we've done most weeks, just to have a little run-up so that we can kind of understand what we're going to read together from God's Word. 00:00:47.840 --> 00:01:01.500 So, as we get into this theme today, talking of golden oldies, Bruce Springsteen, the boss, released a song at the beginning of the 80s, 00:01:02.040 --> 00:01:10.120 the title of which so wonderfully captures the essence of what we're thinking about today in the Song of Songs. 00:01:10.120 --> 00:01:21.640 Springsteen's song is about the deep-seated restlessness and always searching nature that exists inside human beings. 00:01:22.740 --> 00:01:28.020 And do you know what he called the song? He called the song, Everybody's Got a Hungry Heart. 00:01:29.580 --> 00:01:36.520 Do I love that metaphor? Is that not so relatable? Everybody's got a hungry heart. 00:01:36.519 --> 00:01:45.959 And we recognise the metaphor. We relate to the metaphor because we are, as human beings, we are creatures of desire. 00:01:47.319 --> 00:01:54.159 We yearn, we search, we think, we feel, we long, we smile, we cry. 00:01:55.459 --> 00:02:02.579 And here's the thing. God didn't need to make us like that. 00:02:02.579 --> 00:02:07.140 You know, I often play a game in my head and it's called this. 00:02:07.280 --> 00:02:09.800 It's called, Imagine the World God Could Have Made. 00:02:10.740 --> 00:02:12.379 I'd like you to play it with me this morning. 00:02:13.060 --> 00:02:14.960 Imagine the world God could have made. 00:02:16.199 --> 00:02:18.659 He could have made a world with one colour. 00:02:20.020 --> 00:02:23.860 Right? We'd all be like John Wayne walking about in a black and white Western movie. 00:02:24.319 --> 00:02:24.919 One colour. 00:02:24.919 --> 00:02:28.979 God could have made a world with one type of food. 00:02:30.299 --> 00:02:33.500 And because of that, a world where there was only one flavour. 00:02:34.619 --> 00:02:34.819 Okay? 00:02:34.839 --> 00:02:39.060 Just imagine how boring potluck dinners would be with one food and one flavour. 00:02:39.239 --> 00:02:41.500 God could have made a world where there was just one smell. 00:02:42.739 --> 00:02:46.279 God could have created a world where there was just one species of birds. 00:02:46.479 --> 00:02:49.659 God could have created a world where there was one type of flavour. 00:02:50.339 --> 00:02:53.419 God could have created a world where there was one type of weather. 00:02:53.419 --> 00:02:57.919 but what we discover about this God when you come to the pages of the Bible 00:02:57.919 --> 00:03:00.299 is that there is a reason that he didn't. 00:03:01.959 --> 00:03:07.639 God made a world with such breathtaking variety and diversity 00:03:07.639 --> 00:03:13.899 in order to communicate to us something of the reality of who he is 00:03:13.899 --> 00:03:22.179 and his beauty as the triune God, Father, Son and Spirit. 00:03:24.299 --> 00:03:26.419 And if you think about human beings, 00:03:28.679 --> 00:03:32.419 he could have made a world where all of us were just C-3PO's. 00:03:34.299 --> 00:03:35.419 Have you ever thought about that? 00:03:36.219 --> 00:03:37.419 Could have made us all robots. 00:03:38.459 --> 00:03:41.419 He could have done this whole gig, this whole world with ChatGBT. 00:03:43.139 --> 00:03:43.459 Couldn't he? 00:03:44.419 --> 00:03:47.399 Computers do words well better than we do. 00:03:49.019 --> 00:03:51.459 Computers are reliable way more than we are. 00:03:51.560 --> 00:03:53.199 God could have created a world like that. 00:03:53.199 --> 00:03:54.379 We were all robots. 00:03:55.159 --> 00:03:59.899 But this God chose to create human beings with desires. 00:04:01.759 --> 00:04:06.259 And what we're going to see is although those desires have been disordered 00:04:06.259 --> 00:04:09.119 and tainted by the fall, 00:04:10.120 --> 00:04:14.259 we have to understand that they are not the result of the fall. 00:04:14.639 --> 00:04:17.639 Particularly those desires for love and romance, 00:04:17.639 --> 00:04:20.680 which is what this series has really been all about. 00:04:20.759 --> 00:04:22.419 Which begs the question, does it not? 00:04:23.019 --> 00:04:24.719 Considering the world God could have made. 00:04:25.300 --> 00:04:27.620 It begs the question, why? 00:04:27.620 --> 00:04:34.399 Now all the way through this series we've talked about turning down the world's song 00:04:34.399 --> 00:04:40.139 and turning up God's song in the Song of Songs. 00:04:40.139 --> 00:04:45.560 Because into our world right now, our hyper-individualized culture, 00:04:45.659 --> 00:04:48.099 if you remember way back at the first one of these, 00:04:48.159 --> 00:04:49.399 we thought about our culture today. 00:04:49.479 --> 00:04:50.860 The song that it's singing is saying, 00:04:51.060 --> 00:04:52.219 Feelings are king. 00:04:52.740 --> 00:04:54.360 The world song right now is, 00:04:54.479 --> 00:04:55.159 You decide. 00:04:55.319 --> 00:04:57.479 You decide who you want to be. 00:04:57.579 --> 00:04:58.719 And if it feels good, 00:04:59.439 --> 00:05:02.419 then who is anyone else to come along and tell you that it's wrong? 00:05:03.099 --> 00:05:03.680 Do it. 00:05:04.160 --> 00:05:05.480 And the inbuilt assumption, isn't it, 00:05:05.480 --> 00:05:06.500 with all that stuff, 00:05:07.319 --> 00:05:10.259 is that our desires, particularly our romantic ones, 00:05:10.360 --> 00:05:12.459 the things that we want are always right. 00:05:12.600 --> 00:05:14.800 And maybe a question for you to think about today, 00:05:16.100 --> 00:05:17.300 wherever you're coming at this from, 00:05:17.360 --> 00:05:18.280 we love that you're here, 00:05:19.420 --> 00:05:20.600 is how do you know? 00:05:23.540 --> 00:05:25.560 You know, here's non-Christian columnist, 00:05:25.740 --> 00:05:26.620 Christine Emba, 00:05:26.620 --> 00:05:29.620 she's writing for the Washington Post 2017, 00:05:29.920 --> 00:05:31.360 in an article that she called it, 00:05:31.439 --> 00:05:33.319 Is It Time to Rethink Sex? 00:05:33.319 --> 00:05:34.879 She wrote this, it's on the screen. 00:05:35.899 --> 00:05:38.899 Is it time to pursue the theory 00:05:38.899 --> 00:05:41.459 that sex possibly has a deeper significance 00:05:41.459 --> 00:05:44.040 than just recreation? 00:05:46.199 --> 00:05:47.540 I love those moments 00:05:47.540 --> 00:05:50.139 when society kind of catches up with scripture, 00:05:51.079 --> 00:05:53.000 because that's precisely what our creator 00:05:53.000 --> 00:05:54.860 has been telling us since the beginning, 00:05:55.060 --> 00:05:56.899 that when it comes to our desires, 00:05:57.060 --> 00:05:59.240 there's something bigger going on. 00:05:59.240 --> 00:06:02.180 And there's something bigger 00:06:02.180 --> 00:06:04.540 that's on offer that we need to see. 00:06:06.400 --> 00:06:08.379 God designed human sexuality 00:06:08.379 --> 00:06:10.500 as is expressed in the marriage 00:06:10.500 --> 00:06:11.900 between one man and one woman, 00:06:13.060 --> 00:06:14.340 designed it so that we'd understand 00:06:14.340 --> 00:06:18.000 what it is to self-give yourself to a spouse, 00:06:18.819 --> 00:06:21.579 so that we would see that those desires 00:06:21.579 --> 00:06:23.160 are but a faint echo 00:06:23.160 --> 00:06:26.040 of and a massive pointer to 00:06:26.040 --> 00:06:28.960 the love that Jesus has for the church. 00:06:29.740 --> 00:06:31.640 And that's the meaning of the cosmos. 00:06:32.600 --> 00:06:33.980 It's why we're here today. 00:06:34.500 --> 00:06:37.080 We're swept up into this story. 00:06:37.500 --> 00:06:39.920 It's all wrapped up in the purpose of the universe. 00:06:39.920 --> 00:06:42.819 And see, when you understand 00:06:42.819 --> 00:06:46.439 it against that bigger backdrop, 00:06:47.420 --> 00:06:50.580 here's what I think this tells us loud and clear. 00:06:50.699 --> 00:06:52.040 It means that we can know 00:06:52.040 --> 00:06:54.220 that we're so much more 00:06:54.220 --> 00:06:56.560 than our relationship status. 00:06:58.660 --> 00:07:01.700 We are so much more than our marital prospects. 00:07:03.000 --> 00:07:04.759 We are so much more, 00:07:04.860 --> 00:07:05.860 if I can put it like this, 00:07:05.920 --> 00:07:07.319 than our sex lives. 00:07:07.319 --> 00:07:10.360 We were made to revere 00:07:10.360 --> 00:07:11.319 and know somebody 00:07:11.879 --> 00:07:14.639 infinitely more interesting 00:07:14.639 --> 00:07:16.040 than ourselves. 00:07:17.379 --> 00:07:19.120 I turned 40 the other day 00:07:19.120 --> 00:07:21.639 when I told people that 00:07:21.639 --> 00:07:23.519 it was almost as if 00:07:23.519 --> 00:07:24.899 welcome to the boring club. 00:07:26.920 --> 00:07:27.519 And do you know what? 00:07:27.620 --> 00:07:28.819 I'm okay with that. 00:07:29.680 --> 00:07:30.759 I'm okay with that. 00:07:30.819 --> 00:07:31.519 Do you know why? 00:07:31.879 --> 00:07:32.699 Because I think 00:07:32.699 --> 00:07:34.420 the one thing God has taught me 00:07:34.420 --> 00:07:35.800 over the years is that, 00:07:35.800 --> 00:07:37.680 that I was made to know somebody 00:07:37.680 --> 00:07:40.060 infinitely way more interesting than me. 00:07:40.360 --> 00:07:42.120 Because I'm not all that interesting. 00:07:42.660 --> 00:07:44.259 But come to the God of the Bible 00:07:44.259 --> 00:07:45.300 and you find a God 00:07:45.300 --> 00:07:47.400 who is infinitely interesting, 00:07:47.900 --> 00:07:48.500 fascinating, 00:07:48.860 --> 00:07:49.400 beautiful, 00:07:49.639 --> 00:07:50.100 wonderful. 00:07:50.759 --> 00:07:51.900 And it's Him 00:07:51.900 --> 00:07:53.740 that we are designed to know. 00:07:54.939 --> 00:07:56.259 You and I were made, friends, 00:07:56.340 --> 00:07:56.900 to know 00:07:56.900 --> 00:07:58.180 the God 00:07:58.180 --> 00:07:58.800 who delights 00:07:59.439 --> 00:08:00.340 in us. 00:08:00.339 --> 00:08:02.319 And in turn, 00:08:02.399 --> 00:08:03.399 this is what we're going to see today. 00:08:03.599 --> 00:08:04.399 We were made 00:08:04.399 --> 00:08:05.759 to delight in 00:08:05.759 --> 00:08:06.979 and desire 00:08:06.979 --> 00:08:07.959 Him. 00:08:09.159 --> 00:08:10.859 And that's what we're going to hear today 00:08:10.859 --> 00:08:12.039 in this song. 00:08:12.439 --> 00:08:13.879 In the voices of this man 00:08:13.879 --> 00:08:14.439 and the woman 00:08:14.439 --> 00:08:16.060 who are singing to us 00:08:16.060 --> 00:08:17.939 in the Song of Songs. 00:08:18.719 --> 00:08:19.359 If you're joining us 00:08:19.359 --> 00:08:19.979 for the first time, 00:08:20.039 --> 00:08:21.039 we are in the 00:08:21.039 --> 00:08:22.439 wisdom section 00:08:22.439 --> 00:08:23.079 of our 00:08:23.079 --> 00:08:24.099 Bibles. 00:08:24.100 --> 00:08:26.220 which is all about 00:08:26.220 --> 00:08:26.860 how to live 00:08:26.860 --> 00:08:27.920 in God's way, 00:08:28.520 --> 00:08:29.939 in God's world, 00:08:30.540 --> 00:08:31.600 for His glory 00:08:31.600 --> 00:08:32.779 and for our good. 00:08:33.720 --> 00:08:34.240 It's wisdom. 00:08:35.180 --> 00:08:36.060 And we've journeyed 00:08:36.060 --> 00:08:36.800 with this couple 00:08:36.800 --> 00:08:37.500 as it were 00:08:37.500 --> 00:08:38.659 from their first date, 00:08:39.879 --> 00:08:41.639 through their wedding day, 00:08:42.540 --> 00:08:44.519 through a cold spell 00:08:44.519 --> 00:08:45.420 in the relationship. 00:08:45.560 --> 00:08:46.120 And now today 00:08:46.120 --> 00:08:46.700 we're going to see 00:08:46.700 --> 00:08:47.800 their love for each other 00:08:47.800 --> 00:08:49.100 continue to blossom. 00:08:50.440 --> 00:08:51.320 And here, 00:08:51.420 --> 00:08:52.340 as we just hear it read, 00:08:52.420 --> 00:08:53.180 here's two things 00:08:53.180 --> 00:08:54.080 I want you to look for 00:08:54.080 --> 00:08:56.060 here in His voice. 00:08:57.080 --> 00:08:58.139 Listen for how 00:08:58.139 --> 00:08:59.020 He describes 00:08:59.020 --> 00:09:00.420 how in His eyes 00:09:00.420 --> 00:09:02.040 this woman 00:09:02.040 --> 00:09:04.100 is utterly unique. 00:09:05.240 --> 00:09:06.639 And in turn, 00:09:07.060 --> 00:09:07.940 listen for how 00:09:07.940 --> 00:09:09.139 in her voice 00:09:09.139 --> 00:09:10.100 she responds 00:09:10.820 --> 00:09:11.620 in love 00:09:11.620 --> 00:09:12.860 to His 00:09:12.860 --> 00:09:14.360 all-out pursuit 00:09:14.360 --> 00:09:14.920 of her. 00:09:16.460 --> 00:09:17.879 So David is going to come now 00:09:17.879 --> 00:09:18.960 and we're going to read this together 00:09:18.960 --> 00:09:19.900 beginning at 6, 00:09:19.980 --> 00:09:20.700 chapter 4 00:09:20.700 --> 00:09:22.360 and then we're going to get 00:09:22.360 --> 00:09:23.160 into it together. 00:09:23.159 --> 00:09:23.559 So David, 00:09:23.620 --> 00:09:24.179 over to you. 00:09:28.179 --> 00:09:29.079 My name is David 00:09:29.079 --> 00:09:29.879 and I have the privilege 00:09:29.879 --> 00:09:31.339 of being a member here. 00:09:32.019 --> 00:09:33.419 Just before we read this, 00:09:33.579 --> 00:09:34.879 I would just like to pray. 00:09:36.939 --> 00:09:37.379 Father, 00:09:37.500 --> 00:09:38.980 we just thank you again 00:09:38.980 --> 00:09:40.120 for your word. 00:09:41.219 --> 00:09:42.159 It's so precious 00:09:42.159 --> 00:09:45.399 and we just ask that 00:09:45.399 --> 00:09:46.519 as we read it, 00:09:46.679 --> 00:09:47.179 your spirit 00:09:47.179 --> 00:09:48.039 might be with us 00:09:48.039 --> 00:09:49.740 and that we might 00:09:49.740 --> 00:09:50.860 just hear your voice. 00:09:51.779 --> 00:09:53.059 It's being read, 00:09:53.139 --> 00:09:53.600 it's being 00:09:53.600 --> 00:09:55.019 talked about 00:09:55.019 --> 00:09:56.159 just so that 00:09:56.159 --> 00:09:56.819 there's a message 00:09:56.819 --> 00:09:58.319 for each one of us. 00:09:59.259 --> 00:10:00.539 A personal message. 00:10:01.100 --> 00:10:02.019 None left out. 00:10:02.579 --> 00:10:03.579 And we just ask 00:10:03.579 --> 00:10:04.799 for each one of our hearts 00:10:04.799 --> 00:10:06.159 that we might just 00:10:06.159 --> 00:10:07.059 hear your voice 00:10:07.059 --> 00:10:08.839 and hear this message 00:10:08.839 --> 00:10:09.699 for us. 00:10:09.700 --> 00:10:11.120 and just be with Graham too 00:10:11.120 --> 00:10:12.400 as he seeks to 00:10:12.400 --> 00:10:13.540 open up this passage. 00:10:13.720 --> 00:10:14.660 Sometimes some of the 00:10:14.660 --> 00:10:16.259 words and the imagery 00:10:16.259 --> 00:10:17.700 is difficult to understand 00:10:17.700 --> 00:10:19.480 but we just ask 00:10:19.480 --> 00:10:20.120 that your spirit 00:10:20.120 --> 00:10:20.840 might be with him 00:10:20.840 --> 00:10:21.780 to give him the words 00:10:21.780 --> 00:10:23.360 and to give him the message 00:10:23.360 --> 00:10:24.400 and to open it up 00:10:24.400 --> 00:10:25.540 in clarity 00:10:25.540 --> 00:10:27.040 for each one of us 00:10:27.040 --> 00:10:28.500 so that we understand 00:10:28.500 --> 00:10:29.100 more 00:10:29.100 --> 00:10:31.120 the wonderful love 00:10:31.120 --> 00:10:32.820 that you have for us 00:10:32.820 --> 00:10:34.440 and that the experience 00:10:34.440 --> 00:10:35.180 we can have 00:10:35.180 --> 00:10:36.240 of a relationship 00:10:36.240 --> 00:10:37.060 with yourself. 00:10:37.280 --> 00:10:38.140 We just ask this 00:10:38.140 --> 00:10:38.720 in your name. 00:10:38.860 --> 00:10:39.040 Amen. 00:10:41.520 --> 00:10:42.660 We're in the Song of Songs 00:10:42.660 --> 00:10:44.540 chapter 6 00:10:44.540 --> 00:10:46.000 and verse 4 00:10:46.000 --> 00:10:46.700 and that's 00:10:46.700 --> 00:10:49.160 page 684 00:10:49.160 --> 00:10:50.480 in the Pew Bibles. 00:10:51.760 --> 00:10:53.280 Starts in verse 4. 00:10:53.660 --> 00:10:54.420 This is the 00:10:54.420 --> 00:10:56.680 bridegroom speaking. 00:10:56.679 --> 00:10:59.059 You are as beautiful 00:10:59.059 --> 00:11:00.439 as Terzah my darling 00:11:00.439 --> 00:11:01.839 as lovely 00:11:01.839 --> 00:11:02.620 as Jerusalem 00:11:02.620 --> 00:11:03.799 as majestic 00:11:03.799 --> 00:11:04.699 as troops 00:11:04.699 --> 00:11:05.500 with banners. 00:11:06.639 --> 00:11:07.539 Turn your eyes 00:11:07.539 --> 00:11:07.899 from me 00:11:07.899 --> 00:11:08.919 they overwhelm me 00:11:08.919 --> 00:11:10.219 your hair 00:11:10.219 --> 00:11:11.179 is like a flock 00:11:11.179 --> 00:11:11.719 of goats 00:11:11.719 --> 00:11:13.299 descending from Gilead 00:11:13.299 --> 00:11:14.120 your teeth 00:11:14.120 --> 00:11:15.219 are like a flock 00:11:15.219 --> 00:11:15.739 of sheep 00:11:15.739 --> 00:11:16.939 coming up 00:11:16.939 --> 00:11:17.500 from the washing 00:11:17.500 --> 00:11:18.799 each has its twin 00:11:18.799 --> 00:11:20.120 not one of them 00:11:20.120 --> 00:11:20.519 is missing 00:11:20.519 --> 00:11:22.279 your temples 00:11:22.279 --> 00:11:23.199 behind your veil 00:11:23.199 --> 00:11:24.179 are like the halves 00:11:24.179 --> 00:11:25.059 of a pomegranate 00:11:25.059 --> 00:11:26.699 sixty queens 00:11:26.699 --> 00:11:27.219 there may be 00:11:27.219 --> 00:11:28.559 and eighty concubines 00:11:28.559 --> 00:11:29.199 and virgins 00:11:29.199 --> 00:11:30.019 beyond number 00:11:30.019 --> 00:11:31.500 but my dove 00:11:31.500 --> 00:11:32.899 my perfect one 00:11:32.899 --> 00:11:34.059 is unique 00:11:34.059 --> 00:11:35.539 the only daughter 00:11:35.539 --> 00:11:36.059 of her mother 00:11:36.059 --> 00:11:37.079 the favourite 00:11:37.079 --> 00:11:37.579 of the one 00:11:37.579 --> 00:11:38.199 who bore her 00:11:38.199 --> 00:11:39.739 the young woman 00:11:39.739 --> 00:11:40.279 saw her 00:11:40.279 --> 00:11:41.159 and called her 00:11:41.159 --> 00:11:41.579 blessed 00:11:41.579 --> 00:11:42.779 the queens 00:11:42.779 --> 00:11:44.000 and the concubines 00:11:44.000 --> 00:11:45.119 praised her 00:11:45.119 --> 00:11:46.899 who is this 00:11:46.899 --> 00:11:47.399 that appears 00:11:47.399 --> 00:11:48.039 like the dawn 00:11:48.039 --> 00:11:49.000 fair as the moon 00:11:49.000 --> 00:11:50.039 bright as the sun 00:11:50.039 --> 00:11:51.119 majestic 00:11:51.119 --> 00:11:52.299 as the stars 00:11:52.299 --> 00:11:52.919 and processing 00:11:52.919 --> 00:11:55.319 I went down 00:11:55.319 --> 00:11:55.839 to the grove 00:11:55.839 --> 00:11:56.439 of nut trees 00:11:56.439 --> 00:11:57.019 to look 00:11:57.019 --> 00:11:57.979 at the new growth 00:11:57.979 --> 00:11:58.519 in the valley 00:11:58.519 --> 00:12:00.019 to see if the vines 00:12:00.019 --> 00:12:00.599 had budded 00:12:00.599 --> 00:12:01.819 or the pomegranates 00:12:01.819 --> 00:12:02.399 were in bloom 00:12:02.399 --> 00:12:04.860 before I realised it 00:12:04.860 --> 00:12:05.779 my desire 00:12:05.779 --> 00:12:06.639 set me upon 00:12:06.639 --> 00:12:07.679 the royal chariots 00:12:07.679 --> 00:12:09.079 of my people 00:12:09.079 --> 00:12:11.459 come back 00:12:11.459 --> 00:12:12.019 come back 00:12:12.019 --> 00:12:12.659 oh Shulamite 00:12:12.659 --> 00:12:13.360 come back 00:12:13.360 --> 00:12:14.000 come back 00:12:14.000 --> 00:12:15.459 that we may gaze 00:12:15.459 --> 00:12:15.839 on you 00:12:15.839 --> 00:12:18.199 why would you gaze 00:12:18.199 --> 00:12:18.919 on the Shulamite 00:12:18.919 --> 00:12:19.879 as in the dance 00:12:19.879 --> 00:12:20.559 of Mahanaim 00:12:20.559 --> 00:12:22.239 how beautiful 00:12:22.239 --> 00:12:23.459 your shrandled feet 00:12:23.459 --> 00:12:24.439 told Prince's daughter 00:12:24.439 --> 00:12:26.359 your graceful legs 00:12:26.359 --> 00:12:27.099 are like jewels 00:12:27.099 --> 00:12:28.199 the work 00:12:28.199 --> 00:12:29.519 of an artist's hands 00:12:29.519 --> 00:12:30.659 your navel 00:12:30.659 --> 00:12:32.019 is a rounded goblet 00:12:32.019 --> 00:12:33.419 that never lacks 00:12:33.419 --> 00:12:34.239 blended wine 00:12:34.239 --> 00:12:35.519 your waist 00:12:35.519 --> 00:12:36.659 is a mound of wheat 00:12:36.659 --> 00:12:38.500 encircled by lilies 00:12:38.500 --> 00:12:39.799 your breasts 00:12:39.799 --> 00:12:41.019 are like two fawns 00:12:41.019 --> 00:12:42.699 like twin fawns 00:12:42.699 --> 00:12:43.319 of a gazelle 00:12:43.319 --> 00:12:44.419 your neck 00:12:44.419 --> 00:12:45.979 is like an ivory tower 00:12:45.979 --> 00:12:47.359 your eyes 00:12:47.359 --> 00:12:47.939 are the pools 00:12:47.939 --> 00:12:48.579 of Heshbon 00:12:48.580 --> 00:12:49.620 by the gate 00:12:49.620 --> 00:12:50.500 of Bathraben 00:12:50.500 --> 00:12:52.060 your nose 00:12:52.060 --> 00:12:52.940 is like the tower 00:12:52.940 --> 00:12:53.400 of Lebanon 00:12:53.400 --> 00:12:55.400 looking towards Damascus 00:12:55.400 --> 00:12:55.400 00:12:56.300 --> 00:12:56.759 your head 00:12:56.759 --> 00:12:57.379 crowns you 00:12:57.379 --> 00:12:58.639 like Mount Carmel 00:12:58.639 --> 00:13:00.180 your hair 00:13:00.180 --> 00:13:01.900 is like royal tapestry 00:13:01.900 --> 00:13:02.720 the king 00:13:02.720 --> 00:13:03.540 is held captive 00:13:03.540 --> 00:13:04.280 by its tresses 00:13:04.280 --> 00:13:06.020 how beautiful 00:13:06.020 --> 00:13:06.500 you are 00:13:06.500 --> 00:13:07.500 and how pleasing 00:13:07.500 --> 00:13:08.080 my love 00:13:08.080 --> 00:13:09.720 with your delights 00:13:09.720 --> 00:13:11.440 your stature 00:13:11.440 --> 00:13:12.340 is like that 00:13:12.340 --> 00:13:12.900 of the palm 00:13:12.900 --> 00:13:13.560 and your breasts 00:13:13.560 --> 00:13:14.720 like clusters of fruit 00:13:14.720 --> 00:13:16.320 I said 00:13:16.320 --> 00:13:17.300 I will climb 00:13:17.300 --> 00:13:17.900 the palm tree 00:13:17.899 --> 00:13:18.740 I will take hold 00:13:18.740 --> 00:13:19.319 of its fruit 00:13:19.319 --> 00:13:20.819 may your breasts 00:13:20.819 --> 00:13:21.579 be like clusters 00:13:21.579 --> 00:13:22.179 of grapes 00:13:22.179 --> 00:13:22.740 and the vine 00:13:22.740 --> 00:13:23.740 the fragrance 00:13:23.740 --> 00:13:24.459 of your breath 00:13:24.459 --> 00:13:25.079 like apples 00:13:25.079 --> 00:13:26.579 and your mouth 00:13:26.579 --> 00:13:27.799 like the best wine 00:13:27.799 --> 00:13:30.259 may the wine 00:13:30.259 --> 00:13:30.759 go straight 00:13:30.759 --> 00:13:31.319 to my beloved 00:13:31.319 --> 00:13:32.279 flowing gently 00:13:32.279 --> 00:13:33.179 over lips 00:13:33.179 --> 00:13:33.860 and teeth 00:13:33.860 --> 00:13:35.319 I belong 00:13:35.319 --> 00:13:35.899 to my beloved 00:13:35.899 --> 00:13:37.459 and his desire 00:13:37.459 --> 00:13:38.340 is for me 00:13:38.340 --> 00:13:40.240 come my beloved 00:13:40.240 --> 00:13:41.039 let us go 00:13:41.039 --> 00:13:41.659 to the countryside 00:13:41.659 --> 00:13:42.500 let us spend 00:13:42.500 --> 00:13:42.899 the night 00:13:42.899 --> 00:13:43.480 in the villages 00:13:43.480 --> 00:13:44.639 let us go 00:13:44.639 --> 00:13:45.819 early to the vineyards 00:13:45.819 --> 00:13:46.779 to see if the vines 00:13:46.779 --> 00:13:47.259 have budded 00:13:47.259 --> 00:13:48.319 if their blossoms 00:13:48.319 --> 00:13:48.939 have opened 00:13:48.939 --> 00:13:49.879 and if the 00:13:49.879 --> 00:13:50.500 pomegranates 00:13:50.500 --> 00:13:51.059 are in bloom 00:13:51.059 --> 00:13:52.720 there I will 00:13:52.720 --> 00:13:53.620 give you my love 00:13:53.620 --> 00:13:54.919 the mandrakes 00:13:54.919 --> 00:13:55.579 sent out their 00:13:55.579 --> 00:13:56.059 fragrance 00:13:56.059 --> 00:13:57.120 and at our door 00:13:57.120 --> 00:13:58.699 is every delicacy 00:13:58.699 --> 00:13:59.519 both new 00:13:59.519 --> 00:14:00.159 and old 00:14:00.159 --> 00:14:01.379 and I have 00:14:01.379 --> 00:14:02.500 stored up for you 00:14:02.500 --> 00:14:03.339 my beloved 00:14:03.339 --> 00:14:05.279 if only you were 00:14:05.279 --> 00:14:06.059 to me like a brother 00:14:06.059 --> 00:14:07.159 who was nursed 00:14:07.159 --> 00:14:08.079 at my mother's breasts 00:14:08.079 --> 00:14:08.620 then 00:14:08.620 --> 00:14:09.819 if I find you 00:14:09.819 --> 00:14:10.159 outside 00:14:10.159 --> 00:14:10.980 I would kiss you 00:14:10.980 --> 00:14:11.959 and no one 00:14:11.959 --> 00:14:12.879 would despise me 00:14:12.879 --> 00:14:14.019 I would lead you 00:14:14.019 --> 00:14:14.860 and bring you 00:14:14.860 --> 00:14:15.740 to my mother's house 00:14:15.740 --> 00:14:17.639 she who has taught me 00:14:17.639 --> 00:14:18.799 I would give you 00:14:18.799 --> 00:14:19.840 spiced wine to drink 00:14:19.840 --> 00:14:20.919 the nectar 00:14:20.919 --> 00:14:21.980 of my pomegranates 00:14:21.980 --> 00:14:23.639 his left arm 00:14:23.639 --> 00:14:24.460 is under my head 00:14:24.460 --> 00:14:25.299 and his right arm 00:14:25.299 --> 00:14:26.079 embraces me 00:14:26.079 --> 00:14:27.600 daughters of Jews 00:14:27.600 --> 00:14:28.460 whom I charge you 00:14:28.460 --> 00:14:29.179 do not arouse 00:14:29.179 --> 00:14:29.960 or awaken love 00:14:29.960 --> 00:14:32.340 until it so desires 00:14:32.340 --> 00:14:33.879 it's the word of the Lord 00:14:33.879 --> 00:14:38.059 okay thanks so much David 00:14:38.059 --> 00:14:41.179 so folks 00:14:41.179 --> 00:14:41.579 here's what we're 00:14:41.579 --> 00:14:42.019 going to do 00:14:42.019 --> 00:14:43.919 I just want to pick 00:14:43.919 --> 00:14:45.019 out one big theme 00:14:45.019 --> 00:14:46.479 that captures 00:14:46.479 --> 00:14:47.399 the essence 00:14:47.399 --> 00:14:48.439 of his song 00:14:48.439 --> 00:14:49.779 over her 00:14:49.779 --> 00:14:51.739 and then in turn 00:14:51.739 --> 00:14:52.319 I want us to think 00:14:52.319 --> 00:14:53.179 about one big theme 00:14:53.179 --> 00:14:53.719 that captures 00:14:53.719 --> 00:14:54.459 the essence 00:14:54.459 --> 00:14:55.459 of her song 00:14:55.459 --> 00:14:56.819 over him 00:14:56.819 --> 00:14:57.459 so 00:14:57.459 --> 00:14:59.319 beginning with 00:14:59.319 --> 00:14:59.979 his song 00:14:59.979 --> 00:15:01.139 here's the theme 00:15:01.139 --> 00:15:01.979 really simply 00:15:01.979 --> 00:15:03.959 is I want 00:15:03.959 --> 00:15:04.639 all of you 00:15:04.639 --> 00:15:07.259 and this is the 00:15:07.259 --> 00:15:07.939 inverse isn't it 00:15:07.940 --> 00:15:08.560 of remember that 00:15:08.560 --> 00:15:09.400 Chesney Hawk song 00:15:09.400 --> 00:15:10.100 that we still sing 00:15:10.100 --> 00:15:10.620 all the time 00:15:10.620 --> 00:15:12.740 he's saying 00:15:12.740 --> 00:15:13.400 you are the one 00:15:13.400 --> 00:15:13.780 and only 00:15:13.780 --> 00:15:14.280 that's what he's 00:15:14.280 --> 00:15:14.980 saying isn't it 00:15:14.980 --> 00:15:16.040 you are the one 00:15:16.040 --> 00:15:16.380 and only 00:15:16.380 --> 00:15:17.040 picking it up 00:15:17.040 --> 00:15:17.920 at verse 4 00:15:17.920 --> 00:15:19.040 of chapter 6 00:15:19.040 --> 00:15:20.900 and hear him 00:15:20.900 --> 00:15:21.580 celebrate the 00:15:21.580 --> 00:15:22.860 renewed togetherness 00:15:22.860 --> 00:15:24.200 that he and his 00:15:24.200 --> 00:15:25.440 wife have just 00:15:25.440 --> 00:15:26.120 experienced 00:15:26.120 --> 00:15:27.540 and he's going 00:15:27.540 --> 00:15:28.180 with the compliments 00:15:28.180 --> 00:15:28.680 isn't he 00:15:28.680 --> 00:15:29.560 so you are as 00:15:29.560 --> 00:15:30.820 beautiful as 00:15:30.820 --> 00:15:31.820 Tisra 00:15:31.820 --> 00:15:32.720 and Jerusalem 00:15:32.720 --> 00:15:33.420 my love 00:15:33.420 --> 00:15:34.220 so these are the 00:15:34.220 --> 00:15:35.340 these are the 00:15:35.340 --> 00:15:36.280 two prominent 00:15:36.280 --> 00:15:37.140 Israelite cities 00:15:37.139 --> 00:15:37.679 cities 00:15:37.679 --> 00:15:39.399 and what's 00:15:39.399 --> 00:15:40.240 going on here 00:15:40.240 --> 00:15:42.100 what he's saying 00:15:42.100 --> 00:15:43.779 is you wow 00:15:43.779 --> 00:15:44.220 me 00:15:44.220 --> 00:15:46.659 right I remember 00:15:46.659 --> 00:15:47.779 cities they 00:15:47.779 --> 00:15:49.159 they often have 00:15:49.159 --> 00:15:49.960 that effect on us 00:15:49.960 --> 00:15:50.600 as human beings 00:15:50.600 --> 00:15:51.019 don't they I 00:15:51.019 --> 00:15:51.519 remember taking 00:15:51.519 --> 00:15:53.299 off from a 00:15:53.299 --> 00:15:53.720 couple of years 00:15:53.720 --> 00:15:55.179 ago from New 00:15:55.179 --> 00:15:55.779 York airport 00:15:55.779 --> 00:15:58.480 and just being 00:15:58.480 --> 00:15:59.659 struck by the 00:15:59.659 --> 00:16:01.179 sheer size and 00:16:01.179 --> 00:16:02.360 the vastness of 00:16:02.360 --> 00:16:03.399 New York as it 00:16:03.399 --> 00:16:04.179 hits you right 00:16:04.179 --> 00:16:04.879 there and that 00:16:04.879 --> 00:16:05.739 Alicia Keys song 00:16:05.739 --> 00:16:07.559 comes to mind 00:16:07.559 --> 00:16:08.719 these streets will 00:16:08.719 --> 00:16:09.239 make you feel 00:16:09.239 --> 00:16:10.179 brand new big 00:16:10.179 --> 00:16:11.179 lights will inspire 00:16:11.179 --> 00:16:12.099 you we get this 00:16:12.099 --> 00:16:13.099 stuff we get the 00:16:13.099 --> 00:16:14.219 wow factor that 00:16:14.219 --> 00:16:15.039 comes with cities 00:16:15.039 --> 00:16:15.620 that's kind of 00:16:15.620 --> 00:16:16.139 what's going on 00:16:16.139 --> 00:16:18.559 here and he's 00:16:18.559 --> 00:16:19.299 saying it's your 00:16:19.299 --> 00:16:20.899 beauty is almost 00:16:20.899 --> 00:16:22.339 overwhelming I 00:16:22.339 --> 00:16:23.939 have to turn away 00:16:23.939 --> 00:16:26.159 and I love it it 00:16:26.159 --> 00:16:26.739 was Keita who 00:16:26.739 --> 00:16:27.539 pointed out to me 00:16:27.539 --> 00:16:28.599 just how specific 00:16:28.599 --> 00:16:29.539 he is with his 00:16:29.539 --> 00:16:31.559 compliments did you 00:16:31.559 --> 00:16:32.439 notice that your 00:16:32.439 --> 00:16:34.579 hair your teeth 00:16:34.579 --> 00:16:35.419 your cheeks and 00:16:35.419 --> 00:16:36.479 see him sum up at 00:16:36.479 --> 00:16:39.000 verse 9 he says 00:16:39.000 --> 00:16:40.459 60 queens 80 00:16:40.459 --> 00:16:41.679 concubines so I 00:16:41.679 --> 00:16:42.179 think what he's 00:16:42.179 --> 00:16:42.919 doing is he's 00:16:42.919 --> 00:16:44.839 saying the world 00:16:44.839 --> 00:16:45.919 is not short of 00:16:45.919 --> 00:16:49.299 woman but to me 00:16:49.299 --> 00:16:50.959 you are not simply 00:16:50.959 --> 00:16:54.439 a woman you are 00:16:54.439 --> 00:16:56.839 the woman and you 00:16:56.839 --> 00:16:58.099 are utterly unique 00:16:58.099 --> 00:16:58.599 did you pick that 00:16:58.599 --> 00:16:59.379 up in his voice 00:16:59.379 --> 00:17:01.139 and then if you 00:17:01.139 --> 00:17:01.919 jump over to 00:17:01.919 --> 00:17:03.100 chapter 7 his 00:17:03.100 --> 00:17:03.899 kind of song 00:17:03.899 --> 00:17:04.440 breaks for a bit 00:17:04.440 --> 00:17:04.940 and then he goes 00:17:04.940 --> 00:17:06.059 back we get more 00:17:06.059 --> 00:17:08.420 of his song he 00:17:08.420 --> 00:17:09.279 goes your belly 00:17:09.279 --> 00:17:10.299 your breasts your 00:17:10.299 --> 00:17:11.759 neck your eyes and 00:17:11.759 --> 00:17:12.599 you'd be right in 00:17:12.599 --> 00:17:13.339 thinking that we've 00:17:13.339 --> 00:17:13.980 kind of heard this 00:17:13.980 --> 00:17:16.660 stuff before but 00:17:16.660 --> 00:17:17.880 before we label him 00:17:17.880 --> 00:17:19.759 uncreative and write 00:17:19.759 --> 00:17:20.980 him off as a picks 00:17:20.980 --> 00:17:21.759 up flowers from the 00:17:21.759 --> 00:17:22.660 petrol station just 00:17:22.660 --> 00:17:23.339 before he gets home 00:17:23.339 --> 00:17:24.059 on his anniversary 00:17:24.059 --> 00:17:27.440 kind of guy understand 00:17:27.440 --> 00:17:28.460 that what he's saying 00:17:28.460 --> 00:17:29.539 to her is all these 00:17:29.539 --> 00:17:32.500 beauties I still see 00:17:32.500 --> 00:17:36.600 them in you but more 00:17:36.600 --> 00:17:38.059 than that verse 4 he 00:17:38.059 --> 00:17:39.380 says do you notice 00:17:39.380 --> 00:17:41.440 your nose your head 00:17:41.440 --> 00:17:42.259 crowns you like 00:17:42.259 --> 00:17:44.120 caramel and the the 00:17:44.120 --> 00:17:45.019 reference to purple 00:17:45.019 --> 00:17:46.039 there conveys this 00:17:46.039 --> 00:17:49.079 idea of royalty how 00:17:49.079 --> 00:17:50.180 beautiful and pleasant 00:17:50.180 --> 00:17:51.500 you are verse 9 your 00:17:51.500 --> 00:17:52.500 scent your mouth your 00:17:52.500 --> 00:17:53.600 scent your mouth do you 00:17:53.600 --> 00:17:57.240 see it this is brand 00:17:57.240 --> 00:18:00.799 new material and what 00:18:00.799 --> 00:18:01.980 he's conveying is that 00:18:01.980 --> 00:18:03.420 he sees as well as 00:18:03.420 --> 00:18:05.140 the beauties that have 00:18:05.140 --> 00:18:06.000 always captured his 00:18:06.000 --> 00:18:06.839 eyes and his heart 00:18:06.839 --> 00:18:11.120 is that he sees now new 00:18:11.120 --> 00:18:12.160 beauties in her because 00:18:12.160 --> 00:18:12.980 he knows her so much 00:18:12.980 --> 00:18:15.599 better and there's a 00:18:15.599 --> 00:18:16.539 side application there 00:18:16.539 --> 00:18:17.799 isn't there firstly for 00:18:17.799 --> 00:18:18.900 those of us who are 00:18:18.900 --> 00:18:22.380 married and it's to make 00:18:22.380 --> 00:18:25.760 our spouses our lifelong 00:18:25.760 --> 00:18:29.700 phd project what new 00:18:29.700 --> 00:18:31.180 beauties do you notice 00:18:31.180 --> 00:18:33.100 in them they don't need 00:18:33.100 --> 00:18:34.480 to necessarily be 00:18:34.480 --> 00:18:35.440 physical I take it they 00:18:35.440 --> 00:18:36.020 could be character 00:18:36.020 --> 00:18:38.940 compliments I see you 00:18:38.940 --> 00:18:40.220 growing in patience I 00:18:40.220 --> 00:18:41.520 see how you're being a 00:18:41.520 --> 00:18:42.800 good friend to so many 00:18:42.800 --> 00:18:43.940 people I see how you're 00:18:43.940 --> 00:18:45.380 sacrificing yourself for 00:18:45.380 --> 00:18:47.400 the kids I see how you're 00:18:47.400 --> 00:18:49.420 responding to work in a 00:18:49.420 --> 00:18:50.160 different way than you 00:18:50.160 --> 00:18:52.060 did previously when you 00:18:52.059 --> 00:18:53.299 look at them how do you 00:18:53.299 --> 00:18:55.279 see the spirit at work in 00:18:55.279 --> 00:18:59.279 their lives but the same 00:18:59.279 --> 00:19:00.139 as we brought the same 00:19:00.139 --> 00:19:00.919 principle we brought 00:19:00.919 --> 00:19:01.960 out applies to our 00:19:01.960 --> 00:19:03.460 church family as well 00:19:03.460 --> 00:19:06.259 because our culture has 00:19:06.259 --> 00:19:07.559 made an idol of romantic 00:19:07.559 --> 00:19:10.899 love but the truth we 00:19:10.899 --> 00:19:11.940 need to hear is that we 00:19:11.940 --> 00:19:12.799 don't have to be 00:19:12.799 --> 00:19:14.599 romantically involved with 00:19:14.599 --> 00:19:16.159 or in love with someone to 00:19:16.159 --> 00:19:18.099 experience what true love 00:19:18.099 --> 00:19:21.259 is because the love that 00:19:21.259 --> 00:19:22.839 God creates and he calls 00:19:22.839 --> 00:19:25.000 us together to exhibit 00:19:25.000 --> 00:19:27.579 this love within the 00:19:27.579 --> 00:19:29.200 people of God is a 00:19:29.200 --> 00:19:30.720 species of love that is 00:19:30.720 --> 00:19:33.079 found nowhere else in the 00:19:33.079 --> 00:19:38.759 world and why is that it 00:19:38.759 --> 00:19:39.980 is because it's a love that 00:19:39.980 --> 00:19:43.940 comes from above you know a 00:19:43.940 --> 00:19:45.059 church we're loving 00:19:45.059 --> 00:19:47.440 appreciation of each other 00:19:47.440 --> 00:19:49.019 that we notice the little 00:19:49.019 --> 00:19:52.000 things when that is the 00:19:52.000 --> 00:19:54.140 norm that is going to be 00:19:54.140 --> 00:19:55.900 wildly attractive to a 00:19:55.900 --> 00:19:57.100 world out there who really 00:19:57.100 --> 00:20:00.840 knows nothing of this so who 00:20:00.840 --> 00:20:02.059 could you be thanking 00:20:02.059 --> 00:20:05.160 specifically this morning 00:20:05.160 --> 00:20:07.840 what could you be appreciating 00:20:07.840 --> 00:20:09.080 in someone else this morning 00:20:09.080 --> 00:20:10.080 a brother and sister who 00:20:10.080 --> 00:20:11.500 served you in this church 00:20:11.500 --> 00:20:15.539 you know his view of her is 00:20:15.539 --> 00:20:17.579 that she is utterly unique 00:20:17.579 --> 00:20:21.359 and that means that his love 00:20:21.359 --> 00:20:24.220 for her is totally exclusive 00:20:24.220 --> 00:20:27.420 and that's marriage love 00:20:27.420 --> 00:20:28.559 according to God's good 00:20:28.559 --> 00:20:30.160 design as we see it here in 00:20:30.160 --> 00:20:31.819 his wisdom portion of his 00:20:31.819 --> 00:20:34.980 word and as we look upon the 00:20:34.980 --> 00:20:36.720 way of wisdom here I realize 00:20:36.720 --> 00:20:38.720 friends that for so many of us 00:20:38.720 --> 00:20:39.839 this hasn't been our 00:20:39.839 --> 00:20:43.000 experience personally maybe 00:20:43.000 --> 00:20:43.860 it's something that you've 00:20:43.860 --> 00:20:45.220 viewed in your family or 00:20:45.220 --> 00:20:47.160 whatever and you have been 00:20:47.160 --> 00:20:48.940 much in my prayers constantly 00:20:48.940 --> 00:20:51.279 this week that the Holy 00:20:51.279 --> 00:20:52.579 Spirit would be particularly 00:20:52.579 --> 00:20:55.220 near to you bringing you a 00:20:55.220 --> 00:20:58.160 very sense very real sense of 00:20:58.160 --> 00:20:59.980 Jesus's love for you and his 00:20:59.980 --> 00:21:02.420 hold on you and his knowledge 00:21:02.420 --> 00:21:04.839 of your life in all its ups 00:21:04.839 --> 00:21:08.400 and downs maybe for some of us 00:21:08.400 --> 00:21:09.700 this might be a really timely 00:21:09.700 --> 00:21:11.560 reminder about how seriously 00:21:11.560 --> 00:21:14.500 we should take exclusivity 00:21:14.500 --> 00:21:18.080 that you don't look at other 00:21:18.080 --> 00:21:19.420 people the way that you do 00:21:19.420 --> 00:21:22.500 your spouse whether in real life 00:21:22.500 --> 00:21:24.160 or maybe particularly in the 00:21:24.160 --> 00:21:25.660 culture and in the day in which 00:21:25.660 --> 00:21:30.100 we live online friends let me 00:21:30.100 --> 00:21:31.840 say in love as your pastor do 00:21:31.840 --> 00:21:36.140 not let porn torpedo your 00:21:36.140 --> 00:21:39.440 marriage and steal from you the 00:21:39.440 --> 00:21:41.259 love that's at the center of your 00:21:41.259 --> 00:21:42.360 relationships and your 00:21:42.360 --> 00:21:45.460 friendships if the snake of 00:21:45.460 --> 00:21:47.460 porn has slithered its way 00:21:47.460 --> 00:21:50.360 subtly into your life you've got 00:21:50.360 --> 00:21:53.580 to do all that you can to get out 00:21:53.580 --> 00:21:56.100 of it and if that means telling 00:21:56.100 --> 00:21:57.860 someone this morning can I 00:21:57.860 --> 00:22:00.140 encourage you to do the brave and 00:22:00.700 --> 00:22:02.480 the right thing because the devil 00:22:02.480 --> 00:22:05.839 will do anything to help to convince 00:22:05.839 --> 00:22:08.360 you that the darkness is the safer 00:22:08.360 --> 00:22:10.559 place to live your life and Jesus 00:22:10.559 --> 00:22:13.319 would call you out of that into his 00:22:13.319 --> 00:22:14.900 marvelous light and freedom 00:22:14.900 --> 00:22:19.599 you know we all long for 00:22:19.599 --> 00:22:20.380 faithfulness 00:22:20.380 --> 00:22:24.599 it's the thing that we seek in all 00:22:24.599 --> 00:22:26.839 our important relationships in our 00:22:26.839 --> 00:22:28.740 communities it's the thing that we 00:22:28.740 --> 00:22:32.059 even want in our governments you 00:22:32.059 --> 00:22:33.680 know my brother is in finance and 00:22:33.680 --> 00:22:35.440 that's why he often tells me that a 00:22:35.440 --> 00:22:37.559 good day in the markets is a stable 00:22:37.559 --> 00:22:40.420 day in the markets that's why mr 00:22:40.420 --> 00:22:42.579 trump is still causing headaches all 00:22:42.579 --> 00:22:43.660 over the world isn't he 00:22:43.660 --> 00:22:48.420 you can work with stability you know 00:22:48.420 --> 00:22:49.859 where you are with stability and 00:22:49.859 --> 00:22:52.740 that's exactly what he's saying about 00:22:52.740 --> 00:22:58.559 his love for her it is exclusive it is 00:22:58.559 --> 00:23:01.559 fiercely loyal and it will fight to 00:23:01.559 --> 00:23:02.980 have love right at the center 00:23:02.980 --> 00:23:06.839 and if that's the theme of his song 00:23:06.839 --> 00:23:10.140 all I want is you the reciprocating 00:23:10.140 --> 00:23:14.519 theme of her song is you have all of 00:23:14.519 --> 00:23:19.740 me and if you look at verse 13 see 00:23:19.740 --> 00:23:21.180 that hole and maybe you notice it 00:23:21.180 --> 00:23:22.940 there it's quite striking isn't it the 00:23:22.940 --> 00:23:25.160 whole come back come back shulamite 00:23:25.160 --> 00:23:27.880 language and presumably shulamite is 00:23:27.880 --> 00:23:29.960 most likely a reference to just where 00:23:29.960 --> 00:23:30.680 she's from 00:23:30.680 --> 00:23:33.640 that could just be another indicator 00:23:33.640 --> 00:23:36.160 that's showing us that she's still 00:23:36.160 --> 00:23:39.019 feeling a little bit insecure unsure 00:23:39.019 --> 00:23:41.759 doesn't really want know what to do 00:23:41.759 --> 00:23:42.900 with this love and attention 00:23:42.900 --> 00:23:49.680 but notice the directional language 00:23:49.680 --> 00:23:52.600 that you get at verse 10 and if you 00:23:52.600 --> 00:23:54.740 remember one verse from this section 00:23:54.740 --> 00:23:56.380 remember this 00:23:56.380 --> 00:24:00.980 notice the directional language what is it 00:24:00.980 --> 00:24:02.900 that changes the game for her 00:24:02.900 --> 00:24:08.580 it is the knowledge of how secure and 00:24:08.580 --> 00:24:12.600 how firm and how exclusive and how loyal 00:24:12.599 --> 00:24:16.500 his desire is for her 00:24:16.500 --> 00:24:20.379 and what that does is stir a response 00:24:20.379 --> 00:24:24.819 within her of love and desire for him 00:24:24.819 --> 00:24:28.419 and the Hebrew word there for desire 00:24:28.419 --> 00:24:34.379 it's only used two other places in the 00:24:34.379 --> 00:24:35.179 Old Testament 00:24:35.180 --> 00:24:39.380 one of which is Genesis 3 00:24:39.380 --> 00:24:42.920 so you get in that scene as Eve eats the 00:24:42.920 --> 00:24:46.340 the fruit from the forbidden tree and God 00:24:46.340 --> 00:24:49.340 lays out to Adam and Eve the consequences for 00:24:49.340 --> 00:24:50.500 their sin and rebellion 00:24:50.500 --> 00:24:53.640 one of those things is going to be that 00:24:53.640 --> 00:24:56.340 their desires are going to be inverted 00:24:56.339 --> 00:25:00.839 so Eve will now seek to desire and possess 00:25:00.839 --> 00:25:05.559 Adam and in turn Adam will attempt to rule over 00:25:05.559 --> 00:25:06.019 her 00:25:06.019 --> 00:25:10.259 so rather than love being self-giving 00:25:10.259 --> 00:25:13.859 a result of the fall is that love is now going to be 00:25:13.859 --> 00:25:18.759 self-serving and there's going to be friction and there's going to be tension 00:25:18.759 --> 00:25:23.179 and this as we read Genesis 3 is desire gone wrong 00:25:23.180 --> 00:25:27.039 and by the time you get to Genesis 4 and we meet Cain 00:25:27.039 --> 00:25:28.900 the same word is used there 00:25:28.900 --> 00:25:32.220 when God says to Cain sin is crouching at your door 00:25:32.220 --> 00:25:34.880 its desire is to master you 00:25:34.880 --> 00:25:35.620 have you 00:25:35.620 --> 00:25:40.779 so desire in Genesis 3 and 4 is about turning away from God 00:25:40.779 --> 00:25:44.259 and turning inward towards sin and self-worship 00:25:44.259 --> 00:25:51.200 but notice see if you look at chapter 7 verses 10 to 13 00:25:51.200 --> 00:25:52.299 just have a look at it there 00:25:52.299 --> 00:25:54.980 scan your eyes over it 00:25:54.980 --> 00:25:59.779 notice the echoes of Eden 00:25:59.779 --> 00:26:04.619 notice the Garden of Eden imagery 00:26:04.619 --> 00:26:05.359 do you see it? 00:26:05.740 --> 00:26:06.259 vineyards 00:26:06.259 --> 00:26:07.379 vines 00:26:07.379 --> 00:26:08.259 blossoms 00:26:08.259 --> 00:26:10.059 mandrakes 00:26:10.059 --> 00:26:11.159 delicacies 00:26:11.159 --> 00:26:14.259 life in Eden pre-sin 00:26:14.259 --> 00:26:19.659 so what I think this is telling us is that what we have here with this couple 00:26:19.660 --> 00:26:22.720 unlike Adam and Eve 00:26:22.720 --> 00:26:27.140 is desire made right 00:26:27.140 --> 00:26:32.420 and so at verse 3 we take them in being eye to eye 00:26:32.420 --> 00:26:37.440 we need to see how the power of his embrace 00:26:37.440 --> 00:26:40.740 stirs something deep within her 00:26:40.740 --> 00:26:43.480 to the point where she implores her friends 00:26:43.480 --> 00:26:46.559 not to awaken love until the time is right 00:26:46.559 --> 00:26:51.259 she's saying don't settle for anything less than this 00:26:51.259 --> 00:26:57.660 and the fact that that is the third time that this refrain has cropped up in this song 00:26:57.660 --> 00:27:02.099 should awaken us to the fact that God in his perfect wisdom 00:27:02.099 --> 00:27:05.019 is trying to communicate something to us 00:27:05.019 --> 00:27:09.900 that he knows we so desperately need to hear 00:27:09.900 --> 00:27:16.600 because friends we are poor captains of our own ships 00:27:16.600 --> 00:27:21.720 we are poor stewards of our own identities 00:27:21.720 --> 00:27:26.080 we are poor objects of our worship 00:27:26.080 --> 00:27:33.100 maybe you're feeling the pain of misdirected and unmet desires today 00:27:33.100 --> 00:27:35.440 even as I speak and as we read this together 00:27:35.440 --> 00:27:39.140 there is wonderful hope for all of us 00:27:39.140 --> 00:27:42.820 but maybe particularly for you this morning 00:27:42.820 --> 00:27:45.200 as we take in this 00:27:45.200 --> 00:27:52.080 because as we take in his desire for her 00:27:52.080 --> 00:27:59.200 we need to know that there was another man in the Bible who came 00:27:59.200 --> 00:28:01.580 desiring a bride 00:28:01.579 --> 00:28:05.059 and his name is Jesus 00:28:05.059 --> 00:28:08.139 he came to earth 00:28:08.139 --> 00:28:10.379 for his bride 00:28:10.379 --> 00:28:13.539 he lived a perfect life 00:28:13.539 --> 00:28:15.799 to win his bride 00:28:15.799 --> 00:28:18.000 he died on the cross to redeem 00:28:18.000 --> 00:28:20.599 and cleanse his bride 00:28:20.599 --> 00:28:22.579 from all our mistakes 00:28:22.579 --> 00:28:24.299 all our sin 00:28:24.299 --> 00:28:26.599 and all our shame 00:28:26.599 --> 00:28:28.539 Christ came 00:28:28.539 --> 00:28:30.500 seeking a bride 00:28:30.500 --> 00:28:34.140 and so as we gaze at this woman 00:28:34.140 --> 00:28:35.960 and hear her tell us 00:28:35.960 --> 00:28:40.200 that it was the safe knowledge of how secure 00:28:40.200 --> 00:28:43.720 his desire was for her 00:28:43.720 --> 00:28:46.180 that brought out this reciprocal love for him 00:28:46.180 --> 00:28:47.579 here's what we need to know today 00:28:47.579 --> 00:28:51.019 that if you're a Christian here today 00:28:51.019 --> 00:28:53.740 we can look on Christ 00:28:53.740 --> 00:28:57.380 and we can savour the fact 00:28:57.380 --> 00:28:59.200 that his desire 00:28:59.200 --> 00:29:02.380 is for us 00:29:02.380 --> 00:29:05.480 God's plan 00:29:05.480 --> 00:29:06.359 since the found 00:29:06.359 --> 00:29:08.500 before the foundation of the world 00:29:08.500 --> 00:29:10.980 has been to call out 00:29:10.980 --> 00:29:12.380 and create 00:29:12.380 --> 00:29:15.180 a people for himself 00:29:15.180 --> 00:29:17.140 call them out of the world 00:29:17.140 --> 00:29:22.079 God's plan has always been to call out a people 00:29:22.079 --> 00:29:23.480 and to have them know 00:29:23.480 --> 00:29:24.720 and savour the fact 00:29:24.720 --> 00:29:25.720 that they are a bride 00:29:25.720 --> 00:29:29.259 and to have that bride 00:29:29.259 --> 00:29:31.779 as she takes in the love 00:29:31.779 --> 00:29:33.599 of the bridegroom for her 00:29:33.599 --> 00:29:35.779 to have that bride 00:29:35.779 --> 00:29:38.299 absolutely gush in affection 00:29:38.299 --> 00:29:39.720 for the groom 00:29:39.720 --> 00:29:45.039 and that's exactly where this points us 00:29:45.039 --> 00:29:47.180 to the gospel 00:29:47.180 --> 00:29:52.120 and to how wonderful our king is 00:29:52.120 --> 00:29:55.420 and his desire for us 00:29:55.420 --> 00:29:57.519 and his love for us 00:29:57.519 --> 00:30:00.279 and his exclusive affection for us 00:30:00.279 --> 00:30:02.380 no matter how you're feeling here today 00:30:02.380 --> 00:30:04.460 if you're feeling weak in your faith 00:30:04.460 --> 00:30:05.720 if you're feeling discouraged 00:30:05.720 --> 00:30:07.140 if you're feeling disheartened 00:30:07.140 --> 00:30:09.900 if you're feeling really, really sad 00:30:09.900 --> 00:30:14.880 then take in your groom's love 00:30:14.880 --> 00:30:16.200 for you 00:30:16.200 --> 00:30:19.480 you know just as we close 00:30:19.480 --> 00:30:20.580 and maybe to try and 00:30:20.580 --> 00:30:23.020 set this up 00:30:23.020 --> 00:30:24.680 for where we're going to finish next week 00:30:24.680 --> 00:30:27.340 as we finish this little series 00:30:27.340 --> 00:30:28.220 please come back for it 00:30:28.220 --> 00:30:29.700 but here's a thought for you 00:30:29.700 --> 00:30:33.380 do you know that there's only two types of people 00:30:33.380 --> 00:30:34.780 in this world that read a will 00:30:34.780 --> 00:30:38.540 can you think who they are 00:30:38.540 --> 00:30:41.060 I remember this from my time 00:30:41.060 --> 00:30:42.500 studying law at university 00:30:42.500 --> 00:30:43.540 there's only two types of people 00:30:43.540 --> 00:30:44.140 that read a will 00:30:44.140 --> 00:30:46.560 here's the first type of person 00:30:46.560 --> 00:30:48.480 it's the lawyer 00:30:48.480 --> 00:30:52.300 and to them reading a will 00:30:52.300 --> 00:30:53.540 is really just doing a job 00:30:53.540 --> 00:30:56.560 simply being paid to interpret 00:30:56.559 --> 00:30:58.700 and execute words on a page 00:30:58.700 --> 00:31:00.139 right 00:31:00.139 --> 00:31:01.539 I've got a lot of friends 00:31:01.539 --> 00:31:02.919 who work in succession 00:31:02.919 --> 00:31:03.539 in the states 00:31:03.539 --> 00:31:04.779 and that's what they tell you 00:31:04.779 --> 00:31:06.519 they just keep on coming 00:31:06.519 --> 00:31:08.599 I'm not really getting excited 00:31:08.599 --> 00:31:09.259 about a will 00:31:09.259 --> 00:31:10.399 I'm just executing 00:31:10.399 --> 00:31:10.940 delivering 00:31:10.940 --> 00:31:12.299 passing on the information 00:31:12.299 --> 00:31:13.379 I'm just doing my job 00:31:13.379 --> 00:31:15.359 but there's a second type of person 00:31:15.359 --> 00:31:16.019 who reads a will 00:31:16.019 --> 00:31:19.299 it's an heir 00:31:19.299 --> 00:31:22.879 and to them reading a will 00:31:22.879 --> 00:31:23.960 it's not just a job 00:31:23.960 --> 00:31:26.700 it's not just words on a page 00:31:26.700 --> 00:31:29.799 it's a promise 00:31:29.799 --> 00:31:32.640 and it's a promise 00:31:32.640 --> 00:31:34.059 about what's coming to them 00:31:34.059 --> 00:31:36.880 at some point in the future 00:31:36.880 --> 00:31:38.579 and how about how 00:31:38.579 --> 00:31:39.340 what's coming to them 00:31:39.340 --> 00:31:40.360 at some point in the future 00:31:40.360 --> 00:31:42.460 totally changes 00:31:42.460 --> 00:31:44.340 how they live today 00:31:44.340 --> 00:31:45.779 in anticipation of the thing 00:31:45.779 --> 00:31:46.759 that's coming to them 00:31:46.759 --> 00:31:49.600 and Fred's God 00:31:49.600 --> 00:31:50.519 would want us to read this 00:31:50.519 --> 00:31:51.539 not as a lawyer would 00:31:51.539 --> 00:31:54.500 but as an heir would 00:31:54.500 --> 00:31:57.039 about all his promises 00:31:57.039 --> 00:31:57.700 in scripture 00:31:57.700 --> 00:31:58.420 have you ever thought about 00:31:58.420 --> 00:31:59.420 that's how we should read them 00:31:59.420 --> 00:32:01.119 we should read them 00:32:01.119 --> 00:32:01.579 as an heir 00:32:01.579 --> 00:32:02.779 looking at a will 00:32:02.779 --> 00:32:03.559 thinking about this 00:32:03.559 --> 00:32:04.740 is what the future holds 00:32:04.740 --> 00:32:08.500 you see now we know 00:32:08.500 --> 00:32:09.759 the one who desires us 00:32:09.759 --> 00:32:10.460 by faith 00:32:10.460 --> 00:32:12.460 through the power 00:32:12.460 --> 00:32:13.099 of the spirit 00:32:13.099 --> 00:32:14.200 but this is particularly 00:32:14.200 --> 00:32:14.879 what we're going to think 00:32:14.879 --> 00:32:15.619 about next week 00:32:15.619 --> 00:32:16.960 see when he returns 00:32:16.960 --> 00:32:18.920 we will no longer 00:32:18.920 --> 00:32:19.859 know him by faith 00:32:19.859 --> 00:32:21.719 we will no longer 00:32:21.719 --> 00:32:23.879 know our groom 00:32:23.879 --> 00:32:24.859 by faith 00:32:24.859 --> 00:32:26.099 as we read his words 00:32:26.099 --> 00:32:26.699 as we meet him 00:32:26.699 --> 00:32:27.199 through the power 00:32:27.199 --> 00:32:27.679 of his spirit 00:32:27.679 --> 00:32:29.059 we will know him then 00:32:29.059 --> 00:32:31.379 by sight 00:32:31.379 --> 00:32:35.359 I belong to my beloved 00:32:35.359 --> 00:32:38.479 and his desire 00:32:38.479 --> 00:32:40.799 is for me 00:32:40.799 --> 00:32:42.979 let me pray 00:32:42.980 --> 00:32:59.779 and so father 00:32:59.779 --> 00:33:00.319 we thank you 00:33:00.319 --> 00:33:00.920 for the gospel 00:33:00.920 --> 00:33:01.579 this morning 00:33:01.579 --> 00:33:04.000 thank you 00:33:04.000 --> 00:33:05.059 for the message 00:33:05.059 --> 00:33:06.779 about the 00:33:06.779 --> 00:33:07.960 all pursuing 00:33:07.960 --> 00:33:08.900 loving 00:33:08.900 --> 00:33:09.660 Jesus 00:33:09.660 --> 00:33:12.740 thank you 00:33:12.740 --> 00:33:13.560 that we can 00:33:13.560 --> 00:33:14.120 read this 00:33:14.120 --> 00:33:14.519 and know 00:33:14.519 --> 00:33:15.500 that the church 00:33:15.500 --> 00:33:16.700 those who 00:33:16.700 --> 00:33:17.779 put their faith 00:33:17.779 --> 00:33:18.279 in Jesus 00:33:18.279 --> 00:33:19.220 truly are 00:33:19.220 --> 00:33:19.779 the apple 00:33:19.779 --> 00:33:20.560 of his eye 00:33:20.560 --> 00:33:23.000 and so father 00:33:23.000 --> 00:33:23.640 I pray 00:33:23.640 --> 00:33:24.180 that as 00:33:24.180 --> 00:33:25.400 this 00:33:25.400 --> 00:33:28.000 word of yours 00:33:28.000 --> 00:33:28.640 this morning 00:33:28.640 --> 00:33:29.779 as it touches 00:33:29.779 --> 00:33:30.140 lord 00:33:30.140 --> 00:33:30.740 our hearts 00:33:30.740 --> 00:33:31.740 in different ways 00:33:31.740 --> 00:33:32.400 I pray 00:33:32.400 --> 00:33:32.840 father 00:33:32.840 --> 00:33:33.900 that by your spirit 00:33:33.900 --> 00:33:35.400 that you may be 00:33:35.400 --> 00:33:36.160 bringing healing 00:33:36.160 --> 00:33:39.640 and that you 00:33:39.640 --> 00:33:40.220 would be bringing 00:33:40.220 --> 00:33:41.480 certainty 00:33:41.480 --> 00:33:43.660 lord 00:33:43.660 --> 00:33:44.100 that you would be 00:33:44.100 --> 00:33:45.000 bringing conviction 00:33:45.000 --> 00:33:46.580 and challenge 00:33:46.580 --> 00:33:49.019 but father 00:33:49.019 --> 00:33:49.560 most of all 00:33:49.560 --> 00:33:50.840 you would bring us 00:33:50.840 --> 00:33:52.000 that knowledge 00:33:52.000 --> 00:33:53.640 of our saviour 00:33:53.640 --> 00:33:55.519 and his love 00:33:55.519 --> 00:33:56.060 for us 00:33:56.060 --> 00:33:56.300 father 00:33:56.300 --> 00:33:57.019 we thank you 00:33:57.019 --> 00:33:57.660 for each other 00:33:57.660 --> 00:33:58.080 today 00:33:58.080 --> 00:33:59.320 that we do not 00:33:59.320 --> 00:33:59.980 journey this 00:33:59.980 --> 00:34:00.640 Christian life 00:34:00.640 --> 00:34:01.019 alone 00:34:01.019 --> 00:34:01.920 but we journey 00:34:01.920 --> 00:34:02.620 together 00:34:02.620 --> 00:34:04.340 and so father 00:34:04.340 --> 00:34:05.080 as we move 00:34:05.079 --> 00:34:05.639 to a time 00:34:05.639 --> 00:34:06.179 of communion 00:34:06.179 --> 00:34:06.899 in just a few 00:34:06.899 --> 00:34:07.480 moments 00:34:07.480 --> 00:34:08.559 lord 00:34:08.559 --> 00:34:09.539 may the sweetness 00:34:09.539 --> 00:34:10.440 of what Jesus 00:34:10.440 --> 00:34:10.940 has done 00:34:10.940 --> 00:34:11.599 for us 00:34:11.599 --> 00:34:13.199 come home 00:34:13.199 --> 00:34:13.940 maybe in 00:34:13.940 --> 00:34:14.900 a fresh 00:34:14.900 --> 00:34:16.019 reality today 00:34:16.019 --> 00:34:17.759 father we thank 00:34:17.759 --> 00:34:18.360 you for your love 00:34:18.360 --> 00:34:18.759 for us 00:34:18.759 --> 00:34:19.460 and we pray 00:34:19.460 --> 00:34:20.000 now that you 00:34:20.000 --> 00:34:20.519 would continue 00:34:20.519 --> 00:34:21.119 to be with us 00:34:21.119 --> 00:34:21.860 by your spirit 00:34:21.860 --> 00:34:23.340 in Jesus's name 00:34:23.340 --> 00:34:23.940 we ask 00:34:23.940 --> 00:34:25.099 amen