I Found the One I Love

Introduction

Thank you for your input on the possible new series. We’re not going to do it on a Sunday morning but will do a series of Sunday nights that discuss these things in a format that allow table discussion and a Question and Response time afterwards. I’m hoping we’ll keep it to an hour. 20 min of Bible and focusing on the topic, 10-15 min of discussion at tables, and 10-15 of Question and Response. So look forward to that at the end of the month going into August. I think we will record them as they will build on each other and have them available for folks.

On your devices, or with your Bibles you can make your way to Song of Solomon 3. That is where we will be this morning.

ME

before we read our text

WE

In this maybe you can relate, that when we have our metrics on the wrong things, we can spiral and be focusing on the wrong things.

Driving (looking ahead, focusing on the right things)

Football (anticipating throws)

We often measure our success or worth by various standards which can lead to disordered passions and skewed metrics of success. These can cause us to spiral when we don't achieve them, or even worse, to be left disillusioned and disappointed when we do achieve them because they do not truly fulfill us. However, when Jesus is at the center of our passions and desires, properly ordered and oriented, everything else falls into place.

GOD

God has something to say about this. We are to be encouraged in God’s word this morning. If you are able and/or willing, would you stand with me as I read God’s word.

Song of Solomon 3:1–5 CSB

In my bed at night I sought the one I love; I sought him, but did not find him. I will arise now and go about the city, through the streets and the plazas. I will seek the one I love. I sought him, but did not find him. The guards who go about the city found me. I asked them, “Have you seen the one I love?” I had just passed them when I found the one I love. I held on to him and would not let him go until I brought him to my mother’s house— to the chamber of the one who conceived me. Young women of Jerusalem, I charge you by the gazelles and the wild does of the field, do not stir up or awaken love until the appropriate time.

This is the word of the Lord. Let us Pray. You may be seated. Thank you.

This is the ninth poem in the Song of Songs.

Song of Songs Poem Nine: Seeking and (Not) Finding (3:1–5)

It progresses from yearning for his presence, through fear of loss and abandonment, to panicky action, leading to a rushing torrent of relief when she finds him, clutches him, and will not let him go until they have consummated their relationship.” Besides the mood change, we also have a theme change with an emphasis on the woman seeking and, at first, not finding, but then eventually finding.

YOU

What would it look like for you to take what is stressing you out and place Jesus at the center.

Relationships: - Submit it to Jesus: does He want you to have it? Does it make you grateful to Him more? Are you honoring Him in this relationship? Are you honoring who you are in Jesus in this relationship?

Work: - Submit it to Jesus: Is your work honoring to Jesus and to your Employer? After doing a good job, does it make you more grateful to Him? Are you honoring who you are in Jesus in this work and those you work for? Are you honoring those around you as image bearers of God? Are you honoring your family and loved ones in the work that you are doing (as opposed to sacrificing them on the alter of success and “I’m doing it for you”).

Your Calling of God: In what you are doing for God, is it drawing you closer or is shame and disappointment keeping you from experiencing His pleasure of you? Are you doing what God has placed on your heart? If not, why? If so, is you metric of success Jesus… making much of His name, falling more in love and commitment to Him,

US