#408 The Jesus Trip, Extravagant Love

#408 The Jesus Trip, Extravagant Love
By: D. Karl Thomas

(See download links at the bottom of the page for the Sermon Notes, PowerPoint Slides & Group Discussion Questions)

S Of S 1:1“This is Solomon’s song of songs, more wonderful than any other.” The very best of my songs!
1 Kings 4:32 “He composed some 3,000 proverbs and wrote 1,005 songs.”
This is an intense expression of two people in love

Elizabeth Barrett Browning “How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. I love thee to the depth and breadth and height My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight For the ends of being and ideal grace.”

Sonnet #1 The sad years, the melancholy years, who by turns had flung a shadow across me. Straightway I was ‘ware, how a mystic Shape did move Behind me, and drew me backward by the hair,And a voice said in mastery, while I strove, … Guess now who holds thee?’ – Death,’ I said. But there, The silver answer rang …

Not Death, but Love.’ … She was loved by the words and actions of Robert Browning. Browning wrote to her as she was lying in bed. In 20 months, they wrote 574 letters between them.

You ever write any poetry … Love songs … Cheryl used to write me … Your my missing rib!!! WOW!!!!

“I got gaps; you got gaps; we fill each other’s gaps.”Rocky Balboa — Rocky 1

“I have found the paradox, that if you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, only more love.” Mother Teresa

Solomonis the masculine form of peace. Shulamiteis the female form of peace. Same Hebrew root word.
Peace (Shalam):—to be in a covenant of peace, be at peace, complete, finished

Luke 11:31“The queen of Sheba will stand up against this generation on judgment day and condemn it, for she came from a distant land to hear the wisdom of Solomon. Now someone greater than Solomon is here—but you refuse to listen.”

2 Corinthians 11:2“For I am jealous for you with the jealousy of God himself. I promised you as a pure bride to one husband—Christ.”
Colossians 2:10“So you also are complete through your union with Christ,…”

Revelation 21:2 “And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.”

Story begins with happy bride.
S Of S 1:2-4 “Kiss me and kiss me again, for your love is sweeter than wine. How pleasing is your fragrance; your name is like the spreading fragrance of scented oils. No wonder all the young women love you! …”

“The king has brought me into his bedroom. Young Women of JerusalemHow happy we are for you, O king. We praise your love even more than wine.”When He walk in the room everything changes for the better!

Their relationship begins at the end of the song. S Of S 8:8-14 “I was a virgin, like a wall; now my breasts are like towers. When my lover looks at me, he is delighted with what he sees. Solomon has a vineyard at Baal-hamon, which he leases out to tenant farmers …”

1. Fallen Understanding (1:5-6)
“Don’t stare at me because I am dark— the sun has darkened my skin. My brothers were angry with me; they forced me to care for their vineyards, so I couldn’t care for myself—my own vineyard.” How could you love me?

2. There is an attraction (1:7-8)
“Tell me, my love, where are you leading your flock today? Where will you rest your sheep at noon?” If you don’t know, O most beautiful woman, follow the trail of my flock, and graze your young goats by the shepherds’ tents.”

3. His Words are transforming
(1:9-11) “You are as exciting, my darling, (lover and friend) as a mare among Pharaoh’s stallions.”

The Battle For Kadesh (1452 BC)
“We will make for you earrings of gold and beads of silver.” The Godhead is committed to your redemption.

4. Revelation of His value(1:12-14)
“…a sachet of myrrh lying between my breasts. He is like a bouquet of sweet henna (kopher) blossoms from the vineyards of En-gedi.”
I hold the finished work of the cross over my heart.
He is a sweet bouquet of the atonement and I am washed in the fountain of the Lamb.

5. Redeemed Understanding
(2:1-2) “I am the rose of Sharon, And the lily of the valleys.The Beloved. Like a lily among thorns, So is my love among the daughters.” (NKJV)
He lifts her up to a place of being eye to eye. Completely compatible. Equal footing. Radical (TROUBLING)

6. He Commits Himself To Me
“He escorts me to the banquet hall; (House Of Wine) it’s obvious how much he loves me. … Promise me, … not to awaken love until the time is right.”

He is my bridegroom and I will keep myself for Him alone.

God Show Us A Healthy Union Song Of Solomon: The Courtship / The EngagementThe Wedding / The Wedding Night / The Argument / The Power Of True Love

S Of S 8:6-7 Power Of True Love “Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm. For love is as strong as death, its jealousy as enduring as the grave. Love flashes like fire, the brightest kind of flame. Many waters cannot quench love, nor can rivers drown it. If a man tried to buy love with all his wealth, his offer would be utterly scorned.”

A. Dedicated
“Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm.” (6)
I have you locked down. You manifest that I possess you in private (heart) and in public (arm).
You belong to me!!! That releases great confidence.

B. Invincible“For love is as strong as death,” Death comes without asking. It takes things and ends thing without discrimination. Love is stronger. It comes in and suddenly brings LIFE. It resurrects, frees and empowers.

C. Persevering “…its jealousy as enduring as the grave.” A grave may seem powerful and never ending.
Love is more powerful. When love grips you it has a passion that will never let you go!!!

D. Transforming “Love flashes like fire, the brightest kind of flame.”(flame of YAH)
Fire can be destructive. Lightning can shatter a 300 year old oak tree.
One kiss for the Lord can change your life. One WORD!!!

E. Conquering “Many waters cannot quench love, nor can rivers drown it.”
A flood of trouble will not keep Jesus from expressing His love for you. Trouble unleashes the best of love!!!

F. Priceless “If a man tried to buy love with all his wealth, his offer would be utterly scorned.”
Love is valuable and powerful but it is FREE! Money can’t buy you love.
It is available to everyone. The moment you try to earn it, it’s gone! I’m loved to give love!

John 15:13 “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
John 19:30 “When Jesus had tasted it, he said, ‘It is finished!’” “kalah’:— finished, bride Come forth my BRIDE!!!

The Jesus Trip, Extravagant Love, Sermon notes to print, PDF

The Jesus Trip, Extravagant Love, PowerPoint Slides, PDF

The Jesus Trip, Extravagant Love, Group Discussion Questions – Week #9, to print, PDF