CCF Weekly Services Podcast

God uses a dream in Solomon's Song to communicate to the Shulamite the division between her and Solomon leading up to their wedding and healed those anxieties by focusing her instead on their marriage.

1. Dreams from God can happen.

2. Dreams from God will always challenge us personally and practically in our walk with Him.

3. Dreams from God will always confirm what we have written in His Word.

Paul the Apostle experiences and endures persecution both inside and outside of the church. The God who saw him through those times of difficulty is the same that will see us through ours regardless of the direction it's coming from.

1. God didn't promise us freedom from trouble, but His strength to endure times of trouble.

2. God can defend you, or you can defend yourself. Not both.

3. The peace of God doesn't make sense, but it certainly works.

Solomon and the Shulamite enter their dating phase where there is undeniably physical attraction and desire between the two of them. Yet in the midst of these legitimate gifts from God, the time and place are also considered. Their regard for God's standards before marriage will be reflected in how well they honor them during marriage as well.

1. Feelings are good servants, but poor masters.

2. Delayed gratification is a lost virtue that deserves a comeback in Christian circles.

3. Deal with little problems early before they become big ones.

Paul continues his journey to Jerusalem with multiple warnings along the way that he is going to be imprisoned there. Paul examines these words of prophecy with what God has also told him, and rightly concludes he would be given the strength to endure what he now knew to expect.

1. God gave us brains and expects us to use them.

2. If it's true, it ain't new. If it's new, it ain't true.

3. More information is always better than less.

Solomon and the Shulamite's dating life continues with an exchange of compliments to things they enjoy. The more these realities of their love for each other are proactively expressed, the more their insecurities and anxieties are put in their proper place as well.

1. Jesus knew what He was getting into when He saved us.

2. Attraction should be towards someone's character as much as appearance.

3. Jesus' words should bear more authority on who we are than our feelings.

Solomon's song begins with the woman expressing a physical attraction and desire for Solomon. She has issues and history, but seeks Godly counsel and pursues Solomon in such a way where both are able to experience and acknowledge the emotions that will naturally accompany attraction to each other. God isn't against these things. The challenge is balancing a desire to be with someone and committing to their walk with God as one you'd want to emulate as well.

1. God considers marriage, sex, and physical attraction as honorable. Not sinful by nature.

2. Everyone has issues. What makes someone exceptional is if they bring them to God or not.

3. Every relationship should be built on common ground.

Paul's last words to the elders of Ephesus are ones that summarize his ministry well. It is the same kind of ministry any Christian would want to rightly describe their lives.

1. Humility isn't thinking less of yourself, it's thinking of yourself less.

2. Jesus is a wonderful boss to work for.

3. Any hope less than Jesus' approval of our lives is not worth having.

From courtship and engagement to the passionate and sustainable love of marriage, the book of Song of Solomon is the lyrics to the most significant divinely inspired song composed by the wisest man to ever live. The content conveys the profound truths about authentic love and the sanctity and pleasure of marriage while also metaphorically illustrating God’s love for His people.

1. God is just as involved with our sex lives as any other part of our lives.

2. Solomon's perspective on relationships came from experiencing God's ideal and the World's as well.

3. Don't just know what God says about marital intimacy. Understand and live accordingly.

It is amazing how religion, or simply a moral life, does not help us get into heaven or combat our narcissisms. In the encounter of the wealthy, young, moral and Jesus, we see our own failures in what we think about Jesus. Is he just a good teacher? Is He really someone to listen to? Would I listen to him? Not only that, but we tend to think we are good people through and through, instead of admitting our need for saving. We have a far to high view of ourselves and a far to low view of God. Many in our world turn away from the Messiah not wanting to admit that we are licked, totally abominable in God's eyes. Jesus teaches in a way to reveal our lack but is also able to provide the remedy, if only we would repent of our sins and ask. What prevents us from asking? Self sufficiency and not seeing yourself clearly. Have you ever said, "what do I still lack?" (Compare this with John 9:39-41) In saying this, the young man shows his pride. God's salvation is a gift, and we need it. Humility is needed to receive it. Do you live in this humble state, daily needing his grace?

1. Pride is the sin that looks worst on other people.

2. The greatest obstacle between us and salvation is understanding our need for it.

3. Jesus offers salvation freely.

The Conclusion of Esther reminds us of how to properly handle the blessings of God. If we take the time to remember the ways God has been good to us, the joy and thankfulness that follows will as much be a blessing to us as it will the lives of those around us.

1. Take the time to remember how good God's been to you.

2. Thankfulness happens when we recognize how good God's been to us.

3. Your relationship with God should be a blessing to those around you.