Does jealousy belong in a relationship? It’s often seen as toxic and unhealthy, and those are often appropriate assessments when it’s caused by distrust or pure selfishness. But, as we see demonstrated in God’s relationship with us, jealousy is nearly inseparable from any relationship. As Pastor Bill will point out in today’s message, when you feel love for someone, you want to be with them. Anything or anyone that stands in the way of that will naturally ignite jealousy in your heart. 

Weddings are beautiful. It’s a celebration of two becoming one – the relationship God designed man and woman for. It’s more than just about the physical union that happens on the wedding night; it’s bigger and deeper than that, but that is a part of what’s being celebrated. As Pastor Bill continues our study of the Song of Solomon today, we’ll continue to witness the love story of our couple as it unfolds. No couple is perfect, but when you follow God’s design for marriage, it’s beautiful and free of shame.

If you let that truth sink in, it’ll overwhelm your heart. As we continue our study of the Song of Solomon, we’ll encounter a PG-13 description of the intimacy between a husband and wife. These two were passionate about each other, and we can see that in the words the husband uses to describe his wife. Their love is strong. As Pastor Bill will point out in today’s message, Jesus looks at His Church with an even more intense love and passion. He’s purified us on the cross and desires spiritual intimacy with us.

Just a heads up: today’s message deals with some matters of a mature nature as we explore the Song of Solomon with Pastor Bill. God designed marriage, and it’s beautiful. Every element of it. Two become one on emotional, spiritual, and physical levels. Humanity has taken this beautiful intimacy and drastically cheapened it. They’ve taken something that honors God and connects two people made in His image and perverted it into something entirely centered around serving self. 

Everything you need to go through life is found in Christ. Even when you fight against the odds, you can trust in God. When the unknown comes, and you fear it, you can find comfort in the Spirit. In today's message, Pastor Bill is going to point you to the Holy Spirit as your Source of guidance, strength, and comfort. Life isn't guaranteed to be easy when you give your life to Christ, but you'll never have to go through your trials alone. He's always there, and always waiting for you to just trust in Him.

The closer you get to Jesus, the more you'll start living like Him. It should be evident to people around you that there's something different about you. It starts with the Holy Spirit working inside of you to change your heart, your habits, and your focus. In today's message, Pastor Bill's going to assure you that the peace and joy you get from following Jesus and being filled with the Holy Spirit is unlike anything else there is. True safety, confidence, and joy are found only in Him.

The Holy Spirit has been given to you if you've given your life to Christ. When you get distracted from God or lose sight of where you should be, ask Him to guide you. If you've fallen into sin or forgotten the joys of God's promises, ask His Spirit to fill you to overflowing and show you how to get back on track. In today's message, Pastor Bill is going to encourage you to remember Jesus in the good times and the bad, so you never stray away from where He wants you to be, where the Father's blessings flow.

Reconciliation leads to intimacy restored in a marriage when there's a problem that arises. To work through those times, communication needs to remain open, and the problems need to be worked through hand in hand. So it is with sin and temptation in your walk with Jesus. As Pastor Bill will talk about in today's message, you can get through those hard times and overcome the things that separate you from God by bringing them to Him. Ask Him for forgiveness, and talk with Him, and the victory will come.

As a believer and part of the church of God, you're the bride of Christ. Someday, He'll come back and bring you up into Heaven with Him to spend eternity there, united forever. Today, Pastor Bill's going to compare the wife desperately looking for her husband to the church that needs to desperately seek Jesus. Every day, you should be spending intimate time alone with Him, growing closer to Him, and getting to know Him. It's how a healthy marriage looks, too, when a husband and wife grow in their love.

The Bible says that the husband is the head of the household, and wives should honor the husband and submit to him. It's not about one being better or worse than the other, but about a peaceful and loving relationship. The husband should protect his family and love his wife as Christ loved the church. Today, Pastor Bill is going to compare that marriage model to Christ being the husband to His church – the believers. We're to submit to Him, follow Him, and let His love pour over us every day.