Under the Noble Cedar

A couple of weeks after I delivered this message it became apparent to me that my manner of communication on membership may have been more harsh than I intended in at least one part of this message. Thus, I ask that those who listen here exercise some mercy in scrutinizing this, but take the gold, throw out the dross if there be any. Blessings! Pastor Mann

This sermon was delivered on May 15, 2022 at Catherine Lake Baptist Church. Upon reviewing the sermon, I found this study to be a ready reference to help people on a practical level to see the great difference between lust and love. It stands ready to help those addicted to pornography or those trying to help them. A move must take place from putting off the way the porn addict views people, to how God made people to view people in Christ. It is part of the mind renewing to not merely put off sin, but to take on a new vision for all of life including the people whom God made to live in peace with Him.

At its height, this text captures the heavenly view of the church in Christ’s sight, and the church’s heavenly view of Christ in her renewed sight. The Song of Solomon sets for the manual we need for this aspect of life that must not be substituted for the world’s manuals.

Referenced in this sermon is Calvin Seerveld’s book: Never Try to Arouse Erotic Love Until . . .: The Song of Songs, in Critique of Solomon: A Study Companion. Also, Tyndale’s New Testament Commentary on the Song of Solomon.

Ultimately the close of this sermon is set forth in hopes that people will see the truth that you are made for Christ is stronger than worldly lies about life and love.

What was at stake for Paul’s readers was their full trust in God’s Word in their times so as to benefit from the in person preaching of the gospel. What threatened their faith, in Paul’s estimation, was the vast majority of Jews rejecting the gospel. Paul explains that God’s Word has not failed (Romans 9), and that whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved (Romans 10) and closes chapter 11 teaching of God’s perfect plan that will prevail to save Jews and Gentiles in one body, the church, by one gospel, and by one faith in Jesus Christ alone. References to Numbers 13–15, and 1 Corinthians 15:20–26 are key to interpreting this text.

This sermon was delivered on May 8, 2022 at Catherine Lake Baptist Church, and is the third message in a series of eight messages on the Song of Solomon. In reviewing the sermon I tended to perhaps admonish a bit to loosely or perhaps to strongly at the end (last 10 minutes or so) on issues of marriage and other matters. I trust that God can use even these possible imperfections.

This sermon on the Song of Solomon was delivered on May 1, 2022 at Catherine Lake Baptist Church in Richlands North Carolina. It is second in a series of eight sermons on this glorious book, the greatest of songs! After posting the first in this series it was requested of me to post the others. Furthermore, on the afternoon of posting this sermon I had conversed with someone struggling with assurance of salvation. Upon reviewing this sermon, I thought that this sermon may also speak to such needs. Therefore, I pray this sermon would offer no little help to God’s people in the area of comfort, and to the lost in the area of conversion for the glory of God in Christ, amen.

This sermon was delivered on April 24, 2022 at Catherine Lake Baptist Church in Richlands North Carolina. In reviewing the sermon I found myself spending more time on the issue of the use of wine than I would presently recommend, though I trust the Lord may use even that section to be a help to someone. I commend the whole of the sermon to be listened to to draw you to a greater love and appreciation for this book and more importantly the One to whom this book points, the Lord Jesus Christ alone. Furthermore, this sermon was requested for listening from some fellow pastors, so I found the file to post here now in its unedited form. Enjoy.