Sermon
#10 Series:
Song of Solomon
Title: Christ and His Church
In Their Royal Chariot
Text: Song of Solomon 3:6-11
Readings: Office: Paul Winderl Auditorium: James
Jordan
Subject: The Safety Of The Church
In This World
Date: Sunday Evening - July 12, 1998
Tape # U-76a
Introduction:
Song of
Songs 3:6-11 "Who is this that cometh out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke,
perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all powders of the merchant? (7) Behold his bed, which is Solomon's; threescore valiant men are about it, of the valiant of Israel. (8) They all hold swords, being expert in war: every man hath his sword upon his thigh because of
fear in the night. (9) King Solomon
made himself a chariot of the wood of Lebanon. (10) He made the pillars thereof of silver, the bottom thereof of
gold, the covering of it of purple,
the midst thereof being paved with love,
for the daughters of Jerusalem. (11) Go
forth, O ye daughters of Zion, and behold king Solomon with the crown wherewith
his mother crowned him in the day of his espousals, and in the day of the
gladness of his heart."
Try
to picture the scene before us in our text - A royal wedding has taken place.
King Solomon has taken Pharaoh’s daughter to be his wife. She is arrayed in all
the beauty and splendor of a royal bride. Solomon, with all of his wealth, has
spared no expense for this glorious
occasion. The wedding ceremony is now over. The marriage supper is ended. The
royal pair, the newly wed king and his queen prepare to leave for their
honeymoon. The king nods his head and his nuptial chariot is brought forward.
It is a chariot which he has especially prepared for his beloved bride. It is a
splendid, richly arrayed coach, which will carry the happy couple through the
wilderness to the place where their marriage will be consummated.
Standing in the front of the
chariot are two men carrying torches to light their way through the wilderness.
The torches burn with all the powders of the merchants, giving off in their
smoke the fragrances of romantic perfume. In front of the chariot, on both
sides, and in the rear there are sixty valiant men, selected by Solomon
himself, to guard the royal pair as they make their way through the wilderness.
Every man is expert in war, and ready to die, if need be, in defense of the
king and his bride. The chariot is made of the fine woods of Lebanon. Its four
posts are of silver. The bottom of it is covered with gold. Its curtains are
made of fine purple. Secluded behind those curtains, safe and happy, is the
king and his bride upon their bed, a bed made by his own hands. They recline
together upon the soft cushions of love which he has prepared.
The
picture, of course, is an allegory referring to Christ and His Church in Their Royal Chariot. It pictures both the
happiness and safety of the church of Christ as she is carried through the
darkness and wilderness of this world in the arms of Christ. Resting in his
love, secure in his arms, we can almost hear her speak - “I will fear no evil: for thou art with me…Surely goodness and mercy
shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the
Lord forever.”
As our text
begins, the daughters of Jerusalem speak with astonishment. They are overcome with awe
by the beauty and majesty that has been given to the church of Christ. It is
not at all uncommon for new converts to be astonished by that which Christ has
made his church to be. She who was once black and despised is now adorned with
beauty and admired. Looking upon the church, chosen by Christ to be his bride,
adorned with his love, and protected by his power, the daughters of Jerusalem
are astonished and cry, “Who is this that
cometh out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and
frankincense, with all the powders of the merchant?”
This question tells us two things about the
church of Christ in this world.
1. So long as we are in this
world The church of Christ is in a wilderness.
The Lord’s people here are
passing through a wilderness, as strangers and pilgrims in a foreign and
hostile land. Here we must expect to meet with danger on every hand, trials,
tribulations, and temptations. And mark these words: the church is passing through this wilderness. She is coming up out of
it. She has no attachment to it.
NOTE: My friends, you and I must
not live for this world. We simply must not entangle ourselves with the affairs
of this world. To love this world is to be the enemy of God (James 4:4; 1 John
2:15; Matt. 6:31-33).
Matthew 6:31-33 "Therefore take no thought, saying,
What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be
clothed? (32) (For after all these
things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have
need of all these things. (33) But
seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things
shall be added unto you."
James 4:4 "Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know
ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore
will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God."
1 John 2:15 "Love not the world, neither the things
that are in the world. If any man
love the world, the love of the Father is not in him."
2.
As
the people of God make their way through this world their hearts are set upon
another world.
The church is said to be “like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense.” Her
heart is inflamed with love for Christ. Her affections are set upon things
above, not on the perishing things of the world (Col. 3:1-3; 2 Cor. 4:18).
Colossians 3:1-3 "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek
those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. (2) Set your affection on things above,
not on things on the earth. (3) For
ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God."
2
Corinthians 4:18 "While we look not
at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the
things which are seen are temporal;
but the things which are not seen are eternal."
The graces of the Spirit in
the believer’s heart are like sweet spices and holy incense, arising from the
altar of the renewed soul heart.
Matthew
Henry
said, “The graces and comforts with which she is perfumed are called ‘the powders of the merchant,’ for they
are far fetched and dearly bought, by our Lord Jesus, that blessed Merchant,
who took a long voyage, and was at vast expense, no less than that of his own
blood, to purchase them for us. They are not products of our own soil, nor the
growth of our own country; no, they are imported from the heavenly Canaan, the
better country.”
Proposition: But the thing that I want you to see tonight is that while
the church is in this world she is with Christ and Christ is with her, and she
is safe.
Sometimes our doubting
hearts become fearful about the welfare and safety of the Lord’s church. But
our fears are ill-founded. The church belongs to Christ. He loved her, chose
her, and redeemed her. She is in his hands. He will defend her, protect her,
and perfect her. The church of Christ and the cause of Christ are safe.
Zion stands by hills
surrounded,
Zion kept by power Divine;
All her foes shall be
confounded,
Though the world in arms
combine:
Happy Zion, what a favored
lot is thine!
Every human tie may perish;
Friend to friend unfaithful
prove;
Mothers cease their own to
cherish;
Heaven and earth at last
remove;
But no changes can attend
Jehovah’s love!
Zion’s Friend in nothing
alters,
Though all others may and
do;
His is love that never
falters,
Always to its object true.
Happy Zion, crowned with
mercies ever new!
If thy God should show
displeasure,
‘Tis to save and not
destroy;
If He punish, ‘tis in
measure,
‘Tis to rid thee of alloy.
Be thou patient; soon thy
grief shall turn to joy.
In the furnace God may prove
thee,
Thence to bring thee forth
more bright;
But can never cease to love
thee;
Thou art precious in His
sight;
God is with thee, God thine
everlasting light.
In
our text we see the daughters of Jerusalem (our younger brothers and sisters in
Christ (Those who truly are converted, but still just babes in grace, and those
who only profess to be converted, but are yet lost, blind, and ignorant.) stand
admiring the Bride, the church, and commending her; but she overlooks their
praises and points them to her Beloved. She transfers all the glory to Christ.
The church would have all to look away from her to Christ. We applaud and
praise him. We recommend him to your esteem. Christ alone is worthy of praise.
He alone is worthy of notice.
She
calls him Solomon; but the One spoken of is Christ. The One who is greater than
Solomon is here. Solomon was a type of Christ. Both are the sons of David and
the sons of God, kings of peace over the house of God. Solomon was a type of
Christ…
·
In
his wealth.
·
In
his wisdom.
·
In
the greatness and peacefulness of his kingdom.
·
In
his marriage to the daughter of Pharaoh.
·
In
building the temple.
Divisions: In these verses the church
expresses her admiration and praise for Christ in three ways - She admires:
1.
The
Safety Of His Bed (vv. 7-8).
2.
The
Splendor Of His Chariot (vv. 9-10).
3.
The
Greatness Of His Person (v. 11).
I. The church here admires and
praises Christ because of THE SAFETY
OF HIS BED (vv. 7-8).
Song of
Songs
3:7-8 "Behold his bed, which is Solomon's; threescore valiant men are about it, of the valiant of Israel. (8) They all hold swords, being expert in war: every man hath his sword upon his thigh because of
fear in the night."
She
calls for the daughters of Jerusalem to “Behold
his bed,” look to him and trust him, because there is safety in him.
The
church is his bed. He said of it, “This
is my rest for ever; here will I dwell.” The believer’s heart is his bed.
He lies all night between our breasts, and reveals his love in our hearts (Eph.
3:17). Heaven is his bed, the rest into which he entered when he had finished
his work.
But here
“his bed” refers to that rest and
satisfaction which believing hearts find in communion with Christ. When we are
nestled in his arms in sweet communion and fellowship, we find rest and peace
for our souls. Here is a bed long enough and broad enough for a man to stretch
himself upon it. The bed upon which we rest is Christ himself! The covers of
this bed (Our Lord’s own righteousness!) are infinitely broard, broad enough
for the biggest sinner in the world to wrap himself in! It is a green, fruitful
bed (1:16). It is my bed (3:1). And t is his bed (3:7). The bed he bought. The
bed he owns. The bed he gives. The bed he is!
A. In particular, the bride is safe and secure because
the Lord has posted guards about his bed to protect her.
Traveling through this wilderness in the
darkness of night, the people of God are always subject to danger, being
susceptible to attacks at all times. But we have no need to fear. The cause of
Christ is safe in this world. The Lord himself protects his people. And he has
set his angels to protect his saints. But we have something more tangible than
this.
C. H. Spurgeon said, “Our gracious God has
been pleased to commit unto men the ministry of Christ. The Lord ordaineth that
chosen men should be the protectors of his church; not that they have any power
of themselves to do anything, but he girdeth the weak with strength and maketh
the feeble mighty; so then, men, even the sons of men stand in array…to guard
both the bridegroom and the bride.”
NOTE: It is the responsibility
of those who preach the gospel to be watchmen, caring for and protecting the
church of God. Faithful pastors are angels of the churches to guard them and
watch over them (Heb. 13:7, 17; Rev. 1:20).
1.
Read
verses 7 and 8 carefully, and you will notice that there are always enough swordsmen for the work.
“Threescore valiant men” - There are
always enough men chosen of God for the deliverance of his people and the
protection of his church. “The Lord gave
the Word, and great was the company of them that published it.”
There shall always be just as many faithful
pastors to carry on the battle as the battle shall require (Gen. 19:16).
·
The
Lord knows who they are.
·
The
Lord knows where they are.
·
The
Lord knows where they are needed.
·
The
Lord knows what he will use them to accomplish.
2.
These warriors were men of
the right mettle.
They
are “the valiant of Israel.” The
servants of God are men, bold and fearless men, men with a cause to inspire
them and courage to carry them through. Valiant men are dependable men, courageous
men, devoted men, and proved men.
3.
These men were all in the
right place.
“Threescore valiant
men ABOUT IT.” There were some on the right, some on the left, some in the
front, some in the rear.
·
Each
man was in the place where God had put him.
·
Each
man was in the place where he was needed and for which he was gifted.
·
Each
man kept his post.
4.
These sixty valiant men were
all well armed.
The text says plainly, “They
all hold swords.” Every valiant warrior in Christ’s Israel holds the sword
of the Spirit, the Word of God. The only weapon of our warfare is the Word of
God.
5.
Again, these valiant men,
chosen of God for the safety of his church are well trained.
“They all hold
swords, being expert in war.” They are all men of war. They had been tried
and proved, again and again. These men were not academy cadets. They were
seasoned veterans.
NOTE: Those
who are set apart for the work of the gospel ministry must not be novices. They
must be well trained, well equipped men (1 Tim. 3:1-7). The church of Christ
does not need any “preacher boys” any more than the U. S. Marine Corps needs
“soldier boys”! We need men to stand as watchmen over Zion!
·
Men
who have endured trial.
·
Men
who have proven their faithfulness.
·
Men
who have an insight into the human heart.
·
Men
who are burdened for the cause of Christ.
·
Men
who have a sound knowledge of gospel doctrine (Jer. 3:13).
·
Men
who are gifted for the work - Men who can preach and preach with persuasive
power and understanding.
6.
These valiant men were
always ready.
Every man had his sword upon his thigh and his hand upon
his sword. With Paul, every man called of God to the work will cry, “I am ready!”
B. The reason for the Lord’s appointment of his
soldiers is to secure the welfare of his church.
They stand at their post “because of fear in the night.”
1.
To
protect her from any real danger.
2.
To
comfort her and silence her fears about supposed danger.
3.
To
light her path and guide her through the wilderness.
II. Secondly, the church here
expresses her admiration and praise toward Christ, because of THE SPLENDOR OF HIS CHARIOT (vv.
9-10).
Song of
Songs 3:9-10 "King Solomon made
himself a chariot of the wood of Lebanon.
(10) He made the pillars thereof of silver,
the bottom thereof of gold, the
covering of it of purple, the midst
thereof being paved with love, for
the daughters of Jerusalem."
As
the bed speaks of the believer’s communion and fellowship with Christ in the
blessed gospel rest of faith. The chariot speaks of the everlasting gospel of
Christ.
C. H. Spurgeon said, “The doctrines of the
gospel are comparable, for their antiquity, for their sweet fragrance, for
their incorruptibility, to the wood of Lebanon. The gospel of Christ never
decays; Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today, and forever. Not one single truth
bears any sign of rot. And to those souls who are enlightened from above, the
gospel gives forth a fragrance far richer than the wood of Lebanon.”
NOTE: The gospel of the grace of
God is that chariot in which Christ reveals himself in this world. The gospel
is that chariot in which Christ our King rides forth conquering and to conquer.
And the gospel of grace is the chariot in which the church of God is carried
through this world.
NOTE: The gospel of the grace of
God is a chariot which the Lord made by his own hands.
·
He
devised it and established it.
·
He
made it for himself.
·
He
made it for the daughters of Jerusalem whom he determined to save.
Now
let’s look at the details of this blessed gospel chariot. Its splendor reflects
the glory of our King, its Maker.
A. The four silver pillars which hold up the canopy of
this chariot are the attributes of God himself.
The great atonement of Christ, beneath which
we are sheltered from the terrible wrath of God, is supported and buttressed by
the attributes of God. The divine attributes, God’s character, guarantee the
efficacy of Christ’s atonement.
1.
There stands the silver
pillar of God’s justice.
God
cannot and will not slay any soul that is sheltered beneath the blood of
Christ. Justice will not allow it. If Christ paid the debt for us, justice
cannot demand payment from us.
2.
There stands the solid,
silver pillar of God’s power. We are kept in the hands of Omnipotence!
3.
There stands the silver
pillar of God’s immutable, everlasting love.
His
love for us is strong and everlasting, unchanging, and eternal. It is as strong
as his power and as sure as his justice. His love for us secures our souls!
4.
And there stands the silver
pillar of God’s immutability.
Oh,
what a pillar this is! The Lord our God changes not! And since he changes not,
our souls are safe and secure! (Mal. 3:6; Eccles. 3:14).
B. The purple canopy, or covering of this chariot is
the atonement of Christ.
It is dyed in the purple blood of our royal
King which he shed to redeem us at Calvary. That blood-red canopy of finished
atonement shelters our souls from the burning heat of the day and the terror of
the night. We are sheltered safe and secure under the blood of Jesus.
Let me tell you five
things about the blood of Christ.
·
It
is propitiatory.
·
It
is plentiful.
·
It
is powerful.
·
It
is permanent.
·
It
is precious!
C. The bottom of this blessed gospel chariot is made of
gold, the solid, enduring gold of God’s eternal purpose and decree (Rom.
8:28-30; 9:16-18).
Romans 8:28-30 "And we know that all things work
together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according
to his purpose. (29) For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son,
that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. (30) Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and
whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also
glorified."
Romans 9:16-18 "So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God
that showeth mercy. (17) For the
scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up,
that I might show my power in thee, and that my name might be declared
throughout all the earth. (18) Therefore
hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy,
and whom he will he hardeneth."
D. Then there is the pavement
of needlework, the soft cushions upon which we are made to rest our souls are
most delightful. This blessed gospel
chariot is paved with Christ’s special love for his own elect. “The midst thereof being paved with love for
the daughters of Jerusalem.”
1.
That
love was the basis of his eternal decree.
2.
That
love was revealed in his atoning sacrifice.
3.
That
love is manifest in his daily care.
III. Thirdly, the church here admires and praises Christ, because of THE GREATNESS OF HIS PERSON (v.
11).
Song of
Songs
3:11 "Go forth, O ye daughters of
Zion, and behold king Solomon with the crown wherewith his mother crowned him
in the day of his espousals, and in the day of the gladness of his heart."
This
is the admonition which I would drive home to our hearts tonight, especially as
we keep the feast of the Lord together. Let each one of us who are true
believers recognize that we are a part of the Lord’s church, inside the gospel
chariot, yet, looking upon ourselves as one of the daughters of Jerusalem, let
us “Go forth, O ye daughters of Zion, and
behold King Solomon with the crown wherewith his mother crowned him in the day
of his espousals, and in the day of the gladness of heart.”
·
Behold
the honors put upon him by God his Father.
·
Behold
the dishonors put upon him by the Jews - The crown of thorns.
·
Behold
the dishonors put upon him by the apostate church of this reprobate age - UPON
HIS PERSON! - UPON HIS BLOOD! - UPON HIS POWER!
·
Behold
the honors put upon him by his church and all true believers, in whose heart he
is formed, and of whom he said, “These
are my mother” (Matt. 12:50).
When
we come to Christ in faith, receiving him as our Lord and Savior, it is a great
privilege of grace for us; but it is more - Christ is honored by it. True faith
is honoring to the Son of God.
A. It is his coronation day as King in our souls.
True
faith acknowledges and submits to Christ as Lord and King.
B. It is the day of his espousals.
He
joins us to him in faith and love, and he betroths all that he is and has to us
(Hosea 3:3).
Hosea 3:1-3 "Then said the LORD unto me, Go yet,
love a woman beloved of her friend,
yet an adulteress, according to the love of the LORD toward the children of
Israel, who look to other gods, and love flagons of wine. (2) So I bought her to me for fifteen pieces of silver, and for an
homer of barley, and an half homer of barley: (3) And I said unto her, Thou shalt abide for me many days; thou
shalt not play the harlot, and thou shalt not be for another man: so will I
also be for thee."
C. It is the day of the gladness of his heart.
There
is joy in heaven, in the presence of the angels when a sinner trusts Christ. He
sees with satisfaction and delight of the travail of his soul (Lk. 15:6-8, 10).
Luke 15:6-8 "And when he cometh home, he calleth
together his friends and neighbours,
saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. (7) I say unto you, that likewise joy
shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and
nine just persons, which need no repentance.
(8) Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece,
doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find
it?"
Luke 15:10 "Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy
in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth."
My friends, go forth and
behold the greatness of Christ’s grace toward sinners. This is his crown. This
is his brightest diadem of glory!
Application: I say to you who believe and
to you who believe not - “Behold him!”
1. Behold the safety of all who
trust him.
2. Behold the splendor of the
gospel of his grace.
3. Behold the greatness of his
person.
·
He
is great in majesty.
·
He
is great in power.
·
He
is great in pardon.
·
He
is great in mercy.