August 13, 2023
Who Are You Looking For?
- Matt Nickoson
Sermon Notes
Is it better to choose your spouse or trust your family?
Song of Songs 1:1 NIV
"Solomon's Song of Songs."
Song of Songs 1:2 NIV
Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth — for your love is more delightful than wine. – The Woman
2 Corinthians 13:12 NIV
Greet one another with a holy kiss.
Song of Songs 1:3 NIV
Pleasing is the fragrance of your perfumes; your name is like perfume poured out. No wonder the young women love you!
"Choose to be attracted to a person who is living out faith in an active, vibrant way — a true follower and disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ, not just an occasional churchgoer." — Tommy Nelson, The Book of Romance: What Solomon Says About Love, Sex, and Intimacy
Are you known as a person of Godly character?
"So often today, girls will say about a guy, "He's a real hunk." The question begs to be asked, "A hunk of what?" There is nothing wrong with being handsome and appealing, but the real issue is not whether a man is good-looking but whether a man is looking for what is good in God's eyes. Nothing is more discouraging for a woman than to be married to a man whom she discovers later she would not want as a waiter." — Tommy Nelson, The Book of Romance: What Solomon Says About Love, Sex, and Intimacy
Genesis 24:12-14 NIV
Then he prayed, "Lord, God of my master Abraham, make me successful today, and show kindness to my master Abraham. See, I am standing beside this spring, and the daughters of the townspeople are coming out to draw water.
May it be that when I say to a young woman, 'Please let down your jar that I may have a drink,' and she says, 'Drink, and I'll water your camels too'—let her be the one you have chosen for your servant Isaac. By this, I will know that you have shown kindness to my master."
When was the last time you prayed for your spouse and trusted God was working on it for you?
Genesis 24:15-21 NIV
Before he had finished praying, Rebekah came out with her jar on her shoulder… The woman was very beautiful, a virgin; no man had ever slept with her.
She went down to the spring, filled her jar and came up again. The servant hurried to meet her and said, "Please give me a little water from your jar." "Drink, my Lord," she said, and quickly lowered the jar to her hands and gave him a drink.
After she had given him a drink, she said, "I'll draw water for your camels too, until they have had enough to drink." So she quickly emptied her jar into the trough, ran back to the well to draw more water, and drew enough for all his camels.
Without saying a word, the man watched her closely to learn whether or not the Lord had made his journey successful.
Look for a spouse whose words and actions line up. Be cautious when they don't.
Song of Songs 1:5-6 NIV
Dark am I, yet lovely, daughters of Jerusalem, dark like the tents of Kedar, like the tent curtains of Solomon. Do not stare at me because I am dark, because I am darkened by the sun. My mother's sons were angry with me and made me take care of the vineyards; my own vineyard I had to neglect.
Song of Songs 1:7 NIV
Tell me, you whom I love, where you graze your flock and where you rest your sheep at midday. Why should I be like a veiled woman beside the flocks of your friends?
Do NOT be willing to compromise on your convictions!
Song of Songs 1:8 NIV
If you do not know, most beautiful of women, follow the tracks of the sheep and graze your young goats by the tents of the shepherds.
Look for a spouse who supports and honors you like Jesus does His children.
Psalm 78:52-53 NIV
But he brought his people out like a flock; he led them like sheep through the wilderness. He guided them safely, so they were unafraid…