THE WOW IN CHURCH
The following sermon was preached at Rain Outreach Centre, Ontario, Canada.
This sermon the typifies the heart of God for New Testament Church , it’s Governmental Order, its Witness, and its Atmosphere. It is taken from 1Kings 10:1-0, 13.
In this sermon the Queen of Sheba represents the Gentile Church coming into salvation and becoming part of The Bride of Christ. King Solomon represents Jesus Christ, The King of Kings.
1 Kings 10:1-10 Now when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to test him with hard questions. 2She came to Jerusalem with a very great retinue, with camels that bore spices, very much gold, and precious stones; and when she came to Solomon, she spoke with him about all that was in her heart. 3So Solomon answered all her questions; there was nothing so difficult for the king that he could not explain it to her. 4And when the queen of Sheba had seen all the wisdom of Solomon, the house that he had built, 5the food on his table, the seating of his servants, the service of his waiters and their apparel, his cupbearers, and his entryway by which he went up to the house of the LORD, there was no more spirit in her. 6Then she said to the king: "It was a true report which I heard in my own land about your words and your wisdom. 7However I did not believe the words until I came and saw with my own eyes; and indeed the half was not told me. Your wisdom and prosperity exceed the fame of which I heard. 8Happy are your men and happy are these your servants, who stand continually before you and hear your wisdom! 9Blessed be the LORD your God, who delighted in you, setting you on the throne of Israel! Because the LORD has loved Israel forever, therefore He made you king, to do justice and righteousness." 10Then she gave the king one hundred and twenty talents of gold, spices in great quantity, and precious stones. There never again came such abundance of spices as the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.
1 Kings 10:13 Now King Solomon gave the queen of Sheba all she desired, whatever she asked, besides what Solomon had given her according to the royal generosity. So she turned and went to her own country, she and her servants.
THE BANQUET
The Queen of Sheba comes to visit King Solomon because of his fame concerning the “name of the LORD” – it speaks of the unbeliever who led by the Holy Spirit wants to find out about God and decides to visit “Church”
When she arrives she comes into the Banqueting Hall and sees and senses the atmosphere and working of God:
She sees:
The Sitting of His Servants: this speaks of the New Testament “Deacon Ministry” notice they are sitting. Sitting in the Bible symbolizes resting and peace. This is a truth when we serve the Lord we are supposed to be doing it in His strength not ours! She sees a difference. People serving God in peace and rest not in Stress!
The service of his waiters and their apparel: this speaks of the Saints at large or the Congregation. Sheba sees their service and apparel. Apparel denotes “abiding” their service is “Ministering to God” through worship, Gifts, and attitude. She can’t believe how much they love God!
His cupbearers: These represent the “Overseers, Elders” of the House, fivefold gifting in the arena of overseeing the local congregation. A type would be Nehemiah a cupbearer whose name means “Son of Consolation: or “Son of The Spirit”. This function represents those who wait on the Lord and deliver His Word and His Guidance.
The “Meat of His Table: Of course the table in the New Testament represents the communion, the broken body and blood of Jesus and all that it represents. BUT THERE IS MORE:
Song 2:4-5 He brought me to the banqueting house, And his banner over me was love.
Sustain me with cakes of raisins, Refresh me with apples, For I am lovesick.
THE BANQUET consists of the finished work of Christ, the atmosphere of the Holy Spirit in worship and service with an emphasis on the following spiritual food:
Banner of Love: People visiting the Church need to walk into an atmosphere of love, God’s LOVE
Cakes of Raisins: In the Hebrew this can be interpreted as “Flagons of Wine”. This represents the outpouring of The Holy Spirit into and through His people.
Refresh me with Apples: Proverbs 25:11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold
In settings of silver. This the word spoken, how we need a word from the Lord individually and corporately. Not just the logos (written) word but a rhema (proceeding word) Deut. 8:2-3 And you shall remember that the LORD your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. 3So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the LORD.
WOW
1 Kings 10:5 and his entryway by which he went up to the house of the LORD, there was no more spirit in her.
This phrase in the Hebrew has incredible meaning, a meaning that we can summarize as a “WOW” moment: it means
• an inspiring state of prophecy
• an imparting energy
• as energy of life
• a manifest of the Shekinah glory
• a personal experience of a real person
Queen Sheba came to Church she saw all that was going on she saw the Governmental Order of the House at work, the witness of the congregation in their love for God and His love for them through worship and the word, she felt the atmosphere of Heaven in the place and she was “BLOWN AWAY”
This is how “church” should be!!!
THE BRIDE
Queen Sheba concerted and became part of the “Bride” of Christ. We see this in what she gave to the King (Jesus)
1 Kings10:10 Then she gave the king one hundred and twenty talents of gold, spices in great quantity, and precious stones. There never again came such abundance of spices as the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.
120 in the Bible symbolizes “something new” the 120 trumpeters at the dedication of Solomon’s Temple, the 120 in the “upper room in Acts.
Gold symbolizes: faith – your faith is being refined like Gold Peter tells us in his epistle.
Sheba: came into newfound faith and offered it up to God!
Spices speak of the ingredients of the anointing oil representing the Holy Spirit. She gave more than anyone had ever given the King! Reminds us of Mary with her spikenard the fragrance of which filled the whole room!
Sheba: received the indwelling Holy Spirit and began to give it back to God: the fruit of her lips giving thanks, a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving.
Precious Stones: these symbolize revelation or thoughts in the Bible.
Sheba: had a new mind, a renewed mind, opened to God and His Word!!!!
THE BRIDEGROOM
But you can never out give God can you?
The King’s response to the pouring out and giving of Queen Sheba is seen in 1 Kings 10:13 Now King Solomon gave the queen of Sheba all she desired, whatever she asked, besides what Solomon had given her according to the royal generosity. So she turned and went to her own country, she and her servants.
He gave her:
All her Desire: Psalm 37:4 Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
Whatever she asked: John 14:13-14 And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.
According to His Generosity: Ephes. 3:20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,
CONCLUSION
What a picture and what a lesson for us. The Church in its glory and ministry. It’s effect on the unsaved and the result of its witness. God make us to be like this. Amen
