Secret of the Stairs Part 2 “An Overall View” 8/7/13
A Seeing our Lord as a bridegroom who is seeking the attention/affection of His bride helps us better understand the principles to get to know Him better - grow into spiritual maturity.
1 We’ll know/better understand His voice, leading, His timing.
a We’ll step-by-step get closer to the honeymoon suite.
b We’ll also discover how the “Daughters of Jerusalem” help/provoke us to be all the bridegroom desires of us.
aa “D of J” are other Christians.
bb When we respond/react to other Christians properly with right attitude - we can quicken out Christian development.
cc He never allows others to “affect” us beyond what we can handle.
Song of Songs 2:7 (NASB) 7 "I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, By the gazelles or by the hinds of the field, That you do not arouse or awaken my love Until she pleases."
2 Last week, we prayed about “drawing me” and “running to Him.”
a He’s no longer just a “supreme power” who we try to get to do as we desire: “divine friend” who wants to be in fellowship.
b God built us to long/have an intimate communion with Him.
aa Nothing else will do!
bb Nothing else satisfies!
B There are three levels of spiritual growth to which the bride has developed.
1 Song of Songs 2:16a (NASB) 16 "My beloved is mine, and I am his;
a The first person the bride thinks of us herself!
b Her first testimony is self-importance: all about her.
c She’s serving for her benefit/what He can give.
Song of Songs 1:3 (NASB) 3 "Your oils have a pleasing fragrance, Your name is like purified oil; Therefore the maidens love you.
d Song of Songs 2:5 (NASB) 5 "Sustain me with raisin cakes, Refresh me with apples, Because I am lovesick.
He seeks fellowship, she seeks for her desires to be met.
2 Song of Songs 6:3a (NASB) 3 "I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine,
a She’s making progress! Priorities have changed – She puts Him first!
b Her selfishness is weakened, but an element of self-centeredness still rules her priorities.
3 Song of Songs 7:10 (NASB) 10 "I am my beloved's, And his desire is for me.
a She is no longer in control - it’s all about Him.
b He has become the center of her life.
aa Instead of possessing the Lord, she is possess by Him.
bb She’s submitted her life to Him, communion, fellowship.
C Often, at the beginning of our Christian walk, we’re satisfied with the blessing we can receive.
1 As we mature, introduced to the Holy Spirit, He leads us to more than our initial experience.
a We find a satisfaction/joy of giving ourselves to Him.
b And building up others, too!
2 When we first got saved we loved Him for what we could “get” or “receive” personally.
a Then we say Him as a “person” - brought people to Him.
b We know we’re getting close when our love for our groom is no longer what we can get but to what we can give!
D There are 3 different Greek words for love.
1 Eros: One-way love that flows toward us. (Seeks self-gain, carnal/sensual, the lowest form of love: Not used to script.)
a Phileo: Highest type of human love: reciprocated, flows two ways: I love the Lord because He first loved me.
b Agape: Divine love, speaks of sacrifice. (John 3:16)
aa One-way love.
bb Outgoing, selfless, giving loves that looks for nothing in return.
2 John 21:15-17 (NASB) 15 So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Tend My lambs." 16 He said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Shepherd My sheep." 17 He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me?" Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you love Me?" And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You." Jesus said to him, "Tend My sheep.
a Jesus restoring Peter after the crucifixion.
aa Matthew 26:35 (NASB) 35 Peter said to Him, "Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You."
bb Peter blew it, denying Him 3xs on eve of the crucifixion.
b “Peter, do you “agape” (love to the point of death) me?”
aa “Lord, I Phileo (I’m fond of) You. :Before Peter had said, “I’ll die for you.”
bb At Jesus’ trial, Peter failed.
cc Peter couldn’t use the word “agape” because his experience was less than his confession - So he had to speak from the level of his experience. (Phileo)
c Again, “Peter, do you agape me?”
aa Peter. “You know I Phileo You.”
bb Jesus, “Do you Phileo me?”
cc Peter broke: Jesus exposed the true love level of Peter, his hearth melted, moved up a new level of faith, fully restored.
E We all want to love God at the agape level, but we all start at the lowest level.
1 We claim each step, gradually, toward His chamber.
a We, like the bride, in our early days as Christians make it about us.
aa “My Beloved is mine.” (Eros)
bb One way love that flowed towards her.
cc The Lord began to bring about changes in her. (Phileo)
b She began to love Him as a person & not because of all the things He was able to provide for her.
aa After tender correction, “I am my Beloved, and my Beloved is mine.” - Phileo
bb Still very interested in gifts/blessings!
c Finally, He draws her to the top of the stairs.
aa “I am my Beloved, and His desire is for me.”
bb Her love has become an outgoing love with no expectancy of return, He has come her all and all.
cc She is now able to move with Him in ministry to the needs of others, or abide alone with Him in communion.
dd Song of Songs 7:11-12 (NASB) 11 "Come, my beloved, let us go out into the country, Let us spend the night in the villages. 12 "Let us rise early and go to the vineyards; Let us see whether the vine has budded And its blossoms have opened, And whether the pomegranates have bloomed. There I will give you my love.
2 Suddenly, all the planning/preparation to become the bride has faded to nothingness.
a She only sees the vineyard that is before them.
b Ministry to others in love, all while experiencing new dimensions of communion together.
Conclusion
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