INTRODUCTION:

    1. This chapter deals mainly with the praise of the shepherd for his Shulamite bride.
    2. In it we see some more of the attributes our Lord notices in His true churches.
    3. However, it begins with the daughters of Jerusalem asking her, "Whither is thy beloved gone?"
    4. The world may ask us that same question.  The answer: John 14:1-3.
    5. Some of these may question His return, but just as this shepherd came back for his bride, so Christ
        will come for His.
        a. II Peter 3:3-4.
        b. Acts 1:11 ; John 14:3 ; I Thess. 4:13-18.

  I. HE PRAISES HER BEAUTY -- VV. 4-5.

    A. The Beauty Of The Shulamite.
        1. Vs. 5 -- Her eyes are so stunningly beautiful that they overwhelmed him.
        2. Vs. 4 -- Her beauty so stunning, it unnerved him, as if he faced an army with banners (flags).
        3. He compares her beauty to:
            a. Tirzah.
                1) Means: delightfulness; pleasantness.
                2) An ancient Canaanite city near Shechem, whose beauty was well known.
                3) Youngest of 5 daughters of Zelophehad named Tirzah -- apparently very beautiful.
                4) Became the capital for 4 of the kings of the Northern Kingdom.
            b. Jerusalem.
                1) The place of God (where God has chosen to put His name).
                2) A privilege and honor to the world.
                    a) Whether they thought so or not.
                    b) Recall what the enemies of the Jews said about it in Ezra 4:12-16.
        4. Vv. 5b-7 -- He repeats the praise of chap. 4 and shows his love for her has not diminished one bit.

    B. The Beauty Of The Spouse.
        1. Instruction from Proverbs 5:18-19.
            a. Vs. 18 -- "Rejoice with the wife of thy youth."
            b. Vs. 19 -- "Be thou ravished always with her love."
                (RAVISHED = enraptured) (consumed?).
        2. Proverbs 31:30 -- There is a great beauty to a wife whoo is faithful to her husband, her family, & the Lord.
        3. Remember Ephesians 5:25.

    C. The Beauty Of The Church.
        1. The Lord sees the beauty of His churches, for in them He sees Himself.
            a. Knows (understands) the price paid to purchase them.
            b. Knows what they have endured to remain true to Him.
        2. As a church we should reflect the loveliness of Christ.
            a. Matt. 5:16 ; Phil. 2:15.
            b. John 13:34-35 -- Reflect His love.
        3. As a New Testament church there must be a certain attractiveness to us (not what attracts the world,
            but the attractiveness of Christ).
        4. The world is privileged to have true New Testament churches present (though it may not think so).
            a. Salt of the earth.
            b. Light of the world.
            c. II Thess. 2 -- When churches are removed and the Holy Spirit is restrained, all evil breaks forth.

 II. HE PRAISES HER BOLDNESS -- VS. 4.

    1. I believe this speaks of both the church's authority and her ability.
        a. Matt. 28:19-20 -- (exousia).
        b. Acts 1:8 -- (dynamis).
    2. He mentions her strength twice -- vv. 4, 10.
        (TERRIBLE = root, frighten; frightful).
    3. Her boldness is in contrast to her beauty.

    A. We Understand Our Authority.
        1. It is disciple-making authority.
        2. It is decision making authority -- Matt. 18:18.
        3. It is discipline meting authority.

    B. We Understand Our Ability.
        1. Acts 1:8 -- It is the ability to speak.
        2. It is the ability to stand.

III. HE PRAISES HER UNIQUENESS -- VV. 8-9.

    A. The Uniqueness Of His Wife.
        1. The only one of her mother -- unique.
        2. As dear as if she had been an only child.
        3. If there were any more, she was the "choice of the one that bare her."
            a. Daughters of Jerusalem called her "fairest among women" (vs. 1).
            b. The queens and concubines praised her.
        4. Vv. 12-13 -- She wandered into the area of the priinces of her people.
            a. She began to flee.
            b. They called for her to return, "That we may look upon thee."

    B. Uniqueness In The World.
        1. In reality, the kind of faithful relationship between husband & wife that the Bible speaks of is unique in
            the world -- especially in our day.
        2. True, Bible believing, God-fearing, faithful New Testament churches are also unique in the world.
        3. We are unique as to:
            a. Our cost -- the precious blood of Jesus. (No other institution can claim that kind of price).
            b. Our commission -- (No other institution has been given the authority to do the work of making
                disciples. Only Israel as a people.)
            c. Our cause.
                1) Ephesians 3:21.
                2) Of no other institution does God say, "This is where I will be glorified through Jesus."
        4. Each true New Testament church is as dear to the Lord as if it were the only one.

  CONCLUSION:

    1. New Testament churches are special -- to the Lord and in this world.
        a. There is a beauty to us -- which the Lord sees, and which we should show.
        b. There is the boldness of God-given authority -- to make disciples, to spread the truth.
        c. There is our uniqueness, for there is no other organization like a true New Testament church.
    2. Knowing that this church is special to the Lord should cause her members to see her as special.
        a. To love this church as Christ does.
        b. To be faithful to the Lord through her.
        c. To be present when she meets.
        d. To support her -- financially and by prayers.
        e. To sacrifice, if necessary, to see that she remains true to Him and to His Word.