SOS 2:15 Keeping the Vineyard
Preached by James R. Reynolds on March 21, 1979.
Song of Solomon 2:15 — The Subtlety of Her Enemies “Take us the foxes…”
Matthew 24:32 — Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:
- Introduction
- I. Subtlety of Her Enemy
- II. Damage by Her Enemy
- III. Most Critical Time to Watch
INTRODUCTION
The Bridegroom is giving a warning and revelation concerning the danger that faces the bride in her preparation, growth and progress in the realm of the Spirit.
There is a certain amount of responsibility that goes along with privilege. There more God reveals of himself there great responsibility there is.
The Vineyard. Song 1:6 Look not upon me, because I am black, because the sun hath looked upon me: my mother's children were angry with me; they made me the keeper of the vineyards; but mine own vineyard have I not kept.
Bridegroom’s admonition “You keep your own vineyard.” You
- The Bride has enemies.
I. Subtlety of her Enemy
“Take us…” (8:08)
A. The Action to the Enemy
The Bride is Responsible to Catch the foxes. The Bridegroom is admonition her to take charge of her vineyard (responsibility). It is going to be difficult because of the subtlety of the enemy, but the bridegroom is going to help. He is going to give her the strength, but she is the one that must to do it
Take –HEBREW sieze upon, take hold of, get rid of
It is quite a job to catch a fox.
IF the devil can just get you on easy street, he has you already.
2Ti 2:3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Php 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (all one slide)
1Jo 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we KEEP his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. (But we do have an enemy who plays with our flesh.)
Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Jg 15:4 And Samson went and caught three hundred foxes, and took firebrands, and turned tail to tail, and put a firebrand in the midst between two tails.
- YOU easily see your neighbor’s foxes, but not your own.
- You might surprise you many you catch.
- You want a great victor? Catch the foxes in your vineyard.
B. The Nature of the Enemy (15:02)
Jeremiah 17:9 — The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
- The fox is deceptive, cunning, treacherous, sly, he plays tricks.
- The longer they stay, the harder it is to get rid of them.
- Get them ALL.
Matthew 13:18 — Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. 19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. 20 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; 21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. 22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.
What happened?
- The Vineyard is Flourishing, has tender grapes, promise of a harvest.
- There had to have begun to produce something or there was nothing to choke.
Mark 4:14-19 (22:47)
Mr 4:14 The sower soweth the word.
15 And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.
16 And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness;
17 And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended.
18 And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word,
19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.
Luke 8:11-14
Lu 8:11 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.
12 Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.
13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.
14 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.
…Take the foxes… What are the foxes? (25:40)
A. Bad habits
There are BAD Habits and Good habits.
. “Preacher wouldnever allow myself to get into a rut. He even would stop praying for months so that he would not get into a “rut.” There are BAD Habits and Good habits.
WE should perform the good habits and take a hold of, strangle, Crush bad habits.
B. Slang Words [28:00]
Word s have more meaning (28:00)
When I was in the world I talked like the world, but when I became a Christian no on had to tell me how to talk.
The little Bride avoids Slangs – (30:23--)
Slang or euphemisms: "the substitution of an agreeable or inoffensive expression for one that may offend or suggest something unpleasant." Basically, a euphemism is using a word that doesn't sound as bad as the one that most consider offensive, but the meaning of the word is the same. So there is no change in meaning when we use a euphemism.
- Gee = Jesus
- Gosh = God
- Golly = Holy Ghost
- Darn, dang= Damn
- Heck = Hell
Ps 19:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
35:00 Green Maine, Preached clean up your thinking and speech…God moved.
We are moving in the wrong direction. We are getting further and further from where we need to be. (35:50-37:10) <<ad picture)>>
- Clean up your thinking and speech so God can move.
Psalm 19:14 — Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
Is Your Tongue Godly?
| Slang | Clean |
|---|---|
 |
 |
C. Weaknesses [37:48]
Weaknesses in our nature and character.
What is meant by weaknesses? “I want to serve God…” BUTa fox gets in there
- Small because they are young.
- Small because they are least important “It’s just a little things.”
- Small because they are least noticed.
D. Wasting Time
Ephesians 5:16 — Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
E. Neglect of Prayer [42:05]
F. Lack of Conviction
What do I believe?
Ephesians 4:14 — That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
Lack of firmness and conviction has lead the Church into compromise. Jesus never ran or backed down from anyone. Christ was firm in his convictions. We must not compromise!
G. Foolish Talking
H. Neglect of God’s Word
I. Error in Doctrine
C. The size of our enemy (48:07)
Take the Foxes, especially so, the LITTLE foxes. LITTLE foxes are too often overlooked. Those little foxes can be more harmful than the giant!
The adjective little has a most significant meaning. It is a WARNING and a REVELATION of why there is fruitlessness in our lives.
Foxes are born often under the vines. If the vineyard is neglected the foxes may hide.
II. Damage by Her Enemy [54:10]
Strangled. Spoil means to strangle. Strangles so that becomes unfruitful.
A. The Believer is a branch, a vine.
A believer is abranch, a part of the vine.
John….I a the vine ye are the branches.
B. The sap is the life of Christ.
Foxes prevent the pure river of the Life of Christ to flow. The life of Christ flows in the branches. Branches can only bear fruit as the life of the vine flows through the branches. If it severed from the vine, ti will die.
C. The grapes are the fruit. [1:00:00]
The results of Christ living and dwelling in our lives.
What is the difference between fruit and gifts?
- The Lord wants to
John 15:2 — Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
John 16:8 — Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
Some folks receive the gifts, and have very little fruit. WATCH OUT: The little foxes will strangle your experience and prevent fruit.
III. Most Critical Time to Watch [1:02:45]
When is the most critical time?
The most critical time, “For our vines have tender grapes…”
- Little foxes hide in winter under the vines.
- In the spring they come out.
- Sunshine – Rain – Warmth
A. When God begins to move by His Spirit.
- Collectively and personally.
- Be on guard, watch out.
- Saints stop a move God and not sinners.
B. When the Word of God is being revealed. [1:11:35]
- Attacks the man of God. The devil does not what the Word revealed to you. He seek to destroy confidence in the preacher.
- It is going to cost you something to hear and receive truth.
- Have half the influence that cults had on people, People in cults follow “That’s your opinion.”
C. When Revival is in the Midst [1:16:20]
- spring,summer time life is flowing, the grapes are beginning to come
- Be on guard, watch out, catch those little foxes.
- A good vinedresser keeps his vineyard fenced in. Not only get the foxes out, but KEEP them out.
- We need to fence in what we: Believe – have – see - want in God.
WE can enjoy what God is doing if we watch out.
- Get rid of that stubbornness. “I am wrong”
NOT A LITTLE FOX:Get rid of that stubbornness.
- Little foxes nibble at the vine, but the big foxes breed.
- When there is break the life flow is broken up.
- Catch the foxes when they are little or they will spoil the vine when the tender grapes are just beginning to come.
- Hang on to what you have got and drive some stakes down.
- The foxes have tried it here.
- Do want the life (1:20:0) flowing in all the branches? When there is break, separation the life flow is broken up.
- (1:21:40) Don’t be so mindful of your neighbors foxes.
- Catch them when they are little or they will spoil the vine when the tender grapes are just beginning to come.
- (1:22:00) What we need tonight is to be steadfast in our doctrine. IN what we believe and have in God. Even if they call you a cult. Hang on to what we have got and drive some stakes down.
- They tried it here. Not gonna teach Sunday school.
Conclusion
- Don’t let foxes spoil your vine.
- Be the best at you are called to do.
Mark 16:15– And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
Questions
1. How can you know if someone is a false prophet?
- If you be led only by what you feel, you can still be led astray.
- A false prophet is not known by feelings, but by what is taught.
- You must know the truth.
2. What does a vine dresser do?
- Take care of the area where the problem is. Care for the vineyard, bandage, prop, cut off…
- As the vine heals fruit will begin to grow again.