SOS 3:1-4 Restoring Lost Fellowship

preached: April 25, 1979 by James R. Reynolds, Sr.

Restoring Lost Fellowship

text: Song of Solomon 3:1-4

Introduction

Song of Solomon 3:1-4 — 1 By night on my bed I sought him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, but I found him not. 2 I will rise now, and go about the city in the streets, and in the broad ways I will seek him whom my soul loveth: I sought him, but I found him not. 3 The watchmen that go about the city found me: to whom I said, Saw ye him whom my soul loveth? 4 It was but a little that I passed from them, but I found him whom my soul loveth: I held him, and would not let him go, until I had brought him into my mother's house, and into the chamber of her that conceived me.

I. The Need to Search - "I sought Him"

1. Something had separated them.

2. When the Holy Spirit is grieved then fellowship is broken.

3. THINGS have a way of separating us.

4. She sought Him because she feels deeply her need.

5. The more precious and real He is to us, the more we deeply feel the loss of fellowship.

II. The Time to Search - "By Night"

1. When you FIRST feel your loss. The sense of darkness.

2. It is always night, when He is not there.

3. Distance implies darkness as He is the light!

4. Don't wait until you lose the FEELING OF NEED.

III. The Manner of Search -

1. "On My Bed"

The bed is a place of ease and inactivity. He is not found lying on her bed.

Jeremiah 29:13 — And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

2. "In the Streets"

She is out of bed and out into Society. She is seeking the living among the dead. (Luke 24:5)

3. Among "the Watchmen"

Watchmen today are not in touch with Him.

IV. The Results of the Search

1. "I FOUND HIM"

Beyond the watchmen.
"I passed from them." v.3
"I found HIM"

2. "I HELD HIM", v. 4

"would not let him go"
"Mother's house" Where the Bride was birthed.
The Church - We need to bring Him into the Church ("Mother's House")
Not all will want Him.
But some will.