"That's My King!" In Matthew 26!

Christ Jesus Would Be Crucified 

Passover Lamb Who’s Killed And Died

Who Killed Him? Truths We Must Not Hide

Herod And Pilate Did Preside

Jew And Gentile Hate Allied

And All Our Sin And Evil Pride

At The Cross Did All Collide

But Over All It’s God Who’d Guide

It’s God Who Killed His Son Who Cried

“My God! My God! Forsaken!” Died

Christ Bore God’s Wrath, The Crucified

Then Rose Alive And Death Defied

By Faith Alone We’re Justified 

By His Spirit Sanctified 

And By His Power Die To Pride

We Cast All Fear Of Man Aside

Becoming Christ’s Pure, Spotless Bride

Our Joy And All: Christ Crucified!

That's my King!

Christ Jesus Is Worthy Of All Our Devotion

His Glory And Beauty Are Vast Like The Ocean

We Love Him With Words, Thoughts, Acts, And Emotion

He Died And Then Rose Showing Greatest Devotion

By Faith Alone Our Sins Cast In The Ocean

Because Of His Work Our Hearts Put Into Motion

All For His Fame And Glory Promotion

When You Give Him Your All, There’s Never A Waste

You Can’t Give Him Too Much, He Can’t Be Out Paced

She Prepared Him For Burial, For Death He Would Taste

Extravagant Devotion, Her Faith In Him Placed

For All Her Sins By His Work Are Erased

On That Cross He’s Debased, Defaced, And Disgraced

So That Now For Our Sin We Have A Distaste

And Hunger For Righteousness With It’s Been Replaced

Oh! With What Mercy And Love We’ve Been Graced

For Jesus Our Lover And All We’ve Embraced!

That's my King! Do you know Him?!

Christ Jesus Is Worth More Than All The World’s Gold

Yet He’d Be Betrayed So Heartless And Cold

Thirty Pieces Of Silver In Wickedness Sold

By Judas His Own Whom Satan Would Hold

The God-Man’s Arrested, They’d Mock And Blindfold

All Things Came To Pass Just As He Foretold

He Died Where No Wrath Did His Father Withhold

Then Rose From The Grave, Our King We Behold

By Faith Alone We Are Just And Consoled

By His Holy Spirit We’re Pure And Controlled

Never To Leave Him, Our Rock And Stronghold

Who’ll Never Let Go, We Are His From Of Old

So Come Praise His Name Who’s Forever Extolled

And Live For His Glory So Joyfully Bold!

That's my King!

Christ Jesus Our Hope – The Passover Lamb

Though We Should Be Slaughtered By The Great I AM

Unleashed Over Us God’s Judgment Slam

But Christ Took It All – God’s Anger Damn

God’s Only Son – The Substitute Ram

Like Isaac, The Son Of Abraham

But God Did Slaughter His Son The Pure Lamb

Then Raised Him Alive – The God-Man I AM

So Now, God Our Souls Will Never Damn

By Faith Alone We’re Children Of Abraham

Passed Over And Saved All Because Of The Lamb!

That's my King! 

Christ Jesus Is Our Sumptuous Feast

In Him There Is No Sin Or Yeast

His Body Killed Our Heav’nly Feast

His Blood Poured Out Till His Life Ceased

He Bore God’s Wrath As Our High Priest

Then Rose Again So Death’s Deceased

All Sins Are Gone From Great To Least

Removed As Far As West To East

Our Taste For Sin Is Gone Decreased 

Life For His Glory More Increased

To Live For Him We’ve Been Released

Delight In Him Our Pleasure Feast!

That's my King!

Christ Jesus’ Blood Was Full Out Poured

He’s God And Man – Covenant LORD

He Bore God’s Wrath Pierced By His Sword

He Died Alone So Cursed, Abhorred

But Then He Rose – All Life’s Restored

Victory Is Won – He’s Risen, Roared

By Faith Alone We’re Just, The LORD

Our Righteousness Has Pleasures Stored

For Us Forever He’s Adored

For Christ Is All Our Great Reward!

That's my King!

Christ Jesus Is The Center Of This Meal He Has Showered

Grace Upon Grace On Us – Sin’s Overpowered

Remember His Body And Blood We Look Backward

Celebrate Each Other In Christ We Look Outward

Lifted Up Where He’s Seated By Faith We Look Upward

Examine Ourselves We Repent Looking Inward

We Hope For His Coming With Joy Looking Forward

Christ Died And He Rose And All Death He’s Devoured

Delight In Him Is Our Goal Over All He Has Towered

Taste And See He Is Good Moving Us Ever Godward!

That's my King!

Christ Jesus Is The God Who Sings

Prepares For Battle, Darkness Flings

From Him All Joy And Gladness Springs

Vict’ry In Every War He Brings

We Praise His Name Who Works All Things

For Our Good, His Glory Rings

Christ Died And Took God’s Wrath And Stings

Then Rose, Killed Death, Gives Life Its Wings

For Joy In God Each Nation Sings

New Songs The Slain Lamb To Us Brings

Even When We’ve Lost All Things

Our Voices Worship, Each Heart Clings

To Christ Our God The King Of Kings!

That's my King!

Christ Jesus Never Fell Away

Stood Firm In Every Law Obey

To All God’s Promises He’s “Yea!”

He Is The Truth, The Life, The Way

Peter “Big-Talk” Would Only Say

But Jesus Did All He Would Say

Yet Christ, The Father’s Wrath Would Slay

For Us, Our King Was Cast Away

He Died For His Who’ve Gone Astray

Then Rose So We Would Ever Stay

And Never, Never Fall Away

His Love So Great On Full Display

For Even Now For Us He’ll Pray

And Keep Us For That Final Day

So Look To Him, Trust And Obey

For He Is All Our Hope And Stay!

That's my King!

Christ Jesus’ Life Was Full Out Pressed

Like Olive Oil He’s Crushed, Depressed 

His Soul In Sorrow, Troubled, Stressed

God’s Cup Of Wrath His Soul Distressed

“Let This Cup Pass!” Three Times Request

For He’d Take Sin Upon His Breast

Who Knew No Sin, Hates Sin Detest

He Feared His God The Perfect Best

And Knew He’d Lose His Father’s Rest

Forsaken, Killed, And Sore Oppressed

Yet With His Father’s Will Obsessed 

He Died For All Our Sins Transgressed

Then Rose Alive So Now We’re Blessed

By Faith Alone We’re Just And Dressed

In His Pure Righteousness Possessed 

We Live For Him Our Love Expressed 

For He’s Our All, Our One True Quest!

That's my King! I wonder if you know Him today?!

Christ Jesus, Son Of Man, Betrayed

All Men Hate God, They’ve Disobeyed

Judas With A Kiss Displayed

The Ultimate Betrayal Played

With A Sword One Came To Aid

But That’s Not Right, Christ Would Dissuade

God’s Mighty Army Could Crusade

And Save His Christ In Power Arrayed

But Jesus Came To Die And Paid

For All Our Sins, God’s Love Conveyed

He Bore God’s Wrath, Would Not Evade

But Suffered, Crushed, He’s Killed Dismayed

Then Rose Alive, Crushed Death, And Saved

He Has Fulfilled All God Portrayed

So Trust In Him, Don’t Be Afraid

He’s Everything For Which You’ve Prayed

His Life In You Will Now Pervade

You’re New Creation He Has Made

By Him You’ll Never Be Betrayed!

That's my King!

Christ Jesus Is The Judge Of All

He’s Judge Who’s Judged By Sinners Small

The God-Man, Silent Lamb Would Fall

Yet To False Witnesses He’d Call

Himself The Son Of Man Enthral

He’s Daniel’s God, The LORD Of All

Who’ll Come In Power, Foes Will Fall

He Is The Christ, Yet Him They’d Maul

And Spit And Slap His Face Appall

He’d Die And Bear God’s Hellish Gall

Then Rise Again And Live, Stand Tall

By Faith Alone Please Trust Him Call

He’ll Come Again And Give You All

The Joys And Good Lost In The Fall!

That's my King!

Christ Jesus Mercy-Heart Denied
The Greatest Sin You’ve Ever Eyed
By Jesus’ Closest Friend Beside
With Swearing, Cursing, Oaths He Lied
“I Do Not Know The Man!” He Cried
Three Times The Truth In Fear He’d Hide
Wept Bitterly And Ran Outside
Yet Even For This Sin Christ Died
And Bore God’s Wrath For All His Bride
Then Rose Alive And Death Defied
So Though Christ’s Warning Sure Applied
If You Deny Me Before Men Worldwide
I’ll Deny You Before My Father’s Side
Christ’s Mercy-Heart Shall Turn The Tide
He Welcomes Peter, Love Spread Wide
Restores Him To His Spotless Bride
Transforms Him, Everywhere He Cried
The Gospel News, For Christ He Died
For You Great Mercy He’ll Provide
So Trust In Christ, In Him Abide
By Him You'll Never Be Denied!

That's my King! That's my King!

God And The Gospel

To learn more about the great and true Triune God, the God-Man, Jesus Christ, His cross, and His glorious Gospel message and everlasting Kingship, please watch American Gospel: Christ Alone. You can watch the full documentary here with a free, 3 day trial.

Christ Jesus Mercy-Heart Denied!

Christ Jesus Mercy-Heart Denied
The Greatest Sin You’ve Ever Eyed

By Jesus’ Closest Friend Beside

With Swearing, Cursing, Oaths He Lied
“I Do Not Know The Man!” He Cried
Three Times The Truth In Fear He’d Hide
Wept Bitterly And Ran Outside
Yet Even For This Sin Christ Died
And Bore God’s Wrath For All His Bride
Then Rose Alive And Death Defied
So Though Christ’s Warning Sure Applied
If You Deny Me Before Men Worldwide
I’ll Deny You Before My Father’s Side
Christ’s Mercy-Heart Shall Turn The Tide
He Welcomes Peter, Love Spread Wide
Restores Him To His Spotless Bride
Transforms Him, Everywhere He Cried
The Gospel News, For Christ He Died
For You Great Mercy He’ll Provide
So Trust In Christ, In Him Abide
By Him You'll Never Be Denied!

God And The Gospel

To learn more about the great and true Triune God, the God-Man, Jesus Christ, His cross, and His glorious Gospel message and everlasting Kingship, please watch American Gospel: Christ Alone. You can watch the full documentary here with a free, 3 day trial.

Christ Jesus Is The Judge Of All!

Christ Jesus Is The Judge Of All

He’s Judge Who’s Judged By Sinners Small

The God-Man, Silent Lamb Would Fall

Yet To False Witnesses He’d Call

Himself The Son Of Man Enthral

He’s Daniel’s God, The LORD Of All

Who’ll Come In Power, Foes Will Fall

He Is The Christ, Yet Him They’d Maul

And Spit And Slap His Face Appall

He’d Die And Bear God’s Hellish Gall

Then Rise Again And Live, Stand Tall

By Faith Alone Please Trust Him Call

He’ll Come Again And Give You All

The Joys And Good Lost In The Fall!

God And The Gospel

To learn more about the great and true Triune God, the God-Man, Jesus Christ, His cross, and His glorious Gospel message and everlasting Kingship, please watch American Gospel: Christ Alone. You can watch the full documentary here with a free, 3 day trial.

Some Sins Are More Evil In God's Sight Than Others - And Jesus Saves From Them All!

Some have wrongly interpreted Jesus' words in the Sermon on the Mount to mean that every sin is equally evil in God's sight:

Matthew 5:21-22: You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.' But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, 'You fool!' will be liable to the hell of fire.

Matthew 5:27-28: You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Jesus does not teach here that murder and anger are exactly equal in their severity. He does not teach that actual physical adultery and lust are exactly equal degrees of sin. What do these passages teach?

1. The outward action and the inner desire are both sinful in God's sight.

2. The outward action and the inner desire both deserve the punishment of God in hell. God will judge both our outward behavior and our inner thoughts, feelings, desires, and motives.

3. The inner desire is the beginning or seed of the outward action.

4. The inner desire (anger) is a kind of murder of the heart.

5. The inner desire (lust) is a kind of adultery of the heart. 

6. All sin, both our outward behavior and our inner thoughts, feelings, desires, and motives from which our outward behavior flows, are very serious to God. Repent and turn from all sin.

7. The Pharisees were very focused on mere outward behavior while their hearts were far from God. Jesus is teaching here that God looks at the heart and judges the heart as well as the outward behavior.

James 2:10 is another verse some wrongly interpret to mean all sins are equal in God's sight: 

James 2:9-11: But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it. For he who said, 'Do not commit adultery,' also said, 'Do not murder.' If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law.

Here, James does not negate all the other Biblical teaching on degrees of sin, but, like Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount, he makes the point that all sin is very serious because it is an offense against God. Every sin is utterly serious in God's sight and to break one of God's laws is to bring the whole wrath of the whole Lawgiver Who gives the whole law against you.

Commenting on James 2:10, Dan Vander Lugt writes: 

What James is confronting in this verse is the self-righteous attitude that we don't depend as much on God's grace as someone who has committed more obvious and heinous kinds of sin. This kind of thinking is self-deceiving and encourages complacency. Any violation of the law is enough to keep us from being justified by the law's standards. A person who doesn't murder or commit adultery but shows partiality to the rich should not feel self-righteous. He is a lawbreaker too. The function of the law is not to justify but to bring awareness of sin (Romans 4:14-16; 5:19-21; 1 Corinthians 15:56). We should be humbled and conscience-stricken by the many sins we do commit, and not feel superior to those who sin in ways we don't. (Does James 2:10 imply that God doesn’t consider some sins more serious than others?)

Stephen Wellum adds:

Sin before God, no matter what sin it is, leads to our status of guilty, polluted, and far from God (Eph. 2:1-3). On this point, James 2:10 can now be legitimately used: "For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it." Before God, breakage of any point of the law is to break all of it. Or, Paul can say: "Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them" (Gal. 3:10; cf. Deut. 27:26). Breaking one commandment results in our condemnation before God. (Degrees Of Sin)

Though every sin, from the least to the greatest, deserves the infinite wrath of the infinite God, the Bible also teaches there are degrees of seriousness of sin. God's Word is clear that some sins are worse than others. Actually murdering someone is worse than getting angry with them. Committing the physical act of adultery is worse than lusting for them. 

Here are 20 ways God's Word teaches some sins are worse than others:

1. God makes a distinction between unintentional sins and high handed sins in the Old Testament

Numbers 15:27-31: If one person sins unintentionally, he shall offer a female goat a year old for a sin offering. And the priest shall make atonement before the LORD for the person who makes a mistake, when he sins unintentionally, to make atonement for him, and he shall be forgiven. You shall have one law for him who does anything unintentionally, for him who is native among the people of Israel and for the stranger who sojourns among them. But the person who does anything with a high hand, whether he is native or a sojourner, reviles the LORD, and that person shall be cut off from among his people. Because he has despised the word of the LORD and has broken his commandment, that person shall be utterly cut off; his iniquity shall be on him.

2. God assigned more or less severe punishments depending on the sin committed in the Old Testament

Exodus 21:15-17: Whoever strikes his father or his mother shall be put to death. Whoever steals a man and sells him, and anyone found in possession of him, shall be put to death. Whoever curses his father or his mother shall be put to death.

Exodus 22:1: If a man steals an ox or a sheep, and kills it or sells it, he shall repay five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep.

3. God told Ezekiel that he would see greater abominable sin than he was already seeing

Ezekiel 8:6: And he said to me, "Son of man, do you see what they are doing, the great abominations that the house of Israel are committing here, to drive me far from my sanctuary? But you will see still greater abominations."

4. Jesus said people who sin with more knowledge will receive a more severe punishment than those who sin with less knowledge

Luke 12:47-48: And that servant who knew his master's will but did not get ready or act according to his will, will receive a severe beating. But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.

5. Jesus said certain people will suffer more than others on the day of judgment

Matthew 11:23-24: And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You will be brought down to Hades. For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I tell you that it will be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom than for you.

Luke 10:10-14: But whenever you enter a town and they do not receive you, go into its streets and say, 'Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near.' I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town. "Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But it will be more bearable in the judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you.

6. Jesus said some sins are greater than others

John 19:11: Jesus answered him, "You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin."

7. There is an unpardonable sin in the Bible, showing this sin is worse than other sins

Matthew 12:31: Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.

8. There is a sin leading to death in the Bible, showing this sin is worse than other sins

1 John 5:16-17: If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will give him life - to those who commit sins that do not lead to death. There is sin that leads to death; I do not say that one should pray for that. All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that does not lead to death.

9. There is a sin God calls unthinkable to Him

Jeremiah 7:31: And they have built the high places of Topheth, which is in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, to burn their sons and their daughters in the fire, which I did not command, nor did it come into my mind.

10. Sexual sin is spoken of as a sin that is worse than other sins because it is a sin against your own body

1 Corinthians 6:18-20: Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

11. God says that deliberately sinning after you have the knowledge of the truth is particularly evil

Hebrews 10:26-27: For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries.

12. God says that those who reject the revelation found in Christ will receive a worse punishment than those who sinned under the old covenant

Hebrews 10:28-31: Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the evidence of two or three witnesses. How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has spurned the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace? For we know him who said, "Vengeance is mine; I will repay." And again, "The Lord will judge his people." It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

13. God lists sins that He particularly hates

Proverbs 6:16-19: There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.

14. God speaks of a sin that is so bad that it is not even tolerated among godless, pagan people

1 Corinthians 5:1: It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father's wife.

15. Turning away from God after receiving many evangelical blessings is particularly evil in God's sight

Hebrews 6:4-6: For it is impossible to restore again to repentance those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they then fall away, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt.

16. Causing children to stumble is particularly evil in God's sight

Mark 9:42: Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea.

17. You can sin in such a way that you are twice as much a son of hell when compared with others

Matthew 23:15: Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel across sea and land to make a single proselyte, and when he becomes a proselyte, you make him twice as much a child of hell as yourselves.

18. Paul called himself one of the greatest and worst of sinners

1 Timothy 1:15-16: Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners – of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.

19. The unbiblical notion that all sin and sinners are equally evil in God’s sight steals the joy of those who know they have been forgiven much

Luke 7:44-50: Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven - for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little." And he said to her, "Your sins are forgiven." Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, "Who is this, who even forgives sins?" And he said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."

20. This is what the historic, Reformed catechisms teach

The Westminster Shorter Catechism teaches this biblical truth in Question 83:

Q. Are all transgressions of the law equally heinous?

A. Some sins in themselves, and by reason of several aggravations, are more heinous in the sight of God than others. (See also the Westminster Larger Catechism questions 150 and 151)

The Heidelberg Catechism teaches this biblical truth in Question 100:

Q. Is the blaspheming of God's Name by swearing and cursing such a grievous sin that God is angry also with those who do not prevent and forbid it as much as they can?

A. Certainly, for no sin is greater or provokes God's wrath more than the blaspheming of His Name. That is why He commanded it to be punished with death.

Only Jesus Christ, the God-Man, through His life, death, and resurrection, can save you from all of your sins! He took the wrath of God that you and I deserve for our sins on Himself, died on the cross, and rose again so that we might be saved! Repent and believe in Him today!

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16

Resources On Different Degrees Of Sin

1. Is Every Sin The Same In God's Eyes by Kevin DeYoung

2. Are There Degrees of Sin? by R. C. Sproul

3. Degrees Of Sin by Stephen Wellum

4. Are All Sins Equal Before God? by John Piper

5. Are Some Sins Worse Than Others? by Nick Batzig

God And The Gospel

To learn more about the great and true Triune God, the God-Man, Jesus Christ, His cross, and His glorious Gospel message and everlasting Kingship, please watch American Gospel: Christ Alone. You can watch the full documentary here with a free, 3 day trial.

The Song Of Solomon: Love In Marriage And Love In Christ

For my Mercy . . .  

She brought him a tender love, but it only awakened his thirst for higher joys. The devotion she poured into his heart carved out the "larger capacities" that God alone can fill. Henri Talon describing John Bunyan's wife

The greater your longing for love, the greater is your capacity to receive the love from God. Elisabeth Elliot from Passion and Purity

We have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him . . . We love because He first loved us. 1 John 4:16, 19

Because of God's Mercy, I've been thinking about the book of Song Of Solomon more and more recently, and I thought it would be helpful to put together some helpful resources on better understanding it. I view the book as a celebration of marital love between a man and a woman who are submitted to God. And every faithful marriage points to Christ and His Bride, the Church - so the book is also about Christ and the Church. See: Is The Song Of Songs About Sex Or Jesus?

I love how Douglas O'Donnell beautifully captures these two glorious realities of the book as he explains the central focus of the book in chapter 4:16-5:1 of the Song:

After his invitation to intimacy, she gladly accepts and offers an invitation of her own: “Awake, O north wind, and come O south wind! Blow upon my garden, let its spices flow”—now is the time for love to awaken! “Let my beloved come to his garden and eat its choicest fruits” (4:16). He quickly complies. And as he afterwards stops to celebrate their Promised Land-like lovemaking (“I came to my garden . . . I gathered my myrrh . . . I ate my honeycomb . . . I drank my wine with my milk”), their friends applaud this couple’s covenant consummation (“Eat, friends, drink, and be drunk with love!” 5:1).

Here at the very structural center of the Song (5:1), as there are 111 lines from 1:2 to 4:15 and 111 lines from 5:2 to 8:14, is its thematic focus. The Song is about sex! And it instructs through abbreviated narrative and virtuously veiled poetry that sex between a husband and wife should be an act of mutual submission that creates unity. Through lovemaking, her body as “a garden” (4:12, 15) and becomes “his garden” (4:16). As he completely and unreservedly gives himself to her, so she completely and unreservedly gives herself to him.

How Should Christians Think about Sexual Intimacy?

In a fallen world that promotes, and at times revels in, sexual expressions that are selfish and only self-satisfying, the less-than-prudish biblical Song provides an antidote for such damaging idiocy. With modesty and without crudity it invites readers to be “be drunk with love”—to slowly sip the wisdom of God joining together two people as “one flesh” (Matt 19:6). Moreover, this depiction of the unreserved but undefiled wedding bed points the reader, with all its garden imagery, to the intimacy offered in the Lord of Love in whom all desires will be satisfied. Sex is a signpost to the ultimate love between Christ and his church. Only through union with him will Christians experience Eden surpassed and the fulfillment of the promises of the Promised Land. When those united to Christ come to the city of God—a garden-like city with a river with fruit trees—to join in the wedding feast (Rev 19:7, 9; 21:6) they will then see their Savior’s “face” (Rev 22:4) and experience the ultimate ecstasy, what Augustine called totus Christus (“the whole Christ”), that is, “Christ together with his church, who together will enjoy God in the consummation.” (Song Of Solomon Commentary)

Dr. Philip Ryken has written a book about the Song: The Love Of Loves In The Song Of Songs. You can listen to all of his sermons that make up the content of his book here:

1. Prologue: Love Story: I Love You Always, Forever

2. Song Of Solomon 1:1-11: Love Story: You're the One that I Want

3. Song Of Solomon 1:12-2:7: Love Story: Under The Apple Tree

4. Song Of Solomon 2:8-3:5: Love Story: "Me for You, and You for Me"

5. Song Of Solomon 3:6-5:1: Love Story: "Epithalamion"

6. Song Of Solomon 5:2-6:3: Love Story: "Love is a Battlefield"

7. Song Of Solomon 6:4-8:4: Love Story: "The Duet After the Fight"

8. Song Of Solomon 8:5-8:14: Love Story: "I'm Forever Yours"

Dr. Michael Lawrence preached through the whole book here:

1. Love Songs - Love's Delight

2. Love Songs - Love's Invitation

3. Love Songs - Love's Search

4. Love Songs - Love's Consummation

5. Love Songs - Love's Pursuit

6. Love Songs - Love's Desire

7. Love Songs - Love's Strength

Other Online Sermons/Teaching On The Song Of Solomon

1. The Message of Song of Songs: Wisdom for the Married by Mark Dever

2. God's Rules For Romance by Kevin DeYoung

3. Song Of Songs Sermon Series by Jim Hamilton

4. The Story Of Love (Song of Solomon Series) by John Folmar

5. Song Of Songs Sermon Series by Mike McKinley

6. Song Of Songs Sermon Series by Kevin McKay

7. Song Of Songs Sermon Series by Ben Reaoch

8. Song Of Songs Sermon Series by Tommy Nelson

9. Song of Songs Sermon Series by Aaron Menikoff

10. Song of Songs Sermon Series by Wesley Burke

11. Poetry For The Passionate by Will Pareja

12. Reflections On Marriage From The Song Of Songs by Jim Hamilton

13. Study On Song Of Solomon by Jim Hamilton

14. The Messianic Music Of The Song Of Songs by Jim Hamilton

15. Song Of Solomon: A Commentary by Douglas O'Donnell

16. Song Of Solomon Commentary Notes by Precept Austin

17. Resources On The Song Of Solomon from Monergism

Books On The Song Of Solomon

1. Song Of Songs (Reformed Expository Commentary) by Iain Duguid

2. Song of Songs: A Biblical-Theological, Allegorical, Christological Interpretation (Focus on the Bible) by Jim Hamilton

3. Song of Solomon: An Invitation to Intimacy (Preaching the Word) by Douglas O'Donnell

4. Song Of Solomon (Matthias Bible Guide) by Kamina Wust

Resources About Making Love For Married Couples

1. Intended for Pleasure: Sex Technique and Sexual Fulfillment in Christian Marriage by Ed and Gaye Wheat

2. The Intimate Marriage (Free Teaching Series Online) by R. C. Sproul

3. Redeeming Sex in Marriage: How the Gospel Rescues Sex, Transforms Marriage, and Reveals the Glory of God by Scott Mehl

4. Christian Hedonists Or Religious Prudes?: The Puritans On Sex by Mark Dever

5. Sexual Intimacy and Resources by Marci Ferrell (Thankful Homemaker)

6. Sex Series: Groom's Guide For The Honeymoon by Glenn Lutjens

7. Sex Series: Bridal Preparation For The Honeymoon by Dannah Gresh

God And The Gospel

To learn more about the great and true Triune God, the God-Man, Jesus Christ, His cross, and His glorious Gospel message and everlasting Kingship, please watch American Gospel: Christ Alone. You can watch the full documentary here with a free, 3 day trial.

Christ Jesus, Son Of Man, Betrayed!

Christ Jesus, Son Of Man, Betrayed
All Men Hate God, They’ve Disobeyed
Judas With A Kiss Displayed
The Ultimate Betrayal Played
With A Sword One Came To Aid
But That’s Not Right, Christ Would Dissuade
God’s Mighty Army Could Crusade
And Save His Christ In Power Arrayed
But Jesus Came To Die And Paid
For All Our Sins, God’s Love Conveyed
He Bore God’s Wrath, Would Not Evade
But Suffered, Crushed, He’s Killed Dismayed
Then Rose Alive, Crushed Death, And Saved
He Has Fulfilled All God Portrayed
So Trust In Him, Don’t Be Afraid
He’s Everything For Which You’ve Prayed
His Life In You Will Now Pervade
You’re New Creation He Has Made
By Him You’ll Never Be Betrayed!

God And The Gospel

To learn more about the great and true Triune God, the God-Man, Jesus Christ, His cross, and His glorious Gospel message and everlasting Kingship, please watch American Gospel: Christ Alone. You can watch the full documentary here with a free, 3 day trial.

A Prayer For Christ-likeness

A great prayer for humility, love, and Christ-likeness:

O Jesus, meek and humble of heart, Hear me. 

From the desire of being esteemed, Deliver me, O Jesus. 

From the desire of being loved, Deliver me, O Jesus. 

From the desire of being extolled, Deliver me, O Jesus.

From the desire of being honored, Deliver me, O Jesus.

From the desire of being praised, Deliver me, O Jesus.

From the desire of being preferred to others, Deliver me, O Jesus.

From the desire of being consulted, Deliver me, O Jesus.

From the desire of being approved, Deliver me, O Jesus.

From the fear of being humiliated, Deliver me, O Jesus.

From the fear of being despised, Deliver me, O Jesus.

From the fear of suffering rebukes, Deliver me, O Jesus.

From the fear of being slandered, Deliver me, O Jesus.

From the fear of being forgotten, Deliver me, O Jesus.

From the fear of being ridiculed, Deliver me, O Jesus.

From the fear of being wronged, Deliver me, O Jesus.

From the fear of being suspected, Deliver me, O Jesus.

That others may be loved more than I, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

That others may be esteemed more than I, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

That, in the opinion of the world, others may increase and I may decrease, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

That others may be chosen and I set aside, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

That others may be praised and I go unnoticed, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

That others may be preferred to me in everything, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it. For Jesus' sake! Amen!

God And The Gospel

To learn more about the great and true Triune God, the God-Man, Jesus Christ, His cross, and His glorious Gospel message and everlasting Kingship, please watch American Gospel: Christ Alone. You can watch the full documentary here with a free, 3 day trial.

Christ Jesus’ Life Was Full Out Pressed!

Christ Jesus’ Life Was Full Out Pressed

Like Olive Oil He’s Crushed, Depressed

His Soul In Sorrow, Troubled, Stressed

God’s Cup Of Wrath His Soul Distressed

“Let This Cup Pass!” Three Times Request

For He’d Take Sin Upon His Breast

Who Knew No Sin, Hates Sin Detest

He Feared His God The Perfect Best

And Knew He’d Lose His Father’s Rest

Forsaken, Killed, And Sore Oppressed

Yet With His Father’s Will Obsessed

He Died For All Our Sins Transgressed

Then Rose Alive So Now We’re Blessed

By Faith Alone We’re Just And Dressed

In His Pure Righteousness Possessed

We Live For Him Our Love Expressed

For He’s Our All, Our One True Quest!

God And The Gospel

To learn more about the great and true Triune God, the God-Man, Jesus Christ, His cross, and His glorious Gospel message and everlasting Kingship, please watch American Gospel: Christ Alone. You can watch the full documentary here with a free, 3 day trial.

Immigration And Biblical Mercy

“. . . the mercy of the wicked is cruel.” Proverbs‬ 12‬:‭10‬

How should Christians think about immigration Biblically? Have you ever helped an immigrant come to or stay in the United States in a legal, God-honoring way? I have twice, and I'd like to briefly share some of what I've learned and some helpful resources on immigration according to God's Word.

We Must Obey God

Doing immigration in a way that honors God and His law, in other words, doing immigration legally, takes time and money. There is a lot of paperwork to fill out, criminal background checks must be done, medical exams must happen, approval of the government must be given, etc. But we, as followers of Christ, must be willing to do this because Jesus is our King! And we are called to obey everything our King has commanded. He has commanded us to submit to and obey all lawful commands of governments in authority over us:

Romans 13:1-7: Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.

Part of that submission and obedience is obedience to immigration laws that have been put in place for the protection and good of the nation.

When I first became a pastor, I found out one of the members of our church was not a legal resident. So what do I do? I have a church member who is disobeying Romans 13:1-7, among many other commands in Scripture to submit to authority. They were disobeying God, yet claiming to be a part of the church of the LORD Jesus Christ, Who has all power and all authority and to Whom we owe supreme allegiance. I was not comfortable with that at all as this person's shepherd who would give an account for their soul on the day of judgment. So we sought avenues for them to become legal. By God's amazing grace, the process for them to become a legal resident began almost immediately. And after many years, God mercifully made provision so that they now have a proper visa to be here legally. This greatly honors the King of kings!

Love And Share The Gospel

Immigration also gives the church a great opportunity to love others and to love others through evangelism (sharing the Gospel with someone is THE GREATEST way you could ever love anyone!). By the mercy and grace of God, I and several others in our church have been able to help immigrants who have come here legally. As Christians, we should view immigration as a wonderful opportunity to love others through evangelism and kindness. God has brought the nations to our doorstep, and we should take advantage of this for the fame of Christ's name.

Living In The United States Is Not Salvation

This paragraph is for Christians who are living in the United States illegally. There is no place in the Bible that teaches: "You must live in the United States to be saved." For Christians who are living in the United States illegally, know this: living here is not what will make you righteous before God. You don't need America. Really, you don't. Certainly, if you came from a place where Christians are persecuted or it is unsafe, you may want to seek to find asylum legally here. But especially for others who simply came here for the comforts and for a better life, you should consider going back to your country of origin for the sake of Him Who gave up everything for you - for the glory of King Jesus. It is quite possible that your country of origin needs a solid Gospel witness a great deal more than the United States. Truly born again Christians will be willing to make any sacrifice Jesus demands. Jesus calls us all to deny ourselves, take up our cross, die to self, and follow Him. And Jesus demands that we obey the laws of the land in which we live. To fully obey Jesus, you should either become a legal citizen if that is possible or leave if you can't get citizenship legally. Leaving the U. S. may require great sacrifice. But this is exactly what Jesus calls us to do if we truly want to follow Him in obedience. You will be rewarded at the resurrection of the just, and then you will truly know that you never really made a sacrifice - because the joy of following Jesus and the eternal rewards are always worth it.

Conclusion

As followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, we want to show mercy to those in need, but we also want that mercy to be a Biblical, God-honoring, law-abiding mercy that is also merciful to everyone else living in the United States at this time. We must love and show mercy to all of our neighbors: both those who are immigrants, and those neighbors of ours who are already U.S. citizens and/or living in the U.S.

Dr. Albert Mohler rightly says:

Love of neighbor is not helped by just eliminating all borders . . . it just doesn't help the world to say, "All of you are welcome to come." That would lead to a humanitarian disaster larger than anything we could imagine. (Interview with Allie Beth Stuckey, Immigration discussion begins at minute 42)

One recent report about immigration crime statistics in Italy shows:

Migrants make up 8% of the population but commit 28% of murders and attempted murders, 33% of assaults, 41% of rapes, and 49% of burglaries:

About these concerning statistics, Dr. Doug Ponder writes:

. . . the Scriptures are full of wisdom that anticipate the above situation: Israel was commanded to love the foreigner/sojourner as they loved themselves (Lev. 19:34). Jesus of Nazareth also says, "Whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets" (Matt. 7:12). However, these [verses] are often taken out of context from the rest of the Scriptures. For it's also true that sojourners/foreigners were required to assimilate to a significant degree, and had to obey Israel's laws if they wanted to remain in their land. This included sabbath laws (Exod. 20:10), purity laws (Lev. 17:15), and even blasphemy laws (Lev. 24:16). Furthermore, the failure of any foreigner/sojourner to abide by these laws as long as they resided in Israel resulted in their exile (Num. 15:30) or death (Lev. 24:16). In other words, if foreigners wanted to live in Israel, they were permitted to do so on this condition: they must assimilate to Israel's ways. For the God of Israel said, "You shall have the same rule for the sojourner and for the native, for I am the Lord your God" (Lev. 24:22). As such, I'm all good with granting refuge to foreigners seeking asylum in America. (Let us be merciful to those who are in genuine need of mercy.) But our nation has a process for that, and it's one that involves laws and some measure of cultural assimilation, just as Israel had thousands of years ago . . . If immigrants want to stay in America, they should come legally, as prospective citizens who intend to assimilate to American culture, at a minimum by obeying American laws on penalty of repatriation [returning to their country of origin] if they do not do so.

Here are some resources that will help you think about immigration in a wise, Biblical way. These teachers actually believe the true Gospel. They know what the genuine mercy of God is all about. They believe and seek to submit to all of God's Word. And they don't cherry pick Bible verses out of context to further their own personal agenda. I hope you find them all helpful.

Resources On Biblical Immigration

1. Dr. Albert Mohler's 29 JAN 2024 The Briefing on Immigration

2. How should Christians think about immigration? by Dr. Albert Mohler

3. Immigration and the Kingdom of God: Biblical Principles to Inform Our Approach and Bring Unity by Dr. Scott Redd

4. The Bible & Immigration with Apologia Studios 

5. Divine Wisdom on Sovereign Borders: A Biblical View of Illegal Immigration by Virgil Walker

6. Dr. Albert Mohler's 16 SEP 2024 The Briefing on Immigration (Begins at minute 21)

7. How Should We Think About Immigration with Josh Buice, Virgil Walker, and Scott Aniol

God And The Gospel

To learn more about the great and true Triune God, the God-Man, Jesus Christ, His cross, and His glorious Gospel message and everlasting Kingship, please watch American Gospel: Christ Alone. You can watch the full documentary here with a free, 3 day trial.

Christ Jesus Never Fell Away!

Christ Jesus Never Fell Away

Stood Firm In Every Law Obey

To All God’s Promises He’s “Yea!”

He Is The Truth, The Life, The Way

Peter “Big-Talk” Would Only Say

But Jesus Did All He Would Say

Yet Christ, The Father’s Wrath Would Slay

For Us, Our King Was Cast Away

He Died For His Who’ve Gone Astray

Then Rose So We Would Ever Stay

And Never, Never Fall Away

His Love So Great On Full Display

For Even Now For Us He’ll Pray

And Keep Us For That Final Day

So Look To Him, Trust And Obey

For He Is All Our Hope And Stay!

God And The Gospel

To learn more about the great and true Triune God, the God-Man, Jesus Christ, His cross, and His glorious Gospel message and everlasting Kingship, please watch American Gospel: Christ Alone. You can watch the full documentary here with a free, 3 day trial.