City On A Hill

WORSHIP TIMES

Sunday 11.00am
Wednesday 7.00pm
(childcare provided)

LOCATION

The Lobo Theater
3013 Central Ave. NE
ABQ, NM 87106
(map)

NEIGHBORHOOD GROUPS

At City on a Hill, we not only believe the "content" of the gospel, but we also live out the "context"of the gospel in small groups.

Please visit our
Neighborhood Groups
page for more info.

We desire to be more than a church in the city of Albuquerque, we long to be a church for the city of Albuquerque..

2 For Fighting (Part 2)

Recorded on: July 27, 2008 | Speaker: Dave Bruskas

Download audio file

Overview
Within one verse of honeymoon bliss, we find Solomon and his new wife in conflict as she rebuffs his advances. Who says the bible doesn’t accurately reflect real life?

Song of Solomon 5:10-6:12

This conflict covers almost two entire chapters, 5 and 6, of this inspired poem.

Requirements for Reconciliation
Solomon’s wife recalls his traits in verses 10 through 16. Two characteristics are repeated frequently. Solomon is a man of great strength. Solomon uses his strength to sweetly nourish and build up his bride. We see emerging from this text roles that are understood and embraced. The husband lovingly leads the relationship from a place of spiritual strength. The woman responds to her husband’s leadership with respect (1 Peter 3:1-2,7).

Finally, as the two reconnect, Solomon unconditionally forgives his wife in chapter 6 verses 4 through 10. She is secure in the relationship, despite the strain of the offense. A reconciled relationship is based on unmerited forgiveness. In this expression, the marriage relationship mirrors the love and forgiveness Jesus extends to His people, the church (Ephesians 4:3 and Colossians 2:13-14).

Application Questions
1) Are you responding in love when you experience rejection from your spouse?

2) Are you repentant of your sin against your spouse? Does your repentance spring you into acts of reconciliation?

3) Are you a part of a community that will help you remember the covenant between you and your spouse?

4) Are you living in the role God has given you in marriage? Husband, are you using your strength to love, serve and build-up your wife? Wife, are you encouraging your husband by respecting him?

5) Is there any offense you have yet to forgive your spouse? Have you communicated your forgiveness to him/her for past offenses? Are there past offenses you need to stop bringing up in your relationship?

6) Read Revelation 3:20. Are you responsive to Jesus’ initiative of fellowship?

Resources
Love That Lasts: When a Marriage Meets Grace, by Gary and Betsy Ricucci, Chapter 6, “The Heart of Conflict”

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