THE CHURCH OF GOD TRIUMPHANT


A. "WHO IS SHE THAT LOOKETH FORTH AS THE MORNING, FAIR AS THE MOON, CLEAR AS THE SUN, AND TERRIBLE AS AN ARMY WITH BANNERS?"
  1. Solomon, one of the wisest persons ever living, was, at times, under the influence of the Holy Spirit:
    1. To portray great truths, think of the many proverbs he wrote!
    2. He had great knowledge of the ways of men and of nature itself.
    3. He knew the power of a well-trained, disciplined, and a well-directed army.
  2. Our text makes a comparison between a well-disciplined army and the church of God:
    1. "Fair as the morning"
    2. "Clear as the sun"
    3. "Terrible as an army with banners"
B. NATURE AND MOVEMENT OF
  1. The appearance of the morning:
    1. Scientists tell us that the breaking forth of the morning is caused by the rays of the sun.
    2. Small particles of dust reflect the light of the sun.
    3. The clearer the sky, the brighter is the appearance of the morning.
  2. Fair as the moon:
    1. The moon was to rule the night - Gen. 1:16
    2. The moonlight lights the pathway of night travelers and influences the seas as well as the plant life.
  3. Clear as the sun:
    1. The light of the sun covers the planet Earth.
    2. It creates energy in the atmosphere and warms the plant life, all animal life, as well as mankind.
    3. Its light is so powerful that if it were concentrated upon a given area it would dissolve every other element.
  4. An army with banners:
    1. Well-trained and disciplined, and well equipped for battle.
    2. A force to be reckoned with in battle.
    3. It is an army that goes forth to conquer.
C. SO IS THE CHURCH OF THE LIVING GOD
  1. It breaks forth like the morning;
    1. The light of the gospel of Christ is reflected in the lives of its members - Matt. 5:14-16; Phil. 2:15
    2. It is the light of the morning star that shines so brightly - 2 Pet. 1:19
  2. Fair as the moon:
    1. The moon borrows its light from the sun; so the church of God receives its light from Jesus Christ, the light of the world - John 1:4, 5; 8:12
  3. Clear as the sun:
    1. Christ is the Sun of Righteousness which lighteth the life of all men; it has healing power - Mal. 4:2
    2. The church of God is the bearer of this heavenly light - Isa. 60:1; Matt. 5:14-16
  4. Like an army with banners:
    1. Under the leadership of Jesus Christ, the mighty Captain - Josh. 5:14; Heb. 2:10
    2. Equipping the saints with the armor of God - Eph. 6:11-17
    3. Going forth to conquer - Rev. 6:2
    4. Its banners: "THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS" - Jer. 23:6
    5. But the thought of an army going into battle is indicative of -
      1. Warfare, conflict, sacrifice - Rev. 12:17; Dan. 12:1
      2. Of enemies that seek to destroy God's people - 1 Pet. 4:8; Rev. 12:17
      3. But victory for God's people is assured - 1 Cor. 15:58; 2 Cor. 4:4-8


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