The Song of Solomon — Part 3

Sermon Details

• Title: The Song of Solomon — Part 3
• Speaker: Wade E. Taylor
• Date: June 27, 1981

Introduction

This sermon, delivered by Wade E. Taylor on June 27, 1981, is part of a series on the Song of Solomon. Taylor, known for his teachings on deeper spiritual life, presents a message that interweaves scriptural exegesis with practical spiritual guidance. The occasion appears to be a spiritual retreat or conference, as evidenced by the informal Q&A format and references to ongoing meetings.

The sermon begins with an interactive Q&A session, demonstrating Taylor's willingness to engage with his audience's questions and concerns. This format sets a tone of open dialogue and practical application of spiritual principles, allowing Taylor to address specific issues raised by his listeners before moving into his prepared teaching.

Overview of the Main Message

The central theme of this sermon is the call to deeper spiritual maturity and discernment. Taylor emphasizes the importance of cultivating a keen spiritual perception to discern God's leading and willingness to detach from worldly securities to follow Christ more fully. This message is particularly relevant for believers seeking to move beyond basic Christian experiences into more profound realms of spiritual life.

Theological Framework

Taylor's teaching is grounded in several key theological concepts:

1. Progressive Revelation: The idea that God reveals Himself and His truths progressively to believers as they mature spiritually.
2. Spiritual Discernment: The ability to perceive and understand spiritual realities, which is developed through close communion with God.
3. Overcoming: A concept drawn from Revelation, referring to believers who persevere and grow in faith despite challenges.
4. The Bride of Christ: A metaphor for the Church or individual believers in an intimate relationship with Christ.
5. Man-child: An allegorical interpretation of Revelation 12, representing a spiritually mature segment of the Church.
6. End-Times Perspectives: Various views on eschatology, particularly regarding the tribulation and the Church's role in end-times events.

These concepts are interwoven throughout the sermon to support the main theme of spiritual growth and discernment.

Detailed Exposition

The Call to Deeper Spiritual Life

Taylor begins by addressing the concept of "many are called, but few are chosen" (Matthew 22:14 KJV). He interprets this not as arbitrary selection but as a willingness to "pay the price" for deeper spiritual life. This sets the tone for the entire message, emphasizing personal responsibility in spiritual growth.

Levels of Spiritual Maturity

Taylor discusses different levels of spiritual maturity, using biblical metaphors:

• The Body of Christ: Representing all believers
• The Bride of Christ: Those in a more intimate relationship with God
• The Overcomer: Believers who persevere through trials
• The Man-child: A group of spiritually mature believers being "birthed" out of the broader church

He stresses that these levels are not exclusive categories but represent progressive stages of spiritual growth available to all believers who are willing to pursue them.

Taylor also touches on the concept of "mixture" in spiritual life, suggesting that some believers try to "walk on both sides of the road at the same time." He relates this to the idea of different "rooms" or levels in the Father's house, indicating varying degrees of spiritual maturity and intimacy with God. This concept adds depth to the understanding of spiritual growth as a progressive journey rather than a single event.

Spiritual Discernment and God's Leading

A significant portion of the sermon focuses on developing spiritual discernment. Taylor uses Luke 5:1-4 as an allegorical teaching on this topic:

1. Jesus standing by the lake represents being on the threshold of deeper spiritual experiences.
2. The two ships represent choices or paths available to believers.
3. Jesus entering one ship symbolizes the need to discern which "ship" (path) God is choosing.
4. Pushing out from shore represents detachment from worldly securities.

Taylor emphasizes the need to cultivate an awareness of God's presence and leading, stating, "The Lord appreciates being appreciated." This practice of acknowledging God's presence, he argues, is key to developing spiritual discernment.

To illustrate the importance of following God's leading, Taylor shares a personal anecdote about his decision to go to Pinecrest in 1959, despite his initial reluctance. He recounts how God spoke to him clearly about this decision, saying, "For the hardness of your heart, I will let you go to Philadelphia and I will give you a ministry there and bless it. But this is where I want you." This story powerfully demonstrates the potential long-term impact of obeying God's leading, even when it doesn't make logical sense at the time.

End-Times Perspectives

Taylor addresses various views on end-times scenarios, particularly regarding the tribulation. He emphasizes the importance of being spiritually prepared for any circumstance rather than focusing on escaping difficulties. He cautions against both complacency and extreme preparedness (like stockpiling), instead encouraging trust in God's provision and willingness to face challenges with faith.

Taylor suggests that the timing and manner of Christ's return may not align exactly with current theological understandings, drawing a parallel to how the first coming of Christ differed from the expectations of the religious leaders of that time. He stresses the importance of being ready spiritually, rather than trying to figure out exact details of end-times events.

Trust in God's Provision

Taylor warns against excessive preparation or self-protection, particularly in the context of end-times scenarios. He discourages stockpiling supplies, instead encouraging trust in God's supernatural provision. This teaching is rooted in biblical accounts of God's provision, such as manna in the wilderness and Jesus feeding the 5,000.

Spiritual Growth as a Process

Using the analogy of a child learning to walk, Taylor encourages perseverance in spiritual growth. He emphasizes that mistakes and "falling down" are part of the process, and that God, like a proud parent, encourages us to keep trying. This perspective offers comfort and motivation for believers struggling in their spiritual journey.

Entering the Supernatural Realm

Taylor posits that God is calling believers into a deeper understanding and experience of the supernatural realm. He sees this as a progressive movement from the natural to the spiritual, echoing Paul's teachings in 1 Corinthians 15:46. This concept is presented as both an invitation and a challenge to move beyond comfortable, familiar spiritual experiences.

Places of Refuge and "Open Heaven"

Taylor introduces the concept of spiritual "places of refuge" or areas of "open heaven" where people can come to hear from God clearly. He suggests that these are locations or gatherings where there is a particular clarity of spiritual vision and an ease of connecting with God's presence. This idea ties into his broader teaching on developing spiritual discernment and seeking deeper experiences with God.

Practical Applications

1. Cultivate awareness of God's presence through regular acknowledgment and appreciation.
2. Develop spiritual discernment by spending intentional time in God's presence and reading Scripture devotionally.
3. Be willing to "detach from the shore" – let go of worldly securities that hinder spiritual growth.
4. Persevere in spiritual disciplines and growth, understanding that setbacks are part of the process.
5. Seek to understand and enter into the supernatural realm of the Spirit through faith and obedience.
6. Be open to God's leading, even when it doesn't make logical sense, recognizing the potential long-term impact of obedience.
7. Prepare spiritually for end-times scenarios by cultivating trust in God's provision rather than relying on physical preparations.
8. Seek out and participate in gatherings or places where there is a clear sense of God's presence and leading.

Historical or Contemporary Context

While the sermon doesn't explicitly address current events, it reflects a broader movement within charismatic and Pentecostal circles of the late 20th century. This period saw increased emphasis on deeper spiritual experiences, prophetic gifts, and preparation for end-times scenarios. Taylor's teaching aligns with this trend while also cautioning against some extremes (like excessive stockpiling).

The sermon's content also reflects the spiritual climate of the early 1980s, with its focus on end-times preparation and the seeking of deeper spiritual experiences. Taylor's balanced approach, emphasizing spiritual readiness over physical preparation, provides a nuanced perspective within this context.

Unique Insights

1. The interpretation of the "man-child" as a spiritually mature segment of the Church offers a unique perspective on spiritual growth and end-times theology.
2. Taylor's emphasis on appreciating God's presence as a key to spiritual growth provides a simple yet profound practice for believers.
3. The analogy of spiritual growth to a child learning to walk offers an encouraging perspective on mistakes and setbacks in the spiritual journey.
4. The concept of "mixture" in spiritual life and its relation to different levels in the Father's house provides a nuanced view of spiritual maturity.
5. Taylor's personal anecdote about his decision to go to Pinecrest illustrates the practical implications of following God's leading, even when it seems counterintuitive.

Conclusion

Wade E. Taylor's sermon presents a call to deeper spiritual life, emphasizing the development of spiritual discernment and willingness to move beyond comfortable Christian experiences. By interweaving biblical exegesis, practical advice, personal anecdotes, and spiritual insights, Taylor provides a roadmap for believers seeking to mature in their faith and enter into deeper realms of spiritual experience.

The message challenges listeners to cultivate a keen awareness of God's presence and leading, persevere through difficulties, and trust in God's provision as they journey towards spiritual maturity. Taylor's interactive teaching style, demonstrated through the Q&A format and use of personal stories, makes these deep spiritual concepts more accessible and applicable to everyday life.

His balanced approach to end-times preparation, emphasis on spiritual growth as a process, and introduction of concepts like "places of refuge" offer a holistic view of the Christian journey. This sermon, as part of a series on the Song of Solomon, likely ties into themes of intimate relationship with God and the progressive nature of spiritual growth found in that biblical book.

Study Questions

1. How does Wade Taylor interpret the phrase "many are called, but few are chosen"? How does this interpretation challenge or align with your understanding?
2. Describe the different levels of spiritual maturity Taylor discusses, including the concept of "mixture." How do these levels relate to your own spiritual journey?
3. According to Taylor, how can one cultivate spiritual discernment? What practical steps can you take to improve your ability to discern God's leading?
4. How does Taylor use the story in Luke 5:1-4 as an allegory for spiritual growth? What insights does this interpretation offer?
5. Discuss Taylor's perspective on preparing for future challenges (like stockpiling supplies) versus trusting in God's provision. How do you balance practical preparation with faith?
6. How does the analogy of a child learning to walk apply to spiritual growth? How might this perspective change your approach to spiritual disciplines?
7. What does Taylor mean by entering the "supernatural realm"? How does this concept challenge or inspire your current spiritual practices?
8. Reflect on Taylor's statement, "The Lord appreciates being appreciated." How might regularly acknowledging God's presence affect your spiritual life?
9. How does Taylor's personal story about deciding to go to Pinecrest illustrate the importance of following God's leading? Can you think of a time in your own life when you had to make a similar decision?
10. What are Taylor's views on end-times scenarios and preparation? How do these views compare with other perspectives you've encountered?
11. How does Taylor's concept of "places of refuge" or areas of "open heaven" resonate with your own spiritual experiences? Have you encountered such places in your own life?
12. In what ways does this sermon challenge or affirm your current understanding of spiritual growth and maturity? What one practice from this teaching do you feel led to implement in your life?
13. How might the themes in this sermon relate to the broader messages found in the Song of Solomon? Why do you think Taylor chose to include this teaching in a series on that book?
14. Discuss the concept of "mixture" in spiritual life. How might this idea help explain different levels of spiritual maturity within the church?
15. How does Taylor's interactive teaching style, including the Q&A format, contribute to the effectiveness of his message? How does this approach compare to other preaching styles you've experienced?