Sermon Snippet – One Loveliness
INTRODUCTION – For the last couple of months, we have been considering the general theme of “the simplicity [singleness of purpose] that is in Christ” (II Corinthians 11:3). One night in mid-February, with a full moon shining and snow on the ground, I lay awake and admired my wife’s illuminated, lovely face as she was asleep (and not talking). I immediately thought of Philippians 4:8: “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” The Greek word for “lovely” is used only here in Scripture, but synonyms are translated as “lovely” elsewhere. Let us briefly study these usages.
1. LET US THINK OF LOVELY MEMORIES
Our unlovely memories are real and are not to be ignored, for Christianity is the religion of realism. However, the negative comes to us unbidden, staring and sometimes slapping us in the face. It is worth the effort to recall “lovely” people and events. A fine example of this principle is found in II Samuel 1:23, where David eulogizes Saul and Jonathan as “lovely and pleasant in their lives.” David’s words about his faithful friend Jonathan undoubtedly came easily to him. His words about Saul, who tried to kill David, required more thought and energy. Were there “lovely” things about Saul? Yes. He was an effective war leader, fighting fearlessly to defend his nation (verse 23b). He had also created an environment in which his people prospered (verse 24). His failures were extensive. I have often said that I am relieved that my life is not written down for all to read. If God added a Present Testament, an ongoing record of our lives, to the Old and New Testaments, it would be hard to come to church! David’s example shows us that we too can focus on the “lovely” memories.
2. LET US THINK LOVELY THOUGHTS OF OUR HUSBAND OR WIFE
In Song of Solomon 5:16, a wife says of her husband that “he is altogether lovely.” Certainly she found him to be handsome, but the emphasis is on the totality of his character. It is a good practice to regularly review the positive characteristics of a spouse (the same can be done, of course, for other family members and friends). If you cannot think of any, think harder! Each one of us should be able to construct a lengthy list of a spouse’s positive attributes. Let us think lovely thoughts of our spouses.
3. LET US THINK OF LOVELY SONGS
Ezekiel 33:30-33 presents a negative scenario from which we can draw a positive application. The people were not heeding the prophet Ezekiel’s words; to them, his prophecy was “as a very lovely song” (verse 32), something to be enjoyed merely as entertainment. Imagine instead the joy of hearing and heeding “a very lovely song.” A “song unto the LORD” (Exodus 15:1), a “song in the night,” a song in the “heart,” a song of “remembrance” (all from Psalm 77:6 – as an aside, songs are extraordinarily helpful for memory) – all of these are “lovely” songs. Our Lord Himself is described as a “song” (Exodus 15:2; Isaiah 12:2), the loveliest song of all. Let us then think of lovely songs.
CONCLUSION – Any loveliness in our lives derives from the inherent beauty of God – beauty being defined as that which attracts us. Jesus eschewed physical attractiveness (Isaiah 53:2). The rest of Isaiah 53 details the real beauty of God the Son, predicting His death and resurrection. Jesus’ death on the Cross was physically ghastly and gruesome, but the saving beauty of God was and is undeniably lovely. When we think of God the Son dying for our benefits and on our behalfs, we are fulfilling the command of Philippians 4:8, and we are being truly blessed by ”things [that] are lovely.”