Love Worth Singing About Sermon Series

“Loving One Another: A Love That Reflects God”

Welcome to week 2 of our series “Love Worth Singing About”.

Last week, we opened our series by discovering that the Song of Songs is more than just ancient poetry—it’s a love story that points us to God’s love for us. We saw that just as the groom pursues and delights in the bride, God passionately pursues us with a love that is personal, powerful, and permanent.

We were reminded that:

1. God’s love is intentional — He seeks us out and invites us to the table of His grace.

2. God’s love is secure — His banner over us is love, a covering that cannot be shaken.

3. God’s love transforms us — When we truly receive His love, it changes how we see ourselves and others.

Key takeaway: God’s love isn’t distant or abstract—it’s a love that pursues, covers, and holds us close.

This week we get a look at another aspect of love - “Loving One Another: A Love That Reflects God”

Our text comes from Song of Songs 1:15-17:

“How beautiful you are, my darling!

Oh, how beautiful!

Your eyes are doves.

How handsome you are, my beloved!

Oh, how charming!

And our bed is verdant.

The beams of our house are cedars; our rafters are firs.” (NIV)

Introduction: The Power of Words

One of the most beautiful things about Song of Songs is how the lovers speak to one another. The words they exchange aren’t casual or careless—they are words filled with honor, tenderness, and delight. There’s a sense of mutual cherishing that shines through every line.

We live in a culture where words are often used as weapons—to criticize, tear down, and wound. But here in this ancient love song, we find something radically different. Their speech builds up. It gives life.

In a world that tears down, love chooses to build up.

This is exactly what God calls us to do within the body of Christ. The love between the bride and groom points us to a deeper love—a love that reflects the heart of God.

Scripture Foundation

Jesus said:

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” — John 13:34–35

The apostle Paul described love this way:

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others… It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” — 1 Corinthians 13:4–7

And in another place, Paul urges:

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” — Ephesians 4:29

Big Idea:

The way the lovers speak to one another reflects the kind of mutual honor and cherishing that should mark all relationships within the body of Christ.

Let me pull out three aspects of this kind of love.

1. Love Speaks Life

The bridegroom begins, “How beautiful you are, my darling! Your eyes are doves.” These are not careless compliments. Doves are symbols of peace, purity, and gentleness. He’s not just commenting on appearance—he’s speaking to who she is.

She responds in kind: “How handsome you are, my beloved! Oh, how charming!” Their words are a gift, spoken with intentionality.

In a day and age where people say whatever they want to say behind the anonymity of a computer screen, we’ve lost the ability to share words as a gift to others.  One of my favorite verses in Scripture says this:

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver – Proverbs 25:11 NKJV

Another version put it this way - A word spoken at the right time is like fruit of gold set in silver. (NLV).

In other words, saying the right thing at the right time is priceless.

James gave us a warning about how we use our speech:

⁹ With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. ¹⁰ Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. – James 3:9-10 NIV

Our words have power.

• They can heal or hurt.

• Build up or break down.

• Bring peace or stir conflict.

In healthy relationships—whether in marriage, friendship, family, or the church—love is expressed in the language we choose.

Words spoken in love can resurrect hope where silence or criticism would have buried it.

I want you to think of a time someone spoke a kind word to you when you needed it most—how that word changed your day, or even your outlook. A gentle word can shift the atmosphere of a room, mend a wounded heart, or restore a broken relationship.

The second aspect of this kind of love is:

2. Love Sees the Good

Notice what’s absent in this passage: there is no criticism, no highlighting of flaws, no comparisons. Instead, the lovers focus on what is good and beautiful in the other.

This doesn’t mean they’re blind to imperfections—it means they choose to look through eyes of love. That’s the same way God looks at us through the righteousness of Christ. He sees us as beloved, redeemed, and made new.

Within the body of Christ, we should see each other through a redemptive lens, not a critical one. It’s easy to notice weaknesses in others, but love calls us to look deeper—to see people as God sees them.

When love leads the way, we stop magnifying people’s flaws and start magnifying God’s grace in their lives.

How do we apply this to our own relationships?

• Instead of focusing on what annoys you about a coworker, family member, or church member—intentionally speak something encouraging.

• Thank God for the good you see in them.

• This one small shift can transform your perspective and the relationship.

The final point I want to cover is this:

3. Love Reflects God

At the heart of this passage is something bigger than romance—it’s reflection. The bride and groom reflect the mutual love and delight that God has for His people.

When we love one another well, the world sees something of God in us. Jesus said this is how people would know we are His disciples—not by our buildings, programs, or politics, but by our love.

• Love makes the invisible God visible.

• Love is the family resemblance of God’s children.

• Love is the proof of the gospel at work in us.

Every act of love we show to one another is a living testimony of the God we serve.

Think of a stained-glass window. In the dark, it looks like dull pieces of glass. But when light shines through it, the beauty comes alive. Our love is like that window—when God’s light shines through our lives, the world sees His beauty.

Closing: A Love That Echoes Heaven

The lovers in Song of Songs model a love that:

• Speaks life, not death.

• Sees good, not flaws.

• Reflects God, not self.

That’s the kind of love the church is called to embody.

That’s the kind of love that heals broken relationships.

That’s the kind of love that causes the world to take notice.

“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” — John 13:35

Imagine what would happen if every one of us made a conscious choice this week to speak life, see good, and reflect God’s love in every relationship.

A harsh world would hear a different song—a love worth singing about.

Prayer:

Lord, teach us to love one another as You have loved us.May our words build up, our eyes see through grace, and our actions reflect Your heart.Let the world hear the song of Your love through Your people. In Jesus’ name, Amen.