Sermon notes

Introduction

Relationships, whether platonic or romantic, are gifts from God. We are designed for companionship and community; from the very beginning, God did not want Adam to be alone and created Eve to be his helper.

However, not all relationships align with God’s intentions. Sometimes, humanity seeks intimacy and connections outside of God’s original design as presented in His Word.

This morning, we will explore two songs: one inspired by God and the other inspired by humanity. These songs offer contrasting perspectives on how we should address the longings of our souls and our thirst for relationships and intimacy.

About The Link Song

“2 Become 1” was released in 1996 by one of the most successful girl bands in UK history, the Spice Girls. The theme of the song revolves around relationships and intimacy between lovers. Its lyrics also convey a provocative message about the importance of safe sex and birth control.

The line “Are you as good as I remember, baby?” captures the essence of the song’s story, which follows two individuals who once shared a deep connection. One person reaches out to the other in an attempt to rekindle the feelings they had in the past.

What Do We Do with a Thirsty Soul? – Psalm 42:1-2 & 1 Corinthians 10:23 

*(How do we handle seasons of loneliness?)*

“I need some love like I’ve never needed love before.” 

“I had a little love, now I’m back for more.” 

“Set your spirit free.” 

“It’s the only way to be.” 

• The lyrics of “2 Become 1” are synonymous with how the world seeks fulfilment, satisfaction, and peace.

• Unfortunately, we don’t always handle our longing and desires for intimacy in the right way.

• We may make decisions that attempt to resolve our yearning for relationships and intimacy during lonely seasons, but these choices are often not beneficial for us. 

• The descendants of Korah open their song in Psalm 42 with the imagery of a deer searching for streams of water to quench its thirst. Like the deer, our souls are thirsty and need the streams of spiritual water that come from God. 

*The decedents of Korah were taunted and ridiculed by their enemies – see 42:10 “saying to me all day long “where is your God”

Application

Casual intimacy, fleeting relationships, and worldly pleasures may temporarily alleviate the thirst and longing of our souls, but only God can provide eternal joy, and only Christ can truly satisfy our minds, wills, and emotions. 

Resolve to Remember Your First Love – Psalm 42:4-5, Revelation 2:4

“Are you as good as I remember, baby?”

• The lyrics in “2 Become 1” convey the desperation of a lover seeking to reconnect with the intimacy experienced in the past.

• The descendants of Korah were enduring a desperate season of loneliness and isolation as they were exiled far from home and familiarity. 

• In Psalm 42, the Sons of Korah express their frustration at being separated from public worship in the temple. 

Application

Instead of trying to fill the void with temporary fixes, the Sons of Korah chose to remember what it was like to worship God in the temple. They recalled their first love, the one who could truly offer satisfaction beyond what the world provides. 

Questions

1. The psalm is known for its raw and honest expression of emotion. Do you find it easy or difficult to express your struggles with the same level of vulnerability to God? 
2. The psalmist longs to be in God’s presence (Psalm 42:2). How can corporate worship help to satisfy that longing and refresh your soul? 
3. In the opening verse, the Psalmist illustrates our deep yearning and need for God by comparing it to a deer panting for water. Let’s discuss and list the ways in which the world and the devil seek to falsely satisfy our souls, in contrast to how God offers us true satisfaction.
4. The psalmist expresses deep sorrow, feeling cast down, and experiencing turmoil. How do these emotions resonate with your own experiences of hardship or times when you’ve felt distant from God? 
5. The psalmist recalls past experiences of worship and joy in God’s presence (Psalm 42:4). How does this remembrance of past joy help the psalmist cope with his present suffering? How can remembering God’s past faithfulness help you in times of difficulty?