“KISSES”

     Song of Solomon 1:2                      

adapted by Pastor Rick Jackson from Pastor John M. Keeter [mostly]

"A kiss is the babies right, the lovers privilege & the hypocrites mask!"

"To the young girl FAITH, the married woman HOPE & to the Old maid CHARITY!"

“Kissing is a pleasant reminder that two heads are better than one!”

A Kiss is an EXPRESSION of AFFECTION---EVIDENCE of EMOTION between two people! The world has TAINTED and PAINTED a kiss out to be casual and careless. But there are SPIRITUAL as well as PHYSICAL realities! There’s a plethora of kisses in the Bible! A scriptural study of the word "kiss" in scripture yields surprising results.

I. The FOND Kiss of AFFECTION - A KISS OF DESIRE [Song of Solomon 1:2]

Someone has said, “You've got to kiss a lot of FROGS before you find a prince.” This is NOT a scriptural principle-in fact- it is the opposite! Should be reserved for and returned by only the right one! Strangely many get married- stop kissing each other and start kissing another! Your children should see you kiss…. they see the wrong kinds of kisses all the time on TV and in the media.

II. The Figurative Kiss of ATONEMENT - A KISS OF DELIVERANCE [Ps. 85:10]

Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.

How does such a meeting take place? It happens in Christ!

For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. -John 1:17

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: -Romans 5:1

III. The Forgiving Kiss of Acceptance - A KISS OF DELIGHT [Luke 15:20]

And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.

The love of the prodigal's father is a picture of the love of our Heavenly Father.

The prodigal expected rebuke and reprisals from his father. But what he got from his father was a kiss, compassion, and joy that he had returned. You may be a great way off, but He is ready to run toward you if you will but take that first step. If you are a Christian who is out of the will of God, arise, and come to your Father. The blessings will be immeasurable.

IV. The Family Kiss of Assembly - A KISS OF DEDICATION [1 Corinthians 16:20]

All the brethren greet you. Greet ye one another with an holy kiss.

Romans 16:16 Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.

2 Corinthians 13:12 Greet one another with an holy kiss.

1 Thessalonians 5:26 Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss.

There was obviously a lot of kissing going on in the early churches, which is foreign to us to day.

-In France and other countries men kiss each other on the cheek. In most Arab countries, men greet one another with a kiss on both sides of the face. In Hawaii, a circle of flowers, is placed around the neck and then a cheek kiss is given.

The holy kiss was not immoral or impure, but the result of real, God-inspired love. The "holy kiss" was like the modern day heartfelt handshake or a hug. Culture changes but the Commandment to “Love one another” has not! Platonic family love should STILL be seen!!!

V. The Famous Kiss of appreciation - A KISS OF DEVOTION [Luke 7:37-38]

And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner... brought an alabaster box of ointment, And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.

Simon the Pharisee had a problem with this "sinful" woman. SHE was THANKFUL……

VI. The FAKE Kiss of APOSTACY - A KISS OF DECEPTION [Luke 22:47-48]

And while he was yet speaking, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near to Jesus to kiss him. But Jesus said to him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?

Judas KISSED the DOOR of HEAVEN and went to HELL! People today…* KISS the TRUTH GOODBYE ….and KISS UP to the WORLD!

Jesus let him know the irony of the situation, that He had been betrayed by a kiss, a sign of fidelity, love and affection. Prov. 27:6 - Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.

Prov. 7 warns of the wicked woman’s kissing…. her enticement to evil …. being like a Cobras charm.

VII. The Farewell Kiss of ADIOS - A KISS OF DEPARTURE [Acts 20:36-38]

And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all. And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him, Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship.

A kiss goodbye isn’t ever easy! Whether in DEATH or DUTY we have to cut connections

Thank God farewells are never final for believers! Goodbye at the grave will be a hello in Heaven!

VIII. THE FABULOUS KISS OF ACCEPTANCE - A KISS OF DELIVERANCE [Ps. 2:12]

Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

IX. THE FOOLISH KISS OF ARROGANCE - A KISS OF DEGRADATION [Hosea 13:1-2]

When Ephraim spake trembling, he exalted himself in Israel; but when he offended in Baal, he died. And now they sin more and more, and have made them molten images of their silver, and idols according to their own understanding, all of it the work of the craftsmen: they say of them, Let the men that sacrifice kiss the calves.

X. THE FAITHFUL KISS OF ABSTINENCE - A KISS OF DEDICATION [1 King 19:18]

Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.