Chalmers Church Edinburgh

Intro: Why do we need to know how to handle an “ox goring” today?!? Is God pro-slavery and even beating slaves to death?!?! NB. 1. Don’t misunderstand these “case law” rules in Israel’s covenant… a)…they are not the LORD’s “ideal” society, but regulating sin justly b)…they do not automatically map directly to Scotland today c)…they are not exhaustive, but examples: key principles of justice NB. 2. Don’t minimize how helpful these rules are to reflect upon still… a)…they help us see God’s just nature and c

1. Paul’s gospel is divinely wise (vv.6-9) 2. Paul’s gospel is divinely revealed (vv.10-13) 3. Paul’s gospel is divinely received (vv.14-16)

Intro: "Phew, we got the really serious ones out the way last week…” Love God, by loving others… 1. With our hands: not taking what belongs to someone else v15 2. With our mouths: not telling lies v16 3. With our hearts: not desiring what God gave to someone else v17 Conclusion: As we reflect and respond, three pitfalls to avoid: 1. I’m defensive 2. I’m despairing 3. I’m delivered already

1v18-25 God’s weak and foolish wisdom - the Cross 1v26-31 God’s weak and foolish choice - the Corinthians and us 2v1-5 God’s weak and foolish leaders - proclaiming Christ and him crucified

1. The danger: Confidence in the flesh (vv.2-3) 2. Paul's story: Confidence in an impeccable ethnic and religious CV (vv.4-6) 3. The Christian: Confidence in the surpassing worth of Christ (vv.7-11)

1. Elijah ascends and Elisha inherits 2. The LORD’s covenant continues

1. Don't try to bypass the Lord's Word like Ahaziah 2. Don't try to silence the Lord's Word like Ahaziah

Intro: What are our lives for? Instructions for those who have been rescued…. (20:2) 1. “Holy” – Be distinctive in stopping work for one day each week (20:8-10) 2. “To the Lord” – Be distinctive in focusing on the Lord together (20:10-11)

Have confidence that Christ rose because… 1. The Scriptures Predicted It (v13-27, 44-46) - Isaiah 53:10 the suffering servant crushed - Psalm 22:7-8 mocked by onlookers - Exodus 12: 5-6 the innocent sacrificed 2. The Disciples Saw Him (v28-43) 3. The Witnesses Proclaimed Him With Joy (v47-53) …and now it's your turn

1. Did Jesus really die, be buried and rise again? 2. Why did Jesus die, be buried and rise again? 3. What difference does Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection make? 4. So where does that leave you and I?

The people - watching The rulers - scoffing The soldiers - mocking The first criminal – raging The second criminal - confessing and asking Jesus - forgiving, comforting and dying - for him, for me and for you

v1-2 Intro: A parable is a story, but the people are real. Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.” v11-16 The rebellious son who rejects the father and walks far away v17-24 The loving father who runs towards his returning son v25-32 The self-righteous son who rejects the father and remains just outside

Intro: Doesn’t God’s grace mean you can get away with anything? Recap (2:11-14): God’s gospel of grace both saves AND transforms “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that … a wretch like me” 1. As citizens/workers/neighbours in society, Christians should be: (3:1-2) - Submissive to authorities - Eager to do good - Gracious in speech - Considerate to everyone How? 2. By remembering the gospel of God’s undeserved grace in Jesus (3:3-7) - Because we ourselves were… - But God’s saving grace appeared… - Not by o

v1-4 Can you trust the gospels? Yes. v1-2 Luke’s sources - written material, eye witness testimony v3-4 Luke’s method - followed all things closely, an orderly account v4 Luke’s purpose - certainty about the truth 8v1-3 The eye-witnesses

Does becoming a Christian require a change of behaviour, or not? 1 Church leaders must teach and model the godly living that flows from the gospel… 2 …To all Christians, who should live self-controlled, godly lives… 3 …Because God’s gospel of grace in Christ trains us to be godly

Intro: Jesus’ startling story: meet Mr A. Richman, EH9 1. Beware: there is more to life than accumulating wealth (13-15) The man in the crowd: Blinded by his bank accounts 2. Beware: it’s foolish to seek security in wealth, not God (16-21) The man in the story:Blinded by his bigger-barn ambitions 3. Fear not: God really does provide for his people’s needs (22-31) The followers of Jesus: Consider your Father’s care for you Conclusion: where will you find lasting security?

We need elders because… 1. Watch out! There are MANY false teachers who… (v10-16) a. Don’t submit to Paul’s Gospel… (v10-12) b. …but instead promote religious rituals… (v10, 14 & 15) c. …so that they can live however they please! (v12-13; 16) 2. What is to be done about false teachers like this? We need elders to… a. Silence them! (v11) b. And rebuke them! (v13)

The freedom we want The freedom we don’t realise we’ve lost The way to be truly free

v5 and 7 Every church needs multiple elders to oversee and steward God’s people v6 Elders must be above reproach in their home life v7-8 Elders must be above reproach in their own conduct and character v9 Elders must believe and teach the Scriptures, rebuking those who contradict them Applications: Pray for your elders, giving thanks for them Pray for people in churches where elders have behaved badly Pray for elders like this to be raised up across Scotland

Introduction: Nervous? Indifferent? Clueless? etc. 1. First, come and see for yourself. 2. Then, bring others to come and see for themselves… 3. …that they may follow Him.

How do we respond when God speaks? 1. AHAB (v 1-8) Wants to be affirmed, not challenged 2. MICAIAH (v 9-28) Faithful to the truth, whatever it costs 3. JEHOSHAPHAT (v 29-53) Wants to listen, but fails to act God in his sovereignty is working out his purposes through these kings, and pointing us to the perfect King. How will we respond?

1. Look at what happens when God’s word is ignored… (v1-7) …there is great injustice!! (v8-16) 2. Does God care? ________________________________________ (v17-24) 3. Why does God not act straight away? Because____________(v25-29)

What can John the Baptist teach us about evangelism? It’s telling people about Jesus, the … … Scripture promised (v23) … Superior (v27,v30) … Spirit-filled (v32-33) … Son of God (v34) It’s telling people of the sin-atoning sacrifice of Jesus (v29)

and we all need to keep hearing the gospel proclaimed!

v1-4 The Lord’s servant is broken by what he sees v5-8 The Lord graciously strengthens his persecuted and despondent servant v9-18 The Lord gently reminds his servant of previous idolatrous covenant breaking v15-21 The Lord gives his servant the new task of enacting the covenant breaking consequences

Intro: “Just before we get started, let me remind you who I am…“ ? I AM = Supreme (18:11; 19:1-25; 20:2; 20:18-31) ? I AM = Saviour (20:2; 19:4; 18:10) 1. Do not worship anyone or anything except me (3) ? Because the LORD (“I AM”) is the only real God 2. Do not worship me through images or objects (4-6) ? Because the LORD (“I AM”) is not like created things 3. Do not misuse my name or take it lightly (7) ? Because the LORD (“I AM”) is glorious and weighty Conclusion: …but what if we have failed? Matthew

Intro: When it comes to God, do we realise who we are dealing with? 1. What is God like? Then - Now -(Hebrews 12:29) 2. How can you approach him? Then-Now-(Hebrews 12:23-24) 3. So how then should we respond? Then-Now-(Hebrews 12:25-28)

v1-20 The situation in Israel: A few live faithfully under government persecution v20-24 Time to settle it: How long will you go on limping between two different opinions? v22-46 The results are in: The Lord alone is God, and a sacrifice is the way back to him Application: What does following the Lord look like in a place like this? -Turn from idols to serve the living God (James 4, 1 Thess. 1) -Turn others from idols by encouraging confession of sin and prayer (James 5)

Exodus: Getting to know the LORD - the ruler who rescues for relationship. 1. What the LORD Has Done: Redeemed and Brought Near (v4) 2. What the LORD Requires: Obedience (v5a) 3. What the LORD Promises: A Representative Nation (v5b-6) 4. Secured for Us in Christ (1 Peter 2:9-12)

Introduction 1. God’s word remains true despite rejection (v8-16) 2. God’s word remains true even in death (v17-24) Conclusion

Intro: “You had to be there” What is Jethro doing here? ? how to respond to God’s great rescue… even if you weren’t there!! 1. Know the LORD, the one true God… …through how he rescues (1-11) 2. Know the LORD personally… (12) …through sacrifice-secured fellowship 3. Know the LORD’s ways to walk (13-27) …through widespread godly instruction Conclusion: do you know the LORD like this?

16v29-34 When the days are as evil as can be… 17v1-7 … trust that the Lord lives … v1, v7 … so his powerful word is still effective v2-6 … so his faithful servant is still protected

*Note that the first minute of the sermon is quieter due to microphone issues but reverts to normal volume afterwards* 1. God’s chosen... (v12) 2. ... clothe themselves in Christ ... A love that binds (v12-14) A peace that rules (v15) A word that dwells (v16) 3. glorifying God in all. (v17)

2:1-12 - Jesus turns water into wine at a wedding 2:13-22 - Jesus turns over tables at the temple 2:23-3:21 - The Son saves perishing people 3:22-36 - John's joy is complete

v1-6 Search for the true King, the Bible tells you where to find him v7-12 When you find the true King, worship him v13-23 Don’t oppose the true king, it’s futile

Jesus Christ is… v18-20, 24-25 Given in trust to godly human parents v18, v20 Conceived by the Holy Spirit v21 Saviour of his people from sin v22-23 God with us

Of writing love songs there is no end… so what does the Bible’s song add to the rest? 1. What is love? ~Baby don’t hurt me~ - Love is orderly (v5) - Love is all-consuming (v6-7) 2. While we wait for our Beloved… - Seek each other’s purity… (v8-10) - Serve your spouse selflessly (v11-14)

Isaiah 9:2-7 v5 "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given;" v7b "on the throne of David and over his kingdom," The child in the manger is… 1. The long-promised Davidic King… 2. …come from sinners… 3. …for sinners!

Setting the scene: “Is the LORD among us or not?” (v7; 1-4) YES!! Answer 1: Remember the LORD was struck to give life (v5-6) ‘For they drank from the spiritual rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ’ (1 Corinthians 10v4) Answer 2: Remember the LORD is with us through His victorious leader (v8-16) Therefore, do not harden your heart!

6v4-10; After her rejection, his words reassure her that he will receive her back. 6v11-13; She finds he’s ready to start over and receives encouragement from her friends to return his love. 6v13-7v9; He now speaks of his delight in her body and his desire for her. 7v9-8v3; She reassures him of her desire too and encourages him to enjoy her. 8v4; Remember: This is a love worth waiting for.

1. When rejection leads to separation… (5:2-8) 2. …friends come and counsel… (5:9-16) 3. …to show that the Beloved is not far. (6:1-3)

1. How does he teach his children? 2. How do they respond? 3. He shows his children his glory and showers them with his grace.

1. The Warrior LORD Has Triumphed: Our Past Victory (1-12) So be confident that… 2. The Reigning LORD Will Take His People Home: Our Future Hope (13-18) In the meantime… 3. Sing With Joy: Our Present Song (19-21)