Chalmers Church Edinburgh

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)

1. He approaches in glory for his wedding day (3:6-11) 2. He delights in his beloved's beauty on her wedding day (4:1-7) 3. He speaks to his new bride of his love and his anticipation of their wedding night (4:8-15) 4. They delight in joyful, intoxicating, sexual intimacy (and their friends encourage it!) (4:12-5:1)

Scene 1: The Strange Leading of the LORD Scene 2: The Fierce Pursuit of the Enemy Scene 3: The Glorious Rescue of the Redeemed

2v8-14 She's glad of his call to get to know him before they marry 2v15-17 They take steps to not let anything spoil their relationship 3v1-4 She dreams of the night they can finally be together 3v5 A repeated refrain: This is a love worth waiting for

Intro: “Remember remember…. the night of the Passover” REMEMBER: 1. Passover meal: You were bought at a price (12:43-51) - 1 Corinthians 6:20; 1 Peter 1:18-19 2. Firstborn Consecration: You belong to God now (13:1-2, 11-16) - 1 Corinthians 6:20; 1 Peter 1:17, 2:9-12 3. Unleavened bread: So don't go back to that world! (13:3-10) - 1 Corinthians 5:6-12; 1 Peter 4:1-6

v1 It is the greatest song ever written! By Solomon It's erotic not explicit It's setting is a garden city - an Eden-like Jerusalem It's about the Son of David, the New Adam - Jesus Christ - and his bride! It's full of wisdom for human relationships It's written for a confused world, full of sexual sin andbrokenness, and offers a better story 1v2-7 She longs to marry and be intimate with the king, but doesn't feel worthy 1v8-2v6 He assures her of his love for her, and she delights in it 2v7 This is a love w

Speaker: Roger Day Intro: "Dear AI, can you tell me: who is God?” YAHWEH: “I am who I am” Getting to know the ruler who reveals & rescues for relationship 1. Yahweh, the real ruler, keeps his word (11:1-10, 12:29-36) - his promises of rescue for his enslaved people (11:1-3?12:21-26) (see also 3:18-22 & Genesis 15:14) - his warnings of judgement on rebellion and idolatry (11:4-8?11:29-30; see 4:23 & 1) 2. Yahweh, the gracious rescuer, saves through a spotless substitute sacrifice (12:1-13, 21-27) Shadows

Through the plagues, Yahweh was revealing his name and character Awesome majesty Incredible mercy

v11 - Big handwriting, big point v12-13 - Boasting in the flesh v14-18 - Boasting in the cross

7v17 “By this you shall know that I am the Lord” - the Lord is the creator and judge 8v10 “that you may know that there is no one like the Lord our God” - the Lord is God, there is no other 9v22 “that you may know that I am the Lord in the midst of the earth” - the Lord shelters his people

Intro How do we walk by the Spirit? By being a Church that… 1. Takes sin seriously(v1-5) a) By restoring those caught in sin b) By keeping a watch on ourselves. 2. Takes Bible teaching seriously and does what the Bible says (v6-10) By taking Bible teaching seriously (v6-7) Sow to the Spirit not the flesh (v8) And by doing what the Bible says (v9-10)

Intro: You say I'm free… so why does Christian living feel like a battle? So far: You are full, free heirs of God (Curse cancelled! Adoption secured! Holy Spirit given!) ? So don't lose your freedom: through “Jesus plus” (5:1…) ? So don't abuse your freedom: use it to love (5:13…) Today's Big Command: Keep in step with the Spirit! (5v16;5v25) Q: But why do we need to be told? (Given Galatians 4:6? Given Ezekiel 36:22-27?) 1. Christians, realise you're currently in a tug of war! (5:16-18)

6v10-7v2 Uncircumcised lips The Lord sovereignly speaks through flawed speakers 7v3-7, 13 Hardened Hearts The Lord sometimes sovereignly confirms evil men in their wickedness 7v8-12 Swallowing serpents The Lord starts to show his absolute sovereign power over evil