Chalmers Church Edinburgh

Intro: what do you think of Jesus? …Party killer or party maker The setting: a catering crisis and a mum who knows a man… (1-5) The sign: a glimpse of glory worth more than one look! (6-11) 1. Look! An astounding, abundant creation miracle happened! - The outstanding quantity (6-8) - The outstanding quality (9-10) 2. Look again! The Lord himself has arrived, who can bring the promised new creation banquet! - The Lord the true Bridegroom “…your Maker is your husband, the LORD of hosts is his name; and the Ho

1. Hold fast to the gospel (vv.-2)... 2. ...because Christ really did die, was buried and rose again (vv.3-8) 3. ...because it really works - look at Paul (vv.9-11)

Intro: What does a really “spiritual” meeting look like? 1. Key church principle here: loving others means valuing order! v14:26, 27, 31, 33, 40 a) ‘So that all may learn and all be encouraged' v31 b) Our God is not chaotic or confused, nor should church be! v33 2. So be willing to show self-restraint in speech at church v27-35 a) Tongues speaking? (“speech in a different language”) ?When no translation… …be willing to not speak b) Prophets speaking? (“speech that builds up”) ?When another ready… …be willi

v35-42 Come and see the Messiah who will change you v43-49 Come and see the promised Son of God and King of Israel who knows you v50-51 And you will see greater things?

Paul's main point: “Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts… (v1)” This means we must: 1. Desire Spiritual gifts (especially prophecy) that build up the church not self (v1-5) 2. Strive to be understood by everyone in church (v6-19) 3. Be mature about being understood so that people become Christians! (v20-25)

v19-23 Who is John? v24-28 Why is John baptising? v29-34 Who is this greater one to come? Jesus, the… Sin-atoning, Spirit-anointed, Spirit-baptising, Son of God

Intro: ending on a cliffhanger… (12:31) …and then an interlude?? 1. The all-surpassing value of love (1-3) Even the most amazing gifts, knowledge, faith, sacrifices are useless without love 2. The all-encompassing nature of love (4-7) What love is & does What love isn't & doesn't do 3. The everlasting value of love (8-13) Even very helpful gifts now, won't last forever like love Conclusion: Do we really value this kind of love enough to pursue it? (14:1)

1. God adopts his children (vv.6-13) 2. God shows his face (vv.14-18) (a) It is glorious (b) It is gracious (c) It is truthful

1. In the beginning (1:1-5) a) Eternal b) Distinct but divine c) Creator d) Source 2. Belief leading to life (20:30-31) a) Reasoned belief b) Abundant life

All Christians have been changed by the Spirit to confess Jesus as Lord (v1-3) All Christians are equipped by the Spirit to benefit each other in different ways (v4-11) All Christians are united by the Spirit into one body of Christ (v12-30) A strange way to finish in v31?

Intro: Divisions over dinner in Corinth The Lord's Supper - What is it? A Sacrament - A holy thing Communion - Fellowship Eucharist - Thanksgiving Lord's Supper - It's Jesus' meal, given for us to enjoy in his way The Lord's Supper - What is it about? 1. Remember A visible, dramatic, memorial, meal Passover - on the night when he was betrayed... (v23) Atonement - you proclaim the Lord's death... (v24-26) Covenant - the New Covenant in my blood (v25) 2. Receive A Spiritual Participation … this is my body (

1. The king lovingly praises the Lord (vv.1-2, 46-50) 2. The overwhelmed king prays for help (vv.3-6) 3. The Lord moves heaven and earth to rescue him … (vv.7-19) 4. … because the king is blameless and the Lord is faithful (vv.20-30) 5. The Lord empowers his king to triumph (vv.31-45) 6. Lovingly praise the Lord for his great salvation!

Paul's clear teaching on relationships - good authority, under God (v2-3) The Corinthian muddled understanding of relationships - using head coverings to unhelpfully exaggerate the natural authority distinctions (v4-9) Paul's clear teaching on good relations - good authority, equality and interdependence, under God (v10-15)

The LORD hears the righteous (v1-6) David was righteous at this point in time - Jesus was righteous all the time - Those in Christ are made righteous for all time (inc. David!) The LORD loves the righteous, despite rejection (v7-12) The righteous will be satisfied when they see the LORD (v13-15)

1. Trust in the Lord alone v1-4 2. Trust in the Lord as your everything v5-8 3. Trust in the Lord as your forever hope v9-11 Acts 2:22-36 Acts 13:34-37

1. Be warned – Don't overestimate your strength (v1-14) 2. Be warned – Don't underestimate God's jealousy (v14-22) 3. Be wise – Think about the example you set (v23-30) Conclusion: Glorify God and live to see people saved (v10:31-11:1)

What does it mean to imitate Paul? 1. Give up our rights... (v15-18) Why? So that nothing gets in the way of the Gospel (9v12) 2. ...and become a slave to all people... (v19-23) Why? For their salvation! 3. ...doing this like an athlete! (v24-27)

Intro: the most important question in life? The big Q: who gets to live with the LORD? (v1) The big answer... 1. Those walking God's way, with God's truth in their hearts (v2) Q. Is this saying: "be good to earn your place in heaven?" Q. How does this fit with Psalm 14:2-3? A. See Psalm 2:6&12 - seek hope in the King set on God's holy hill 2. And walking God's way involves... - Refusing to get involved in slander (v3) - Honouring those who fear the LORD (v4) - Keeping our word even when it costs us (v4) -

Note: This is part one of two - Paul gives up these rights! (v12, v15) Paul has the right as an apostle and gospel worker to be supported, that he might have a normal life (v1-6) Gospel workers have the right to be adequately paid according to human standards (v7-8a) Gospel workers have the right to be adequately paid according to God's law (v8-14) Implications for... Church elders: Church members: Gospel workers:

1. The Lord sees the dark guest within us all ... (vv.1-3) a. The disease b. The symptoms 2. ... and yet he has a people ... (vv.4-6) 3. ... whom he saves (v.7)

The HOPE: God's promise of God's people in God's place enjoying God's peace (2 Samuel 7 -> Ps 12v5) The HURT: Anguish while waiting for God's promise to be fulfilled (v1-2) So, what are we to do amidst the anguish as we wait? 1. Cry out to God (v1-2) 2. Plead, praying on God's promises (v3-4) 3. Trust God's steadfast love (v5-6)

v1-3 Knowledge must be directed by love, because love is the of all knowledge v4-6 Knowing the one true God through Christ makes us a new people, with a new way of living v7-13 So our lives must be marked by selfless, sacrificial love for others