Chalmers Church Edinburgh

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