ENC Sermons: Recent Episodes
Edinburgh North Church
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True Rest is Found in Jesus … So Come to Him
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True Rest is Found in Jesus’ Rule … So Learn From Him
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The Miracle of Being Included (v11-13)
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The Mighty Reconciling Work of Christ (v14-18)
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The Moving Reality of God’s Household (v19-22)
1 - v14-20 - Jesus’ Kingdom Will Be Opposed
2 - v21-22 - Jesus’ Kingdom Will Stand
3 - v23-28 - Jesus’ Kingdom Knows No Middle Ground … So Receive Him!
- v1-4 - The Hallowed Father …
… who wants our prayers to reflect his heart
- v5-10 - The Willing Father …
…. who encourages us to ask
- v11-13 - The Trustworthy Father …
… who gives more than we can ask or think
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Service Which Lessens Relationship
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Listening Which Strengthens Relationship
Assurance 1 -Christ's Word Belongs to All Who Sit at His Feet
Assurance 2 - Christ’s Word Lasts Forever
A Psalm in Three Voices (Psalm 2) Duncan Porter Download Preached on Sunday 17th May 2026 by Duncan Porter
Sermon 2 of a 2 part series on Psalms 1 and 2.
Walking the Way of the Righteous (Psalm 1) Duncan Porter Download Preached on Sunday 10th May 2026 by Duncan Porter
Sermon 1 of a 2 part series on Psalms 1 and 2.
1 - v17-20: Our Joy is Written in Heaven
2 - v21-24: Jesus' Joy in God’s Grace
3 - v25-37: God’s Grace Changes Our Hearts
1 - 9v51-56 - Rejected Like Jesus
2 - 9v57-62 - Devoted to Jesus
3 - 10v1-16 - Harvesting With Jesus
1 - v28-36 - The Glorious Saviour
2 - v37-43a - The Only Saviour
3 - v43b-50 - The Saviour’s Servants
1 - The Twisted Priorities of God's People (v1-6)
2 - The Reality of Life Without God's Glory (v7-11)
3 - The Restoring Work of God's Word (v12-15)
1 - v13-27 - Slow Hearts … Need Jesus’ Words
2 - v28-35 - Burning Hearts … Proclaim Jesus’ Words
1 - The Cross Happened Exactly as God Planned
2 - The Cross Accomplished Exactly What God Wanted
3 - So … Which Thief Are You?
1. v1-9 - Jesus’ Kingdom Grows Through Speech
2. v10-17 - Jesus’ Kingdom Satisfies
3. v18-27 - Jesus’ Kingdom Saves Through Death
1. The Son of God Rebukes the Evil One (8v22-25)
2. The Son of God Removes the Evil One (8v26-39)
Faith and knowledge belong together
Salvation is in the future
Christ’s command to Paul
1. Released from Sin (7v36-50)
… Seen in love for our Saviour
2. Released for Service (8v1-21)
… Seen in listening to our Saviour
1. v1-17 - Jesus Raises the Dead
v1-10 - The Gentile Jesus Marvelled at
v11-17 - The Grief Jesus was Moved by
2. v18-23 - Jesus Reassures the Doubting
3. v24-35 - Jesus Rejects the Dismissive
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Jesus is the True Light Who Brings Life
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Receiving Him Restores us to the Life we are Made For
- God is Most Known in Jesus Life
... So His Mission is a Revealing Mission
- God is Most Glorified in Jesus Death
... So His Mission is a Rescue Mission
Psalm 129 - Hope through Affliction
Oppression (1-3)
Overturning (4)
Overcoming (5-8)
Psalm 130 - Hope beyond Transgression
Pleading from the depths (1&2)
Pondering in the depths (3&4)
Pausing in the depths (5&6)
Proclaiming from the depths (7&8)
Psalm 131 - Hope amidst Tribulation
3 postures David rejects (1)
1 posture David adopts (2)
1 proclamation David makes (3)
Jesus Opens Heaven for Humanity (3:21-28)
Jesus Defeats the Devil for Humanity (4:1-13)
Salvation is Seen (v. 1-6)
Repentance Must be Real (v. 7-14)
Repentance Must be Proclaimed (v.15-20)
The King of Humility (v1-7)
The King of Peace (v8-14)
The King of Those who Treasure Him (v15-21)
The new has come, a unique moment
The Lord has come, clarity emerges
God’s glory is revealed, belief is born
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His Gospel is Trustworthy
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His Gospel is Persuasive
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His gospel gives certainty in:
Christ’s Identity
Christ’s Ministry
Christ’s mission
The Unity of Christ’s Word (v 20-21)
The Witness of Christ’s Church (21-23)
The Blessing of Christ’s Church (v24)
The Continuing of Christ’s Work (v25-26)
The security of faith (v6-10)
The joy of faith (v 11-15)
The holiness of faith (v16-19)
God’s Word - is to be sought out (v1-12)
God’s Word - is to be spoken truthfully (v14-28)
God’s Word - will come to pass (v29-41)
The covetous king (v1-2, 4)
Naboth’s no (v3)
The wicked wife (v5-16)
Words of warning (v17-24)
Surprise, surprise (v27)
God’s grace (v28-29)
Hearing the Son
Service which Lessens Relationship
One Thing is Necessary: Sit at Christ’s Feet
Two Assurances:
1. Christ’s Word Belongs to all who sit at His Feet
- Christ’s Word Lasts Forever
Introduction
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The blessing of God’s shelter (v1-4)
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The blessing of God’s strength (v5-8)
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The blessing of God’s saviour (v9-12)
Introduction
- Woe to the “perfect” church… (5:18-27)
…whose services don’t change their lives.
- Woe to the “important” church…(6:1-3)
…who consider judgement far away.
- Woe to the indulgent church… (6:4-7)
…who don’t care about the ruin of God’s people
- For the Lord is coming…(6:8-14)
…and he judges those who turn his beautiful law into poison
Introduction
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Amos conducts Israel’s funeral (v 1-3 & 16-17)
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The Lord’s command to the dead (v 4-6 & 14-15)
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The God of transforming grace (v 7-13)
Jesus reveals astonishing authority
over frightening nature (vv. 22-25)
Over demonic powers (vv. 26-29)
Over a tragic death - Jairus’ daughter
Over a debilitating illness - the bleeding woman
Reflection: But who is this? Do I know his authority?
2.Jesus shows a wonderful willingness
Willing to tolerate indifference (v. 37)
Willing to be interrupted by need (vv. 41, 43-46, 49)
Willing to embrace human limitation (v. 45)
Willing to be mocked and derided (v. 53)
Reflection: But who is this? Do I know his willingness?
- Jesus displays compassionate care
He responds to urgent need (v. 42)
He calls the woman “daughter” (v. 48)
He protects from shame (v. 47)
He brings healing and peace (v. 48)
He replaces fear with faith v(v. 49-50)
He avoids public spectacle (v. 51)
He gently takes her by the hand (v. 54)
He affectionately calls her “my child” (v. 54)
He cares completely (vv. 55-56)
Reflection: But who is this? Do I know his care?
The Bitter Fruit of False Worship (2:6-16)
Israel flouts the Lord’s law (6-8)
…and ignores God’s love (v9-12)
Therefore, forfeits the Lord’s blessing (v13-16)
The Bitter Consequences of False Worship (3:1-15)
Israel have spurned their privilege (v1-2)
…so the Lord will act (v3-8)
As he turns against his people (v9-15)
At the core of my being - who am I?
At the core of the bible - is a promise.
At the core of our faith - is the cross.
The Great Joy of the Resurrection (v.1-10)
The Rubbishing of the Resurrection (v11-15)
The Call of the Resurrection (v16-20)
- The Lion of Judgement
Tyre & Edom - who treat people as objects
Ammonites & Moab - who betray their brothers
Judah - who spurned their privelege
- The Judgement of God is:
Principled
Personal
Patient
- The Great Danger of Sinful World
What happens when the Church forgets what God is like?
The role of God’s prophets: covenant enforcers
The lion roars
Righteous fury at the hypocrisy of elitism
Religious extras cause dangerous divisions
Rebuilding a prison of slavery makes no sense
I found pardon at the foot of the cross, forgiveness full and free
v5-7 Humble under God’s mighty hand
v8-9. Watchful in Adversity
v10-11. Called to Glory
So … this I the true grace of God. Stand firm in it.
Embracing Christ’s pattern (v12-13)
Displaying Chirst’s Glory (v14-16)
Proved as Christ’s people (v17-18)
Trusting Christ’s Father (v19)
A desire which the day of trouble cannot overcome
A shared desire between the LORD and his Anointed
A desire for which “we” rejoice for we are included
Under Pressure from Outside the ChurchPressure to conform (v3-4)
Think like Christ (v1-2)
Look to the future (v5-6)
Under Pressure from Inside the ChurchRely on God (v7)
Love one another (v8-11a)
Which glorifies Christ (v11b)
- When you suffer for doing good … Witness to Christ
Have no fear
Hold out your hope
Remember the eternal perspective
- When you suffer for doing good … have confidence in Christ
Please note: due to technical difficulties, the bible reading was not recorded.
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His Building is spectacular
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His method is spectacularly counterintuitive
Winsome wives and considerate husbands (1-7)
Family seeking the Father’s blessing (8-12)
The Grace of Christmas
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Jesus is the Hope of Israel
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As their kingly ruler
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With a robust hope
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Jesus is the Saviour of the World
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For those with baggage
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For religious outsiders
Introduction
This is God’s purpose
Knowledge of God’s purpose gives confidence
Confidence of what we know enables us to please the Lord
Those who belong to the Lord, become like the Lord (v1-8)
Holiness is … Generous (v9-10)
Holiness is … Honest (v11-12)
Holiness is … Fair (v13-14)
Holiness is … Just (v15-16)
Holiness is … Loving (v17-18)
Jesus Preaches Leviticus 19
Living as Faithful Exiles (v11-12)
Submitting to God in the Civil Realm (v13-17)
Submitting to God in the Workplace (v18-25)
1 - Families that Last, Love (1v22-25)
Love One Another
As those Born of God’s Lasting Seed
2 - Families that Listen, Grow Up (2v1-3)
Know What You Need
Know How Grown-ups Live
1 - Looking Forward (v13)
As People of Hope
By preparing for action
And setting our hope fully on Christ
2 - Looking Up (v14-16)
As Obedient Children
Don't go back to your old ways
But take on the likeness of your Father
3 - Looking Back (v17-21)
As Precious Children
Remember what you have been saved from
Remember what you have been saved by
- A Certain Hope (v3-5)
Which Rests in God’s Work
- A Suffering Hope (v6-9)
Which Prepares us for Christ’s Return
- A Privileged Hope (v10-12)
Which Embraces Christ’s Pattern
1. We are an elect people
Chosen by God to belong to him, and show his glory to the world.
2. We are exiled people
Who will always be strangers in this world.
3. We are Christ’s people
Who receive glory from God, through standing firm in our suffering.
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You have been raised up, so look up (v1-4)
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You have been raised up, so stop living down (v5-9)
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You have been raised up, to unity in Christ’s image (v10-11)
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Real faith grows; spiritual sluggishness risks it all (5:11-6:12)
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Real faith endures; it can be steadfast and sure (6:13-20)
Jesus trains his disciples to live according to kingdom reality v1
Jesus explains why pretence is so dangerous vv2-18
Jesus explains why worrying is so destructive vv19-34
Getting to know God depends on his revelation of himself
Understanding God’s word is a vital source of light
Loving God’s law is a life-giving liberation
The principles of Jesus’ Kingdom
The intriguing and unexpected truth about what Jesus is doing
Can this really be true?
A call to all the world to praise our Father in heaven.
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How do we get it? (11:25-20)
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Can he really give it? (12:1-8)
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What will it look like? (12:9-14)
IIntroduction – Beware of impressive strength!
The Christian life can be full of great torment ….
so we need a principled self-denial in our attitudes …
… but may plead to the Lord and trust his wisdom!
Introduction – The letter which aches
Increasing, overflowing, more & more language
Prayer transcends earthly distance – but longs for presence
Strong hearts until Christ’s coming
The gospel of Christ
You heard, you understood, you learned …
The language of confusion
Fulness, knowledge, wisdom, understanding & power
Prayerful gratitude despite our circumstances
Prayerful gratitude deepens relationships
Prayerful gratitude makes real appeals
The living God seen through godly living (v14-15)
The gospel saves through the mystery revealed (v16)
The gospel of Christ
You heard, you understood, you learned …
The language of confusion
Fulness, knowledge, wisdom, understanding & power
The miracle of endurance and patience
The objective facts of God’s work
Qualified, rescued, redeemed & forgiven
The Old Testament is the foundation of all that we believe
The cross of Christ is at the heart of God’s redeeming love
The work of The Spirit is to bring understanding and selfless action
The resurrection of Jesus is at the very heart of the gospel (vv 1-4)
The resurrected Jesus was seen by eyewitnesses (vv 5-7)
The resurrection of Jesus is the future certainty seen in part now (vv 8-11)
Dealing with the problem of no personal gain
Dealing with the problem of not making a difference
Lady Wisdom’s banquet (v1-6)
Lady Folly’s banquet (v13-18)
The banquet guests (v7-12)
Rebuke
Reverence
Reward
1. God’s word rejected (16:29-17:1)
2. God’s word removed (17:2-7)
3. God’s word received (17:8-24
1. Bound together in prayer (1-5)
2. Bound together in work (6-15)
3. Bound together in truth (14-18)
1. Don’t let anyone deceive you (1-4)
2. A powerful delusion but Christ is Lord (5-12)
3. Stand firm,
…hold to the teaching of Christ’s apostles (13-17)
1. Perseverance is more precious than we know (1-4)
2. Perseverance is focused on the future (5-10)
3. Perseverance is fuelled by prayer (11-12)
1. John’s experience of Jesus’ glory
2. John’s vision of Christ’s glory
3. John’s appeal to us his readers
Why Christmas?
1. Because he came into the world (v.10a)
• Who he is
• Who he is to the world
2. The world in which he was and is rejected (vv.10b-11)
• The world which will not know him but should
• Even those who should know him but didn’t
3. Yet in the world he was and is received by some (v.12)
• Reception is believing in his name
• Reception is through nothing less than a new creation
4. Because we are in this world
• Who he is to us
• What he offers us
He is why Christmas
1. Jesus is the true light
2. Jesus is the light of God in our hearts
3. Jesus is the light giving eternal life to our soul
Q. Why Christmas?
Q. Who is Jesus?
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The Eternal Word (1-2)
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The Source of Being (3)
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The Source of Life and Light (4-5)
✴ Investigate Jesus
✴ Receive Jesus
✴ Proclaim Jesus
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Stand together
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Stay alert
Five things the Devil wants to destroy:
i. The Word of God and its reliability
ii. The character of God and his generosity
iii. The righteousness of God and his absolute dependability
iv. The enjoyment of God and its abundant pleasures
v. The fellowship of the people of God and its harmony and unity
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Put on God’s armour
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Pray for each other
1. Being a Christian in your family
2. Being joined to Jesus transforms your family role
i. Tenderness
ii. Discipline
iii. Instruction
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Be involved in verbally instructing our children (keep talking to them).
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Regularly leading them in family devotions and prayer (minister to the family).
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Monitor and take responsibility for the input that enters their impressionable
minds.
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Taking responsibility to help assure that church is a meaningful experience.
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Be an example. We must make sure that the open book of our lives—our
example—demonstrates the reality of our instruction, for in watching us they
will learn the most.
3. Being a family that shares and serves Jesus
1. We praise the God who has forgiven us (1-3)
2. Because his words and his works are one (4-11)
3. And he rules over all things (10-19)
1. The storms of human events cannot stop the Lord Jesus growing his church!
i. Storms of every kind (vv.11-13)
ii. Yet there are ‘brothers and sisters’ already (vv.14-16)
iii. Rejection by some, acceptance by others (vv.17-29)
2. The church of Jesus both subverts and answers the longings of Rome
i. A welcome (v.30)
ii. A message (v.31)
3. The church of Jesus has not stopped with Rome
iii. Luke’s brevity and Luke’s point
iv. The ongoing story…including us
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The church is attacked but attacks never ultimately win (11:19-21)
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The church is strengthened by the grace of God (11:22-30)
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The church is a wonderfully diverse people - even if this is complicated
(13:1-5; 15:1-5)
- The church sends out people in the Spirit with the gospel (13:2-3)
For us at ENC now:
• …Let’s look for unexpected opportunities even in hard times
• …Let’s pray we increasingly be a grace-filled church
• …Let’s ask questions about our ‘culture’ and if we are welcoming outsiders
• …Let’s continue to be a sending out church
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The church is built upon the Apostles’ witness to Jesus (1:1-11)
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The church receives the faithful fulfilment of God’s promises (2:1-40)
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The church is the people of God (2:41-47)
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The church shares Jesus’ sufferings and resurrection (Acts 3-8)
For us at ENC now:
• Do we know what time we’re in right now?
• Do we long for a Spirit-enabled community life?
• Will we make the apostles’ witness and teaching central to everything we do?
• Do we know how to read the times in which live — this point in history?
Being in Christ will have a cost… (15:18-25; 16:1-8)
i) Rejection from the world
ii) Persecution on Jesus’ account
iii) Causeless hatred
…but the Spirit bears witness (15:26-27; 16:8-10)
i) About Jesus
ii) Against the world
…and the Spirit preserves us (16:12-15; 16:5-7)
i) Revelation
ii) Real presence
Abiding in Jesus (1-6)
i) Attitude: Dependance
ii) Action: Obedience
…means we will bear (and enjoy) Christ’s fruit (7-11)
i) We can be assured that the Father listens (7)
ii) We will glorify God (8)
iii) We will remain in Jesus’ love (9-10)
iv) We have fullness of joy (11)
…means we have fellowship with God (12-17)
i) Friendship with God (12-15)
ii) Participation in his mission (16-17)
Introduction: Yeast & its big impact
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The truth will out (3)
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So do not be afraid (4-7)
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Here is the real perspective
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Future certainty (8-10)
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Disciples Apostles (11-12)
Application
Because we know truly…
…we can truly live.
Introduction: Light & Darkness (33-36)
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Key cause of hypocrisy (37-41)
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Obsession with detail (42)
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Impressive spirituality (43-44)
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False piety (45-46)
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A very heavy burden (47-51)
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Worst of all…. (52-53)
Application
This is not exaggeration
This is repeated throughout church history
So… don’t switch off the light
1. The Best and Most Beautiful Love Story (22-33)
2. The Medal of Honour (22-24)
3. The Crown of Thorns (25-30)
4. The Profound Mystery (31-33)
1. God’s Children Walk in Love (1-6)
2. God’s Children Walk as Light (7-14)
3. God’s Children Walk as Wise (15-21)
1. Opposition from the devil is real and dangerous… (13)
2. …But Christ the Lamb has conquered (14:1-5)
3. …and will return to judge the earth (14:6-20)
On our own, we can’t!
But following Paul’s prayer, we pray we may…
1. Be filled with all knowledge, wisdom, and understanding (v.9)
2. Be fully pleasing to the Lord (v.10)
3. Be strengthened with all power (v.11)
4. Be thankful for redemption (12-14)
1. A people marked out by faith in Christ
2. A people with love for one another
3. A people with hope through the gospel
4. A people encouraged by the sufficiency and supremacy of Christ
Q. Why should we be this kind of church?
1. We are God’s dearly loved children (1-2)
a. As God’s children we imitate Him
b. We imitate God by walking in His love
c. We walk in love as a pleasing sacrifice to God
2. We walk in a love that reflects God’s holiness (3-6)
1. We’re all living members of Christ’s body (1-6)
2. Christ provides, protects, and preserves us (7-10)
3. We work together to grow together (11-16)
1. Christ is with us to purify us
2. Christ is with us to bless and to curse
3. Christ is with us so do not fear death
1. A ministry of self-love 11-13
• Its motive: v12
• Its mark: v13
2. A ministry of self-giving 14-18
• Its motive: v14
• Its mark: v17
Embrace the cross:
your only pride in death, and your only pattern in life
1. Brothers carry each-other
through a shared struggle 5:26-6:5
2. Brothers invest together
in a shared salvation 6:6-10
1. Those who are beautifully free in Christ 13-15
can be slaves to one-another
2. Those who know beautiful friendship with Christ 16-25
will know war within themselves.
1. Two Ministries 4:12-20
One that serves Christ, one that serves self
2. Two Mothers 4:21-5:1
One who bears free sons, one who bears slaves
1. This world is a dangerous place for children 3:19-24
2. The nursery is a tragic place for a grown son 3:25-4:11
Enjoying all that it means to be a true son…
• To come of age, in the Only Son
• To belong, no matter what, in the Spirit
• To be known, by the Father
Life in the Awkward Age…
1. Nothing in this age 1:1-9
can pull you out of this age
2. Nothing in Jesus’ Gospel 1:10 – 2:10
can be improved by flesh and blood
• Anything slipped in to Paul’s gospel will enslave you to a dying age
• Any pressure to please flesh & blood can become pressure to desert Jesus
1. The depth of our need 31-47
Even though you don’t know it,
you really do need to be set free by a true son.
2. The height of Jesus’ grace 48-59
Even though you insult him,
there really is still time to rejoice with the Eternal Son.
“Why should we listen to you?”
We should follow where Jesus leads, because
1. Only Jesus is Light from Light 12-20
We must follow where Jesus leads, because
2. Without Jesus, we will die with the darkness 21-30
1. Growing in power from within the heart 14-17
2. Growing the church in perfect unity 18-19
3. Growing God’s glory in the church forever 20-21
1. Caught: 7:53-9a
Can we see ourselves exposed with the Miserable?
2. Changed: 9b-11
Will we stand alone before the Mercy-Hearted?
- The last song of the lamb:
Love that held in the chains of death 1-11
- The first song of the loved:
Praise we’ll join in the choirs of heaven 12-19
The kindest offer ever made:
Heaven reaches out to shrivelled souls 37-39
The saddest snobbery ever shown:
Shrivelled souls dismiss the glory of heaven 40-52
1. There is a way to find God (v14-24)
2. But only through one who knows God (v25-31)
3. And the time to meet him is running out (v32-36)
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King Jesus Plans Ahead 1-5
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King Jesus Works Next Door 6-8
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King Jesus Stands Beside 9-11
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King Jesus Sits Above 12-17
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His way is not what we want to hear 1-9
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His way is brave, beautiful, and full of love 10-13
Remember, rehearse, and rejoice in your rest!
• Says Mordecai (20-22)
• Say all God’s people everywhere (23-28)
• Say God’s ‘priest’ and ‘king’ together (29-32)
… Because the Good God still holds the dice
… Because his Good King still holds the future
- In every corner of the world, 8:3-17
the great unwind of sorrow is decreed
- In every human heart, 9:1-19
the great destruction of hatred is delivered
• his justice will always be wonderfully fitting
• his Son will always be wonderfully favoured
• his honour will always be wonderfully upheld
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A queen who ties her fate to her people
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A king who ties his honour to his bride
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A traitor who ties his noose around his neck
In this God’s world…
• his justice will always be wonderfully fitting
• his Son will always be wonderfully favoured
• his honour will always be wonderfully upheld
- Here is how to see your identity right now 1-5
• Because of the gospel (10-12)
• So, stand firm in it (5:12)
- Here is how to interpret your experience right now 6-8
• Because of the gospel (10-12)
• So, stand firm in it (5:12)
- Providence: 1-5
God orders all things with beautiful timing
- Pride: 6-9
God allows human egos to beautifully bloat
- Pleasure: 10-14
God honours his own with a beautiful delight
1. The Church Without Christ 11-13
2. The Church Made by Christ 14-18
3. The Church in Christ 19-22
The ears that tears couldn’t reach (v1-9):
We need someone who belongs on both sides of the door
The choice to be their voice (v10-17):
There is a terrible cost to being that someone
The reason she could risk:God’s heroes and heroines don’t have to save the day
Pray that our hearts would always be enlightened…
1. …with the hope of future glory 15-18
2 …. with the resurrection power of Christ 19-23
Facing the terror:
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A hate-filled void 1-6
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A terror-striking obsession 7-11
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A hope-destroying power 12-15
When everything is lost: know who is writing the story
An ugly parade of beauty
God’s People: caught in a contest we can’t control, where the strong and selfish reign.
A beautiful impaling of ugliness
God’s People: combatants in a battle we cannot see, where sinners are blessed, and serpents are bludgeoned.
1. Behold, the King of Kings! (v1-9)
2. See his great pride popped! (v10-12)
3. See his great power mocked! (v13-22)
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Hear David plead to God 1
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Hear David praise God's love 2-5
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Hear David remember God's help 6-8
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Hear David rejoice in God's triumph 9-11
- In Christ we are chosen… 1-6
…so we can be holy and blameless
- In Christ we are forgiven… 7-10
…so we can receive and be changed by the blessings
- In Christ we are sealed… 11-14
…so we have a guaranteed future inheritance
On sticking our noses up at good food…
1. Come to Jesus: v35-47
…because however ordinary he seems,
he alone can keep the Father’s loved ones.
2. Feed on Jesus: v48-59
…because however strange it seems,
his flesh alone can share the Father’s life.
-
Our striving never ends with a satisfied stomach 22-27
-
Only God can sustain a starving soul 28-33
-
So will we feed on the Son he sent? 34-35
-
We prefer to see defilement as coming from outside
-
Jesus says defilement comes from inside
-
Jesus came to cleanse us
1. Who they experience:a deliverer who saves to the uttermost (v1-13)
2. Who they see:a king who rules for their stomachs (v14-15)
3. Who he reveals:a God who rides on the storm (v16-21)
How do you explain the ‘failure’ of Jesus’ public ministry?
-
The patience and kindness of God… 30-40
-
…and why we squander it 41-47
A hugely provocative claim: equality with God (v17,19)
What is true in eternity shapes how things are today:
1. Honour Jesus: because all he is and does,
the Father has loved from eternity past (v19-23)
2. Listen to Jesus: because through his voice,
the Father is speaking life today (v24-27)
3. Marvel at Jesus: because he will pass
the Father’s verdict over every last forever (v28-20)
1. A voice that can reach to the dead 1-9a
2. A Lord who will search for the sinful 9b-15
3. A shepherd who won’t put down his work 16-18
-
We praise the Lord in a two dimensional way
-
We praise the Lord inside the community of the church
-
We praise the Lord outside the community of the church
-
Knowledge - a vital base
-
Behaviour - an inescapable reality
-
Maturity - God’s goal for each of us
-
Warning: establish your hearts the Lord is coming
-
Comfort: establish your hearts the Lord is coming
- Depth of relationships leads to huge angst in the
present day
- Growth of the gospel leads to many trials throughout.
all days
- Strength of heart leads to blameless believers on the
last days
Like the brothers
1. The tongue is a small tool used for big things (1-12)
I. The tongue is something that guides (v.2-4)
II. The tongue is something that is powerful (v.5b-8)
III. The tongue is something that produces different things (v.9-12)
2. The tongue is a great tool used in the right way (13-18)
1. God is a joy best shared (v1)
2. God’s blessings pour down when we do (v2-3)
• Like sacred oil, that belongs in no-one else’s beard
• Like life-giving dew, that belongs nowhere else on earth
1. The strangest ‘So’ in the Bible: 43-48
When mankind is at its most superficial and selfish,
Jesus gives himself.
2. The kindest ‘No’ in the Bible: 49-54
When life is at its most real and raw,
Jesus gives his word.
1. What the uncertain evangelist has (27-30, 39-42)
2. What the unpromising apostles lack (31-38)
— Look at the love willed in eternity
— Look at the calendar written into your Bible
— Look at the joy waiting for you in the world
If only you knew the Gift of God!
• “Living water”?
• Satisfaction?
• Cleansing?
• Eternal life?
• The Holy Spirit?
• True, spiritual worship?
1. What Jesus gives to us: Not just benefits, but a bridegroom
The Gift: Christ himself, though his Spirit, with every blessing in his hands
• Christ alone possesses the Spirit “without measure”, and every gift of the Father is placed in his hands (3:34-35)
• God himself is “living water” his people need (Jer 2:13)
• Drink from Christ, receive the living water of his Spirit (7:37, 39)
So What: No a ‘second blessing’, but more of Jesus
2. What Jesus wants for us: Not just mercy, but a marriage
A thirst we never knew we had: a temple for honest sinners to worship in
Listen for the wedding bells…
A shocking bride, and a shocking gift:
from heaven he came and sought her…
…to be his holy bride!
So how wide is Jesus’ great ‘whoever’? (3:16)
The scandalous bride Christ loves and redeems:
-
Discarded
-
Disgraced
-
Disinterested
-
Desperate
-
Dirty
Water that brings beauty out of brokenness (Ezek 47:1-12)
-
God’s word leads to living in purity and truth (19-21)
-
God’s word leads to a special selfless love (22-27)
-
Rejoice when only Jesus gets the bride (22-30)
-
Rejoice in what only Jesus can give her (31-36)
- Hope Buried: 15-18
When God is angry, human hope is stifled in the grave
- Hope Remembered 19-24
Because God is God, hope can always be found in Him
- Hope Shared 25-27
Because Jesus rose, we can trust God’s goodness to us
A soundtrack to the suffering of exile
- The Crimson Stain
• Lonely isolation
• Shameful degradation
• Bitter realisation
“Is there any sorrow like my sorrow?” (v12)
- The Crucified Saviour
• Departed majesty
• Desecrated temple
• Deriding foes
-
“For” | The shocking result of God’s love (16a)
-
The giving over to death of his only Son
2.“World” | The shocking reach of God’s love (16a)
-
This entire, dark, God-hating world
-
“Whoever” | The shocking reason for God’s love (16b-17)
-
The salvation of anyone… who looks with faith at the cross
• A very moral man? (3:1-15)
• A very immoral woman? (4:7-42)
-
“Loved” | The shocking response to God’s love 18-21
-
The rejection of goodness, or the embrace of exposure
- Whoever we are, the night claims us 2:23 – 3:3
Our heart, mind and will are darker than we know
- Only Christ’s Spirit can change us 3:4-8
We cannot give birth to our own spiritual life
- So cry to the one sent to save us 3:9-15
Jesus alone knows the way to new life, and makes it possible
• Guide
• Guarantee
- Consumed by zeal: 13-17
Jesus burns for his Father’s honour
• Malachi 3:1-3 (A God who will purify Israel’s sacrifices)
• Psalm 69:9 (A king rejected through his zeal for God’s temple)
- Consumed for zeal: 18-22
Jesus’ body is the place we can honour him
• A demonstration: Jesus has authority to judge his temple
• An invitation: Jesus is the true and final temple (Rev 21:22)
What sort of God shows his glory like this? (v11)
1. The Crisis: a people starved of joy (v1-5)
• Where is the Bridegroom?
• How things should be in the promised land (Song of Songs 5:1)
• “My Hour” (4:21,23; 5:25,28; 7:6,8,30; 8:20; 12:23,27; 13:1; 16:2,21; 17:1)
• “That Day” – a promised messianic banquet (Isa 25:6-9; Amos 9:11-15)
Follow the Sign:
2. Rich rejoicing waits for the Bridegroom’s hour (v6-12)
The sign itself (6-8)
• Lavish provision
• Water and cleansing (1:33; 2:6 3:5; 4:10; 5:7; [6:19]; 7:38)
• Fulfilment: from watery washing to potent rejoicing
The glory it points to (9-11)
• A true bridegroom and bringer of joy (made explicit from 3:29)
• Just a taste: we are saved in hope of a wedding feast to come
Who is seeking who?
1. The Lamb who opens hearts
Day two: vv35-42
-
John the Witness points two disciples to Jesus: Andrew & (John?)
-
Andrew finds, tells & brings: Simon Peter
Day three: vv43-51
-
Jesus himself searches out Phillip
-
Philip finds, tells & brings: Nathaniel
2. The King who opens heaven
-
Jacob’s dream: Genesis 28:10-22
-
The Son of Man: Daniel 7:13
So come and see, and stay with Jesus!
-
God’s will is to deliver us from evil (13-15)
-
God’s will is to raise us by his word (16-18)
1. Look away from the servant in the lime-light… (v19-28)
3 deflected questions:
-
Who do you think you are?
-
Who do you think you are?
-
What do you think you’re doing?
Background: A voice preparing the way for God (Isa 40:1-5)
2. …And look at the life-giving lamb (v29-34)
3 destiny-shaping answers:
-
Lamb
-
Lord
-
Life-Giver
Background: The Spirit-filled Messiah (Isa 11:2, 42:1, 61:1)
A Prologue: Not Just Words.
1. Love Eternal: The God with God behind time
2. Love Shared: The God sent to search through the darkness
Sent: - to the world, v10-11: Ch 1-12 (Public ministry, faith, believe”)
- to claim his own, v12: Ch 13-21 (Private ministry, “love”)
3. Love Known: The God of all Glory and Grace
- Who is my neighbour?
When does life begin? What makes us valuable?
- What is happening to my neighbour?
What takes place during an abortion?
- What must I do for my neighbour?
What does a truly Christlike response to abortion look like?
-
The steadfast under trial know it’s joy for the soul
-
The steadfast under trial trust God’s gracious wisdom
-
The steadfast under trial fall deeper in love with God
-
God’s people live as exiles from their true home
-
God’s truth is wild, so we are prone to wander
-
God’s forgiveness awaits those who return
God in the manger: the smallest of temples
1. Worth less than nothing in our earthly eyes (v1-3)
2. Worth more than all our earthly treasure (v4-9)
1. A weary world: humanity longs for rest and rejoicing
2. A Suffering Saviour: Jesus was born to shoulder your burden
…So come, and Rest Merrily with us!
Prayer changes us…
(…but should we be praying this bit?)
- Prayer argues:
We pray because we delight in our Father
- Prayer praises:
We delight in our Father as we pray
- Prayer trusts:
The more we delight, the more we’re encouraged to pray
-
Lead us:
When I fear the paths are slippery, hold my hand -
Deliver us:
When it feels like darkness has swallowed me, snatch me away
1. A daily mercy: the rich released from debt
2. A daily mirror: the reconciled released from bitterness
Our daily bread...
-
Grace for what we cannot grab: “give us”
• A forfeited right
• A fatherly providence
• Recognise our dependence on His grace -
Trust for what we cannot hoard: “this day”
• Ask expectantly — trusting his love
• Receive thankfully — trusting his wisdom
• Share joyfully — trusting his generosity
Putting the end of the story into our hearts today: too ambitious to pray?
1. Your kingdom come: Win our hearts for heaven (v10a)
2. Your will be done: Rule in our hearts on earth (v10b)
Jesus’ very first petition:
1. The weirdest prayer
2. The faintest growl
3. The truest purpose
Who you are clinging to shapes how you will pray
1. Father: We pray because we are loved
2. Our Father: we pray because we are loved together
3. Our Heavenly Father: we pray because we are loved by a Lord, not a Daddy
1. Cutting the callus of faithless despair; Sarah
2. Do you believe there are things God can’t do?
3. Courage - God is good for what he’s promised
1. Follow me: love with a cost (V1-9)
2. Follow them: the love right under your nose (v10-18)
3. Follow us: love with a kiss (19-24)
On meaning and emptiness
1. What an astonishing world teaches (v35-41)
2. What an astonishing Gospel confirms (v42-49)
3. What an astonishing God gives (v50-58)
How to win: Paul’s answer
1. Your hope is pitifully small (v12-19)
2. God’s project is wonderfully big (v20-28)
3. So fall in with the league of the dead! (v29-32)
Where does Jesus fit in the Corinthian picture of the Christian life?
Chapter 15: bigger on the inside
-
What is it actually about?
-
Why leave it till last?
1. What you received:
A once-dead Messiah, sacrificed for you (v1-7)
2. Who you believed:
A deathly Apostle, spent for you (v8-11)
1. Love teaches grownups to think of others (20-25)
2. Love teaches grownups to hold our tongues (26-35)
“tongues” (27-28)
Prophecy (29-33)
Questions (34-35)
3. Love teaches grownups how much we owe (36-40)
Blessed is the One Who is Forgiven
-
Confession is Taking Responsibility for Disobedience
-
Forgiveness is Receiving the Gift of Deliverance
-
Obedience is Giving Our Life to The Lord
Blessed is the One Who is Forgiven
-
Faith Means Seeing God’s Power Over Death
-
Faith Means Seeing God’s People as Family
-
Faith Means Seeing God’s Presence in Christ
On muskets and pikestaffs…
- Divisive speech: pride, confusion and judgement
1. Two gifts, and two goals
-
“Tongues”
-
“Prophecy”
-
The heart of the matter (v4)
2. Self-Directed Worship: Building Babel
-
Lifeless (when we were made for life and meaning)
-
Alienating (when “barbarians” are meant to be brothers)
-
Elitist (when “idiots” are meant to be insiders)
1. Salvation and covenant:
God’s people and his plan for them are never forgotten
2.Devotion and discipleship:
The beauty of ordinary obedience in extraordinary times
A beautiful insult…
-
The heart of Paul’s argument concerning gifts (Ch 12-14)
-
The heart of Paul’s argument with the Corinthians
1. “Giftedness" without love (v1-3)
2. “Love" without content (v4-7)
3. “Maturity” without Jesus (v8-13)
(v12-14) Seeing things as they really are: Think ‘We’, not ‘Me”
1. (v15-20) “They don’t need me” people: God values you for more than your usefulness
2. (v21-26) “I don’t need them” people: God’s work in you goes deeper than your usefulness
(v27-31) Learning to love God’s value system: Be zealous for the things you have, that serve others
The secret to the Spiritual Realm?
-
What we want to talk about
-
What they wanted to talk about
-
What Paul wanted to talk about
True Spirituality shows…
1. …in what we confess about Jesus (v1-3)
Don’t confuse it with what dumb demons demand.
2. …not in the jobs we do for Jesus (v4-11)
Don’t confuse it with what proud people praise.
1. The problem all could see:
A church they’d despised (17-22)
2. The problem Paul could see:
A death they’d forgotten (23-26)
3. The problem they should have seen:
A body they’d defiled (27-32)
4. The answer Jesus gives:
One family, gathered round the cross (33-34)
A second week looking at this tricky but profoundly helpful passage.
The Big Idea: Men and Women have been created differently, with a relational order we should honour and visibly express — especially (but not only) when we worship before a watching cosmos.
v3-6) Shame: What is beautiful can become ugly.
v7-12) Glory: What seems ugly should be our beauty.
v13-16) Decency: What feels arbitrary is often rooted in nature.
Deep and joyful obedience: what would it look like?
-
Outward display
-
Inward demeanour
Clearing the ground...
-
Communicative clothing
-
Complexity and clarity
-
Context: the glory of God
Recognising our assumptions...
-
Hats or hair?
-
Women or wives?
-
Church or world?
-
Lecturer or Lord?
Men and Women have been created differently, with a relational order we should honour and visibly express — especially (but not only) when we worship before a watching cosmos.
“Don’t be afraid” — why not?
1. Resolute purpose in the midst of chaos (4:38-44)
“That is why I was sent”
2. Revealed truth in the midst of life (5:1-11)
“Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man”
3. Reversal of death in a fallen world (5:12-16)
“Be clean!”
v1-3. The Good God:God blesses those who share his care.
v4-10. The Good King:The caring king, in need of a caring God.
v11-13. The Good News: God delights in his king, and upholds him forever.
Listening in to the New Creation…
- The One and the Many
- Call and Response
v1-10. Call: The Song of the Risen King
v11-17. Response: The Cry of His Still-Dying People
Sermon Notes:
v1-3 He holds it in:
but bitterness burns under our tongue.
v4-6 He longs to learn:
how quickly life slips through our fingers
v7-13 He lets it out:
because forgiveness brings a smile to our face.
On believing impossible things
Why include Zaccheaus?
v1-6: Christ breaks uninvited into our lives
— People in trees
v7-9: Our lives break open before a grumbling world
— People at tables
Can God be angry with Christians?
The bookends of the psalm: a basic plea (v1, 21-22)
The guts: a bitter lament
v2-8: Even under the cross of Christ,
God’s wrath is horrifying.
v9-20: Even under the stench of sin,
God’s redeemed are never alone.
When resentment gets your knickers in a twist…
Quiet trust can quell your heats (v1-8)
1. Trust God’s kindness over your eternity:
Lasting care, or a legacy in smoke? (v8-20)
2. Trust God’s kindness over your today:
Gracious giving, or grasping greed? (v21-40)
Sermon Notes:
What made Paul’s heart beat? (v24-24, v31-11:1)
v25-27 An earth full of gifts
Two freedoms to enjoy…
v28-30 An earth full of souls
…and to gladly surrender….
v31-1 An earth to fill with glory
…for him who came to seek, serve and save.
Sermon Notes:
v1-13. The warning: Blessed bodies bloating
v14-22. The lesson: Dumb demons dining
What could be so precious to Paul that he would surrender every right for it?
v1-14 An Awkward Argument
v15-18 A Precious Privilege
The issue behind the question in Chs 8-10: what is true maturity?
True maturity understands how the cross reorders our priorities:
v1-3 The purpose of knowledge …is love (not pride)
- “Your knowledge doesn't show what you think it shows!”
v4-6 The goal of life …is our Father (not our freedom)
- “God’s uniqueness doesn’t mean what you think it means!”
v7-13 The danger we worry about …is losing souls (not looking weak)
- “Your message doesn't say what you think it says!”
1. Man’s response to Christmas... is terrifying
- Terrifyingly knowledgeable
- Terrifyingly normal
- Terrifyingly damaging
2. Christ’s response to man... is to enter in to our terror
On earth: a baby batters a beast (v1-6)
In heaven:a lamb conquers a liar (v7-12)
Three things to know when you pick a fight with a dragon:
-
The Devil is dying
-
The baby has bled
-
His people are fed
Preached on 29th November 2020, by Rupert Hunt-Taylor.
Psalms | Book 1: Christ's battle for the kingdom
Sermon Notes:
1. The human heart: a well of death and deceit (v1-4)
2. The God of love: a fountain of life and light (v5-9)
3. From the depths of the well, drink from the fountain (v10-12)
The worst miscarriage of justice in history... which side were we on?
How do Jesus’ true people respond to the world’s hatred of him:
1. Rage against the wrong
2. Rouse the one who cares
3. Rejoice in the righteous God
A humiliating story... What king would so delight in sharing it?
1. Sing with the king: and share in God’s worth to Him (1-7)
2. Hear how to fear: and share in God’s love for Him (8-22)
Remembrance Sunday 2020
Readings: Deuteronomy 6:4–12, Luke 23:32-43
On memory...
1. We long for remembrance, because we are human
— Memory values our past
— Memory values our future
2. Our memories fail, because we are human
— Memory is a wonderful but finite gift
— God also gives us means to preserve our memory of himself
3. True hope lies in the one who remembers us
A ring or a noose?
Paul’s aim: pastoral wisdom, that frees us from anxiety
However you decide...
1. You are free
2. This world is dying
3. Life in it is difficult
4. So devote that life to Jesus
-
We can be very serious about getting away from The Lord
-
Our God is surprisingly resourceful
-
What greater sign could ever be given us?
How do we find contentment, in a world of disposable things?
In a broken world, it’s enough...
1. …to fight for Jesus’ faithfulness (v10-11)
• so don’t dispose of your marriage!
2. …to live in Jesus’ peacefulness (v12-16)
• so don’t devalue your marriage!
3. …to belong to a better master (v17-24)
• so don’t despise your freedom!
Good, better, best: a game of Spiritual Twister
A reassuringly complicated response
How do we “glorify God in our body”?
1. If God has given you marriage: make love, not prayers! (v1-7)
The command: a cross-shaped bedroom (v3-4)
The concession: a cautious exception (v5-6
Unwrap your own gift! (v7)
2. If God has given you independence: be wise about your weakness! (v8-9)
On the love of our bodies...
Christianity: an earthy, bodily religion.
1. What you’ve got wrong: Your life is more significant than you realise (12-14)
2. What you don’t know: Your relationships are more powerful than they feel (15-17)
3. What it means now: Your body is ‘you’, but not ‘yours’ (18-20)
— So flee...
— So glorify...
A tragedy: Christians who don’t know where they’ve come from, or where they are going.
How might we become non-verbal heretics?
1. What we tell the world
i. “We don’t believe in the last judgement”
– church is a place full of squabbles (v1-6)
ii. “We don’t believe in the cross”
– church is a place for the strong (v7-8)
2. What we tell ourselves
i. “We don’t believe in the last judgement”
– Jesus doesn’t care about wrong (v9-10)
ii. “We don’t believe in the cross”
– Jesus doesn’t know how to wash (v11)
The real scandal in Corinth:
-
One Corinthian disease, right through the letter
-
How do chapters 5 & 6 relate to it?
Dealing with sin in the church is hugely painful… so why bother?
1. Some real ‘judgement’: A loving heart (v1-5)
- For his sake: your love for the sinner demands it
2. Some real ‘knowledge’: A fresh start (v6-8)
- For your sake: the health of God’s temple demands it
3. Some real ‘spirituality’: A brotherly part (v9-13)
- For the world’s sake: the mission you share demands it
A paternity test…
1. When do we want our approval? (1-5)
– A true child of Paul…cares for Jesus’ ultimate verdict on his heart, not that of others now.
2. What do we think of as success? (6-18)
– A true child of Paul… boasts in nothing more or less than the message Paul was trusted with (6-7).
– A true child of Paul… is willing to “lose” now, knowing that everything they have, they received (8-13).
3. Where do we look for our examples? (14-21)
– A true child of Paul… follows his ways, not just his words.
First Reading: Mark 7:5-8
Second Reading: Amos 5:21-24
Third Reading: Hebrews 12:28–13:16
Sermon Notes:
When does worship make the heavens stink?
- When we barge in, filthy and proud
i. Liturgy
ii. Lives
When does worship make our Father smile?
- When the crucified one fills our lips and our love
i. Liturgy
ii. Lives
First Reading: Genesis 1:31-2:3
Second reading: Hebrews 3:12-4:11
-
Human souls need rest
-
Jesus gives rest to the weary
-
We rest in him through worship
[Please enjoy the sound of authentic Scottish seagulls, added into the background of this sermon at no extra cost.]
Stitching the fabric of creation back together…
-
A Joyful Gathering: At the heart of this universe is a joyful celebration.
-
An Aching Rift: That gathering is a dangerous place to be if you don’t belong.
-
A Spiritual Homecoming: God gives his lost children ways to come home.
Sermon Notes:
Turning the universe the right way round…
-
Glory demands worship (Ps 29)
-
Grace restores worship (Exod 7:16)
Sermon Notes:
A song for the times that praise doesn’t come naturally.
Two places to see God’s trustworthiness:
1) Creation (v4-9)
- You can trust God… because planets pour out of His mouth.
2) Providence (10-19)
- You can trust God… because your heart is stuck in His eye.
Sermon Notes:
-
Two perspectives on a death
-
What could God’s king see, that will help us respond with v23 & 24?
Three things that God holds in his hands:
Heavy souls (v5)
Human times (v15)
Hidden treasure (v19)
Redemption in three cups
-
The cup we couldn’t drink (Mark 10:35-45)
-
The cup he wouldn’t drink (Mark 15:22-39)
-
The cup all heaven will drink (Mark 14:17-25)
“The Cross he Bore” by Frederick Leahy is published by the Banner of Truth Trust. This is a wonderful little book of Easter meditations drawn on (and quoted from) under Mark 14:23.
Sermon note
4. Three little pigs built a church… (1 Cor 3:5-23)
God owns his church, and will judge how we build.
How should we think of our ministers?
- God’s little pigs are kindly put to work 5-9
What will become of our ministry?
- God’s little pigs will answer for how they build 10-17
Who should we boast in and build for?
- Our future comes from God, not his little pigs 18-23
-
The gospel is what saves us, and is what we continue in v1-7
-
The gospel is nothing to be ashamed of, but we will be shamed for it v8-14
-
The gospel leads to different responses, which will mean loss and cost v15-18
God doesn’t need us to be clever people, only cross-people
1. The symptom: 1:10-17
Competitive Christianity
2. The disease: 1:18-25
Forgetting what the cross says about Christians
3. The remedy:
i. Remember how cross-people boast 1:26-31
ii. Remember how cross-people trust 2:1-5
- Two promising reports (v1-8)
i. Their personal Godliness (v1-5, 8)
ii. The Power of the Gospel (v6-7)
- Two Prayer Requests (v9-14)
i. For knowledge that they would please the Lord Jesus (v9-10)
ii. For strength that they would persevere with joy (v11-14)
1. Just like everyone else 1 Cor 1:1-9
The most extraordinary of letters
The most ordinary of beginnings
Meet the Corinthians:
-
A church who saw each-other as winners and losers
-
…Who loved the things that made them feel like winners
-
…Who hated the things that made them feel like losers
• A christian life focussed on the future
• Paul and his cross-shaped example
Which explains why Paul begins with:
-
You’re just like everyone else… v1-3
-
Everything that makes you special was a gift… v4-7a
-
And you got it all for a reason. v7b-9 Lessons for an ordinary church?
And his name shall be called…
- Wonderful Counsellor Isaiah 9:1-7
On finding that ever-elusive Christmas Spirit v1-3
-
He lifts the weight off our hearts v4
-
He lifts the sword off our souls v5
-
He lifts the crown off our heads v6-7
A true King needs heavenly wisdom:
• He has a dark path to navigate
• He has a divine plan to unfold
• He has a deep problem to personalise
When the world seems overwhelming:
- God’s glory thunders from the heavens
a. summoning us in splendour v1-2
b. ridiculing all rivals v3-4
c. popping all pride v5-6
d. shaking the sheltered v7-9
- God’s grace thunders through the earth v10-11
Psalm 28: A Song in the Silence
When God seems silent…
- Hear him plead, in the face of foes (v1-5)
a. A humble howl
b. Regal revenge
- Hear him praise, in the company of friends (v6-9)
Psalm 27: An invitation to beauty
When the world is dark & fearful, stay your heart on the beauty of God
- How our Messiah clung to God’s beauty
a. He preached it to his heart v1-6
God’s beauty dazzles out the darkness (1-3)
God’s beauty crowds out earthly longings (4-6)
b. He pleaded for it with his Father v7-12
c. He proclaimed it to his people v13-14
- How to find what He found
Psalm 26: Trusting Feet
1-3 The king’s appeal lodged
4-7 The king’s evidence submitted
8-12 The king’s hope revealed
God vindicates…
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…every step that’s walked with him
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…every Sunday spent praising him
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…every soul that longs for him