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