• Love as the foundation for transformation

Acts 20:32

Application

Giving voice to our desires in prayer:-

1. Desires we know are contrary to God’s will
2. Desires which are unknown in relation to God’s will
3. Desires which are according to God’s will.

1. Top level issue – Kingdom entrance requirements
2. Underlying issue – will the path Jesus calls me to tread work out well for me?
3. The heart of the issue - Trust or fear?

The partnership of fear and sin

Three steps for dealing with fear:-

1. Name the fears
2. Any required action?
3. Hand them over to God

Next Week: Jesus’ promise of peace (John 14:27)

• Creating the conditions for spiritual flourishing
• Healthy habits

1. Introduction to a rule of life
2. A brief history of a rule of life
3. The benefits of a rule of life
4. The practices of a rule of life
5. Developing a rule of life
1. Start small.
2. Tailor to needs
3. Be flexible, review regularly.
4. Persevere.

Recommended resources

• Justin Earley; The common rule
• John Mark Comer; The ruthless elimination of hurry
• https://practicingtheway.org/practices/unhurry (Bridgetown Church)

• Paragon
• Pariah

• The proud self-confident heart
• The humble contrite heart

How does this speak into our lives today?

• Our need for a fundamental acceptance of grace
• Our need for an on-going reliance on grace
• Prayer
• Fasting
• Spiritual growth and vitality

God’s promises of justice (Isaiah 11:3-4; Isaiah 9:7)

A story to teach persisting in prayer for justice (Luke 18:1-8)

Next week Luke 18:9-14

1. The purpose of the disciplines of abstinenceGood desires become unhealthy desires when they master usNot asceticismWhat good gifts of God am I inclined to depend on in an unhealthy way?
2. The practice of the disciplines of abstinence (Fasting)So how does fasting benefit us spiritually?
1. Fasting reveals our true self
2. Fasting and prayer
3. Fasting strengths spiritual stamina and general self-discipline
4. Fasting and gratitude to God
5. Fasting recalibrates our posture to others/the world
6. Sustenance from God.

Recommended ResourcesThe Common Rule. Habits of purpose for an age of distraction. Justin W Earley.The Spirit of the Disciplines. Understanding how God changes lives. Dallas Willard. (Ch 9)

Next week Luke 18:1-14

1. Grace – Hope for the future
2. Grace – Help in the present

1. Government
2. Medical science

Introduction - Present pandemic context. 

1. Self at the centre (the idol of autonomy/self-determination)
1. Nothing new (Genesis 3) 
2. Accentuated by the spirit of our age (Western cultural individualism)
2. Our emotional reactions reveal our hearts
1. Sadness at loss of the ‘good’
2. Fear at the censure of others
3. Frustration at the selfishness of others
4. Resistance to the restrictions on my autonomy/freedoms.
3. Christ’s call to love others as well as self (Phil 2:3-8) 
4. Self-sacrificial love in practice
1. Understanding and attending to our own hearts
1. Grieving/Lamenting not grumbling 
2. Confessing our self-centred failures to love others 
2. Loving others who have a different point of view
1. Humbly pausing to listen with respect and patience to the other’s point of view
2. Not judging/condemning others but allowing room for difference of opinion on matters of conscience
3. Loving others through actions
1. Intentionally looking for ways to love/encourage others
5. The witness to the world of our self-sacrificial love

Next week – COVID & Thankfulness

1. The themes of isolation and community in the Bible’s story arc
   1. God’s judgment of isolation b) God’s grace of community
      • Our inclination towards hiddenness and isolation
2. Practical wisdom for building Christian community
   1. Developing depth in our friendships
      • The golden result
   2. Developing breadth of our friendships

1. Fundamental questions for a true self
   1. Who is God?
      • Our loving creator and redeemer
   2. Who are we?
      1. Created in God’s image
      2. Created as a unique person of wonder
      3. A mix of true and false self/identity
         • True identity – Jesus
         • Dying to self
2. Practical pathways to a true self
   1. Barriers to a true self
      1. Self-defense
      2. gnorance
      3. Fear
   2. Positive pathway to a true self
      1. Trust the God who loves us
      2.  Invite God to search and to show us
      3. Reflect on the insights of others

      4. Take note of the clues of false self

      5. Accepting and confessing our false selves

1. God will rebuke those who hinder others in their faith journey (1-2)
• No condemnation but accountability (2 Cor 5:10)
2. Christ calls us to rebuke and forgive those who sin against us (3-4)
3. God provides the strength and grace to live this out when we apply the faith we have (5-6)
4. Living this out is our duty and response to grace (7-10)

Next week: Luke 17:11-19

Discussion questions

What has helped you to engage with God’s Word in a transformative way?

Resources

• New Morning Mercies, Paul Tripp
• Ch 11, Scripture, The life you’ve always wanted; John Ortberg
• A praying life. Paul Miller. (see chapters on Listening to God and Journaling)
• Lectio Divina 

Discussion questions

• How can we grow our hearts to be more generous?
• What are some practical ideas as to how we could use our wealth strategically for God’s kingdom?

Next week: Spiritual Health - Scripture

1. The clash of 2 different religious belief systems (14:1-24)
2. The challenge to live ‘salty’ lives of impactful discipleship (14:25-35)

Chapter 15

1. An unhappiness with grace extended to sinners (15:1-2)
2. A window into God’s gracious heart and purposes (15:3-10)
1. God searches and pursues
2. God finds and brings home
3. God rejoices at saving the lost

Application

How in tune is my heart with God’s heart of grace?

Living ‘salty’ lives of impact will involve challenging our prejudices

Living in tune with God’s heart will bring deep joy.

Discussion questions

• What other barriers or prejudices stand in the way of us having a gracious missional heart like God?
• How can these parables encourage us to reach out to the lost?

Next week – Luke 15:11-32 (Tim Keller)

2 conditions for following Jesus:-

1. Loving Christ above all else (25-26)
2. Following Christ no matter what the cost (27-33)

• Counting the cost to see it through
• Cheap grace
• The choice of an impactful or ineffective life (34)

Discussion Questions

Can you think of ways in which we may avoid the cost of following Jesus? 

What benefits flow out of a choice to follow Jesus wholeheartedly? 

Next week – Luke 15:1-10

1. A Challenge to Quid pro quo (12-14)
2. A Parable to Shock the Presumptive (15-24)

Application

• How much do we see ourselves in need of grace?
• To what extent have our lives been transformed by grace?
• Measure of maturity
• Grace not Quid pro quo

Discussion questions

How can we better appreciate how God’s grace has operated in our lives?

What does it practically look like to live lives shaped more by grace than Quid pro quo?

Next week – Luke 14:25-35

1. Hurry, noise and distraction
2. Defeated weariness & cynicism
3. Independence & self-sufficiency

• The relationship of helpless children to their Father
• Dependence leading to trusting and asking
• Prayer is for all of life
• Not just asking from God but also walking with God
• Not just speaking with God but also listening to God

• Pray - ‘Just do it’!
• Time and place
• Morning and evening prayer 
• List/structure/cards/journal/prayer list.

Recommended books

• A Praying Life (Paul Miller)
• Disciplines of a godly young man. Kent Hughes. Ch 8 Discipline of prayer. 

Application

• Prayerfully and carefully consider your heart
• Embrace the path of humility

Discussion questions

Are there other factors in addition to pride that would hold nominal believers back from personally trusting in Christ? 

What are the disbenefits of nominal belief both in this present life and in eternity? 

Next week: Spiritual Health - Prayer

Application

1. Are you personally trusting in Christ as your saviour?
2. Are you as compassionate and concerned for nominal believers as Christ is?

Discussion questions

• What factors hold nominal believers back from personally trusting in Christ? 
• What are the disbenefits of nominal belief both in this present life and in eternity? 
• What does it practically look like to have a loving compassionate heart for nominal believers like that of Jesus? 

Next week – Luke 14:1-11

• Acts of Mercy on the Sabbath

Application

• The danger of missing the kingdom of God
• People don’t truly know the message of the gospel.
• The danger of a powerless kingdom of God
• Over- and under-realised eschatology.
• Weariness and cynicism

Next week – Luke 13:22-35

1. The Habit of Jesus – Unhurriedness / Slowness
2. The Cost of Hurry-Sickness
• Damages Love
• Quenches Joy
• Dispels Peace
• Fosters Superficiality
3. Signs of Hurry-Sickness
4. The Cultivating of Slowness

Practical ideas

• Wait for green man at pedestrian crossing
• Walk don’t drive
• Keep to the speed limit
• Get in the slow lane and watch the scenery
• Obey the law of phone use whilst driving
• Stand in the longest line at the grocery store
• Set time and time limit for social media (or just get off it)
• Parent phones
• Regularly take time alone for solitude and silence
• Take up journaling
• Make time for meditation

What did Jesus come to do? 

1. Jesus brings the fire of God’s judgement on the last day (49)

Why would Jesus long for that day? 

• Destruction and renewal
• The renewal of the creation (Romans 8:19-21)
• The settling of injustices (Revelation 8:10)

2. Jesus bears the fire of God’s Judgement on the cross (50)

• The cost to Jesus is incalculable. 
• Driven by love not vindictiveness 

3. Jesus brings division based on people’s response to him (51-53)
4. Respond rightly to the evidence concerning Jesus (54-59)

• Settle out of God’s court prior to the day of God’s judgement (57-59)

Conclusion

• Faith in Christ
• Faith in Christ’s judgment

Next Week — Luke 13:1-9

Are you ready? 

• Being ready for Christ’s return
• The danger of becoming sleepy
• The challenge - be ready (35-36)
• A reason to be ready – the master’s commendation and celebration (37-38).
• The difficulty of being ready – constant readiness (39-40)

Evaluation of stewardship. Four possible scenarios (42-48). 

1. Consistently Faithful (42-43)
2. Totally unfaithful (45-46)
3. Disobedient with knowledge (47)
4. Disobedient with ignorance (48)

• The principle – the more known, the more will be expected (48b)

Next week – Luke 12:49-59

1. Theology of Sabbath
1. Celebrating God’s goodness in Creation (Exodus 16)

• Three principles of the Sabbath (Exodus 16:23)
• God’s ‘rest’ – delight in what he has made (Exodus 20:11)

2. Celebrating and anticipating God’s goodness in Redemption (Deuteronomy  5:12-15).

• God calls us to rest and enjoy the liberation he brings. 
• God’s promised Sabbath rest is ultimately in the new creation (Hebrews 4:8-9)

2. Practice of Sabbath

1. Preparation
2. When?
3. What?

Reading resources. 

Sabbath. Dan Allender

The ruthless elimination of hurry. John Mark Comer. 

The doctrine of the Christian life. John Frame. (Ch 28-30)

Sacred Rhythms. Ruth Haley Barton. Ch 8. 

Next week – Luke 12:35-48

• No excuse to be lazy
• Worrying achieves nothing (25)
• We worry because we don’t trust God (28)
• We worry because we act as if we are God
• The antidote to fear - Faith in our faithful God
• Faith and fear are inversely proportional

2. Live for God’s kingdom and trust God to provide (29-34)

• Invest in eternity through lives of radical love and generosity

Next week – Spiritual Health: Sabbath

Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed!

• Greed destroys our eternal perspective

A tragic story of a man blinded by greed

• Self-centredness
• Proud thanklessness
• Self-indulgence

The twist in the tale – ‘You fool’

Being rich towards God

• Trusting Jesus for Eternal Riches (Eph 1:7, 1 Peter 1:3-4)
• Serving Jesus with our Whole Lives

Wisdom for guarding against greed

• Don’t be lovers of money but lovers of God and people (Prov 11:28)
• Don’t hoard selfishly but give generously.
• Don’t be presumptuous but thankful (1 Tim 4:4).
• Don’t be greedy but be content (Heb 13:5)

Next week – Luke 12:22-34

Further Reading - Beyond Greed, Brian Rosner

1. Woe to those who opt for legalism rather than obeying God’s word (46). 
2. Woe to those with hearts that rebel against God’s Word (47-51)
3. Woe to whose false teaching prevents people hearing the gospel (52)

Closing reflections

1. The challenge to those in Christian leadership
2. The ever-present danger of legalism
3. The gospel delivers us from dry dreary religion/legalism

Next week: Luke 12:1-12

• The difference between busyness and hurry-sickness. 
• Church survey results
• Soul habits of Jesus; regular times of solitude and silence. 

1. The Purpose of Solitude and Silence.
1. Solitude
   1. Listening to God
   2. Listening to our souls
2. Silence
2. The Practice of Solitude and Silence.
   1. Practicing Solitude
      1. Regular solitude
      2. Extended solitude
   2. Practicing Silence
      1. External silence
      2. Internal silence

Next week: Luke 11:45-54

• What is hypocrisy?

1. 1. The Debilitating Effects of Hypocrisy
      • Background on the Pharisees
      • The OT significance of ceremonial hand-washing
        1. Skewed priorities – Giving money but not loving God or caring for people (42)
        2. Skewed priorities – Valuing people’s praise more than God’s praise (43)
        3. Woeful Effect – the contamination of others (44)
   2. The Healing Work of the Gospel

1. 1. 1. The gospel gives us a new heart and the indwelling Holy Spirit. 
      2. The gospel enables us to view life in its proper perspective.

         Because we are secure in God’s unconditional love, the gospel:-

1. 1. 1. 1. frees us to be honest about ourselves and our sin
         2. frees us from people-pleasing 

Next week: Spiritual Health — Solitude and Silence

• Prayer and Confession

Next week: Luke 11:37-44

1. From shame to acceptance

• • The doctrine of adoption
  • Christ’s security in his Father’s love

2. From acceptance to commissioning

• • Speaking in threes!
    • Looking back before we can look forward
    • Chosen for a purpose

Resources

Shame interrupted. Ed Welch. 

Next week: Luke 11:27-36

Shame in the Bible

1. In the beginning…no shame
2. The introduction of sin and shame
• OT predictions of the shamed Servant King
3. Jesus - The king of shame
1. Shameful origins
2. Shameful region
3. Shameful associations
4. Shameful treatment at the hands of others. 
4. The cure for guilt and shame
1. Guilt
2. Shame

Resources. 

Shame interrupted. Ed Welch.

Next week: Luke 10:48-52 – Spiritual health: A problem and a solution

Next week: Luke 11:5-13

1. Revelation to the humble and unimpressive (21)
2. Revelation of the Father through the Son (22)

The privilege of witnessing the coming of God’s kingdom (23)

Mission Organisations (Click link to visit webpage)

1. Australian Presbyterian World Mission
2. SIM Australia
3. CMS Australia

Reactions to Jesus and his call into his kingdom:-

1. Outright rejection of following Jesus (52-56)
2. Poorly thought-through commitment – failing to count the cost of following Jesus (57-58)
3. Procrastinating commitment; delaying the decision to follow Jesus until the ‘right time’ (59-60)
4. Indecisive commitment; hanging on to the old life whilst still following Jesus (61-62)

Next week – Luke 10:1-16

Additional resources:

The gospel comes with a house key. (Rosaria Butterfield) 

Side by Side (Ed Welch) 

Extraordinary hospitality for ordinary people (Carolyn Lacey)

Next week – Luke 9:51-62

Benefits of embracing God’s Word

1. Life
2. Wisdom
3. Joy
1. Our response to God’s voice in his Word (11-14)

1. Church
2. Family
3. Individually

The forgiven sinner/the unrighteous made righteous (Ps 32)

How should the unrighteous made righteous now live?

1. Character (2a)
2. Speech (2b)
3. Integrity (4b)
4. Values (4a)

Next week: Psalm 16

• Not stupid
• Not mistaken
• Based on an alternative faith conviction

2. Everybody starts life with a proud independent spirit that rejects the rule of the true God (2-3). 
3. Through the gospel and the Spirit God drives folly out of our hearts

• The folly of the gospel (1 Corinthians 1)

Next week: Psalm 15 & 16

Christmas Day: God is working out his plan (Luke 2:1-7)

The Promise of a Crusher (Genesis 3:15)

1. The longing for someone to crush the effects of the rebellion
2. The longing for someone to crush the father of the rebellion
3. The longing for someone to crush the penalty of rebellion
4. The longing for someone to crush the rebellion in our own hearts

Next week: Arrival – the Prophet Comes (Deuteronomy 18:15-22)

1. The journey (12)
2. The commission (13)
3. The rejection (14)
4. The return (15-27)

1. The servants (15-26)
1. The faithful will be rewarded (16-19)
2. The unfaithful will be punished (20-26)
2. The enemies (27)

Next week – Tim Keller – Identity

Public wealth warning

1. Two Men
2. Two Destinies
3. Five brothers

Application

1. The danger of loving money
2. The opportunity of investing in people’s eternity

1. The theory of love (25-28)
2. The practice of love (29-35)
3. The challenge of love (36-37)
1. Primary purpose – to call self-righteous sinners to faith in Christ
2. Secondary purpose – to call God’s people to lives of love

What does true love of others look like?

• Active not passive
• Sacrificial not shallow
• Indiscriminate not selective
• Holy Spirit assisted

1. ‘You know and I don’t’ (Trusting God’s wise governance)
1. The inanimate order (Ch 38)
2. The moral order (40:9-14)
3. The animate order (Ch 39 & 40:15-41:34)
• Response – submitting not questioning
2. ‘I owe and you don’t’ (Acknowledging God’s gracious provision)
• The grace-based heart
• The works-based heart
• Response – trusting not turning

Next week: Freedom (Tim Keller)

Next week: How can I bridge the chasm between myself and God? (Job 9)

• The sinful nature
• Satan

• The wisdom of God’s word
• The Spirit of God’s Son

1. Identify the lies
2. Marshal the truth
3. Reflect on the gospel of God’s grace
4. Draw on our relationship with Christ
5. Journal. (digital password secured)
6. Enlist the support of others
7. Eliminate Satan’s footholds
8. Set our eyes on the prize

Next week: Meaning (Tim Keller)

1. The Paragon of Gentleness (Jesus)
• A time for harsh words?
• Gentleness as integral to redemption
2. The Power of Gentleness
1. The power to persuade people
2. The power to flourish relationships
• The church community
• Effective Christian leadership
• Authority relationships
3. The Growth of Gentleness (proper self-restraint)
1. Humility (proper self-regard)
2. Security in the Lord (proper God-regard)

Next week: Self-control

1. Goodness
2. Unchanging nature

1. Creation
2. Redemption

Growing in faithfulness towards God and others

1. Faithfulness in temptation – trusting that God’s way is best
2. Faithfulness in trial – trusting that God uses all situations for our good

Next week: Gentleness

1. God’s moral perfection
2. God’s undeserved generosity (grace)
1. Common grace
2. Redemptive grace

1. Role – Be good
2. Action - Do good

1. Beware growing weary of goodness.
2. Be more attentive to God’s goodness
1. Thankfulness for God’s goodness in everyday life
2. Thankfulness for God’s goodness in salvation

• Repentance/prayer

Next week: Faithfulness

1. Kindness defined
1. Hesed
2. Chrestos
2. Kindness lived out
1. Words of kindness

   Cruel to be kind?

2. Deeds of Kindness
1. Kindness to God’s people — Sheep and the goats
2. Kindness to all people
3. Kindness to our enemies

• Kindness is costly
• Proactive not reactive
• A supernatural work - pray

Next week:Goodness and Faithfulness

Resources: Generous Justice – Tim Keller

How do we grow in patience?

The starting point — Patience with God

The value of patience — the path to spiritual growth

The definition of patience — suffering without retaliation

1. Path to patience with God
1. Dethrone our idols.
2. Deepen trust in God’s Lordship
2. Path to patience with others
1. Remember God’s patience with us
2. Remember God’s sovereignty over us
3. Pray to the Spirit
4. Consider practical wisdom

Next week: Kindness

• The story that our hearts long for

1. The joy of true purpose – a loving relationship with the Godhead
2. The joy of wholehearted obedience and service to Christ
3. The Joy in loving Christ’s people
4. The joy of helping other Christians to grow
5. The joy of people coming to know Christ
6. The joy in our own spiritual growth
1. Present salvation - Refining our faith
2. Future salvation - Strengthening our hope

The value of anticipation

The stability of a joy anchored outside of this world

Taking time to perceive God’s work in us and around us

Next week: Peace

Our innate desire for love

1. What is love?
1. Love in our world
2. Love in the Bible (Agape)
2. The Storyline of Love in the Bible

1. Design – Made for Love
1. The Logos and Love
2. The Law and Love
2. Fall - Disordered Loves

Why is growing in love unattractive?

Why is growing in love desirable?

3. Redemption - Restoration to Love
4. Consummation – The end goal of perfect Love.

How do we grow in love?

1. Reflect on the love of God demonstrated through Christ on the cross
2. Choose to love, no matter what the cost

Next week: Joy

• Same events, different emphasis
• Different time horizons

1. Evil will flourish and God’s people will suffer (Chapter 11)
• 4th – 2nd Century BC (11:1-35)
• The Antichrist? (11:36-45)
2. God’s kingdom will come and God’s people will be vindicated (12:1-4)

Universal resurrection

• No oblivion
• All will not necessarily be well

Application

• ‘Go on our way’ – get on with life
• Live for the kingdom
• Look forward to vindication and justice
• Look forward to our rest and reward

• Structure of Chapters 10-12

Principles

1. The spiritual forces of good and evil are real
2. The evil spiritual forces are active in our world
3. The evil spiritual forces are committed to oppose God
4. The evil spiritual forces hate us because God loves us
5. The evil spiritual forces can hurt us but they can’t win

Application

1. Don’t underestimate (or overestimate!) the reality of evil forces
2. Don’t underestimate the power of God
3. Don’t underestimate the victory of Jesus

Next week – Daniel 11-12

1. Daniel’s request to God (1-19)
• Confession (4-14)
• Request (15-19)
• Are we praying through God’s declared promises and purposes?
2. God’s response to Daniel (20-27)

Conclusion

• Redemption is God’s long game
• Beware the culture of the instant

Next week – Daniel 10

Resources:

Third Vision Timeline

Link between chapters 7 & 8

1. A Slice of Brutal World History
1. Ram with two horns
2. Goat with big horn
3. Four new horns
4. And another horn
• Invades the Land
• Attacks the Sanctuary
• Kills God’s People
• Opposes God

The fulfilment - Antiochus the IV

2. The Pattern of Brutal World History
1. The rise of brutal people who afflict God’s people
2. The fall of brutal people who afflict God’s people

Application

1. The wisdom of a humble spirit that acknowledges God
2. To be Forewarned is to be Forearmed

Next week – Daniel 9

Characteristics of the 4th kingdom

1. Blasphemy
2. Persecution of God’s people

Who are the beasts?

Is there a progressive improvement in human society over time?

2. The Lord will install his perfect eternal ruler
3. The Lord will extend the rule and glory to his people

Next week – Daniel 8

Further listening: Tim Keller - Hope in times of fear 

Tips in Daniel’s school of prayer

1. Establishing prayer as a healthy habit
2. Include both thanksgiving and request
3. Pray for the big picture – God’s kingdom and purposes

• God’s purpose – not to save Daniel from trials but through trials
• Vindication for Daniel; retribution for his enemies
• The conclusion of the matter

Next week – Daniel 7

• Theological text – not historical chronology
• Leap of 23 years
• Grandson, not son
• Historical reliability of Daniel 5

• Babylon under attack
• The hand
• The meaning
• The interpretation
• The reason for the judgment

• Chapter 2 & Chapter 5
• Chapter 4 & Chapter 5 as a pair.
• The writing is on the wall.
• Weighing our lives in the balance.
• Humble gratitude

Next week – Daniel 6

Conclusion

1. Why does God exalt the humble?
2. Godly and ungodly contentment
3. True and false humility

Next week – Daniel 5

Application

• Becoming less risk-averse for God

• Symbolic imagery
• Chronology

The Judgments of God

1. The Character of God
   • Holy and Just
   • Loving and merciful
2. The Response of Humanity
• The refusal to repent
• The call to stay awake

Resurrection Sunday – The Lamb and the Scroll (Revelation 5)

2 dangers

• Loss of perspective
• Misguided expectations

Good Friday – The Plagues and the Bowls of Wrath (Revelation 16)

1. The Demand of Idols

• Pressurising factors
• Voice of reason and rationalisation 

Application:

• Identifying our idols

2. The Response of Faith

• Confidence in the power of God (17)
• Submission to the will of God — ‘But even if he does not…’ (18)

Application:

• Wonky Christian theology today
• God was not there for me
• The path of idolatry – I must have....
• The path of faith – I would like to have…. ‘but even if he does not..’

Next week: Daniel 3:19-30

Further resources: Identifying Idols

1. Jesus’ kingdom is confrontational
2. Jesus’ kingdom grows gradually

Live for the kingdom

Next week: Daniel 3:1-18

1. Jesus’ kingdom is confrontational
2. Jesus’ kingdom grows gradually

Live for the kingdom

Next week: Daniel 3:1-18

When the world’s certainties are exposed as empty.

2. The deep security of knowing the one who holds the future

The difference it makes:-

1. Confidence
2. Praise
3. Humility

Next week: Daniel 2:28b-49

1. Draw a line in the sand
2. Start early/be faithful in little things
3. Proceed graciously and wisely
4. Remember God honours those who honour him

Next week: Daniel 2

1. Grieve and lament the tragedy
2. Remember God is still in control
3. Remember God will win in the end
• Remember what happens to Babels
• Remember the exiled God

Next week: Daniel 1

Next week: James 5:12-20

Next week: James 4:13-5:11

Next week: James 4:1-12

1. The Danger of a Dead faith (14-20)
1. Mere words (14-17)
2. Mere belief (18-20)
2. The Importance of a Living faith (21-26)

2 examples of faith and works

1. Abraham, the Jewish patriarch (21-24)
2. Rahab, the Gentile prostitute (25-26)

Next week: James 3

A difficult situation

1. Please
1. Calling on the Lord
2. The character of the Lord
3. Trusting in the Lord
2. Thank You
1. Praying
2. Serving

Next week: Praise the Lord (Psalm 150)

Discrimination is ugly

1. Discrimination is a big danger (1-4)
• The command (1)
• An example (2-4)
2. Discrimination is a big deal (5-13)
1. Ignoring God’s perspective (5-7)
• The poor (5-6a)
• The rich (6b-7)
2. Breaking God’s law (8-13)
• The law of love (8-9)
• The whole law (10-11)
• The law in judgement (12-13)

Further reading:Tim Chester: Good News to the Poor (2004).Timothy Keller: Generous Justice (2012).

1. Receive the word of truth (19-21)
• The planted-in word
• The lived-out word
2. Be doers not just hearers (22-27)
• The hearer only (22-24)
• The doer also (25)
• Control the tongue (26)
• Help the needy (27a)
• Don’t be worldly (27b)

Next Week: James 2:1-13

• In trials, rejoice in God’s purpose (2-4)
• In trials, pray for God’s wisdom (5-8)

This week

1. In trials, remember God’s assessment (9-11)
2. In trials, trust in God’s goodness (12-18)

Next Week: James 1:19-27

Next Week: James 1:9-18

1. The final judgment (20:10-15)
2. God’s new creation (21:1-22:6) The new creation is the fulfilment of all God’s promises
• Land
• Blessing (peace and prosperity)
• Perfect relationship
• with God
• With each other
• The eternal rule of the great king

1. Faith is looking forward to what God has promised
• Christian faith is having confidence in God’s promises for the future and letting this confidence shape our whole lives in the present.
2. Faith is trusting in God who has made the promises to be faithful.
• Lives of victory
• Lives of defeat
• The call to live by faith and not be thrown off course by sin and opposition (12:1-3)

Application

• Living in the light of eternity

Next Week:  The New Creation (Revelation 20:11-22:6)

1. Better covenant
2. Better sacrifice

Application

• Privilege of being a New Testament believer
• A privilege lost in translation?

Next Week:  Living by faith (Hebrews 10:19-12:4)

Further resources

1. God’s word from the past – a serious warning (3:7-11)
2. God’s word in the present – an earnest appeal (3:12-19)
3. God’s word for the future – a dependable promise (4:1-13)

Application

• 4:11
• 3:12-13

Discussion question

• Share with someone what God has said to you today through his word

Next Week: The Perfect Sacrifice (Hebrews 8:1-10:18)

Further resources

1. Christ is Supreme Lord Over All (15-18)
1. Over creation (15-17)
2. Over the Church (18)
2. Christ is Sufficient Saviour For All (19-20)
1. In his person (God with us – the incarnation) (19)
2. In his work (God for us – the atonement) (20)

Implications

Further resources

Next Week:  Persevering to the End (Hebrews 3-4)

The issue at hand:-

1. It is not about how to become a Christian but how to continue as a Christian.
2. It does not involve explicitly denying Jesus but subtly adding to the gospel about him.
3. The addition to the gospel is observance of God’s law

1. It is faith alone and not God’s Law that justifies us before God (3:1-18)
1. Personal Experience – Faith was the means by which they received the Holy Spirit initially. (3:1-5).
2. Salvation History – Faith is the response that God has wanted from the beginning (3:6-14).
3. Everyday life – the promise of an inheritance in a will (3:15-18).
2. God’s Law exposes our need for Jesus (3:19-25)

Pick and choose?

Next: Firstborn from the Dead (Colossians 1:3-29)

1. John prepares the way for the Messiah (John’s ministry)
1. Reminds people of their need for the Messiah
1. Baptism (washing)
2. Repentance (turning)
2. Reminds people of what the Messiah will be like
1. Incomparably great
2. Save and judge
2. Jesus is the Spirit-anointed true Son of God (Jesus’ baptism)
1. The Spirit-anointed King in the line of David (Isaiah 11)
2. The true Son of God
• Jesus is the true Adam who establishs a new sinless humanity (Romans 5:19)
• Jesus is the true Israel who establishes a new chosen people (Ex 19:5-6; cf 1 Peter 2:9)

Discussion questions

• What aspect of Jesus’ saving work as Messiah stood out to you today and why?

Next week: Justified by Faith (Galatians 3:1-29)

The state of affairs at the start of Nehemiah’s govenorship

• Back in the land but no prosperity, no peace, no king

The spiritual reform of the people

• God’s law is read (8:1-18)
• The people confess their sin (9:1-3)
• The people vow to follow God’s law (10:28-39)
• Separate themselves from God’s enemies
• Not marrying pagan people
• Honouring the Sabbath
• Attending to God’s temple and priesthood

The state of affairs at the close of the OT

• The power of sin
• Condemnation under the covenant through Moses

The need for God’s initiative

• The new covenant
• The king in the line of David

Next week: Fulfilment begins (Luke 3:1-4 :13)

Who is the rescuing servant of the Lord (Is 42:1-7)

• Nation of Israel?
• Cyrus (Is 42-48)?
• Jesus (Luke 4:17-21)

4 servant songs (Is 42:1-7; 49:1-9a; 50:4-9; 52:13-53:12)

How will the sin of God’s people be paid for (Is 40:1)?

The suffering servant (Isaiah 52:13-53:12)

1. God’s promised servant will suffer
   • Suffering - Mental/spiritual/physical/death
2. God’s promised servant will suffer as a substitute
   • Totally innocent
   • Truly human
   • Divinely punished
   • Completely willing
3. God’s suffering servant will succeed.
   • Raised to life
   • Exalted to rule

Next week:After Babylon (Nehemiah 1, 4-5, 9-10, 13)

The despair of the exiles (27)

The trajectory of judgment and hope

• What God will do (1-11)
• The God who will do it (12-26)
• Incomparable greatness (12-20)
• Incomparable wisdom (13-14)
• Incomparable power (18-24)
• Idols
• People

Application

Wait in hope (27-31)

• Trust in the unfathomable wisdom of God (Rom 11; 2 Cor 1)

Next week:The Suffering Servant (Isaiah 52:13-54:17)

In what way will God comfort his people?

1. The Lord will forgive his people (1-2)
2. The LORD will come in glory (3-5)
3. The LORD will keep his word (6-8)
4. The LORD will shepherd his flock (9-11)

Further resources

Next week:Isaiah 40:12-31

God pledges to deal with 3 more barriers to his blessing:

1. Sin - God will cleanse his people from their sin (36:16-38)
2. Death - God will bring his people back to life (37:1-14)
3. Division - God will reunite his people under one king (37:15-28)

Why will God save his people?

• For the honour of his name (36:16-23)

Who can save God’s people?

• Only God

Discussion questions

• Which of these Ezekiel prophecies do you find most encouraging/exciting and why?
• How could you become more orientated towards seeking God’s glory and honour above all else?

Further resources

The Faith/Christ/Grace alone series from July 22 – July 29.

Next week: The Great Rescuer (Isaiah 40)

God’s pledge to deal with the obstacles to his blessing

1. God’s pledge to deal with his peoples enemies without (35:1-36:15)
2. God’s pledge to deal with his people’s enemies within (34:1-34; 37:25-31)

Conclusion

• The good shepherd
• Final Judgement

Next week: A solution to sin and death (Ezekiel 36:16 – 37:28)

Resources:

Overview

1. The Promise – A second exodus rescue from slavery (9:1-2; 11:11-16)
• Darkness to light (9:1-2)
• Exile to return (11:11-16)
2. The Goal – A full reversal of the fall in a renewed creation (9:3-5; 11:6-9)
3. The Means – A great King who will fulfil the Davidic Covenant (9:6-7; 11:1-5)

Conclusion

• The thrust of the promises relate to life then, not life now.
• What Jesus will achieve for us – a renewed creation.
• It has to be a work of God, not man.

Next week: The Shepherd (Ezekiel 34:1 – 36:15)

1. Judah’s Exile - Phase 1 (2 Kings 24)
• Kings
• Prophets
2. Ezekiel’s vision (Ezekiel 8-11)
• Judah’s idolatry (Ezekiel 8)
• God’s judgment on Judah’s Idolatry (Ezekiel 9-11)
• The 3 D’s 
3. Judah’s Exile - Phase 2 (2 Kings 25)

• The remnant

• What has impacted you from this episode of the unfolding Bible salvation story line?

Next The Prince of Peace - Isaiah 9 & 11

• The split of the kingdom

3. The sinfulness of the northern kingdom & its consequences (2 Kings 17)

• The exile of the northern kingdom.

4. The state of the covenant by the time of 2 Kings 17

• Sin & judgment.
• God’s sovereignty

• What has struck you from today’s sermon?
• What aspect of God’s character have you been reminded of today?
• How does this sermon inform your view of the way God works?

Next week The Glory Departs  (2 Kings 24-25 & Ezekiel 8-10)

Discussion questions

• What impacted you from today’s sermon? 
• In what ways has 2 Samuel 7 sharpened your understanding of what Jesus came to do?

1. People: This is a psalm for the brokenhearted
• David’s experience
• Jesus’ experience The Bible speaks into our situation
2. Purpose: This psalm urges the brokenhearted to turn to the Lord
• David’s experience
• Jesus’ experience To whom or to what are we turning?
3. Promise: This psalm assures us of the Lord’s help and rescue if we do so
• The Lord promises help and strength for today
• The Lord promises rescue for his new world The catch: sorrow for sin as well as sorrow for suffering?

Next: God’s King and the Promise (2 Samuel 7)

1. The Rise of the Kingship (1 Samuel 8)
Role of the king:-
• Lead the people in the paths of covenant faithfulness.
• Federal head of the people (representative)
• Lead the people in war and bring victory over their enemies
2. The Fall of the King (1 Samuel 15)
• The failure of Saul
• The quest for the right king

Next: God’s King and the Promise (2 Samuel 7)

Overview

1. The Covenant Summary (Leviticus 26)
The development of the promises to Abraham. If Israel obeys:-
• Blessing/Relationship/Land/Great nation
• The link between the Covenant with Abraham & Moses
2. The Covenant Breach (Numbers 13-14)
• Is this the end?

Conclusion

• Sin the central problem
• God’s patience with sin is not inexhaustible
• I can see clearer now… Heaven and Hell

Discussion Questions

• How should these chapters impact our view of what God has done for us in Jesus?
• What has been your main take-away from the sermon today?

Next week: The Rise of the Monarchy (1 Samuel 8 & 15)

But how can the problem of sin be dealt with?

1. Mediator
2. Atonement
1. Cleansing sin through blood
2. Removing sin through a scapegoat

What does the Day of Atonement achieve?

• How has the Day of Atonement helped you to appreciate more deeply what Christ achieved for us through this death on the cross? 

Next week Leviticus 26 & Numbers 13-14

Discussion Questions

• Which aspects of God’s character (love or justice) do you lean towards and why?
• What would be the benefits of praying for God to show more of his glory to you/our church?

Next week: Leviticus 26 – The sacrificial system

Overview

Hittite treaty format

1. Preamble – principal party identified himself
2. Review of the preceding history of the relationship between the king and vassal
3. How the relationship was to continue. Mutual faithfulness to the conditions agreed
4. Specific stipulations/conditions
5. God’s of both parties invoked
6. Blessing and curses

Implications

• Law in the context of grace
• Responsibilities and privileges
• The Law as a means of witness
• The peril of breaking the Law

Next week: Exodus 32-34 – The Golden Calf

• Revelation through words and action

1. God is the Mighty Judge
2. God is the Mighty Rescuer

ApplicationWhat we learn of God.

1. Mighty God
2. Jealous God
3. Just God

Next week At Mount Sinai - Exodus 19-20 & 24

1. God has set a day of judgment for all people (31a)
   1. The day is in the diary
   2. The judge has been appointed
   3. The judgment will be just
   4. The world is in the dock
2. God has given proof of this by raising Jesus from the dead (31b)
   1. Jesus’ resurrection proves that his claims about judgment are true
   2. Jesus’ resurrection proves that all will be raised
3. God now commands all people everywhere to repent (30b)
   1. We must repent of idolatry
   2. We must all repent
   3. We are commanded to repent

Conclusion

3 reactions.

• Some mock
• Some want to hear more
• Some believe

The human tendency towards thanklessness

1. The tedious tendency to un-thankfulness

Case study - Israel

1. A failure to trust & thank God in hard times – Israel in the desert.
2. A failure to remember and thank God in good times – Israel in the land.

2. The healing habit of thankfulness

Discussion questions

• How could you cultivate a spirit of thankfulness to God? 
• What would help you to ‘give thanks to God in all circumstances’, even hard ones?

Further readingSix ways to cultivate thankfulness and joy.

Overview

Action + Explanation = Revelation.

God’s self-revelation in Exodus; speech and action

What’s in a name (YHWH – Jehovah)?

What is God revealing about himself?

1. God is who he is (transcendent)
2. God’s nature is revealed by his actions
3. God is the rescuing God
4. God is the mighty judge

Application

• Trusting in the revelatory purposes of God in hardship
• Growing in the knowledge of God as he has revealed himself

Discussion questions

• What has God said to you from his Word today?
• What would help you have a more balanced knowledge of God’s character?

Further readingKnowing God, J I Packer. (Tip. Start at part 2 ‘Behold your God’).

Overview

• The cycle of sin, judgment & grace

1. God’s Rescue Plan – a Reversal of the Fall
   • The cycle of sin, judgment & grace
   1. Blessing
   2. Land
   3. Relationship
   4. People
2. Abram’s Response of Faithful Obedience
   1. Faith is trusting God even when it’s scary
   2. Faith is living the light of the unseen future
   3. Faith is trusting God against all odds 

When we respond in faith, God guarantees that his promises will be fulfilled

Next week: Exodus:2-6 — I am who I am

Overview

• Rebellion against God spreads - murder (Gen 4)
• Death now comes to all (Gen 5).

1. Sin leads to judgment
   1. Sin is thought before it is deed.
   2. Sin grieves God.
   3. Sin moves God to judgment
   4. God’s judgment is on the whole creation.
2. Grace leads to rescue
   1. Salvation is from God’s judgment on sin.
   2. Salvation is God’s initiative
   3. Salvation depends on a right response.
   4. Salvation is for a new beginning
3. But the problem remains

Application

1. We can’t fix the world.
2. A warning issued – be ready.

Discussion questions

• What stood out to you today concerning sin and judgment?
• What did you find noteworthy about God’s grace and rescue?

Further Reading:

“Was this an Act of God? Christian reflections upon the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami”, Rev Richard Coekin. “How Long O Lord?”, Don Carson.“If I were God, I’d end all the pain” (Struggling with evil, suffering and faith), John Dickson.

Next week: Turning Point – Genesis 12 & 15 

Overview

1. Things as they were supposed to be (Genesis1-2)
   1. God is the powerful creator of all things
   2. God’s creation was very good
   3. God is the ruler of his creation
2. Things are not as they were supposed to be (Genesis 3)
   1. The contours of humanity’s rebellion
      1. Doubting God’s goodness
      2. Rejecting God’s word and his rule
      3. Wanting to be like God
      4. Reversing God’s creation order
   2. The consequences of humanity’s rebellion
      1. Creation is cursed
      2. Relationships are ruined
      3.  Death is introduced
3. The hint that everything’s not lost (Gen 3 :15)

Application

1. Understanding God as he really is
2. Appreciating the nature of humanity’s sin
3. Understanding the consequences of humanity’s sin

Discussion questions

• In what way has your view of God been changed by Genesis 1-3 today?
• How may that impact your life?
• How has Genesis 1-3 helped you better understand the world we live in?

Further Reading: Cornelius Plantinga Jr. Sin: Not the way it’s supposed to be.

The questions of life – our origins, purpose, the future and God

1. The Revelation of God’s Plan
2. The Goals of God’s Plan
   1. For his Son (Jesus) to reign supreme
   2. For his people to enjoy blessing
   3. For his glory to shine radiantly 
3. The Span of God’s Plan
   • From eternity past through to eternity future.

How to understand the bible

1. The Bible is the story of God’s redemption plan
2. The Bible is all about Jesus

4. The Importance of Understanding God’s Plan

Application

1. Our prayer for this series
2. Do we really understand what God is like and what he is doing?
3. It’s not all about me
4. Confidence in God’s plan

Discussion questions

• What is one thing that has stood out to you today concerning God and his plan?
• What may that mean for your life?

Next week– The Rise and Fall (Genesis 1-3)

 Does your Christian life have a healthy rhythm?  

1. Praise (1-12)
   1. Praise the LORD who rescues (1-6)
      • Giving thanks
      • For wonderful deeds
      • In song
   2. Praise the LORD who rules (7-12)
      • Judges the world in righteousness
      • Stronghold for his oppressed people
2. Prayer (13-20)
   1. Pray for fresh deliverance(13-14)
   2. Pray for final judgment (15-20)

Next week – Psalm 12

• Rome at last (11-16)
• Gospel message proclaimed (17-23)
• Gospel resistance explained (24-29)
• Gospel ministry maintained (v30-31)
• A ministry enhanced by hardship:-
  1. Enriched (Phil 4:12-13)
  2.  Expanded (Phil 1:12-13; 4:22)
  3. Authenticated (Phil 1:14; Eph 4:1)