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1v18-25 God’s weak and foolish wisdom - the Cross 1v26-31 God’s weak and foolish choice - the Corinthians and us 2v1-5 God’s weak and foolish leaders - proclaiming Christ and him crucified

The people - watching The rulers - scoffing The soldiers - mocking The first criminal – raging The second criminal - confessing and asking Jesus - forgiving, comforting and dying - for him, for me and for you

v1-2 Intro: A parable is a story, but the people are real. Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.” v11-16 The rebellious son who rejects the father and walks far away v17-24 The loving father who runs towards his returning son v25-32 The self-righteous son who rejects the father and remains just outside

v1-4 Can you trust the gospels? Yes. v1-2 Luke’s sources - written material, eye witness testimony v3-4 Luke’s method - followed all things closely, an orderly account v4 Luke’s purpose - certainty about the truth 8v1-3 The eye-witnesses

v5 and 7 Every church needs multiple elders to oversee and steward God’s people v6 Elders must be above reproach in their home life v7-8 Elders must be above reproach in their own conduct and character v9 Elders must believe and teach the Scriptures, rebuking those who contradict them Applications: Pray for your elders, giving thanks for them Pray for people in churches where elders have behaved badly Pray for elders like this to be raised up across Scotland

What can John the Baptist teach us about evangelism? It’s telling people about Jesus, the … … Scripture promised (v23) … Superior (v27,v30) … Spirit-filled (v32-33) … Son of God (v34) It’s telling people of the sin-atoning sacrifice of Jesus (v29)

v1-4 The Lord’s servant is broken by what he sees v5-8 The Lord graciously strengthens his persecuted and despondent servant v9-18 The Lord gently reminds his servant of previous idolatrous covenant breaking v15-21 The Lord gives his servant the new task of enacting the covenant breaking consequences