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Intro: Doesn’t God’s grace mean you can get away with anything? Recap (2:11-14): God’s gospel of grace both saves AND transforms “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that … a wretch like me” 1. As citizens/workers/neighbours in society, Christians should be: (3:1-2) - Submissive to authorities - Eager to do good - Gracious in speech - Considerate to everyone How? 2. By remembering the gospel of God’s undeserved grace in Jesus (3:3-7) - Because we ourselves were… - But God’s saving grace appeared… - Not by o

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

Does becoming a Christian require a change of behaviour, or not? 1 Church leaders must teach and model the godly living that flows from the gospel… 2 …To all Christians, who should live self-controlled, godly lives… 3 …Because God’s gospel of grace in Christ trains us to be godly

We need elders because… 1. Watch out! There are MANY false teachers who… (v10-16) a. Don’t submit to Paul’s Gospel… (v10-12) b. …but instead promote religious rituals… (v10, 14 & 15) c. …so that they can live however they please! (v12-13; 16) 2. What is to be done about false teachers like this? We need elders to… a. Silence them! (v11) b. And rebuke them! (v13)

Intro: Jesus’ startling story: meet Mr A. Richman, EH9 1. Beware: there is more to life than accumulating wealth (13-15) The man in the crowd: Blinded by his bank accounts 2. Beware: it’s foolish to seek security in wealth, not God (16-21) The man in the story:Blinded by his bigger-barn ambitions 3. Fear not: God really does provide for his people’s needs (22-31) The followers of Jesus: Consider your Father’s care for you Conclusion: where will you find lasting security?

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

The freedom we want The freedom we don’t realise we’ve lost The way to be truly free