01 - The Father speaks

Isaiah 1:1-20 - Tim Smylie
The vision concerning Judah and Jerusalem – which all creation needs to hear (vv1-2a)
The Father mourns a broken relationship and its bitter consequences (vv2b-9)
A non-solution: religion that is heartless, not relational (vv10-15)
The only solution: renewed relationship through inner washing and changed lives (vv16-20)

11 - We need to talk

Colossians 4:2-18 - Tim Smylie
We need to talk....
Persistently to God – about our lives and the spread of the gospel (vv2-4)
Carefully to outsiders – with boldness and sensitivity (vv5-6)
Affectionately to one another – with interest in the big and the little things (vv7-18)

Carol Service 24th December 2023

Tim Smylie

10 - Breaking old moulds

Colossians 3:18 - 4:1 - Tim Smylie
Wives and husbands (3:18-19)
Children and parents (3:20-21)
Slaves and masters (3:22-4:1)

09 - A new people in Christ

Colossians 3:11-17 - Tim Smylie
As a new people in Christ we are called to:
Display the unity we have in Christ (vv11-14)
Tune our hearts to the peace we have in Christ (vv15-17)
 

08 - New life in Christ

Colossians 3:1-10 - Tim Smylie
The art of living our new life in Christ involves:I. Learning our new orientation – to Christ’s rule over all (vv1-4)II. Developing our new character – leaving old ways behind (vv5-10)

07 - Don’t go chasing shadows

Colossians 2:16-23 - Tim Smylie
Spiritual reality is found in Christ – not in special regulations (vv16-17)
Spiritual progress comes through relationship with Christ – not through incredible experiences (vv18-19)
So pursue true maturity – not just the appearance of maturity (vv20-23)

06 - Freedom in Christ

Colossians 2:8-15 - Tim Smylie
True freedom is only found in Christ (vv8-10)
He has freed us from: (vv11-15)
Our present slavery to sin (vv11-12)
Our past record of sin (vv13-14)
All other powers (v15)

05 - Christ our treasury

Colossians 1:28 - 2:7 - Tim Smylie
 Jesus Christ has everything you need for wholeness… (1:28-2:3)
. …so pursue wholeness in him – not anywhere else (2:4-7)

04 - Saints and servants

Colossians 1:21-27 - Tim Smylie
Those who belong to Jesus Christ are:I. Saints, sharing in the reconciliation won by the suffering of his physical body on the cross (vv21-23)II. Servants, sharing in his ongoing suffering for the sake of his body, the church (vv24-27)

03 - How important is Jesus, really?

Colossians 1:15-20 - Tim Smylie
Jesus the Son of God is:
Lord of all creation (vv15-17)
Lord of the new creation (vv18-20) 

05 - Still in the ruins

Lamentations 5 - Tim Smylie
 Look, LORD, at our ruined inheritance (vv1-18)
Come, LORD, and restore our inheritance (vv19-22)

02 - Knowing God

Colossians 1:9-14 - Tim Smylie
True knowledge of God involves:
Learning what is important to him (v9)
Living to please him (vv10-12a)
Enjoying his rescue and his gift (vv12b-14)

01 - Foundations

Colossians 1:1-8 - Tim Smylie
The context of true spirituality (vv1-4)
- a loving community united by faith in Jesus
The motivation of true spirituality (vv5-6a)
- a clear and secure hope for the future
The result of true spirituality (vv6b-8)
- a fruitfulness that fulfils our deepest purpose

04 - The high price of sin

Lamentations 4 - Tim Smylie
 Lost glory (vv1-10)
Lost foundations (vv11-20)
The price must be paid (vv21-22)

03 - The greatness of his love

Lamentations 3 - Tim Smylie
A believer’s personal experience (vv1-24)
Bitter darkness and crushed hope (vv1-18)
Reborn hope through focussing on the proven character of God (vv19-24)
A believer’s wise counsel (vv25-47)
Seek God, and wait patiently for his goodness (vv25-26)
Own up to sin, and seek his mercy (vv27-47)
A believer’s prayer for justice (vv48-66) 
 

02 - The strangeness of his anger

Lamentations 2 - Tim Smylie
The strangeness of God’s anger:
Shows the seriousness of sin (vv1-10)
Means there is hope for mercy (vv11-22)

01 - In the ruins

Lamentations 1 - Tim Smylie
Caring for the ruined city (vv1-11)- caring about sin, and those ruined by sin
When we are part of the ruined city (vv12-22)- “the LORD is righteous”

Jesus - Lord of history

Revelation 5 - Tim Smylie
Who is worthy? (vv1-4)
the problem of the sealed scroll
The one who is worthy (vv5-10)
the triumphant Lion who is the slain Lamb
Worthy of worship (vv11-14)
 

51 - Follow me

John 21:15-25 - -Tim Smylie
Some of us are called to follow Jesus:
On the other side of dramatic failure (vv15-17)
Through significant suffering (vv18-19)
By a long life of steady, faithful witness (vv20-24)
Together we follow
The eternal Lord (v25)
 

50 - Our Provider

John 21:1-14 - Tim Smylie
Fishing on the lake – Jesus provides a net full of fish (vv1-8)
- our risen Saviour makes our mission a success
Breakfast on the beach – Jesus provides a meal (vv9-14)
- our risen Saviour offers us his personal care  

49 - Peace be with you

John 20:19-31 - Tim Smylie
Two reasons for followers of the risen Jesus to have peace:
God is carrying on his mission of salvation through us (vv19-23)
- that mission centres on proclaiming forgiveness of sins through faith in Jesus
God has provided clear evidence that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God (vv24-31)
- that evidence consists of eye-witness testimony

48 - A new reality

John 20:1-18 - Tim Smylie
Jesus’ resurrection defined our own resurrection hope (vv1-10)
Physical
Enhanced and immortal
Jesus’ resurrection marked the start of a new relationship between us and God (vv11-18)
 

47 - The one they have pierced

John 19:31-42 - Tim Smylie
We cannot ignore the crucified Son of God (vv31-37)
He is especially precious to God the Father (vv32-33, 36)
Cleansing and life flow to us from his death (vv34, 37)
Recognizing the truth about the crucified Son produces courage and reverence in us (vv38-42)

46 - It is finished

John 19:16b-30  - Tim Smylie
On the cross Jesus accomplished the work that:
Displays his kingship to the world (vv16b-22)
Delivers the everlasting salvation anticipated in the Old Testament (vv23-24)

45 - Here is your king

John 19:1-16a - Tim Smylie
The Majestic One submits to being mocked as weak and pathetic (vv1-5)
The Son of God submits to being rejected as a blasphemer (vv6-11)
The True King submits to being condemned for treason (vv12-16a)

44 - My kingdom is not of this world

John 18:28-40 - Tim Smylie
Jesus’ kingdom is:
The kingdom of salvation from another world (vv28-32)
The kingdom of truth from another world (vv33-40)

43 - He suffered and died alone

John 18:1-27 - Tim Smylie
I am he” – faithfulness in the garden (vv1-11)
“I am not” – failure in the courtyard (vv12-27)

42 - The heart of our Saviour (3)

John 17:20-26 -  Tim Smylie
With regard to the Church - that the Church will:
Be united (vv20-23)
- believing the Son has made the Father known
- displaying the same oneness of purpose and love as the Father and the Son
Grow in fellowship with God (vv24-26)
- until it enjoys perfect fellowship with him 

41 - The heart of our Saviour (2)

John 17:6-19 - Tim Smylie
With regard to his disciples: Jesus prays for us:-
Because we belong to God (v6-10)
So that we will be protected by God…(v11-16) (from the spiritual attacks of the evil one)
...in order to live for God (v17-19) (as his Word makes us dedicated to God)