20230107 600PM DT A New Year with Hope

Speaker: David Tyndall.

Many news articles and summary items considering the situations and events of the past year or so  suggest that there is little or no hope for the world, of which we are a part. However, for the Christian there is Hope which is of a different dimension.  This hope of which St Paul writes is certain and sure, and does not depend so much on our current circumstances as it does on God’s grace and action already revealed and established through the life and death of Jesus.  For those who have heard and believed the gospel have this sure and certain hope, which does not depend on themselves but on God.  It begins with the pardon which we have received through Christ’s death, and will be fulfilled when we go to be with him forever.  For the future and for now, we stand in the grace which God provides.

20231231 930AMp DT A New Year with the Lord

Colossians 3:1-10 Put off the old / Put on the new.

Notoriously, New Years Resolutions may not last more than a few weeks. 

As Christians, we are urged in this sermon to put off the old and put on the new, because of our new standing with Christ, in the heavenly places.   Christ’s death for us, on the cross, provides a different perspective,  for us to put on the qualities such as longsuffering and patience.

Speaker: David Tyndall.

St Matts AM/PM sermon series: Advent: Christmas

20231224 10PM RI Embracing Grace

When young, Christmas seemed simple, such as happy emotions and joy. But the older we get, it seems, more complexity is added into Christmas. In a world where there are troubles, unresolved wars and issues between people and groups the is a need for changes to the approach that people take. Author and journalist, Julia Baird, wrote a book, “Bright Shining: How Grace changes everything.” Baird, says that there is a need for “reservoirs of grace.” For Baird, society needs to “embrace grace” for our survival, Grace involves mercy.

We need the grace, we need to “be embraced by Grace”.

The “Appearance of Grace” in the Titus bible passage, is about grace for us, that has come in Jesus. It is about God reaching into our brokenness.

Jesus appeared.  His coming is as the Grace for us.  Offering salvation to us. Accept God’s offer for us to be “embraced by Grace” that provides us the great reservoir of Grace to release us from our sin.  Jesus brings freedom.  At Christmas, accept the Grace, offered to us in Jesus.  Be embraced by Grace.

Speaker: Ron Irving.

20231217 6PMp CD Our God will come!

Speaker: Chris Donald.

At Christmas, in the “festive season”, some people think of it as the “Most Wonderful Time” of the year. Yet this is not true for everybody, and some find it to be a sad or lonely or difficult time. It may bring back sad memories or other issues. In Advent, we celebrate the long promised coming of the king, as a child and then as a Teacher and Leader and as our Saviour.  Jesus is The Way, the path back to God.  But the story is not ended yet. We await the return of Jesus.  Isaiah tells us that the “Redeemed of the Lord will return and come with singing unto Zion, with Everlasting Joy. Your God will come!

Refs: Isaiah 9:1-7, John 1:1-13.

It was prophesied long ago that a great Light would be seen by those who dwell in darkness, in the shadow of death.  In Advent, we celebrate the coming of the great light into the world. But, what is the meaning of the Light and of darkness? 

From early in the bible, it is seen that relationship with God based on covenants, and promises, … made to Noah, Abraham, Moses, David.

The prophets point to the future, and also the past, to God’s faithfulness, and man’s unfaithfulness and sinfulness. The prophecy of Isaiah, tells of the Light that shall come to the people who dwell in the shadow of death.  The people of Zebulon, Naphtali, Galilee.

A child will be born, a son will be given, Wonderful – amazing, worker of miracles, Counsellor – who can advise the nations.  The mighty God, the everlasting Father.  The Prince of Peace. 

The forerunner, John the Baptist, told of the one who was about to come, Jesus.

Speaker: Bishop Chris Edwards. 

20231203 6PM JB The Promise not a Quid Pro Quo

First in our series in Advent. 

David, King of Israel, in Jerusalem, thinks to build a house for God, but through the prophet Nathan, God reminds David the history who he is.  God declares He will give his people a place. He will build David household line.  God is the one who promised Abraham that he would make him a nation and a people.  God has made his promises and he does and will keep his promises.  It’s not a “quid pro quo” relationship in which we earn a place with God.  God promised a Messiah would be given, which he fulfilled in Jesus.  And he has promised that Jesus will return.  And this we celebrate as we look for the return of the one who dies for us, on the cross, taking upon himself our sin and the sin of the world.

Let us tell the good news to others as we celebrate the coming of Jesus, and await for his return.

Speaker: John Batten.

20231126 6PMp RI Vision for the future

Vision Sunday is a day we set aside to consider and look to the future for the church and for St Matts.

Census data indicates that Christianity has been in decline in Australia for many years – more than a lifetime for many people. However, that is not a pointer for despondency.  Yet, in the past, it has happened at least five times, and each time, Christianity has revived.   

There are indicators that people are open to look beyond the world’s offerings.  Jesus said that the gates of Hades shall not prevail against his church.

Christ’s love compels us. Does this carry over into our local community? Into all the places God puts you.

Considering our vision at St Matts, our vision is “to be boldly fulfilling our purpose”.

“Bold for the gospel, bold for reaching people, bold in Christ.”

Speaker: Ron Irving.

Final in our current series on Philippians: Worth It

Thanksgiving Day each year is exciting because it allows us to support worthwhile projects around our city, around the world and in our own community.  It calls for generosity, but that raises a concern … “What if I then don’t have enough?” If I keep more for myself, I’m likely to have more. It’s painful for us to “not have enough, enough money, wisdom, strength, education, …  ”  Our modern world want us to feel discontent.

God speaks to us through this ancient letter of Paul to the Philippians.

Paul looks at reasons for his rejoicing at their generosity.

1. The Philippians are life long followers of Jesus.

Paul says he doesn’t need the gift. Paul says he has learned to be in need, or in plenty and he is able to do this through Christ’s enabling power.    

Psalm 23 reminds us that the Lord is worth it!

Speaker: Chris Donald.

Continuing our series in Philippians.

Philippians 4:1-12: A Peace that is Worth It

What do we mean by Peace? How do we get it? In Philippians, Paul writes, “Rejoice in the Lord, have no anxiety about anything, in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made know unto God, and the Peace of God that passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. This may sound like a recipe, but it is NOT about a recipe, it is about a relationship. This relationship with God in Jesus, brings Peace.  “In Jesus”, even conflict between Christians can often be resolved perhaps with help of others. A final piece of advice Paul has two aspects.  Firstly, thinking and secondly, doing. Thinking about what is true, honorable, just, true, gracious, excellence, praiseworthy.  Think about Jesus! Who he was, his character, his actions.  This relationship will bring us into peace, with God.

Speaker: Chris Donald.   

Continuing our sermons series on Philippians: Philippians 3:12-20.

St Paul urges his fellow Christians at Philippi to press on, like him, running the race toward the prize, for which Christ has taken hold of him, and us. He urges us not to fix our eyes on earthly things; that would result in us being enemies of the cross of Christ. 

Our Prize is NOT ourselves, NOT getting our own way.  But bringing the hope of heaven into our lives.  Analogy of Philippi as Roman colony. We are a colony of heaven.  We persevere in bringing the hope of heaven into our world.  How can we bring the hope of heaven into this world. 

Christ has taken hold of me to be part of the colony of heaven. 

Speaker: Ron Irving.