Brief Summary
This YouTube video features a morning session at Keswick Ministries, including worship through music and a Bible reading and sermon by Tim Chester. The service focuses on the glory of Christ, His role in creation and reconciliation, and the implications for believers' lives. The session also includes announcements, prayers, and a spotlight on Pandita Ramabai, highlighting Keswick's historical commitment to mission.
- The glory of Christ and its impact on believers.
- The role of Christ in creation and reconciliation.
- The importance of living a life centred on Christ.
- Keswick's historical commitment to mission, exemplified by Pandita Ramabai.
Opening and Welcome
The service begins with a warm welcome to attendees, both in person and online, including those at relay venues and international viewers. An invitation is extended to visit the base camp for refreshments, resources, and mission exhibitors. An announcement is made about a free SaltMine Theater Company production of "Rhyming Bible" for all ages, happening that afternoon. The previous day's encouragement to bear fruit, go deeper, and find joy in God's work is recalled, setting the tone for the morning's session.
Call to Worship and Opening Songs
A call to worship is led with a reading from Psalm 119, emphasising the importance of living according to God's word. The congregation stands to sing "Who Else Would Rocks Cry Out to Worship?" and "Praise to the Lord, the Almighty", creating an atmosphere of reverence and adoration. The songs highlight the glory, honour, and praise due to Jesus Christ for His redemptive work.
Introduction to the Bible Reading
The speaker introduces the focus on rejuvenating Bible reading, encouraging attendees to prioritise God's word amidst other book recommendations. He presents a selection of resources for various stages of Bible reading, from introductory guides like "14 days" and "Quiet Time Kickstarter" to more in-depth studies such as "Food for the Journey" and "JC Ryle's Expository Thoughts on the Gospels". He offers a discount on JC Ryle's collection and encourages those facing financial barriers to seek assistance.
Celebrating 150 Years of Keswick and Missionary Focus
The session commemorates 150 years of Keswick Ministries, highlighting its history of transforming lives and its heart for mission. The story of Pandita Ramabai Sarasvati, an Indian woman who became a Christian and established a residential centre for young widows, is shared. Her appeal at the Keswick Convention in 1898 led to many missionaries going to India and contributing to Bible translation, illustrating Keswick's ongoing commitment to spreading the Gospel. A prayer is offered for God to inspire and equip attendees to participate in His mission.
Welcome to Timothy Konishi and Bible Reading
Timothy Konishi, a leader from Keswick in Japan, is welcomed as the Bible reader. He is recognised for his translation work, which facilitates British speakers in Japan. A prayer is offered for the believers in Japan and Timothy's ministry. Timothy reads Colossians 1:15-29, which speaks of Christ as the image of God, the firstborn of creation, and the reconciler of all things.
Sermon: The Glory of Christ
Tim Chester begins his sermon by illustrating the overwhelming feeling of looking over a high cliff, comparing it to the dizzying experience of considering the glory of Christ. He encourages the audience to press into this feeling and appreciate the grandeur of Jesus. The sermon explores how Jesus is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation, and the one in whom all things were created and hold together.
Christ as the Image of God and Firstborn of Creation
Chester explains that Jesus is the perfect, living representation of God, not just an approximation. He contrasts this with humanity's creation in God's image, which has been marred by sin. Jesus is the firstborn over all creation, not in the sense of being created, but as the eternal expression of God and the template for humanity. This pre-existent Christ became human according to the template He established.
Christ's Role in Creation and Sustaining the Universe
The sermon emphasises that all things were created in, through, and for Christ, stressing His central role in creation. God's plan for the world takes the form of the Son, who is the word of God and the pattern for all creation. Christ continues to sustain everything by His powerful word, giving form and character to the universe. The speaker uses the metaphor of letters in a cosmic alphabet to describe how Christ holds the formless energy of the universe together.
Christ as the Heir of All Things and the Purpose of Creation
Everything leads back to Christ, with creation reflecting His beauty and goodness. Christ is the firstborn, the inheritor of all things, and creation is the Father's gift to the Son. The speaker challenges the audience to recognise that everything, including people, is for Christ, urging them to care for creation and nurture others for His glory.
Reconciliation Through Christ and Its Cosmic Impact
The sermon transitions from creation to reconciliation, highlighting Christ as the firstborn from among the dead and the beginning of a world made new. Just as the first Exodus involved the death of the firstborn, the new Exodus is achieved through the death of Jesus, who liberates all of creation. Christ reconciles all things, pacifying evil and restoring a broken creation.
Christ's Supremacy and the Application to Believers' Lives
The key message is that Christ is supreme in creation and redemption, so that in everything He might have the supremacy. This is achieved through His supreme person, achievement, and love, as demonstrated by His blood shed on the cross. The speaker previews that the rest of the letter will explore how this applies to believers' lives, urging them to live in, through, and for Christ.
Reconciliation Coming Home: Personal and Communal
The sermon shifts focus to how reconciliation comes home, first through faith, connecting individuals to Christ. The speaker emphasises the importance of delivering the message of reconciliation to others, making them part of the story of salvation. The mystery of the gospel is Christ in you, the hope of glory, offering intimate personal presence and love.
Christ in You: The Hope of Glory and Final Thoughts
Christ is present in believers, even in their hidden fears and shames, holding them together. The speaker encourages seeking a deeper encounter with Christ in His word, acknowledging that this is still partial in this life. The hope of glory is the promise of seeing Christ face to face one day, when He will have the supremacy forevermore. The congregation is invited to bow their heads in silence before the Lord Jesus Christ.
Response in Song and Closing Prayer
The congregation responds to the sermon by singing "O Most High, King of the Nations", expressing praise and adoration to God. The service concludes with a closing prayer, acknowledging the limitations of human understanding and asking for the power of the Spirit to grow in love, knowledge, and service of Christ, so that He may have the supremacy in everything.
Closing Announcements and Benediction
Final announcements are made, including the availability of the prayer team and information about lunchtime mission events. The service ends with a benediction, singing of "Oh God of Goodness" and "We Will Fear the Lord", reinforcing themes of God's love, mercy, and faithfulness. The final song, "We Have a King", celebrates the worthiness of the Lamb and the glory of Christ, urging attendees to turn their eyes upon Jesus.
