Role: Pastor |
Hi my name is Phil Irvine and I’m the Pastor at Emu Plains Community Baptist Church. My family and I moved all the way from the Blue Mountains and to live in the community here in Emu Plains. Jesus said “I have come that you may have life, and have it to the full.” Sometimes we find that our lives are so full with things to do, but we don’t seem to be fulfilled. I enjoy running, spending time with my family, playing Xbox and a good coffee. But what fills my life is Jesus. If you are wanting your life full, the best it can be, why not check out Jesus and take him up on this promise?
Sunday, 01 August 2021
Duration: 26 mins 11 secs
Paul prays for spiritual blessings, growth and outcomes. He often prays for his readers to have full knowledge of God leading to lives that please God and are worthy to bear the name of Jesus. We need to continually grow through Christ, to be controlled by God, His knowledge and wisdom. What fills us, controls us. When we are filled with the Spirit, we are controlled by the Spirit. Are you growing in your knowledge of God? Are you using that knowledge to please God? Are you trusting in God's power and strength or your own?
Sunday, 25 July 2021
Duration: 27 mins 58 secs
The faith, hope and love of the Colossians was known and spoken of by the people and areas around them in Asia Minor. Their love for God's people springs from the hope laid up for them in heaven. Their personal experience of hope wells up in them and all Christians. God is in control and has made our eternity sure. Faith, hope and love are fruits of the Spirit and the gospel. What do you hold onto on this earth? The new fruit is compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience, all bound with love in unity. Find your hope placed in God and allow Him to grow these fruits in your life.
Sunday, 18 July 2021
Duration: 31 mins 53 secs
The city of Colossae was 160 km inland from Ephesus and the Church at Colossae grew from the Church in Ephesus. The letter to the Colossians was written around 62 AD. Paul was at Ephesus for 2 years, where all the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord. Paul, now in Rome as a prisoner, writes letters to churches and 2 personal letters to Philemon & Timothy.
Epaphras & Philemon were from Colossae with Epaphras having a broad ministry in the region. Epaphras visits Paul and seeks his advice on new ideas coming into the church and establishing the truth of the gospel. Jesus + Nothing = Everything.
Sunday, 11 July 2021
Duration: 36 mins 18 secs
Partnership - the way we connect with each other. The early church lived in true community but fractures appear as the church grows and spreads. Many of our New Testament letters are written to instruct believers on conflict, conduct and reconciliation. God brings us into relationship with Himself and the church. We are partners in God's work, coming together to discern and fulfil His will. Some partnerships are lifelong, some are for a season. God's gracious invitation to fellowship with Him is the start of our partnership. God wants us to mutually encourage, support and care for each other. Who are you in partnership with for the sake of the gospel?
Sunday, 04 July 2021
Duration: 20 mins 23 secs
People usually come to faith through authentic relationships with others. We bring love, hope and grace into our communities, but firstly, we need to be captivated by the truth of God's love. God gives us courage to join His mission for the world. We are God's hands and feet. Jesus became flesh and blood and moved into the neighbourhood. The God of the universe broke into human history. Jesus visited towns, built relationships and invested in people's lives. This is a model for our mission work - being a loving neighbour. God calls us to connect with our neighbours wherever we are. Who is God calling you to reach out to, to be His hands and feet and show His love to?
Sunday, 27 June 2021
Duration: 21 mins 23 secs
In this passage, tension is evident as legalistic Jews wanted to hold on to the Mosaic Law as well as have grace. Do new Gentile Christians come under OT law? Do they need to become Jews as well as Christians? We must not lose sight of the truth of the gospel. Contextualisation is taking the gospel and helping people make sense of it and understand it in their culture and society, their community and location. Jesus' commission was to take the gospel to the ends of the world. The gospel changed location and culture but the message remained the same. How can we make it easy for our neighbours, family and friends to know the truth of God's word?
Sunday, 06 June 2021
Duration: 24 mins 52 secs
As Christians, we have an obligation to get people to Jesus. The four men brought their paralysed friend to Jesus because they knew his need. They removed the barriers because whilst they couldn't get through the door, they saw the opportunity to go through the roof instead. We need to seek ways to break down barriers and bring the gospel to people that make sense culturally and socially. The church should think about ripping off roofs and breaking down barriers. Too often, we as the church build barriers that hinder people from hearing the gospel.
Sunday, 28 March 2021
The devastation in the world can be discouraging but God's word never passes away. Look in faith to Jesus as His promises are always true. Jesus never leaves us and we can not be separated from God's love. The gospel has not yet been preached to all nations. Jesus is at the door so be on your guard and be alert - we don't know when Jesus' return will come. We are the servants left in charge with assigned tasks. Don't be sleeping. Am I ready for Jesus' return?
Sunday, 21 March 2021
Duration: 22 mins 54 secs
Jesus is saying in this parable that He is the new covenant, the stone the builders rejected. There is condemnation for those who reject Jesus. God's amazing love is on display, His mercy & grace. He is generous with His gospel and is patiently waiting for us to respond to His offer of salvation. God loves us so much that He sent His only Son, fully knowing that He would be crucified. We are reminded that we are like the Pharisees when we build our own kingdom and don't bring in God's harvest. We must accept God's cornerstone with Jesus as Lord in our lives and live for His harvest. We live for Him and His purpose.
Sunday, 14 March 2021
Duration: 25 mins 39 secs
The parable of the mustard seed is about the advancement of God kingdom in unexpected ways. God's kingdom is inauspicious - it grows from small things that don't seem to be successful and don't necessarily appear to amount to much. Jesus had to correct people's misunderstandings about God. The kingdom belongs to children, to servants. It's not about authority. Find times to be alone with Jesus. Studying His word will grow the kingdom and by reaching out to people to come and learn of God. As we draw closer to Jesus, we invite others to draw closer to Him.
