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, 25 August 2019
Duration: 25 mins 47 secs
There are three verses in the Bible that use the phrase "The Son of Man came..." Mark 10:45 tells us he came "...not to be served but to serve and give his life as a ransom". Luke 19:10 says he came "...to seek and save the lost." Luke 7:34 says he came "...eating and drinking" The first two what Jesus came to achieve; to give his life in service to save the lost. The third one tells us how he does this; fellowshipping with people around meals. As we reflect on the life of Jesus and point others to him, we need to follow his example and share a meal with others. In the simple act of sharing a meal, we show acceptance and love and the opportunity to share our lives and Jesus with others.
Sunday, 11 August 2019
Duration: 29 mins 29 secs
Today we start a series called "Surprise the World!" which is taken from a book written by Michael Frost with the same name. Over the next few weeks, we will be looking at 5 habits that Michael suggests will make us more effective in our outreach to the world with the gospel. Today we see the importance of living lives that cause others to ask questions and taking opportunities that arise from that, and is the way we all need to be living.
Sunday, 04 August 2019
In the busyness of life we often find the most important things that need to be done can be neglected. In this passage we see that Martha is distracted by many things as she prepares in serving Jesus. In contrast, Mary is siting at Jesus' feet and listening intently to Him. We need to take the time, and make it a priority in our life, to spend time with Jesus daily and listen to what He has to say to us.
Sunday, 28 July 2019
Duration: 32 mins 36 secs
Faith is central to who we are as Christians, but living it out is something that we all struggle with. In Joshua chapter 3 we see the Israelites stepping out in faith as they cross the Jordan river and take hold of God's promise land. There are 2 important ingredients to their faith. Hearing the WORD of God and then WALKING in faith in that word. Walking in faith is the only way we grow as Christians and brings glory to God.
Sunday, 21 July 2019
Duration: 34 mins 35 secs
God continues to warn the Israelites to turn from their ways from the sins of Jeroboam, who had set up a counterfeit kingdom to worship and one that did not follow the ways of the Lord. In this final chapter of Amos, God tells of how He will destroy Israel. There will be ne escape for the destruction for the people, except for the limited few, that whilst not perfect, still love the Lord. There will be hope for these limited people as God restore His kingdom. Today, God wants us to turn away from our sinful ways and to focus and trust our lives to Jesus.
Sunday, 14 July 2019
Duration: 30 mins 53 secs
Israel has continued to reject God and only focus on themselves and to serve their own self interests. The Israelites have forgotten to put God first in loving Him and then the concerns for their neighbour before themselves. Through Amos, God is now warning the people of Israel that the time is ripe for their destruction. There will be a time of famine, not just from food and water, but from the Word of God. The challenge for us today is If we were faced with the removal of the Word of God, what difference would it make to our lives?
Sunday, 23 June 2019
Amos once again tells the people of Israel to hear the words of God. Amos remind the people that after all of their sin and turning their backs on God, all they have to do is seek Him and live. This call goes out to the whole of the nation but it is up to individuals to respond. By not turning to the Lord the Israelites will not receive His mercy and will be destroyed. We need to seek the Lord by seeking the good, and avoiding evil, in what we do and God will grant us life. Turn our back on God and we will face His coming judgement.
Sunday, 16 June 2019
In this passage we see that the Israelites have fallen way short of the commandment of loving God and of loving others. Through Amos, God is highlighting the selfishness of the Israelite people as they have turned their backs away from God and have been self indulgent to their own needs. Today, we need to rely on God who will provide us with all that we need. God wants us to have an attitude of generosity as we acknowledge that everything we have has come come from Him. [RECORDING NOT AVAILABLE]
Sunday, 02 June 2019
Duration: 37 mins 26 secs
God had brought His people to the promised land and had provided them with security. But some generations later, we see in these opening chapters of Amos that God is not happy with the people and their sinful ways. The prophet Amos now tells the people of God's judgement that is to come. The sins of the surrounding kingdoms are highlighted first but ultimately God draws His attention to the Northern Kingdom of Israel focusing on their injustice, immorality and idolatry. Today, we need to come before God to repent of our sins. If we fall into the hands of God we will have to face His judgement, but if we place ourselves into the hands of God then we will find forgiveness.
Sunday, 26 May 2019
Duration: 29 mins 15 secs
Paul's life was full of selfless acts as he shared about Jesus to others. We see in Acts 27 that Paul is heading for Rome to stand trial before Caesar. He did not travel alone and we are reminded that the Christian life is not meant to be traveled alone. Paul showed that whatever circumstances he faced, particularly in the difficult travel circumstances to Rome, he always trusted in God. Paul also continued to share the good news of Jesus and was an encouragement to others. Today we to need to have these same characteristics that Paul had as we move through life and witness to others about the love of Jesus.
