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, 24 June 2018
Duration: 27 mins 20 secs
We have a choice of two ways to live. We can choose to live for ourselves and seek the praise and acknowledgement of other people or we can choose to live in obedience to Jesus Christ by serving others and glorifying God in all that we do. Paul knew the freedom he had in serving Jesus Christ rather than the bondage of the law that he had once been very much tied to. Do you live for yourself or for Jesus Christ?
Sunday, 17 June 2018
Duration: 41 mins 42 secs
Jesus came to the world to save those who were lost. His love for us all ultimately meant death on the cross for our sins. As Christians, we are to be like Jesus and care for those who are weakened by sin or circumstances. We cannot care for those who are weakened by sin (and run the risk of falling into the same temptation) if we are not in step with, and have maturity, in Christ. We need to live a life of surrender as we serve Jesus Christ in doing good for others.
Sunday, 03 June 2018
Duration: 35 mins 57 secs
Paul tells the Galatians to stand firm in the freedom they have in Christ and not to fall back into the burden of the law of Judasium. The law was there as a guardian, put in place until Jesus came. The Jewish law made people carry an unnecessary heavy weight that pulled them away from the blessings of Christ. Freedom in Christ is true freedom and it is only Christ that can lead us in the way to everlasting.
Sunday, 27 May 2018
Duration: 38 mins 35 secs
In this passage we see a story of a family and its struggles. Ishmael, born to Hagar, represents an earthly birth. Isaac, born to Sarah, was born by the power of the Spirit. Hagar vs Sarah is law vs grace. Ishmael vs Isaac is flesh vs spirit. Hagar was a slave and remains a slave, even as Abraham's wife. The law is a servant, to mirror sin, to show Israel's need for a Saviour. Jesus did not save us so we could go on sinning whenever we choose. We can't rely on our goodness as we can never pay our debt. Jesus' forgiveness is all that counts.
Sunday, 20 May 2018
Duration: 30 mins 38 secs
When a child is born they are immediately a part of that family. As Christians, we are blessed to automatically be a part of God's family and can enjoy all the spritual richness that now comes with that. Israel, God's children, were under the guardianship of the law. In this passage, we are reminded as Christians of what we were (under slavery to the world's forces), what God did (sent Jesus to save us) and what they we now (God's children and legitimate heirs to what He has to offer). Is your Christian life moving towards the freedom that Jesus has won for you?
Sunday, 06 May 2018
Duration: 25 mins 35 secs
Paul reinforces in this passage to the Galatians Christians the importance of how grace came into their lives - there was no law or ritual they had to go through, they only had to believe. Those who said that they now needed to follow the Jewish law to remain in Christ were wrong. The grace offered by God is for all people who believe. We cannot be saved by upholding to the law and doing good works. Salvation comes only through Jesus Christ.
Sunday, 29 April 2018
Duration: 29 mins 55 secs
Peter (Cephas) knew first hand from Jesus that a person was not saved by the law, but by having faith and giving their life over to Jesus. In this passage, Paul challenges Peter to the way he was living and forcing Gentiles to follow Jewish customs. Peter's actions did not match up to what he said and his hypocrisy was leading others astray. As Christians, we need to ensure that our life reflects what we believe and that we live according to the truth of the gospel and as a good witness to others.
Sunday, 22 April 2018
Duration: 30 mins 37 secs
Paul focuses on the Gospel of Grace in his letter to the Galatians. In this passage, Titus is shown as an example of the grace given by God. As a Gentile, Titus did not need to follow the Jewish customs to have a relationship with Jesus. Paul is wanting to emphasise to the Galatians that grace is offered as a gift from God and does not require them to do good works to achieve it. God continues to work in the world today. His gift of grace is offered to everyone who wants to accept it. The challenges for Christians today is sharing the gospel with others so that they have the opportunity of responding in faith and obedience.
Sunday, 08 April 2018
Duration: 32 mins 19 secs
Paul reminds the Galatians about the gospel of grace and not having to continue with the Jewish law as part of their Christian walk. We need to be reminded of the gospel of grace for our lives as well. Grace is about rescuing us when we don't even know we need rescuing. It is very easy to fall back onto our own strength and to try to make ourselves right with God by our own actions. There is no good work we can do to win God's grace. Jesus has already done everything for us by His death on the cross. We only need to accept that and ask Him into our lives.
Sunday, 01 April 2018
Duration: 26 mins 25 secs
Forgiveness is at the heart of Easter. It has been extended to us by God and we must extend forgiveness to others. Forgiveness is a life choice - a daily practice we should always strive to do, despite the circumstances we face. In today's passage, Jesus shows us, through the parable, the circumstances that we face if we do not forgive. Are we any different to the unforgiving servant? Jesus' death on the cross wiped away an impossible debt of sin for us that we could never repay. A new life can be obtained by everyone who accepts Jesus' death and resurrection for themselves.
