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, 20 August 2017
Duration: 31 mins 48 secs
Paul is speaking directly to Timothy in this passage, that is of benefit to us all. We need to be prepared in our own lives for Jesus' return. We need to be on guard to false teaching, identified by people's actions in the way that they live and the way that they act. Our responsibility is to be nourished in God's Word so that we can continue to grow in our Christian walk, live out our faith and use our spiritual gifts to build up the church so that we can minister to this world.
Sunday, 13 August 2017
Duration: 34 mins 40 secs
In this passage, Paul list the attributes required of leaders in the church. Leaders must lead under the authority of Jesus Christ and are accountable to Him. Leaders need to be in the right relationship with Jesus and care for the people. Leaders need to know the words of Jesus and live as a good example to others. Paul is not saying that leaders need to be perfect, but they must be disciplined in their life and have the respect of others. Whilst this passage is directed to church leaders, the same applies to all Christians and we need to aspire to the way God wants us to live.
Sunday, 06 August 2017
Duration: 29 mins 50 secs
Paul indicates in this passage that all petitions, prayers, intercession and thankgiving to God is for all people, which is pleasing to Him because He wants everyone to be saved. All authority for the church is from Jesus Christ, who is the head of the church. We need to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ so that everyone has the opportunity to be saved.
Sunday, 30 July 2017
Duration: 29 mins 50 secs
Christ Jesus came into this world to save sinners. He came to live the life we could not live, He came to die the death that we deserve and He came to gain the victory that we could never gain. Paul highlights in this passage that he was the worst of sinners and yet God had mercy on him and changed the direction of his life. The Good News for everyone in this world is that God can step in and change us if we are willing to accept what He has to offer - eternal life with Him.
Sunday, 23 July 2017
Duration: 36 mins 48 secs
The people in Ephesus were being led away from the true teachings of Jesus by those who were formulating different doctrines and teaching and promoting meangingless discussions. Paul writes to Timothy and urges him to redirect the thinking of the people of Ephesus back to the truth of the Gospel, the Good News that had been entrusted to him. In the same way, we have also been entrusted with the Good News of Jesus and we need to pass this on to others. From verse 5, the goal of the Good News of Jesus is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.
Sunday, 16 July 2017
Timothy had the attitude of submission and wanted to serve the Lord. It was through his Christian faith that this attitude developed and grew. In this passage, Paul tells us that Timothy has a genuine concern for others and not for himself, as others had shown. Timothy wanted to serve others. We need to have this same attitude in our Christian walk as we serve Jesus.
Sunday, 09 July 2017
Duration: 29 mins 26 secs
We can be living comfortably and feel we have control of our life. We can assume that we don't need God in all parts of our life. Our life should reflect that of Jesus. Are we going to align ourselves each day with what we want or with what God wants? Nehemiah had a good job and lived comfortably, but then he received news about Jerusalem being in ruins. Nehemiah had a choice to remain in his comfortable lifestyle or to act on the information he had received. God speaks to us and challenges us. We need to decide if we are going to obey God or stay as we are. The transformation in our life requires God's Spirit. We can't do it by ourselves.
Sunday, 02 July 2017
Why do you work? If work does not have a purpose then it becomes a drain on your life. Jesus' ministry, whilst He was on earth, was all about the Kingdom of God. As Christians, God's calling in our lives is all about glorifying God. We need to take the opportunity of marrying together both our job and God's calling for us. We are ambassadors for God and we need to direct others, when opportunities arise, to the Kingdom of God.
Sunday, 18 June 2017
Duration: 38 mins 29 secs
In this passage we see the first perfect relationship and partnership between Adam and Eve. Through Satan's deception, we also see the first breakdown in the relationship. Fear was introduced to Adam and Eve. Fear can destroy relationships in various ways; (a) through fear of exposure of who we really are, (b) fear of disappointment that makes us defensive and (c) fear of losing control. God does not expect us to be perfect, but He does expect us to be honest with ourselves and each other. Adam and Eve lived in co-operation, but after sinning, lived in competition. To overcome fear in relationships, or any aspect of our life, we need to experience God's love and surrender our life to Him. We need to remember that God accepts, loves, forgives and values us.
Sunday, 04 June 2017
Duration: 33 mins 59 secs
God is far more interested in the way you think rather than changing your circumstances. We want God to take away our pain, sickness and difficulties in life. No transformation can happen in our life unless our mind is in the right place. Our thoughts control our life. Our mind is a battlefield for sin. Temptation can be a problem for us if it is in our mind in the first place. Whatever gets our attention, gets us. We need to let the Spirit control our mind, and for it to remain healthy, we need to feed it with truth, free it from destructive thoughts and focus our minds on the right things - Jesus, others and eternity.
