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, 11 October 2015
Duration: 32 mins 59 secs
Nehemiah was a man of major influence because of his position as cupbearer to the king. He showed great concern for the future of God's kingdom and for the glory of God after hearing news about the Jewish people being in great trouble and disgrace and the walls of Jerusalem broken down with the city gates burned with fire. Nehemiah was a man of prayer and tooks his concerns to God about his people. When we commit ourselves to prayer, we rely on God for his timing and support and not run ahead of Him and try to do things in our own strength. As Christians, are we concerned for people who are not a part of God's kingdom?
Sunday, 04 October 2015
Duration: 29 mins 33 secs
What does it cost to follow Jesus? The offer is free but it will come at a cost, although not in a bad way. We are encouraged to love and care for each other as we love ourself, but we are to love Jesus more. Jesus should be the first priority in our life. The cost of discipleship is a long life commitment to love and serve Jesus. As a Christian, every decision we make in our life should be filtered through Jesus. Is Jesus the first priority in your life?
Sunday, 06 September 2015
Duration: 33 mins 52 secs
The Christian life is about living our life for a higher call, that is, God's glory, His greatness and His kingdom. Our call in life is to serve God and He gives us gifts to enable us to achieve this. The New Testament does not give us a definitive list of these gifts from God. Everything we have has been given to us from God and we are to use these abilities and gifts for God's service. As Christians, God's ultimate to us all is one of salvation through His grace. The challenge for us is that we need to be living for God and not ourselves. We all have something to offer in using our gifts in service for God.
Sunday, 23 August 2015
In this passage, Paul's application of his teaching starts off with the ultimate goal for Christians, "follow God's example". What does Paul say on how we can achieve this? 1. God wants us to love as Jesus loved, an unconditional love, a love that is different to this world which depends on circumstances. 2. We are to live an obvious moral life, one that is pleasing to God. Do not partner yourself yourself with the ways of this world. 3. We are to live wisely, living in accordance with God's will. 4. We need to be filled with the Spirit. If we are to be truly following in the footsteps of Jesus Christ, we can't live by God's love, lead a moral life and live wisely without being filled with God's presence.
Sunday, 16 August 2015
Duration: 28 mins 51 secs
As Christians we need the Holy Spirit to live the life that God wants us to live. The Holy Spirit works along side of us to be an advocate, a comforter and helper. The Holy Spirit is truth and God's word is truth and therefore the Spirit will not guide us outside of what is written in the bible. The Spirit of God is not different to the Son of God. As believers today, we did not see Jesus as a man on this earth, but we are connected to Jesus in the same way the disciples were when Jesus left this earth, and that is through the Holy Spirit dwelling within us. The world receives peace in times of no trouble. Christians receive the peace of God despite our troubles. We can only receive this peace if we first accept Jesus into our lives and allow the Spirit to work in our lives. Will you allow God to work in your life? Will you allow the Spirit to bring you into a deeper relationship with God?
Sunday, 09 August 2015
Duration: 37 mins 57 secs
It is easy to get caught up in all the technicalities of the Christian faith, but sometimes it is good just to get back to the basics. We need to remember to live under God's grace and not on our own efforts. The relationship of Adam and Eve with God was broken when Adam and Eve sinned. Everyone after Adam and Eve are born into sin and can only have a relationship with God when we recognise ourself as a sinner, believe in Jesus Christ and what He did for for us on the cross and accept Him as our Lord and Saviour. It is only then that we can be sure of an eternal life with God. Where do you stand in your relationship with God?
Sunday, 02 August 2015
Food has such a social impact in our lives when we gather together with friends and family. When the early Christians met for the Lord's Supper they shared a meal together, which was known as a 'love feast'. In this passage, the 'love feast' that the Corinthians were sharing in was turning out to be more like an 'abusive feast', doing more harm than good. There was division and selfishness forming between groups instead of fellowship with the whole church. Paul reminds the Corinthians not to come to the Lord's Supper with unprepared hearts. What do we need to do in preparation of participating in the Lord's Supper? We need to look back at what Jesus has done for us, we need to look ahead in anticipation of Christ's return, we need to look within and judge our own sin and confess this to God and we need to look around at other Christians and see body of Christ. The Lord's Supper should be a celebration of the unity of the church. Are you prepared?
Sunday, 12 July 2015
Duration: 28 mins 40 secs
Ministry draws people closer together which has been evident for Paul as he concludes his 3 year ministry in Ephesus. Paul shares with the Ephesian elders his own Christian journey and how he has followed Christ's leading. He warns the elders of the dangers that will come from around them and from amongst them when he leaves them. In our own Christian journey we need to make sure that we are spending time in God's word and in prayer on a daily basis so that we will not stray from God's direction in our life. We need to be prepared to share the gospel as opportunities arise.
Sunday, 05 July 2015
Duration: 30 mins 46 secs
The gospel is not just the answer for our own sin and broken relationship with God, but it is the answer for everyone's sin and their own broken relationship and fellowship with God. As Paul enters Corinth he is determined not to be discouraged in presenting the gospel and he surrounds himself with people who are willing to support and encourage him in his ministry. How can we avoid giving up serving God? We need to surround ourselves with kingdom building people, but also be prepared to support and encourage others. We need to keep a spiritual perspective in our life and not be influenced by the world around us. We need to recognise God's assurance that He is always with us, whatever the circumstances, and we need to be serving God in His will for our life.
Sunday, 28 June 2015
Duration: 26 mins 12 secs
It does not matter how often you read the bible, but it does matter how you respond when reading it. It is easy to take short cuts and look for the end result rather than acting on what the bible currently challenges us to do. In this passage we see how people responded differently to Paul and Silas's preaching about Jesus. Some people accepted whilst others challenged and dimissed God's Word. Is this any different today? The message of Jesus Christ is one of hope but many will resist and not accept this hope. How do you respond to the Word of God? As Christians we are responsible to tell others about the good news of Jesus but we are not responsible for the end results. Our mission is to plant the seeds and then allow God to handle the growth.
