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, 21 June 2015
Duration: 33 mins 16 secs
It is easy for us to close the door on people who have ideas that do not resonate with us. We see in the early part of this passage how some of the church leaders struggled with how the Gentiles could come to a true faith in Jesus without following the law of Moses, the test of such compliance being circumcision. Peter, Paul, Barnabas and James highlight that there is no difference in God's eyes between Jew and Gentile. What distracts us and stops us from focusing on our call to share Jesus with others?
Sunday, 07 June 2015
Duration: 26 mins 50 secs
Paul describes himself, when he was Saul, as a Hebrew of Hebrews - he had all the right qualities of being a great Jewish leader including being a Roman citizen. He saw persecuting Christians as upholding the law of God. Saul's view of God's Kingdom was very narrow, limited to the nation of Israel. He was ignorant in his unbelief, but Jesus elected to save him. Because of the persecutions of the Christians, many were scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria. Philip is an example of one of those who took the opportunity to spread the gospel and good news of Jesus to the people of Samaria - a natural enemy of Israel. Where is God leading you to reach out to those in our society that don't quite fit in? Who are the people in our life that need to know about the gospel and love of Jesus?
Sunday, 31 May 2015
Duration: 39 mins 44 secs
Do we know the people in our neighbourhood? How do we as a church or as individuals connect with them? In this passage we see a man who was lame from birth ask Peter and John for money as they entered the temple to pray. With no money to give, Peter was able to give this man much more, the ability to walk again! Jesus' name was used as a name of authority, power and reputation. His name was one of salvation and healing for the lame man that money could not buy. How do we see the people around us, through our eyes or through the eyes of Jesus. We need to show the love of Christ to the people we come across in our everyday life and be prepared to share the gospel with them when the opportunity arises.
Sunday, 24 May 2015
Duration: 37 mins 28 secs
You've probably heard the ancient Chinese proverb that says "a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step". In choosing to follow Jesus, the disciples took a first step, leaving their jobs and families behind to become His disciples. In Acts 2, we see how far they've come. They started out as unlearned fishermen and tax collectors, and now at Pentecost, with the coming of the Holy Spirit, they stand declaring the gospel in foreign languages that the people gathered understood. Peter is quick to proclaim that this is God's power at work in them. He then points the people to Jesus, showing how what they are witnessing is a fulfilment of Old Testament prophecies brought about through Jesus. Finally he brings people to Jesus by calling them to repentance and baptism. It's one thing for a person to have understanding about Jesus, but it's not until they meet Him, repent, accept and follow Him that their lives are transformed. It's clear from this passage that we cannot carry out God's mission in our own strength. We are called however to make a first step towards helping someone encounter Jesus. And then another. And then another. As Samwise Gamgee put it, "If I take one more step, it will be the farthest away from home I've ever been." That's where Jesus is leading us. All we have to do is follow.
Sunday, 17 May 2015
Duration: 33 mins 26 secs
Jesus’ command was for us to go to all the nations and teach them everything He commanded, but we can’t do this alone. The ‘you’ in the great commission (Matthew 28:18-20) and in Jesus’ final command to His disciples on earth (Acts 1:8) is a collective ‘you’. It for all disciples of Jesus to be witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and to the ends of the earth, and we are to do this in unity. Similarly, in Matthew 5:13-16 Jesus says we are collectively the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Salt preserves and adds flavour, while light brings warm and comfort. This is who we are. For us to live out the great commission we must first start with prayer. Prayer for us as a church reaching out into our community and prayer for those who God has placed on our heart individually. Evangelism becomes powerful when it becomes personal.
Sunday, 10 May 2015
Duration: 40 mins 45 secs
This passage is often referred as the Great Commission. Jesus indicates that He has all authority in heaven and earth. This was shown throughout His ministry on earth through His teaching, His power to heal people, His power over nature, His authority to forgive sins, His power over death and His power over satan. As Christians we know that Jesus has this authority. We need to trust in Him and step out and act under His authority in whatever circumstances that we face in our life as we witness to others about the love of Jesus. We don't need to do this in our own strength because Jesus gives us the ability and is always with us. What is it that you need to be doing to carry out this Great Commission?
Sunday, 26 April 2015
Duration: 41 mins 14 secs
As a Christian, following Jesus can be hard. We make bold claims about our commitment to Christ, but how often have we failed Him when put to the test in our everyday life. Where does our dependence lie - with ourselves or in Jesus Christ? We need to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and run the race He has planned for us as we go out and let others know about Him. We need to have a love for Jesus that surpasses all other things and we need to be committed to Him in all aspects of our lives, taking up our cross and following Him.
Sunday, 05 April 2015
Duration: 24 mins 53 secs
The two disciples travelling on the road to Emmaus appeared discouraged because God had not done what they wanted Him to do - they had hoped that Jesus was the one who was going to redeem Israel. They could not reconcile what had happened over the past few days. They saw the glory of the Kingdom but failed to see the suffering of the King. There was proof that Jesus was alive, but they were not able to see it. Even when Jesus came along side them on the road they did not recognise Him and it was only after He shared a meal with Him that there eyes were open to see Jesus. The words Jesus had spoken to them on the road made their hearts burn. When was the last time that the Word of God burned in your heart? If we are to experience Jesus then we need to spend time with Him. We need to witness to others the great news that Jesus is not dead, but alive for us all. The disciples saw Jesus in their ordinary day life. We need to see Jesus in the same way.
Sunday, 29 March 2015
There are many people in this world who don't openly reject God. They live a life that appears OK to others and if their good outweighs the bad, then they are satisfied with that. Jesus came to save these people! In this passage, Jesus tells a number of parables that are still relevant and a challenge for us today. In our life circumstances we need to show humility to others in all we do, an example of what Jesus showed whilst here on earth. When we connect with people it is easy to look at what we can gain or lose from the relationship - we should consider what opportunities there are for sacrifice and service instead! Jesus has given us the ultimate invitation - an eternal life with Him. We need to accept this invitation and let others know of what Jesus offers. Jesus wants us to be completely committed to Him and be prepared to surrender ourselves to God's will. Is there are fakeness in your life that does not allow you to be fully committed to Jesus?
Sunday, 22 March 2015
Duration: 39 mins 25 secs
Some people saw Jesus as a prophet while others saw Him as a king who would rule on this earth. In this passage we see the real reason for Jesus coming to earth - to seek and to save those who are lost. People saw Zacchaeus as a cheat and an unworthy person because of the things he did as a tax collector, but Jesus saw Zacchaeus as a precious person. How do you see people around you? We need to realise that we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God and cannot be saved without Jesus, who is still seeking and saving the lost. Are you saved or are you lost? We need to live a life that allows others to find Jesus.
