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, 28 November 2021
Duration: 30 mins 23 secs
Ezra demonstrates humility and the people follow suit. The large crowd that gathers are convicted of their sin, also mourning and weeping bitterly. Ezra waited on God and continued to pray, fast and mourn for the people. The people obey and, trusting themselves to God, they gather distressed before God. The mixed marriages have to be dissolved, the faithful must separate themselves from the people around them. True confession involves genuine regret and takes personal responsibility. God is holy and righteous.
Sunday, 14 November 2021
Duration: 26 mins 13 secs
Ezra has been in Babylon but has now come to Jerusalem. The Temple is built, but the worship seems ritualistic and not from the heart. Is our experience of faith just routine or a deep and growing relationship with God? Ezra is devoted to the Law but also devoted to God. The Pharisees were devoted to the Law but not God. What makes up our lives? Are we consumed by God's Word?
Sunday, 07 November 2021
Duration: 32 mins 36 secs
The Jews got back to work on the temple after 16 years stoppage due to opposition. Tattenai's letter is full of suspicion, a blockage of red tape. Our lives, relationships or work may have frustration and disappointment. Doing God's will can be hard, not easy. We'll never know how God's plan fits together this side of glory but we get glimpses of it in our lives. It's natural for us to see the worst, the impossible, the obstacles, but we need to look beyond to see God's work in all situations.
Sunday, 31 October 2021
Duration: 36 mins 50 secs
The altar has been rebuilt but work had stopped for 16 years by the beginning of this chapter in Ezra. We are told God spoke to Cyrus, but not that God spoke to the Jews. God often prompts us step by step, through His word, other people and circumstances. When the prophets speak, it is God speaking. God often sent them when things were not going well, for warning the people and encouraging them. It was through the prophet Haggai that the people heard and obeyed the voice of God and began to work again on the temple. The Jews are building under God's leading and direction. We are servants of the God of heaven and earth and we must hear, obey and trust in Him.
Sunday, 24 October 2021
Duration: 31 mins 53 secs
We will face opposition in the world when we follow Jesus. In this passage we see the restoration in the lives of God's people continue, despite opposition. God is still growing His people. Enemies of Judah and Benjamin pretend to support the building of the temple. They claim to seek "your" God, not their own God. Zerubbabel and the other leaders recognise the falseness behind their proposal. The enemies show their true colours by persistent and ongoing opposition. Our journey of restoration by God is our sanctification and there will be opposition. The more growth we experience, the more likely there will be opposition. We are the church and we build the church.
Sunday, 17 October 2021
Duration: 40 mins 53 secs
Forty to fifty thousand people made the 4 month journey of 1,450 kms from Babylon to Jerusalem. Their Babylonian neighbours gave them provisions, goods and livestock and precious gold, silver and gifts. Thankful for their journey and God's provision, the people now give a freewill faith offering to God from their wealth and according to their ability. We are called to invest in God's work freely and willingly according to our means.
Sunday, 10 October 2021
Duration: 32 mins 49 secs
King Cyrus of Persia lived far away from Jerusalem and did not appear to be a believer in God. Yet God moves his heart to allow the Israelites to return to Jerusalem, after 70 years in exile, and rebuild the temple. Like the temple being rebuilt, one stone at a time, God chooses to build His church one person at a time. Jesus has bridged the gap between God and us. Pray that God would move your heart to serve.
Sunday, 03 October 2021
Duration: 32 mins 54 secs
Paul had friends that stayed (Aristarchus, Mark, Justus and Luke), that prayed (Epaphras) and strayed (Demas). Luke was a much valued companion of Paul. A beloved Christian, skilled physician, devoted friend and careful historian. God can use us, no matter our skills, training or background. We can use our skills wherever we find ourselves, with whomever we come in contact. Demas loved this world and deserted Paul. We can use our religious veneer to cover our love for this world. The Colossae Church was under attack as people came in and said they needed more than the gospel. We don't need to grow by adding things into our life for we are already complete in Christ.
Sunday, 19 September 2021
Duration: 33 mins 20 secs
The instructions in this passage are to guide our relationships with everyone. There are lessons for all of us regardless of our situation. We are each to take these instructions personally. This passage is all about doing what is fitting in the Lord, pleasing the Lord, reverence for the Lord and serving the Lord. Jesus is supreme in everything and we give ourselves over to Him. Our heavenly garments of compassion, kindness and patience should show to those closest to us.
Sunday, 12 September 2021
Duration: 32 mins 29 secs
We have been looking at things we need to take out out of our lives, the things of a worldly nature. But we are citizens of heaven and we need to dress ourselves in new garments of compassion, kindness, humility, patience, forgiveness and love. We need Jesus in our lives to put on these garments in ways that will glorify Him. We can place our lack before Him and seek His help. God has chosen us, called us and saved us but not based on our merit. We are set apart, dearly loved and forgiven.
