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, 06 December 2020
Just as Christ came into our world, we are Christ's ambassadors in this world. We live amongst people, to fellowship with them, work with them and eat with them. Our eyes are to be turned to others as we look to the interests of others. We are to be other-centred and love others as we love ourselves. Our eyes are to be turned to Jesus and our attitude is to be the same as Jesus. Having an attitude of serving brings blessing and glory to God. Are we living for ourselves or others?
Sunday, 29 November 2020
Duration: 22 mins 40 secs
At Christmas time, we usually plan to meet up with those we love. Christmas is about presence, not presents. John starts his gospel with who Jesus truly is - the Word, the Light, Son of God, Lamb of God, the Messiah, the King of Israel, Son of Man.
Jesus is God's word revealed to us. At Christmas, God took on human nature. Jesus lived His life revealing God's glory, nature and person. Christ sends us out into the world to reveal Jesus to others and we are His ambassadors. How are we reflecting Christ to others? How do we move into our neighbourhood as witnesses for Jesus?
Sunday, 18 October 2020
Duration: 26 mins 51 secs
Giving is an individual matter and is not to be determined by looking at others. There is deliberate choice about deciding to give and it is not to be made reluctantly or under compulsion. God loves a cheerful giver and we need to trust Him in the giving of our money and of our time given to others and to God's work. May our church be the cause of thanksgiving to God and the Emu Plains community recognise EPCBC as a place of generosity as we give God the glory.
Sunday, 11 October 2020
Duration: 21 mins 42 secs
Peter was the Apostle of hope and that is how he finishes his letter, with the hope that the best is yet to come. Jesus wants us to be people who are humble, watchful and hopeful. We need to seek to serve, not gain from others. We need to respect the power of the devil, resist him and stand firm in our faith in Jesus. We have received undeserved grace from God through the sacrifice of Jesus and now have the hope of salvation and eternity in glory with God.
Sunday, 04 October 2020
Duration: 30 mins 56 secs
Peter compares the local church to a flock of sheep. The Old Testament shows shepherding through King David. the Jewish leaders were criticised for not shepherding, not caring for God's people. Jesus entrusted Peter with the role of caring for his people by being a fisher of people, but also shepherding them too. We are all to be caring and serving, watching out for each other. We are to use our gifts to serve the church and not ourselves. We are to build each other up and not exploit the church for our own gain, money, power or respect. We are to serve the church for God's glory.
Sunday, 27 September 2020
We can withstand what is coming in our lives if we know it is coming, if we know why it is happening and if we trust the One who is in charge. We are not alone if we commit ourselves to our faithful Creator. We are to expect suffering in our lives and testing will come. Suffering for doing Gods will is committing ourselves to Him and we are not alone because Jesus walks with us. Deposit your life into His bank each day.
Sunday, 20 September 2020
Duration: 27 mins 11 secs
Where is your time invested? We need look at how we spend our time and how we connect with others. Have a strong, robust attitude towards sin. Arm yourselves against it, fight it, defeat it. Have a patient attitude towards those who don't believe. Have an expectant attitude toward Christ. Jesus will return. The world will be surprised - will you? Have a passionate attitude toward the believers. Love, be hospitable and serve others. None of us know how much time we have. Invest time into God's kingdom, doing God's will, praying and serving others.
Sunday, 13 September 2020
Peter is writing to Christians in a time of difficulty and even now we are living in times of difficulty. Jesus suffered unjustly but was obedient to His Father. He chose to die for us and this gives us living hope with death being conquered. In our Christian ministry today we will face opposition but we must serve God in faith and not trust in results. Our baptism is a witness to others that we have died to ourselves and now live for Jesus. There is no other way to be saved from this broken, sinful world and be made right with God but through Jesus.
Helpful information on 1 Peter 3:19 can be found here: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/does-1-peter-teach-jesus-preached-hell/
Sunday, 06 September 2020
Duration: 25 mins 27 secs
As Christians, we might be the only Bible that some people every read so therefore we need to live a life that is sympathetic, compassionate and humbling towards others. We need to repay any evil with a blessing and not react with anger and vengeance. We need to be confident in Christ knowing our inheritance is secure. Because we are citizens of heaven we can afford to take a few hits. Always be ready to give an answer to the hope you have in Christ by maintaining your composure and by being respectful. Cultivate Christian love and unity.
Sunday, 30 August 2020
Duration: 23 mins 15 secs
Our submission is for Christ and to be like Christ. "In the same way..." means as Jesus submitted. Submission is not taking an inferior position. God created men & women in His own image. They were given the same instructions to subdue the world. As Jesus restores the world, there is no longer Jew nor Greek, slave or free, male or female. Whatever is a strength for you, it should be a driver for respect not an opportunity to dominate and show power. It is important in our relationship with God.
