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, 05 September 2021
Duration: 28 mins 37 secs
In the second half of this letter, Paul moves into practical application of our faith. We need to put to death our old practices. Our connection with Jesus means the Spirit lives in us, so sin should not live in us. Set your mind on things above where our hearts and minds are in heaven and our feet are on earth. We are connected to Jesus and we put sins off through His strength. Let's be made more in the image of Christ and surrender to Him every day.
Sunday, 29 August 2021
Duration: 32 mins 48 secs
Religious rules and outward practices do nothing for our salvation. The basis of our freedom is the victory we have in Jesus at the Cross. Paul denies aestheticism where people sought goodness through their behaviour. We have freedom in Christ because of what He has done, not what we do. We are dead to all those religious practices of old because of Christ. We are already sanctified through Jesus, have been transferred to God's kingdom and are governed by Him. Is Jesus supreme in your life? Are you trusting in Jesus alone and drawing on His spiritual power?
Sunday, 15 August 2021
Duration: 33 mins 27 secs
We see in this passage how Paul applies the truth of Jesus' supremacy in his own life even through his suffering and imprisonment. Many early churches were being infiltrated by people who wanted to bring in new mysteries of false teaching, so Paul teaches them so that they can continue in the faith. Christ is the source of all hidden treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Paul teaches the full message of the gospel - there is nothing to add, no deeper mystery. Paul was delighted that the Colossians were disciplining themselves to grow in their faith in Christ. Pray that we would keep ourselves aligned with Jesus, sharing our faith with others and that our strength, discipline and energy be in and through Jesus.
Sunday, 08 August 2021
Duration: 25 mins 46 secs
The false teaching of Gnosticism tried to dethrone Jesus as King and was likely infiltrating the church at Colossae. The world often recognises Jesus as a good, great, even a prominent man, but denies His supremacy. Jesus created all things and everything exists for Him and is held together by Him. We tend to all want supremacy. We may use different words like success, popularity or wealth. The fruit in our lives is about remaining in Jesus and not moving from the hope held out in the gospel. It is trusting that God has done everything already and He is sufficient for our salvation, for restoring of relationship with Him and for all our needs.
Sunday, 01 August 2021
Duration: 26 mins 11 secs
Paul prays for spiritual blessings, growth and outcomes. He often prays for his readers to have full knowledge of God leading to lives that please God and are worthy to bear the name of Jesus. We need to continually grow through Christ, to be controlled by God, His knowledge and wisdom. What fills us, controls us. When we are filled with the Spirit, we are controlled by the Spirit. Are you growing in your knowledge of God? Are you using that knowledge to please God? Are you trusting in God's power and strength or your own?
Sunday, 25 July 2021
Duration: 27 mins 58 secs
The faith, hope and love of the Colossians was known and spoken of by the people and areas around them in Asia Minor. Their love for God's people springs from the hope laid up for them in heaven. Their personal experience of hope wells up in them and all Christians. God is in control and has made our eternity sure. Faith, hope and love are fruits of the Spirit and the gospel. What do you hold onto on this earth? The new fruit is compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience, all bound with love in unity. Find your hope placed in God and allow Him to grow these fruits in your life.
Sunday, 18 July 2021
Duration: 31 mins 53 secs
The city of Colossae was 160 km inland from Ephesus and the Church at Colossae grew from the Church in Ephesus. The letter to the Colossians was written around 62 AD. Paul was at Ephesus for 2 years, where all the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord. Paul, now in Rome as a prisoner, writes letters to churches and 2 personal letters to Philemon & Timothy.
Epaphras & Philemon were from Colossae with Epaphras having a broad ministry in the region. Epaphras visits Paul and seeks his advice on new ideas coming into the church and establishing the truth of the gospel. Jesus + Nothing = Everything.
Sunday, 11 July 2021
Duration: 36 mins 18 secs
Partnership - the way we connect with each other. The early church lived in true community but fractures appear as the church grows and spreads. Many of our New Testament letters are written to instruct believers on conflict, conduct and reconciliation. God brings us into relationship with Himself and the church. We are partners in God's work, coming together to discern and fulfil His will. Some partnerships are lifelong, some are for a season. God's gracious invitation to fellowship with Him is the start of our partnership. God wants us to mutually encourage, support and care for each other. Who are you in partnership with for the sake of the gospel?
Sunday, 04 July 2021
Duration: 20 mins 23 secs
People usually come to faith through authentic relationships with others. We bring love, hope and grace into our communities, but firstly, we need to be captivated by the truth of God's love. God gives us courage to join His mission for the world. We are God's hands and feet. Jesus became flesh and blood and moved into the neighbourhood. The God of the universe broke into human history. Jesus visited towns, built relationships and invested in people's lives. This is a model for our mission work - being a loving neighbour. God calls us to connect with our neighbours wherever we are. Who is God calling you to reach out to, to be His hands and feet and show His love to?
Sunday, 27 June 2021
Duration: 21 mins 23 secs
In this passage, tension is evident as legalistic Jews wanted to hold on to the Mosaic Law as well as have grace. Do new Gentile Christians come under OT law? Do they need to become Jews as well as Christians? We must not lose sight of the truth of the gospel. Contextualisation is taking the gospel and helping people make sense of it and understand it in their culture and society, their community and location. Jesus' commission was to take the gospel to the ends of the world. The gospel changed location and culture but the message remained the same. How can we make it easy for our neighbours, family and friends to know the truth of God's word?
