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 June 2021
Duration: 24 mins 52 secs
As Christians, we have an obligation to get people to Jesus. The four men brought their paralysed friend to Jesus because they knew his need. They removed the barriers because whilst they couldn't get through the door, they saw the opportunity to go through the roof instead. We need to seek ways to break down barriers and bring the gospel to people that make sense culturally and socially. The church should think about ripping off roofs and breaking down barriers. Too often, we as the church build barriers that hinder people from hearing the gospel.
Sunday, 28 March 2021
The devastation in the world can be discouraging but God's word never passes away. Look in faith to Jesus as His promises are always true. Jesus never leaves us and we can not be separated from God's love. The gospel has not yet been preached to all nations. Jesus is at the door so be on your guard and be alert - we don't know when Jesus' return will come. We are the servants left in charge with assigned tasks. Don't be sleeping. Am I ready for Jesus' return?
Sunday, 21 March 2021
Duration: 22 mins 54 secs
Jesus is saying in this parable that He is the new covenant, the stone the builders rejected. There is condemnation for those who reject Jesus. God's amazing love is on display, His mercy & grace. He is generous with His gospel and is patiently waiting for us to respond to His offer of salvation. God loves us so much that He sent His only Son, fully knowing that He would be crucified. We are reminded that we are like the Pharisees when we build our own kingdom and don't bring in God's harvest. We must accept God's cornerstone with Jesus as Lord in our lives and live for His harvest. We live for Him and His purpose.
Sunday, 14 March 2021
Duration: 25 mins 39 secs
The parable of the mustard seed is about the advancement of God kingdom in unexpected ways. God's kingdom is inauspicious - it grows from small things that don't seem to be successful and don't necessarily appear to amount to much. Jesus had to correct people's misunderstandings about God. The kingdom belongs to children, to servants. It's not about authority. Find times to be alone with Jesus. Studying His word will grow the kingdom and by reaching out to people to come and learn of God. As we draw closer to Jesus, we invite others to draw closer to Him.
Sunday, 07 March 2021
Duration: 21 mins 41 secs
A man scatters seed - not a spectacular image. We mostly live ordinary lives as we go through our routine, and try to look for opportunities to share our faith. At the end of the day, we ask ourselves if we have lived for God. We may not feel like there are signs of fruit in our lives but God is working and growing our faith and our witness. The man scattering seed is His messenger. We are His messengers and our job is to be faithful in scattering seed. Sometimes the ground seems hard, the work seems small and we are tired. Thank God that His work continues and He never tires.
Sunday, 28 February 2021
Duration: 20 mins 18 secs
The first Bible that people read is us. The word of God overflows out of our lives to produce further crop in people's lives - disciples making disciples. We need to be lamps and be the light of the world and not conceal the light of the gospel. The lamp needs oil to shine and it can't give out until it takes in. Jesus reminds us to consider carefully what we hear, and use what we have. A follower of Jesus is a lamp for God to be used by Him.
Sunday, 21 February 2021
Duration: 23 mins 59 secs
The seed represents the word of God and the soil is human hearts. The soil is tilled to prepare it for the seed. We need to cultivate the soil and help prepare people for the gospel. Our goal is to produce fruit. The fruitful heart is called to obedience and discipleship. We need to aim for growth in our spiritual life and for others by living out our faith and seeking opportunities to share our faith.
Sunday, 14 February 2021
Duration: 31 mins 16 secs
Jesus' family are concerned that He is out of His mind and His brothers struggled with who He claimed to be. Jesus shows His authority over demons and even the demons proclaim who Jesus is. Satan's building will fall if he is fighting against himself. Jesus has come to tie up Satan and loosen his hold on this world. If people reject Jesus, and remain in that attitude, they are condemned. Our family, friends, neighbours and colleagues still have time to accept Jesus. We need to provide opportunities for them by living for Jesus and speaking out for Him whenever we have opportunity.
Sunday, 07 February 2021
Duration: 27 mins 12 secs
Jesus came to usher in the new. New clothes, new wineskins. The Pharisees' old ways were decaying. The world wants us to mix and match and blend all faiths together in one world religion that pleases everyone - but there is only one way - through the name of Jesus. The Pharisees wanted to fit Jesus into their system, but he wouldn't fit. Do we try to fit Jesus into what we believe? Jesus did not make people jump through man-made regulations. God is always working in our world, changing people's hearts and doesn't need our rules. Do we want to make people fit our rules? Are we vessels that can carry God's new wine into this world?
Sunday, 20 December 2020
Duration: 22 mins 44 secs
Jesus' call to Matthew transformed his life. When Jesus went to Matthew's house and shared a meal with him, it was a sign of acceptance of him. Jesus was doing what he came to do - to heal and restore. Jesus healed the lame man on the mat, but first saw to his greatest need as forgiveness of his sins. The Pharisees refused to change their pious, hypocritical ways. Are we just going through the motions through a heart that is hard? Are we trying to make it on our own and earn our way into pleasing God?
