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, 26 August 2018
Duration: 34 mins 48 secs
What does it look like to love God with ALL your heart, soul, mind and strength? Theology that is not lived is theology that is not believed. Today's message encourages us to live out in practical ways each of these four aspects of loving God.
Sunday, 12 August 2018
Duration: 24 mins 34 secs
What do we need in life? In this passage, Paul prays for the Ephesians, which is still applicable for us today. We need to be strengthened in having Christ living in us. We need to be rooted and established in love. We are to love God and know His love that turns our lives around as we love and serve Him and others.
Sunday, 05 August 2018
Duration: 26 mins 51 secs
All of us need love and we notice it when it is missing. We need to be accepted and be able to love others. In this passage, John talks about the love that comes from God and that He gives us freely when we follow Him. God showed His love through sending His son, Jesus Christ, into this world. True love is about what we can give to others and not about what we receive, and this true love only comes from God.
Sunday, 08 July 2018
Duration: 30 mins 17 secs
Like David, whatever the circumstances we find ourselves in, we have two choices - to walk in fear or to walk in faith in Jesus, trusting that He will be with us at all times. There are things we do need to flee from, like temptation, but we also need to continue to listen to Jesus who will guide, direct and protect us. Where do you go when things get shaken up in your life?
Sunday, 24 June 2018
Duration: 27 mins 20 secs
We have a choice of two ways to live. We can choose to live for ourselves and seek the praise and acknowledgement of other people or we can choose to live in obedience to Jesus Christ by serving others and glorifying God in all that we do. Paul knew the freedom he had in serving Jesus Christ rather than the bondage of the law that he had once been very much tied to. Do you live for yourself or for Jesus Christ?
Sunday, 17 June 2018
Duration: 41 mins 42 secs
Jesus came to the world to save those who were lost. His love for us all ultimately meant death on the cross for our sins. As Christians, we are to be like Jesus and care for those who are weakened by sin or circumstances. We cannot care for those who are weakened by sin (and run the risk of falling into the same temptation) if we are not in step with, and have maturity, in Christ. We need to live a life of surrender as we serve Jesus Christ in doing good for others.
Sunday, 03 June 2018
Duration: 35 mins 57 secs
Paul tells the Galatians to stand firm in the freedom they have in Christ and not to fall back into the burden of the law of Judasium. The law was there as a guardian, put in place until Jesus came. The Jewish law made people carry an unnecessary heavy weight that pulled them away from the blessings of Christ. Freedom in Christ is true freedom and it is only Christ that can lead us in the way to everlasting.
Sunday, 27 May 2018
Duration: 38 mins 35 secs
In this passage we see a story of a family and its struggles. Ishmael, born to Hagar, represents an earthly birth. Isaac, born to Sarah, was born by the power of the Spirit. Hagar vs Sarah is law vs grace. Ishmael vs Isaac is flesh vs spirit. Hagar was a slave and remains a slave, even as Abraham's wife. The law is a servant, to mirror sin, to show Israel's need for a Saviour. Jesus did not save us so we could go on sinning whenever we choose. We can't rely on our goodness as we can never pay our debt. Jesus' forgiveness is all that counts.
Sunday, 20 May 2018
Duration: 30 mins 38 secs
When a child is born they are immediately a part of that family. As Christians, we are blessed to automatically be a part of God's family and can enjoy all the spritual richness that now comes with that. Israel, God's children, were under the guardianship of the law. In this passage, we are reminded as Christians of what we were (under slavery to the world's forces), what God did (sent Jesus to save us) and what they we now (God's children and legitimate heirs to what He has to offer). Is your Christian life moving towards the freedom that Jesus has won for you?
Sunday, 06 May 2018
Duration: 25 mins 35 secs
Paul reinforces in this passage to the Galatians Christians the importance of how grace came into their lives - there was no law or ritual they had to go through, they only had to believe. Those who said that they now needed to follow the Jewish law to remain in Christ were wrong. The grace offered by God is for all people who believe. We cannot be saved by upholding to the law and doing good works. Salvation comes only through Jesus Christ.
