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 February 2016
Duration: 24 mins 20 secs
The Pharisees role was to uphold God's law and ensure that the people were carrying out these laws. Throughout Jesus' ministry, He would challenge the Pharisees that it was not about their outward actions, but their internal attitudes that needed change. In this passage the Pharisees did not believe Jesus to be who he said He was, the Son of God. The friends of the paralysed man had the faith to bring him to Jesus, despite the difficulty in reaching Him. When Jesus calls Levi to follow Him, there was no hesitation in Levi's response in leaving everything to follow Jesus. The Pharisees could identify other peoples sin, but they could not see their own sin or be able to offer any hope to others. Only Jesus is the doctor who can offer a remedy for our sin, and He has already paid the bill. Do we get in the way of people meeting Jesus or are we helping instead? Do you see Jesus as a Saviour or as a religious leader that the Pharisees saw?
Sunday, 21 February 2016
Duration: 25 mins 46 secs
Jesus was always dealing with crowds of people and it is amazing how often he would connect with people on an individual basis to meet their needs. The same is for us today as Jesus meets with us on a personal level. He wants to transform us so that we can reach out and tell others of the message of Him. Faith will come to those who hear His message, recognise that they are a sinner, repent and turn their life around to follow Jesus. Is Jesus your Lord and Saviour? Have you repented from your way of life to follow Jesus?
Sunday, 07 February 2016
Duration: 30 mins 33 secs
This passage illustrates the commitment required to truly follow Jesus. The three men here indicated a desire to follow Jesus, but all of them had conditions before doing so. They were not prepared to deny themselves, take uo their cross daily and fully commit to following Jesus. The concern they had for themselves and others came before what Jesus had to offer. Is there a relationship in your life that is more important than your relationship with God? Will you follow Jesus, no matter what the cost?
Sunday, 31 January 2016
Duration: 24 mins 35 secs
We cannot live by the things of this world and expect them to last - they are only temporary. Our bodies are the same. We need to fix our eyes on that which is unseen - a permanent life with God in eternity. We need to see this world and our bodies as a stopover and we can be assured of our future because we can trust in God. We have the reality of Jesus being brought back to life and we have this same promise that we too will be brought back to life in heaven. We need to focus our lives around Jesus. Where is your true home?
Sunday, 24 January 2016
Duration: 25 mins 48 secs
Abram has a call from God to leave his home and travel to another country - so Abram was obedient and went. God can call us at anytime to move in a new direction in our life. This new direction may not always make sense and the end goal may not be known, but we need to be obedient to God's calling. As Abram was obedient to God, God was faithful to Abram in showing and leading him. We need to seek God, wait upon Him and then turn up!
Sunday, 17 January 2016
In our Christian life, we are a work in progress through Jesus. This passage highlights how we are to be a living sacrifice as we witness to others and we are not to be influenced by the world around us. Having a right relationship with God requires us to spend time with Him in seeking His will for us in or lives. We also need to spend time in evaluating our gifts and how best we can serve God and serve others.
[Due to technical issues, this recording is not available]
Sunday, 20 December 2015
Duration: 18 mins 53 secs
King Herod felt threatened on the news of the birth of Jesus, King of the Jews, and tried to have him killed. Herod was a man soaked in earthly power, who was abusive and destructive to others. In total contrast, Jesus was a king that would rule, not by might and force, but bring comfort and hope to others, and ultimately would give himself up so that others may live. Who is going to be king this Christmas for you? Is it going to be about self or is it going to be about the true king, Jesus Christ, who will reign in lives?
Sunday, 29 November 2015
Duration: 29 mins 49 secs
Before the work began on rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, Nehemiah inspired the people, he assured them that it was God who was at work, when the people were afraid he prayed that God would strengthen them, when they were threatened Nehemiah stood his ground. The building of the walls are complete and the gates are fixed in place. Nehemiah appointed two men to assist him in now leading to protect the people. These men were chosen for their integrity and for their fear of God. They were men who wanted to put God first. Other people were appointed as gatekeepers and guards to watch and protect the people from intruders. The message for us as Christians today is, that if we don't protect what God has accomplished in our life, then the enemy will come in and take it over. If we truly fear God then we will be faithful to the work he has called us to.
Sunday, 22 November 2015
We face all types of pressure in our lives. As Christians, we also face spiritual pressure from Satan. We need to be alert and prepared to face this pressure, by spending time with God in prayer. Nehemiah faced personal attack in his conviction of following God's plan, by have having false accusations made against him. Nehemiah's response was to deny the accusations, pray to God for strength and to get back to work in following God's plan. Nehemiah had a personal connection with God and was confident trusting in Him, even when threatened with physical harm by those who opposed him. We can struggle in reading the bible and praying on a regular basis. We need to be in a close relationship with God by regularly praying to Him so that Satan does not get a hold in our life. God need to be working in us and we need to trust ourselves in Him.
Sunday, 15 November 2015
Duration: 34 mins 48 secs
In this chapter we see that the people are not fighting an external enemy but an enemy within - selfishness. Wealthy people were exploiting the poor in complete contradiction to their own law. God has a special concern for the poor, a concern we are also to have. Nehemiah's immediate response was one of anger but then he ponders the situation. He rebukes those who were taking advantage of the poor and disobeying God. Israel was to be an example to other nations but their witness of Jews selling other Jews into slavery was giving the wrong message. Nehemiah leads by example, not out of favour of people but for the favour of God. We need to be looking to the interest of others, not just ourselves. To do this we need to rely on Jesus and not try to do this in our own strength. How can we further God's kingdom if we are so wrapped up in our own selfish ways. Who's kingdom are you building? Who are you seeking first?
