On Tuesday, 5th October 2021, Rev Peter Phillips was appointed as the Moderator of the General Assembly of Presbyterian Church of Victoria.
This address was recorded on the 23rd September at Bendigo Presbyterian for the Assembly, which was held remotely.
Congratulations to Peter and we look forward to having you and Lorraine represent the Presbyterian Church of Victoria.
There’s an awful ring to the story recorded in 2 Kings 6:24-7:20. Not only is the prophet Elisha in danger – this time from the king of Israel! – the whole nation has hot rock-bottom due to the siege laid by the surrounding armies of Syria. Inside the captial, Samaria, things are a mess. Awful. There’s famine, desperation, hopelessness and unbelief. But then God did something. Having tried His people to an extremity, He then acted to save them and drive the enemy away, leaving it very clear that none else but He was the Saviour of His people, and reminding us that the grace of God is far greater than we can imagine.
Service
00:00 Welcome
Song: O Worship the King
00:17 Introduction
00:41 Prayer
04:45 Bible reading: 2 Kings 6:24-7:2
Song: Christ Is Mine Forevermore
07:20 Kids’ Talk
Song: We Give Thanks (Psalm 75:1)
11:35 Bible reading: 2 Kings 7:3-20
Song: He Will Hold Me Fast
Sermon: 2 Kings 6:24-7:20
Song: My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less
15:38 Closing
To be able to see is such a wonderful gift. Sight is such an important aspect to everyday life. But to be able to see what is invisible…now that’s something else. In the text of 2 Kings 6:8-23, it’s very clear that Elisha and his servant were in trouble – surrounded by the Syrian army. Elisha and his servant could both see what was right before them. But Elisha could see what his servant could not – that surrounding them Syrian army was an even bigger army of angels sent by God for the protection of His servants. It’s a great text and one that forces us to ‘see’ that what is viisble is not always the whole story!
Service
00:00 Welcome
Song: My Faith Looks Up to Thee
00:16 Introduction
00:38 Prayer
04:49 Bible reading: 2 Kings 6:8-23
Song: Grace Unmeasured
08:05 Kids’ Talk
Song: Blind Man
12:34 Bible reading: 2 Corinthians 4:1-6
Song: Consider Christ
Sermon: 2 Kings 6:8-23
Song: We Rest on Thee
13:52 Closing
In this next instalment in the life and ministry of the prophet Elisha, the incident he is called to address in 2 Kings 6:1-7 seems almost insignificant. A borrowed axehead falls to the bottom of the river and needs to be retrieved. Rather than sending in divers or having a dam built to stop the flow of water, Elisha miraculously arranges for the axehead to float! Because God has unlimited power, this miracle was no difficulty for the God who made everything from nothing, but what does this seemingly insignificant event teach us today?
Full service
00:00 Welcome
Song: What a Friend
00:17 Introduction
00:40 Prayer
03:40 Bible reading: 2 Kings 6:1-7
Song: My Heart Is Filled
04:53 Kids’ Talk
Song: The Chooky And Her Chickies
08:54 Bible reading: Luke 12:1-7
Song: O Great God
10:06 Sermon: 2 Kings 6:1-7
Song: God Whose Almighty Word
34:58 Closing
Sadly, with lockdown restrictions back again, we won’t be able to meet this Sunday 8th August at 10:30am.
However you can still tune in to Life 105.1 FM at 9am when we’ll praise God with hymns and songs, prayers and readings. There’ll also be something for the children and Philip will be preaching on 2 Kings 4:1-7 (the sixth in a series on the prophet Elisha). Or, you can always listen in on our website whenever it suits!
With lockdown restrictions eased, we ARE able to meet this Sunday August 1st at 10:30am to worship God and encourage each other. We are limited to 60 people. If you can’t join us, you can still tune in to Life 105.1 FM at 9am when we’ll praise God with hymns and songs, prayers and readings. There’ll also be something for the children and Philip will be preaching on 2 Kings 3:1-27 (the fifth in a series on the prophet Elisha). Or, you can always listen in on our website whenever it suits!
Critics of the Bible might use the text of 2 Kings 2:23-25 to point out how evil the God of the Old Testament is or how uncaring his servants (in this case, Elisha) really are. At first glance of this text, it might appear that they have a point. But with some extra examination and information and perspective, there might be more to this incident than first meets the eye – and it might just turn out to be the exact opposite – something that critics of the Bible (and all of us, for that matter) should take notice of and be warned by! God’s judgement is not something that anyone can take lightly!
Full service
00:00 Welcome
Song: Standing On The Promises
00:15 Introduction
00:37 Prayer
04:53 Bible reading: 2 Chronicles 36:9-16
Song: Nothing Can I Boast In
06:34 Kids’ Talk
Song: The Power Of The Cross
09:57 Bible reading: 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12
Song: In Christ Alone
11:45 Sermon: 1 Kings 2:23-25
Song: At The Name of Jesus
35:19 Closing
We’re not able to meet this Sunday 25th July, but you can still join us by tuning in to Life 105.1 FM at 9am when we’ll praise God with hymns and songs, prayers and readings. There’ll also be something for the children and Philip will be preaching on 2 Kings 2:23-25 (the fourth in a series on the prophet Elisha). Or, you can always listen in on our website whenever it suits!
We’re not able to meet this Sunday 18th July after all, but you can still join us by tuning in to Life 105.1 FM at 9am when we’ll praise God with hymns and songs, prayers and readings. There’ll also be something for the children and Philip will be preaching on 2 Kings 2:19-22 (the third in a series on the prophet Elisha). Or, you can always listen in our our website whenever it suits!
It’s hard to say what the prophet Elijah thought when God told him to anoint Elisha as his successor. It’s not an easy thing to find out that your work is done. But in 1 Kings 19:19-21, we have the record of the day when Elijah laid his cloak upon Elisha and called him into service of the Lord. Not all of us will have an experience like Elisha in this respect, but all of God’s people are called into the Lord’s service … the challenge before us all the time is to prove faithful to our high calling…
Full service
00:00 Welcome
Song: O Christ In Thee
00:15 Introduction
00:35 Prayer
05:35 Bible reading: 1 Kings 19:1-21
Song: My Heart Is Filled
09:38 Mission Spot: Persecuted Church
Song: My Worth Is Not In What I Own
13:14 Bible reading: Luke 9:46-62
Song: O Great God
15:19 Sermon: 1 Kings 19:19-21
Song: O Jesus I Have Promised
38:22 Closing