Author: Philip

‘Transformed by the gospel into a model Church’ (1 Thessalonians 1:1-10)

AudioPhilip

In 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, we read the first chapter of the first letter of the Apostle Paul to the church at Thessalonica. The church there began through the preaching of Paul, but according to Acts 17:1-9, the Apostle couldn’t stick around too long to make sure that all went well with the believers there. Perecution from the emeies of the gospel drove him away. After some time, Paul sent Timothy to see how the church at Thessalonica was fairing and this resulted in his first letter to the church there, a letter which reveals the depth of the transforming work that the gospel had caused in the lives of these believers – turning them away from worshipping idols to worship and to wait for God’s one and only Son and Saviour, Jesus.

Full service

00:00 Welcome
Song: And Can It Be
00:18 Introduction
00:42 Prayer
06:10 Bible reading: Acts 17:1-15
Song: Be Unto Your Name
08:25 Kids’ Talk
Song: I Can’t Save Myself
12:39 Bible reading: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
Song: How Deep the Father’s Love
14:27 Sermon: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
Song: O Jesus I Have Promised
37:59 Closing

‘Understanding Elisha’s final act and his death’ (2 Kings 13:10-21)

AudioPhilip

In this final instalment on the life and ministry of the prophet Elisha from 2 Kings 13:11-21. we meet Elisha on his deathbed, but also in his grave. The images of Elisha weakened, dying and then dead are quite symbolic of the state of Israel’s spiritual life, but from his weakness came power and from his death came life. It seems that this is so much ‘like God’ to do this. In fact from his greatest show of ‘weakness’ (Christ taking our place on the cross), came both power for salvation and life for the dead! Elisha, again, points us to Jesus.

Full service

00:00 Welcome
Song: Standing on the Promises
00:17 Introduction
00:40 Prayer
06:19 Bible reading: 2 Kings 13:10-21
Song: Worthy of All Praise
08:26 Kids’ Talk
Song: Super Saviour
13:11 Bible reading: Ephesians 2:1-10
Song: Yet Not I
14:32 Sermon: 2 Kings 13:11-21
Song: Rock of Ages
39:17 Closing

‘The parable of the persistent widow’ (Luke 18:1-8)

AudioPhilip

This sermon on Luke 18:1-8 by guest preacher, Rev Peter Phillips, tackles some of the biggest questions in life. “Why is there injustice in the world? What is God doing about it? What should the response of God’s people be to injustice?” All these questions circle around us and pervade our society everyday and while it is easy to get waylaid by their pressing nature, this parable urges God’s people to prayer, patience and perseverance – all things that we need God’s help to do and do well!

Full service

00:00 Welcome
Song: Come Thou Almighty King
00:17 Introduction
00:40 Prayer
04:50 Bible reading: Psalm 10:1-18
Song: See Him Coming
07:09 Kids’ Talk
Song: Revelation 3:20
11:48 Bible reading: Luke 17:11-18:8
Song: By Faith We See the Hand of God
15:56 Sermon: Luke 18:1-8
Song: Be Still My Soul
45:00 Closing

‘Understanding Elisha’s warning to the woman of Shunem’ (2 Kings 8:1-6)

AudioPhilip

Sometimes it’s hard to see how the unfolding of our circumstances can always be as ‘good’ as God says they are. In 2 Kings 8:1-6, we have the situation where the woman from Shunem acted upon what Elisha had told her to do, only to have the whole thing unravel before her eyes. Maybe that’s also been your experience? You’ve trusted God, but it’s all gone ‘pear-shaped’? This story, though, reminds us that even ‘pear-chaped’ circumstances are no problem to the Lord. he is able to make good come from evil and able to bring the loose threads together according to His purposes and plans. We ought always trust Him to do that.

Full service

00:00 Welcome
Song: All Creatures of Our God and King
00:17 Introduction
00:40 Prayer
04:25 Bible reading: 2 Kings 8:1-6
Song: Behold the Lamb of God
06:10 Kids’ Talk
Song: Remember the Lord
10:25 Bible reading: Romans 8:18-30
Song: Before the Throne of God Above
13:18 Sermon: 2 Kings 8:1-6
Song: It Is Well With My Soul
37:55 Closing

We are open each Sunday, but…(read on!)

Philip

Restrictions have lifted enough in regional Victoria to allow us to have 20 at our morning worship each Sunday at 10:30am until further notice. But to attend, you’ll need to reserve a place by contacting us. There will be other opportunties during the afternoon to ‘catch up’ with one another in the hall for fellowship, prayer and devotions, but again you’ll need to reserve a place to attend one of these.

With these small steps in place, we are looking forward to the day that we can all get back together in the one place, if not here, then one day in the full presence and glory of our Saviour!

‘Open’ on Sunday September 12 with limited numbers…

Philip

Restrictions have lifted enough in regional Victoria to allow us to have 20 at our morning worship on Sunday September 12. To attend, you’ll need to reserve a place by contacting us. There will be other opportunties during the afternoon to ‘catch up’ with one another in the hall for fellowship, prayer and devotions. Again, you’ll need to reserve a place to attend one of these.

With these small steps in place, we are looking forward to other restrictions lifting so that we can all get back together in the one place, if not here, then one day in the full presence and glory of our Saviour!

‘Understanding Elisha’s healing of the outsider, Naaman’ (2 Kings 5:1-27)

AudioPhilip

Of all the stories that the Old Testament tells us that concern the ministry of the prophet Elisha, it is perhaps this one, recorded in 2 Kings 5:1-27, the healing of Naaman, that we remember the most. The reason for that is probably the fact that Naaman was an outisder. he was a Syrian. Even a soldier. Even a commander of soldiers. And yet, for such a man of power, he was helpless to do anything about the disease with which he was afflicted. Enter Elisha into the picture and his direcive that Naaman wash himself in the Jordan River. Enter Naamn’s pride into the picture and you have the scenario where this ‘outisder’ almost remained an ‘outsider’ forever. See, pride has to go, if ever we are to receive what God wants to give us. And in this story, we see ourselves. Outsiders, but also those who are brought in throught the dor marked ‘humble yourselves before the Lord’.

Full service

00:00 Welcome
Song: Be Thou My Vision
00:21 Introduction
00:45 Prayer
04:33 Bible reading: 2 Kings 5:1-14
Song: My Hope Rests Firm
07:22 Kids’ Talk
Song: 1 Corinthians 1:30-31 (Let Him Who Boasts)
12:10 Bible reading: 2 Kings 5:15-27
Song: O Lord My Rock
15:17 Sermon: 2 Kings 5
Song: Jesus Paid It All
41:43 Closing

‘Understanding Elisha’s miracle of the poison and the provision’ (2 Kings 4:38-44)

AudioPhilip

In the text of 2 Kings 4:38-44, we find two miracles linked by the same topic – food. In the first, where the food was poisoned, Elisha’s miracle cure was found in the addition that he made to the food. In the second, where the food was insufficent, Elisha’s miracle was found in the multiplication of what was available. These two stories highlight the fact that Elisha was confirmed as the Lord’;s prophet before all Israel, but they also speak about the wayward relationship of Israel to God in 9th century BC. In chasing after idols such as Baal, the people were adding ‘death to the pot’ and coming up ‘unsatisfied’. This modern world calls us to keep on compromising the truth of God’s Word. To do so leads to danger. Not to do so will bring much blessing.

Full service

00:00 Welcome
Song: Crown Him With Many Crowns
00:19 Introduction
00:37 Prayer
05:14 Bible reading: 2 Kings 4:38-44
Song: There Is a Higher Throne
06:39 Kids’ Talk
Song: Old Black Crow
10:31 Bible reading: John 6:1-15
Song: O the Mercy of God
12:23 Sermon: 2 Kings 4:38-44
Song: O Christ in Thee
37:10 Closing

‘Off again’ from Sunday August 22

Philip

Well this peak in the rollercoaster ride that COVID brings, means that regional Victoria has joined Melbourne’s lockdown today and that means that we are not meeting tomorrow at 10:30am. Join us instead at 9am on Life 105.1 FM (or via the right hand side of this page) for the continuation of our series on ‘The life and ministry of Elisha the prophet’ as we consider 2 Kings 4:38-44. Our Zoom morning tea and prayer meeting will follow at 10am.

‘Understanding Elisha and the resurrection at Shunem’ (2 Kings 4:8-37)

AudioPhilip

The miracle in the story recorded for us in 2 Kings 4:8-37 is probably one of the greatest ever done through the prophet Elisha. After establishing a strong friendship with this couple from Shunem, the prophet was confronted with the unexpected death of their young son – a son that he had prophesied would be born to them. When the news reached him of the boy’s death and after his staff in the hands of Gehazi had failed to revive him, Elisha stretched himself out on the boy – hands to hands, face to face – and the boy lived again. The story is complete with many lessons – perhaps the greatest of all the pointer once again to Jesus and the fundamental nature of faith – clinging to the feet of the One who alone can raise the dead!

Full service

00:00 Welcome
Song: I Will Sing the Wondrous Story
00:20 Introduction
00:40 Prayer
05:04 Bible reading: 2 Kings 4:8-37
Song: Beautiful Saviour
11:06 Kids’ Talk
Song: Remember the Lord
15:34 Bible reading: Mark 5:21-43
Song: My Worth Is Not in What I Own
19:36 Sermon: 1 Kings 4:8-37
Song: Have Thine Own Way
43:22 Closing