Author: Philip

The Olivet Discourse (part 8) ‘The parable of the sheep and the goats’ (Matthew 25:31-46)

AudioPhilip

It’s fitting that the parable Jesus told in Matthew 25:31-46 is the last thing that Matthew records in this long discourse from the mouth of Jesus. The parable has always been and remains one of the scariest parables that jesus ever told – not because it is unclear – but just the opposite! It is all too clear. In the parable, jesus tells His disciples that when He comes back he will take up His royal throne and immediately proceed to judge the nations, and therefore, all peoples. An in that process of judgement he will make an eternal distinction between those who are His (sheep) and those who are not (goats). The dividing line will be eternal and the judgement will be on the basis of works. Salvation is not by works. Salvation is by grace. That’s how anyone of us become one of His sheep! But judgement is based on works and these will either identify us as one of His sheep or not! It’s a most vital truth and one that you cannot ignore!

Service

00:00 Welcome
Song: O Christ in Thee
00:19 Introduction
00:40 Prayer
03:32 Bible reading: Matthew 25:31-46
Song: My Worth Is Not in What I Own
05:41 Kids’ Talk
Song: Isaiah 53:6 (Baa Baa Doo Baa Baa)
11:09 Bible reading: 1 John 4:7-21
Song: My Heart Is Filled
Sermon: Matthew 25:31-46
Song: Sing We the King
13:27 Closing

Outline

  • Where we are in Matthew 25…
  • The flow of the last two parables
  • The need to ‘be ready’ and to ‘be busy’ and now to see how it all fits!’
  • See how Jesus tells us of the.…
  1. Scene of the final judgement (v.31-33)
  2. Reward of the righteous (v.34-40)
  3. Punishment of the unrighteous (v.41-46)

Again, no salvation by works…
The heart of the matter: to love Jesus is to love His people!

The Olivet Discourse (part 7) ‘The parable of the talents’ (Matthew 25:14-30)

AudioPhilip

When Jesus told the ‘parable of the talents’ in Matthew 25:14-30, He did so in the context of urging His disciples to be ready for His return, and not to be found unprepared, like the five bridesmaids in the previous parable. So, in this ‘parable of the talents’, Jesus took this one whole step further by not only encouraging preparedness for His return but also fruitfulness in His absence. The themes of reward for fruitfulness and judgement for unfruifulness are evident in the story. All of us have been given something by the Lord Jesus. What He expects to find when He comes again and what we will bring to Him need to match up!

Service

00:00 Welcome
Song: Rejoice the Lord Is King
00:19 Introduction
00:40 Prayer
03:43 Bible reading: Matthew 25:14-30
Song: O Great God
06:17 Kids’ Talk
Song: Let Your Light Shine
10:34 Bible reading: 1 Corinthians 3:5-17
Song: My Hope Rests Firm
Sermon: Matthew 25:14-30
Song: Take My Life
12:18 Closing

Outline

  • Where we are in Matthew 25…
  • Last week’s parable
  • The need to ‘be ready’ underlined again… but also to ‘be busy’
  • See how Jesus calls us to.…
  1. Remember the riches of gospel privilege (v.14-15)
  2. Embrace the promise of generous reward (v.16-23)
  3. Avoid the certainty of coming judgement (v.24-30)

Not saved by good works but called to them…
Taking small steps to be busy with the gospel…

The Olivet Discourse (part 6) ‘The parable of the 10 bridesmaids’ (Matthew 25:1-13)

AudioPhilip

Although we move on in the text and now come to Matthew 25:1-13, the first of three parables Jesus told in this chapter, the topoic is still the same. Jesus has been emphasising the need to be be prapared for his coming and he does this again in this parable concerning the wise and foolish bridesmaids. All were give the same opportunity and no doubt inctrustions, but only 5 of the 10 were prepared for the bridegrrom’s delay. The others were not and so suffered the consequences. As God’s people we have to give attention to those things that make us ‘sleepy’ as we wait for our Bridegroom to come and ensure that we don’t fall into the category of ‘foolish’.

Service

00:00 Welcome
Song: All Creatures of Our God and King
00:18 Introduction
00:44 Prayer
04:36 Bible reading: Matthew 7:7-23
Song: 10,000 Reasons
06:51 Kids’ Talk
Song: Everybody Get Ready
10:43 Bible reading: Matthew 25:1-13
Song: Grace Unmeasured
Sermon: Matthew 25:1-13
Song: Rejoice, Rejoice Believers
12:19 Closing

Outline

  • Where we are in Matthew 25…
  • A chapter of parables
  • The need for preparation underlined…
  • See how Jesus speaks about…
  1. The task of these bridesmaids (v.1-4)
  2. The care and carelessness of these bridesmaids (v.5-10)
  3. The consequences for these bridesmaids (v.11-13)

Two things that could make you sleepy…
How to be ‘wise’ as you wait…

‘The exchanged life’ (Rev Len Pearce, Galatians 2:15-3:9)

AudioPhilip

In this message, guest preacher, Rev. Len Pearce speaks from Galatians 2:15-3:9 about how the believer’s life is not just changed but exchanged. Not one of us is perfect yet there is no other way to stand before God: the believer stands justified by Christ before the throne of God’s justice. By His grace we exchange our sin for his perfect righteousness. We receive these benefits by God’s Spirit through faith. This is the heart of the gospel. Yet we don’t know the length of our days – be sure that you know Jesus as we get closer to eternity.

Service

00:00 Welcome
Song: Marvellous Grace
00:18 Introduction
00:44 Prayer
04:43 Bible reading: John 1:1-14
Song: Come Praise and Glorify
06:09 Kids’ Talk – Colin Buchanan (with thanks to Compassion)
14:27 Bible reading: Galatians 2:15-3:9
Song: Meekness and Majesty
Sermon: Galatians 2:15-3:9
Song: Jesus Thank You
16:53 Closing

The Olivet Discourse (part 5) ‘Coming! Ready or not!’ (Matthew 24:45-51)

AudioPhilip

There’s a line in the heading that you might recognise from the children’s game ‘hide and seek’. The plain facts are that Jesus hasn’t told us the exact date of His return, which means that all of us need to be ready at any time. To illustrate what is required to make one ‘ready’, Jesus told a mini-parable in Matthew 24:45-51 about two servants set over a household under the charge of their master. In the master’s absence, both servants displayed something that would either commend or condemn them uin their master’s eyes. The question comes down to faithfulness and doing what you have been told. In our case, our Master!

Service

00:00 Welcome
Song: O Worship the King
00:16 Introduction
00:40 Prayer
04:14 Bible reading: Luke 12:22-40
Song: Behold Our God
07:21 Kids’ Talk
Song: Global Warning
11:01 Bible reading: Luke 17:1-10
Song: O the Mercy of God
Sermon: Matthew 24:45-51
Song: O Jesus I Have Promised
13:08 Closing

Outline

  • Where we are in Matthew 24…
  • He is coming…but we are not told when.
  • A mini-parable that makes a point!
  • See how Jesus spoke about…
  1. A faithful (and so, prepared) servant (v.45-47)
  2. An unfaithful (and so, unprepared) servant (v.48-51)

Make a sober assessment…
Make some necessary changes…
Make some needed preparation!

The Olivet Discourse (part 4) ‘No-one knows the day or the hour’ (Matthew 24:36-44)

AudioPhilip

When Jesus spoke further about his expected return in Matthew 24:36-44, he gave us some information about it, while keeping some other aspects hidden. While all would like to know the day and the hour of His return, clearly, this is notsomething we are told. But what we are told is that the day of His return will be like the days before the flood of Noah’s time when Noah was building the ark. Jesus said of those days that people were busy doing ordinary, good things such as ‘eating, drinking and being married’, but were oblivious to the coming of the flood that would bring God’s judgement upon them. By telling us these things, Jesus urges us not to be found unprepared and therefore, not ready, for Him.

Service

00:00 Welcome
Song: What a Friend We Have in Jesus
00:19 Introduction
00:44 Prayer
05:22 Bible reading: Genesis 7:1-16
Song: We Are His People
07:53 Kids’ Talk
Song: Everybody Get Ready
12:32 Bible reading: 2 Peter 3:1-13
Song: Jesus Strong and Kind
Sermon: Matthew 24:36-44
Song: See Him Coming
14:37 Closing

Outline

  • Where we are in Matthew 24…
  • Some wrong approaches we have missed
  • Another mistake to avoid – being unprepared!
  • See how Jesus taught…
  1. The timing of His coming was uncertain (v.36)
  2. The indifference to His coming was nothing new (v.37-39)
  3. The separation caused by His coming will be eternal (v.40-41)
  4. The preparation needed for his coming must be
    watchfulness (v.42-44)

What not to do with what He said!

The Olivet Discourse (part 3) ‘Signs, fig trees & guarantees’ (Matthew 24:29-35)

AudioPhilip

In trying to work out the timing of Jesus’ return, many people turn to Old Testament prophecy, the book of Revelation or even world events. Perhaps an easier approach would be to refer to the things that Jesus said about the topic. However, in Matthew 24:29-35, it has to be said that a wide variety of views abound. Some of what Jesus said requires careful thought. He was not one to contradict Himself! Even more than that, it’s good to remember that just as Jesus has proved right with the fall of Jerusalem in 70 A.D., so His words can be taken as being rock-solid. Through the confusion of various interpretations and theories, it is good to know that the guarantee of His return is His own promise!

Service

00:00 Welcome
Song: Crown Him With Many Crowns
00:18 Introduction
00:44 Prayer
04:46 Bible reading: Daniel 7:9-14
Song: Be Unto Your Name
06:10 Kids’ Talk
Song: Hooley Dooley Wap Bam Boom!
11:19 Bible reading: Matthew 24:29-35
Song: How Deep the Father’s Love
Sermon: Matthew 24:29-35
Song: Lo He Comes With Clouds Descending
12:32 Closing

Outline

  • Where we are in Matthew 24…
  • Nothing (so far) about millennial views
  • Those two questions of the disciples!
  • See here…
  1. The signs Jesus spoke of that would precede His coming (v.29-31)
  2. The illustration Jesus spoke of that would identify His coming (v.32-33)
  3. The certainty Jesus spoke of that would guarantee His coming (v.34-35)

Uncertainty ahead… except for Him and His promise!

An organist for nearly 70 years!

Philip

After two attempts at holding a service to mark the retirement of Mrs Jean Spicer as organist at Bendigo (St John’s) Presbyterian Church (with both of these attempts postponed due to last minute lockdowns), finally it has happened!

On Sunday December 12, 2021 the congregation met to give thanks and praise to our God for almost 70 years of faithful and appreciated service over the years accompanying the praise of God at regular Sunday worship, weddings, funerals, Sunday School anniversaries and other events for both congregation and choir.

The service featured Jean’s three favourite hymns, ‘Immortal invisible’, ‘To God be the glory’ and ‘The day Thou gavest’, speeches of thanks to Jean, the presentation of a special certificate made by Elder Andrew Kerr on behalf of Session, and a gift of flowers presented by Mrs Averil Harris, Secretary of the Board. Rev Philip Burns preached the sermon on Luke 19:11-27, titled, ‘God’s people have got talent! (or, ‘a call to multiply your minas’) and a shared covid-friendly lunch was held in the hall afterward as part of the celebrations.

Jean commenced her long stint as organist for St John’s after the retirement of the previous organist, sometime after June 1953, aged 16 years of age, having been thrust into the job at the suggestion of her father. During the years of her service, Jean has not only seen seven Ministers come and go (the 8th is still there), but also a number of different organs, the St John’s congregation go into Union and then re-form again, buying back its previous building. One of the highlights of Jean’s time was playing for the re-opening service at St John’s in the afternoon of October 15, 1985 with about 450 people attending in the church and by video into the hall. She did have a break from the organ during the time of the birth of each of her four children and ‘retired’ on other occasions, but continued to keep playing as required. But this time, retirement is official, and Jean’s husband Ted, will finally be able to have her sit next to him during services at St John’s where they have been members for these many years.

The Church family at Bendigo gives great thanks to God for the blessings received through Jean’s faithful service and were glad to honour her faithful contribution to the worship of His great Name.

Thank you Jean!

The Olivet Discourse (part 2) ‘The fall of Jerusalem and you’ (Matthew 24:15-28)

AudioPhilip

One of the keys to understanding all that Jesus said in Matthew 24 and 25, is to carefully locate the time reference that Jesus is referring to. In Matthew 24:15-28, it’s faily clear that the bulk of what Jesus said relates to the fall of Jerusalem in 70A.D. – something that the disciples of Jesus would need to be prepared for. But, it’s not all just in the past. The scenes that Jesus describes around those events, can be understood as being predictive of the events that will also usher in the end of the age and Jesus’ return!

Service

00:00 Welcome
Song: I Will Sing the Wondrous Story
00:17 Introduction
00:43 Prayer
04:41 Bible reading: Daniel 11:20-35
Song: Worthy of All Praise
07:48 Kids’ Talk
Song: Do Not Let Your Hearts Be Troubled (John 14:1-4)
11:28 Bible reading: Matthew 24:29-35
Song: Yet Not I
Sermon: Matthew 24:29-35
Song: At the Name of Jesus
13:17 Closing

Outline

  • Where we are in Matthew 24…
  • Thinking about eschatology – study of the end (times)
  • Learn to submit your thinking to Jesus
  • Note how Jesus warned His disciples…
  1. To be prepared for an overwhelming time of trial (v.15-22)
  2. Not to be deceived by a continual parade of false Christs (v.23-28)

What does all this mean for you?
Forewarned is forearmed… be ready by praying, remembering, watching…