Author: Philip

‘Applying right theology to living life before the Lord comes’ (1 Thessalonians 5:12-28)

AudioPhilip

One of the strong emphases of Scripture when it comes to the return of Jesus, is the important question of ‘how we live’ in the light of His coming. As Paul concludes his letter to the Church at Thesalonica in 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28, this emphasis can be clearly seen. While Paul has established the fact of Jesus’ return, especially the unknown hour of that return, he does not finish the letter without calling God’s people back to living in the world, with their feet on earth, so to speak. And as he closes the letter, he does so with some practical instructions, so that the time we have while we wait for Jesus to come in spent the right way – in living for Him and not for lesser things.

Service

00:00 Welcome
Song: Hark the Herald Angels
00:18 Introduction
00:43 Prayer
04:29 Bible reading: Philippians 1:1-11
Song: Tell Out My Soul
05:48 Kids’ Talk
Song: You Can Tell the Lord That You Love Him
09:45 Bible reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28
Song: Who Is He in Yonder Stall
Sermon: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28
Song: Amazing Grace
11:23 Closing

Outline

  • Soren Kierkegaard and his duck story
  • Theology – to be applied!
  • How Paul wants us to live as we wait for the return of our Lord…
  1. The way we are to respond to our leaders (v.12-13)
  2. The way we are to respect one another (v.14-15)
  3. The way we are to react to our circumstances (v.16-18)
  4. The way we are to receive the Word of God (v.19-22)

Being the people of Jesus, because of Jesus.
Paul’s apt benediction – grace at the start and the finish.

‘God’s people have got talent!’ (or, the call to ‘multiply your minas’) (Luke 19:11-27)

AudioPhilip

This message was preached for the occasion of the celebration of the contribution of our organist, Mrs Jean Spicer, for nearly 70 years, something that is a great witness to the faithfulness of the Lord and the faithfulness He calls His people to. The central message of the parable Jesus told in Luke 19:11-27, is just that – faithfulness. Each of us are given gifts of grace by God that he exepcts us to use in the furthering of His Kingdom. Even Jesus was called upon to be faithful and it is by His faithfulness that we are richly rewarded. (The hymns chosen today are Jean’s favourites!)

Service

00:00 Welcome
Song: Immortal Invisible
00:20 Introduction
00:49 Prayer
06:59 Bible reading: Exodus 35-36
Song: To God Be the Glory
10:13 Interview With Jean
14:42 Bible reading: Luke 19:11-27
Song: The Day Thou Gavest
Sermon: Luke 19:11-27
Song: Take My Life
17:00 Closing

Outline

  • What to preach?
  • Trumpets, flutes and harps… but no organs?
  • A parable that applies to all of us
  • See in these verses…
  1. The setting of the parable (v.11)
  2. The characters of the parable (v.12-14)
  3. The conclusions of the parable (v.15-27)

What this means for the one who hears the parable…
What this meant for the one who told the parable…

‘Are you ready for the return of the Lord?’ (1 Thessalonians 5:1-11)

AudioPhilip

There are certain events in life that we must all get ready for. As I write this, Christmas isn’t too far away – and we all know what that means! Some events, like Christmas, are expected. Others are not. The return of Jesus certainly fits into this second category. His return will not be announced beforehand, but like a ‘thief in the night’ He will come unexpectedly. What should we do then, in response to this? In 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 we find what the Apostle Paul encourage us to do in the light of Christ’s return – so that we will not be caught unaware and we can be ‘be prepared’ for the inevitable.

Service

00:00 Welcome
Song: All Creatures of Our God and King
00:20 Introduction
00:44 Prayer
03:33 Bible reading: Romans 13:1-14
Song: Consider Christ
05:54 Kids’ Talk
Song: Hooley Dooley Wap Bam Boom!
10:31 Bible reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
Song: Christ Is Mine Forevermore
Sermon: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
Song: Lo! He Comes With Clouds Descending
11:56 Closing

Outline

  • Ernest Shackleton and his men
  • The Thessalonians were troubled by the date of Jesus’ return!
  • Just when will Jesus come back anyway?
  • Consider Paul’s answer…
  1. The time and date are unknown (v.1-3)
  2. The way we live while we wait is vital (v.4-11)

Think biblically, watch daily, encourage constantly
The story of William Miller

‘Our gospel hope: Life after death and the return of the Lord!’ (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)

AudioPhilip

If there’s one thing we all need to survive in this world and in order to ‘keep on, keeping on’ it’s hope. Not a vain ‘pie-in-the-sky’ hope that people have when they believe something that isn’t true to lessen the pain of reality, but a hope that is based on something outside of us, something that is tangible and real. God’s people have such a hope, and in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Paul speaks about that hope – a hope that says ‘we will be with the Lord forever’. How that hope works out in relation to the reality of death and in relation to the Lord’s coming is spelled out in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. It’s a great passage and one that should remind us that our hope in Christ is not just something for the present. It’s for tomorrow and every day and for eternity!

Service

00:00 Welcome
Song: O Worship the King
00:16 Introduction
00:39 Prayer
04:56 Bible reading: Acts 1
Song: My Heart Is Filled
07:08 Kids’ Talk
Song: Do Not Let Your Hearts Be Troubled (John 14:1-4)
11:30 Bible reading: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Song: My Worth Is Not in What I Own
Sermon: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Song: My Faith Looks Up to Thee
12:49 Closing

Outline

  • Taxes and death!
  • These believers were wondering …??
  • The uncertainty of the timing of His return…
  • Note here that Paul speaks of the Lord’s return and
  1. The role that believers are to play in it (v.13-15)
  2. The certainty we should have of it (v.16)
  3. The comfort we should gain from it (v.17-18)

Clearing away ignorance
Defining our attitude to life and death

‘Excelling at gospel living in a low-standard world’ (1 Thessalonians 4:1-12)

AudioPhilip

The ability to walk is something that most of us take for granted. It’s only if and when we lose that ability we realise that learning to walk all over again is hard. The Bible also lays emphasis upon how God’s people should ‘walk’ -in the sense of how we conduct ourselves as ‘chidren of the light’. In 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12, Paul lays down some practical teaching for these believers to follow. Even though they once lived in a different kind of way – that is, like the rest of the world – now they were called to live and to ‘walk’ in a way that pleased God, and by doing this, they would show to the world around them that the gospel really had made a difference in daily living.

Service

00:00 Welcome
Song: What a Friend We Have in Jesus
00:18 Introduction
00:42 Prayer
05:31 Bible reading: Ephesians 4:17-32
Song: O Lord My Rock
07:27 Kids’ Talk
Song: Follow the Saviour
12:24 Bible reading: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12
Song: O Great God
Sermon: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12
Song: Teach Me Thy Way
14:12 Closing

Outline

  • Aussie sports champions
  • A commitment to doing better and better!
  • Walking – one of Paul’s favourite themes!
  • Here Paul tells us about godliness and how we are to walk…
  1. Godliness in personal life: walk in holiness (v.1-8)
  2. Godliness in church life: walk in harmony (v.9-10)
  3. Godliness in the world: walk in honesty (v.11-12)

The works and words of Eric Liddell
Excel at these things – do them ‘more and more’!

Update on masks and limits…

Philip

Following yesterday’s announcements made by the Vic Government, Session has approved the following changes;

  • At the 10:30am service (double vaccination status required for those 12 years and over, unless a vaild medical exemption is held), masks will no longer need to be worn.  However, you are free to keep your mask on if you are more comfortable with that option. There is now no cap on the numbers attending this service!! QR code/sign in still required.
  • At the 4pm service (no vaccination status required), the cap has increased to 50 persons, and masks will still need to be worn. QR code/sign in still required.

Morning/afternoon teas will follow both services.

‘Salvation by grace alone’ (Ephesians 2:1-10)

AudioPhilip

When Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses (points for discussion) on the noticeboard of the church in Wittenburg in 1517, he would have no way of knowing that his actions would change the world. So now, 504 years on, we are still remembering what he did, but more importantly, what he taught. One of the great 5 ‘alones’ that came from the Reformation is the teaching that ‘salvation is by grace alone’. In this message, on Ephesians 2:1-10 for Reformation Sunday, we explore the following questions, What is salvation? Why do we need salvation? How is salvation by grace only? Where do works and obedience fit in?

Service

00:00 Welcome
Song: Marvellous Grace
00:18 Introduction
00:45 Prayer
06:28 Bible reading: Isaiah 1
Song: O the Mercy of God
09:29 Kids’ Talk
Song: Ephesians 2:8-10
14:12 Bible reading: Ephesians 2
Song: Grace Unmeasured
Sermon: Ephesians 2:1-10
Song: Amazing Grace
15:33 Closing

Arrangements from October 31

Philip

Apart from our regular podcast at 9am on 105.1 Life FM as from Sunday October 31 there will be two regular Sunday services at 10.30am and at 4pm.  This will enable us to have the greatest number of people possible meeting together (and allow room for visitors), which will be an extra joy and blessing.

The 10:30am service will be open to people 16 years and over who have double vaccination status or those who hold a valid medical exemption and children under 16 regardless of vaccination status. This will allow us to increase our attendance cap to 60 (plus those required to run the service) according to DQ4 restrictions. Proof of vaccination status or exemption will be required to be sighted. This will apply to all – including friends, family and visitors who would like to attend the 10.30am service.  Visitors are encouraged to book ahead. The prayer meeting will be held from 10am and a cuppa with pre-packaged individual serves will follow, concluding around 12.30pm.

The 4pm service will be open to all adults and children – those of undeclared vaccination status (those who have not been vaccinated, those who have had a single vaccine and those who are double vaccinated or hold a medical exemption.) You will not be asked to disclose your vaccination status to attend this service. The cap at this service will be 30 (plus those required to run the service). There will be a prayer meeting from 3:30pm and a cuppa with individual pre-packaged snacks will follow.

Just some more reminders…

  • Masks (unless you have a medical exemption), QR code/record of attendance, social distancing and hand sanitising will still be required at both service
  • We would urge and encourage you all to bear with these changes with patience and with ongoing grace, love and care towards those who may not share your viewpoint about the virus or the vaccine or these restrictions or these changes. Although divided into two services, the opportunity is before us to treat each other in a way that will mean we remain united around the eternal truths of the gospel of Christ that bring us together under our Heavenly Father’s care. We still look forward to and anticipate the day when we will all be able to gather together in a larger number under the one roof at the same time. Please pray with us for that day “and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:25)
  • If you are unwell or need to quarantine or isolate, please stay at home and join us via the podcast on the radio or listen via the website – and let us know so that we can be praying for you and help as needed. Thank you. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please talk to us.