Author: Philip

‘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.

‘Transformed by the Spirit into a model pastor’ (1 Thessalonians 2:1-12)

AudioPhilip

The Scriptures tell us many things about the Apostle Paul – his conversion and calling, his missionary journeys, his leadership and also his letters to the churches of the first century. In 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12, it becomes apparent that when Paul writes about his example among the believers at Thessalonica, and explains tsome details about his example, he is not boasting about himself. Nor is he boasting when he invites his readers to follow his example, for he himself was seeking to imitate and become like Jesus. The challenge remains for all God’s people to imitate Paul regardless of whether we are in full-time (paid) gospel ministry.

Service

00:00 Welcome
Song: At the Name of Jesus
00:17 Introduction
00:42 Prayer
05:18 Bible reading: Isaiah 49:7-15
Song: We Are His People
07:34 Kids’ Talk
Song: More Like Jesus
11:41 Bible reading: 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12
Song: Jesus Strong and Kind
Sermon: 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12
Song: May the Mind of Christ
13:31 Closing

Outline

  • Models and models
  • The example set before the believers…
  • The idea of a ‘holy’ man
  • See how Paul lived out the gospel as …
  1. A faithful steward (v.1-6)
  2. A caring mother (v.7-8)
  3. A concerned father (v.9-12)

Just about ministers? No! About all!
Becoming like Paul… to become like Jesus!

‘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.

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
Sermon: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
Song: O Jesus I Have Promised
14:27 Closing

Outline

  • The church at Thessalonica – planted by Paul and the circumstances behind this letter.
  • ‘Growing pains’ & the type parents suffer from
  • The Thessalonians were a ‘model’ church.
  • Why was Paul so proud of them? Their lives showed…
  1. Genuine faith in Christ (v.1-5)
  2. Strong commitment to Christ (v.6-8)
  3. Living hope in Christ (v.9-10)

‘It’s better higher up’
The marks of a true believer

‘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.

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
Sermon: 2 Kings 13:11-21
Song: Rock of Ages
14:32 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!

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
Sermon: Luke 18:1-8
Song: Be Still My Soul
15:56 Closing