Author: Philip

‘Understanding the sight of Elisha in his new (old) cloak’ (2 Kings 2:1-18)

AudioPhilip

After Elisha rexperienced a rather compelling and forthright call to succeed Elijah as the Lord’s prophet in Israel, 2 Kings 2:1-18 explores their initial, but temporrary team ministry together which ended when Elijah was swepat away into heaven bu a whirlwind accompanying a chariot and horses made of fire. It must have been a sight to behold! But it wasn’t simply for show. In the process, Elisha gained posession of Elijah’s cloak and was able to repeat the miracle Elijah had just performed before his translation. This reminds us that Jesus also left a succession plan where God’s Spirit came upon all His disciples, equipping them to be His witnesses (Acts 1:8) wherever they went.

Full service

00:00 Welcome
Song: O Worship The King
00:16 Introduction
00:35 Prayer
06:17 Bible reading: 2 Kings 2:1-18
Song: Come People Of The Risen King
10:57 Mission Spot: Persecuted Church
Song: Christ Is Mine Forevermore
14:06 Bible reading: Acts 1:1-11
Song: He Will Hold Me Fast
16:13 Sermon: 1 Kings 2:1-18
Song: When We Walk With The Lord
41:24 Closing

‘Meeting Jesus’ (John 4:1-42)

AudioPhilip

Guest preacher, Rev Len Pearce, looks at John 4:1-42 where Jesus has an appointment to pass through Samaria, but the woman he meets needs that meeting. This passage about the woman of Samaria is all about Jesus and his character – he did not see people as others did. How do we see people? Do we offer hope? Jesus asks the women for a drink from the well but offers her living water (compare with John 7). This living water is his Holy Spirit, that Jesus’ saving work at the cross might be applied to our lives. As the passage goes on, we learn more about who Jesus is and the woman – of low standing and bad reputation – realises that Jesus is the Christ, she has received forgiveness and forgets her task at the well to tell the whole town. Be sure that you have met Jesus. Like Jesus, be no respecter of persons (looking up or down on anyone). Drink deeply of that living water that you cannot help but speak of it!

Full service

00:00 Welcome
Song: My Hope Is Built On Nothing Less
00:14 Introduction
00:39 Prayer
06:07 Bible reading: John 4:1-26
Song: Grace Unmeasured
09:21 Devotional Spot
Song: Consider Christ
10:57 Bible reading: John 4:27-42
Song: My Hope Rests Firm
13:02 Sermon: John 4:1-42
Song: Have Thine Own Way
41:44 Closing

‘The day the Psalm writer told us what it’s all about’ (Psalm 150:1-6)

AudioPhilip

Not everyone loves the ‘Hokey Pokey’. I am one of those who doesn’t. Ultimately the Hokey Pokey is noy what it’s all about. Mankind was created to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. The final Psalm of the book of the Psalms, Psalm 150:1-6, ends the book on a note of great praise to God. He is worthy of all the praise that we could ever muster, and to live a life that praises God is surely one of our highest callings. If all creation is called upon to praise God, then let’s remember this. We have voices. We can communicate. ‘Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!’

Full service

00:00 Welcome
Song: Oh Christ in Thee
00:14 Introduction
00:34 Prayer
06:30 Bible reading: 2 Chronicles 5
Song: Meekness and Majesty
09:10 Devotional Spot
Song: O Lord my Rock
10:46 Bible reading: Ephesian 1:1-14
Song: Come Praise And Glorify
12:39 Sermon: Psalm 150
Song: All Creatures Of Our God
35:08 Closing

‘The day the Psalm writer’s prayer was based on a memory’ (Psalm 126)

AudioPhilip

We all have memories. Some are special. Some we would like to forget. Some that shape us into who we are! The writer of Psalm 126 also had a memory, a very particular one that involved the amazing deliverance that God gave to His people. And based on that memory, the psalm writer prayed what we find in this psalm – bring that memory to mind and letting it chapre his prayer for the now and the for future – that God would show His delivering power all over again!

Full service

00:00 Welcome
Song: At The Name Of Jesus
00:16 Introduction
00:35 Prayer
05:11 Bible reading: Isaiah 35
Song: There Is A Higher Throne
07:06 Kids’ Talk
Song: O The Mercy Of God
10:18 Bible reading: 2 Corinthians 1:1-11
Song: Amazing Grace
12:23 Sermon: Psalm 126
Song: To God Be The Glory
35:25 Closing

‘The day the Psalm writer had his sight restored’ (Psalm 73:1-28)

AudioPhilip

While the majority of people have physical sight, there’s a high percentage who are blind in another sense. In Psalm 73:1-28, the writer, Asaph, confesses to this. When his eyes were on the wicked and their prosperity and the ease of their lives, he began to lose faith in God. and doubt whether serving Him was worth it at all. In other words, he baceme blind to the things of God as envy took hold of his sight and he began to slip. But something happened that changed this downward progression. It happened when he entered the sanctuary of God and his persepctive on what really matters in life was restored. We all need the reminder to keep on ‘looking to Jesus’. For when all is said and done, all He’s the only One worth looking to.

Full service

00:00 Welcome
Song: Marvellous Grace
00:16 Introduction
00:36 Prayer
05:32 Bible reading: Psalm 73:1-14
Song: All My Days
06:57 Kids’ Talk
Song: Only A Holy God
09:52 Bible reading: Psalm 73:15-28
Song: Jesus Paid It All
11:44 Sermon: Psalm 73
Song: When I Survey
33:47 Closing

‘On again’ Sunday June 6th

Philip

After a week off, we’re back at church on this coming Sunday June 6, but with masks on (unless you have a medical exemption) and with only 50 people allowed to attend. Philip will be preaching on Psalm 73.

With this in mind, you are strongly encouraged to contact us to book a place for the 10:30am service, where we will be sharing the Lord’s Supper.

We understand that not everyone will be comfortable coming to a meeting of 50 people and we are therefore offering an afternoon service (at a time to be set) where we will share the Lord’s Supper again. If you would like to register interest in attending this service, please also follow the above ‘contact us’ link. 

And if you can’t be there, catch us on Life 105.1FM at 9:30am or listen on our website!

‘The day the stressed king prayed to the King’ (Psalm 86:1-17)

AudioPhilip

It’s not unusual these days for anyone to struggle with stress. We all have to manage it in some form. In his role as King over all Israel, David knew stress too, and this Psalm 86:1-17, we find him dealing with it through prayer to the One who could help him. In fact in the Psalm we find these elements present – sometimes David speaks to himself about God. Sometimes David speaks to God about God and sometimes David speaks to God about himself. All three are present in the psalm and all three are valid forms of prayer, and helpful with dealing with the many stresses of life.

Full service

00:00 Welcome
Song: And Can It Be
00:18 Introduction
00:38 Prayer
Song: 10,000 Reasons
03:37 Bible reading: Psalm 86
Song: Behold Our God
06:02 Kids’ Talk
09:37 Bible reading: Matthew 14:22-33
Song: Jerusalem
10:57 Sermon: Psalm 86
Song: What A Friend
34:47 Closing

Podcast only this Sunday May 30

Philip

With the lockdown just announced by the Victorian State Government from midnight tonight for 7 days, we’ll not be able to meet on Sunday May 30 (this may extend beyond next week – depending on restrictions) This means that our celebrations for Jean’s Spicer’s retirement will be put on hold until we are free to meet together again. Please be much in prayer for this whole situation… especially the stopping of this most recent outbreak…

However, we will be on the radio, Life 105.1 FM at 9:30am. Philip will be preaching on Psalm 86. This will be followed by our Zoom morning tea (10:30am) and prayer meeting (11am). If you would like to join with us for these, please contact us.

Return visit of Rhys & Rhondda Hall

Philip

Rhys and Rhondda are no strangers to us at St John’s. They are ‘veteran’ missionaries in Uganda with Pioneers and APWM and we are looking forward to their visit to us on Wednesday June 9th. Rhondda will be speaking at an afternoon meeting in our hall at 1:30pm, and then both Rhys and Rhondda will be speaking at the same venue at 7:30pm.

Come and hear the latest! There will be an offering for their support at both meetings.

Contact us for further details.

‘Meet the final encouragements given to the church at Corinth’ (1 Corinthians 16:1-24)

AudioPhilip

In the final chapter of this letter of Paul to the church at Corinth, as recorded in 1 Corinthians 16:1-24, the Apostle comes down from the high point of the resurrection of Jesus and the hope that that brings to His people, to speak of more down to earth, day-to-day matters – especially relating to the Corinthians’ financial stewardship, some travel plans he could share with them, some news regarding fellow workers they knew and final prayers and blessings up this often wayward church. These matters may not be weighty theologically, but they do matter on a practical basis and they remind us of what kind of church we ought to be – living out the gospel in the world in which God has called us.

Full service

00:00 Welcome
Song: Come People Of The Risen King
00:16 Introduction
00:36 Prayer
06:12 Bible reading: 1 Corinthians 16:1-11
Song: Christ is Mine
07:33 Devotional
Song: He Will Hold Me Fast
09:07 Bible reading: 1 Corinthians 16:12-24
10:43 Sermon: 1 Corinthians 16:1-24
Song: Jesus Master Whom I Serve
33:56 Closing