Author: Philip

Dennis & Glenys Tranter visit

Philip

tranterWe are pleased that long-term Presbyterian missionaries, Dennis & Glenys Tranter (with AIM), who have worked extensively among the Aboriginal people of our land (particularly Borroloola in the Northern Territory), will be with us on September 27th and 28th.

Dennis will speak at the Men’s Fellowship at 8am on Sat 27th and Glenys will speak at the Ladies’ Brunch at 10am which follows on the same morning. Then on Sunday 28th, they will both share in the morning service, Dennis will preach and then they will share with us again over our regular monthly lunch in the hall. Come and join us!

‘The King, the witch and the warnings’ (1 Samuel 28:3-25)

AudioPhilip

1 Samuel 28:3-25 is one of the more difficult passages from the Old Testament, but it is clear that the chapter records how Saul, desperately needing advice about an impending war, consulted a medium who made contact with the recently dead Samuel. The fact that Saul did this shows how far he had slipped from grace. Having rejected God and His Word, Saul had nothing left to cling to. He refused to listen to God, so God stopped speaking to him, illustrating the biblical principle that we reap what we sow, which, in this case again, was to his further demise.

‘From the Last Supper to the Lord’s Supper’ (Matthew 26:17-30)

AudioPhilip

While artists have long tried to portray the last Supper scene, in Matthew 26:17-30, Matthew records the facts of how Jesus ate the Passover with his twelve disciples just before his death. By taking this meal which all Jews knew well, and adding new symbols that would point to his death, Jesus turned the Passover meal into something his disciples now use to remember him. The meal not only looks back but has a future aspect as it points forward to the day when believers will eat and drink with him in the glory of heaven.

‘Strengthening your grip … on the grace of God’ (1 Samuel 27:1-28:2)

AudioPhilip

1 Samuel 27:1-28:2 tells us how David under extreme duress, when considering what to do next, made some ‘pressure cooker’ decisions that were all backward steps. Fleeing across the border to the land of the Philistines, he was granted refuge, but ended up in hotter water – enlisted as the King’s personal bodyguard and engaged to fight his own people Israel. David not only forgot some things he should have remembered, but he also failed to keep a strong grip on God and lost sight of the need to persevere.

‘Ever get the déjà vu feeling?’ (1 Samuel 26:1-25)

AudioPhilip

In 1 Samuel 26:1-25, David and his men had a second opportunity to kill King Saul and end David’s life on the run, but it was David who showed kindness to Saul and spared his life. By that act and by his speech that followed, it seems that David had begun to grow in his understanding of God’s providence, his own sin and his own unimportance. Also, by these actions, David mirrored Jesus who entered the enemy’s camp and won a great victory over sin and death.

Spur 2014 is go!

Philip

Spur Postcard

Yep..!   ‘Spur’ is back and we’re pleased to be a part of it. The keynote speaker is Russ Grinter and there will be special input from Rev. Nello Barbieri (PCV Training Officer) and Rev. Brian Harvey (PCV Youth Ministries Director).  It’s open to all ages and to men and women. Come and join us!

‘Of Nabal, David, Abigail…and Jesus’ (1 Samuel 25:1-44)

AudioPhilip

1 Samuel 25:1-44 tells the story of Nabal the ungrateful who wanted to repay good with evil, David the vengeful who wanted to repay evil with evil and Abigail the peaceful who overcame evil with good. In fact in a wonderful way, by her offering and her actions, Abigail points us to the Lord Jesus Christ who placed himself under God’s wrath that those who believe may be spared it.

Biblical Perspective on Manhood and Womanhood

Philip

wmvJoin us as we travel up to the Presbyterian Church in Rochester (Victoria Street) to participate in the Women’s Ministries Victoria seminar on Saturday August 30th from 10am.

The morning session is open to both men and to women. The post lunch session will mainly be directed towards the ladies. Morning tea and lunch are provided (at a small cost).

The speaker for the morning session is Rev. Dr Douglas Milne (former Principal of the Presbyterian Theological College).

‘To be or not to be (the one who gets revenge)? 1 Samuel 24:1-22

AudioPhilip

1 Samuel 24:1-22 tells us how David, while taking refuge in a cave from King Saul, had the perfect opportunity to launch a surprise attack upon Saul and put an end to his life on the run. But despite encouragement from his men to do this, David resisted the temptation and refused to kill the Lord’s anointed King. Taking revenge is never the Lord’s way of achieving his will.