Philip Burns

Rev Philip Burns is the minister of Bendigo Presbyterian Church.

The Olivet Discourse (part 1) ‘The end is near…but not yet’ (Matthew 24:1-14)

AudioPhilip

When the disciples of Jesus once asked Him some questions as they stood near the Temple, they could never have known that the answers Jesus gave them were answers that would echo down the corridors of time for thousands of years. But this is the case with the ‘Olivet Discourse’ recorded for us in Matthew’s gospel chapters 24 and 25. And so, in Matthew 24:1-14, the scene is set. The disciples are there. Jesus is there. And the questions focus upon the end of the age and the signs of His coming. But the answers are a little more complex, reminding us that the Lord Jesus is also our great Prophet who declares to us the truth that we might not fear but be busy with His gospel.

Service

00:00 Welcome
Song: And Can It Be
00:16 Introduction
00:40 Prayer
05:34 Bible reading: Matthew 24:1-14
Song: See Him Coming
07:41 Kids’ Talk
Song: Hooley Dooley Wap Bam Boom!
11:23 Bible reading: 2 Timothy 3:1-17
Song: By Faith We See the Hand of God
Sermon: Matthew 24:1-14
Song: We’ve a Story to Tell
14:55 Closing

Outline

  • A new series!
  • Matthew’s fifth ‘discourse’ from the mouth of Jesus
  • Eschatology – study of the end (times)
  • Note these things in relation to the end…
  1. How mistaken the disciples were in their thinking (v.1-3)
  2. How certain Jesus was about a delay in His coming (v.4-12)
  3. How urgent Jesus was about a challenge for the believing (v.13-14)

History proved Him right (of course!)
Some ‘don’ts’ and ‘do’s’ for His people…!

‘Keeping your eyes on the (heavenly) prize’ (Philippians 3:12-21)

AudioPhilip

It’s worth remembering that the name of the month of January comes from the Roman god, Janus, who is often pictured as having two faces – one looking back to the past and the other looking ahead to the future. At the start of a new year it’s always good to start off with that kind of attitude. Paul certainly had that attitude during his life and it’s nowhere as clear as in Philippians 3:12-21. The apostle was single-minded about purusing a goal of ‘knowing Christ’ and he certainly had his eyes set on a future prize in relation to that prize, constantly checking himself so that he did not live for lesser things and miss out. At the start of the new year, take a leaf from the Apostle’s book!

Service

00:00 Welcome
Song: Standing on the Promises
00:18 Introduction
00:45 Prayer
05:22 Bible reading: Philippians 3:12-21
Song: Behold the Lamb of God
06:40 Kids’ Talk
Song: People Change (But God Don’t Change)
09:53 Bible reading: Hebrews 11:32-12:2
Song: Before the Throne of God
Sermon: Philippians 3:12-21
Song: Be Thou My Vision
11:39 Closing

Outline

• A new year!
• Janus: looking back and looking forward
• The context of his words
• Paul’s forward and direct focus on his goal – the heavenly prize
• Paul wants us to consider…

  1. The attitude required to reach the goal (v.12-16)
  2. The obstacles encountered on the path to that goal (v.17-19)
  3. The complete transformation that was his goal (v.20-21)

The danger in taking your eyes off the goal
What will you be striving for in the year ahead?

‘Christmas explained by the words of Peter’ (2 Peter 1:16-21)

AudioPhilip

‘There’s no Christmas without Christ!’ If only that were so. Sadly, there’s lots of Christmases without Christ, and as Christmas comes and goes again, it’s possible that many fall for the trap of living as though, the trimmings count more than the reality. The Apostle Peter knew little about the Christmas story, but what he did know about Jesus he learned through first hand experience – and in the text of 2 Peter 1:16-21, Peter reflects on his time on the mount of transfiguration with Jesus. It must have been amazing to see and witness. A place where Peter saw the majesty and glory of Jesus. But even then, after having that experience, Peter said there was something even ‘more sure’ than what he’d seen and heard. It was the Scriptures. These testify to the One who came for us to be our Saviour.

Service

00:00 Welcome
Song: O Come All Ye Faithful
00:18 Introduction
00:54 Prayer
06:46 Bible reading: Luke 9:18-36
Song: What Child Is This
09:50 PresAID Appeal
13:10 Bible reading: 2 Peter 1:16-21
Song: Good Christians All Rejoice
14:45 Barnabas Fund appeal
Sermon: 2 Peter 1:16-21
Song: Joy to the World
19:29 Closing

Outline

  • It’s Boxing Day…the cricket is on!
  • Imagine cricket without the ball? Imagine Christmas without Christ!
  • How do we know if this is all true?
  • Consider Peter’s reasons… He says, trust…
  1. The testimony of the Apostles (v.16-18)
  2. The testimony of the Scriptures (v.19-21)

The rescue mission…
One other Apostle’s trustworthy saying.…

‘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’!

‘The heights and depths of gospel love’ (1 Thessalonians 3:6-13)

AudioAndrew

One theme stands out in Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians, and that is the close relationship that Paul had with these believers. This is reflected in so many ways, but is eviden mainly in the language Paul uses to describe the depths of his feelings towards them. In 1 Thessalonians 3:6-13, it is apparent that Paul truly loved these people and was encouraged that they loved each other and those around them. This kind of love can never be taken for granted, when it is the kind of fruit that Jesus taught his disciples that would show the reality of the gospel to the whole world.

Service

00:00 Welcome
Song: Crown Him
00:18 Introduction
00:42 Prayer
07:09 Bible reading: 1 Peter 1:13-25
Song: My Hope Rests Firm
09:00 Kids’ Talk
Song: 1 John 3:18
13:29 Bible reading: 1 Thessalonians 3:6-13
Song: This Life I Live
Sermon: 1 Thessalonians 3:6-13
Song: Have Thine Own Way
14:48 Closing

Outline

  • A pastor’s actions in the US
  • The charges levelled against Paul…
  • Timothy’s report came back and told that all was well…
  • Note here…
  1. The heights of the Apostle’s delight (v.6-8)
  2. The depths of the Apostle’s prayers (v.9-13)

Learn from Paul’s commitment to these believers…
Learn what pleased Paul about these believers…

‘A living portrait of genuine gospel people’(1 Thessalonians 2:13-3:5)

AudioAndrew

When the Apostle Paul wrote his first letter to the church at Thessalonica, he was full of praise for the way in which these people had received and welcomed the gospel. Their lives had been transformed from worshipping idols to turn and wait for Jesus to return from heaven. In 1 Thessalonians 2:13-3:5, in describing the characteristics that pleased the Apostle about these believers Paul paints a ‘portrait’ so to speak of what people transformed by the gospel look like. His ‘portrait’ therefore asks us the question, are we ‘gospel people’ in this sense?

Service

00:00 Welcome
Song: I Will Sing the Wondrous Story
00:19 Introduction
00:43 Prayer
05:52 Bible reading: Isaiah 55:1-11
Song: 10,000 Reasons
08:11 Kids’ Talk
Song: More Like Jesus
12:32 Bible reading: 1 Thessalonians 2:13-3:5
Song: Behold Our God
Sermon: 1 Thessalonians 2:13-3:5
Song: Jesus Master Whose I Am
14:51 Closing

Outline

  • What we’ve covered so far
  • The importance of character
  • Paul tells us what gospel people are like…
  • Note that…
  1. They desire spiritual food from the word of God (v.13)
  2. They are ready to suffer for the Son of God (v.14-16)
  3. They desire fellowship with the people of God (v.17-5)

Learning from mirrors
Do you fit the portrait?