Philip Burns

Rev Philip Burns is the minister of Bendigo Presbyterian Church.

‘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

‘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

‘Understanding Elisha’s warning to the woman of Shunem’ (2 Kings 8:1-6)

AudioPhilip

Sometimes it’s hard to see how the unfolding of our circumstances can always be as ‘good’ as God says they are. In 2 Kings 8:1-6, we have the situation where the woman from Shunem acted upon what Elisha had told her to do, only to have the whole thing unravel before her eyes. Maybe that’s also been your experience? You’ve trusted God, but it’s all gone ‘pear-shaped’? This story, though, reminds us that even ‘pear-chaped’ circumstances are no problem to the Lord. he is able to make good come from evil and able to bring the loose threads together according to His purposes and plans. We ought always trust Him to do that.

Service

00:00 Welcome
Song: All Creatures of Our God and King
00:17 Introduction
00:40 Prayer
04:25 Bible reading: 2 Kings 8:1-6
Song: Behold the Lamb of God
06:10 Kids’ Talk
Song: Remember the Lord
10:25 Bible reading: Romans 8:18-30
Song: Before the Throne of God Above
Sermon: 2 Kings 8:1-6
Song: It Is Well With My Soul
13:18 Closing

‘Understanding Elisha and the famine of Samaria’ (2 Kings 6:24-7:20)

AudioAndrew

There’s an awful ring to the story recorded in 2 Kings 6:24-7:20. Not only is the prophet Elisha in danger – this time from the king of Israel! – the whole nation has hot rock-bottom due to the siege laid by the surrounding armies of Syria. Inside the captial, Samaria, things are a mess. Awful. There’s famine, desperation, hopelessness and unbelief. But then God did something. Having tried His people to an extremity, He then acted to save them and drive the enemy away, leaving it very clear that none else but He was the Saviour of His people, and reminding us that the grace of God is far greater than we can imagine.

Service

00:00 Welcome
Song: O Worship the King
00:17 Introduction
00:41 Prayer
04:45 Bible reading: 2 Kings 6:24-7:2
Song: Christ Is Mine Forevermore
07:20 Kids’ Talk
Song: We Give Thanks (Psalm 75:1)
11:35 Bible reading: 2 Kings 7:3-20
Song: He Will Hold Me Fast
Sermon: 2 Kings 6:24-7:20
Song: My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less
15:38 Closing

‘Understanding Elisha and the army of angels’ (2 Kings 6:8-23)

AudioAndrew

To be able to see is such a wonderful gift. Sight is such an important aspect to everyday life. But to be able to see what is invisible…now that’s something else. In the text of 2 Kings 6:8-23, it’s very clear that Elisha and his servant were in trouble – surrounded by the Syrian army. Elisha and his servant could both see what was right before them. But Elisha could see what his servant could not – that surrounding them Syrian army was an even bigger army of angels sent by God for the protection of His servants. It’s a great text and one that forces us to ‘see’ that what is viisble is not always the whole story!

Service

00:00 Welcome
Song: My Faith Looks Up to Thee
00:16 Introduction
00:38 Prayer
04:49 Bible reading: 2 Kings 6:8-23
Song: Grace Unmeasured
08:05 Kids’ Talk
Song: Blind Man
12:34 Bible reading: 2 Corinthians 4:1-6
Song: Consider Christ
Sermon: 2 Kings 6:8-23
Song: We Rest on Thee
13:52 Closing

‘Understanding Elisha and the floating axehead’ (2 Kings 6:1-7)

AudioAndrew

In this next instalment in the life and ministry of the prophet Elisha, the incident he is called to address in 2 Kings 6:1-7 seems almost insignificant. A borrowed axehead falls to the bottom of the river and needs to be retrieved. Rather than sending in divers or having a dam built to stop the flow of water, Elisha miraculously arranges for the axehead to float! Because God has unlimited power, this miracle was no difficulty for the God who made everything from nothing, but what does this seemingly insignificant event teach us today?

Full service

00:00 Welcome
Song: What a Friend
00:17 Introduction
00:40 Prayer
03:40 Bible reading: 2 Kings 6:1-7
Song: My Heart Is Filled
04:53 Kids’ Talk
Song: The Chooky And Her Chickies
08:54 Bible reading: Luke 12:1-7
Song: O Great God
10:06 Sermon: 2 Kings 6:1-7
Song: God Whose Almighty Word
34:58 Closing

‘Understanding Elisha’s healing of the outsider, Naaman’ (2 Kings 5:1-27)

AudioPhilip

Of all the stories that the Old Testament tells us that concern the ministry of the prophet Elisha, it is perhaps this one, recorded in 2 Kings 5:1-27, the healing of Naaman, that we remember the most. The reason for that is probably the fact that Naaman was an outisder. he was a Syrian. Even a soldier. Even a commander of soldiers. And yet, for such a man of power, he was helpless to do anything about the disease with which he was afflicted. Enter Elisha into the picture and his direcive that Naaman wash himself in the Jordan River. Enter Naamn’s pride into the picture and you have the scenario where this ‘outisder’ almost remained an ‘outsider’ forever. See, pride has to go, if ever we are to receive what God wants to give us. And in this story, we see ourselves. Outsiders, but also those who are brought in throught the dor marked ‘humble yourselves before the Lord’.

Full service

00:00 Welcome
Song: Be Thou My Vision
00:21 Introduction
00:45 Prayer
04:33 Bible reading: 2 Kings 5:1-14
Song: My Hope Rests Firm
07:22 Kids’ Talk
Song: 1 Corinthians 1:30-31 (Let Him Who Boasts)
12:10 Bible reading: 2 Kings 5:15-27
Song: O Lord My Rock
15:17 Sermon: 2 Kings 5
Song: Jesus Paid It All
41:43 Closing

‘Understanding Elisha’s miracle of the poison and the provision’ (2 Kings 4:38-44)

AudioPhilip

In the text of 2 Kings 4:38-44, we find two miracles linked by the same topic – food. In the first, where the food was poisoned, Elisha’s miracle cure was found in the addition that he made to the food. In the second, where the food was insufficent, Elisha’s miracle was found in the multiplication of what was available. These two stories highlight the fact that Elisha was confirmed as the Lord’;s prophet before all Israel, but they also speak about the wayward relationship of Israel to God in 9th century BC. In chasing after idols such as Baal, the people were adding ‘death to the pot’ and coming up ‘unsatisfied’. This modern world calls us to keep on compromising the truth of God’s Word. To do so leads to danger. Not to do so will bring much blessing.

Full service

00:00 Welcome
Song: Crown Him With Many Crowns
00:19 Introduction
00:37 Prayer
05:14 Bible reading: 2 Kings 4:38-44
Song: There Is a Higher Throne
06:39 Kids’ Talk
Song: Old Black Crow
10:31 Bible reading: John 6:1-15
Song: O the Mercy of God
12:23 Sermon: 2 Kings 4:38-44
Song: O Christ in Thee
37:10 Closing