Philip Burns

Rev Philip Burns is the minister of Bendigo Presbyterian Church.

‘Understanding Elisha and the dilemma facing the three kings’ (2 Kings 3:1-27)

AudioPhilip

After Elisha’s initial encounter with the people of Jericho and then some youths of Bethel, the scene changes somewhat in 2 Kings 3:1-27 where we meet Elisha in the company of the Kings of Israel, Judah and Edom. The situation facing these kings and their armies was nothing short of desparate. Having taking the desert route to attack the kingdom of Moab, they soon ran out of water and were facing the prospect of death. How Elisha came to be among these kings and their armies is not told to us, but he was, and when approached, the miracle he performed not only guaranteed the survival of the kings and their armies, but also the defeat of Moab and brought glory to God who can do ‘more than we ask or think’ (Ephesians 3:20).

Full service

00:00 Welcome
Song: And Can It Be
00:17 Introduction
00:36 Prayer
04:56 Bible reading: 2 Kings 3:1-27
Song: Only A Holy God
10:39 Kids’ Talk
Song: Blessed Be Your Name
14:06 Bible reading: Ephesians 3:7-21
Song: This Life I Live
16:07 Sermon: 1 Kings 3:1-27
Song: Teach Me Thy Way
39:46 Closing

‘Understanding Elisha and those marauding bears’ (2 Kings 2:23-25)

AudioAndrew

Critics of the Bible might use the text of 2 Kings 2:23-25 to point out how evil the God of the Old Testament is or how uncaring his servants (in this case, Elisha) really are. At first glance of this text, it might appear that they have a point. But with some extra examination and information and perspective, there might be more to this incident than first meets the eye – and it might just turn out to be the exact opposite – something that critics of the Bible (and all of us, for that matter) should take notice of and be warned by! God’s judgement is not something that anyone can take lightly!

Full service

00:00 Welcome
Song: Standing On The Promises
00:15 Introduction
00:37 Prayer
04:53 Bible reading: 2 Chronicles 36:9-16
Song: Nothing Can I Boast In
06:34 Kids’ Talk
Song: The Power Of The Cross
09:57 Bible reading: 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12
Song: In Christ Alone
11:45 Sermon: 1 Kings 2:23-25
Song: At The Name of Jesus
35:19 Closing

‘Understanding Elisha’s miracle at the pleasant, yet deathly place’ (2 Kings 2:19-22)

AudioPhilip

There’s no doubt that there are many, many lovely places to live. Whether it’s in the miountains or by a river or near to the ocean, there are some beautiful places to be. But while all may look good on the outside of these places, not all is always well within. While at Jericho in 2 Kings 2:19-22, the prophet Elisha was told that it was a pleasant place to live, but there was a problem with the water supply. The problem was that it caused death. Elisha’s miracle cure for Jericho was simple and it points us to something worth noting. Man’s greatest problem is not outside on him, but on the inside. Sin (which also causes death) lives within and the gospel of Jesus (like Elisha’s bowl of salt) is the only cure.

Full service

00:00 Welcome
Song: All Creatures Of Our God
00:15 Introduction
00:34 Prayer
04:17 Bible reading: Isaiah 1:1-20
Song: See Him Coming
07:16 Kids’ Talk
Song: By Faith
10:36 Bible reading: Mark 7:1-23
Song: Before The Throne
13:21 Sermon: 1 Kings 2:19-22
Song: Marvellous Grace
37:16 Closing

‘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

‘Understanding Elisha’s call to serve the Lord’ (1 Kings 19:19-21)

AudioAndrew

It’s hard to say what the prophet Elijah thought when God told him to anoint Elisha as his successor. It’s not an easy thing to find out that your work is done. But in 1 Kings 19:19-21, we have the record of the day when Elijah laid his cloak upon Elisha and called him into service of the Lord. Not all of us will have an experience like Elisha in this respect, but all of God’s people are called into the Lord’s service … the challenge before us all the time is to prove faithful to our high calling…

Full service

00:00 Welcome
Song: O Christ In Thee
00:15 Introduction
00:35 Prayer
05:35 Bible reading: 1 Kings 19:1-21
Song: My Heart Is Filled
09:38 Mission Spot: Persecuted Church
Song: My Worth Is Not In What I Own
13:14 Bible reading: Luke 9:46-62
Song: O Great God
15:19 Sermon: 1 Kings 19:19-21
Song: O Jesus I Have Promised
38:22 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

‘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

‘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