Philip Burns

Rev Philip Burns is the minister of Bendigo Presbyterian Church.

‘Christmas in just 4, no… 5 words’ (John 1:14)

AudioPhilip

There have been a lot of words written and spoken about the central meaning of Christmas. The Apostle John, in his prologue to his gospel (John 1:1-18), hits the nail on the head in just 4 words from verse 14. These words are so deep and profound that we need to get our heads around them… and it will take 5 words for us to do just that!

Message

Radio service

00:00 Welcome
Song: O Come All You Faithful
00:23 Introduction
00:40 Prayer
Song: Angels We Have Heard on on High
Song: O Little Town of Bethlehem
05:22 Bible reading: Isaiah 11
Song: Hark the Herald Angel
Song: Joy to the World
07:33 Bible reading: John 1:1-18
Sermon: John 1:14-18
Song: Who Is He in Yonder Stall
09:29 Closing

Outline

  • Doublespeak… deliberately hiding what you don’t want to say!
  • John’s precise message in just 4 words
  • The ‘Prologue’ of his gospel – all his themes revealed
  • See something of the span of his words by 5 words!
  • Consider these…
  1. Condescension
  2. Humiliation
  3. Transition
  4. Incarnation
  5. Association

The great question…why?
The hymns’ answers…for His people!
Behold your God!

‘Three developments’ (Ruth 4:1-22)

AudioPhilip

In the final chapter of the book of Ruth (Ruth 4:1-22), the final outcome of Ruth’s appeal to Boaz for proptection (and therefore marriage) is told. By the city gate where business transactions were carried out, Boaz deals with the man next-in-line to take over Elimelech’s property (which includes a marriageable young Moabitess). True to his word, Boaz carries through with the deal and marriage is followed by the birth of their son, Obed, and the family line is established that leads to David and, of course, to Jesus.

Message

Radio service

00:00 Welcome
Song: Tell Out My Soul
00:19 Introduction
00:33 Prayer
04:03 Bible reading: Ruth 4
Song: Worthy of All Praise
08:46 Shorter Catechism Introduction
10:14 Catechism Questions 152-160
14:48 Bible reading: Matthew 1:1-6
Song: Jesus Thank You
Sermon: Ruth 4
Song: O Come O Come Emmanuel
16:05 Closing

Outline

• The story ends, but it’s more than a Hollywood movie!
• How will Elimelech have an heir?
• The problem presented and overcome
• See how the text speaks of these developments…

  1. The actions of a kind redeemer (v.1-10)
  2. The blessings of a broad covenant (v.11-12)
  3. The arrival of a welcome son (v.13-21)

God at work in the whole story!
The point of it all – to lead us to Jesus!

‘Three scenes’ (Ruth 3:1-18)

AudioPhilip

Great movies often use certain plotlines to make the story stand out among others, and the writer of the book of Ruth did also. in the third chapter (Ruth 3:1-18), the reader is given three scenes by which they might understand what is happening; and these three scenes cover the events in one 24 hour period. In the second of those scenes Ruth makes a move that could be interpreted to be something rather risky. It could all go so terribly wrong…but in the culture of the day, can also be viewed as something fuilled with faith and an appeal from a helpless woman to one who could redeem her. But will he?

Message

Radio service

00:00 Welcome
Song: Marvellous Grace
00:17 Introduction
00:32 Prayer
04:21 Bible reading: Ruth 3
Song: Jerusalem
07:14 Shorter Catechism Introduction
08:41 Catechism Questions 146-151
12:40 Bible reading: Galatians 1:1-5
Song: My Hope Rests Firm
Sermon: Ruth 3
Song: I Will Sing of My Redeemer
13:22 Closing

Outline

• The story so far
• Can you hear wedding bells?
• The crucial next day
• See how the text speaks of these scenes in the story…

  1. The afternoon’s conversation (v.1-5)
  2. The evening’s liaison (v.6-13)
  3. The morning’s conclusion (v.14-18)

Wary of what’s ahead?
See Jesus … who gave Himself!

‘Three characters’ (Ruth 2:1-23)

AudioPhilip

After telling of Naomi and Ruth’s tragic loss and their eventual trip back to the land of Judah in Israel, the text of chapter two (Ruth 2:1-23) brings us face to face with three central characters. The two widows, Naomi and Ruth, and one man, new to the plot line of the story, Boaz, a wealthy landowner. While Naomi and Ruth’s plight has been noted, now there is a silver thread, a small shining light of hope introduced, and Boaz begins to notice and care for Ruth. Could this be God’s plan for the continuation of the line of Elimelech?

Message

Radio service

00:00 Welcome
Song: What a Friend We Have in Jesus
00:17 Introduction
00:34 Prayer
02:28 Bible reading: Ruth 2
Song: Be Unto Your Name
06:08 Shorter Catechism Introduction
07:35 Catechism Questions 140-145
14:05 Bible reading: Romans 8
Song: How Deep the Father’s Love
Sermon: Ruth 2
Song: Teach Me Thy Way
15:07 Closing

Outline

• When and where we last met Ruth and Naomi
• How would they survive?
• The fields of Boaz…
• See how the text speaks of the characters in the story…

  1. Ruth the dutiful worker (v.1-3, 10, 17-18, 23)
  2. Boaz the generous protector (v.4-9, 11-16)
  3. Naomi the hopeful schemer (v.19-23)

Insignificant things…and the plans of our God!

‘Three journeys’ (Ruth 1:1-22)

AudioPhilip

Welcome to this series on the book of Ruth, a book that gives us hope in the face of despair and disappointment – just where the book’s first chapter (Ruth 1:1-22) takes us. It introdueces us to Naomi and to her husband Elimelech fleeing from their native Judah to the land of Moab along with their two sons, Mahlon and Chilion, who eventually marry to Moabitess women, Orpah and Ruth. With Naomi intent now on returning to Judah, what is Ruth to do? And how will God begin to bring about good from the sadness and loss that she and Naomi knew?

Message

Radio service

00:00 Welcome
Song: I Will Sing the Wondrous Story
00:19 Introduction
00:33 Prayer
06:17 Bible reading: Ruth 1
Song: My Worth Is Not In What I Own
10:29 Shorter Catechism Introduction
11:57 Catechism Questions 134-139
16:01 Bible reading: 2 Corinthians 1:1-11
Song: My Heart Is Filled With Thankfulness
Sermon: Ruth 1
Song: Be Still My Soul
18:05 Closing

Outline

• The book of Ruth
• Not just a Mothers’ Day text
• ‘In the days of the judges…’
• See how the text speaks of the journey…

  1. From Bethlehem to Moab (v.1-5)
  2. From Moab to the border (v.6-18)
  3. From the border to Bethlehem (v.19-22)

God’s frowning providence…
The blessings that come through pain and trial!

‘Jesus speaks of nets, fish, baskets and fire’ (Matthew 13:47-50)

AudioPhilip

In this fifth and last of the parable recorded in Matthew 13, this one in Matthew 13:47-50, Jesus spoke of things that would have been familiar to those who lived on the shores of the Sea of Galilee – the everyday, ordinary practice of the people who made a living from fishing, and the associated sorting process that would follow… the not up-to-scratch fish thrown away and the best ones either sold or eaten. On this, Jesus taught that this was just a pointer toward the end of time, when people are sorted out into categories – some rejected, some not – and the only safe place to be to avoid such judgement.

Message

Radio Service

00:00 Welcome
Song: Standing on the Promises
00:18 Introduction
00:33 Prayer
06:06 Bible reading: Luke 5:1-11
Song: O Great God
07:37 Shorter Catechism Introduction
09:05 Catechism Questions 128-133
12:32 Bible reading: Revelation 14:14-20
Song: My Hope Rests Firm
Sermon: Matthew 13:47-50
Song: Out of My Bondage
14:05 Closing

Outline

• Found in 1986…
• The daily fishing trade
• A very pointed parable
• See how Jesus tells his followers about …

  1. Their mission (v.47)
  2. Their makeup (v.47-48)
  3. Their future (v.49-50)

This is not a drill!
The only safe place to be …

‘Jesus speaks of a hidden treasure and a priceless pearl’ (Matthew 13:44-46)

AudioPhilip

In this fourth, and one of the smallest, parables found in Matthew 13:44-46, again we find that Jesus spoke to those who were around him about everyday common items. This time, the fairly well-known practise of finding buried wealth in a plot of land (which means it was yours if you bought the land!) and the search for a priceless, most valuable pearl. In the first case, the man who found the treasure gave all he could to gain something of greater value. In the second, the one who came across the pearl also gave up everything in order that he might have it. The Kingdom of God is like that. Worth more than anything else.

Message

Radio Service

00:00 Welcome
Song: And Can It Be
00:19 Introduction
00:34 Prayer
03:53 Bible reading: Matthew 19:16-30
Song: See Him Coming
06:05 Shorter Catechism Introduction
07:33 Catechism Questions 122-127
10:08 Bible reading: Philippians 3:1-11
Song: By Faith
Sermon: Matthew 13:44-46
Song: Glorious Things of Thee
12:00 Closing

Outline

• Daytime TV
• What is valuable?
• What’s the point of these parables?
• See in this parable.…

  1. An unforeseen discovery (v.44, 45)
  2. An unmatched desire (v.44, 46)
  3. An unconventional decision (v.45-46)

Onboard the Titanic!
No entrance fee to the Kingdom, but…
Moses’ choice… and yours!

‘Jesus speaks of a tiny seed and a small amount of yeast’ (Matthew 13:31-35)

AudioPhilip

In this third parable of Matthew 13, Jesus speaks in Matthew 13:31-35 of two very common items from his day. The tiny mustrad seed which, which when grown, became a medium to large sized bush that would be the home for many birds, and an amount of yeast, which would turn a small amlount of leaven into a larger amount of bread. By these, Jesus again taught that the kingdom of God does not come by worldly means, but God brings it about silently and almost behind-the-scenes, leading us to always have hope that His Kingdom ‘will come’.

Message

Radio Service

00:00 Welcome
Song: Holy, Holy, Holy
00:18 Introduction
00:34 Prayer
04:20 Bible reading: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31
Song: 10,000 Reasons
06:17 Shorter Catechism Introduction
07:45 Catechism Questions 115-121
13:00 Bible reading: Matthew 13:31-35
Song: Consider Christ
Sermon: Matthew 13:31-35
Song: Jesus Shall Reign
13:55 Closing

Outline

• These parables of Matthew 13
• Mary, Mary quite contrary
• How does His kingdom grow?
• See in this parable…

  1. From little things big things grow (v.31-32)
  2. From hidden things, some things grow (v.33)

Don’t despise the day of small things
Don’t despair of seeing kingdom growth
Don’t forget there’s room in those branches
Do adopt this vision of the kingdom!

‘Jesus speaks of seeds, some weeds and a harvest’ (Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43)

AudioPhilip

In this second parable that Matthew records Jesus teaching in Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43, the everyday item that Jesus used was wheat and weeds. To us, these might sound like two completely different items, but in his day the ‘weed’ was a ‘counterfeit wheat’ that was very hard to distinguish from the real. As Jesus explained the parable, it becomes clear that the point he was making is still so important for His people today, as we grow in the world along with the ‘counterfeit wheat’ – leading us to see the world around us through His eyes.

Message

Radio Service

00:00 Welcome
Song: Praise to the Lord
00:18 Introduction
00:33 Prayer
04:40 Bible reading: Matthew 9:1-13
Song: Come Praise and Glorify
06:46 Shorter Catechism Introduction
08:13 Catechism Questions 111-114
11:25 Bible reading: Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43
Song: Christ Is Mine Forevermore
Sermon: Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43
Song: May the Mind of Christ
13:23 Closing

Outline

• These parables of Matthew 13
• How can good and evil exist in the world side by side?
• Two extremes we could adopt..
• See how this parable.…

  1. Explains our present reality (v.24-30)
  2. Points to a future certainty (v.36-43)

John Wesley’s visit to Newcastle (UK)
How do you see the world?

‘Jesus speaks of seeds, some soils and a sower’ (Matthew 13:1-23)

AudioPhilip

Of the 5 parables that make up Matthew 13, the first in one Matthew 13:1-23 is by far the longest. All of them have to do with the Kingdom of God, how and when it comes and how it grows, and what will be the consequences of not being part of it. In this parable, Jesus takes familiar agricultural themes and makes a point about listening, hearing and fruitfulness.

Message

Radio service

00:00 Welcome
Song: Immortal Invisible
00:20 Introduction
00:34 Prayer
04:50 Bible reading: Matthew 13:1-23
Song: Behold Our God
08:07 Shorter Catechism Introduction
09:35 Catechism Questions 107-110
13:24 Bible reading: James 1:19-27
Song: Meekness and Majesty
Sermon: Matthew 13:1-23
Song: Master Speak
14:50 Closing

Outline

• The parables of Matthew 13
• Was Jesus making truth plain or hiding it?
• It all depends if you’re ‘in’ or ‘out’ of the Kingdom
• See how Jesus tells us of…

  1. Some vital activity (v.1-3)
  2. Some varied responses (v.4-9, 18-22)
  3. Some very big results (v.23)

Hearing the Word isn’t enough!
Fruit is the proof of life!