Vision Church Podcast | Christian Church in Canberra

Dave Pellowe | Genesis 1:1, 2:18-25; Matthew 19:3-6; Ephesians 5:22-33; Jeremiah 3:3 — The essence and purpose of marriage is increasingly lost in our modern culture. This sacred, self-giving covenant relationship was not created by man or government, but by the pre-eminent God of all. Hear from Dave Pellowe, Director of Church and State, a ministry founded to educate Christians about the Scriptur...

Allan Meyer | Genesis 9:18-25; 2 Samuel 18:33; Exodus 20:12; Ephesians 6:1-3 — When faced with the sin of their fathers, the sons of Noah and of David did not act rightly, committing sin of their own that ultimately lead to death. How can we learn to love the imperfect people closest to us without taking on their sin as our own? Hear from Allan Meyer, pastor and co-founder of Careforce Lifekeys.

Andrew Baker | Jeremiah 7:25-28, 29:11; Isaiah 40:8; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; John 1:1-3,14; Amos 7:7-8 — The Old Testament prophets were instituted by God at a specific time and for a very specific purpose - to speak the Words of a gracious and just God to a people who would repeatedly refuse to listen. For the nation of Israel and indeed for us: our authority, guide, strength, and ultimate hope is not...

Kathryn Hartley | 1 Kings 18:46-19:18 — Though he had seen and done many great things as the Lord’s chosen prophet, Elijah found himself in a place of deep despair even wishing for death. But, rather than rebuke Elijah, God met him in the midst; caring for his physical needs, comforting him with nearness, and reshaping his perspective. When we, like Elijah, are at our wit’s end, may we take comfor...

Andrew Baker | Luke 1:26-33; 1 Samuel 8:1-22;2 Samuel 7:12-13; Amos 9:11; Isaiah 9:6-7, 11:1-2; Mark 1:15; Matthew 6:33 — From the time of the Judges, to Israel’s sinful request, to the Davidic covenant - all of the Old Testament collectively and consistently looks forwards to the coming of the true everlasting King. On this side of the Cross, may we live each moment in light of the reality that J...

Kairos Kim | Genesis 22:1-14; James 1:2-4, 2:14-17; Hebrews 11:6; Psalm 116:10; 2 Chronicles 20:20; 2 Samuel 24:24 — Even when commanded by God to sacrifice his own son, Abraham did not doubt God’s goodness. Rather, by faith he believed that God would provide. When we hear God speak, may we too take Him at His word and put our faith into action, trusting that He is able to make a way in every circ...

Andrew Baker | 1 Samuel 1:10-11, 2:12,17,27-36, 3:1,4-10,19-20; 1 Peter 4:7; 2 Timothy 3:16 — Having been dedicated to the Lord and called from a young age, Samuel was used greatly by the Lord and recognised across all of Israel as an authentic prophetic voice. Why? Samuel’s constant posture was one of leaning in and listening to God. Will we too have ears to hear the still small voice spoken thro...

Andrew Baker | Ruth 1:1-5,11-13, 2:2-3,8-10,14, 3:2-5,9, 4:3-6,14; Deuteronomy 7:3; Revelation 5:1-5, 19:7; Romans 8:3 — The book of Ruth recounts the hopeless plight of a family who had stepped outside of God’s good intention, and yet who He graciously restored to safety, prosperity, and immeasurable blessing. Though small in size, this little book and its rich prophetic foreshadowing of Christ p...

Robert Miles | Judges 2:1-5,16-19, 4:2-3, 6:12-16,21, 8:17,27, 13:16-23, 21:25, John 1:1,14,18, Colossians 1:15, 2:9; 1 Corinthians 10:11-12; Luke 1:30-33 — The Book of Judges is a sobering read, recounting the continual fall of Israel into idolatry, immorality, rebellion and destruction - even after they had been given the Promised Land. This book should serve as a warning to its readers, especia...

Andrew Baker | Joshua 1:1-9, 5:13-15 , 21:43-45, 23:14; Genesis 6:1-5, 15:13-16 — The book of Joshua records the journeys of battle and victory as Israel entered and took ownership of the Promised Land. But this is not an account of Israel’s military prowess, but of Joshua’s obedient faith and the unshakeable promises of our steadfast God.

Andrew Baker | Deuteronomy 6:1-9 — Standing between the wilderness and the Promised Land, Moses’ unifying call to the nation of Israel is not to service or obedience or fear, but love; to love the Lord with all their soul, might, and strength. Where our human nature so easily defaults to performance and earning, may we constantly return to this greatest commandment; to the passionate love of our L...

Adam Ritchard | Philippians 4:4; Psalm 32:11, 47:1, 66:1, 98:4, 100:1; Matthew 5:11-12, 2:10-11; Habakkuk 3:17-18; 2 Samuel 6:16-23; Nehemiah 8:9-12 — The biblical concept of joy is not dependent on circumstances but rather deeply rooted in God’s grace. Appearing hundreds of times throughout scripture, rejoicing in the Lord is essential to guard our hearts, strengthen and mark us as God’s people,...

Andrew Baker | Numbers 10:11-13, Deuteronomy 1:29-32; Isaiah 35:1-2,6-7, 41:18-20, 43:19-20; Psalm 84:5, 107:35-36 — Time and again throughout His ministry, Jesus drew His listeners to recall and learn from Israel’s wilderness season. Why? In the wilderness we see God’s faithful presence in the tension of the barrenness; His greater restorative purpose of which we are a part; and His extraordinary...

Kathryn Hartley | Acts 1:3-9, 2:1-4; 1 Corinthians 13:1-3; Ephesians 3:14-21 — The work of the Holy Spirit is not always loud, intense, and obvious. And if we assume it is then we will miss what He’s doing. Jesus’ description of the Holy Spirit’s power does not revolve around signs and wonders, but rather the enabling of our effective witness to Himself - the Christ. Are we surrendered and recepti...

Andrew Baker | Numbers 10:11-13, 11:4; Deuteronomy 8:2-3; 2 Corinthians 5:17, 12:7-10; Genesis 1:1-2; Jeremiah 4:23-26, 31:10-14; Matthew 3:3, 4:4; John 1:14, 19:41, 20:14-15; Romans 8:22; 1 Peter 1:8 — The book of Numbers records how God led Israel into the wilderness before entering into the promised land. Throughout Scripture and in our lives today, we see that God uses the wilderness seasons a...

Adam Ritchard | Job 1:13-21, 35:9; John 16:33; 2 Corinthians 1:3; Romans 5:3; James 1:2; Acts 16:24-31; 2 Samuel 24:24; Psalm 42:5-6, 102:3; Hebrews 13:15; Daniel 3:16-18; Matthew 26:30 — As believers, we live in the constant tension between Christ’s victory and freedom, and the earthly reality of brokenness and pain. Scripture reveals the significance of the songs we bring to God in the depths of...

Andrew Baker | Exodus 25:8, 40:34; Numbers 1:1; Leviticus 16:8-10,29-30; Hebrews 9:22, 10:4; Genesis 3:21; John 1:29; Revelation 5:9-10; 1 Corinthians 1:18, 2:2 — The Book of Leviticus is foundational for our understanding of the Gospel. It reminds us of the pervasiveness and seriousness of sin. It outlines the provision of a Holy God who maintains justice while dwelling amongst a sinful people. A...

Andrew Baker | Exodus 19:5-6, 25:8, 28:29, 33:14-16, 40:34-35; John 1:14, 2:18-22; Revelation 1:4-6, 5:10, 21:3; Matthew 6:9-10; Genesis 1:26, 2:15; Hebrews 7:17-26; 2 Corinthians 6:16 — Mankind was created in God’s image; literally, to bear His representation and carry His presence on Earth. Adam, Aaron, and the nation of Israel all failed to completely fulfil this priestly role, but Jesus came a...

Andrew Baker | Exodus 19:3-6; Isaiah 54:5; Jeremiah 3:14; Colossians 1:20; John 16:7, 17:20-21; Luke 22:20; 1 Corinthians 7:23, 2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 3:14-19, 5:32; John 14:2; Matthew 24:36; 1 Thessalonians 4:16; Revelation 19:6-9 — Beginning at Mount Sinai and littered throughout both Testaments, God (and Jesus) clearly describes Himself as the husband, lover, and bridegroom of His chosen...

Adam Ritchard | 2 Chronicles 20:1-22; 2 Corinthians 10:3-4; Numbers 28:11 — We must not have a small or reduced picture of worship, for it is a powerful weapon which must be wielded rightly. Worship focuses our hearts, gives us right perspective, steadies our gaze, and invites the Lord to do what only He can.

Andrew Baker | Colossians 2:13-15; Romans 5:20, 8:31-39; John 11:25-26; 1 John 3:16, 5:19 — The resurrection is the defining moment of the Biblical narrative. God stepped into human history; lived, died, and rose again to rescue and redeem us. Through the resurrection Jesus won the decisive victory over sin, death, and evil.

Adam Ritchard | Matthew 27:11-54; Isaiah 55; 1 Corinthians 1:18; Romans 6:23 — The Cross of Calvary is confronting. We are confronted by the injustice and brutality of Christ’s death. We are confronted by the ugliness of our sin that deserves such a penalty. We are confronted by Christ’s divine humility contrasting our human pride. And we are confronted by the immeasurably high price He paid to sa...

Andrew Baker | John 12:12-15; Luke 19:37-40; Galatians 3:9; Genesis 15:13-16; Exodus 2:23-25, 7:17, 8:10,22, 9:14,29, 10:1-2; Colossians 2:13-15; 1 Corinthians 15:57; Ephesians 6:12 — From the Exodus of Egypt to Palm Sunday, scripture’s declaration is of a God who not only fulfils His promises and plans, but in doing so demonstrates the ultimate triumphant victory of Christ over all other powers a...

Selwyn van Wyk | Psalm 147:3; Revelation 18:2; Matthew 9:27-30,36, 10:8, 15:8,21-28,31; Luke 4:41; Deuteronomy 7:22-23; Ephesians 6:18 — The reality of demonic possession and deliverance is clearly found in scripture, but often ignored in the modern church. What can we learn from the Biblical accounts in question, and how can we strike the right balance on this polarising topic? Hear from Selwyn v...

Adam Ritchard | Revelation 4:1-5:14; John 4:23-24; Genesis 12:1-8 — In Revelation we see a picture of unceasing worship of the One seated on heaven’s throne. What could our earthly worship possibly add to this picture of perfection? As we explore this question over the coming series, let us consider Abraham. In and out of season, Genesis records him building an altar to the Lord. These were intent...