Vision Church Podcast | Christian Church in Canberra

Adam Ritchard | Genesis 32:22-21; Luke 10:38-42; 2 Corinthians 12:7-10; Zechariah 4:6 — After Jacob wrestled with God he was left with a limp; a weakening of his self-reliance and pride. Like Jacob, we as God’s children are called to surrender - to depend on His grace, not on our own ability to perform. In our need His power is made perfect, and in our weakness He is strong.

Andrew Baker | Romans 15:30-16:16; Luke 1:1-4 — In an easily-missed portion of scripture, we are reminded of the vital truth that Paul’s ministry was not a lone wolf mission: the extraordinary riches of the Gospel were (and are) outworked through a community of ordinary people, doing ordinary things for the kingdom of God.

Andrew Baker | Romans 15:14-21 — Paul’s life spent preaching the Gospel throughout the world was motivated by two simple but profound realities: the un-matched beauty of Jesus’ grace and the incredible transformative power of His Spirit. May these same realities lead us to boast only in Christ; passionately pursuing Him with reawakened faith for all that He is willing and able to do.

Kathryn Hartley | Romans 15:8-13; John 15:1-4; 2 Corinthians 3:16-18 — As we are confronted with the implications of the Gospel on our lives (and how much work there is to do!), Paul reminds us that our God is faithful: For Jew and Gentile alike, He is the initiator and finisher of our redemption story. As we abide in and behold Him, may we put off self-effort and abound in hope at the transformat...

Adam Ritchard | Romans 15:1-7; 1 Cor 10:24; Phil 2:3-8; Hebrews 10:24-25 — Having instructed the Roman Church to ‘put off’ division and seek unity under Christ, Paul now exhorts his readers to ‘put on’ Christ’s example: We are to bear with each others’ weaknesses and build each other up, in order that our lives would be suitable dwelling places for the Lord of all.

Andrew Baker | Romans 13:13-15:7; Ephesians 4:3 — From the 1st Century to the present day, the church has been characterised by differences of opinion and belief. In the midst of this diversity, Paul calls the church to unity; to welcome one another and live out these differences to the glory of God. Ultimately, we are united by that which is infinitely greater than any issue that could divide us:...

Andrew Baker | Romans 13:8-14; John 13:34-35; Ephesians 1:5 — Love is the basis of our creation, the foundation of the Gospel, and the most fundamental need of every human heart. It is little wonder then that Paul describes love as a ‘debt’; a gift from the Father which we continually owe to the world around us.

Andrew Baker | Romans 12:14,19-21; 13:1-7 — We live in a culture that loves to tear down those in authority. But Paul’s message to the Romans and to us is very clear: we are to be subject to the governing authorities - not at the cost of disobeying God, but that we might proclaim our citizenship to His Kingdom by showing honour in all that we do.

Adam Ritchard | Romans 12:2,9-21; John 13:34-35 — In view of God’s mercies, our right response must go beyond a mere inward change. Where the rubber hits the road - in the words and actions of the everyday - our lives should be marked by the kind of genuine love that leaves others in no doubt as to who we follow.

Andrew Baker | Romans 12:3-8, 1 Corinthians 14:1 — In the Modern Western church we can so easily depend on our structures and programs that we forget the most effective tool of all - the power of God. Through His Holy Spirit, God has graciously provided each believer with spiritual gifts. Not to be hidden, but to be used to sustain, serve and build the Body of Christ in ways that no human endeavou...

Last month, Vision Church sent a team to connect with and support long-term missionaries Steve and Ros Lazar serving in Mozambique. Hear stories, reflections, and testimonies from Kathryn and the team from their time in and around Zimpeto Children’s Centre.

Adam Ritchard | Romans 12:1-2 — At this critical juncture in Romans, Paul moves from theology to application: As we behold God’s great mercy towards us, the only right response is to completely offer our lives in worship of, and for transformation by, Him. All in order that we might display His mercies to the world around us.

Andrew Baker | Romans 11:1-36; Luke 19:41-42; Daniel 9:20-25 — Building on his discussion of sovereignty, Paul explains God’s plan outworked through human history to bring salvation to all; Jews and Gentiles alike. In light of such a God as this, whose faithfulness and redemptive purposes are without end, we can be filled with expectancy at the future restoration of the nation of Israel - God’s ch...

Andrew Baker | Romans 10:1-21, 1:14-15 — In spite of Israel’s self-righteous zeal, rejection of Christ, and persecution of him, the desire of Paul’s heart was that God’s people would be saved. Why? Because the Gospel has been given for salvation to all - by the God who stands with His arms stretched wide to save all. What is your heart’s desire for those around you?

Andrew Baker | Romans 9:1-26; 1 Peter 1:6-9 — After powerfully affirming our position in Christ, Paul’s letter to the Romans turns to explore the purposes of God. He who has saved and redeemed us is also the God who is sovereignly in control over all. His promises have not failed, and in the tension between mercy and judgement, election and choice, suffering and joy, and rebellion and humility: Hi...

Kathryn Hartley | Micah 6:6-8; Luke 18:35-43 — What does it really look like to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God in our day to day? And how do the acts of justice practised by Christians differ from those practised by the world? It all comes from the grounding of a relationship with He who is truly just.

Martyn Ritchard | Matthew 8:26, 14:27; John 14:23-27; Psalm 16:8, 34:4-7, 46:1-2, 50:15, 57:1; Isaiah 41:10; 2 Corinthians 10:4-5; Philippians 4:6-7; Romans 8:31 — We live in a world increasingly gripped by fear. But Jesus’ didn’t live a life under the influence of fear and we shouldn’t either. By daily anchoring our lives into His Word and contending for the freedom that He has won for us, we too...

Dave Lamerton | 1 Samuel 16:6-13, 17:34-36,40-47; Numbers 13-14; Joshua 1:9 — With utter confidence in the faithfulness of His mighty God, David - a mere shepherd boy - defeated an entire army. Whether on a literal battlefield or not, we all face ‘Goliaiths’ of some kind in our lives. But we are not called to respond in fear. Rather, as we learn to fight our giants with God’s perspective and strat...

Adam Ritchard | 2 Peter 3:11-18; Hebrews 12:1-2; Matthew 7:24-27; John 15:4-5 — As God’s people we are not to be tossed around by the wind and the waves of this world. In the midst of adversity there is a call for us to be people who are steadfast and anchored into Jesus: keeping Him as our reference point, building on His Word, and growing in the knowledge of He who is perfectly steadfast towards...

Adam Ritchard | Matthew 12:33-37, 15:18-20; James 3:1-12; Proverbs 18:21; Psalm 19:14; Judges 6:11-17; Ephesians 4:29 — The manner in which we speak about ourselves, others, and our circumstances holds incredible power - to bless, curse, save or even condemn. Our words are our imprint on the world around us. Only by the work of the Holy Spirit can this imprint be one that brings life; reflecting a...

James Edwards | John 13:33-35; 1 Corinthians 12:31-13:7 — God has redeemed us for more than just escaping Hell. We are to be representatives of Him. But all that we might say or do for Him is reduced to noise if we do not have love. When people encounter you, do they experience the love of Christ? Hear from James Edwards, Senior Minister of C3 Monash.

Kathryn Hartley | John 14:15-27, 16:4-14; Ephesians 2:4-5; 2 Corinthians 3:16-18; Romans 8:9-1 — The world would have us believe that the power to change ourselves lies within. However the truth of Scripture reveals something very different: we cannot and will not change, except by the sanctifying and experiential power of the Holy Spirit. For the believer, this true transformation is the essentia...

Adam Ritchard | Isaiah 6:1-8; Acts 2:43, 5:11, 9:31; Luke 11:2; Psalm 25:12-14; 1 Peter 1:14-19 — Right throughout scripture we see a call to live with awe and ‘fear’ before the holiness and majesty of God. In Isaiah’s commissioning, this response of reverence was the essential starting point for a life of repentant obedience. And the same is true for us: we too are called to be people marked by o...

David Brookes | Luke 2:1-21 — Joy is not an optional extra. Gifted to us by the Holy Spirit and founded in the hope brought by the birth, death, and Resurrection of Christ, this deep happiness ought to be ever-present in the life of a believer. Hear from David Brookes, Senior Minister of Tuggeranong Presbyterian Church.

Adam Ritchard | Exodus 33:1-16; 1 Corinthians 1:2 — With the Promised Land, provision, and protection all granted, Moses still refused to lead the Israelites onwards unless God’s presence went with them. As God’s children we are called to lives that are ‘set apart’ from the world around us. Far beyond worldly success or the blessings that we receive from Him, our lives ought to be marked by the pr...