Vision Church Podcast | Christian Church in Canberra

Rev. Dr. Andrew White | Romans 8:18 — This life is filled with evil and suffering, but the glory that is to come is worth our everything. Hear reflections from academic, writer, and clergyman Rev. Dr. Andrew White on life as a lover of Jesus in the Middle East.

Andrew Baker | Romans 8:31-39; Revelation 12:10-11 — The finished work of Jesus has forever secured our justification and redemption, but it is infinitely more than just a ticket to eternal life. As Paul exhorts his Roman readers, we have not been born again to live in an attitude of defeat, but to live through the trials of the present life as more than conquerors.

Andrew Baker | Romans 8:24-30; 1 Peter 1:3; 1 Corinthians 15:14-19 — We all hope in something. But for the believer, our hope is more than a wishful expectancy. Through the Resurrection of Jesus Christ we have been given new birth; saved through no doing of our own. And it is upon this foundation, filled with the assurance of His promise and the certainty of His purpose, that we have a living hope...

Adam Ritchard | John 19:1-6,16-30; Genesis 3:1-15; Romans 5:12; 1 Corinthians 15:23; Matthew 26:39, 27:32 — Though sin entered the world through Adam, it is ultimately the sin of each one of us that sent Jesus to the Cross. But, through His pain and sorrow the debt of our sin has been paid in full once and for all. As we look upon the Cross this Good Friday, what will our response be to the one ca...

Andrew Baker | Romans 8:18-23, 12:1-2; Exodus 32:1-12; Matthew 6:19,24,31-33, 17:24-27 — Having proclaimed our freedom and Sonship in Christ, Paul highlights the tension between this freedom and the groaning and bondage of creation. We may have been set free, but unless our hearts and minds are renewed we - like the Israelites and Egypt - still live as though we are captive to the world. Are you l...

Andrew Baker | Romans 7:19,24-25; 8:1-4,15-17 — For those who are in Christ there is no condemnation. We are free! Unlike the world’s version, this freedom is not based on unchaining human desire. Rather, it is anchored to the unconditional love of a God who has adopted us and called us - freed to be His very own sons and daughters.

Adam Ritchard | Romans 6:15-7:6; Titus 2:11-12; Matthew 6:24; John 15:16; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 — Continuing his rich theological discussion, Paul describes how the grace extended through Jesus’ death and resurrection has released believers from the Old Testament law. We are now bound to Christ, that we would no longer serve sin but be slaves to righteousness. This is a radical shift, but do our l...

Andrew Baker | Romans 6:1-14; 12:1; Jeremiah 2:12-13 — If grace in abundance has been gifted to us by God, should we keep sinning that grace might increase? Paul could not give a clearer ‘no!’. We are dead to sin and have been gifted a new life in Jesus Christ. A gift so great that our lifelong response of passion for Him should swallow up any fleeting passions of this world.

Andrew Baker | Romans 5:1-6:1; Jude 1:24-25; Thessalonians 5:23-24 — Since we have been justified by the righteous sacrifice of Jesus, Paul states that we who put our faith in Him stand in grace. But do we? All too often we fall back into striving as though we could justify ourselves. In this place called grace, all earning gives way to rejoicing in and receiving the abundant provision of life, fr...

Steve Lazar | Matthew 4:10b; 5:3-7,44; 6:25-33; 7:12; 25:44; 26:36-46 28:20 ; Luke 3:11; 6:27,31; 13:1-5 24:45-47, , Psalm 113:7-8; Galatians 6:7-8; Exodus 20:12 — Our modern context may look very different to New Testament Jerusalem. But as followers of Christ, we are called to imitate His example. In every area of life and every situation we face: What would Jesus do? Hear from long term mission...

Andrew Baker | Romans 3:21-26; 4:1-3,9-12,16-25 — Having established God’s provision of justification for all, Paul turns to the ‘how’ - how exactly do we receive the justification we so desperately need? More than just believing, and nothing to do with earning, the key to our salvation is faith: leaning on and living from His unshakeable promises.

Andrew Baker | Romans 3:19-26 — From the Garden of Eden to the present day, humankind longs to be ‘enough’. But as Paul makes clear, we have all fallen short and nothing we can get or do will ever justify us before a truly just God - nothing except His free gift: Through faith in Jesus, His righteousness is given to us. By His blood, the universal longing is ended. Through the finished work of the...

Andrew Baker | Romans 3:9-18, 22b-25; 1:18-32; 2:1,17-24; 3:19-20 — Jew, Gentile, religious, secular; the great human dilemma affects us all: no matter how far we unchain our desire, it cannot bring true freedom. To the Romans and to us today, Paul’s message should hit like a ton of bricks. But, only by accepting that we are all equally broken, sinful, and depraved, can we receive the freeing grac...

Andrew Baker | Romans 1:1-16 — From the very first verses of the letter, the singularity of Paul’s focus is clear. His life’s mission, his driving motivation, and the fundamental purpose for his message to the Roman church are all found in the Gospel. The only power that can save sinners and transform nations, the only message that ultimately matters; the Gospel is truth that we must anchor our li...

Andrew Baker | Romans 11:33-12:1 — The letter to the Roman church is perhaps the most significant doctrinal portion of scripture in the entire Bible, filled with rich theology. But at its core, Paul’s intent in writing it was simple: to expand our wonder, that it would fuel our worship. As we study through Romans, would all roads lead to a greater awe of our Creator and Saviour than ever before.

Kathryn Hartley | James 4:1-10 — Writing to believers throughout the Roman empire, James issued a stark warning against compromise: friendship with the world is enmity with God. As we begin 2023, let us heed James’ call and be honest with ourselves: are my words and actions congruent with my belief and declaration that I am a follower of Jesus?

Adam Ritchard | Luke 2:7; Exodus 3:1-6; Rev 3:20 — In the mundaneness of tending the flocks, God revealed himself to Moses - after he had turned aside to behold the burning bush. Today, even in the midst of our busy routines, God desires to speak. But first we must make room to see and hear Him; to pause and listen. Jesus is knocking, but will we open the door?

Andrew Baker | Exodus 17:1-7; 33:14-17 — Having been delivered from Egyptian slavery, the Israelites did not endure the wilderness long before questioning if God was really with them. At times we too can fall into seeking God only for what we can get. But, like Moses, our highest goal must instead be God Himself - the one whose very presence is right here among us.

Andrew Baker | Luke 1:26-33 — The Angel’s proclamation to Mary was clear: the child to whom she would give birth would be King. Not one surrounded by pomp, but one coming into the very midst of our earthly mess in love and sacrifice. Liberator. Judge. Good Shepherd. Prince of Peace. Saviour. King. But is He your King?

Adam Ritchard | Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:20-23; Luke 2:10-20 — The signs of Christmas are all around us. But Christmas itself is a sign, and one that we ought to pay attention to. Beyond all the lights, carols, and presents, Christmas directs us to a faithful God who is always with us, and a Messiah who is Saviour and Lord.

Andrew Baker | Luke 2:8-20 — In the most unlikely of places, the host of heaven appeared declaring the birth of Jesus to the shepherds - a glorious gift met with praise to God. As believers, our lives should always rest on these two pillars: recognition of the undeserved Gift we’ve received, and lives of gratitude lived in response.

Kathryn Hartley | Isaiah 9:2-7; Luke 1:26-33,39 — Amidst the saturation of traditions and fanfare this time of year, we can easily become overfamiliar with how astonishing Jesus’ coming really was: the long-awaited King of Glory arriving as a baby in a backwater town. This Christmas, as we put overfamiliarity aside, would we too be filled with an awareness of the King in the room; that His presenc...

Trevor Galpin | 2 Corinthians 1:3-4,8; 7:5-7; 11:23-29 — We ought to live a victorious Christian life, but the reality of human existence is filled with struggle and hardship. Found in despair time and again on his missionary journeys, the Apostle Paul modelled a life of reliance upon our heavenly Father: the One who comforts us that we might comfort others.

Matt King | Psalm 63:1-3 — Out in the wilderness, David proclaimed his longing to see and know God, just as he had seen Him in the Holy Sanctuary. While we know that we will not witness God in all His fullness until heaven, the central pursuit of our lives as believers must reflect that of David: an unquenchable hunger to see and know our awesome, majestic God more and more.

Andrew Baker | Ephesians 2:1-10; Matthew 28:19-20 — As we consider the words of Paul and Jesus, it is clear that We, The Church weren’t established as an exclusive club. We have been saved SO THAT we might bring others in as His disciples: a demonstration to all the world of the immeasurable riches of God’s grace given to us in Christ Jesus.