Vision Church Podcast | Christian Church in Canberra

Andrew Baker | Hebrews 11:1-12:2; 1 Peter 2:9; James 2:19 — Pointing to numerous Old Testament examples, the writer to the Hebrews exhorts his readers to run the race of life ‘by faith’. But this faith is not blind faith. It is the assurance of things hoped for, which is built on the sure foundation of our faithful God, and proven as we lean hard into trusting Him through every circumstance.

Andrew Baker | Hebrews 10:32-39; 1 Peter 2:1, 4:12; James 1:2; 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 — Addressing the hardship and persecution suffered by the Hebrews, the author calls His readers and us to endure through such trials, even with joy! How? Only through the indestructible knowledge that in Christ we have the greatest possession of all, compared to which truly ‘all else is loss’!

Adam Ritchard | Hebrews 10:19-39; Matthew 1:23; Romans 10:9; 1 Corinthians 10:12 — Having explored the complete superiority of the New Covenant established by Jesus’ blood, the writer to the Hebrews now turns to its implications. In light of the grace and faithfulness of Christ, let us: draw near to God; hold fast to our confession of hope; stir one another up to love and good works; take heed and resist sin; and grow in endurance.

Andrew Baker | Hebrews 9:1-14; Exodus 25:8, 33; Psalm 139:7-8; John 1:14, 14:23; Revelation 5:9-10, 21:3; Romans 3:10,23; Jeremiah 17:9; Genesis 3:21,22:14 — The Old Testament concept of the Tabernacle simultaneously reveals God’s desire to dwell amongst His people and confronts humanity with the barrier of their sin. As the writer to the Hebrews explains, the requirements of this Tabernacle construct were utterly and eternally fulfilled through the redeeming blood of Jesus, who atoned once and for all that our sin might separate us from God no longer.

Andrew Baker | Hebrews 8:1-13; Luke 22:20; Acts 15; 2 Corinthians 1:21-22, 11:2; John 14:1-4; 1 Thessalonians 4:16; Revelation 19:7-9; Ephesians 5:32 — Having explained Jesus’ superiority to the Levitical Law, the writer to the Hebrews describes His mediation of the promised ‘new’, ‘better’ covenant between God and His people. Mirroring the traditional Jewish wedding covenant, Jesus declares His faithful, profound and jealous love for us through the highest price of His blood, all that we might respond with passionate devotion to Him.

Hugo van Leemputten | Job 1:21; Psalm 103:1-5; Mark 16:15-18 — When we seek God’s healing touch in our lives, it can be so easy to feel like we are powerless to change our situation. But, while there is no formula to receive God’s healing, we are not to be passive. The Psalmist exhorts us to praise Him; to recall the many blessings given by the One who “forgives all [our] sins, and heals all [our] diseases”.

Hear from Hugo van Leemputten, who was miraculously healed of aggressive cancer more than 25 years ago, and now serves the Lord through Fatherheart Ministries Belgium.

Andrew Baker | Hebrews 7:1-28; Genesis 14:17-24; Psalm 110:4 — The writer to the Hebrews repeatedly describes Jesus as a high priest ‘after the order of Melchizedek’ - an Old Testament king established as a priest generations before the Aaronic priesthood. This link points us to Jesus’ eternal superiority to the Levitical Law - through Jesus alone we have an unfailing guarantee of complete and perfect saving grace, founded on the everlasting, indestructible promise of God.

Kathryn Hartley | Matthew 4:18-25, 11:28-30, 28:18-20; John 15:5; Romans 12:2; Ephesians 4:17-24 (MSG) — When Jesus called His first disciples, His invitation was not that they simply follow Him as one of the crowd. His invitation was to ‘apprentice’ under Him: to be in intimate relationship with Him, to be shaped and transformed into His image, and to go and disciple others as He had done for them. Jesus extends this same invitation to us today: “Come, follow me”. What is your response?

Steve & Ros Lazar | John 2:1-11, 11:38-44, 14:12-14; Mark 10:46-56; Matthew 6:28 — Throughout Jesus’ public ministry He performed more than 30 miracles. Through them we see that He is the God who cares about the details of our lives; who restores life from death; and who calls us to put our faith and trust in Him. Will we put disillusionment and past disappointments aside, and pray to Him, the miracle-working God? Hear from long term missionary to Mozambique, Steve Lazar.

Andrew Baker | Hebrews 6:13-20; Romans 4:18, 15:13; Matthew 24:35 — When God makes a promise He means it: in His unchanging character He cannot lie, and His words endure forever. As the writer to the Hebrews describes, this fact ought to be of great encouragement to us! Even when we falter and fail like Abraham did, this hope - the faithfulness of God - is a steadfast anchor, holding us steady and enabling us to overcome. How is your hope?