Vision Church Podcast | Christian Church in Canberra

Andrew Baker | Hebrews 5:11-6:12, 4:12-13, 5:8; James 1:2-4; Philippians 3:20; 1 Peter 2:11 — With a mixture of tenderness and exhortation, the writer to the Hebrews encourages His readers to move beyond the ‘milk’ of elementary doctrines to the ‘solid food’ of maturity in Christ. As Christians in the modern Western Church, we too must mature; progressing past the superficiality of encouragement-only teachings to develop an earnest resilience that stands firm through the trials of life.

Andrew Baker | Matthew 27:62-28:10; 1 Corinthians 15:12-22; 2 Peter 1:16; Mark 8:31; Luke 24:13-27; Isaiah 46:10, 53:5-6; John 13:19, 20:24-28 — The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is without doubt the foundation of Christian belief. But did it really happen? The historical trustworthiness of Jesus’ life and death, His fulfilment of over 300 ancient prophecies, and the immediate and sustained transformative impact of the Gospel give us the utmost assurance that it did. Through the Risen Lord Jesus alone, we have the unshakeable hope of eternal life spent in relationship with Him.

Adam Ritchard | Luke 23:13-49, 2:51; John 19:25-30; Ephesians 2:8; Hebrews 13:5, 4:15 — The words spoken by Jesus upon the Cross are only few, but go to the very heart of Christ’s identity and mission. They reveal a Saviour who offers forgiveness and grace; who cares and who knows what it is to be human. They reveal a Saviour who suffered on our behalf and was surrendered to the Father’s will even unto death. Ultimately, they reveal a Saviour who was faithful and victorious - the pure and spotless sacrifice who paid our debt in full, once and for all.

Adam Ritchard | Matthew 21:1-17; 20:17-19; Zechariah 9:9; John 18:36 — As we celebrate Palm Sunday we remember Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem as the long awaited Messiah. But Jesus was not who the Jewish people expected Him to be. He came as a different kind of Saviour; to achieve a different kind of triumph; and to establish a different kind of reign.

Andrew Baker | Hebrews 4:11-5:10; Leviticus 16; 2 Corinthians 12:9; John 16:33 — Under Old Testament Law, the High Priest acted as a mediator between man and God by making atoning sacrifices for the sins of Israel. But, as the writer to the Hebrews points out, this was only ever an imperfect and temporary construct, pointing us to the eternal and superior atonement made by Jesus: He alone knows the fulness of human weakness and yet did not sin. He alone mercifully provides the only cure for our sinful condition. And He alone overcame sin and death. Jesus is our Great High Priest.

Andrew Baker | Hebrews 3:1, 4:1-11; Romans 8:14; 1 John 5:3 — In order to enter God’s rest and walk in the fullness of His covenantal promises, we must recognise the priority of obedience. But if we think that God has chosen us just to do His work for Him, we have missed the point. We are called to obedience as our joy and our purpose; we obey not to earn approval but as His sons and daughters who willingly sacrifice all to bear His image and fulfil our heavenly calling.

Andrew Baker | Hebrews 3:1-19; Psalm 78:13-22 — Knowledge is different from belief. For forty years in the wilderness the nation of Israel saw God’s incredible provision and protection, and yet they did not know and love Him - they did not know His ways. As we consider Christ our faithful apostle and high priest, let us encourage one another: do we know just His works, or do we know His ways?

Andrew Baker | Hebrews 2:1-17 — Our human nature is to move from thing to thing, easily allowing our attention to wander. It is unsurprising then that the Hebrews are warned against ‘neglecting such a great salvation’. And great indeed it is: in the greatness of His mercy towards mankind, God himself came and suffered the greatest cost imaginable; all that the greatest victory would be His and the greatest salvation ours.

Andrew Baker | Hebrews 1:1-2:1 — Jesus is the complete picture of God: the eternal divine heir, mighty in power, and superior above all. He is the unshakeable foundation. In the midst of the shifting tides of this world, the writer to the Hebrews exhorts his readers to therefore heed Jesus’ words and life; to be tethered to Him and so not drift away.

Rev. Dr. Tania Harris | 1 Kings 19:12; John 1:14, 14:23; Acts 2:1-41; Philippians 3:10 — God is mighty and powerful and yet He is incredibly personal. How do we know this? Because He has revealed Himself through speaking to us. Today, the Holy Spirit speaks to us as the continuing voice of Jesus, beckoning us to follow His leading.

Hear from renowned author, theologian, and speaker, the Rev. Dr. Tania Harris - founder of God Conversations.