Vision Church Podcast | Christian Church in Canberra

Kathryn Hartley | Hebrews 12:1-3;11-13 — The writer to the Hebrews describes our journey of faith as a ‘race’ requiring endurance. But real endurance is not built by simply accepting life’s challenges, or by our willpower alone. As Christians, God works to build endurance in us as we run together in pursuit of Jesus: the prize whom we seek, the Saviour who carries our burdens, and the companion we can trust at every step of the process.

Andrew Baker | Psalm 24 — Thanks to Christ’s enabling sacrifice, ‘Who may ascend the hill of the Lord?’ does not describe our great distance from God. But it does remind us that His kingdom is far higher than that of this world. At the beginning of this new year, God’s invitation to us is to ‘ascend’: to leave earthly distractions behind, and let Him be the one who shapes our perspectives and pursuits.

Adam Ritchard | Colossians 3:1-17 — As we come to the end of 2021, we have an opportunity to look back, look ahead, and recalibrate our lives. As Paul encouraged the Colossian church, we ought to live in light of what Christ has done for us: putting to death the sins that weigh us down, and clothing ourselves with the attributes of Jesus.

Andrew Baker | Matthew 1:18-23 — Matthew’s gospel emphasises Jesus’ birth as the undeniable orchestration of the sovereign, promise-making, promise-keeping God. No matter what we may face in life, the reality of a God who keeps His word gives us purpose, calling, and a foundation that will never fail.

Andrew Baker | Matthew 1:18-25 — Celebrating the hope and joy of the Christmas season is a wonderful thing. But making a big deal of Christmas is only right when placed upon its true foundation: Jesus. The extravagant, undeserved, incomparable gift. The God who came to save. The real big deal of Christmas.

Adam Ritchard | Luke 2:8-21 — On the night Jesus was born, the angel announcing His birth carried a simple yet profound message to the shepherds: ‘fear not, there is good news of great joy’. In a world increasingly typified by fear and bad news, these words ought to encourage and challenge our hearts. And as they did for the shepherds, to spur us on to behold Christ himself.

Andrew Baker | Acts 27-28 — In these final chapters of Acts, Paul sails for Rome to testify to Caesar and the Jewish leaders regarding Jesus. But the journey was far from smooth-sailing.

In the face of challenge and danger aplenty, what was Paul’s response? Fear? Doubt? Far beyond his circumstances, Paul’s perspective points us to the very same certainties found right the way through Acts: God’s unstoppable purpose, unfailing power, and unshakeable promise.

This season has brought highs and lows for all of us. At this our 2021 Thanksgiving Service, our Pastors took the opportunity to reflect on challenges and encouragements from the past year of life in our church, and point us to the God who is faithful through it all.

Andrew Baker | Acts 23:11; Philippians 1:12-14; 18b-22 — Imprisoned and held in chains for most of a decade, Paul’s preaching days seemed finished. But, empowered by the Lord, Paul’s focus on ‘fruitful labour’ enabled these years to be the most impactful of his entire ministry. In seasons of trial, what will our perspective be - focused on our suffering, or empowered by God to bear fruit in any season we face?

Adam Ritchard | Acts 21-24 — In his time in Jerusalem and Caesarea, Paul suffered arrest, accusation, plots to take his life, Roman trials, and years of imprisonment. But far from shrinking back, Paul’s passionate devotion to God was defined by: the priority of God’s will, opposition made into opportunity, and the proclamation of the Gospel. Such a life gives us a template for Godly living through…anything!