Vision Church Podcast | Christian Church in Canberra

Andrew Baker | Acts 20:17-38 — Headed for Jerusalem, the certainty of imprisonment and hardship did not deter Paul from following the Holy Spirit’s leading. Why? Paul did not live seeking human approval or success. Rather, he single-mindedly sought to fulfil the calling of Jesus on his life. For us today, God’s invitation has not changed: to live in wholehearted pursuit of His calling in every moment of life.

Andrew Baker | Acts 20:1-6;31-35 — While Paul was the clear human figurehead of the Gospel’s spread throughout Acts, he didn’t do it alone. In Acts 20, Paul’s farewell to the Ephesian elders displays his deep affection for those who joined in his ministry - a sacrificial, perseverant, Christ-like love, that sought always to give rather than receive. Paul’s example poses us a lifelong challenge: will we too serve those around us with Christ’s radical, sacrificial love?

Kathryn Hartley | Acts 19:21-20:1 — Just as Paul was led by the Spirit to move on, a riot broke out in Ephesus opposing ‘The Way’ of Jesus. But instead of delaying or doubting, Paul continued on, unhindered in his trust and obedience to God. When challenges come our way, such a response as Paul’s can only be achieved with right perspective: not based on a single snapshot in time, but a panoramic view of our eternally-faithful God unfolding His perfect plan over human history.

Andrew Baker | Acts 19:8-20 — Paul’s two years of persistent preaching in Ephesus saw God’s powerful hand at work: miraculous healings, life-changing repentance, and the spread of the Gospel throughout all of Asia Minor. As believers, we should earnestly seek revival of a similar kind, all the while, responding to, relying on, and pointing to our all-powerful God.

Andrew Baker | Acts 18:24-28; 19:1-7 — Having left Corinth, Paul came across some believers in Ephesus who had not even heard of the Holy Spirit. Paul’s response reveals the urgent need for us to not only receive this Holy Spirit, but to be continually filled with Him - relying on His presence and power in every moment of our daily walk.

Adam Ritchard | Acts 18:1-11 — Despite the great opposition his ministry faced in Corinth, Paul remained there for over a year - turning a land of immorality into a land of opportunity for the Gospel. When we find ourselves in ‘a place like Corinth’, we too can find our perspective and endurance through God’s enabling promises.

Andrew Baker | Acts 17:29-31 — At the conclusion of his sermon to the Athenians, Paul challenges his listeners with the reality of the resurrected Messiah, Jesus Christ. For Paul’s audience as for us today, when all is said and done, our response to Jesus is the one thing that really matters.

Andrew Baker | Acts 17:25-28 — Continuing His Areopagus sermon, Paul proclaims to the Athenians a God through whom all mankind finds its ultimate purpose and sustainment. In a modern world increasingly convinced of the meaninglessness of existence, our unending purpose is rooted in the divine provision of the infinite Creator.

Adam Ritchard | Acts 17:22-28 — Against the backdrop of philosophical religiosity and worship of arbitrary gods, Paul makes a startling declaration to the Athenian Areopagus: the sovereign, all-creating God, wants to be found and known by His creation. For us today, this reality is just as life-changing as it was then. Our constant and urgent priority is to know God, and to make Him known.

Andrew Baker | Jeremiah 29:4-11 — In the darkest hour of Israel’s history, God’s prevailing promise and enduring purpose brought unity to an otherwise broken people. When surrounded by fear and division, we can draw this same unifying faith from His promises, spurring us on to passionately proclaim the eternal glorious message of Jesus Christ.