Vision Church Podcast | Christian Church in Canberra

Kairos Kim | Genesis 22:1-14; James 1:2-4, 2:14-17; Hebrews 11:6; Psalm 116:10; 2 Chronicles 20:20; 2 Samuel 24:24 — Even when commanded by God to sacrifice his own son, Abraham did not doubt God’s goodness. Rather, by faith he believed that God would provide. When we hear God speak, may we too take Him at His word and put our faith into action, trusting that He is able to make a way in every circumstance.

Hear from Kairos Kim, senior pastor of Hallelujah International Church.

Andrew Baker | 1 Samuel 1:10-11, 2:12,17,27-36, 3:1,4-10,19-20; 1 Peter 4:7; 2 Timothy 3:16 — Having been dedicated to the Lord and called from a young age, Samuel was used greatly by the Lord and recognised across all of Israel as an authentic prophetic voice. Why? Samuel’s constant posture was one of leaning in and listening to God. Will we too have ears to hear the still small voice spoken through His word and Spirit?

Andrew Baker | Ruth 1:1-5,11-13, 2:2-3,8-10,14, 3:2-5,9, 4:3-6,14; Deuteronomy 7:3; Revelation 5:1-5, 19:7; Romans 8:3 — The book of Ruth recounts the hopeless plight of a family who had stepped outside of God’s good intention, and yet who He graciously restored to safety, prosperity, and immeasurable blessing. Though small in size, this little book and its rich prophetic foreshadowing of Christ provides us with one crystal clear takeaway: God’s heart is for redemption.

Robert Miles | Judges 2:1-5,16-19, 4:2-3, 6:12-16,21, 8:17,27, 13:16-23, 21:25, John 1:1,14,18, Colossians 1:15, 2:9; 1 Corinthians 10:11-12; Luke 1:30-33 — The Book of Judges is a sobering read, recounting the continual fall of Israel into idolatry, immorality, rebellion and destruction - even after they had been given the Promised Land. This book should serve as a warning to its readers, especially in our modern cultural context: like Israel, will we reject God’s good commands and reap the fruit of pursuing our own desires? Hear from Robert Miles, Messianic Pastor of Hineh Yeshua.

Andrew Baker | Joshua 1:1-9, 5:13-15 , 21:43-45, 23:14; Genesis 6:1-5, 15:13-16 — The book of Joshua records the journeys of battle and victory as Israel entered and took ownership of the Promised Land. But this is not an account of Israel’s military prowess, but of Joshua’s obedient faith and the unshakeable promises of our steadfast God.

Andrew Baker | Deuteronomy 6:1-9 — Standing between the wilderness and the Promised Land, Moses’ unifying call to the nation of Israel is not to service or obedience or fear, but love; to love the Lord with all their soul, might, and strength. Where our human nature so easily defaults to performance and earning, may we constantly return to this greatest commandment; to the passionate love of our Lord and Saviour above all other things.

Adam Ritchard | Philippians 4:4; Psalm 32:11, 47:1, 66:1, 98:4, 100:1; Matthew 5:11-12, 2:10-11; Habakkuk 3:17-18; 2 Samuel 6:16-23; Nehemiah 8:9-12 — The biblical concept of joy is not dependent on circumstances but rather deeply rooted in God’s grace. Appearing hundreds of times throughout scripture, rejoicing in the Lord is essential to guard our hearts, strengthen and mark us as God’s people, and lead us to respond rightly to Christ.

Andrew Baker | Numbers 10:11-13, Deuteronomy 1:29-32; Isaiah 35:1-2,6-7, 41:18-20, 43:19-20; Psalm 84:5, 107:35-36 — Time and again throughout His ministry, Jesus drew His listeners to recall and learn from Israel’s wilderness season. Why? In the wilderness we see God’s faithful presence in the tension of the barrenness; His greater restorative purpose of which we are a part; and His extraordinary calling that plays out in the ordinary everyday. May we not shy away from the wilderness seasons of our own lives, but lean in to see our faithful God and the work He is accomplishing.

Kathryn Hartley | Acts 1:3-9, 2:1-4; 1 Corinthians 13:1-3; Ephesians 3:14-21 — The work of the Holy Spirit is not always loud, intense, and obvious. And if we assume it is then we will miss what He’s doing. Jesus’ description of the Holy Spirit’s power does not revolve around signs and wonders, but rather the enabling of our effective witness to Himself - the Christ. Are we surrendered and receptive to this kind of power in the small moments of the everyday?

Andrew Baker | Numbers 10:11-13, 11:4; Deuteronomy 8:2-3; 2 Corinthians 5:17, 12:7-10; Genesis 1:1-2; Jeremiah 4:23-26, 31:10-14; Matthew 3:3, 4:4; John 1:14, 19:41, 20:14-15; Romans 8:22; 1 Peter 1:8 — The book of Numbers records how God led Israel into the wilderness before entering into the promised land. Throughout Scripture and in our lives today, we see that God uses the wilderness seasons as an integral part of His redemptive purposes - not to punish us, but to work in our hearts and reveal our ultimate need for Him.