Vision Church Podcast | Christian Church in Canberra

Adam Ritchard | Luke 17:11-19; Psalm 50:7-15,23; 2 Chronicles 20:21; Romans 1:21; Isaiah 1:4-6; Colossians 3:15b — Of the ten lepers who cried out and were healed by Jesus, only one returned to give thanks. This account should provoke us to consider our own hearts and lives: like the one leper, will we intentionally come to Jesus with gratitude even in the mundane and ordinary ‘every-day’ of our lives?

Kathryn Hartley | Luke 2:21-38— Even as the parents of the promised Messiah, Mary and Joseph’s first year after Jesus’ birth was filled with light and shadow. Amongst the light and shadow in our lives, how do we reflect on 2024 in such a way that finds and carries deposits of hope into the new year?

Adam Ritchard | Luke 2:1-20, 22:19; Isaiah 7:14, 9:6; John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8; Philippians 2:6-8; Genesis 3:15; 1 Corinthians 6:20; John 1:11-12 — Jesus was given as God’s great gift to mankind. Like all earthly gifts, the gift of Jesus was marked by anticipation and cost. It came in the midst of the mess to bring great joy. And most importantly, it was given that it might be received; for all those who receive shall be called children of God.

Adam Ritchard | Isaiah 8:22-9:7; Genesis 5:3-29; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Judges 6-7; Matthew 2:1-2; 11:28-30 — The weariness of our world is not simply the product of seasonal tiredness or a frenetic modern lifestyle. Every human heart is weary from the weight and depravity of our sin. But as Christ came to earth, so came the ‘thrill of hope’; the confident assurance that Jesus came as the present and eternal solution to our greatest need. In response to Christ, ‘the weary world rejoices’ - may we too respond with hope and rejoicing as we receive the life that Jesus came to bring.

Kathryn Hartley | Matthew 1:1-16, 9:12-13; Deuteronomy 7:9; Psalm 145:3-4 ; Ephesians 3:21— Matthew’s genealogy of Jesus might seem an odd preface to the Christmas story, but in it we find a testament to the unending goodness of God. From Adam to Christ, God was faithful through the generations to deliver His promised Messiah. And so too will His faithfulness endure from Christ’s birth to His second coming.

Andrew Baker | Luke 2:8-16,20; Isaiah 9:6-7, 53:5; Romans 5:1 — At the birth of Christ, the heavenly host appeared proclaiming "Glory to God" and "on Earth peace". This angelic proclamation did not mark the absence of earthly strife. Rather, God's greatest gift achieved something even more significant: Jesus came in human flesh to restore peace between humankind and God. This peace is our greatest need and invitation.

Andrew Baker | Hebrews 10:19-25; Ephesians 1:22-23; Acts 9:4-5 — As we take stock of 2024 and with gratitude recall all that God has done, may we heed the encouragement given by the writer to the Hebrews: in all things fix your eyes on Jesus, seeking to live out love and good works as the Body of Christ.

Adam Ritchard | Habakkuk 3:2; Psalm 27:4; Revelation 3:14-20; Romans 12:11; Matthew 3:8, 24:12; 2 Chronicles 7:14; Acts 2:37-38 — If we truly desire awakening then we must continually seek after it. In order for us to sustain this cry for awakening, we must heed the call of Jesus given to the Laodicean church: to fuel the fire of God in our hearts; to humble ourselves in repentance; and to make room for Him. May our hearts be constantly stirred to see awakening in our time and nation.

Andrew Baker | Ephesians 4:1-16; John 17:22-23; Acts 2:42-47 — There are few things more effective at thwarting the work of the Spirit than disunity. It is no wonder then that the Apostle Paul, the Early Church, and Jesus himself all call us to prioritise unity with our fellow believers. As we press in to see God move, may we put aside our personal preferences to pursue the great uniting call of the Gospel.

Adam Ritchard | Luke 18:1-8; Mark 11:15-17; James 5:16b-18; Nehemiah 4:15; 1 Kings 18:1,41-45 — If awakening is the fire, then prayer is the spark. Through the parable of the persistent widow, Jesus’ listeners were encouraged to always pray and never lose heart. But they were also challenged: will Jesus find this kind of faith on the Earth? As we cry out for awakening in our day, will we persist in faith-filled prayer for God’s will to be done?