Rise City Church Podcast

Hope in Suffering

Doesn't it seem like everyone is on edge right now? We have to be reminded to be kind and gentle even in the grocery store lines.

The truth is we are surrounded by a suffering world. People are hurting. We ourselves may be experiencing pain, but this week we are reminded how to be a blessing even to someone walking through massive trials. Pastor Jason teaches us through 1 Peter 3 that we can take a posture of a blessing, because ultimately Jesus established His victory through His suffering.

Hope in Everyday Life

Do you like being told what to do? Even the question is hilarious! Of course not! Who likes to be bossed around or unfairly ruled over?

So, what do you do when it’s happening? Jesus can fill your soul with the kind of hope that makes you humble in hard circumstances.

This passage casts a vision for having humility under hard leaders to follow in government, the workplace, and in the home. Listen in to see how!

A Hope Proclaiming People

Most of us want to feel accepted and welcomed. But in this week’s passage, Peter literally tells us that following Jesus will make us “strangers and aliens in this world.” Christians are indeed going to look so different from the world, that at times, they will even be rejected. What does that mean? And can that possibly be a good thing? This week, Pastor Nolan looks at the idea that Christians are a contrast community in three ways. Listen in to learn more.

Moving Forward in Chaos

If you have found yourself desperate for answers and direction in this season then listen in and be encouraged. Join us for this one-night event as Pastor Jason leads us through Moving Forward in Chaos. 

Think, Live, and Love Differently

The heaviness of this world leaves many of us feeling angry, frustrated, and tired. We're hurting, struggling to connect, and afraid.

But what if you knew this was temporary? What if you knew that a great hope, the greatest hope ever, was ahead of you? Would you think differently? Would you live differently? 1 Peter calls us to think, live, and ultimately love differently, because of the incredible hope of the Gospel set before us. Join us as Pastor Jason unpacks this second week of Hope Lies Ahead.

Called to Hope

No one understands what I'm going through. I'm so confused. I'm in so much pain. I'm alone.

Two thousand years ago Peter wrote a letter to a culture wrestling with these thoughts. This couldn't be more relevant for us today as we struggle through the chaos in our current world. Do you want power for today's trials? Do you want to find out the purpose in your suffering? Listen in as we start a new series through 1 Peter and find that our Hope Lies Ahead.

Propitiation

If God is so loving, why was the brutality of the cross necessary? Couldn’t God just forgive sin? Are we really supposed to believe in the old religious notion that God is an angry and vengeful judge? Does God actually feel and act upon wrath?

This week we explore this concept in depth from Scripture. We’ll dig into the doctrine of Propitiation as Scott Bean teaches through Romans. Our hearts are changed when we truly understand this horrifying and beautiful doctrine. Join us in the final week of “What’s the Point of the Cross?”

Sanctification

Are you constantly fighting sin? Do you find yourself relapsing and living your old life? Are you seeking perfection, but find that you are failing? The truth is you're going to sin. You will fail over and over again. But God is not shocked by your failure. Only God is perfectly holy. But by the cross, and in His goodness, we get to partner with him in a process called Sanctification.

This week, Pastor Jason opens up Philippians 3 to reveal that God is not done with us yet. His love for us is so great that He allows us to walk with Him and become more like him through regular repentance and seeking Him. Join us as we learn to be transformed in this week's sermon, Sanctification.

Expiation

You know that moment when you want to hide? The feeling of being exposed - almost naked - because of your own sin or something done to you? That's shame. There's no other feeling like it in this world. Do you live with that as your reality? Do you constantly feel the need to cover up and live in a disguise, so that you don't have to face the truth?

This week, Pastor Nolan teaches us the theology of Expiation. We learn that Jesus came to blot out, bury, banish, bleach, and finally, to bear our shame by dying on the cross. Why? Because he wants us to live the life he originally intended before sin entered this world — a life of freedom from shame. Join us for Week 03 of What is the Point of the Cross?

Justification

Justice — it's a word we use constantly. We want to see people brought to justice. We want justice for the evil of this world, but we want mercy for ourselves. But the truth is all of us, every single one will stand before Christ in judgment. But why? Aren't you good enough? Not really that bad? Or not the one to blame?

God in his holiness, righteousness, and justice will not allow us to go without judgment. It is in His love that He requires a price to be paid for the sins in this world. But how does he do it? Only by Jesus' finished work on the cross. The only way the broken things can be made right is by His grace, through faith in Him alone. Do you understand Justification? Join us for week 02 in What's the Point of the Cross?