Rise City Church Podcast

The Cost of Nonconformity

Our culture has all sorts of ideas about how we should live and what we should believe, but a life rooted in Christ calls us to live differently. What do we do in the face of opposition? How do we stand our ground when it means losing what we care for? Conformity to Christ means contrast to the world.

Nolan opens up Daniel 3 to show us how three men had to take a stand against culture. They risked their lives in a way that compels us to live differently today. Join us as we read through the fiery furnace, and walk out on the other side with tools to share your faith and stand in the face of conformity. 

Thriving in Babylon

Today, the culture demands that you align with the world’s moral framework. All around us is enormous pressure to conform, concede, cave. But who really determines truth? In a culture shouting for conformity, we are called to a redemptive, Jesus-centered abnormality. In this teaching through Daniel chapter one, Pastor Jason demonstrates that when you stand for truth, it spreads blessing to even those who oppose the truth.

A Collapsing Culture

Babylon sounds like a culture and country of old, but have you considered that you enter Babylon on a daily basis? You walk into the world that attempts to influence you through media and entertainment, that tempts subtle compromises, and redefinition of basic terms.  Daniel also walked into this world and had to make some difficult decisions as to how he would respond to the opposition he faced. In the midst of a collapsing culture we cannot isolate; we cannot back down. We must speak truth and grace in these hard moments. This week, Jason opens the word to Daniel 1 to walk us through, how our response to the world we are confronted with, has a tried and true example in Jesus himself. Join us for week 02 of You Were Made For These Times.

A Creative Minority

Does it sometimes feel like you should have lived in a time when the world was better; when people were kinder and morals, beliefs, and righteousness were honorable? Do you feel like the world around you is becoming harder to recognize and finding your place in all the change is hard?

There once was a man named Daniel who was ripped from the world he knew and thrown into a culture that was unrecognizable to him. What he did then was unlike most. He didn't run, he didn't conform, and he didn't hide. He lived in it. He thrived in it. He kept his faith, morals, and righteousness while influencing the world around him toward the source of his very life. How do we learn from him? How do we come to grips with what Daniel knew... that You Were Made For These Times

The Problem of Pain

Pain and suffering are all around us. We each experience the hardships and sorrows of this world. We struggle to figure out why bad things happen and how is that, if there is a creator, that this pain would be allowed. How do you wrestle through the thoughts and emotions of pain? How do you logically understand it, while reconciling the feelings of your heart? Nolan opens up John 11 this week and recounts the story of Jesus and the sorrow he experienced in losing his friend Lazarus. We see how Jesus sits with us in the pain, leads us out of doubts, and moves us toward hope. We see the power that Jesus has over the dead and the hope we have in Him alone. Join us for a compelling vision of what it looks like to work through pain and suffering with a biblical perspective — The Problem of Pain

Faith & Science

Are you someone who has always had questions about faith, a creator, the universe? Do logic and faith seem to be in constant opposition in your mind? Do you ponder over science and have uncertainty about your purpose and existence? Has the church seemed like it wasn't the place for questions and doubts about faith?

If these questions hit home then take a seat and join us as Nolan walks us through Psalm 19 and explains how God reveals himself through science and creation and invites you to ask hard questions like, Why Should I Believe?

Am I Willing to Detour?

Schedules, agendas, goals — you've planned your Road Trip and laid it out tailored to you. You manage your time and tasks down to the second. But what happens when you hit a detour? What do you do when you get a text from a friend that they need to talk and work through an issue or a neighbor needs you to lend them a hand? There is only this one road trip, but are you willing to make a sacrifice? Are you willing to detour?

This week, Jason walks us through 1 Corinthians 13 and shows us what love is, in its truest form, and asks us this question that we can use to work through every decision along our Road Trip... "What does love command of us?" Buckle up, this is the last week of Road Trip.

Am I Yielding?

Do you know that feeling deep inside, the one that nudges you; that voice that tells you to stop, be cautious, or go for it? As we walk through how to make decisions with wisdom and mindfulness, Jason shows us through the Word how the Holy Spirit guides, protects, leads, and so much more. But then you have to ask yourself the question... Are you yielding? Are you yielding to the voice and power of the Holy Spirit and the guidance He has on your life?

Take a seat and join us for an incredible, lesser-known story of David, and how he yielded to the Spirit and brought glory to God. This is week 04 of Road Trip!

 

 

Who is Riding Shotgun?

Have you ever looked back at your friendships? How they changed you and molded you? How about your current friends? You are the culmination of the five people closest to you. Think about that. Your influences are making an impact on your life either for good or for bad. Your life will be propelled forward or pulled backward by those you spend your time with. So, what's your decision? Who are your people going to be? This week, Jason opens Proverbs to look at wisdom on friendship - how to pursue solid friendships, sustain those commitments, and build a squad that will move you forward in Godly wisdom for your life. Join us as we ask the question, Who is Riding Shotgun?

Am I Being Honest With Myself?

One of the greatest challenges we face is, well... ourselves! It’s true, isn’t it? No one has ever lied to you like you have. In every difficulty we’ve faced in life, you know what the only common denominator is? Us! So, how do we make wise decisions when we can’t trust even ourselves? This week, Jason explored how Jesus leads us out of ourselves and into grace-empowered decisions through three significant moves: admit it, be curious, and be set free. Listen to this week’s message to learn more!