Rise City Church Podcast

A City on a Hill

A city on a hill. Salt and light to the world. In Matthew 5, Jesus paints a picture of how to live in a world desperate for restoration. How do we shine brightly in a sea of darkness? We've been entrusted with this church, in this city, so how do we continue in a season like this? Join us as Jason and Nolan unpack plans for the new year — how, through innovation, we are fulfilling the call to go and make disciples of all the nations, and our plans to move forward in opening gatherings that are honoring to our community.

http://risesermons.s3.amazonaws.com/2021/misc/01012021-vision.mp3

Christmas Eve

Christmas in 2020 is different than any we have ever experienced before. Hope feels fleeting. People's actions and our current circumstances leave us feeling lost. Join us as Jason walks us through biblical tragedies that lead to hope in the birth of Jesus Christ. We see that amidst our own tragedy and hardships that our hope cannot be shaken if it is founded in the right place. Our circumstances and people's actions do not determine our hope, but Jesus alone does.

http://risesermons.s3.amazonaws.com/2020/Christmas-Eve.mp3

The King and His Harvest

Our culture is placing safety as the highest priority in our lives. Safety, health, and the protection of the vulnerable are absolutely some of our responsibilities as Christians, but it’s not the top priority. There is an urgency for the right here and now to bring Christ to this world. A world filled with sorrow and pain. At the end of Matthew 9, we see Jesus is moved with compassion for the people around him. He says that the harvest is plentiful — there are people everywhere that are desperate for salvation, and that the workers are few — we are the people to go out and bring them to Him and His redemption. If we would only pray earnestly, and obey with an urgency for the Gospel. 

Nolan Tjaden - The King and His Harvest

The Hurt and the Healer

Our world is hurting — substance abuse, self-harm, violence, mental illness, suicide. No matter the income level, gender, political stance, or ethnicity we are all experiencing this around us. We turn inward and isolate. We are desperate. Desperate for healing, desperate for the grace of a Savior. There is One who hears us. One who has grace. One who can bring healing. Jesus hears our cries... if we will only cry out to Him.

http://risesermons.s3.amazonaws.com/2020/foxeshaveholes/Dec_13th_-_The_Hurt_and_the_Healer.mp3

A Tale of Two Wineskins

So often we feel like our past, our personality, or our experience is what makes or breaks our ability to be used in the Kingdom of God. In Matthew 9, we see Jesus calling and connecting with tax collectors and sinners. One of those was the disciple Matthew. The truth is, God wants to use the unexpected to do the unimaginable. If we would just surrender our lives over to His kingdom work—we would experience resurrection of our past and our future. 

Jason Clarke - A Tale of Two Wineskins

Swine in the Sea

Our culture has moved to a hyper-focus on the physical dangers we face, and it's been to the detriment of the very true reality of a spiritual realm. Our only hope in a world surrounded by great physical AND spiritual dangers? A big, powerful, and sovereign Jesus. Spiritual warfare is not a battle between equals, Jesus reigns supreme. And if we surrender to Him, he will reign supreme in our lives as well.

http://risesermons.s3.amazonaws.com/2020/foxeshaveholes/Nov22nd-SwineintheSea.mp3

Asleep in the Storm

Most leaders sell themselves. They want to make it as easy and appealing as possible to join their cause. Unbelievably, not Jesus. Jesus was--and is--up front with the rugged truth: to follow Him is a call to die. But here’s the key: it’s a death the leads to the truest life. Because when we give up everything in order to follow Jesus, we get everything Himself in return.

http://risesermons.s3.amazonaws.com/2020/foxeshaveholes/Nov15th-Asleep-in-the-Storm.mp3

The Leper and the Soldier

Our culture is beginning to understand the power of shame, and we are using it as a weapon against one another. This is what leprosy is, a picture of the shame of sin. Matthew uses the unclean leper so we can understand that in the face of shame, fear, isolation, and sin Jesus is willing to touch and heal us. But this is only possible when we completely surrender to Jesus' lordship in our lives.

http://risesermons.s3.amazonaws.com/2020/foxeshaveholes/Nov8th-TheLeperandtheSoldier.mp3

United In Purpose

Unity is a great idea in theory. But practically, how does it work when you're genuinely bothered by, angry with, or annoyed around someone else? What do you do when you disagree? In Philippians 2, we find the power to set aside differences and come together. It's purpose. Purpose is not something that originates in us but comes to us in and through Jesus. Listen to this teaching by Scott Bean as he explores the breath-taking humility of Jesus because of His unwavering purpose. Scott Bean | Unity With Purpose

Love Unites

What would make you feel like an accomplished person? Success, money, like-ability, influence, or power? In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul argues that without love any capability or competency is worthless. So, what is so special about this love Paul is talking about? As english speakers, we're at a disadvantage. The english word for "love" is sloppy" and too broad. We need to enter the world of the bible and engage with a fresh vision for love. Agape, one of the biblical concepts of love is something powerful and life-altering. What is it like, and how could it change you? Listen to this teaching to learn more.

Nolan Tjaden - Love Unites