Rise City Church Podcast

In Matthew 8, Jesus invites his disciples into the boat with a promise: We’re going to the other side. He doesn’t promise calm waters—but He does promise His presence. Even as the waves crash, He’s right there—resting in peace that He offers to us too. Tune in this week as special guest Daniel Goulding walks us through a powerful moment in the middle of chaos, when the disciples begin to realize this is God. After miracles and healings, it’s the storm that truly reveals who Jesus is. If you’re in a storm right now, this message is for you. The goal isn’t just survival - it’s learning to move from panic to peace. Faith isn’t the absence of fear; it’s expecting a miracle in the mess.

In Romans 11, Paul tackles the question of whether God has given up on His people, Israel. His answer is a clear “No way!” Even when things seem tough, God always has a group of people who stay faithful to Him. This reminds us that, no matter what we're going through, God is still working through those who keep their faith, and we’re invited to be part of that group.   Even though many in Israel rejected Jesus, God used that to open up the door of salvation to everyone else, including us. We’re part of God’s family, not because we’ve earned it, but because of His grace. We’ve been brought into the family through faith in Jesus, and that’s all a gift from God.   Listen in as we continue through our series on Romans with "Grafted by Grace." We learn how God’s grace should humble us, lead us to worship, and inspire us to share God’s love with the people around us.  

Sometimes we make faith more complicated than it needs to be. But the truth is simple: Jesus alone saves when we repent and believe. You don’t have to earn God’s love by being good enough. In fact, trying to earn it can actually get in the way. The Gospel isn’t about what we do for God. It’s about what God has already done for us through Jesus. And it all starts with prayer. In Romans 10, Paul begins by praying for people to know Jesus, not just to live better lives, but to experience real salvation. That’s our call too. Keep praying. You never know how God is working behind the scenes. Tune in to this week's message as we see that God invites us to be part of His rescue mission. It starts with building real, meaningful relationships, living as a witness to the power of Jesus in your own life, and inviting people to church. Because we all need the hope that only He provides.

Whether you’ve been around church your whole life or you’re just starting to explore faith, the message is the same: God’s grace is for you. In Romans 9, Paul pours out his heart for his people who haven’t accepted Jesus. His pain shows us something important; it reflects the heart of God, who deeply desires for everyone to come home. Salvation isn’t something you can earn by being good, having the right background, or growing up in a certain family. It’s a gift, plain and simple. Grace doesn’t come through tradition. It comes from God, and it’s available to anyone who’s ready to receive it. Join us for "God Loves the Lost" as Pastor Jason Clarke reminds us that God’s power and our responsibility go hand in hand. We’re not called to sit back—we’re called to move, to share, and to trust that Jesus is still changing lives. So let’s keep moving. Let’s keep inviting. And let’s remember that God is still rescuing hearts, one life at a time.

On Mother’s Day, we reflected on the kind of love that never gives up...the love of God. In Romans 8, Paul reminds us that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. The Greek word used for “separate” is chorizo, which means to divide, cut off, or pull apart. Life can make us feel that way. Shame, fear, suffering, or insecurity can leave us feeling distant from God. Like a piano that drifts out of tune over time, our hearts can drift too. Join us as special speaker Stacey Cutshall helps us take an honest look at the things that try to pull us away from God's love. Whether it’s your past or something you’re walking through right now, nothing can chorizo you from the love of Jesus. Even in suffering, we can hold on to hope, knowing we were made for something more. Let’s throw off the shame and live like people who already know the final score; Jesus wins, and because of that, so do we.

Suffering isn’t the end of the story. In Romans 8, Paul reminds us that our present pain, no matter how deep, isn’t even worth comparing to the glory that’s coming. From creation itself to our own hearts, everything is groaning for redemption. But this isn’t a groan of death; it’s the pain of labor. Something new is being born. This week, Pastor Jason Clarke reminds us that even when life feels broken, frustrating, or overwhelming, God is still at work. The Holy Spirit meets us right in our weakness, praying for us when we don’t even know what to say. God isn’t just bringing beauty out of ashes. He is using every single hardship to shape us into the image of Jesus. Your pain has a purpose. God’s using it to shape something lasting in you.

When it comes to the Christian faith, we often think it’s all about us finding God. But Jesus tells a much different story. In Luke 15, He shows that faith doesn’t start with our pursuit of Him—it's all about His pursuit of us. God isn’t standing at a distance, waiting for us to get it together. He’s the Shepherd who leaves the 99 to chase after the one. He’s the woman who turns her house upside down to find her lost coin. He’s the Father who runs, not with judgment, but with surprising joy to embrace His lost child. Join special speaker Joshua Ryan Butler as he walks us through Luke 15 and reminds us: God’s love is joyful, relentless, and personal. He delights to meet you right where you are—not to scold you, but to lift you onto His shoulders and throw a party when you come home.

Easter isn’t just a holiday; it’s a bold declaration that death has been defeated for good. On Resurrection Day, we celebrate the moment everything changed. In Romans 8, Paul unpacks the incredible blessings we now have because of Jesus' resurrection. Thanks to what Christ has done, we get to live with a brand new identity, new desires, and real power for everyday life. The resurrection takes away our condemnation—no more guilt, shame, or judgment. It rewires our hearts. God doesn’t just forgive us; He changes us from the inside out. And it puts death to death. We carry the same Spirit that raised Jesus, giving us strength to truly live.  Join us for our Easter message, "Death, Defeated" and be reminded: you’re not condemned, not alone, and not powerless. Jesus died and rose...for you.

What does it actually mean to seek first the Kingdom? In Matthew 6, Jesus reminds us that life isn’t about chasing success or security. It starts with putting God first—and trusting Him to provide what we need. When we live with a Kingdom-first mindset, it changes how we spend our time, handle our money, and even how we engage in politics. Join us as we unpack what it looks like to pursue the presence, power and practice of Jesus here on earth for a life saturated with Kingdom purpose.

Why is it so hard to do the right thing—even when we want to? In Romans 7, Paul gives voice to the tension we all feel: the battle between our flesh and The Spirit. There’s a war going on inside us—and it’s not just a matter of willpower. It’s the reality of sin nature—something that was never meant to be there in the first place. But here’s the truth: Sin isn’t an identity to wear; it’s an enemy to fight. What God designs for life, Satan tries to hijack for destruction. Left unchecked, sin leads to shame, despair, and bondage. But through Jesus, we don’t have to live under its control. Tune in as Romans 7 shows us how to stop surrendering to sin—and start making war.

What if faithfulness isn’t about perfection, but about staying committed to God in a world that constantly pulls us away? Psalm 101 shows David’s desire to live blamelessly—not without sin, but with a heart set on honoring God. God doesn’t reward greatness—He rewards faithfulness. Staying true to Him starts with guarding our hearts, our homes, and the small choices we make daily. Join us as Phil Comer unpacks  what it means to live faithfully in an unfaithful world - trusting God to strengthen us in every season.

What if the things you’re chasing—success, approval, security—are actually holding you captive? What if true freedom isn’t found in having more, but in surrendering all? Paul reminds us in Romans 6 that we are all slaves to something—whether sin or righteousness. The good news? Because of Jesus, we don’t have to stay chained to sin. Join us as we explore what it means to offer our lives fully to God, not out of obligation, but as an act of worship. When we surrender, we don’t lose. We gain a new identity, a new purpose, and the power to truly live!

Why is our world marked by pain, suffering, and death? Paul answers this question in Romans 5 by tracing it back to one man—Adam. Through his sin, the curse entered the world, spreading brokenness to all. But that’s not the end of the story.   Where Adam brought sin and death, Jesus brings grace and life. Through His perfect obedience, Jesus became the new and better Adam, reversing the curse and making a way for us to be made right with God. Tune in to hear His grace doesn’t just match our sin—it overflows beyond it.  

What if, in our hardest seasons, when hope feels lost, God is already working? In Romans 4:18, Paul points to Abraham, who “against all hope, in hope believed.” His circumstances made God’s promise seem impossible, yet he trusted anyway. Maybe you’re in an “against all hope” season—struggling in your job, your marriage, or your faith. Maybe you feel stuck in sin or burdened by shame. But the good news is that faith isn’t about working—it’s about trusting. Like Abraham, we are invited to believe that God will do what He promised. Join us as our Youth Pastor Jordan explores what it means to trust God when the odds are against us. Because the same God who was faithful to Abraham is faithful to you.

Your life is a worship song—every choice, action, and word is an offering to God. Our bodies are the greatest instruments of worship. Living a life of service to Him is the greatest form of worship! Listen in as Jason unpacks Romans 12 and invites you to join Team Jesus. God wants you to join His team and He has gifted and wired you with a specific spot on His team.  Even when we serve behind the scenes, God sees and honors it. As we allow the holy spirit to transform us, we realize more and more what a privilege it is to worship the Lord with our life. We don’t have to serve Him, we get to! So stop waiting on the sideline and get in the game. Join team Jesus today!

What if everything you believed about righteousness was wrong? In Romans 3, Paul reveals that the law was never meant to save—but to show our need for a Savior. The law is a mirror reflecting our brokenness, but Jesus shatters it, declaring our worth in Him. Join us as we unpack sin, grace, and the radical truth that salvation isn’t earned—it’s given.