Rise City Church Podcast

What if our biggest spiritual blind spot is thinking we don’t need grace as much as someone else does? In Romans 2, Paul reminds us that no matter who we are—Jew or Gentile, believer or skeptic—we all need the Gospel. Join us today as Jason unpacks these powerful verses and challenges us to take ownership of our faith. We are not called to perfection, but we are called to transformation. Our lives should reflect the eternal life we've received by grace, and our actions should align with the faith we profess.

In Romans 1:8-17, Paul shows us what it looks like to be completely captivated by the good news of Jesus. From his gratitude for the faith of the Roman church to his longing for mutual encouragement and his sense of obligation to share the gospel, Paul’s life overflows with an obsession for God’s power to save. His unashamed declaration of the gospel reminds us that it’s not just a message—it’s the power of God itself, transforming lives and shaping eternity. Join us as we explore what it means to live a gospel-centered life in a world marked by discontentment and distraction. Together, we’ll rediscover the joy of gratitude, the strength of community, and the eternal significance and power in building our lives around the Gospel. Let’s ask God to ignite our hearts with the same passion Paul had, so we can live boldly and unashamed, letting the gospel guide everything we do.

Do you find the concept of our Trinitarian God difficult to grasp? You're not alone. The doctrine of the Trinity is challenging to understand, largely because no analogy can fully capture its depth and beauty—not even the common ones involving eggs, clovers, or ice. Join us today as Jason kicks off our journey through the book of Romans. In Romans, Paul is writing to a divided church, and his main goal is to refocus them on the one thing that truly matters: the gospel. Along the way, we’ll explore the perfect community of love that is the Trinity. The gospel flows out of this perfect love—God chose to create us, love us, redeem us, and restore us. Buckle up—this is going to be an epic ride through the book of Romans!

Christmas celebrates the incredible truth that Jesus, the creator of the world, became one of us. Leaving heaven’s perfection, He entered our brokenness as a humble child to reveal His love and compassion. Christmas is not about us striving to reach God. It declares that God came down to us. From the riches of heaven to the poverty of earth, Jesus came to identify with us in every way. He experienced suffering, betrayal, weakness, and even death, taking our sin and shame upon Himself. And now, as our great High Priest, He intercedes for us with deep compassion and understanding of our human experience. Join us for our Christmas Eve message "The God Who Becomes" as we reflect on the incredible love of Jesus, the God who is the light in the darkness and a beacon of hope in a world that desperately needs it.

Are you going through a season of sudden loss or chronic grief? As human beings, living the beautiful life means we experience the full range of emotions—from joy and love to grief and sorrow. God wants us to be honest with Him in our moments of grief and loss. There's no need to hide or sugarcoat our pain, especially with a Savior who has known the ultimate grief and loss. Join us as Rick McKinley explores this important question: “Does the fact that the Son of God became human make a difference in my suffering?” We'll discover that Jesus not only honors our suffering but also gives it meaning. As Emmanuel, God with us, He is a co-sufferer who walks with us in our pain. He longs to reframe our grief and loss with His holy presence. No matter the season you're in, He is our Emmanuel, right here and right now, and He invites us to come as we truly are before Him.

Are you going through a season of dissatisfaction? Feeling unfulfilled at work, at home, in your relationships, or financially? It's okay to experience dissatisfaction. Even heroes of our faith, like David, openly expressed their struggles. You don't need to hide your dissatisfaction, ignore it, or just "push through." Instead, recognize it, name it, and then reframe it. Our world and culture often fuel dissatisfaction, constantly pushing us to want more and compare ourselves to others. But in this powerful message by Zach Landes, we’ll explore how to break free from that cycle. The path out of dissatisfaction begins by partnering with Jesus in every area of our lives—even in our seasons of dissatisfaction.

After seasons of busyness and hard work, God invites us into true rest—not the kind of shallow comfort that leads to self-reliance, but deep, soul-refreshing rest that comes from fully trusting Him. In Joshua, we see the end of a long season, where God gives His people rest—not as an escape, but as a time to pause, remember His faithfulness, and be renewed in His presence. God’s rest goes beyond simply stopping; it’s a chance to refocus our hearts and minds on Him. Through sabbath, confession, and gratitude, we’re reminded of His provision, repent of relying on ourselves, and find strength in His promises. Join us as we discover how to step into the rest Jesus offers—a rest that refreshes, renews, and reminds us of the faithfulness of the God who has been with us all along.

Just as God gave the Israelites an unforgettable moment of His power, He invites us to step into what He’s prepared for us—actively participating in His blessings through generosity, obedience, and worship. God desires us to have our own stories of His faithfulness, but we must take that step, cross our own “river,” and mark those moments along the way. Join us as we learn to pray “Sun Stand Still” prayers, believing not for an explainable work but a move of God so big that we tell stories, write songs, and pass down memories of His faithfulness and power for generations to come.

We’re building A House for Jesus—a place where His name is lifted up. As His followers, we’re called to let His light shine brightly in a world that needs hope. When Joshua asked, “Are you for us or against us?” Jesus didn’t pick sides; He made it clear that He alone is to be followed. Listen in as we explore what it means to build a church where He leads, His name is preached, and where lives are changed forever by His presence and power.

Each generation has defining moments with God—times when He shows His power and calls us to trust Him fully, even when it’s hard to understand. Like the Israelites, we’re reminded that our strength doesn’t come from our own power or skill but from God alone. Join us for 'A House for the Future' as Nate Pursley takes us through the Book of Joshua and teaches how each generation’s legacy of faith is powered by God’s strength working through His people.

Has God ever asked you to do something that didn't make sense? The word "consecrate" means to set ourselves apart for God, preparing for something significant He is about to do. In Joshua 3, the Israelites were told to consecrate themselves before God would display His power in parting the Jordan River. God didn’t act until their feet hit the water—He required faith-filled obedience before showing His power. Joshua reminds us that when God makes a promise and His people obey, He will deliver. Tune in for a significant and important Sunday message in the life of our church, as we look back on the incredible home God has given us and look ahead to where we are headed. Prepare for God to move.

Rahab’s story is a powerful reminder that God can use anyone, no matter their past or brokenness, to advance His Kingdom. Though she was a sinner, her faith led her to be part of God’s redemptive plan, and her past mistakes didn't define her future. Rahab had heard the rumors of God’s power, and her faith was sparked. Join us as continue in the book of Joshua and explore how we are called to be fishers of people—sharing the gospel and pointing others to the Savior. Our job isn’t to clean people up, but to call them to Jesus, trusting Him to transform their lives. We remember that we are all sinners but by the blood of Jesus can be made saints.

Would you settle for God’s promises without His presence? Or, like Moses, would you boldly declare, “If You’re not with us, we’re not going?" God has always longed to be with His people. From walking in the garden with Adam and Eve, to dwelling in the tabernacle with the Israelites, to sending Jesus as Immanuel and then the Holy Spirit, all the way to the promise of His presence in the new creation—His desire is to be with us. God’s presence is the point. It’s what establishes His kingdom in and through His people. Join us as we see that His presence is what gives us the strength and courage to live out His purposes. When we are rooted in His presence, we are empowered by His Spirit to fulfill His calling.

God has a great calling upon His people—to establish His presence in the midst of darkness. The Promised Land wasn’t just a place for the Israelites to live—it was meant to be a space fully devoted to God’s Word, worship, and ways, reflecting His glory. And just as He planted them in a space marked out for His purposes, so is he establishing His Church today. Join us for our new series, Build This House, as we explore how to follow our victorious King Jesus, into the promises He has for His Church. Just as the Israelites followed Joshua into the Promised Land, we follow Jesus as He leads us to be a people completely devoted to His glory.

Financial stress is something many of us can relate to, with 73% of people in a recent survey citing it as their top source of anxiety. But in the Upside Down Kingdom, true generosity flows from a heart of gratitude toward Jesus, recognizing that all we have comes from Him. Our giving isn’t just to a church or pastor—it’s an offering to God, acknowledging that everything we own is already His. Tune in as we explore how Kingdom generosity calls us to give our first fruits, not our leftovers, and invites us into a life of abundant blessings. Instead of focusing on our own needs, we’re called to center our hearts on Jesus and trust in His faithfulness, just as Malachi 3:10 challenges us to test His promises. God desires not our money, but our hearts, and as we walk in stewardship and generosity, we discover the joy of partnering with Him.

Community should be a foretaste of the Kingdom of God, marked by deep friendship and unity. In Philippians 4:1-9, Paul calls us to build Kingdom friendships, where the hard moments are embraced as opportunities for growth. These relationships are foundational to transforming our city and our hearts. Listen in as Pastor Jason Clarke explores how Kingdom friendships reflect the love of Christ, reminding us that when conflict arises, that’s when the gospel matters most.