Rise City Church Podcast

Something in us knows this world isn’t the end. We feel it at funerals, in the chaos of the headlines, and in the quiet moments when we wonder, is there more than this? The early believers in Thessalonica wrestled with the same questions—watching their friends die for their faith, wondering what came next. Paul writes to them—and to us—to say: there is hope beyond the grave. Because Jesus died and rose again, death doesn’t get the final word. Our story ends not in loss, but in life—resurrection life. And the best part? It’s closer than you think. Scripture says a day is coming when the sky will split open, the trumpet will sound, and the King will return. Evil will be crushed, creation restored, and those who belong to Christ will rise to meet Him. That reality changes how we live now. It means we can face grief with hope, urgency with purpose, and a broken world with unshakable confidence. Tune in as we look at the signs, the promises, and the glorious return of Jesus—and discover why The End isn’t something

There’s something stirring in our time. People are restless, searching, and waking up with a hunger they can’t quite name. All around us we see signs of spiritual awakening—new faces walking through church doors, lives asking deeper questions, hearts opening to God. These are seeds of revival being planted. The question is: will we recognize the moment and nurture what God is doing in us, our families, and our church? In 1 Thessalonians 4,  Paul urges us to reject the patterns of the world and walk in God’s good design—especially in the area of sexual purity. Sex was created as a gift to connect and create within the covenant of marriage, but outside that covenant, it divides and destabilizes. Paul is clear: holiness is not about shame or legalism, but about freedom—choosing to honor God with our bodies, our relationships, and our everyday choices. Tune in as we explore how revival begins not with noise and spectacle, but with quiet obedience in our homes, purity in our hearts, and a life that reflects the be

We’re all longing for belonging, but true connection comes through love that shows up, faith that endures trials, and growth that never stops. We’re called to live with hopeful vision, ready for Jesus’ return and bold enough to transform our city by the way we love each other. Whether you’re curious about faith or already following Jesus, this message will challenge you to step in and live differently. 

Some moments in our lives are watershed moments—where tragedy strikes so deep we know our world will never be the same. This week was one of those moments in our Nation. The public assassination of Charlie Kirk is now etched into our national memory. Not a head of state, not a military leader—but a voice for truth, faith, and conviction, cut down not for political position because of Biblical conviction. This moment is more than political—it’s spiritual. And how we respond will define a generation. The Church must not cower in fear, rage in retaliation, or retreat into silence. Like Paul in 1 Thessalonians 2, we’re called to courage in the face of opposition—fueled by the fear of God, not man. Courageous Christians speak truth no matter the cost, love each other like family, and protect the mission at all costs. Evil will rage—but it cannot win. Our task is clear: live bold, holy lives; preach Jesus with conviction; protect one another in love; and hold fast to the hope that God will avenge, redeem, and resto

What keeps you standing when life pushes hard against you? For the Thessalonian church, following Jesus meant being misunderstood, rejected, and even persecuted. Paul’s encouragement was simple but profound: you are chosen by God, and that changes everything. To the fearful, God says you are loved. To the scattered, He says you belong. To the weary, He promises your future is glory. Your faith isn’t built on your strength but on God’s unshakable grip. And the evidence of His gospel is not just belief in your head but transformation in your life. Join us as Pastor Jason Clarke unpacks how God’s choosing brings comfort, security, and hope. We'll see that we can live not as victims of our circumstances but as victors in Christ, with lives that shine with joy and echo far beyond what we can imagine.

When life feels stacked against you, where do you turn? The Thessalonian church was small, new, and surrounded by opposition. Paul couldn’t stay to guide them, but he wrote back reminding them that God had already given them the weapons they needed to stand strong in a world against them: prayer, the Word, and the power of the Spirit. These aren’t flashy or obvious tools, but they connect us to a strength far beyond ourselves. Tune in as we discover how prayer can be more powerful than presence, how God’s Word anchors us in truth amid a sea of voices, and how the Spirit brings conviction and transformation that no opposition can stop. Together, we’ll see that faith works, love labors, and hope endures—arming us to follow Jesus no matter the cost.

Ephesians 5 shows us that marriage is not just about husband and wife, but meant to be a picture of something bigger: how Christ loves His Bride, the Church. His love is agape - sacrificial, faithful, and steady. It calls us to lay down pride, to forgive, to serve, and to live in a way that points back to Him. This matters because we live in a world where it’s easy to walk away when things get hard. But Jesus never walks away from His Church, even in our brokenness. If we belong to Him, we can’t treat His Bride like an option. Our hope is in the One who loved us first and showed us what real commitment looks like. Join us as Stacey Cutshall reminds us that loving God and loving His Church are not separate. Even when the Church is messy or painful, we’re still called to love it. Because when the Church loves like this, even through hurt and hardship, it becomes the clearest picture of Jesus to a watching world.

In 1 Samuel 16:1–13, God bypasses the impressive and chooses David, the overlooked shepherd boy, to be king. It’s a reminder that He sees what people miss—He looks at the heart. In every generation, God is raising up leaders who may not fit our expectations. They might be young, unpolished, and unproven, but they are already chosen, gifted, and anointed for His purposes. The next generation is not the future of the Church—they are the Church. Our calling is to see them, believe in them, and make space for them to lead, even if it disrupts our routines or stretches our comfort. A vibrant church is one filled with the energy of kids, the passion of teens, and the innovation of young adults. When we step aside and lift them up, the Spirit of God moves in ways that can change everything—right now.

What if God’s plan to reach your neighborhood, your workplace, your city… is you? In Luke 10, Jesus sends out ordinary people with an extraordinary mission—to go ahead of Him and prepare the way. No titles. No platforms. Just faith, authority, and obedience. This is a wake-up call: you and I aren’t on the sidelines of God’s story—we are the strategy. There is no Plan B. Heaven is still sending, and the harvest is still ready. The work is gritty, the world is hostile, and still, we go—not relying on our strength, but on His Spirit. Along the way, we learn to recognize the people of peace, to shake the dust when needed, and to rejoice—not in what we do for Jesus, but in who we are because of Him.

As we approach the end of Romans, Paul’s letter, his most important theological work, closes in a fascinating way. He pulls back the curtain to reveal the people who’ve been partnering with him in spreading the Gospel and building the Kingdom. We notice something powerful: From the beginning of the church, women have been active participants in building the church spreading the kingdom. Women were essential partners in advancing the Gospel. Tune in as as we walk through Romans 16 where we learn how the early church was shaped by the indispensable contributions of women, and why this partnership remains essential for the church today.

The reason we keep coming back to the Gospel, week after week, day after day, is because we never outgrow our need for it. Paul’s words in Romans 15 remind us that even mature believers need bold reminders of grace. The Gospel isn’t just how we begin our faith...it’s how we keep going. It’s the power that fuels purpose, passion, and mission. When we forget it, we drift. But when we preach it to ourselves daily, we stay tuned into to what God is doing in and through us. Join us for "A Life Well-Lived" as we rediscover the power of the Gospel, the urgency of our calling, and the deep joy of living for something that will actually last.

In Romans 14, Paul reminds us that unity is more important than uniformity. We’re called to accept each other, even when we disagree on secondary matters, like food or specific religious practices. These are disputable matters that shouldn’t divide us but instead should be points of strength as we come together in the gospel. Living in unity means relinquishing our "rightness" and putting love first. It’s not about being right, but about being loving and kind to those who may see things differently. When we focus on building each other up, instead of tearing each other down over differences, we reflect the heart of Jesus. Join us as we explore what it means to be united in the gospel, living with righteousness, peace, and joy, and focusing on building God’s Kingdom, not just our own tribe.

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.