Rise City Church Podcast

We live in a world that prizes performance, pedigree, and power—yet deep down, most of us still wrestle with feeling unseen or unworthy. The story of Mephibosheth flips all of that upside down. David, now king, seeks out the last living son of his former enemy—not to punish him, but to show him kindness. In a single moment, a crippled exile from “Lo Debar” (“no place”) is carried into the palace, seated at the royal table, and treated like a son. This is what the kindness of King Jesus looks like. He searches for the broken, the forgotten, the ones hiding in the wilderness of shame, and He carries us home to His table. The gospel isn’t about climbing your way to God—it’s about being found, lifted, and loved by Him. Join us as guest preacher Joshua Ryan Butler explores how the King’s kindness restores our destiny, overcomes our fear and pride, and teaches us to extend that same kindness to others.

When life feels like a battle you can’t win, it’s easy to believe that trying harder will finally bring peace. But what if the breakthrough you need doesn’t come from more control, but from surrender? King Jehoshaphat faced an army he couldn’t defeat, yet instead of drawing a sword, he lifted a song. As Judah began to worship, God began to work. In a world that says, “You got this,” Scripture declares, “The battle is not yours, but God’s.” Tune in for this victory Sunday as we see how praise pushes back fear, how worship invites God’s power into impossible places, and how the same God who fought for Judah gives us ultimate victory in Jesus.

Paul ends his letter to the Thessalonians with a rapid-fire list of commands—a vision for what life in the church should look like while we wait for Jesus to return. It’s like he’s saying, “Don’t just sit back and count the days—live like the Kingdom is already here.” In these final verses, Paul paints a picture of a church that loves well, serves faithfully, rejoices often, listens to the Spirit, grows in holiness, and stays connected through grace. This is what a healthy, hope-filled church looks like. Tune in as we explore Six Marks of a Healthy Church Community—and discover how faith in the future changes how we live right now.

We live in a world that lulls us to sleep—spiritually numb, distracted, desensitized. But Paul raises a warning flag in 1 Thessalonians 5: The Day of the Lord is coming like a thief in the night. It will not be announced. It will not be delayed. And most won’t be ready. This day—the final, climactic return of Christ—will be a day of justice, when God deals decisively with sin, rebellion, and evil. But for those in Christ, judgment day has already happened—at the cross. That’s why Paul urges us: wake up and live like people of the day, not of the darkness. The return of Jesus calls us to sober living, sacrificial love, unwavering faith, and unshakable hope. We don’t armor up with anger or fear—we put on the breastplate of faith and love, and the helmet of hope. We serve, invite, give, and share with urgency because the Day of Salvation is coming. Tune in as we explore how to live awake, alert, and anchored in the coming Kingdom of God.

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.