Hill City Church Podcast

What does it look like to be truly devoted to the Word of God—not just dabbling in it? In the first message of our Devoted series, we discover four ways the early church was devoted to the apostles’ teaching: receive the Word, dig deeper into the Word, obey the Word, and share the Word. The gospel doesn’t simply give us something to believe; it transforms the way we live and sends us out to share...

What is the main thing Jesus has called us to do? In Acts 1, Jesus sends His followers to be His witnesses—from their own neighborhoods to the ends of the earth. In this message, we explore what it means to share our faith, overcome the fears that keep us from witnessing, follow the Holy Spirit, and tell others how Jesus has changed our lives. Jesus is coming back, so until then, let’s get busy ma...

We all have distractions that can keep us from what matters most, but Jesus invites us to a different way of living. In Luke 10, Mary shows us what it looks like to seek first the Kingdom, set down our distractions, and sit at the feet of Jesus. Whether you tend to be driven like Martha or laid-back like Mary, Jesus invites you to keep coming back to His presence. Because at the feet of Jesus, you...

Why does godly leadership matter? Peter shows us what faithful leadership looks like and warns us against leaders who are driven by obligation, money, or power, pointing us instead to Jesus, the Good Shepherd and the ultimate leader worth following. We’ll learn how to resist the devil, trust God through suffering, and stand firm in the grace of God. As we wrap up our journey through 1 Peter, we’re...

Following Jesus has never come with a promise of comfort or safety. Peter wrote to Christians who were being misunderstood, rejected, and persecuted because they bore the name of Christ, and his encouragement was simple: don’t be surprised, don’t be ashamed, and don’t give up. In this message, we look at five escalating stages of persecution and the practices that prepare us to remain faithful thr...

In this message we explore how God has uniquely gifted each of us—not simply for our own benefit, but to bless others and bring Him glory. We’ll look at four gifts God has entrusted to us: our minds, hearts, words, and actions, and discover practical ways to steward each one through Scripture meditation, joyful hospitality, speaking God’s Word, and serving others. As we use what God has given us i...

Jesus is our Champion. Jesus entered the battle against sin, death, and the devil on our behalf—and everyone who belongs to Him shares in His victory. In this message from 1 Peter 3:18–22, we explore one of the Bible’s most challenging passages, discover what Christ’s victory means for us today, and consider why baptism is God's invitation to publicly identify with our victorious King.   Title: Wi...

Are you ready to get in the game of sharing your faith? In this message, we explore what it means to always be ready to share the hope we have in Christ. Discover three practical ways to be a faithful witness: unite with the church, bless those who curse you, and explain your hope with gentleness and respect. Whether you’re nervous about sharing your faith or looking for simple, biblical ways to s...

What does the Bible really teach about the roles of husbands and wives? Whether you’re married, single, or simply seeking to understand God’s heart for men, women, and marriage, this sermon offers a compassionate, biblical look at a topic that is often misunderstood, pointing ultimately to Jesus as the foundation for every healthy marriage.   Title: Beauty & Strength Text: 1 Peter 3:1-7 Speake...

How do you follow Jesus when your boss is unfair, your workplace is toxic, and doing the right thing seems to get you nowhere? In this message from 1 Peter 2:18–25, we discover why suffering for doing good is never wasted, how Christ transforms our pain into purpose, and why the way you work may be one of the clearest testimonies to the gospel   Title: Footsteps Text: 1 Peter 2:18-23 Speaker: Jord...

What does it mean to be both a citizen of heaven and a citizen of your country? In this message from 1 Peter 2, we explore how Christians are called to honor governing authorities, seek the good of their nation, and remain fully devoted to King Jesus above every earthly allegiance. Discover what Scripture teaches about citizenship, freedom, and living as faithful ambassadors of Christ in today’s w...

God brought you into his family; now what? Today we dive into the book of 1 Peter to look at what being Christian means to our everyday lives. Title: Royal Priesthood Text: 1 Peter 2:9-12 Speaker: Riley Smith

What do people see when they look at Christians? In 1 Peter 2, we're reminded that Jesus is the Living Stone and that we are being built together into God's spiritual house as a holy priesthood. This message challenges us to stop asking, "Will people reject me?" and instead ask, "When people encounter me, will they encounter Jesus?" Message: Living Stones Speaker: Jordan Carter Passage: 1 Peter 2:...

What makes someone unmistakably Christian? Jesus said it’s not a symbol, a habit, or a label—it’s love. In this message from 1 Peter, we explore how the gospel creates the kind of sincere, sacrificial love that marks true disciples of Christ, even when relationships are difficult. Discover how an eternal perspective, a deeper understanding of God’s grace, and a growing hunger for His Word empower...

Why is it so hard to stand out from the crowd? While the world pressures us to conform, God calls us to be holy—set apart for Him. This message explores four motivations for living a holy life: we are God’s children, we know better through His Word, we will give an account to Christ, and we have been redeemed by His precious blood. As followers of Jesus, we are called to set our hope fully on Him,...

What do you do when life gets hard? In this message, we explore how believers can rejoice through trials—not by ignoring pain, but by holding onto the living hope found in Jesus. Discover four gifts God gives us in suffering: His purpose, presence, plans, and people. No matter what season you’re in, tested faith can lead to lasting joy and deeper trust in Christ.   Title: Tested Faith Text: 1 Pete...

In a world where following Jesus feels increasingly countercultural, Peter reminds us that we are “elect exiles”—chosen by God, set apart by the Spirit, and sent into the world with a living hope. This message explores what it means to experience “kingdom culture shock” as Christians in a shifting culture, and how Peter calls believers to neither retreat from the world nor conform to it, but to li...

Peter thought his failure had disqualified him for good. But beside a charcoal fire on the shore of Galilee, Jesus met him in his shame, restored their relationship, and called him forward again. Restoration begins when we stop pretending, return to our first love, and discover that Jesus is not finished with us yet. Title: Anchored | Restoration Series: Anchored Text: John 21:1-19 Speaker: Andrew...

Who is Jesus, really? As the disciples wrestle with cultural opinions and personal experiences, Peter boldly declares that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God—revealing both His identity as Savior King and God in the flesh. This sermon explores why that confession changes everything, how Jesus is building His unstoppable Church, and what it truly means to follow Him—not just in belief,...

Through the story of Peter walking on water, we see both the courage to step out in obedience and the very real struggle of doubt when we take our eyes off Christ and focus on the storms around us. This sermon explores how even “little faith” can lead to the impossible when it’s placed in the right person—Jesus, the One who walks on water, rules over chaos, and reaches out to save us when we begin...

Just as Peter moved from the shallows into deeper waters, we’re invited to go beyond casual faith into full surrender—trusting Jesus even when it doesn’t make sense, allowing Him to transform us from the inside out, and ultimately calling us to leave “something” behind for “everything” in Him. This sermon challenges us to embrace obedience, experience God’s grace, and step into our purpose as disc...

Have you ever felt on the outside—of a moment, a relationship, or even your faith? Thomas was the disciple who missed the first resurrection appearances of Jesus and wrestled with doubt while everyone else seemed to believe. Discover how Jesus meets us in our questions, why doubt isn’t the end of faith, and how the resurrection still offers hope, healing, and new life today. No matter where you ar...

As Jesus enters Jerusalem to shouts of “Hosanna,” the crowd expects a political liberator, but He comes as a humble Savior riding on a donkey, bringing a kingdom not of this world. Will we still worship Him when He doesn’t fit our plans? Discover how Jesus fulfills prophecy, defeats sin through the cross, and invites us to receive Him as our true Savior King—and consider who in your life needs to...

What is the purpose of your life? Does your life revolve around your own comfort or around the mission of Jesus? In Pastor Jake's final sermon at Hill City Downtown, we look at the story of Zacchaeus and the powerful truth that defined Jesus’s mission: “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10). He didn’t come to make us comfortable. He came to reach the lost. And if you f...

Jesus’ longest parable reveals two ways to be lost: the younger brother who rebels and runs from the Father, and the older brother who obeys outwardly but harbors pride and self-righteousness. Both ultimately need the same thing—grace. This sermon highlights the heart of the Father who runs to embrace repentant sinners, challenges legalism that keeps people from the feast, and points to Jesus as t...