Hill City Church Podcast

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...

After seven weeks on sabbatical, Pastor Josh returns to share lessons from the life of Elijah in 1 Kings 19. Following the dramatic victory on Mount Carmel, Elijah flees in fear, collapses under a broom tree, and encounters God—not in wind, earthquake, or fire, but in a gentle whisper. This message explores how God meets us in exhaustion, ministers with compassion, and reminds us that the journey...

What if one of the most neglected spiritual practices in Western Christianity is actually one of the most powerful? Do you want to experience real spiritual change in your life? Do you long to see revival? In this message from Matthew 4–6, Pastor Jake explores the power of fasting—what it is, what it does, and how to practice it.  If you’re ready to grow closer to God, overcome sin, and see reviva...

Have you ever felt like giving is about obligation. Join us today to see how it was always meant to be about trust, joy, and expectation for God's continued redemption of our world. Title: Giving in Secret Series: The Secret Place Text: Matthew 6:1-4 Speaker: Jordan Carter

Developing a genuine prayer life starts in the secret place, where we get alone with God and discover that the greatest reward of prayer is deeper communion with Him. Title: Praying in Secret Text: Matthew 6:5-6 Speaker: Cheryl Clutter

This Sunday, we’re doing something a little different. Our short-term missions team just returned from Uganda, and instead of a sermon, they’ll be sharing personal stories about how God met them in unexpected places—through simplicity, discomfort, and daily dependence. They’re not just telling stories from Africa—they’re inviting all of us to experience transformation here at home. God doesn’t onl...

God often does His deepest work not through constant activity but through waiting, surrender, and rest. Before there was witness, there was waiting; before there was power, there was surrender. This message challenges the church to enter the new year by waiting on the Lord, walking by the Spirit, and trusting that when Christ builds His church, He can do far more than we could ever imagine.   Titl...

God often does His deepest work not through constant activity but through waiting, surrender, and rest. Before there was witness, there was waiting; before there was power, there was surrender. This message challenges the church to enter the new year by waiting on the Lord, walking by the Spirit, and trusting that when Christ builds His church, He can do far more than we could ever imagine.   Titl...

From the pit to slavery, from prison to the palace, Joseph’s life shows the tension between expectation and reality, and how God’s faithfulness remains constant in every season. We’ll explore the meaning of troubling dreams, years of plenty and famine, and God’s ability to use hardship to prepare salvation for many. The message reaches its climax as Joseph’s brothers bow before him and Judah offer...

Jacob’s ladder is one of the most iconic dreams in the Bible. In Jacob’s dream, God tears open heaven to show that we don’t climb our way up to Him — He comes down to us. Centuries later, this dream would find its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ – The true Ladder between heaven and earth.   Speaker: Jake Wright Text: Genesis 28:10–22  

In Genesis 15, God meets Abram in a vision of the night—reassuring him with promises of countless descendants, a covenant sealed in sacrifice, and the assurance of God’s presence even through suffering. As we trace Abraham’s journey of faith, we’re reminded that God still invites us to trust His word, cling to His promises, and follow Him even when the vultures circle and the path grows difficult....