The One-City Church Podcast

We kick off our new series,  SEVEN , exploring the letters to the churches in Revelation. In this first episode, we journey to Ephesus—an influential church celebrated for discernment and endurance, yet challenged for abandoning its first love. Jesus calls them, and us, back to renewal through three movements:  Remember, Repent, and Receive the Reward.  This episode unpacks what it means to align...

In this episode, we explore what it means to gather in prayer with  kingdom priorities —aligning our desires with heaven’s values. We also take a practical look at prayer, learning how to seek God’s will above our own and make His purposes the center of our petitions.

In this first part of our series on prayer, we look closely at the kind of people Jesus said we should not be when we pray. These are those who perform for the applause of others or heap up empty words to impress God. Instead, prayer is a personal, intimate conversation with our Father. And when we pray “Your kingdom come,” we are inviting His reign of righteousness, peace, and joy to take root in...

This episode wraps up the  Grace Changes Everything  sub-series with a powerful recap of Romans 3:1–31. From our need for righteousness to the gift of grace through faith, this summary brings clarity to the message of the gospel: we are saved by grace alone, justified by faith, and invited into a renewed life. It's not just a review—it’s a reminder that grace really does change everything.

Can we boast in anything we’ve done? Paul answers with a resounding  no . In  Romans 3:27-31 , we see that salvation isn’t earned—it’s a gift of grace received through faith in Jesus. This episode explores how  God has always been gracious —from before creation to Christ’s sacrifice. Whether Jew or Gentile, circumcised or not, there is  only one God  who justifies all who believe. Grace was in the...

At the heart of the Christian faith is this:  we are justified freely by His grace . In  Romans 3:24-26 , Paul captures the essence of the gospel—Jesus became the sacrifice, so we could become righteous. This episode unpacks the beauty, depth, and power of the  gospel of grace —where mercy triumphs over judgment, and love pays the debt we could never afford. This is the good news that changes ever...

Grace is free—but it was never cheap. In  Romans 3:23-26 , Paul reveals the depth of God’s love and the high price of our redemption:  Jesus paid it in full. In this episode, we reflect on the  true cost of grace —how justice and mercy met at the cross, and how God remained righteous while making us right with Him. Grace changes everything because Jesus gave everything.

After exposing our deep need in the verses before,  Romans 3:21-26  brings the breakthrough— we are made right with God through faith in Jesus Christ.  Not by works. Not by merit. By  grace . In this episode, we unpack the beauty of justification, the power of the cross, and the mercy of a God who makes a way when we had none. This is the heart of the gospel—and it changes everything.

In this sobering yet necessary episode, we explore  Romans 3:9-20 , where Paul levels the playing field:  “There is no one righteous, not even one.”  It’s a clear reminder that no amount of effort, heritage, or morality can make us right with God. But this truth isn’t meant to condemn—it prepares our hearts for grace. Join us as we face the reality of our need and discover how grace truly changes...

What if human unfaithfulness could cancel God’s faithfulness? In  Romans 3:1-8 , Paul answers with a bold truth:  “Let God be true, and every man a liar.” This episode dives into God’s unwavering character—how  His truth stands , even when we fall short. It’s a reminder that grace isn’t a license to sin, but a call to trust in the One who remains faithful no matter what. Let  God be true . Let  Go...

After all the guilt, brokenness, and human striving laid out in the first chapters of Romans,  Romans 3:21-24  brings a breathtaking shift:  “But now…” This episode is all about that turning point—where God steps in with  grace , not based on our performance but on Christ’s finished work. We are  made right with God , not by earning, but by believing. Tune in as we explore how  grace changes every...

The law was never meant to be the end—it was meant to reveal  God’s heart . In this episode, we unpack  Romans 2:17-23 and explore how the law given to Moses was intended to show the Jews how to live in relationship with God and reflect His character. But rules alone couldn’t transform hearts. Without inner change, they were left with outward obedience but no inward renewal. This episode reminds u...

When we build our identity on religious performance or outward appearance, we risk missing the very heart of the gospel. In  Romans 2:17-23 , Paul exposes an  identity crisis —where people boast in knowing God but dishonor Him in how they live. This episode calls us to examine where we truly place our confidence. Is it in what we do for God—or who we are in Christ? Join us as we uncover the danger...

Rituals, labels, and appearances can never substitute for a transformed heart. In  Romans 2:25-29 , Paul shifts the focus from outward religion to  inward reality , reminding us that true belonging in God’s family is marked by a  circumcision of the heart , done by the Spirit—not by the letter of the law. This episode challenges us to examine our faith beyond surface-level practices and ask:  Is m...

Knowing the truth isn’t enough— living it  is what matters. In  Romans 2:17-23 , Paul confronts the danger of relying on religious identity while living in contradiction to God’s ways. It’s a warning against  hypocrisy —when we teach others but fail to examine our own hearts. This episode invites us to ask:  Am I trusting in my knowledge of God, or am I truly walking in His truth? Tune in as we ex...

This  Easter Sunday , we celebrate the risen King—the One who doesn’t just rule the universe, but reigns in the hearts of those who believe. In  Romans 10:9-11 , Paul lays it out clearly:  "If you confess with your mouth and believe in your heart that Jesus is Lord... you will be saved." Salvation isn’t earned—it’s received through a heart that believes and a mouth that declares Jesus as...

God’s judgment is not based on appearances, background, or status—but on the  truth of our hearts and actions . In this episode, we dive into  Romans 2:5-16 , where Paul introduces God as the  impartial judge  who sees beyond what we do to why we do it. Whether Jew or Gentile, insider or outsider, no one is exempt. The real question is:  What is the condition of your heart? Join us as we explore w...

In this episode, we step into Romans 2:1–4—where the apostle Paul turns the mirror on the moralist and religious person. After exposing the brokenness of the world in Romans 1, Paul now reveals that comparison won’t save us, and religion without repentance will not heal us. This is where the gospel becomes personal. This is where grace invites us not just to clean behavior, but to return with the...

After 11 powerful episodes walking through Romans 1, we pause to reflect, respond, and wrestle with what it all means. What is the gospel—and why did Paul say he was unashamed of it? In this special recap and conversation, we revisit the key themes of Romans 1 and respond to real questions from our church family. From God’s righteousness to human rebellion, from faith to formation—this is the gosp...

What would life look like without God? In a society that seeks to define itself apart from Him, the result is moral collapse, brokenness, and even death.  Romans 1:28-32  reveals the consequences of a world that rejects God—where minds are darkened, and hearts are hardened. But the real problem isn’t just society—it’s the  human heart . The solution?  Delighting in the Lord and restoring a deep re...

Idols are never simply removed—they must be  replaced . In  Romans 1:24-25 , Paul reveals how distorted desires lead to impurity when we exchange the truth of God for a lie. But how do we break free? The answer is found in  repentance, delighting in the Lord, walking by the Spirit, and reckoning ourselves dead to sin and alive to God . We are not our own—we were  bought with a price  to glorify Go...

Why do we want the things we want? Our desires aren’t inherently evil, but when good things become  ultimate  things, they turn into idols. Just like the Israelites fashioned an idol from the gold God blessed them with, we, too, can let created things take God’s place in our hearts. The Apostle Paul in Romans 1:24  warns of what happens when darkened hearts over-desire created things instead of th...

In this episode, we examine  Romans 1:20-23  and the subtle ways our hearts turn from God to worship created things. What do ancient stone statues and your career ambitions have in common? More than you might think. In this powerful exploration of Romans 1:21-23, Pastor unpacks the surprising truth about idolatry in our modern world. We were made in God's image, but now we're busy making g...

In this first episode of the  Counterfeit Gods  sub-series, we explore  Romans 1:18-32  and the reality of God’s wrath against all forms of idolatry. When people exchange the truth of God for lies, choosing created things over the Creator, they step into spiritual decay. What happens when we worship counterfeit gods instead of the one true God? Join us as we unpack the consequences of misplaced wo...

In this episode, we dive deeper into Romans 1:16-17, where Paul declares that the  righteous shall live by faith.  But what does it truly mean to have faith? As Pastor Jesse points out, many people have  faith in their faith  rather than in  God  Himself. Are we trusting in our own belief, or are we anchored in the unshakable power of the gospel? Join us as we explore the righteousness of God, the...