Rise City Church: Recent Episodes
Rise City Church
This is the official podcast of Rise City Church in East County San Diego.
Rise City Church is a loving and life-giving church that brings hope and healing in Jesus name.
Our mission is to call people to Wake Up Jesus, Rise to Life, & Shine to Others. Simply stated - Wake Up, Rise & Shine.
It's easy to believe that weakness, limited resources, or a lack of influence disqualify you from making an impact—but Jesus sees things differently.
In this message, Pastor Bobby explores Jesus' letter to the church in Philadelphia, the only church in Revelation to receive no rebuke. Discover how faithful endurance, not worldly strength, is what Jesus honors, and why holding fast to Him is the key to living with confidence, purpose, and eternity in view.
It's easy to think everything is fine when life is going well—but comfort can quietly become one of the greatest obstacles to a thriving faith.
In this message, Pastor Bobby explores Jesus' letter to the church in Laodicea, revealing how self-sufficiency can slowly replace dependence on God. Discover why Jesus' words to one of the wealthiest churches in Revelation remain just as relevant for us today.
We were all created with purpose—but too often we settle for the counterfeit versions the world offers.
In this message, Mariah walks through Genesis 1–3 and unpacks how God designed us to experience true life by glorifying Him and enjoying Him forever. Discover how the enemy subtly distracts us from that purpose and how Jesus invites us back to the life we were created to live.
It's possible to look spiritually healthy on the outside while slowly drifting on the inside.
In this message, Pastor Bobby unpacks Jesus' letter to the church in Sardis and challenges us to examine whether our faith is still alive today or simply living off yesterday's victories. Through the warning given to Sardis, we're reminded that spiritual decline is often subtle, but Jesus calls His people to wake up, remain watchful, and pursue a daily, authentic relationship with Him.
Whether you've been following Jesus for decades or are just beginning your faith journey, this message is an invitation to stay awake, stay faithful, and keep your eyes fixed on Christ.
We weren't meant to follow Jesus alone.
In this message, Pastor Jeremy shares a powerful personal story and unpacks why God designed spiritual growth to happen in community. Drawing from Scripture and his own experiences, he explores how biblical community encourages us, supports us in difficult seasons, helps us grow in our faith, and reminds us of God's truth when we need it most.
In a culture that is more connected than ever yet often feels increasingly isolated, this message is a reminder that God never intended for us to walk through life on our own. We grow stronger, wiser, and more like Christ when we pursue Him alongside others.
What we hear repeatedly eventually becomes what we believe.
In week four of our Imprinted series, Pastor Bobby walks through Psalm 136 and explores the phrase repeated throughout the entire chapter: “His faithful love endures forever.”
Through stories of God's faithfulness, the psalm invites us to remember a truth that can easily get drowned out by our circumstances. When life is difficult, disappointment is loud, and questions remain unanswered, what truth are we rehearsing?
This message is a reminder that God's love is not determined by our current season. His faithfulness has been constant throughout every chapter of Scripture, and it remains constant in our lives today.
Some passages in Scripture become so familiar that we stop noticing how powerful they really are.
In week three of our Imprinted series, Pastor Bobby walks through Psalm 23 and reminds us that this psalm is more than comforting words — it’s an invitation to know the Shepherd personally and trust His voice through every season of life.
Whether you’re walking through peace, uncertainty, disappointment, or a valley you didn’t expect, Psalm 23 points us back to the nearness, goodness, and faithfulness of God.
Comparison, bitterness, disappointment, and hopelessness all begin to shape us when our eyes are fixed in the wrong direction.
In week two of our Imprinted series, Pastor Bobby walks through Psalm 73 and the honest struggle of feeling frustrated when life doesn’t seem fair. Through the poetry of Asaph, this message explores how comparison steals joy, how bitterness takes root, and how the presence of God is the only thing that truly restores our perspective.
No matter what season you’re walking through, this sermon is a reminder that what we focus on shapes the way we see everything — and when we turn our eyes back to Jesus, temporary things stop pretending to be ultimate things.
Feeling forgotten can change the way we see everything — especially God.
In this message, Pastor Bobby explores the tension of walking through difficult seasons and the reminder that God’s faithfulness is deeper than our circumstances. Unanswered prayers, disappointment, loneliness, and pain can slowly convince us that God is distant, but Isaiah 49 paints a different picture — one of a God who sees, remembers, and stays faithful to His people.
Through the beauty of biblical poetry and the story of Thomas, Pastor Bobby unpacks what it looks like to trust God in uncertain seasons and hold onto His promises even when life feels heavy.
In the body of Christ, we all have a calling. In this message, Jeremy Nicks discusses the symptoms and side effects related to our calling to serve.
At the end of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus brings everything down to one question: what are you building your life on?
This message walks through His final words and the choice in front of all of us—to build on the rock or on the sand. Not just hearing what He says, but actually living it out.
We talk about what it looks like to trust God, to let His words speak to us personally, and to live a life that actually reflects it.
What does it actually mean to follow Jesus—not just outwardly, but from the heart?
In this message, we continue through the Sermon on the Mount and see how Jesus raises the standard in a way that challenges all of us. He doesn’t just address our actions—He goes deeper, exposing the motives behind them. From anger and lust to integrity and how we treat others, this isn’t about behavior modification… it’s about heart transformation.
If we’re honest, His words can feel impossible. And that’s the point. Jesus is showing us that we don’t just need to try harder—we need a new heart.
If He really is King, then His authority matters. This message is an invitation to stop pretending, look beneath the surface, and trust Him to do what only He can do.
What if what seems foolish… is actually the truth?
This Easter, Pastor Bobby Harrell talks through the tension at the center of the gospel. The idea that a crucified Savior brings life can feel confusing, weak, or even hard to believe—especially when the world still feels broken and uncertain. But what if the very thing that seems foolish is actually where real life begins?
This message looks at how God brings life out of what looks dead, hope into what feels hopeless, and purpose into places that feel empty. It’s an honest look at why the message of Jesus can sound foolish at first—yet still changes lives. No matter where you’re coming from, this is an invitation to take a fresh look at Jesus and decide for yourself.
What is God calling you to—and what’s holding you back from saying yes?
As we close out our Risk Theology series, Pastor Joey brings a powerful message on the risk of obedience, walking through Joshua 3 and what it really looks like to follow God into the unknown. Because discovering your purpose isn’t just about clarity—it’s about courage.
Through the story of the Israelites crossing the Jordan, we’re reminded that faith often requires movement before understanding. That obedience can feel like sacrifice. And that the steps we’re most hesitant to take may become the very moments that mark God’s faithfulness in our lives.
In this message, Pastor Bobby continues our Risk Theology series by talking about the risk of real community. It’s easy to show up and slip out of church, but building real relationships? That can feel uncomfortable… even risky. Still, we weren’t meant to follow Jesus alone.
Through Scripture, we’re reminded that faith doesn’t grow in isolation—it grows when we’re connected. This message is a simple challenge: stay a little longer, start one conversation, and see what God might do through it.
What if the greatest mission field in your life is simply the conversations you’re avoiding?
In this message, Pastor Bobby Harrell continues our Risk Theology series by exploring the risk of sharing our faith.
Jesus tells His disciples that the harvest is plentiful—but the workers are few. Yet for many believers, the biggest barrier isn’t opportunity… it’s fear. Fear of rejection. Fear of saying the wrong thing. Fear of not knowing enough.
Through the story of the man born blind and the testimony of Lazarus, we’re reminded that pointing people to Jesus doesn’t require perfect theology, a ministry title, or all the answers. Sometimes the most powerful thing you can share is simply the story of what Jesus has done in your life.
This message invites us to step past hesitation, trust God with the outcome, and take the simple but powerful risk of telling our story.
In this message, Pastor Bobby Harrell kicks off our new series Risk Theology by stepping into the story of Esther.
Esther finds herself in a moment where staying silent feels safer than stepping forward—but the cost of doing nothing may be even greater. Through this powerful moment in Esther 4, we’re reminded that faith often calls us beyond our comfort and into places that feel uncertain.
What if God has placed you exactly where you are for a reason?
This message invites us to wrestle with fear, trust God’s plan, and consider what it looks like to take a step of faith when it matters most.
What keeps you going when the excitement fades?
In this message, Pastor Jeremy dives into the tension between emotion and commitment. Through the story of Abraham and Isaac in Genesis 22, we’re reminded that faith isn’t proven in the highlight moments — it’s formed in the middle, when obedience feels costly and the outcome is unclear.
If you’re walking through a season that feels uncertain, heavy, or stretched, there’s a deeper foundation available — one that carries you further than feelings ever could.
In this Commitment Sunday message, Pastor Bobby brings us back to the well in John 4 and reminds us what all of this is really about.
Through Jesus’ conversation with the woman at the well, we see a Savior who meets people right where they are and offers something deeper than what they came looking for. It’s a simple story, but it carries a powerful reminder: when Jesus becomes our source, everything shifts.
As we take steps forward in The Oasis Initiative, this message helps ground our hearts. This isn’t just about building space — it’s about making room for encounters with Christ. We’re believing for a church where His life flows freely and where people in our city can truly find Living Water.
What does it really mean to live by faith?
In this message, Pastor Bobby Harrell challenges us to trust God beyond what we can see. As we step into The Oasis Initiative, we’re reminded that faith isn’t just something we say we have — it’s what we build our lives on.
As a church family, we believe God is moving in our time, in our city, and through His Church. Faith always requires a step — and this is ours.
In this message, Pastor Bobby Harrell invites us to see generosity not as obligation, but as overflow.
As we step into The Oasis Initiative, we’re reminded that generosity lifts our eyes beyond ourselves.
From David giving toward a future he would never see, to Nehemiah rebuilding what had been neglected, Scripture shows us that faithful sacrifice fuels the work of God and shapes stories that outlive us.
Ultimately, our generosity reflects the heart of a generous God. He gives freely. He gives faithfully. And when we live with open hands, we mirror His character to the world around us.
As a church family, we’re praying boldly and believing God for all He wants to do in and through Rise City in this next season.
In this message, Pastor Bobby Harrell invites us to reflect on what kind of legacy we are leaving and how God calls His people to live as a source of life for future generations.
Drawing from Ezekiel’s vision of living water and Paul’s prayer in Ephesians, we’re reminded that God’s blessing was never meant to stop with us. When His love and strength flow through our lives, everything around us begins to flourish.
In this message, Pastor Bobby Harrell walks us through Ezekiel’s vision of living water and what it reveals about the way God brings life, growth, and renewal.
As the river flows, everything it touches begins to flourish. Along the way, we’re invited to reflect on what God is doing in our own lives and how He is shaping His Church to be a place of hope, healing, and restoration.
At the heart of this message is The Oasis Initiative—a step of faith for Rise City Church to make room for more people to encounter Jesus and experience life to the fullest, and to continue being an oasis in the middle of a dry world.
In this message, Youth Pastor Anthony Hall walks us through the Lord’s Prayer, showing us how Jesus taught His disciples to pray—and what that means for us today.
Rather than presenting prayer as something we need to master, this message reminds us that prayer is an invitation. It’s not about having everything figured out or saying the right words, but about the posture of our hearts and our willingness to come honestly before God.
As we look at how Jesus prayed, we’re invited to approach prayer and communion with God with humility, trust, and authenticity—meeting Him right where we are.
In this message, Pastor Jeremy talks honestly about prayer—not as something we have to be good at, but as something we’re invited into.
Through Scripture and real-life moments we can all relate to, we’re reminded that prayer isn’t about having the right words or staying perfectly focused. It’s about showing up as we are—distractions, doubts, and all—and meeting a God who already knows us and still wants to be close.
As our church continues into a new season together, this message invites us to release the pressure, stop performing, and rediscover prayer as a place of real connection with God—right where we are.
In this message, Pastor Bobby unpacks the biblical discipline of fasting—not as a religious obligation, but as a relational practice that deepens humility, dependence, and attentiveness to God.
Rooted in Jesus’ words and echoed throughout Scripture, this teaching reframes fasting as a response to longing for Christ and His Kingdom. We’re reminded that we do not live by bread alone—and that true fasting doesn’t stop with us, but overflows into generosity, mercy, and love for others.
As we begin a new year together, this message invites our church into a renewed rhythm of prayer and fasting, trusting God to do something meaningful in and through us.
Before the world ever encountered Jesus, God sent a messenger to prepare the way. In the opening of Mark’s Gospel, we’re introduced not to the Savior first—but to John the Baptist, a man shaped by purpose, humility, and the power of the Holy Spirit.
In this message, Pastor Bobby reminds us that for many people, their first impression of Jesus comes through the lives of those who follow Him. The way we live, speak, and love has the power to either point others toward Christ or distract from who He is.
Joy is something we all want—but many of us tie it to seasons, circumstances, or how life is going in the moment. In this message, Pastor Bobby reminds us that real joy runs deeper than happiness and isn’t dependent on what’s happening around us.
Through Scripture and honest stories, we’re invited to see that joy is found in one place: the presence of God. Even in difficult seasons, busy moments, or quiet struggles, His presence brings a joy that lasts.
This message is an invitation to slow down, refocus, and rediscover the joy that comes from walking closely with Him.
In this week’s message, Pastor Bobby unpacks what it means to live fully on mission for God — without getting pulled off course. Through Luke 9:57–62 and the story of Nehemiah, we see how the enemy uses mockery, distraction, and accusation to derail God’s people, and how prayer, discernment, and steadfast obedience keep us aligned with God’s purpose.
If you’ve felt worn down, divided, or tempted to quit, this message will remind you:
God strengthens those who stay the course. His plan will prevail.
A single man returned to Jesus after being healed—and his response reveals something deeper than gratitude. This week, we explore how thankfulness exposes the condition of our hearts and draws us closer to God.
True gratitude isn’t just polite—it’s spiritual. It’s what turns blessing into worship and keeps our faith alive.
If you’ve been going through life without stopping to acknowledge the Giver, this message will reset your heart toward Jesus.
Real transformation doesn’t come from trying harder—it comes from the Holy Spirit working within us. This week, Pastor Bobby unpacks how staying rooted in Christ produces the fruit of the Spirit and shapes who we’re becoming from the inside out.
If you’ve been striving for change, this message reminds you: the Spirit is already doing the work.
When Jesus told His disciples it was better for Him to leave, they didn’t understand why. But His promise of the Holy Spirit changed everything.
In this message, Pastor Bobby shares how the Holy Spirit is not distant, confusing, or optional—but essential to our daily walk with Jesus. You’ll learn how His presence brings conviction, guidance, and power for real transformation.
You’ll discover:
✅ Who the Holy Spirit truly is and why His presence is better than we realize
✅ How conviction leads to repentance and freedom, not shame
✅ What happens when we stop resisting the Spirit and start walking with Him daily
If you’ve ever wondered who the Holy Spirit is, how to hear His voice, or how to grow in spiritual maturity, this message will help you experience His power and presence in a fresh way.
What do you do when life burns the very thing God promised?
When everything you built goes up in flames, is that the end—or the beginning?
In this powerful and hope-filled message, guest speaker Pastor Israel Campbell shares how God told Jeremiah to “get another scroll” after everything was lost—and how that same God still restores and rewrites stories today.
If you’ve ever faced loss, disappointment, or doubt, this message will remind you that God isn’t finished with your story. He’s just getting started.
When Jesus rose from the grave, He didn’t just prove His power—He showed us that He meets us right where we are. In this message, Pastor Bobby explores how the risen Christ came alongside His followers in surprising and deeply personal ways.
These encounters reveal moments of grief, doubt, and failure—yet also hope, restoration, and life-changing presence. They remind us that no matter what we’re walking through, Jesus knows us fully and invites us to truly know Him.
If you’ve ever felt unseen, uncertain, or unworthy, this teaching will encourage you with the truth that the risen Savior still meets us where we are.
When tragedy strikes and the church faces pressure, how do we respond? In this message, Pastor Bobby looks at how Jesus and the early church navigated moments of loss, persecution, and uncertainty—and what it means for us today.
You’ll discover:
✅ Why our first response must be to go to God in prayer and scripture
✅ How to show compassion even in seasons of grief
✅ What it means to live boldly in faith, forgiveness, and surrender
✅ How persecution, rather than silencing the church, has always advanced the gospel
If you’ve been wrestling with fear, anger, or unanswered questions in the wake of cultural and personal loss, this teaching will encourage you to anchor your heart in Christ and live courageously for Him.
This week at Rise City Church, Pastor Jeremy unpacks some of the craziest moments in the Bible—times when people made choices that leave us asking, “What were they thinking?” But even more important, this message turns the question back on us: “What does God think about us?”
When Jesus rose from the grave, He didn’t just prove His power—He showed us that He meets us right where we are. In this message, Pastor Bobby explores how the risen Christ came alongside His followers in surprising and deeply personal ways.
These encounters reveal moments of grief, doubt, and failure—yet also hope, restoration, and life-changing presence. They remind us that no matter what we’re walking through, Jesus knows us fully and invites us to truly know Him.
If you’ve ever felt unseen, uncertain, or unworthy, this teaching will encourage you with the truth that the risen Savior still meets us where we are.
This week at Rise, we’re taking a break from our sermon series to look at what Scripture teaches about community. Together, we’ll discover God’s heart for being involved in each other’s lives and the importance of surrounding ourselves with a Christ-centered church family.
This week we wrap up our sermon series The Patriarchs. Pastor Bobby shares the story of Jacob’s redemption and the moment when God changes his name to Israel. In this powerful message, we’ll learn how to respond to God in painful seasons and why it’s so important to hold on tightly to Him when life feels uncertain.
In this message from our series The Patriarchs, Pastor Bobby walks us through key moments in the lives of Jacob, Leah, and Rachel—moments of struggle, brokenness, and taking matters into their own hands. Through it all, we see how God’s faithfulness still shows up and His purposes continue to unfold.
This Sunday at Rise City Church was Youth Sunday! Our youth team and students led the entire service, and it was such an incredible morning.
We heard from a youth panel of students and leaders as they shared some of their favorite memories from camp. Pastor Anthony then brought a powerful message, reminding us that the same God our students encounter at camp is the same God who is always with us—anywhere and anytime.
As we wrap up our series The Patriarchs, Pastor Bobby takes us deeper into the life of Jacob—exploring how a single encounter with God transformed him forever. We’ll see how God still works in powerful ways today, and what part we play in responding to His call.
This weekend at Rise City Church we continue our series "The Patriarchs", as pastor Bobby walks us through a pivotal moment in the life of Jacob and his brother Esau- looking at the mistakes that were made, the promises from God, and asking ourselves "what from God am I treating TOO casually?".
This week Pastor Bobby takes us through another week in the Patriarchs series- walking through the life of now Isaac and how we are called to do just as he did and "Re-Dig our wells".
This week at Rise City Church, Pastor Bobby walks us through the powerful moment when God tested Abraham and Isaac’s faith. He draws a parallel between their experience and what God desires from us today—a life of worship and trust in Him.
In this message, Pastor Bobby challenges us to consider what it really means to be made new. Wrapping up the story of Abraham in our Patriarchs series, we’re reminded that following God often means stepping into the unknown, letting go of who we used to be, and learning to trust Him even when it feels like nothing is happening.
This Week at Rise City Church-- Pastor Jeremy takes the stage for the first time and shares part of his personal story, drawing a powerful connection to the biblical account of Naaman. Through this parallel, he explores the theme of obedience to God in difficult circumstances, and how trusting God’s plan—no matter how unexpected—leads to something greater than what we could plan for ourselves.
In the third week of our series The Patriarchs, Pastor Bobby explores key moments in Abram’s journey that reflect the choices and challenges we face in our own lives. Through Abram’s story, we’re reminded of God’s unwavering faithfulness, how to trust Him even when it’s hard, and why we don’t need backup plans when we’re walking with Jesus.
This week at Rise City Church, Pastor Bobby continues our new series, The Patriarchs, as we look at the life of Abram. In this message, we examine the moment Abram steps outside of God’s call, the consequences of his decisions, and how God remains present in the midst of it all.
This week at Rise City, Pastor Bobby kicks off our new sermon series, The Patriarchs. He takes us through the story of Abram—who would later be called Abraham—to explore what it means to faithfully pursue each of God's callings in our lives, no matter the circumstances we face.
This Pentecost Sunday at Rise City Church, Pastor Bobby takes us back to the powerful moment in Acts 2—the Day of Pentecost—when 3,000 people were baptized after encountering the message of Jesus. In this sermon, we explore the significance of baptism, what it means to follow Jesus in this way, and why it still matters today.
In the final week of our series through the Book of Ruth, Pastor Bobby walks through how the redemption of Ruth and Naomi points to the greater redemption we find in Christ. Their story highlights God's faithfulness in the midst of loss, uncertainty, and waiting—something we can still see in our own lives today.
This week in our sermon series going through the Book of Ruth, Pastor Bobby unpacks the story of a woman whose loyalty and character set her apart. In this message, we look at how Ruth's reputation was shaped not just by her choices, but by her faith—and how she came to be known as someone who walked in God and man's favor.
On his final Sunday at Rise City Church, Pastor Pete Goodman shares a powerful and personal message rooted in one of Scripture’s most overlooked moments—Peter’s first encounter with Jesus.
As Pastor Pete reflects on this defining story, he unpacks the significance of Jesus’ first words to Peter—an invitation that didn’t just change Peter’s life, but continues to echo into our lives today. It’s a call to follow, to trust, and to step into the purpose God has for each of us.
This Mother’s Day at Rise City Church, Pastor Bobby unpacks the powerful story of Naomi from the book of Ruth. Through her journey of loss, resilience, and redemption, we’re invited to reflect on our own struggles and discover how God calls us to respond in the midst of hardship.
This week, we're joined by guest speaker Pastor Joe Riddle as he challenges the common mindset of chasing growth for growth's sake. In a culture driven by pressure and performance, Pastor Joe invites us to explore a better way—one where growth is rooted in the gospel, not the demands of modern society. What does it truly mean to grow in a way that honors God?
This week at Rise City Church, our Next Gen Pastor Mariah takes us to right where we left off in the Easter story last week and takes us through an interaction the risen Jesus has with two of the disciples to draw a parallel of what it looks like when we encounter Jesus in our lives today.
This Easter Sunday at Rise City Church, we celebrate the greatest moment in history—the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
In a world full of questions, uncertainties, and distractions, we pause to ask two of the most important questions anyone can ask:
"Is following Jesus worth it?"
"Is Jesus enough?"
As we wrap up our "Truth in Tension" sermon series, Pastor Bobby unpacks the powerful story of the woman caught in adultery. In this message, we take a closer look at how Jesus responded in this moment filled with judgment and shame—and what His response reveals about how He sees us in the midst of our sin, and how we are called to view our sin.
We're three weeks into our series "Truth In Tension", and this week Pastor Bobby dives into one of the most fascinating and seemingly contradictory moments in Jesus’ ministry where in one instance, Jesus miraculously feeds over 5,000 people with just five loaves and two fish - but not long after, He refuses to give into what the crowds are asking for.
Why would Jesus perform such an incredible miracle, only to later withhold what the people were asking for? What does this reveal about His character—and what does it mean for us today?
Going into week two of our new sermon series "Truth In Tension", pastor Bobby takes us into the moment when Jesus asks Peter how much he loves him, and uses this encounter to walk us through the tension of these two callings from Jesus; finding new LIFE in Christ, and DYING to ourselves.
Starting off our new series "Truth In Tension", pastor Bobby guides us through the different lenses we use when viewing Jesus and scripture, also while taking us through the series topic of Jesus doing or saying one thing, and then seemingly doing or saying the complete opposite.
This week here at Rise City Church, Pastor Pete takes us through one of Jesus' parables in Luke 14, where Jesus flips the social and religious dynamic of His time on its head, to show us where we misunderstand exactly who Jesus calls to, and what He has called us to.
Pastor Bobby guides us through our final value as a church, in our "Vision And Values" series, taking us through the concept of unity and why its important for the Church from the beginning, the church today, and most importantly, why God values it and desires it for us in the first place.
Jumping into another week of our "Vision & Values", pastor Bobby takes us from scripture to scripture, Old Testament to New Testament, to walk through the tricky topic of generosity; specifically what God commands us to do, what Jesus teaches about around the subject, and what being generous with what God has blessed us with looks like, whether its our times, talents, or treasures.
Continuing in our "Vision and Values" series, Bobby kicks us off into a message on our first two values as a church, "People Are The Mission" and "Growth Is Our Pursuit", taking us through the two greatest commandments, and what it REALLY looks like to truly love God and others.
Kicking off our new sermon series on our churches new mission, vision, and values "Vision & Values", pastor Bobby takes us through a few encounters that people had with Jesus in the New Testament, which paints us a picture of just what an encounter with Jesus can do.
This week at Rise City, Pastor Bobby continued us on in our series "Prosper Where You're Planted"; walking through the concept of external circumstances in our lives and how they are combatted or worsened based on what/who we are "planted in".
Going into our second week in our new series "Prosper Where You're Planted", pastor Bobby goes through a passage in Jeremiah to parallel our lives to the Israelites then; where they/we live in a foreign land and yet they/we are called by God to work while they/we are here, where God has planted them/us. But what is that work? What are we called to do while we wait?
Starting off our new sermon series "Prosper Where You're Planted", Pastor Bobby sets our home base for the series at Jeremiah 29:11 and the verses surrounding it; guiding us through the idea of how the verses in that text aren't about us, but about God, and who He is, and how He cares for his people.
Our very own youth pastor Anthony Hall takes the stage this week and guides us through the topic of the Holy Spirit; who He is, what He did, what He's still doing, and why we DEEPLY NEED Him.
Going into our last Sunday before Christmas, Bobby guides us through the story of the angel approaching Mary, and how we are called to live a life where we respond similarly to God, as Mary does.
Pastor Bobby, as Christmas grows closer and closer, brings us closer to the Christmas story with this week's message; going over the story of John the baptists birth, addressing the miraculousness of the story, and the doubt of Johns father.
Jumping into the Christmas season, and with our annual Christmas Offering coming up, pastor Bobby walks us through the topic of generosity and how it all ties into God's desire for His children to take care of the world.
Closing out our worship series "Inhabit", Pastor Mariah guides us through the perspectives we take in worship, whether God intended or completely backwards, all by looking back on a story from 2,000 years ago, and looking forward to what's expected in the book of Revelation.
Starting to wrap up our worship series "Inhabit", Pastor Bobby invites on a special guest on stage to talk about some impactful ways to be generous in the church; then Bobby walks us through living a life of worship, and how our will and actions are involved in the process.
Another week of our worship series "Inhabit" in the books, and this time Pastor Bobby takes us through how worship TRANSFORMS our lives from the way we live, think, and even the way we treat others.
This week in our worship series, Pastor Bobby guides us through the story of Paul and Silas worshipping in prison and what POWER worshipping God through ALL circumstances has in our lives.
Jumping into our second week in our series on worship "Inhabit", Pastor Bobby guides use through our responses in worship as the worshippers, and why we do things like have loud music, raise our hands, and singing and dancing.
Starting our new worship sermon series "Inhabit" Pastor Bobby takes us through some of the basics of worship like who we worship, why we do it, and what it truly means and was designed for at it's core.
Closing out our sermon series "Wake Up, Rise, & What?", Pastor Pete guides us through a whole new, introspective angle of the concept of shining out to others- with his opening statement being, "Its hard to shine to the world around you when you think the world revolves around you".
Going into our third week of our series "Wake U, Rise, And WHAT?", Bobby guides us through the parable of the two sons while also asking two connecting questions; "What causes our light to dim?", and "Am I a SERVANT or a SON?".
Jumping into week 2 of our new series "Wake Up, Rise & WHAT?", pastor Bobby addresses how us as Christians may sometimes miss out on the HEART of God; being wrapped up in what God has done in "their OWN" life, and neglecting, and sometimes resenting, sharing that light with the LOST people around them.
Kicking off a new sermon series "Wake up, Rise, and What?", Pastor Bobby gives us a definition of "Shining To Others" using examples from the life of Jesus.
Going into the last message of "The Church" series, pastor Bobby uses this sermon based in Acts 8, to bridge into the next series, discussing "what God has called the Church to be, what He's called the Church to do," which then will lead into what WE'RE called to do.
This week in "The Church" series, Pastor Bobby goes over the importance of church community; specifically tying it into the groups that just re-launched at Rise City and WHY you should join one.
Going into week three of the series "The Church", Pastor Bobby goes over some historical facts to PROVE the Bible can be trusted, which then surfaces the question, of if the Word of God can be trusted then shouldn't we be DEVOTED to it?
Jumping into the second week of our new series "The Church", Pastor Bobby walks us through the questions, "do I need to be plugged into a church, or do I only need Jesus?" and "what does it mean to be a "mature" christian?", all centering around a passage in the book Ephesians.
Opening us up into a new series, and preaching his first official message as lead pastor, Bobby answers some tough questions like "Why do I need the Church as a Christian?" and "What is Jesus' definition of the Church?".
In this week's service, Pastors Pete Goodman (Interim Lead), Brandon Grant (Founding), Mike Crandall (Care) and his wife Colleen all shared wisdom to the church regarding change and transition. Looking back at other monumental changes within the history of Rise City Church and even further back with the legacy of Harvest, there is much hope to be taken into the new season as we "turn the page" to the next chapter.
Pastor Pete takes us through the book of Haggai and parallels the message of rebuilding the temple, meant for the Israelites, to our prioritization of God in our current everyday lives.
Future Lead Pastor of Rise City Church, Bobby Harrell preaches a message sharing the amazing gift that there is a seat for everyone at the table of Jesus.
Putting a twist on the typical sermon for the "A Major in The Minors" series, Pastor Pete invites up one of our elders Levi to parallel with the story of the prophet Zechariah in how God works in and through tragedy.
Jumping into another week in "A Major In The Minors" sermon series, Pastor Pete puts us in the stories of the prophets Obadiah & Zephaniah to guide us through the topic of God's discipline in our lives.
Pastor Anthony brings the word this weekend and dives into the books and themes of Amos and Micah. He explores topics of social injustice, empty praise, and judgement.
Jumping into the third week in the "A Major In The Minors" series, Pastor Pete goes over the works of the prophets Jonah and Nahum, and discusses both the justice, and mercy of God and how the two meet in the greatest act of love the world has ever known.
Pastor Pete Goodman continues the series, "A Major In The Minors" by looking at the book of Joel and placing a heavy emphasis on the Holy Spirit.
Kicking off a new series "A Major In The Minors", Pete walks us through the book of Hosea and challenge to the Israelites over their lack of faithfulness and trust in God. This stands as such an important message for us today as well in how we choose to remain faithful and trust in God to provide for us.
Pastor Mariah brings a Mother's Day message focusing in on the life of Mary and the power of the "pre-decision."
Pastor Robert walks us through the letters written to the churches of Philadelphia and Laodicea in Revelation 3, and goes over the concepts of doors that only the Lord can open, and being "luke warm".
Continuing in the Calibrate series, Rise City Elder Dan Buxton shares on his testimony, how he became an Elder, and also dives into the topic of "where do we turn when life gets hard?" in regards to the letter written to the Church in Thyatira
Pastor Pete continues the Calibrate series, going over the persecution of the early church, what "persecution" looks like for us today, and how we are called to respond.
Pastor Brandon Grant concludes the Colossians series and preaches final message as lead pastor of Rise City Church with a sermon entitled, "Grace Be With You."
Pastor Brandon preaches on two good reminders about putting off the old self and putting on the new.
Pastor Brandon continues in a series through the book of Colossians:Unprecedented by reading through and teaching on Colossians 2:1-10.
In this week's message, Pastor Robert leans into the surprising truth that is found in the midst of pain and suffering.
Pete Goodman continues through a book study on Colossians with a message called "Jesus Is Everything."
Pastor Brandon continues in a book study through Colossians with a message called "A Continual Prayer."
Pastor Brandon kicks off a new sermon series through the book of Colossians with a message called, "A Full and Grateful Heart." Brandon shares an important update about the future of Rise City Church and where God is leading him and his family next.
Pastor Brandon sat down with Phil + Diane Comer as well as Brook + Elizabeth Mosser of Intentional Parents to ask questions regarding marriage and family. This is a longer video with both services combined.
Pastor Brandon kicks off the new sermon series "Non-Negotiable" with the first of three virtues for your relationship with God and others to flourish, integrity.
Pastor Brandon shares in his message "Simply Christmas" from the Christmas services at Rise City Church.
Pastor Brandon concludes the "Fear Not" series with a message on the fear that ran rampant in the hearts and minds in the context of the shepherds, Jewish people, and others during that time in the gospel of Luke. It also runs rampant in our own mind and heart today. It's the fear of the current state of the world.
Pastor Brandon continues in the second week of "Fear Not" and focuses in on the fear Mary had when the angel told her she would birth the Messiah.
In this week's message, Pastor Robert speaks on the angel account of Joseph as they told him to "fear not." This message really hones in on the idea of fear of what others may think as it relates to how Joseph may have felt in that moment.
This week's message focuses on Hannah. Pastor Mariah discusses the scene that was set for a meltdown in Hannah's life and weaves in much of her own similar trials and struggles that all ultimately point towards a deepening trust and hope in the Lord.
This weekend's service focused on a ministry partner, Shankar, who is a pastor leading a ministry in Mumbai, India.
In this week's message, Pete touches on the meltdown seen in Job's life and how he turned to God in the midst.
This week's message touches on the biblical account of Elijah's response in the midst of crisis and how God met him in his meltdown.
In this week's message, Brandon continues the series "Meltdown" by focusing in on the biblical figure of Jonah.
This week's message continues the sermon series, "Meltdown" and focuses on the biblical account of Moses.
In this week's message, Robert Pedroza kicks off a new sermon series entitled "Meltdown" which observes different biblical figures and their responses in meltdown moments. This week focuses on the story of Abraham.
Pastor Brandon discusses how the church of the past pours into the future through generosity, as well as some exciting upcoming things for Rise City Church in this next season.
This weekend's message centers in on the cross and a mentality for the way to live our lives in light of it.
In this message, Brandon speaks to the importance of how we treat people, ultimately learning to love others because God first loved us.
In this week's message, Brandon teaches on what forms and shapes us in this world. Learn to recognize the streams of influence in your life and how to be shaped by the right ones by listening in.
In this week's message, Brandon kicks off a new series "Walking in Big Sky" with a message entitled "Trails and Bugs." Listen in to learn how to stay on the path God has for you amidst the distractions of life.
This sermon explores the emotions and uncertainty experienced by early believers after Jesus' crucifixion and ascension. It emphasizes the hope and comfort found in the resurrection and the promise of Jesus' return. Pete questions about the timing and details of Jesus' return, focusing on the importance of living in light of this hope and encouraging one another in the journey. The sermon concludes by reminding believers of the power of Jesus' resurrection and the living hope they have in Him.
This sermon explores the theme of brotherly love and how early Christians considered each other as family. Pete encourages the congregation to be generous and loving towards one another, even beyond their own families. He discusses the concept of ambition and emphasizes that it should be directed towards caring for others, rather than personal gain. Pete emphasizes the importance of living a quiet life, working diligently, and being noticed for one's love and care for others.
In this message, Robert talks through the Tripping Hazard of Jesus being the only way to God and Heaven. The only person who can reconcile us with God is God Himself, and that is Jesus, God in flesh. Jesus came to bring us back to communion with God. Every other religion teaches that we have to work our way up the "ladder" to reach God, but Jesus climbed down and met us where we were at. We hope you enjoy this episode.
The sermon discusses the validity and trustworthiness of the Bible despite modern skepticism. Pete addresses concerns about the accuracy and historicity of the Bible through examining the Bible's transmission process and the criteria used to determine which books should be included in the canon. He also highlights the extensive source material available to scholars that allows them to correct any inconsistencies and demonstrates the Bible's historical reliability. Pete emphasizes that Christians should trust in the Bible's validity, not just engage in intellectual debates about it, but actively live out its teachings and let its message transform their lives.
In this sermon, Pastor Brandon Grant discussed why Christians sometimes struggle to see actual change in their lives and provided scriptural truths that can lead to true transformation. He states that Christians overpromise and underdeliver on the promise of life change through Christ. He explains that life change typically happens throughout the rest of one's life- the process of sanctification, which is becoming more like Jesus. God designed change to happen through partnerships. Hence, he offers four change mechanisms or catalysts that need to be embraced to experience genuine change and transformation such as receiving and submitting to the Holy Spirit in one's life, taking thoughts and thinking patterns captive, rearranging relationships and environments, and practicing holy habits habitually. He encourages Christians to rely on God and do the hard work worth it to experience actual life change and transformation daily.
In this sermon, Brandon discusses whether Christianity has been good for women. He ultimately concludes that Christianity has been a catalyst for positive change and empowerment for women, despite incidences of oppression and abuse in the Church over the last 2,000 years. We explore three specific categories, Creation, Christ and The Church, to support this conclusion and note that Christianity has transformed the cultural landscape and sentiments towards women. Through the teachings and actions of Jesus, Christianity has challenged traditional gender roles and expectations, leading to positive change within the Church and beyond. The Church of Jesus Christ has elevated the status and dignity of women, encouraged their leadership and participation, and championed their education and literacy.
In this message Brandon, explores the issue of hypocrisy among Christians, using personal stories and examples of hypocrisy. He acknowledges that Christians, like non-Christians, often fall short of their ideals, but emphasizes that Christians are forgiven people, not perfect people. He addresses the question of why Christians condemn certain sins over others, pointing out that all sins are serious and require repentance and forgiveness, but may have varying consequences. Finally, he emphasizes the importance of judging others in the context of a relationship and seeking reconciliation.