CityRise Sermon Conversations

In Episode 86 of Sermon Conversations, the teaching pastors of CityRise Church dive into the dramatic narrative of Acts chapters 3 and 4.

Together, they unpack the miraculous healing of the 40-year-old lame beggar at the Beautiful Gate, Peter’s bold, spontaneous gospel proclamation to the crowds, and the high-stakes interrogation by the Sanhedrin. The pastors explore what it truly means to look intently at those in spiritual and physical brokenness, why we must pray for boldness in times of trial rather than just a quick fix, and how opposition ultimately fuels the unstoppable movement of God.

In Episode 85 of Sermon Conversations, the teaching pastors of CityRise Church gather to discuss Acts 2:42–47 and what it truly means to live out the Marks of a Disciple.

The panel reflects on the grand dedication of the Missouri City campus, recent baptisms across campuses, and stories of God moving unexpectedly—from local church revivals to missions in Rwanda. Moving through the core disciplines of the early church—the apostles' teaching, fellowship, the breaking of bread, and prayer—the pastors share deeply personal stories of how Christian community, supportive spouses, shared meals, and desperate prayer carried them through season-defining hardships and health battles.

Watch to gain deeper theological insights for your personal study, and learn why plug-in community at a local church is vital to your spiritual walk!

In this episode, the teaching pastors at CityRise Church recap the conclusion of our 13-week study in Revelation 22 and kick off our brand-new sermon series: Acts: The Unstoppable Movement of God.

Join Pastors Tim, Mark, Ben, and Houston as they dive into the historical background of Doctor Luke, the identity of Theophilus, the difference between descriptive and prescriptive biblical literature, and how the Holy Spirit empowers ordinary people for extraordinary mission.

As we wrap up our 13-week series on Heaven, the teaching pastors at CityRise Church gather to process Revelation chapter 22. In this final conversation, our pastors look back on the incredible fruitfulness and life-changing moments of this sermon series, address top community questions about Heaven, and dive into the closing words of Scripture—exploring the ultimate invitation to worship God and come to the water of life.

In this episode of Sermon Conversations, the teaching pastors of CityRise Church dive into Revelation 19:6–10 as part of the sermon series "Can You Even Imagine?"

Together, they discuss the rich biblical imagery of the Church as the Bride of Christ, ancient Jewish betrothal customs, and what it truly means for believers to "make themselves ready" through righteous deeds while waiting for Jesus’ return.

They also unpack the significance of the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, the forward-looking nature of the Lord’s Supper, and how keeping eternity in view changes the way we live our daily lives on earth.

Key Takeaways

Ancient Wedding Imagery: How biblical betrothal customs mirror Christ’s covenant with His Church and His preparation of a home for us.

Making Ourselves Ready: Understanding how the "fine linen" represents the righteous acts of the saints.

Looking Forward: Connecting the Communion table to the ultimate heavenly celebration.

Auditing Your Life: Evaluating how we steward our time, resources, and relationships with eternity in mind.

What does it mean to invest in a life that outlasts this world? In this episode of Sermon Conversations, Teaching Pastors Mark, Ben, and Justo walk through Matthew 6 as part of the sermon series, "Heaven: Can You Even Imagine?"

Together, they unpack Jesus’ teaching on earthly versus heavenly treasure. From the perishable nature of modern and ancient wealth to practical ways we can steward our time, talents, and resources for eternity, this conversation offers a grounded, biblically rich look at living today with an eye on heaven.

What will our bodies look like in the resurrection? In this episode of the Sermon Conversations podcast, the teaching pastors of CityRise Church dive deep into the dense, profound, and often misunderstood passage of 1 Corinthians 15:35–58.

As the pastors transition into the next phase of the "Can You Even Imagine?" series, they tackle the ultimate state of believers—shifting the focus from the immediate aftermath of death (the intermediate state) to the physical, resurrected reality further down the road.

From dismantling ancient Corinthian fears of reanimated "zombie" bodies to addressing modern Gnostic ideas that we merely become floating spirits, this conversation provides a grounding, biblical framework for what it means to put on the imperishable.

They discuss the continuation of our identity (including why we'll still recognize one another), the profound reality of mourning with hope, and why the promise of the resurrection means our work on earth today is never in vain.

What actually happens the exact moment we die? In this week's episode of the Sermon Conversations podcast, the teaching pastors of CityRise Church dive deep into 2 Corinthians 5 to unpack the transition from our temporary earthly bodies to our eternal home.

Building on last week’s discussion of Jesus’ promise to the thief on the cross—"Today you will be with me in Paradise"—the pastors tackle some of the biggest questions believers face about eternity. They break down the apostle Paul’s famous "earthly tent" analogy, push back against the concept of "soul sleep," and explore the beautiful reality of the intermediate present heaven.

They also lean into the mystery of eternal rewards, what it means to stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ, and how living in light of eternity changes everything about how we walk by faith today.

Whether you are wrestling with theology or looking for comfort and hope regarding what awaits us, this conversation will help you go deeper into God's Word.

Are you homesick for a place you’ve never officially been? In this episode of the Sermon Conversations podcast, the teaching pastors of CityRise Church dive into a brand-new summer topical series: "Can You Even Imagine?" 

As we transition out of our deep doctrinal study of Galatians, Pastor Ben, Pastor Robby, Pastor Rynie, and Pastor Justo pull back the curtain on our global fascination with the afterlife. From secular music and ICU rooms to ancient world history, every human heart carries an innate ache for eternity. 

Using Hebrews 11:13-16 as a roadmap, the pastors break down five simple, grounding truths about our journey toward heaven. They tackle heavy cultural concepts like the certainty of death and suffering, share deeply personal stories of intense homesickness, and dismantle popular cartoon fallacies about floating on clouds to reveal the vibrant, active, and fully fulfilled kingdom reality awaiting us. 

📖 Scripture References:

• Hebrews 11:13-16 (The Main Text)

• Ecclesiastes 3:11

• Hebrews 9:27

• James 4:14

• Romans 8:18

• Philippians 3:20

• Revelation 21

🔗 Connect with Us:

• Join a live stream or watch recent messages: http://cityrise.org/live

• Learn more about our community: One church, three campuses, three languages.

How do we live in true freedom without swinging to the extremes of legalism or license? In this episode of the Sermon Conversations podcast, the teaching pastors of CityRise Church join U.S. Army Chaplain Colonel Robert Glazener to explore the life-changing power of Galatians 5:16–26.

As we approach Memorial Day, our panel reflects on the profound connection between the ultimate freedom found in Christ and the sacrifices made by those who have served our country. We discuss what it means to "walk by the Spirit," why our flesh often feels at war with our faith, and how to avoid the "Jesus plus" trap of performance-based religion.

Whether you are seeking to grow in your walk with God or looking for a deeper understanding of Christian liberty, this conversation will equip you to stop biting the hook of worldly desires and start living in the grace that transforms our daily lives.