C3 City Church Podcast

It's a Next Gen Takeover this week at C3 Nights - Youth and Young Adults are running the service. Simon spoke about costly surrender through Abraham and Isaac, Rachel challenged us to keep our fire burning through small daily moments with God, and Braeya unpacked Mary of Bethany's alabaster jar as a picture of worship that costs something. It's a clear call from the next generation - bring everything to Jesus, keep feeding our relationship with Him, and pour out worship that is personal, wholehearted and surrendered.  

Authority can sound restrictive, especially in a culture shaped by independence and rebellion. In this Formation series sermon, Ps Elena shows that authority is God's idea — a covering given for protection, order and formation. Looking at God's ultimate authority, delegated authority, David's response to Saul, and the danger of disobedience, this message challenges us to honour the people God places over us, make respectful appeals when needed, and trust that God forms our character as we live under His covering.

Some of the biggest battles we face are not fought with outward weapons, but in our mind. In a continuation of our Formation series, this week Dave Mann teaches on the power of renewing the mind - showing how beliefs shape thinking, feelings and behaviour. Through Scripture, personal testimony and practical illustrations, this message explores mental strongholds, trauma, temptation, forgiveness and freedom — reminding us that healing comes as we align our lives with God's truth, keep walking in His Word, and learn to take every thought captive.

Oh, the beauty of God's grace! Today, Wayne Hardman reminds us that grace is not something we earn, work for, or measure out according to our performance. Only through Jesus Christ and His redemptive work on the cross can we be saved from our own inability and receive God's free gift of grace. With a memorable picture of jam spread just right on toast, this message calls us to receive grace fully, live under it rightly, and speak “grace, grace” to the mountains we face.

The needs around us are too great to be met by human strength alone. For our next Formation series sermon, Ps Alan Hood calls us to live as disciples who expect God to work supernaturally through everyday obedience. From Peter and John at the Beautiful Gate to simple moments at work, on walks, and in daily life, this message reminds us that the supernatural is not limited to church services — God wants to move through His people wherever they go.

Time for some fun at C3 Nights! At a Five for Five night, five speakers get five minutes max to share on a topic. This time? The Fruit of the Spirit. Charlie took gentleness, Taylor took goodness, Jess took peace, Sean took love, and Olivia took joy — five short messages, five different voices, and one big reminder: the fruit of the Spirit isn't something we force by trying harder. It's what grows in us as we stay connected to Jesus.

In Forgiveness, Ps Alan Hood continues the Formations series by reminding us that forgiveness sits at the heart of Christianity. Through Peter's question to Jesus, the forgiven woman, the unforgiving servant, and David's confrontation with Nathan, Ps Alan shows that when we remember the grace we have received, we are better able to release the debts we hold against others and become people who carry grace wherever we go.

In this sermon, as we continue in our Formation sermon series, Ps Elena Hood teaches on living under the authority of God, His Word, and the people He places over us. Authority can feel uncomfortable in a culture that celebrates independence, but Scripture shows us that authority is God's idea and is given for protection, order and formation. Through Romans 13, David and Saul, and practical examples from home, school, work and church, Ps Elena calls us to trust God, honour authority and let Him form our character.

In The Law of Intentionality, Ps Luka Robertson challenges the church to stop assuming growth will happen automatically and to become intentional with God. Speaking to mindsets and limitations - for both young and old - he unpacks the gaps that keep people stuck — assumption, knowledge, timing, mistakes, perfection, feelings and comparison. Be encouraged and step into everything God has for you!

Names can lift people up, weigh people down, mark identity, and shape how we see ourselves. Ps Wayne Hardman explores the power of names — from the names spoken over us to the many names of God — and points us back to Jesus, the name above every name. This message is an invitation to let God break off false or negative names and receive the identity, freedom and blessing found in Him.

Psalm 23 begins with a declaration that changes everything: “The Lord is my shepherd.” This week, Ps Luka Robertson walks through this beloved passage, showing that before David speaks of provision, restoration, the valley, the table, or the overflowing cup, he names the One who is leading his life. This message invites us to trust the Shepherd, rest in His care, receive restoration, and know that goodness and mercy are following us all our days.

In Stand Your Ground, Ps Elena Hood reminds us that Jesus has already won the victory, but we are called to occupy and hold the ground He has taken. Speaking about spiritual warfare, authority and responsibility, this message challenges us to stop living reactively or fearfully, and instead stand in the delegated authority of Jesus, confront the enemy with God's Word, and become mature believers who know how to fight.

In this, the final sermon of C3 Nights' Postured series, Abby Edmeades looks at the closing chapters of David's life and his desire to see God exalted beyond his own lifetime. Featuring a devotional moment from Karyn Lougher on passing faith from generation to generation, this message reminds us that worship is not just singing, but a whole-life response to the worthiness of God.

In Forgiveness, Ps Alan Hood continues the Formations series by reminding us that forgiveness sits at the heart of Christianity. Through Peter's question to Jesus, the forgiven woman, the unforgiving servant, and David's confrontation with Nathan, Ps Alan shows that when we remember the grace we have received, we are better able to release the debts we hold against others and become people who carry grace wherever we go.

It's week 5 of our Postured series and this week, Moses Caldwell looking at David's failure with Bathsheba and his journey back to God in his sermon A Repentant Heart. Through David's sin, conviction and repentance, Moses unpacks a simple framework: awareness, agreement and adjustment. This message reminds us that repentance is not about earning forgiveness, but receiving what Jesus has done, turning from sin, agreeing with God's Word, and walking in obedience and freedom.

In Heroes in the Faith, Ps Wayne Hardman looks through some of the great men and women of Scripture — from Adam, Noah and Gideon to Joseph, David, Paul, Barnabas, Priscilla and Aquila. This message reminds us that heroes of faith are not perfect people, but obedient people who trust God, keep showing up, and play their part in His purposes. Every believer has a job to do, big or small, for the King.

Our Tauranga AM series, Formation, moves into week 3 and this time, Morgan Burne speaks to the significance of what we say over ourselves, others and the situations we face in his sermon 'The Power Of Words'. Through Gideon, Jesus' teaching, the apostle James and personal testimony, Morgan reminds us that our words reveal what is filling our hearts and help direct the course of our lives. This message calls us to hear from God, fill our hearts with His Word, and become people who speak faith, hope and life.

It's week four of C3 Nights' Postured series, and this time Sam Edmeades looks at David's hunger for the presence of God. Through Psalm 27 and the story of David bringing the ark back to Jerusalem, Sam reminds us that a hungry heart is not satisfied with what God can do, but longs for where God is. This message calls us to make room for God's presence and put Him back at the centre.

In Faith, Mel Hardman encourages the church to live by faith and not by sight! Through Scripture, testimony and personal stories, she reminds us that faith is not passive — it trusts God's Word, takes action, waits with patience, forgives, obeys, and keeps walking when life feels uncertain. This is a practical call to put our faith in God, stand on His promises, and keep choosing Jesus in every area of life.

It's week two of our Formation series and this week Ruth Sutcliffe speaks to the Father Heart of God. From creation, to Israel's rescue, to David, to Jesus, we see a Father whose heart is always for humanity and ever moving towards His people. This message invites us to stop approaching God like a boss we need to impress, and instead receive His love as sons and daughters who are already known, welcomed and secure.

It's week three of C3 Night's Postured series and this week Caleb Hood takes us for a deeper look at David's wilderness years and the moment he had the opportunity to take King Saul's life. When life does not unfold as expected, discipleship calls us to keep seeking God's heart, obey while we wait, and trust Him with the outcome - Trust the Promiser, not the promise.

In Christianity 101, Wayne Hardman brings the church back to the simple, essential foundations of following Jesus, because every believer carries something of God into the world, whether through sharing the gospel, encouraging someone, praying, serving, making a meal, or discipling a new Christian.

In the first message of our new Formations series, Stand Your Ground, Ps Elena Hood speaks about standing our ground in the authority Jesus has already won, reminding us that Christians are not called to live fearfully or reactively, but to occupy the ground Christ has taken and exercise the authority He has delegated to us.

In week 2 of C3 Nights' Postured series, Abby Edmeades shares a message titled Courage, looking at David and Goliath in 1 Samuel 17. This message reminds us that courage is not the absence of fear, but the choice to face fear with faith. Through David's story, we're encouraged to trust that God uses hidden seasons to prepare us, and that the battle ultimately belongs to Him.

In this message from C3 North, Ps Elena Hood shares Daily Read, Daily Feed — a practical and faith-building message about the importance of God's Word in the life of every believer. Looking at how Scripture forms us, gives us our identity, grows us, and sets us free, Ps Elena encourages us to make the Bible part of our daily walk with Jesus. This message reminds us that our daily read is our daily feed — and that as we open God's Word, we position ourselves to hear His voice, know His truth, and grow as disciples.

In this message from C3 Tauranga, Ps Alan Hood shares It's All About The Heart — a challenge to keep God first in every area of life. Looking across Scripture, from the garden to Cain and Abel, Job, Abraham, David, Solomon, the rich young ruler and Jesus, we're reminded that the altar reveals the heart. This message encourages us to surrender our priorities afresh and live with hearts fully postured toward God.