Podcasts about city on a hill

When America abandoned the truth decades ago, it set this nation on a moral pathway to destruction. As a result, today's America is vastly different. Churches that once heralded the Word are entertainment centers, filled with fluff. A demonic influence has shadowed this city on a hill. What can be done to stem the tide of evil flooding this land? Two well-qualified men, Dr. Greg Patten and Jon Ruetz, discuss the problems and solutions on today's Watchman on the Wall episode.

Series: Called To ShineSermon: We Are United in ChristPreacher: Sermon by Grant van der MerweScripture: Ephesians 2:11-22Jesus calls His followers a city on a hill: a community so shaped by grace that its light naturally pierces the dark and draws people home. But how do we live out that calling in our everyday lives?In this 5-week series, we are exploring the foundational values that define the culture of City on a Hill. From the boldness of gospel confidence and the beauty of radical unity, to engaging our city, giving our all, and leading through service, these convictions are more than organisational goals, they are our shared identity as followers of Jesus.Join us as we discover what it means to step live it out our faith for and toward one another, and be a church that lives up to its name.

Series: Called To ShineSermon: We Are Confident in the GospelPreacher: Sermon by Nick CoombsScripture: Romans 1:16-17Jesus calls His followers a city on a hill: a community so shaped by grace that its light naturally pierces the dark and draws people home. But how do we live out that calling in our everyday lives? In this 5-week series, we are exploring the foundational values that define the culture of City on a Hill. From the boldness of gospel confidence and the beauty of radical unity, to engaging our city, giving our all, and leading through service, these convictions are more than organisational goals, they are our shared identity as followers of Jesus.Join us as we discover what it means to step live it out our faith for and toward one another, and be a church that lives up to its name.

https://newsongpeople.com/messages/a-city-on-a-hillWhat if your everyday life was meant to shine like a city on a hill, drawing people toward the hope of Jesus? In this message, discover how knowing God intimately transforms you into His likeness and how a life that reflects His love—through mercy, service, and compassion—displaces darkness and brings glory to the Father. You carry His presence; let it change the world around you.

Rev. Matt Tuggle | Click/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide. Who are you?  Once we move beyond the polite answers such as our names, occupations, accomplishments, or even our collegiate football allegiances, the question becomes much more personal. It's a question many of us struggle to answer. Yet at the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus offers a remarkable response.  Speaking to an ordinary, ragtag crowd gathered on a hillside, he tells them, "You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14). What was true for them is still true for us today. Using the images of a city on a hill and a lamp on a stand, Jesus teaches that God's people are meant to reflect His light into the world. Just as the lights of a city shine far beyond its borders, what God is doing in our lives reaches far beyond us. The way we live becomes a witness to others, revealing God's character and love.  This passage challenges us to stay focused on what God has placed before us rather than becoming distracted by the many things competing for our attention. As we fix our eyes on Christ and allow him to transform us, our lives become a light that impacts others in ways we may never fully see.  If you've ever wondered, who am I? Jesus' answer is both simple and profound: You are the light of the world and a city on a hill that cannot be hidden.

Rev. Matt Tuggle | Click/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide. Who are you?  Once we move beyond the polite answers such as our names, occupations, accomplishments, or even our collegiate football allegiances, the question becomes much more personal. It's a question many of us struggle to answer. Yet at the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus offers a remarkable response.  Speaking to an ordinary, ragtag crowd gathered on a hillside, he tells them, "You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14). What was true for them is still true for us today. Using the images of a city on a hill and a lamp on a stand, Jesus teaches that God's people are meant to reflect His light into the world. Just as the lights of a city shine far beyond its borders, what God is doing in our lives reaches far beyond us. The way we live becomes a witness to others, revealing God's character and love.  This passage challenges us to stay focused on what God has placed before us rather than becoming distracted by the many things competing for our attention. As we fix our eyes on Christ and allow him to transform us, our lives become a light that impacts others in ways we may never fully see.  If you've ever wondered, who am I? Jesus' answer is both simple and profound: You are the light of the world and a city on a hill that cannot be hidden.

Rev. Matt Tuggle | Click/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide. Who are you?  Once we move beyond the polite answers such as our names, occupations, accomplishments, or even our collegiate football allegiances, the question becomes much more personal. It's a question many of us struggle to answer. Yet at the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus offers a remarkable response.  Speaking to an ordinary, ragtag crowd gathered on a hillside, he tells them, "You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14). What was true for them is still true for us today. Using the images of a city on a hill and a lamp on a stand, Jesus teaches that God's people are meant to reflect His light into the world. Just as the lights of a city shine far beyond its borders, what God is doing in our lives reaches far beyond us. The way we live becomes a witness to others, revealing God's character and love.  This passage challenges us to stay focused on what God has placed before us rather than becoming distracted by the many things competing for our attention. As we fix our eyes on Christ and allow him to transform us, our lives become a light that impacts others in ways we may never fully see.  If you've ever wondered, who am I? Jesus' answer is both simple and profound: You are the light of the world and a city on a hill that cannot be hidden.

Rev. Matt Tuggle | Click/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide. Who are you?  Once we move beyond the polite answers such as our names, occupations, accomplishments, or even our collegiate football allegiances, the question becomes much more personal. It's a question many of us struggle to answer. Yet at the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus offers a remarkable response.  Speaking to an ordinary, ragtag crowd gathered on a hillside, he tells them, "You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14). What was true for them is still true for us today. Using the images of a city on a hill and a lamp on a stand, Jesus teaches that God's people are meant to reflect His light into the world. Just as the lights of a city shine far beyond its borders, what God is doing in our lives reaches far beyond us. The way we live becomes a witness to others, revealing God's character and love.  This passage challenges us to stay focused on what God has placed before us rather than becoming distracted by the many things competing for our attention. As we fix our eyes on Christ and allow him to transform us, our lives become a light that impacts others in ways we may never fully see.  If you've ever wondered, who am I? Jesus' answer is both simple and profound: You are the light of the world and a city on a hill that cannot be hidden.

Send us Fan MailIn the opening of Jesus' landmark Sermon on the Mount, He called all who follow Him to live as salt, a city on a hill, and a lamp. These metaphors illustrate how we are called to point people to Jesus through the lives we live and the words we share. Pick up your Bible or device, and turn to Matthew 5 to hear all about it.This episode is based on the God's Word for Life, Fall 2026, Adult Lesson Guide entitled "Some Salt, a City, and a Lamp" (September 13, 2026).Find an Apostolic church that preaches this glorious gospel and our response at UPCI.orgThis episode is produced by the Pentecostal Resources Group and is hosted by LJ Harry. To order resources of the God's Word for Life curriculum, visitPentecostalPublishing.com and PentecostalResourcesGroup.com.Share your God's Word for Life stories with me at gwfl@upci.org.

“Freedom is a license to love.” WHERE WE FIND OURSELVES We long for a city on a hill, a people who have our back, yet too often we are known and rejected. When we are not loved as we hoped, the flesh stirs and we bite. Biting becomes a habit, the habit becomes devouring, and a sheep becomes a wolf. There is a war within every one of us. WHAT CHRIST HAS DONE God Himself became a slave to us in love. He washed the feet of the man who would betray Him and prayed from the cross for those who pierced Him. We arrested love, mocked love, and buried love, but love broke death and rose. His love cannot be destroyed, and He carried us, outsiders, into the heavenly city of love that is growing here on the earth. VISION FOR THE CHRISTIAN LIFE For the church to become a city on a hill in the Treasure Coast: the heavenly city, hidden in the earthly city, that shines with the love of the heavenly city. Links: Website: https://thegrovechurch.co Instagram: https://instagram.com/thegrovechurchofficial Facebook: https://facebook.com/thegrovechurchofficial Sermon Audio: https://soundcloud.com/thegrovechurchofficial Podcast: https://tr.ee/c0BcdkUV3C Support Our Ministry: https://grovechurch.churchcenter.com/giving If this video was helpful to you, please like, comment, and subscribe — and share it with someone who needs hope today.

What if sharing your faith didn't require a perfect answer? If you have a story, tell someone.Come and see. Experience Jesus for yourself. Then go and tell. Share your experience of Jesus with the people around you. And watch your story become someone else's invitation to come and see.

What does it mean to acknowledge the culture around us while at the same time not allow the things it worships to twist our understanding of God. How do we go out with the good news of the gospel and not become lost in the marketplace of the culture of our day. Listen in as we talk about what it means to speak into the lives of those around us. To engage with the questions and thoughts present in people's minds. To listen well so that we can get to the heart of people's search for truth and meaning in their life and speak the love of Jesus.Scripture: Acts 17:16-24 ESV

Good morning family!  This week at City on a Hill Church, we're looking at what it means to build a community that reflects the heart of Jesus. Our message, “Contending for Community for the Common Good,” takes us into Acts 2:42–47, where we see a beautiful picture of the early church — devoted to God's Word, fellowship, breaking bread, prayer, generosity, and life together. True community doesn't happen by accident. It requires courage to connect, a willingness to contend for relationships, a conviction to contribute, and a commitment to the Great Commission. We were created for connection and called to connect. The question is: Are you waiting to be invited, or are you willing to invite? Are you waiting to be included, or are you willing to include? As we discover what healthy Gospel community looks like, we'll be challenged to move beyond simply attending church and become people who gather, grow, go, and make room for others.  Message: Contending for Community for the Common Good  Scripture: Acts 2:42–47 Subscribe to receive our latest messages:  https://coah.co.za/series/ To support this ministry and help us reach more people:  https://coah.co.za/giving/ See what God can do through you. Stay Connected:  Website: https://coah.co.za/  Facebook: https://shorturl.at/elsPT  Instagram: https://shorturl.at/ntGMW  YouTube: https://shorturl.at/qvOS6  SoundCloud: https://shorturl.at/hvFIL  Podcast: https://shorturl.at/tM179  We'd love to hear from you! What does healthy Christian community look like to you? Who is God inviting you to connect with, invite, or encourage this week?  If you have a prayer request, share it in the comments. We'd love to stand with you in prayer.  Share this message with someone who needs to be reminded that they were created for connection and called to connect! #CityOnAHill #ContendingForCommunity #CommonGood #Acts2 #GospelCommunity #ChristianCommunity #CreatedForConnection #CalledToConnect #ChurchFamily #GreatCommission #GatherGrowGo #Faith #Jesus

How are you using your influence? Now, you might think you are not very influential because you define influence as position, fame, prominence, or name recognition. But listen to this definition of influence. Influence is the effect of something on a person. It's the power that somebody has to affect other people's lives, beliefs, thinking, and actions.Main Points:1. Everyone listening to this podcast episode has influence. You have people who like you and look up to you. There are people who come to you for your opinion, advice, or wisdom. You have acquaintances, friends, and colleagues who respect you. There are people watching your life and being influenced by it, without you even knowing it. Everyone has a circle of influence.2. Our influence is not to be egotistical.  It is not for our benefit.  It is for Christ's sake.  The reason you let your light shine, the reason you are the salt of the earth, is for the purposes of God.  We are an influence so we can bring more people to Jesus.  3. Let's use the influence God has given us for God's glory and to point others to the Savior.Today's Scripture Verses:Matthew 5:13-16 – “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.  “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”   Quick Links:Donate to support this podcastLeave a review on Apple PodcastsGet a copy of The 5 Minute Discipleship JournalConnect on SocialJoin The 5 Minute Discipleship Facebook Group

What if sharing our faith starts with simply being helpful?In Luke 10, Jesus reminds us through the Good Samaritan that our witness isn't about being louder or winning arguments. It's about crossing the road, love people well, and making Jesus visible through our lives.

There are many who believe the world these days is spiralling out of control, and that the end must be near. Others believe we are moving toward an optimistic future, with cures for disease, and a solution for our environment. How can our church be a city on a hill in these divisive and often polarizing times? When you think about heaven, what comes to mind? Does the hope of heaven help you to endure difficult times? Does it bring comfort to know you will see your loved ones again? Or perhaps you rarely think about heaven, and wonder why. In this message, we will be exploring the end of the book of Revelation, the vision of the new heavens and the new earth, how God makes all things new and dwells with His people. We will see how knowing what kind of story we are in, changes how we live our lives, not someday in the future, but here and now. Scripture: Revelation 21:1-5 ESV

Most of us have done it. We have a church version of ourselves, a work version, a school version, a sports sideline version. We compartmentalize. We keep Jesus in his own little box and only bring him out when it feels safe. In this message, Nick walks through Matthew 5 and the moment Jesus tells his followers, many of whom had literally just started following him, that they are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Not someday, but already. The distinction Nick draws is one worth sitting with. Personal faith and private faith are not the same thing. Faith was never designed to stay invisible. Salt only works when it comes into contact with something. Light only does its job when it is not covered up. And a city on a hill, Jesus says, cannot be hidden. He does not say it should not be. He says it cannot. To find out more about Oaks Chapel, visit OaksChapel.org.

Before your faith is explained, it is seen. In Week 1 of City on a Hill, we look at Jesus' words in Matthew 5:13–16 and what it really means to share our faith. We're called to be salt, light, and a city on a hill. Not just people with a message, but messengers whose lives speak.Your life is the message.

**Good morning family!**  We're excited to welcome a special guest speaker to **City on a Hill Church** this week — **Greig Garrett**, a friend of our church family! Greig will be bringing an encouraging message on **“Taking the Next Step.”**  Sometimes we know God is calling us forward, but taking that next step can feel uncertain, uncomfortable, or even frightening. But faith isn't always about seeing the whole journey — sometimes it's simply trusting God enough to take the **next step**. Join us as Greig Garrett challenges and encourages us to stop standing still, trust God's direction, and step into what He has prepared for us. **Your next step could be the beginning of something new!**   **Message:** Taking the Next Step  **Guest Speaker:** Greig Garrett Subscribe to receive our latest messages:  https://coah.co.za/series/ To support this ministry and help us reach more people:  https://coah.co.za/giving/ **See what God can do through you.** **Stay Connected:**  Website: https://coah.co.za/  Facebook: https://shorturl.at/elsPT  Instagram: https://shorturl.at/ntGMW  YouTube: https://shorturl.at/qvOS6  SoundCloud: https://shorturl.at/hvFIL  Podcast: https://shorturl.at/tM179  **We'd love to hear from you!** Tell us in the comments: **What is the next step you believe God is calling you to take?** And if you have a prayer request, share it with us — we would love to stand with you in prayer.   **Share this message** with someone who needs encouragement to take their next step of faith! #CityOnAHill #TakingTheNextStep #Faith #TrustGod #NextStep #GuestSpeaker #GreigGarrett #GodIsLeading #FaithJourney #ChurchFamily #SundayService

Jesus told his followers they shone like a city on a hill, which can't be hidden. But seeing things doesn't guarantee seeing them correctly. We can misunderstand people, and people can misunderstand us. If we're looking for the wrong thing, and we don't see it, doesn't that say more about us than the thing we're trying to evaluate? How can we do this better? Pastor Luke looks at 2 Corinthians 4:5-12 in "Hoards."

In this podcast, Pastor Justin preaches into how the wisdom God has for His people isn't just comparable to the world or even a little bit better, but ten times better than anything the world has to offer. Support the show

Podcasting is an amazing medium, but the industry that supports it hasn't always been inherently brand friendly. Luckily, we have a chance to change that, thanks to the AMP Accords.Dan Granger (CEO & Founder, Oxford Road), Giles Martin (EVP, Strategy, Oxford Road), and James Cridland (Editor, Podnews & Podcast Business Journal) do a deep dive deep into how the AMP Accords can shape the industry, and explain why imperfect standards are an improvement over the wild west.“Podcasting is truly the shining city on a hill as far as media goes, and we can't get out of our own freaking way to not spike our customers' tires when they drive into the parking lot.” -Dan Granger (CEO & Founder, Oxford Road)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jesus never asked us to fake it for an audience—He invited us into something real. In the Sermon on the Mount, righteousness isn't a performance we put on for others; it's a character formed in the quiet, secret places where only the Father is watching. When we give, pray, and fast without needing anyone to notice, something beautiful happens: the spotlight shifts off of us, and the light of Christ shines through us instead. And as we practice this together—loving, forgiving, serving, showing mercy—we become a city on a hill, not because we're trying to earn our way into the Kingdom, but because we already belong to it. This is the invitation: less performance, more communion.

Summer at Bay Chapel |  JULY 12, 2026Pastor Wes Morris I Peter 2:9 (NIV) But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.God didn't just save you from something. He called you for something.√  WE REDUCE OUR FAITH TO WHAT GOD DOES FOR US. Luke 17:12-19 (NIV) As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!”When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed.One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”√  WE FEEL UNWORTHY OF THE CALLING.I Timothy 1:15-16 (NLT) This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them all. But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. √  WE WAIT FOR BIG MOMENTS AND MISS THE DAILY OPPORTUNITIES.1 Samuel 17:17–18 (NLT) One day Jesse said to David, “Take this basket of roasted grain and these ten loaves of bread, and carry them quickly to your brothers. And give these ten cuts of cheese to their captain...”God-sized miracles often start with simple acts of obedience.MADE FOR MOREI. LET GOD REDEFINE WHO YOU ARE.I Peter 2:9 (NIV) But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession... II. SHIFT THE QUESTION FROM “WHAT DO I NEED?” TO “WHY AM I HERE?”I Peter 2:9 (NIV) But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises...III. LET YOUR LIFE POINT PEOPLE TO JESUS.I Peter 2:12 (NLT) Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your good deeds, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world.Matthew 5:14-16 (TLB) You are the world's light—a city on a hill, glowing in the night for all to see. Don't hide your light! Let it shine for all; let your good deeds glow for all to see, so that they will praise your heavenly Father.

Pastor John Bingham - Acts: Keeping the Main Thing - Acts 11:19-30

Listen to a special service from City on a Hill. Family Minister Brad Marvine led the church in communion, and we heard special reflections from Elders Jeff Gordon and Jason Lorch. This service was a break from our series through Hebrews to allow Pastor Derrick to be with his wife as she recovered from a planned surgery. 

Send us Fan MailThe tail of a trip to the city on a hill. Join our heroes as they discover, San Francisco!Visit our website: www.VanillawithaSideofKink.comInstagram: VanillawithaSideofKinkAlso, you can learn more about our Shibari Rope Bondage business at www.AllTiedUpSanDiego.comAnd our new operation, the All Good Things Center for Inclusivity and Acceptance. Fetlife.com Group:  Vanilla with a Side of Kink - The Podcast

Sermon preached on Sunday Evening from Matt 5:14-16  on 7/5/2026 by Pastor Henry Funkhouser at First Baptist Church of Easton.Welcome to those joining via Podcast, we are glad to have you join us. If you are ever in the Easton Area, we would love to have you visit us!If you care to support the ministry, visit us at firstbaptisteaston.com, click Donate. https://app.aplos.com/aws/give/FirstBaptistChurchofEaston

As America prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday, Todd examines a striking Gallup poll showing a dramatic partisan divide in national pride. Why do so many Democrats say they are not proud to be Americans while Republicans overwhelmingly express gratitude for the nation? Todd explores the difference between biblical pride and patriotic gratitude, discusses the dangers of virtue signaling, reflects on America's unique role in advancing liberty and opportunity, and responds to a CNN segment featuring Harry Enten highlighting the polling data. Plus, Todd encourages listeners to celebrate Independence Day with thankfulness for the freedoms and blessings that make America a shining city on a hill.

As America prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday, Todd examines a striking Gallup poll showing a dramatic partisan divide in national pride. Why do so many Democrats say they are not proud to be Americans while Republicans overwhelmingly express gratitude for the nation? Todd explores the difference between biblical pride and patriotic gratitude, discusses the dangers of virtue signaling, reflects on America's unique role in advancing liberty and opportunity, and responds to a CNN segment featuring Harry Enten highlighting the polling data. Plus, Todd encourages listeners to celebrate Independence Day with thankfulness for the freedoms and blessings that make America a shining city on a hill.

A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM STEPHANIE:I want to share a special invitation with you. You may have heard that I will be releasing my first book with IVP on July 28, 2026. It's a big deal and I am so overwhelmed with God' goodness in allowing me to share such an essential message about delighting in Him as the true essential foundation for all our spiritual growth and maturing. Truly, when we delight in the Lord, He promises to give us the desires of our hearts – namely, more of Himself!So, here's the invitation. If you feel this message is indeed important, and you know people – including yourself perhaps – who need to be encouraged to awaken and cultivate their delight in God, would you consider joining my book launch team? It's a great and super easy way to share the good news of God's love for us in Christ, Jesus, our Lord.**If you're interested, please go to gospelspice.com/awakendelight and find the section about joining the launch team, or email me at contact@gospelspice.com **Together, let's encourage everyone we know with the wonderful news that, in Christ, God delights in us and invites us to delight in Him!Stephanie welcomes Os Guinness again to explore what has made America unique in its freedom and what threatens that legacy today. They examine foundational principles, historical roots, the virtues necessary for sustaining freedom, and the challenges now facing the American experiment.America's greatness rests not only on its achievements but on its founding principles. Os Guinness stresses that neither contemporary political movements nor leaders have answered the vital question: What made America great in the first place?To steward freedom, each generation must understand, embody, and transmit the foundational ideas and virtues that made the American experiment possible. The Republic's survival—and America's blessing to the world—hangs on recovering this covenant vision.The American republic was never intended to be a pure democracy; the framers deliberately moved away from direct rule by majority, fearing the dangers of unchecked popular power. Its distinctive structure draws from ancient Hebrew ideas, especially the Exodus and Deuteronomy, rooting political liberty in biblical covenant rather than secular philosophy.Os Guinness highlights that America is “…a nation by intention and by ideas.” It means at least that:Societies must begin by shaping principles before policies; neglecting foundational ideas leads to losing the core of freedom.The American Revolution's most-cited book was Deuteronomy, not Locke or Montesquieu—emphasizing spiritual over philosophical freedom.Modern political discourse overwhelmingly focuses on policies rather than underlying principles, missing the root causes of freedom's decline.The sustainability of freedom relies on what Os Guinness calls the "Golden Triangle":Freedom requires virtueVirtue requires faithFaith requires freedomAbandoning any side of this triangle causes freedom to wither. In recent times, American society has widely dismissed the importance of virtue, attacked faith, and misunderstands freedom's true foundation. Authoritarian societies depend on fear. Free societies depend on trust, built on shared morals and character.Several virtues are essential for sustaining freedom, including:Freedom: Modeled on God's own restraint, granting humanity genuine free will.Reciprocity: Mutual responsibility and equality; its neglect enabled the tragedy of slavery.Civility: Respectful public discourse grounded in truth—now degraded in contemporary society.Morality: Freedom is a "moral accomplishment." Public life requires both the rule of law and private character; otherwise, legal structures become weapons for power rather than justice.Fidelity: The conscious passing of identity and purpose to the next generation. Education and storytelling sustain freedom.Guinness cautions that America's crisis is not only external (the "wolves at the door") but internal—moral decay ("the termites in the floor") is often the greater danger.Failure to transmit and sustain these virtues can render America's freedom a "byword" rather than a "city on a hill". As the nation nears its 250th anniversary, the Republic is at a tipping point.However, Os Guinness grounds hope in the power and truth of the biblical heritage that birthed American freedom. For example,Reform and recovery are possible if Americans reembrace the core virtues and principles from Scripture.Christians, in particular, have a calling to model and advocate for these truths, showing society the way back to lasting freedom.The lesson for Christian and freedom-loving citizens is clear: freedom is not inevitable or self-perpetuating. It requires gratitude for its biblical roots, courage to exemplify truth, virtue, and responsibility, and commitment to pass these on. As Os Guinness says, our hope lies not in political maneuvering but in recovering the profound, transformative truths of the Bible as the wellspring of true liberty.MORE ABOUT OS' LATEST BOOK, "A FREEDOM LIKE NO OTHER"To renew America, we must remember what made it great in the first place.Across the ages, republics have been lost not only to enemies without, but to corrosion within. Free societies are rare. Lasting free societies are rarer still. So, what are the prospects for the American republic at the 250th anniversary of the revolution? Many citizens long to “make America great again,” but far fewer ask the deeper question: What made America great in the first place—and what kind of freedom can last? What does it mean that half a century of cultural conflict, ideological polarization, and unprincipled power has left Americans fractured, disillusioned, and tempted by extremes of chaos on one side and control on the other? And what happens when the older menace of tyranny is joined by the newer challenge of artificial intelligence—magnifying the forces that weaken truth, character, and self-government?In A Freedom Like No Other, Os Guinness offers not another round of outrage from left or right, but a constructive path forward—twelve foundational principles for restoring the Republic and renewing ordered liberty. The third in a quartet of studies on the crisis of America and the West (following Our Civilizational Moment and America Agonistes), this book is a foreign admirer's call for America's semiquincentennial to be more than celebration: a time of honest self-examination, needed correction, and national rededication. Drawing on America's Jewish and Christian roots and the covenantal vision of freedom and responsibility that shaped the Republic at its best, Guinness sets out the moral and civic architecture a free people must recover if they are to remain fit to be free.This is a book for every American who believes freedom is worth the cost, and for anyone around the world who knows the alternatives and longs for a human-friendly future.Purchase today here: https://a.co/d/06XUZLbK DISCOVER THE BOOK BEHIND THE PODCAST | "Awaken Delight" by Stephanie Rousselle"Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4 isn't a poetic suggestion — it's a promise. But many believers quietly assume it doesn't really work, or it's not really possible here on earth.In Awaken Delight, Stephanie Rousselle invites you to rediscover what Scripture actually means by delight — not emotional hype, not religious performance, but a steady satisfaction rooted in who God is.Delight in God isn't a mood to manufacture; it's a relationship to receive.Through biblical theology and practical rhythms, you'll learn how communion with God reshapes suffering, quiets restless striving, and anchors your identity in something unshakable.Delighting in God isn't sentimental optimism. It's deeply rooted in Christ, Jesus.It's the quiet revolution that reshapes how we endure pain, love others, and understand our own heart.Awaken Delight is a theologically grounded spiritual formation book for thoughtful believers who feel spiritually fatigued and are ready to embrace the reality of Psalm 37:4.More at https://www.gospelspice.com/awakendelight Purchase the book, "Awaken Delight" by Stephanie Rousselle: https://a.co/d/0bqhUb5JKind words from Jennifer Rothschild, Bible teacher, Author, Speaker, Podcast Host, Founder, Fresh Grounded Faith: “Stephanie helps us awaken to and experience true delight. It is a rich mix of God's delight in you and your delight in him. This is the life you were made for, the life your soul deeply longs for. So, the table is set. Pull up a chair and let your heart sit alongside Stephanie. As your delight in God wakes up and becomes fully realized, you'll find a satisfaction in Christ that makes you want more and more.”Kind words from Amanda Jenkins, Lead creator of THE CHOSEN's literary content: "I have yet to meet another person quite as eager to intimately know Jesus as Stephanie is. Her enthusiasm for the beauty found inside a thriving relationship with her Savior is downright contagious. Indeed, Stephanie's joy and faith and commitment to growth—along with her love for really good food!—will implant themselves in the hearts of readers. Lucky readers."Kind words from Os Guinness, Theologian, Social critic, Author, The Call:  "Stephanie addresses one of the greatest needs of Christians today. Knowing God is not knowing about God, but knowing Him genuinely and with desire and delight. She does so practically and helpfully, and in a style that sparkles with a verve and joy that is distinctively French."Kind words from Pippa Gumbel, Pioneer, The Alpha Course; Author, The Bible in one year with husband Nicky: "Stephanie's love of God is inspiring and infectious. Her book is an invitation to share in that delight and to come to know God in new and wonderful ways."More at https://www.gospelspice.com/awakendelight Purchase the book, "Awaken Delight" by Stephanie Rousselle: https://a.co/d/0bqhUb5JSupport us on Gospel Spice, PayPal and Venmo!

As believers, Missions is not just something we do, it's who we are. We live on mission because we emulate Jesus. This series reminds us the purpose of outreach and missions but also helps us to see how God is working in and through Bethany and our mission partners. Text: Matthew 5:14-16Come visit us in person! To learn more about our church visit: https://www.wearebethany.com THIS SERMON CAN BE VIEWED ON OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqmshgH0JLqxzRXiEr2QktQ Worship Service of Bethany Baptist Church (Wendell, NC/Raleigh, NC) June 28, 2026Worship Service of Bethany Baptist Church (Wendell, NC/Raleigh, NC) Come visit us in person! To learn more about our church visit: https://www.wearebethany.comFollow us on Facebook and Instagram

https://www.uniteleadership.org/thelcmscurrentJoin the LCMS Current! (LCMS Current Events Newsletter) Stay up to date.In this special Lead Time conversation, Tim Ahlman sits down with Rev. Dr. Erik Ankerberg, President of Concordia University Wisconsin and Ann Arbor, and Rev. Dr. Aaron Moldenhauer, Vice President for Mission and Church Relations, for a timely conversation about Concordia Ann Arbor.This episode gives CUWAA leadership an opportunity to respond to major questions and concerns surrounding the Ann Arbor campus, including financial challenges, communication breakdowns, the City on a Hill proposal, the sale of part of the campus to the University of Michigan, and the future of Lutheran higher education.This conversation is not presented as the final word on every disputed detail, but as one important perspective in a larger and painful story that continues to matter deeply to many across the LCMS.Our hope is that this episode contributes to greater clarity, charity, repentance where needed, forgiveness, and faithful conversation as the church continues to wrestle with institutional trust, stewardship, and mission.Please listen with discernment, grace, and a desire for truth spoken in love.Support the show⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️Care about the future of the LCMS?Join the LCMS Current! (LCMS Current Events Newsletter)https://www.uniteleadership.org/thelcmscurrent⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️To learn more, visit uniteleadership.org

Send me a Text Message!This episode is going to hit on a few of my favorite themes, calling, travailing prayer, revival, finishing well, and God's desire to do a new thing. You know I have found over and over again, that it's difficult, to finish well, if we aren't willing to lean into new things. And it's almost impossible to lean into new things, without being done with the old things. So my question is, "Are we done with the old things?" As a church are we done with the old things? I long to see the church shine bright like a city on a hill. I long for us to be known as the hands and heart of Christ. I still believe that the church that Jesus is building is the hope of the world. I want to be part of that church and I'm praying for that church to be done with old things. Do you know what the Bible calls being done with old things? It's called repentance. That's where we will end this episode, with a call to repentance. 

J.John sits down with Peter Anderson, Lead Pastor of City on a Hill Church in Edinburgh, to explore the journey of building a church from humble beginnings to a thriving, multi-community movement. Starting with just 30 members after four years, Peter shares how City on a Hill has since grown to reach hundreds across seven communities. In this honest and inspiring conversation, he reflects on the tension of holding onto a big vision while facing the challenges of a small reality. Peter also opens up about the powerful culture of prayer among church leaders in Edinburgh and what it looks like to witness signs of a spiritual awakening across Scotland today. If you've ever wrestled with slow progress, big dreams, or staying faithful in the early stages, this conversation will encourage and challenge you.--Follow Peter Anderson on Instagram: @peteedinburgh.Visit the church website: cityonahill.org.uk.Find his book 'Foundations' at https://amzn.eu/d/0bTYOZ6X

Chris Cuomo lays out the analogy he says explains this entire political moment: Ronald Reagan was Superman, and Donald Trump is Bizarro — the dark, distorted mirror image selling the same thing with none of the charm. Trump isn't original, Cuomo argues. He's running Reagan's playbook with all of the darkness and none of the optimism. Cuomo breaks down the structural parallels: the same supply-side economics, the same trickle-down promises that have never worked, and the same explosion of national debt — Reagan blew it up first, and under Trump the debt has now passed GDP for the first time in history. Where Reagan sold a shining city on a hill and played to the better angels, Trump sells anger, destruction, and outrage. Same pitch, opposite delivery — and Cuomo argues it's failing the same way it did in the Reagan midterms of 1982 and 1986. Drawing on his own family history — his father, Mario Cuomo, was the Democratic Party's most powerful answer to Reagan — Chris makes the case that the left won't beat Trump by matching MAGA's anger. The only thing that worked then and works now is being about better: better policies, real ideas on the chip economy, worker training, and small business, not just pointing out that the other side is corrupt. Join The Chris Cuomo Project on YouTube for ad-free episodes, early releases, exclusive access to Chris, and more: https://www.youtube.com/@chriscuomo/join Follow and subscribe to The Chris Cuomo Project on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube for new episodes every Tuesday and Thursday: https://linktr.ee/cuomoproject NOBL gives you real travel peace of mind — security, design, and convenience all in one. Head to https://NOBLTravel.com for 46% off your entire order! #NOBL #ad Get 15% off OneSkin with the code CUOMO at https://www.oneskin.co/cuomo #oneskinpod #news #trump #politics #reagan #gop #republican #democrat #cuomo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Patrick begins with Father James Brent’s encouragement to absorb and ponder Scripture deeply, then reflects on scientific studies about animal intelligence, particularly why apes never ask questions while even young children do which raises profound questions about the soul. Patrick brings in Chris Pratt’s outspoken faith and Marco Rubio’s deep assessment of the Catholic Church’s impact on American history, weaving together spiritual insight, real-life questions, and public witness in unexpected, sometimes even joyful bursts. Audio: As we receive the word of God with our faith, our souls come alive with Fr. James Brent - https://x.com/dominicanfriars/status/2054689776645677258?s=46 (01:14) Apes don’t ask questions - https://x.com/anishmoonka/status/2054558279775240554 (07:13) Martin (11-years-old) - What does this verse from Matthew mean where nations rise against nations? (09:07) Audio: Chris Pratt “you take a risk being vocal” Matthew 5:14 — “A city on a hill cannot be hidden” - https://x.com/newstart_2024/status/2056479303370490228?s=46 (16:01) Audio: Marco Rubio on the Catholic Church in America - https://x.com/Sachinettiyil/status/2053609739716632987?s=46 (22:44) Daniel (13-years-old) - My teacher said there is no sin that God can't forgive. I always thought that it was blasphemy against the Holy Spirit that could not be forgiven. (29:58) Patrick reads and responds to an email from a daughter who has been put in a precarious position (37:57) Deacon Mike (email) - A young mother wants to baptize her child but her anti-Catholic, Protestant husband is very much against it. I’m unsure how to advise her. (45:46)

In the premiere episode of season five of Our Seven Neighbors: Religion and Resistance in America, host Reza Aslan joins historian and Smithsonian curator Peter Manseau for a sweeping conversation about the real history of religious freedom in the United States. Together, they dismantle the comforting myth that America was founded as a uniformly Christian nation devoted to liberty for all, revealing instead a far more contested and complicated story. From Puritan theocracy and the execution of Quakers to the struggles of Jews, Muslims, Native peoples, and enslaved Africans for recognition and belonging, the episode explores how pluralism in America was not gifted from above, but forged through centuries of conflict, resistance, and negotiation. Drawing on Manseau's landmark work One Nation, Under Gods, the discussion reframes American religious history as a living, unfinished struggle over who counts, whose beliefs matter, and what freedom truly means in a diverse democracy. Aslan and Manseau examine the enduring power of myths like the “city on a hill,” the dangers of Christian nationalism, and the ongoing fight to widen the circle of belonging in American life. At a moment when religious diversity and democratic pluralism are once again under pressure, this episode offers a powerful reminder that the American experiment has always depended on people willing to challenge exclusion and insist that the story is bigger than any one faith, nation, or identity. Subscribe to O7N: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/our-7-neighbors-religion-and-resistance-in-america/id1511771313 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gaius and Germanicus debate in their favorite wine bar by the Thames, in Londinium, Spring 92 AD. This segment critiques the "Redeemer Nation" myth, which portrays America as a divinely appointed "city on a hill" tasked with saving humanity. While this vision was cemented following World War II, the hosts argue it is now an "inappropriate myth" for a nation that has moved closer to the original Roman model of "might makes right." Over the last 25 years, the U.S. is seen as having abandoned its role as a "wellspring of good" in favor of "Roman imperial fiat," using a "gossamer curtain of altruism" to mask the forced bringing of nations to heel. The hosts list a series of failed interventions—including Iraq, Afghanistan, and Libya—that have resulted in millions of deaths and degraded America's remaining moral authority. They conclude that the idea of American redemption is now a "lie that is no longer sustainable," as the world recognizes the disconnect between the nation's rhetoric and its actions. The episode ends with a stark depiction of the "emperor" lecturing children on the "madness of Iran" while appearing physically diminished and disconnected from reality, suggesting that the U.S. has become the very tyrannical force it once sought to liberate the world from. (3/3)1793 VIRGIL READING THE AENEID TO AUGUSTUS

Shocking Security Failures in the Attempted Trump Assassination Attempt, Deep State? Eric Metaxas and John Zmirak. The Theory of Everything Documentary, American Revolution Book Shocking Security Failures in the Attempted Trump Assassination Attempt Eric's New Book on the American Revolution New Documentary ‘The Theory of Everything' Today On The Eric Metaxas Show, Eric talks with John Zmirak about the latest attempt on President Trump's life, the shocking security failures, Tommy Robinson, the rise of political violence, and why parts of the left now seem to justify violence against their enemies. They also discuss Eric's new book on the American Revolution, the difference between America's founding and the French Revolution, and why Darwinian materialism leaves young people vulnerable to destructive ideologies. The Eric Metaxas Show John Zmirak   Apr 29 2026   Subscribe for clips from The Eric Metaxas Show to hear politics and culture from a Christian perspective.⭐ PRE-ORDER TODAY:Revolution: The Birth of the Greatest Nation in the History of the World

A storm-tossed servant nearly vanishes into the Atlantic but ends up shaping the future of the United States.  This is the dramatic saga of the Mayflower — the persecution that drove the Pilgrims from England, their nightmare crossing of the Atlantic, and the fragile pact that held their fractured community together.  You'll meet Squanto, whose astonishing journey across continents becomes the colony's lifeline, and follow the rise of the Puritans, the clash of empires, and the eruption of King Philip's War, one of the bloodiest conflicts in American history.  This unlikely story of faith and resilience traces how one tiny ship's journey forever alters a continent. GLENN'S SPONSORS: Relief Factor: If you're living with aches and pains, see how Relief Factor, a daily drug-free supplement, could help you feel better and live better. Try the three-week QuickStart for just $19.95 by visiting ⁠⁠https://ReliefFactor.com⁠⁠. American Financing: American Financing can show you how to put your hard-earned equity to work and get you out of debt. Dial 800-906-2440, or visit https://www.americanfinancing.net. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Christian hope found in the American spirit.  __________ Applications for next year's class are now open, and you can learn more at colsonfellows.org.

In this week's episode of The Bible for Normal People, Pete and Jared reflect on ten years and over 400 episodes of the podcast, revisiting what they thought they were doing and what they now see more clearly in hindsight. They explore themes that have emerged along the way, including the shift from certainty to wisdom in reading the Bible and the move from information to personal and communal formation. They also discuss how these conversations have been shaped by a wider range of voices and why engaging the Bible calls for ongoing discernment rather than fixed answers, inviting listeners to rethink what the Bible is for today. Show Notes → thebiblefornormalpeople.com/episodes/episode-324-pete-enns-and-jared-byas-a-city-on-a-hill-a-ten-year-retrospective Watch this episode on YouTube → https://youtu.be/zMia-yKjnN0 ********** This episode is sponsored by Factor. Head to factormeals.com/normalpeople50off and use code normalpeople50off to get 50 percent off and free breakfast for a year. Eat like a pro this month with Factor. New subscribers only, varies by plan. 1 free breakfast item per box for 1 year while subscription is active. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices