Ascend The Hill with Jeremy Austill

Can you have real faith in God while still struggling with fear, doubt, and insecurity? What if living by faith isn't about feeling confident, but choosing to trust God through your actions?In this episode of Ascend the Hill, Pastor Jeremy sits down with Michael Pope for an honest and challenging conversation about what it really means to follow Jesus when the outcome isn't guaranteed.From powerful personal testimonies to the struggles of church planting and Christian leadership, Michael shares how God has challenged his understanding of faith, surrender, and obedience.Together, they explore why fear often disguises itself as wisdom, how pride and insecurity can come from the same place, and why genuine faith isn't measured by how confident we feel, but by our willingness to follow God's direction.In this conversation, you'll discover:-Why faith and doubt can exist at the same time-How fear can disguise itself as wisdom or good stewardship-Why pride and insecurity are two sides of the same coin-How to stop measuring your faithfulness by visible results-What surrendering control to God actually looks like-Why faith is demonstrated through decisions and actions-How to move forward in obedience even when you're afraidWhether you're a pastor, ministry leader, business owner, parent, or simply someone who wants to grow closer to Jesus, this conversation will challenge you to rethink what it means to walk by faith.You don't have to eliminate every fear before you take your next step. Sometimes faith means doing it scared.📖 Scriptures discussed include Romans 4, Hebrews 11, James, and the story of Lazarus in John 11.Subscribe to Ascend the Hill for more conversations about spiritual growth, biblical leadership, discipleship, and following Jesus.💬 QUESTION: What's one area of your life where God is challenging you to step out in faith? Support the show

God called Abraham His friend, but Abraham wasn't perfect. He struggled with fear, made mistakes, and even tried to take God's promises into his own hands. So what made his faith so extraordinary?In this powerful message from our Friends of God series, Faith-Full Friend, we explore the life of Abraham and discover how genuine friendship with God is developed through faith, obedience, and trust even when life doesn't go according to plan.Through Romans 4, Hebrews 11, and Genesis 12 and 22, we'll discover three defining moments in Abraham's journey:Following God even when you don't know the details.Waiting on God when His promises seem impossible.Trusting God enough to surrender what matters most.Whether you're facing uncertainty, waiting for a breakthrough, or struggling with past failures, Abraham's story reminds us that God is faithful, His promises are trustworthy, and your mistakes don't have to define your future.Your failures don't disqualify you from growing in friendship with God. Support the show

What does it really cost to be a pastor? Behind every Sunday sermon are unseen pressures, personal struggles, and the responsibility of shepherding God's people.In this special episode of Ascend the Hill, Pastor Jeremy sits down with Pastors Mike, Steven Morgan, and Anthony for an honest, unscripted conversation about the realities of pastoral ministry.Together, they discuss the emotional weight of church leadership, the pressure to perform, the growing influence of online Christian voices, and the importance of staying connected to Jesus in the middle of ministry.How do pastors navigate discouragement, expectations, and the demands of leading a church without losing their first love? And in an age of Christian influencers, why does the local church still matter?Whether you're a pastor, ministry leader, or someone who loves your local church, this conversation offers encouragement, perspective, and a deeper look into the hearts of those called to lead. Support the show

What happens when someone with a sinful past encounters Jesus in a room full of judgment?In Luke 7:36–50, a woman known for her sin enters a Pharisee's home and pours expensive perfume on Jesus' feet. While everyone else sees her reputation, Jesus reveals something far greater: the transforming power of forgiveness.In this message, "Forgiven Much," from our Friends of God series, we discover how remembering God's incredible mercy deepens our love for Him, renews our joy, and inspires us to extend His grace to others.Have we become so familiar with Christianity that we've forgotten the wonder of our own salvation?Being a friend of God isn't simply about knowing more about Him. It's about knowing His heart, walking in obedience, and helping others experience the same forgiveness we've received.Scripture: Luke 7:36–50 Support the show

Have you ever grown tired of trying, waiting, or doing what’s right without seeing the results? In this message, we’re reminded that we will reap a harvest in God’s timing if we don’t give up.Through the principle of sowing and reaping, we discover that our actions, words, attitudes, time, and resources are all seeds. What we sow matters, where we sow matters, and the harvest may reach further than we can see. As we live generously, walk in the Spirit, and faithfully plant the right seeds, we can trust God with the results.Whether you’re believing for a breakthrough in your own life or sowing into what God is doing through Cornerstone, don’t grow weary in doing good. Keep sowing. Keep trusting. Don’t give up. The harvest will come at just the right time.📖 Scripture: Galatians 6:7–9; 2 Corinthians 9:10 Support the show

Welcome back to Ascend the Hill with Jeremy Austill! In this episode, we’re keeping it completely real about life, leadership, and the things we usually try to hide. We kick things off with a recap of our new message series, "Friends of God," and dive into why discovering the confidence of being called a friend of God should change how we stand.Later, we react to some wild internet clips (including a jaw-dropping church service and a powerful conversation on embracing our weaknesses), laugh through an unforgettable pulpit blooper about "populating hell," and unpack a very personal journey: a long-awaited Colorado elk-hunting trip, the unvarnished reality of handling disappointment, and why life rarely goes according to plan.Episode Chapters & Timestamps:00:00 – Welcome to Ascend the Hill & The "Friends of God" Series   06:11 – The Difference Between Being a Child of God and a Friend of God   11:00 – Why Mature Believers Feed Themselves (And the Danger of Christian Consumerism)   26:15 – Reacting to the Internet: The Wild Polygamy Clip & Romans 1   32:15 – Finding God's Strength in Our Weakness (The Power of Insecurities)   38:58 – The Ultimate Pulpit Blooper: "Populating Hell?"   41:18 – The Colorado Elk Hunting Trip: Expectations vs. Reality   1:01:48 – Dealing with Disappointment and Uncontrollable Variables in Life   Join the Conversation:What's one area of your life or faith where things didn't go according to plan, and how did you handle the disappointment? Drop a comment below!🎙️ Sermons / @cornerstonenashville   Listen to Previous Sermons here: https://linktr.ee/cornerstonenash   Thank you for joining us for Ascend the Hill with Jeremy Austill. Pastor Jeremy is the Lead Pastor of Cornerstone Nashville.   Need prayer? Call us at 615-865-6655  www.cornerstonenashville.org   Subscribe to Ascend the Hill for more biblical teaching, honest conversations, and encouragement to help you grow closer to Jesus. Support the show

What does it really mean to be a friend of God? Is it possible to know God as your Father while growing into a deeper friendship with Him?In this first message of our new series, Friends of God, we explore how our relationship with God is meant to grow and mature throughout our lives.Through John 15:14-15, John 1:12, and the examples of Abraham and Moses, discover what Scripture teaches about our identity as children of God and the invitation to become His friends.We'll explore three essential characteristics of friendship with God:Relational Connection – Knowing God personally through prayer, worship, and His Word.Obedience – Honoring God through reverence, trust, and obedience.Partnership – Moving beyond what God can do for us to how we can participate in His mission.Being a child of God is a gift made possible through Jesus Christ. Growing in friendship with Him is a lifelong journey of knowing His heart and living for His purposes.Join Cornerstone Church for "From Children to Friends" and discover how to grow deeper in your relationship with God.Scriptures: John 15:14-15, John 1:12, Isaiah 41:8, Exodus 33:11, Romans 8:17 Support the show

What does it really mean to be a man of God? Is spiritual strength about appearing tough, or is it found in prayer, humility, serving others, and bold faith in Jesus Christ?In this special live episode of the Ascend the Hill Podcast, recorded at our Men's Encounter weekend, we have an honest, powerful conversation about what it takes to grow as a godly man.Together, they tackle real questions every Christian man faces:How do you build a consistent, meaningful prayer life?What do you do when God seems silent or your prayers go unanswered?How do you develop a servant's heart and stop living for yourself?Why do some men struggle to express themselves in worship?How does the Holy Spirit give us the courage to live boldly for Christ?From personal struggles and powerful testimonies to biblical wisdom and practical encouragement, this conversation challenges men to go beyond simply attending church and start actively living out their faith.Being a man of God isn't about looking strong. It's about surrendering to the One who makes you strong.Whether you're a husband, father, pastor, ministry leader, or simply a man seeking to grow closer to Jesus, this conversation will encourage you to deepen your relationship with God and lead with faith.Subscribe to Ascend the Hill for more biblical teaching, spiritual encouragement, and conversations that help you grow closer to God.Join the conversation: What's one area God is challenging you to grow in right now: prayer, serving, worship, or boldness? Support the show

What happens when following God's calling leads you into danger, uncertainty, and unexpected hardship?In this powerful episode of Ascend the Hill, we sit down with Matt, who spent 14 years serving as a missionary in India alongside his wife and their children.Matt shares incredible stories from the mission field, including encounters with spiritual warfare, dangerous situations, and a life-threatening heart attack that became a defining moment in his walk with God.But his testimony doesn't end there.After years of ministry overseas, Matt found himself working in asphalt construction back in America, wrestling with questions about God's calling, his purpose, and what faithfulness looks like when life doesn't go according to plan.Through it all, Matt discovered a powerful truth: God is still at work, even when we don't understand what He's doing.In this conversation, we explore trusting God through suffering, serving wherever we're needed, finding purpose in unexpected seasons, and surrendering our plans to His will.Whether you're navigating uncertainty, questioning your calling, or simply seeking encouragement in your faith, this conversation will challenge you to trust God and remain faithful wherever He leads. Support the show

What if the joy you've been searching for is found in the relationships God designed you to have?Jesus promised that our joy could overflow, and in John 15:10–13, He revealed a powerful connection between joy, love, and Christian community.In this message, The Joy of Community, we discover why meaningful relationships with other believers are essential to our spiritual health, how the enemy works to create division and isolation, and why giving love rather than simply receiving it is a key to experiencing lasting joy.You'll learn how to build authentic Christian friendships, overcome offense and unforgiveness, heal from relational hurt, and experience the joy that comes from being part of God's family.God never intended for you to walk through life alone. The Church isn't just a place to attend. It's a family where we grow, love, serve, and heal together. Support the show