CityChurch Podcast

In this episode of the City Church podcast, Mark and Steve continue their series exploring how the Bible points to Jesus, focusing on the 17 prophetic books from Isaiah through Malachi. They explain the difference between the major and minor prophets and discuss how the prophets confronted, warned, and called God's people back to Him out of love and concern. The conversation explores Isaiah's powerful promises about Jesus, including His birth as Emmanuel, His identity as the Prince of Peace, and His role as the suffering servant who was rejected and sacrificed for us. They also look at how Jeremiah points toward a new covenant and offers hope for those living in difficult seasons, while Daniel's visions reveal Jesus as the Son of Man and the eternal King whose kingdom will overcome the kingdoms of this world. Throughout the episode, Mark and Steve highlight how the prophets reveal God's heart, His faithfulness, and His plan to redeem His people through Christ. To learn more about City Church Charlotte and join a service, visit citychurchcharlotte.org.

In this episode of the City Church podcast, Mark and Steve continue their series exploring how the Bible points to Jesus, focusing on the books of Poetry and Wisdom: Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs. They discuss how these books reveal different aspects of Christ, from the suffering Redeemer in Job to the Good Shepherd in Psalm 23 and the promised King in Psalm 24. The conversation explores how Psalm 22 points to Jesus' suffering on the cross, how Proverbs reflects His wisdom, and how Ecclesiastes wrestles with the meaning and purpose of life. They also look at Song of Songs as a picture of Christ as the Bridegroom who pursues His church. Throughout the episode, Mark and Steve emphasize that these books give us permission to bring our questions, struggles, doubts, and everyday experiences honestly before God. They encourage listeners to find hope, meaning, restoration, and a deeper relationship with Jesus through the poetry and wisdom of Scripture. To learn more about City Church Charlotte and join a service, visit citychurchcharlotte.org.

In this episode of the City Church podcast, Mark and Steve continue their series exploring how the entire Bible points to Jesus, focusing on the books of Genesis through Esther. They discuss how God’s promises, sacrifices, and the history of Israel reveal Jesus as the promised rescuer, the ultimate Passover Lamb, and the eternal King. The conversation explores the first pictures of Christ in Genesis, the promise that the serpent would be defeated, and how God’s promise to bless all nations finds its fulfillment through Jesus. They also explain the purpose of the law, showing how it reveals humanity’s need for a Savior and points us toward the grace and fulfillment found in Christ. Looking at the history books and Israel’s imperfect leaders, Mark and Steve highlight God’s faithfulness to redeem, restore, and pursue His people, even through human failure. Ultimately, these books reveal our need for a perfect and eternal King, Jesus Christ, through whom God fulfills His promises and gives us hope. To learn more about City Church Charlotte and join a service, visit citychurchcharlotte.org.

In this episode of the City Church podcast, Mark and Steve introduce a new series exploring the Bible’s overarching story and the central role of Jesus from Genesis to Revelation. They discuss how the Bible is a collection of 66 books written across many centuries by different authors, yet united by one story that points to Christ. The conversation explores how Jesus is revealed throughout Scripture through promises, prophetic writings, patterns, and pictures, including the Passover Lamb and the account of Jesus explaining the Scriptures on the road to Emmaus. Mark and Steve also offer practical advice for those beginning to read the Bible, encouraging them to start with the Gospels of John or Mark before exploring the Old Testament. They explain the different kinds of biblical literature, including the law, the prophets, wisdom literature, the Gospels, Acts, the epistles, and Revelation, emphasizing how each contributes to the larger story of Jesus. The episode also highlights the importance of making Scripture available in every language so people around the world can encounter God through His Word. To learn more about City Church Charlotte and join a service, visit citychurchcharlotte.org.

In this episode of the City Church podcast, the conversation explores discipleship as apprenticeship and what it means to become an apprentice of Jesus. Using the example of a mechanic learning through an apprenticeship, they explain how discipleship is more than classroom learning or gaining information. It involves watching, practicing, growing, and eventually being entrusted to help others do the same. They look at how Jesus modeled this with His disciples by bringing them into His life and ministry, teaching them through His example of prayer, service, love, forgiveness, and obedience. The conversation also emphasizes the importance of Scripture, explaining that biblical teaching and real-world application must work together to produce spiritual formation and growth. The episode closes by encouraging everyone to see discipleship as something accessible and relational, whether through parenting, marriage, friendship, or walking alongside another person as they learn to follow Jesus. To learn more about City Church Charlotte and join a service, visit citychurchcharlotte.org.

In this episode of the City Church podcast, Mark and Steve continue their series on individual discipleship by exploring the Chinese bamboo tree as a picture of how discipleship develops over time. They discuss Jesus’ Great Commission to make disciples and emphasize that discipleship is not simply about gaining knowledge, drawing crowds, or making converts, but about life transformation and becoming apprentices of Jesus who make other disciples. Using the bamboo tree as an illustration, they explain how growth can happen beneath the surface for years as roots are developed before visible growth appears. Mark and Steve encourage listeners to remain rooted in Christ, obey His words, invest in relationships, and trust God through seasons when growth may not be immediately visible. They also challenge believers to consider who they are investing in and to embrace the time and consistency required to make disciples. To learn more about City Church Charlotte and join a service, visit citychurchcharlotte.org.

In this episode of the City Church podcast, Mark and Steve explore spiritual formation and what it means to follow Jesus as a disciple. They explain that Jesus’ call to “follow me” is not primarily about self-improvement, but about allowing Him to form, shape, and develop us into His image. The conversation examines three movements of discipleship modeled by Jesus: coming to Him, being exposed to His life and ministry, and being entrusted to go and do what He has taught us. Mark and Steve discuss how formation happens through surrender, trust, relationship, and a willingness to learn through both success and failure. They also emphasize that discipleship cannot happen in isolation, because Jesus formed His disciples by doing life with them and inviting them into relationship. The episode closes by encouraging listeners to consider who they are spending time with Jesus, who is speaking truth into their lives, and who they are helping to grow as disciples. To learn more about City Church Charlotte and join a service, visit citychurchcharlotte.org.

In this episode of the City Church podcast, Mark and Steve explore spiritual gifts and why believers should eagerly desire them while growing in faith, hope, love, and the character of Jesus. They discuss the different kinds of spiritual gifts, how they are given by the Holy Spirit, and how every believer can be used by God to encourage, strengthen, and serve others. They also explain the difference between receiving a gift and earning an accomplishment, emphasizing that spiritual gifts are given for God’s glory and the benefit of others. Throughout the conversation, Mark and Steve highlight the central role of love, explaining that love should motivate and guide the way spiritual gifts are used. They encourage listeners to discover their gifts, use them as part of everyday life, and make room for the gifts of the Holy Spirit in church gatherings, life groups, outreaches, and ordinary relationships. The conversation closes with an encouragement to pursue spiritual gifts while remaining rooted and established in love, faith, and hope. To learn more about City Church Charlotte and join a service, visit citychurchcharlotte.org.

In this episode of the City Church podcast, Mark and Steve discuss making room for the gift of prophecy in a way that honors God, aligns with Scripture, and strengthens the church. They explain that biblical prophecy is not fortune telling, but a way of sharing the heart, revelation, and desired will of God, with Jesus always being glorified and Scripture remaining the final authority. They explore the importance of eagerly desiring spiritual gifts while also maintaining order, humility, accountability, and healthy boundaries. Mark and Steve discuss how prophecy should strengthen, encourage, and comfort people, why prophetic words need to be tested, and the role of church elders in creating safe environments for the gifts of the Holy Spirit to operate. They also encourage believers to grow in prophecy through life groups, prayer meetings, and other settings where people can learn to share words of life, courage, comfort, and strengthening with one another. The conversation closes with an invitation to keep studying Scripture, keep growing, and find the “radical middle” where Jesus is at the center, the Word of God is the final authority, and prophecy is practiced with integrity and accountability. To learn more about City Church Charlotte and join a service, visit citychurchcharlotte.org.

In this message from the Freedom Conference, Eddie shares his powerful testimony of abuse, rejection, shame, and finding freedom in Jesus. Eddie discusses the different forms abuse can take and how abuse can affect a person’s dignity, identity, and sense of control. He shares his own experience of being adopted in Germany, experiencing childhood sexual abuse, and carrying shame and feelings of rejection for years. Eddie opens up about a suicide attempt at age 20 and how, through sharing his story and receiving Christian counseling, he began to recognize that there was more to his life than what had happened to him. He explains how Jesus brought healing as he faced painful memories and learned that he was not defined by his abuse, shame, or past. Throughout the message, Eddie emphasizes that what happened to us does not have to define who we are, that what was done to us was not our fault, and that Jesus has a better plan. He closes by declaring that he is walking in freedom and praying for others to experience freedom, healing, forgiveness, and restoration through Jesus. To learn more about City Church Charlotte and join a service, visit citychurchcharlotte.org.