Saints‘ Hill Church Podcast

Life of the Church: Prayer in Groaning Times

This last Sunday, Gerry Breshears gave us a theology of prayer in times of groaning, based on Psalm 13. 

 

Christians in the West have largely seen suffering as a theological and existential problem to be solved, lest our faith deconstruct. Much of Scripture reveals a different worldview - this world is a war zone, where Satan is prince and suffering is a normal part of life.

 

Our goal is to suffer with an awareness of God’s presence, engaging with all the emotions of prayer. This posture allows us to partner with God in bringing goodness and hope to our world.

 

Access Gerry’s handout/guide for this teaching HERE.

Life of the Church: Do Not Grow Weary

On Sunday we got to hear from one of our summer guest speakers, John Rosensteel on Galatians 6v7-10.

 

Paul’s words to the church in Galatia in are just as applicable for us today - how we live matters. Amidst the burdens of life and the brokenness of the world, it can be easy to lose hope and give into the flesh. But by the power of the Holy Spirit in us, we are able to persevere in doing good.

 

As we strengthen ourselves in the Lord we are able to partner with Him in doing good and bringing beauty to the world around us. 

Questions Jesus Asks: Persistent Faith

This summer, we will be looking at what we believe are some of the most important questions Jesus asks. On Sunday, Pete began with the question Jesus asks in Luke 18v8, “…when the Son of Man returns, will He find faith on the earth?”

 

This question shifts our focus away from religious activity and toward a faith that endures. 

 

Persistent faith is hope stretched over time—a steady trust in God’s character that keeps praying, obeying, and waiting even when answers are delayed and circumstances remain unchanged. Because our hope is anchored in God’s faithfulness rather than in outcomes, we can persevere with confidence until Christ returns. 

 

Faith believes His promises, hope waits for His timing, and love expresses His heart; together they mark a life that remains steadfast, Spirit-filled, and ready for His coming.

Pentecost: Redeemed History and Present Power

On Pentecost Sunday, Bria read the famous story from Acts 2v1-13 and presented Pentecost as the redemption of Babel - where humanity once sought power and unity apart from God and were scattered. God now gives His Spirit to dwell within His people, creating a unity rooted in dependence on Christ. The Spirit’s power is not given for self-promotion, but for surrender, service, and bearing witness to Jesus.

 

The good news of Pentecost is that God’s presence is no longer confined to a place, but through the Holy Spirit He lives inside of us. We are invited to live in relationship with Him - attentive to His voice, open to His correction and shaped by His love. 

Life of the Church: The Path of Trust

This Sunday, Jacob Vigil taught from Proverbs 3v5-6, exploring the idea that the entire Christian life is about trust. From humanity’s earliest moments to our daily walk with Christ, God continually invites His people to trust Him rather than lean on our own understanding. Jacob unpacked how biblical trust is more than belief — it is a daily surrender of every area of life, intimately knowing and acknowledging God in all our ways. A life of trust leads to the peace God promises and allows Him to make our paths straight.

Pentecost: Holy Alignment

On Sunday, we continued our Pentecost series with a teaching from one of our elders, Pete Donor.

 

In Acts 1v6-8, the disciples ask Jesus when He will restore the kingdom, but He redirects them away from control and speculation toward surrender and mission.

 

Instead of giving them timelines, He promises the Holy Spirit, who will empower them to live as witnesses of His Kingdom everywhere they go.

 

Holy alignment happens when we stop centering our own plans and start trusting the Father’s timing, allowing the Spirit to shape both our lives and our purpose around Jesus.

Pentecost: A Memory, A Future, A Friend

On Sunday we began our annual series on the Holy Spirit during Pentecost. 

Acts 1v1-5 highlights a crucial command for the disciple: wait. 

Even after all the disciples had seen, their memories of Jesus and their hopes for the future were not enough to sustain faithful living.  

The Christian life requires daily dependence on the living presence of God through the Holy Spirit. He is not an abstract force, but a person, who teaches truth, shapes hope, transforms character and sustains intimacy with God.  

There is no life worth living outside of His presence. We cling to you, Jesus!

Life of the Church: The Stone

On Sunday we looked at 1 Peter 2v4-10 and what it means to trust Jesus.

 

Peter, though he stumbled, recognized that communion with the Lord is what would hold his faith in place. We too must strengthen ourselves in the Lord by spending time with Jesus.

 

This is how He becomes our foundation. We take Him at His word that He did what He said He would do and we can trust Him. 

 

When we stand on Christ’s finished work we will become temples that host Him and display His glory to the world. 

Life of the Church: Friendship with God

On Sunday we looked at John 15v1-17 and what it means to be friends with God.

 

Throughout the entire Bible, we read about God coming close and drawing near in friendship to those who desire Him. This is ultimately fulfilled in Jesus who offers himself as our way to be in right relationship with God.

 

Through this passage we see that friendship with God is about remaining in His love, and doing what He commands. This is the means by which Jesus frees you from lesser loves and attaches you to His love. This eternal friendship is for our joy and for His.

The King is Here: The Ascension

On Sunday we concluded our Luke series after four years.

 

After His resurrection, Jesus appears to his disciples to help them understand that the whole Jewish story finds its fulfillment in Him. He then commissions them with a message and a method.

 

The message that the Resurrection gives us is repentance and forgiveness. These are the two miraculous roads that bring heaven to earth. 

 

The method Jesus gives us, is to wait for the Holy Spirit. He said it was better for Him to go to the Father so He could send his Spirit to be our advocate and our helper. Our posture in all of life is to wait on and be led by the Holy Spirit. 

 

The Resurrection of Jesus makes all of this possible and it’s our privilege to live a life of union with Him.