Park Hill Church Podcast

Becoming Bold Witnesses to Jesus

From our series "Acts." Josh White, founding pastor of Door of Hope Church in Portland, OR, visits Park Hill Church to preach a message on Acts 8v26–40. In this text, a Jewish Jesus follower named Philip follows the leading of the Holy Spirit to share the gospel with an influential Ethiopian eunuch. Josh White interweaves his own story with the story of Philip, and the result is a powerful call to boldly witness to Jesus in our time.

The Practice of Sabbath

As we walk through the book of Acts this year, we are also looking at eight practices from Jesus and the early Christians that shaped the life of the Church through time. In this teaching, Evan Wickham walks us through our fourth practice: Sabbath. It's also Pentecost Sunday—the day the Western church celebrates the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon Jesus' first disciples in Acts 2. What does Pentecost have to with Sabbath? For the Spirit-filled body of Christ today, to practice Sabbath is to engage in a weekly rehearsal of Pentecost. Just as the disciples waited on the Holy Spirit in Jerusalem before doing Jesus's work in the world, so too, we wait for God on the Sabbath Day, and from that place of waiting, we then partner with God in our work for the rest of the week.

The Holy Spirit is Our Great Unifier

From our series "Acts." Christianity goes international. As it does, the Holy Spirit proves himself to be the Great Unifier of God's family in Jesus. As mortal enemies turn to Jesus together, they become family around the same table. This is the shocking stuff of the kingdom that turns the world upside down. Isn't this the reconciled, forgiven family we all long to become? Come and see.

God Repurposes Evil for God

From our series "Acts." The church goes international in Acts 8. But not the way anyone expected or wanted. Severe, painful persecution comes upon the first church in Jerusalem, causing everyone but the Apostles to escape into Judea and Samaria. From the human perspective, this is terrible and real suffering. From the divine perspective, God is repurposing terrible evil for near-unimaginable good. This is what God promises to do for all who trust in Jesus: he masterfully redeems our brokenness for our good.

The Practice of Silence and Solitude

As part of our year in Acts, we are looking at eight different practices from Jesus that shaped the life of the early church. In this teaching, Dan Braga walks us through the third practice: silence and solitude. Jesus was shaped by his rhythmic practice of being still and embracing isolation in order to commune with the Father through the Spirit. So as Jesus followers, we are invited to do the same. But what should our practice of silence and solitude look like in our noise-saturated age?

How to Deal With Unfulfilled Desires (Hannah's Story)

Rachel Hughes visits Park Hill Church with a timely message for many. Rachel and her husband Tim are pastors of Gas Street Church in Birmingham, UK. Today, Rachel unpacks the story of Hannah in 1 Samuel 1 and 2. The story of Hannah is a beautiful example of what we as God's children are invited to do with our unfulfilled longings. Rather than engaging in spiritual bypassing or caving in to discouragement, Hannah chooses to "stand up" and walk through her unfulfilled desires, fully trusting God with the outcomes.

The Extraordinary Life You Long For

From our series "Acts." Acts 6-7 are two chapters almost entirely focused on the life of one person: Stephen. He's not a full time pastor. He's not one of the Apostles. He's not one of the professional church people. He's a normal church member who becomes one of the most extraordinary lives in the history of the Church. He's also the first Christian martyr. What is the secret of Stephen's power and influence? Whatever it is, it's something available to everyone in the church, not just the professional Christians. 

Who's Missing at Your Table?

From our series "Acts." As the church continues to grow, problems start to arise. In Acts 6, the Greek-speaking Jewish Christian widows are getting overlooked by what is likely the majority culture (Aramaic-speaking Jewish Christians) within the church. But the Holy Spirit begins moving in this new church, and the result is beautiful. Because the whole church has the power of the Spirit, they are free to give away their own power for the sake of the vulnerable just like Jesus did. This story has so much relevance for our time. 

Easter 2024: Love That Passes Through Locked Doors

It's Easter 2024. We are continuing in our series "Acts." Here in Acts 5, the connection to the Easter story is too good to miss. The apostles are in prison for preaching the resurrection. They've been publicly shamed by Jewish leaders. These apostles have every reason to be crippled by fear of the unknown. But they aren't afraid. It's as if they're expecting a heavenly being to pass through their locked doors and lead them into God's future hope. Why were they so secure, confident, and settled amidst their suffering? The reason goes back to a similar event they experienced on the first Easter morning.

Palm Sunday Family Gathering

Matt Pursley gives a teaching at our special Palm Sunday gathering for all ages.