Port City Community Church Podcast

Latest Episodes:

"God Wins" - Mike Ashcraft | The Cross, Part 4 Apr 08, 2025

Show notes

In Jesus, we discover what it truly means to be human. He invites us not into a religion of rules, but into a relationship of love. At the center of this invitation stands the cross—a powerful symbol of both sacrifice and victory. Through His suffering, Jesus broke the chains of sin and death, proving that love is stronger than any darkness we face. When we follow Him, we begin to see ourselves and others differently. The cross reminds us that healing comes through wounds, that victory sometimes looks like surrender, and that God's way of restoring the world turns our expectations upside down. This isn't about checking religious boxes; it's about walking daily with the One who loved us enough to die for us, whose resurrection power now reshapes every part of our lives.

"Atonement" - Mike Ashcraft | The Cross, Part 3 Mar 31, 2025

Show notes

In Christ, we find the freedom of being fully known yet fully loved. His sacrifice wasn't just another religious ritual—it was the ultimate game-changer that ended our endless striving for God's approval. Jesus invites us from rule-following into relationship-building. We don't want mere tolerance; we crave genuine connection. That's what Christ accomplished—not just forgiveness but complete restoration with God. We've been made holy through His sacrifice, while still being transformed daily. We don't work for salvation; we simply receive it by trusting Jesus' finished work. This isn't complex theology—it's the heart of Christianity as relationship, not religion, putting broken things back together.

"Forgiveness" - Mike Ashcraft | The Cross, Part 2 Mar 24, 2025

Show notes

Have you ever noticed how life seems to unravel when we try to control everything ourselves? In Christ, all things are held together, but when we pull away, things gradually fall apart. At its core, sin isn't just about breaking rules—it's about trust and authority. We struggle to believe God knows best, so we take matters into our own hands. When things go wrong, our instinct is to hide, blame others, or justify our actions. But there's another way. Jesus offers forgiveness that bridges the gap our sin creates. When we confess, we're not just admitting wrongdoing; we're expressing trust in His forgiveness. This trust allows us to experience true freedom and redemption. The beauty is simple: forgiveness reconnects us to Him, allowing us to live in the wholeness we were designed for.

"Reconciliation" - Mike Ashcraft | The Cross, Part 1 Mar 18, 2025

Show notes

The cross stands not as a mere decision but as a powerful collision where heaven meets earth. Through Jesus's resurrection, we discover that the cross wasn't defeat but victory revealed—a moment where God demonstrated boundless love, absorbed sin, and offered forgiveness. This isn't distant theology but an invitation to participate in Christ's victory, walking the path of discipleship where what Jesus did for us becomes inseparable from what he does in us. As we journey forward, our security isn't found in theological certainty but in the beautiful reality that God honors even our imperfect faith. Jesus confronted the world's broken systems while bringing the redemption of shalom—and now invites us to join in this transformative way of living.

"What if?" - Carson Goslee Mar 10, 2025

Show notes

What if Christ truly became the most important person in your life? Everything would change. You'd find yourself willing to step outside your comfort zone for His sake, invested fully in building God's kingdom rather than your own. When obstacles arise, you'd be not deterred but determined, pushing forward with sole dependence on God's perfect provision rather than your own strength. Your passion for Jesus would become obvious to everyone around you, naturally spilling over into genuine love for the people He died to save. This transformation would mobilize you to address the brokenness in our world with compassion and purpose. And rather than treating church as an optional addition to your busy life, you'd be engaged in God's family as if your very life depended on it—because in many ways, it does. What if?

"The Result of Following" - Mike Ashcraft | Disciple, Part 4 Mar 03, 2025

Show notes

God designed us to reflect His image through love. Many of us understand being a Christian without grasping what it means to truly follow Jesus. Instead of using Him to validate our agendas, we're called to be disciples—friends of Jesus who are empowered to love others. When we realize that God's very essence is love, we understand that loving others isn't just a nice behavior but our deepest purpose. This love gives freely, values others deeply, and always looks outward. And it starts with a simple truth: we love because He first loved us. His love flows through us, changing how we see the world and everyone in it.

"The Fruit of Fidelity" - Mike Ashcraft | Disciple, Part 3 Feb 24, 2025

Show notes

Following Jesus means becoming both a friend and apprentice, growing in love through His training. This relationship transforms our character and helps us embrace God's concerns as our own. As disciples, we take on new responsibilities that change how we see the world and work with others. The journey involves deliberate training of heart and mind as God guides us toward our unique calling—a path that's both challenging and deeply fulfilling.

"The Beauty of Familiar" - Mike Ashcraft | Disciple, Part 2 Feb 18, 2025

Show notes

Think of discipleship as starting an amazing friendship with Jesus - one that grows deeper as you follow His lead. Just like learning from a close friend who inspires you, following Jesus naturally shapes who you become. He invites you into this relationship not just to teach you about love, but to actually empower you to love others in ways you never thought possible. As you trust His way of doing things and let His influence work in your life (both in obvious and subtle ways), you begin to understand more about God's heart and purpose. This journey of friendship with Jesus isn't just about following rules - it's about experiencing a life-changing relationship where love is both the teacher and the lesson. The more you know Him, the more you're transformed by His love, and the more naturally you begin to share that love with others.

"The Call to Follow" - Mike Ashcraft | Disciple, Part 1 Feb 11, 2025

Show notes

At its heart, walking with God is about building a genuine, transformative relationship. Just as close friends naturally begin to share values, interests, and perspectives, following Jesus shapes who we are at our core. This journey isn't about making perfect promises or checking religious boxes – it's about learning to depend on God daily and allowing that connection to naturally flow into how we treat others. When we choose to be friends and followers of Jesus, He trains and empowers us to love in ways that impact not just our own lives, but the lives of those around us. Together, we're creating something beautiful: a community of people experiencing life with God and sharing that life with the world.

"Sitting with Scripture" - Clay Everett Feb 04, 2025

Show notes

Imagine a book that's more than just ancient text—a living, breathing story of love that spans generations. The Bible is like a personal letter from God, breathed with intention and preserved through time, inviting us into an intimate conversation about hope, redemption, and purpose. It's not just a collection of writings, but a roadmap that reveals God's heart and ultimately points us to Jesus—the ultimate expression of God's love. Through its pages, we're invited to sit at the feet of the greatest teacher, learning not just about God, but experiencing His transformative presence in our everyday lives.