Best City Church Decatur Podcasts (2025)

It’s common to feel a tug-of-war between inner anxiety and recognizing God’s nearness. In this conversation with Andy Stanley and Steve Cuss, we’re invited to consider some false needs that may be steering our reactions.By Andy Stanley with Steve Cuss

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Seeing Clearly: Becoming the Image of God 33:12

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18d ago33:12

33:12

In this Advent sermon, Trey invites us to slow down, breathe, and consider what it really means to bear the image of God. Using stories from childhood Magic Eye books to mountain fog in Shenandoah, he shows how our view of Jesus can become fuzzy—and how Scripture clarifies what the world distorts. Rooted in Colossians 1, this message explores Chris…

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Redefining Messiah // Andy Stanley

25d ago

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First-century Israel expected a king who would overthrow Rome. Jesus offered a kingdom far bigger—and he had to redefine “Messiah” before they could see it.By Andy Stanley

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Advent Begins in the Dark: Breaking the Pattern 26:46

25d ago26:46

26:46

Advent doesn’t begin with twinkle lights and hot chocolate. It begins in the dark. In this message, Chris traces the story from Eden to Exile—through Cain and Lamech, the flood and Babel, Israel and Babylon—to show a repeated pattern: autonomy, fracture, exile… and surprising grace. This first week of Advent names the ache: the world is not as it s…

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Unexpectations, Part 3: An Unexpected Response // Billy Phenix

1M ago

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A desperate situation leads to a bold move, but no one expects how Jesus responds. What He does next reveals something beneath the surface, something that could reshape the way you understand and live out faith.By Billy Phenix

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Bricks, Towers, and the God Who Comes Down 40:19

1M ago40:19

40:19

In this sermon on the Tower of Babel, Pastor Chris explores the deep human impulse to build lives of self-reliance—lives shaped by fear, control, and the need to make a name for ourselves. Far from a story about ancient architecture, Babel reveals the patterns we still live in today: the bricks we stack to feel safe, the towers we build to feel sig…

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The Vineyard, the Shame, and the God Who Covers 32:21

1M ago32:21

32:21

In this message from Genesis 9, we explore the final scene of Noah’s life… his vineyard, his vulnerability, and the surprising family fracture that follows. The story exposes how even in a washed-clean world, the human heart still needs redemption. We look at honor, covering, generational words, and the danger of exposure culture, then trace the th…

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Unexpectations, Part 2: An Unexpected Question // David Thaxton

1M ago

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Sometimes clarity comes from the most unexpected places. In this teaching, we explore a moment that breaks boundaries, challenges assumptions, and asks a question we may not be ready for.By David Thaxton

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Unexpectations, Part 1 // Billy Phenix

2M ago

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Peter’s story takes a turn on a stormy night when he dares to step out of the boat. What begins as bold faith turns into a moment of sinking reality—and an unexpected glimpse of Jesus’ heart in the midst of doubt.By Billy Phenix

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The God Who Listens, Blesses, and Covenants 43:00

2M ago43:00

43:00

After the flood, Noah steps off the ark and offers worship to God — and God responds with mercy, blessing, and a covenant that will never be broken. In this message from Genesis 8–9, Sarah Pasquale explores the heart of a God who listens to His people, delights to bless, and binds Himself to humanity in everlasting faithfulness. Through Noah’s offe…

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Not Coming Down // Andy Stanley

2M ago

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We set out to build a church where the convinced and the curious could belong.By Andy Stanley

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The Response of a Lifetime, Part 3: Playing God // Andy Stanley

2M ago

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It’s one thing to trust God when you’ve lost control; it’s another to resist acting like God once you’ve gained it.By Andy Stanley

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The God Who Remembers 39:38

2M ago39:38

39:38

In the story of the flood, judgment and mercy meet. Before the rain, God grieves; in the storm, He remembers. This message explores Genesis 6–9 as more than a tale of destruction—it’s a story of divine heartbreak, faithful trust, and the God who says “enough” so new creation can begin again.By Christopher Case

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The Response of a Lifetime, Part 2: Bad to Badder // Andy Stanley

2M ago

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When life goes from bad to worse, will you simply react—or respond as if God is still with you?By Andy Stanley

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Tears Before the Flood: Death’s Drumbeat and a Walk with God 38:39

2M ago38:39

38:39

In Genesis 5–6:8, the refrain changes from “it was good” to “and he died”—until one stunning interruption: Enoch walked with God. Chris tackles the strange “sons of God” passage, the pattern of “saw and took,” and why Scripture shows a God who grieves before He judges. Far from a divine tantrum, the flood emerges as painful mercy in a world unravel…

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The Response of a Lifetime, Part 1: God of the Pit // Andy Stanley

2M ago

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Your life isn’t defined by what’s been done to you, but by how you choose to respond—especially when every instinct says to react.By Andy Stanley

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Cities and Altars: Progress Without Presence 43:51

2M ago43:51

43:51

In Genesis 4:17–26, we trace Cain’s city, Lamech’s boast, and the birth of music, tools, and industry—human progress rising while peace falls. Chris contrasts the “city of self” with a people who “begin to call on the name of the Lord,” asking whether we’re building without God or building with Him. We explore empire vs. kingdom, vengeance “seventy…

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Be Rich: Serve // Billy Phenix 35:31

3M ago35:31

35:31

What if you don’t feel like serving? Billy reminds us that humility isn’t a feeling—it’s a choice. Love shows up through serving those in our space and throughout our city. Serve one another humbly in love.By Billy Phenix

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East of Eden: Cain, Abel, and the Lie of Scarcity 40:22

3M ago40:22

40:22

In Genesis 4:1–16, Chris unpacks the first act of worship outside the garden and the fracture between two brothers. Why does God “regard” Abel’s offering and not Cain’s—and what does that reveal about trust, envy, and the myth of limited favor? We explore sin “crouching at the door,” the mark of Cain as a sign of mercy, and the call to be our broth…

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Worth The Wait, Part 3: His Will, His Way // Joel Thomas

3M ago

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The hardest part of waiting isn’t always the delay itself. Sometimes it’s the uncertainty of why God seems absent when we need him most.By Joel Thomas

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East of Eden: Curses, Coverings, and the First Gospel 40:12

3M ago40:12

40:12

Genesis 3 closes with justice and mercy side by side. We walk through God’s words to the serpent, the woman, and the man, noting that only the serpent and the ground are explicitly cursed, and exploring how childbirth sorrow and fractured relationships name life outside the garden. We consider why patriarchy is a result of the fall, not God’s desig…

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Worth The Wait, Part 2: Peace-filled Dependence // Joel Thomas

3M ago

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We’re convinced that if we just do the right things, life will turn out the way we want—but what do you do when the formula breaks and you’re left waiting, powerless, and discontent?By Joel Thomas

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Where Are You? God’s Pursuit in Our Shame and Hiding 37:53

3M ago37:53

37:53

We all know the instinct to hide—whether it’s a child covering up a broken toy, or adults curating perfect résumés and Instagram feeds to keep others from seeing what’s really going on. In Genesis 3, Adam and Eve’s first response to shame is fear, hiding, and blame. Yet God doesn’t storm in with wrath or withdraw in disgust—He comes walking in the …

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Worth The Wait, Part 1: Your Future Self // Joel Thomas

3M ago

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Our biology and culture push us toward impatience, but God calls us to trust that what he’s doing in us is worth the wait.By Joel Thomas

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Violence and The Way of Jesus 38:39

3M ago38:39

38:39

By Christopher Case

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The Whisper and the Voice: Trusting God in Eden and Beyond 41:20

4M ago41:20

41:20

In Genesis 3, the serpent’s whisper raises the same questions we still wrestle with today: Can God really be trusted? Is He withholding from us? Pastor Chris Case unpacks the familiar Eden story with fresh eyes—exploring the talking serpent, the allure of autonomy, and the shame of fig leaves. Along the way, he draws connections to the Lion King, I…

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Be Rich 2025: A Conversation with Bruce Deel // Andy Stanley and Bruce Deel

4M ago

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Andy Stanley’s conversation with Bruce Deel highlights the inspiring work of City of Refuge, a Be Rich partner dedicated to moving people from crisis to independence.By Andy Stanley & Bruce Deel

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Too Good To Miss, Part 4: Don't Miss Great // Andy Stanley

4M ago

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Not everyone will have the opportunity to be famous, but everyone has the opportunity to be great.By Andy Stanley

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Side by Side: Why “Not Good to Be Alone” 29:42

4M ago29:42

29:42

Genesis 2 surprises us: even with meaningful work and God’s presence in the garden, the Lord says, “It is not good for the man to be alone.” In this message, Chris explores what that means for our design as image-bearers—made for mutuality, not isolation. We unpack the Hebrew phrase ezer kenegdo (“a strong help who corresponds”), why “helper” never…

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Too Good To Miss, Part 3: Family // Andy Stanley

4M ago

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Family can be both the most rewarding and most challenging part of life. The challenge is accepting the messy “real” while still aiming for God’s “ideal.”By Andy Stanley

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Dust, Breath, and Boundaries: Living the Human Story in Genesis 2 39:19

4M ago39:19

39:19

Genesis 2 shifts the focus from the cosmic scope of creation to the intimacy of dust and breath. In this message, Pastor Chris explores what it means to be human—fragile yet filled with God’s Spirit, priests placed in sacred space, and creatures made with limits that are not failures but gifts. We wrestle with the trees in the garden, the boundarie…

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Made in God’s Image: Our Calling to Rule, Reflect, Reproduce, and Rest 44:07

4M ago44:07

44:07

At the climax of creation, God places his image in the world—not in statues of stone or rulers on thrones, but in humanity itself, male and female. In this message, Pastor Chris unpacks what it means to be God’s living images: to rule with justice and care, to reflect his character, to multiply life and faith, and to rest in his presence. Sin disto…

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Too Good To Miss, Part 2: Jesus // Andy Stanley

4M ago

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People miss or dismiss Jesus sometimes, but when they do it’s usually for an unnecessary reason.By Andy Stanley

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Too Good To Miss, Part 1: Future Proof // Andy Stanley

5M ago

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We don’t miss out in life because opportunities aren’t there—we miss out because we let deception, distraction, or disobedience rob us of them.By Andy Stanley

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Order, Presence, and Goodness in a Chaotic World 23:40

5M ago23:40

23:40

Life often feels like a scene from The Bear—loud, messy, and chaotic. In Genesis 1, we meet a God who brings order out of disorder, fills creation with His presence, and declares it good. This sermon explores how the creation account isn’t just ancient poetry—it’s a lens for seeing our world and our lives today. Discover how God’s order can bring p…

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Three Reasons // Andy Stanley

5M ago

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Life is better connected—because spiritual growth, care, and accountability happen in relationships, not in rows.By Andy Stanley

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God in the Chaos: Beginning with Wonder 33:29

5M ago33:29

33:29

In the opening of our Genesis 1–11 series, we step into the ancient world behind the text to ask not “How did this happen?” but “What kind of story is this—and what kind of God does it reveal?” Pastor Chris invites us to slow down, reframe our questions, and behold a Creator who doesn’t fear the chaos but hovers over it—present, patient, and full o…

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My Story, My Song, Part 6 // April Farmer

5M ago

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By April Farmer

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The God Who Makes All Things New 38:13

5M ago38:13

38:13

What do we do when the weight of the world feels unbearable—when we see broken systems, shattered lives, and deep injustice all around us? In this sermon, we’re invited to anchor our hope not in utopian dreams or political fixes, but in the promise of Jesus: “Behold, I am making all things new.” Preaching from Revelation 21, this message explores t…

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My Story, My Song, Part 5: Three Stories, Three Songs // Billy Phenix with Panel

5M ago

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This is a special conversation with three of our worship leaders, Alyson, Natasha, and BJ, as they each share a song that has deeply shaped their journey. From addiction recovery to life pivots in uncertain seasons, these stories are full of faith, hope, and God's steady presence.By Billy Phenix with Panel

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The God Who… Is For Us 27:33

5M ago27:33

27:33

By Christopher Case

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My Story, My Song, Part 4: It Is Well // Billy Phenix

5M ago

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When life’s storms hit, how do we respond? Explore the story behind It Is Well with My Soul and how its powerful lyrics offer hope and peace in life’s toughest seasons.By Billy Phenix

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The God Who… Welcomes Us Home 30:18

6M ago30:18

30:18

What kind of God does Jesus reveal? In this sermon, Pastor Chris walks us through the story often called “The Prodigal Son”—but the focus isn’t just on the son who ran away. It’s about a Father who runs toward us. Whether you carry shame like the younger son, or self-righteousness like the older, the parable speaks a deeper truth: God is not a relu…