Vertical Church Teaching

Vertical Church
  • 5.0 (12)
  • Christianity
  • Updated Weekly

The Vertical Teaching Podcast features the weekly teaching from Vertical Church. Each episode is rooted in Scripture and designed to help you encounter God, follow Jesus, and experience freedom. Through clear, biblical teaching, we open God’s Word together and explore what it means to live as disciples of Jesus in everyday life. Whether you’re catching up on a Sunday you missed or revisiting a message to go deeper, these teachings will help you grow in faith, align your life with the truth of Scripture, and live a life that is vertical toward God and outward toward others.

  1. 14h ago

    The Price of Pride | 1 Samuel 15 | Nathan Hughes

    In 1 Samuel 15, Saul doesn’t completely reject God’s command. He simply decides which parts he will obey. That’s what makes selective obedience so dangerous. In “The Price of Pride,” we continue our A Tale of Two Kings series by looking at Saul’s failure to fully surrender to God. Saul obeys when it’s convenient, justifies what he wants to keep, blames others when confronted, and ultimately becomes more concerned with protecting his image than truly repenting. Samuel’s question cuts through every excuse: “What then is this bleating of sheep in my ears?” Sooner or later, whatever we refuse to surrender will make noise. This message challenges us to ask some difficult questions: What have I kept? What have I justified? What have I renamed? Where has God already spoken clearly, but I’m still trying to negotiate? Because if Jesus is truly King, He gets the final word. BIG IDEA: Selective obedience is still disobedience. Scripture: 1 Samuel 15:1–35 If God is calling you to take a next step, don’t keep putting it off. Whether it’s surrendering an area of your life, turning from sin, or following Jesus in baptism, let today be the day the excuses stop. Encounter God. Follow Jesus. Experience Freedom. Make an Impact.

    The Price of Pride | 1 Samuel 15 | Nathan Hughes

  2. Aug 10

    When Fear Takes Over | 1 Samuel 9 | Nathan Hughes

    What happens when fear takes over? Saul looked like everything Israel wanted in a king—strong, impressive, and capable. But beneath the surface was a heart increasingly controlled by insecurity and fear. When the pressure mounted and God asked him to wait, Saul chose control over trust. In Week 2 of A Tale of Two Kings, we look at Saul’s rise to power and the moment that exposed what was happening inside his heart. His story confronts us with an important question: What are we trying to protect because we’re afraid to trust God with it? Fear tells us that if we don’t take control, everything will fall apart. Faith reminds us that even when everything appears to be falling apart, God is still on His throne. Big Idea: Fear will always tempt us to seize control when trust requires us to wait on God. Scripture: 1 Samuel 9:1–2; 10:20–24; 13:5–14 The contrast ultimately points us to Jesus—the King who never grasped for control, never acted out of fear, and trusted the Father completely, even when obedience led Him to the cross. We don’t have to live controlled by fear. We have a King we can trust.

    When Fear Takes Over | 1 Samuel 9 | Nathan Hughes

  3. Aug 3

    Give Them What They Want | 1 Samuel 8 | Nathan Hughes

    What if the most terrifying thing God could say is, “Okay. Have it your way”? In 1 Samuel 8, Israel demands a king so they can be “like all the other nations.” Their request seems reasonable, but underneath it is a deeper problem: they are rejecting God as their King and looking somewhere else for the security, peace, and control that only He can provide. In this first message of A Tale of Two Kings, we trace Israel’s story from Genesis through the Judges and discover a pattern that still exists in us today. When trusting God becomes difficult, we are tempted to replace Him with something visible. We take good things and turn them into god things. We begin measuring our lives by what everyone else has, and eventually we stop asking what God wants and start asking why He won’t give us what we want. Sometimes God’s “no” is an act of love—and sometimes His judgment is allowing us to experience the consequences of the very thing we demanded. As we begin the story of Saul and David, we’ll discover that neither earthly king is ultimately the hero. Their stories point us toward the true King we need: Jesus. Because the greatest battle isn’t over who sits on Israel’s throne. It’s over who sits on the throne of our hearts. Scripture: 1 Samuel 8Series: A Tale of Two Kings

    Give Them What They Want | 1 Samuel 8 | Nathan Hughes

  4. Jul 28

    Defiant Faith | Habakkuk 3 | Nathan Hughes

    What does faith look like when God doesn't change your circumstances? In the final message of our Habakkuk series, we discover that biblical faith isn't pretending everything is okay—it's choosing to trust God even when life gives you every reason not to. Habakkuk's journey mirrors so many of ours: Chapter 1: He brings his questions and frustrations to God. Chapter 2: He learns to wait and listen. Chapter 3: He remembers who God is and responds with worship. As Habakkuk recalls God's faithfulness throughout history, his perspective changes. Babylon doesn't get smaller—God gets bigger. And when our view of God gets bigger, our circumstances get smaller. Not because they become insignificant, but because they're no longer ultimate. In this message we'll explore: How remembering God's character fuels courageous faith. Why faith isn't the absence of fear. What it means to say "Though... yet I will rejoice." How God often changes us even when He doesn't change our circumstances. Finding strength in God's presence instead of perfect conditions. Whether you're facing uncertainty, grief, anxiety, unanswered prayers, a difficult diagnosis, financial pressure, or a season of waiting, Habakkuk reminds us that our hope isn't built on explanations—it's built on the unchanging character of God. "The righteous live by faith." Scripture: Habakkuk 3 If this message encouraged you, we'd love for you to like, subscribe, and share it with someone who needs hope today.

    Defiant Faith | Habakkuk 3 | Nathan Hughes

  5. Jul 20

    Work Your Wait | Habakkuk 2:1-4 | Nathan Hughes

    Work Your Wait | Habakkuk 2:1–4 Waiting is one of the hardest parts of following God. When life feels stalled, prayers seem unanswered, and God's timing doesn't make sense, it's tempting to take control ourselves. But what if waiting isn't wasted? What if it's where God does some of His deepest work in us? In this message from Habakkuk 2:1–4, we discover three biblical truths for every waiting season: Position yourself to hear from God. Trust His timing over your own. Work your wait by living faithfully instead of trying to control the outcome. Habakkuk never receives the explanation he hoped for. Instead, God gives him something greater—a promise. While Babylon represents pride, control, and self-reliance, God calls His people to a different way of living: "The righteous will live by faith." No matter what you're waiting on—a job, healing, direction, restoration, or an answered prayer—this message is an invitation to trust that the throne is occupied and God is still at work. Scripture: Habakkuk 2:1–4, 5–20 If this message encouraged you, consider liking the video, subscribing to the channel, and sharing it with someone who may be in a season of waiting.

    Work Your Wait | Habakkuk 2:1-4 | Nathan Hughes

  6. Jul 13

    God is Working in the Chaos | Habakkuk 1:5–2:1 | Nick Hughes

    What do you do when God doesn't make sense? In Week 2 of our Habakkuk series, Nick walks through Habakkuk 1:5–2:1, where the prophet wrestles with one of the hardest questions in Scripture: How can a holy God use an even more wicked nation to accomplish His purposes? Habakkuk cries out over the violence and injustice around him, only to discover that God's plan is far bigger—and far more surprising—than he expected. This message reminds us that God is always working, even when His work confuses us, and that faith is often formed while we wait for answers. In this message: • The world is more broken than we often realize. • God is always working, even when His work confuses us. • We all want justice... until justice points in our direction. • Faith waits when understanding cannot. Whether you're wrestling with unanswered prayers, confusion, or difficult circumstances, this message will encourage you to trust God's character even when you can't fully understand His plan. Scripture: Habakkuk 1:5–2:1 If this message encouraged you, like this video, subscribe to our channel, and share it with someone who needs hope today. Join us every Sunday at 9:15 AM & 10:45 AM.

    God is Working in the Chaos | Habakkuk 1:5–2:1 | Nick Hughes

  7. Jul 6

    Wrestle, Don't Run | Habakkuk 1:1-4 | Lawson Stewart

    Habakkuk 1 | Wrestle... Don't Run Key Scripture Habakkuk 1:1–7 Big Idea God isn't afraid of your honest questions. Faith isn't pretending everything is okay—it's bringing your pain to God and choosing to stay close, even when His answers are difficult. Main Points 1. God welcomes honest wrestling. Habakkuk doesn't hide his frustration. He brings his questions directly to God. Real faith includes honest prayer. Key Passage: Habakkuk 1:1–4 2. Running from pain always costs more than wrestling through it. We all have ways of escaping: Success Sports Humor Work Entertainment Relationships Busyness—even church activity God invites us to bring our wounds to Him instead of hiding them. 3. God often meets us before He explains Himself. Prayer isn't presenting a polished version of yourself. God already knows your heart. He wants your honesty more than your performance. 4. Staying close changes everything. Like grappling in jiu-jitsu, creating space leaves us vulnerable. The safest place is staying close to God, especially when life is confusing. Distance from God rarely produces healing. 5. God's answers aren't always what we expect. Habakkuk asks God to deal with injustice. God responds by raising up Babylon. Sometimes God's plan is harder than we imagined, but His purposes remain trustworthy. Key Passage: Habakkuk 1:5–7 Memorable Quotes "Wrestle with God. Don't run from Him." "Prayer isn't presenting a polished version of yourself; it's bringing the real condition of your heart into God's presence." "When God tells you something you don't want to hear, will you create distance—or stay close?" "God isn't asking for perfect faith. He's inviting honest trust." Questions for Reflection What difficult questions have you been afraid to ask God? What do you typically run to instead of wrestling with God? Where have you been creating distance between yourself and God? Can you identify a season when God's answer didn't make sense until later? What would it look like this week to stay close instead of running? Challenge Bring your real thoughts, fears, and frustrations to God this week. Instead of escaping, choose to stay close. Trust that even when you don't understand His ways, His character remains faithful.

    Wrestle, Don't Run | Habakkuk 1:1-4 | Lawson Stewart

  8. Jun 29

    Hope That Endures | Daniel 12 | Nathan Hughes

    Daniel 12 | Hope That Endures How do you keep trusting God when life doesn't make sense? The book of Daniel closes not with every question answered, but with a call to remain faithful. Daniel sees visions of suffering, spiritual warfare, resurrection, and the end of history—but God's final words to him are surprisingly simple: "Go your way." In this final message of the Daniel series, we discover that biblical hope isn't about escaping hardship or predicting every detail of the future. It's about enduring with confidence because we know who holds the future. In this message you'll discover: • Why prophecy is meant to produce endurance, not endless speculation • One of the clearest promises of resurrection in the Old Testament • What Daniel teaches us about living with unanswered questions • Why faith means trusting God even when we don't understand • How every promise in Daniel ultimately points to Jesus, the Son of Man No matter what kingdom rises or falls, no matter what suffering we face, our hope remains secure because Christ has defeated sin and death and will one day make all things new. Scripture: Daniel 12 If this message encouraged you, like this video, subscribe, and share it with someone who needs hope that endures. Encounter God. Follow Jesus. Experience Freedom. Make an Impact.

    Hope That Endures | Daniel 12 | Nathan Hughes
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

The Vertical Teaching Podcast features the weekly teaching from Vertical Church. Each episode is rooted in Scripture and designed to help you encounter God, follow Jesus, and experience freedom. Through clear, biblical teaching, we open God’s Word together and explore what it means to live as disciples of Jesus in everyday life. Whether you’re catching up on a Sunday you missed or revisiting a message to go deeper, these teachings will help you grow in faith, align your life with the truth of Scripture, and live a life that is vertical toward God and outward toward others.

Information

  • Creator
    Vertical Church
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    415
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Vertical Church. All Rights Reserved
  • Show Website
    Vertical Church Teaching

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