City on a Hill Edinburgh
Welcome to City on a Hill sermon podcast where Pastor Peter Anderson and others share powerful and inspiring messages straight from the heart of Edinburgh and the Lothians. Join us each week as we dive into the Word, providing practical insights and timeless truths that resonate with your daily life. To stay connected and explore more, visit our website at www.cityonahill.org.uk.
Episodes
A costly sacrifice
In the final chapter of 2 Samuel, David’s decision to count Israel’s fighting men reveals his pride and misplaced confidence. As he faces the consequences, he discovers again that God is both just and abundantly merciful. This message also explores the cost of sin and how David’s sacrifice ultimately points us to Jesus – the perfect sacrifice who gave His life so that we might live.
David’s mighty men
Pastor Pete explores the parallel between David and Jesus by highlighting how both called ordinary, often broken, people and transformed them into mighty men and women of faith. Like David’s men, Jesus’ disciples are also called to follow Him, stand firmly in the grace and victory He has won, and go courageously by responding to His call to advance His Kingdom.
The leader that brings life
In this message, Pastor Pete looks at King David’s final public words, and what they reveal about godly leadership. He explores what makes a great leader, how God raises leaders regardless of their background, and how David’s final prophecy points to Jesus, the ultimate King who will reign over all mankind.
God delivers and rewards
In this message, Pastor Bruno explores how David, despite a life marked by wars, betrayals and mistakes, attributed all his victories and deliverances to God's character and grace. He invites us to reflect on whether we are "writing a song" of gratitude to God or of self-glorification and highlights that true spiritual rewards come from humility and genuine repentance, not from personal perfection
Blood speaks
In this message, Pastor Pete explores why bad things happen and how sin can be atoned for, using the events surrounding David, Saul and the Gibeonites to unpack the different causes of suffering and the consequences of sin. He then points to the Gospel, showing how Jesus, the ultimate Son, gave His life in our place to take away our sin.
The return of the King
As David returns to Jerusalem, we see a grieving king, a divided people and three very different responses to the king. Ultimately though, the Bible points to Jesus, the true King who offers mercy, calls us to treasure Him above everything, and who, one day, will return to make all things new.
Everything changes but God
Life is hard, but our suffering is not ultimate because God remains faithful. This message explores how we can bring our struggles honestly before God, trust Him while we wait, and find hope in His unchanging character.
All peoples need God
In this message on Psalm 96, Pastor Pete shares why all people are called to praise God, why everyone needs to hear of His greatness and why all other gods are false gods. He also explains that all nations are under His rule and that one day, He will return to judge the world in righteousness.
God is my refuge
In this message, Pastor Jude looks at Psalm 91 where we are reminded that God is our refuge and safe place. Through this psalm, God makes us certain promises, but most importantly, invites us into a relationship with Him.
Reasons to praise
Psalm 65 reminds us that praise belongs to God because of who He is and what He has done. As the God who answers prayer, forgives sin, rules over every power and nation, saves His people, and faithfully provides for their every need, He alone is worthy of our praise.
The majesty of the Lord
In this message, Pastor Paul reflects on how, as we contemplate creation, we see that the Lord is supreme, mindful and deeply caring. In response to His greatness and His care for us, we are reminded that each of us has a unique part to play in the world.
The skies and the Scriptures
In this message, Pastor Pete explains how God reveals Himself through creation and through Scripture, displaying His glory and His transforming truth. David’s humble response encourages us to seek God with the same heart, and to desire that our thoughts, words and lives would be pleasing to Him.
Absalom’s rebellion
Pastor Pete’s message on Absalom’s rebellion explores the destructive power of pride, ambition and unresolved bitterness, contrasting it with David’s humble trust in God during a time of betrayal. He concludes by showing how David’s tears point forward to Christ, whose sacrifice and grace provide the ultimate remedy for pride, bitterness and sin.
Family fallout
In this message, Pastor Duncan explores the devastating ripple effects of unchecked sin through the lives of King David, Amnon, Tamar, and Absalom. What happens when sin is left unchecked, leaders remain silent, and bitterness is allowed to grow. It reminds us that sin never stays contained; it spreads, destroys and leaves lasting damage in its wake. Yet, even in the darkness, we are reminded of o
My sin is always before me
In this message, Pastor Pete reminds us that sin can blind even the godliest of people, but genuine repentance opens the door to God’s grace. Though David’s sins were serious, they did not define his future. God restored him and preserved a legacy that points to His power of forgiveness and redemption.
David’s sin. God’s grace
2 Samuel 11 describes David’s sin and how far David has fallen from being a man after God’s own heart. It also shows however that God’s grace is big enough for the sinner but also for those sinned against. (Trigger warning as this message touches on issues of sexual violence and assault. )
A seat at the King’s table
2 Samuel 9 is one of the clearest pictures of God's grace in the Old Testament. Mephibosheth, a broken and forgotten descendant of Saul, expects judgement from King David but instead receives kindness, restoration, provision, and a permanent place at the king's table. As we explore this chapter together, we'll see how David's treatment of Mephibosheth points to God's amazing grace toward us throug
The Kingdom of God against the kingdom of darkness
David’s victories in 2 Samuel 8 and 10 show God’s promise being fulfilled through His appointed king, but they also point to the greater victory of Jesus, who came to defeat sin, death, and the devil and restore God’s kingdom of justice and righteousness.Today, we do not fight with violence, but respond by surrendering to Jesus, trusting God’s grace, sharing the gospel, loving our enemies, and wag
The Son of David
Pastor Pete explores God’s promise to David that he would always have a son on the throne. The message shows David’s passion for God’s house, and the near fulfilment of the promise in Israel’s kings and its ultimate fulfilment in Jesus, the eternal King. It contrasts those who recognised Jesus as the Son of David with the Pharisees’ spiritual blindness, highlighting how Satan always distorts peopl
The Ark returns
In this message, Pastor Pete explores the significance of the ark of the covenant as representing God’s presence and His holiness. He contrasts David’s wholehearted pursuit for God, Uzzah’s irreverence and Obed-Edom’s servant-heartedness, reflecting that ultimately, we are called to live with awe, gratitude and a love for God’s presence that overflows into joyful service.
The rise of the king
At the start of our 2 Samuel series, Pastor Pete introduces the transition from Saul’s downfall to David’s rise as part of God’s unfolding plan. He highlights three themes: God brings people down in His timing, people often cling to what they know is no longer right, and God raises people up in His perfect timing – ultimately pointing to Jesus as the true King.
He went on his way rejoicing
This Easter, Pastor Pete shares the story of the Ethiopian eunuch, who encounters God in the wilderness, when Philip explains Isaiah 53 and the good news of Jesus to him. Pastor Pete concludes by reflecting on how the eunuch went on his way rejoicing – a joy that can be equally ours when we encounter God.
Seven statements from the Cross
Pastor Pete explores the final seven statements of Jesus, spoken not from a place of earthly power, but from the Cross. Though uttered in suffering, these words define history itself and shape the lives of all those who believe and trust in Him.
The Good News
What is the Gospel and why do we need it? Pastor Adedoyin highlights man’s sinfulness and his need for redemption. She points to a God who is merciful and good, and who through the death and resurrection of Jesus, offers man a living hope - hope for salvation, eternal life and reconciliation with Him. We are encouraged to embrace the transformative power of the Gospel and to share this good news w
Living hope
Easter is the basis for us, as Christians, to have optimism in life. Pastor Pete’s Easter message explains that we can have hope, a living hope, that is based not on this life, but on what Jesus did at the Cross and on His resurrection.
Last at the Cross, first at the tomb
This Easter, we remember Mary Magdalene’s devotion to Jesus. She was the last at the Cross, and the first at the tomb – and as a result, the first to witness the resurrected Christ, the first to see and to hear Him, and the one chosen to announce the good news to His apostles.
The Revelation
The early church grew rapidly, but not easily. They faced pressure from the culture around them, the pull of their own sinful nature, and the reality of persecution. Some compromised, but many endured, holding fast to Christ, even at great cost. Jesus’ words in Revelation call the church to stay faithful, anchoring them in the reality that history is moving toward Him. We live with that same hope
The Church
In this message, Pastor Pete outlines the birth of the Church at Pentecost after the ascension of Jesus. He traces its journey through Acts and the epistles, before bringing it into the present day by reflecting on its current global state.
The King
In this message, we explore Jesus, not only as the King of Israel but also as the King of the world, thereby fulfilling God’s promise through His life, death, and resurrection.Discover what His Kingdom is like - a Kingdom of forgiveness, healing, restoration, and new life - and what it means to live under His reign.
The Son
Pastor Pete’s message explores the 400 years between the Old and New Testaments as a time of apparent silence, yet one in which God was actively working behind the scenes in fulfilment of prophecy. He then examines the hidden years of Jesus’ early life, showing God’s preparation quietly unfolding. Finally, he highlights Jesus’ public revelation at His baptism and the beginning of His ministry, rev
The prophets and exile
As Israel’s monarchy rose and fell, God raised up prophets to speak His truth and reveal His heart to the nation. Through warning, heartbreak, exile, and eventual return, their message kept alive a powerful hope: that God would one day send a deliverer to rescue His people.
The rise and fall of Israel
In this message, Pastor Peter explores how Israel’s rise and fall reveal the unseen spiritual battles that often shape everyday life. Israel’s struggles with idolatry and compromise were not merely political or cultural—they were deeply spiritual, often influenced by demonic forces. Through Israel’s story, we are invited to recognise our own daily battles with fear, temptation, and spiritual warfa
The birth of a nation
In the fourth message of the God story series, Pastor Pete explores Israel’s deliverance from slavery, their journey through the wilderness, the giving of the Law; in effect, the birth of a nation. He highlights how God formed Israel into a chosen people through redemption and covenant. The message connects this story to the Church today, as a chosen people and Jesus as our Passover Lamb.
Don’t stop short
What do we do when God brings us to the edge of His promise, but fear holds us back? Pastor Pete reflects on the twelve spies, contrasting the fearful report of ten with the faith of two, and challenges us to inherit God’s blessings as individuals and as a church.
The Seed of Promise
Though sin marred the perfect world God has created, His pursuit of humanity never ceased. Redemption through the Seed of Promise begins to unfold in the compelling story of Abraham.
The Fall
In this message, Pastor Pete examines Genesis 3, describing the fall of man as the saddest moment in history. Shaped by Satan’s subtle deception and humanity’s gullibility, this event brought sin into the world and helps make sense of its brokenness. At the same time, however, the Fall sets the stage for understanding God’s plan of salvation for mankind.
The Origin
Pastor Pete opens our God Story series with The Origin, a message affirming that God eternally exists and created the universe out of nothing. He emphasizes that mankind matters, as people are made in God’s image and are the pinnacle of His creation. He concludes by showing that the story of Genesis, and all of Scripture, ultimately points to Jesus as Lord.
Healthy humans
What does it really mean to have a healthy heart? In this message, Pastor Pete reflects on Proverbs 4:23, reminding us that just as physical health depends on a healthy heart, so does our spiritual well-being. Life flows from the inside out and we need to guard our hearts diligently, knowing that everything we do is shaped by what is within.
The people around you shape your life
Why are friendships becoming increasingly difficult to make and maintain? And what wisdom does God’s Word offer for building healthy, resilient, and long-lasting friendships?
How to make great decisions
What does it take to make wise decisions in life? Pastor Pete teaches that good choices come from relying on the Word of God, listening to the Holy Spirit and seeking guidance from trusted leaders and people around us.
The beginning of wisdom
How can a person truly gain wisdom? Pastor Pete draws from the book of Proverbs to highlight that wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord, and is expressed through awe and reverence towards God, a heart filled with love and obedience to Him, and a life lived for Him with humility and courage.
What is Christmas really about?
Pastors Adedoyin and Duncan sit down to reflect on the meaning of Christmas — from personal traditions and quick-fire questions to deeper reflections on the birth of Jesus, the incarnation, and what it means for our lives today. Together, they explore why Christmas matters, how it shapes our faith, and how we can respond with hope, joy, and trust in Jesus this season.
Jesus, the Light of the world
John’s Gospel opens not with a manger but with a bold declaration – the eternal Word who was with God and was God had stepped into the world. Pastor Pete shows how John, having witnessed Jesus’ life, death and resurrection, realised that He was truly God. This message invites us to engage with the great truths of Christmas as John presents them in Chapter 1 – the Word became flesh and the wonder o
The world needs light
Isaiah 9 speaks of external threats to Israel and the internal corruption of their hearts. These are challenges that mirror the worries and concerns of the world we live in and the darkness in people’s souls today. Pastor Pete shows how the coming of Jesus brings hope. The darkness of our hearts can only be overcome when we connect and stay connected with Him.
Glorification
Pastor Pete reminds us that God not only sees the future but has already secured it. From Romans 8, he unpacks the golden chain of salvation – those God foreknew, He predestined, called, justified, and glorified. Though glorification is still ahead of us, Scripture speaks of it as already done, assuring us it is guaranteed.
Adoption
The heart of Pastor Pete’s message is that God saved us to bring us into His family, choosing us to become His children. It emphasises the incredible truth that adoption was always God’s plan A – through Jesus Christ, we are made sons and daughters and co-heirs with Christ.
Reconciliation
In this message, Pastor Adedoyin dives into the incredible truth that although humanity’s relationship with God was shattered by sin, Jesus came to restore it fully. Through His perfect life, death, and resurrection, we become a new creation – brought back into God’s presence and freed from the sin that once separated us. As people reconciled to God, we’re invited not only to believe this good new
Justification
Pastor Pete’s message unpacks the meaning of justification. Through the Cross, Jesus took our guilt, not only declaring us justified, but also crediting us with His righteousness – this is a gift we receive when we place our faith in Him. Our eternal standing is secured, and we are welcomed into heaven not by what we have done, but by what He has done for us.
Redemption
In Part two of ‘The best news ever’ series, Pastor Paul look at the biblical theme of ‘Redemption’ - what it means, what it looks like and the freedom it brings us.
Propitiation
How can God’s justice and love meet? At the heart of Pastor Pete’s message is that propitiation is the act by which Jesus, through His sacrifice on the Cross, bore God’s righteous anger against sin and evil. In that moment, God’s justice was fully satisfied and His wrath turned away, allowing His love and mercy to be shown towards mankind.
We love God, love people, and make disciples
Jesus has given us a clear vision to love God, love people and to make disciples. Join us as we unpack this vision – it sets out our destination for the next season. We also include an important finance update from the past year.
We are City on a Hill
In Part 1 of our Vision series, Pastor Pete shares ‘We are City on a Hill’ – a message exploring the meaning behind our name, drawn from Matthew 5, and our calling to shine brightly as a welcoming church. We celebrate how God has worked through us in the last few years, shaping our influence and preparing us for what’s ahead.
The death of a king
Pastor Pete unpacks 1 Samuel 31, where God’s rejection of Saul and his death left the nation of Israel in mourning and despair. Yet, God had already prepared a new king in David, pointing us forward to the greater King, Jesus, whose kingdom is coming and who brings true hope to our dark and despairing world.
Getting through the worst day of your life
How did David get through the worst day of his life? Pastor Jude shows us how David’s response can guide us when we face our own hardest moments and how we too can find strength, hope and faith in God in the darkest of times.
When God rescues us from us
David, out of fear, fell into compromise, trapped in enemy territory and by his own choices. But, as Pastor Pete pointed out, God in His mercy rescued him from himself – not because David was right, but because He is good and He delivers us even from the snares of our own hearts.
Saul and the medium
When Saul faced silence from God, desperation drove him to seek guidance from a forbidden source – a medium at Endor. His compromise exposed his contradictions and led to a devastating word of judgement. Pastor Sammy reminds us that in our own desperation, we must resist harmful solutions and instead run to the Living God. True freedom and lasting hope are found not in the occult or human schemes,
Don’t follow fear
What happens when fear shapes our thinking? In 1 Samuel 27, David’s fear led to a season of compromise and costly decisions. But Pastor Pete calls us to guard our thoughts, to reject fear-driven decisions and to hold fast to God’s Word, trusting His promises above our fears.
Blessing or cursing?
Through all the turmoil of his life at the hands of Saul, David still chooses to honour, bless and forgive the king who curses him. The challenge to us is – how do we bless those who curse us?
Will you listen?
Today, Pastor Pete unpacks the story of David, Nabal and Abigail – a lesson on folly, wisdom, and the ability to listen. Nabal refuses to hear but David owns his folly and responds to Abigail’s wisdom, showing that true wisdom is a heart willing to listen and to be taught.
Convictions under pressure
What do you do when the perfect opportunity to get ahead means compromising your convictions? Pastor Pete unpacks 1 Samuel 24, where David spares Saul’s life, showing us what it looks like to trust God’s timing and live with integrity under pressure. Through David’s example, we are reminded not to cut corners, to honour leadership, and that ultimately, we reap what we sow.
Whose TRUTH do we choose?
In 1 Samuel 23, Pastor Duncan explores how David, surrounded by danger and betrayal, chooses to follow God’s truth over anything else. Discover what it means to walk in divine access, encouragement, and providence—especially when life feels like a walk through the wilderness. This message challenges us to ask: Whose truth are we choosing to follow today?
The church called Adullam
In today’s message, Pastor Pete unpacks how David, fleeing from king Saul, found true refuge in God, not in a cave. Unlike David, Saul offered false refuge by promising security to those who aligned with him, instead of God’s chosen king – a picture of how the world also offers empty promises today. But David, having found grace in God, extended the same grace to those who joined him in the cave,
Alone and on the run
David is desperate and terribly alone. He runs and his faith lapses. But God’s grace pursues him, provides for him and ultimately holds him fast. In this message, Pastor Paul encourages us to learn from David’s struggles in our walk with God.
True Christian friendship
In today’s message, we will explore the heart of true Christian friendship – a relationship grounded in honesty, vulnerability, love and selfless sacrifice. We recognise that Jesus is, in fact, our truest and most faithful friend – unfailing, ever-present and infinitely precious.
Lay down your crown
Pastor Pete unpacks Chapter 19, by showing how Saul’s jealousy towards David reflects the deeper human rebellion against God’s true, anointed King, Jesus. He reminds us that we are called to lay down our crown and refuse, like David, to take revenge. Instead, we are called to live as the Bible teaches us - by walking in the light and overcoming evil with good.
Jealousy
In 1 Samuel 18, Saul’s jealousy turns a moment of national victory into a personal crisis, as he sees David not as a friend but as a threat. His story warns us that when we let jealousy lead, it blinds us to God’s work and poisons our relationships.
God's battle
In a world where we face many battles and fears what helps us be courageous? We look at the famous account of David and Goliath to help answer this question.
God sees
God saw us long before we were born, just as He saw and knew David before he was chosen to be King. While the world chases image, our true worth lies in who we are inside, and ultimately, in who we become. Pastor Pete encourages us to invest in our inner life, so we become more like Jesus.
The King who will do all My will
Today’s message wrestles with God’s difficult command to eradicate the Amalekites. Through four different contrasts – human judgement vs divine justice, human regret vs divine ‘regret’, partial vs complete obedience, and arrogance vs humility – Pastor Pete explores the weight of God’s commands and the challenges they bring. Despite the hard message, it calls us to trust in God’s wisdom beyond huma
Courage trusts God and goes forward
Today’s message, delivered by Pastor Paul, centres on the story of Jonathan. In the face of overwhelming odds, Jonathan demonstrates remarkable courage. Trusting in God, he takes initiative and moves forward with faith and determination.
Faith over fear
‘Fear not’ is the most repeated command in the Bible, and yet many of us spend a lot of our time being afraid. In this message, Pastor Pete highlights the differences between faith and fear, encouraging us to be faith-filled believers, because faith sees a powerful God, trusts a powerful God, and moves a powerful God to act on our behalf.
The danger of living on the edge
Pastor Pete unpacks Chapters 11 and 12 to reveal our spiritual vulnerability when we step out from under God’s Kingship – whether by living in habitual sin, or by isolating ourselves from others. Although God is faithful to rescue us when we cry out to Him, we must remember that we have an enemy who is always on the prowl. To live spiritually victorious lives, we need to remain close to God, walk
God at work
Have you ever wondered if your ordinary, everyday life has purpose? Today, Pastor Adedoyin explores how God used a simple task – looking for lost donkeys – to set Saul on a divine path to kingship. Sometimes the most life-changing moments come through unexpected mishaps and mundane routines. God’s grace and providence meet us in the everyday, and Jesus, the true and obedient King, is always inviti
Give us a king
In this message, Pastor Pete considers the wrong reasons why Israel asked for a king. We too, like the Israelites, are often tempted to look for our security and identity in anything, except in God. But Jesus invites us to trust in Him as our true King, the One who, unlike human leaders, gives rather than takes.
Repentance - The key to victory
Today’s message focusses on 1 Samuel 7, where we see God at work, giving the Israelites a mighty victory over the Philistines. True repentance over our sins and a total trust in God can change our identity and lead to victory over battles.
Who can stand before the Lord?
Pastor Pete’s message today focusses on three points - relying on religious rituals without a true relationship with God will lead to disappointment and defeat; we stand before a holy God and there can be no place for idols and false gods in our lives; victory and restoration only come when we walk with Him with genuine commitment, trusting in Him rather in external signs.
The voice of God
Pastor Pete explores how Samuel heard God’s voice. He emphasizes the fact that God still desires to speak, but we must listen with a posture of gratitude and humility. God’s voice can also be a double-edged sword that can bring either an encouragement or a challenge.
Eli and his sons
Eli’s sons, Hophni and Phinehas, dishonoured God while young Samuel grew in faithfulness. In this message, Pastor Pete highlights the dangers of spiritual corruption and the importance of honouring God with our lives. Learn how God raises up the faithful and brings down the corrupt, pointing to the ultimate fulfilment of priesthood in Jesus Christ.
Hannah's prayer
Today, we kick off a new series on 1 Samuel called “A Heart After God.” We begin where the book does—with a young woman longing for a child.
Being human
According to the Bible, human beings are made up of three parts – spirit, soul and body. In this message, Pastor Pete explores our tripartite nature and the significance of having a spirit, that part of us which is designed to be in relationship with God.
