Hillsong South Africa's Podcast

In a world where identity feels increasingly blurred, this message calls us back to the heart of who we are. Rooted in Genesis 1:26–27, we’re reminded that we’re created in the image of a relational God—designed for connection, not isolation. As we explore the sacred gift of friendship, we look to Jesus, who called His disciples friends, modeling the kind of authentic, Christ-centered relationships we were made for. This is more than community—it’s a call to break down walls of fear, busyness, and self, and step boldly into God’s vision for wholeness and belonging.

God’s not done yet. This message reminds us to let go of the past and lean into the new thing He’s doing—greater, deeper, and full of purpose. Trust Him. Step forward in faith.

In this message, we journey with King David from guilt to grace, discovering the power of honest repentance and God's unwavering kindness. Psalm 51 reveals a heart laid bare—not just behaviour change, but deep inner transformation. It calls us to reflect: Are we still naming sin for what it is, or have we settled for compromise? As we come vulnerably before God, He meets us with restoring grace—grace that not only forgives but renews.

In this powerful message, we unpack the story of Nehemiah and Ezra to reveal a deeper truth: you can look put together on the outside and still be broken within. God isn’t after perfection—He’s after your heart.

At Hillsong, we believe the heartbeat of the Church is to move toward the world just as God first moved toward us. From creation to the cross, and through His Spirit today, God has always been about drawing close to humanity in love, grace, and power. Jesus stepped into our time, culture, and brokenness—not to stay distant, but to walk with us and bring hope. In the same way, we’re called to show up—to live lives that reflect His love, speak into culture with truth and compassion, and carry the presence of God into every space we’re in. It’s not just about believing; it’s about being the hands and feet of Jesus, living the gospel in a real and relevant way, so that others might encounter the God who sees, knows, and loves them.

Have you ever felt like your life swings wildly between highs and lows, making it hard to find stability? This message encourages us to discover peace and resilience by trusting in God's unchanging nature amidst our personal and collective struggles.

Pentecost is a powerful reminder of the life-changing presence of the Holy Spirit. As described in Acts 2, the Spirit came like a mighty rushing wind, filling the disciples with boldness, unity, and supernatural power. This was the birth of the Church — a moment that reshaped history and ignited a global movement. At Hillsong, we believe that same Spirit is moving today, bringing freedom, renewal, and purpose to our lives. From the underground churches of Bulgaria to the revival fires in France and South Africa, the Spirit transcends borders and breaks down barriers. He empowers us to rise, to speak, to love, and to live out the mission of Jesus. As we open our hearts, we cry out for a fresh wind from heaven — a divine breath that will stir revival, restore hope, and release a new wave of His presence across the earth.

At Hillsong, we believe every person is called to be a bringer—someone who has encountered the love and grace of Jesus and can’t help but invite others into that same life-changing experience. Inspired by Ephesians 4:16 and Acts 1:8, we’re reminded that the Church flourishes when each of us plays our part—serving, loving, and reaching out. Like the Samaritan woman who simply shared her story, we don’t need a platform, a title, or all the answers—just a genuine encounter with Jesus. It’s not about building crowds, but about building lives. As we step out in faith, bringing our world to Jesus, we’ll see hearts transformed and His Church strengthened—one person, one story, one invitation at a time.

Ephesians 4:16 (NIV) paints a powerful picture of the Church as a living, breathing body—held together by Christ and built up in love as each one plays their part. At Hillsong, we believe everyone has a place and a purpose. There’s no such thing as sitting on the sidelines in the Kingdom of God. You were created to contribute—your gifts, your heart, your worship—it all matters. Romans 12:4–8 reminds us that we’re uniquely gifted, and 2 Samuel 24:24 challenges us to bring an offering that costs us something—real contribution is always personal and poured out. But we also know this: apart from Jesus, it’s all in vain. John 15:5 reminds us that He is the vine, and we are the branches—everything we do flows from Him. So as we grow together, let’s be a Church that loves deeply, serves boldly, and builds the body through every act of faithfulness, because all contribute.

Ps Renaud led us to reflect on the way in which Jesus intended His Church to grow and build itself up in love. Together, we shine the light of Jesus, care for one another, and transform lives through love and support. Each of us has a unique role

In his Easter message, Phil Dooley celebrates the resurrection of Jesus as the central truth of the Christian faith, emphasizing that Easter is not just a date or religious tradition, but a personal, life-transforming encounter with a risen Savior. Through humor and heartfelt storytelling, he reflects on the surprise and emotional rollercoaster experienced by the women at Jesus’ tomb, highlighting that God meets us in our fear and grief with love, hope, and presence. He encourages listeners to expect the unexpected from a God who does the unimaginable, reminding them that Jesus stepped down to humanity not to enforce rules, but to offer relationship, peace, and victory over death. Ultimately, the message is a call to live boldly, share the good news, and embrace the love symbolized by the cross.

The message is a heartfelt and inspiring sermon focused on the compassion, power, and presence of Jesus, reflecting on the transformative story in Luke 7, where Jesus raises a widow’s son from the dead, emphasizing how Jesus sees us in our pain, is moved with deep compassion, and has authority over death itself. Through personal stories and biblical insights, the message highlights how Jesus doesn't just offer miracles but also sustains us through our suffering. It calls listeners to respond in three ways: to "rise up" and make Jesus Lord, to "sit up" and live differently as temples of the Holy Spirit, and to "speak up" by sharing the good news boldly. Ultimately, the sermon centers on the unchanging love and compassion of Jesus, urging everyone to receive new life through Him.

The message from the “Jesus and” series centers on three encounters at the cross, showing how Jesus offers freedom, faith, and forgiveness to all who believe. Barabbas, a guilty man, was set free in place of Jesus, representing the freedom we receive through faith. One criminal mocked Jesus, illustrating how pride and doubt can keep us from true faith. The other criminal believed, acknowledged his sin, and received immediate forgiveness, demonstrating the grace available to anyone who turns to Jesus. The core message is clear: no matter where you are in life, if you're seeking freedom, faith, or forgiveness—go to Jesus and believe.

Jesus challenges the Pharisees' rigid traditions, teaching that His message brings a new way of thinking that cannot be contained within old religious structures (Luke 5:33-39). He demonstrates this by healing a paralyzed man, welcoming sinners like Levi, and restoring a man’s withered hand, revealing that forgiveness heals, includes, and empowers (Luke 5-6). The Pharisees, blinded by pride and legalism, resist this change, but Jesus shows that true faith requires humility, repentance, and surrender. Just as some Pharisees, like Nicodemus and Paul, ultimately embraced Christ, we too must confront our own self-righteousness and allow Jesus to transform us.

Today Mahlatse unpacks the themes of doubt, faith, and the miraculous through the story of Jesus and Theophilus. With a heart for truth and authenticity, he encourages us to bring our questions before God, embrace faith even in uncertainty, and remain expectant for His supernatural work in our lives. This message is a reminder that doubt isn’t the opposite of faith—it’s an opportunity to lean in, trust deeper, and experience the miraculous love of Jesus in new ways.

As a church we are going to explore the powerful New Testament book together, inspired by Ps Robert Fergusson's book, 'Jesus and...' - where we will be diving deeper into all the characters who encountered Jesus and how we can learn more about Him and ourselves in the process.