The Summit Church

<p>Pastor Bryan continues in our series on 1 Corinthians.</p>

<p>In this short Christmas reflection, Pastor Curtis shows us that while Christmas may technically be over, the best part of the season lasts forever—Jesus is still with us. Even when it’s hard, even when we feel alone, even when it’s not Christmas, God is with us. And he will be forever.</p>

<p>In this message from Matthew 2, Pastor J.D. walks us through one of the most recognizable, iconic stories of Christmas: the coming of the Magi, or “Wise Men,” to see Jesus. Through the story of these mysterious men, we see several responses to Jesus—curiosity, hostility, indifference, and joy. In fact, these are the same four responses to Jesus we find today.</p>

<p>In this Advent message from Isaiah 40, Pastor Bryan walks us through a simple statement given to ancient Judah: “Comfort, comfort my people.” In these four words we learn of the matchless love of God, which comes to us in our pain and overcomes every mess we’ve made. Like Judah, we may be so beaten up and miserable that we are heaving and sobbing, gasping for air. In the midst of this distress, God draws us near, puts his hand on our back, and says, “I’m here. Breathe, breathe, breathe.”</p>

<p>In this Advent message from Isaiah 40, Pastor Curtis walks us through a simple statement given to ancient Judah: “Comfort, comfort my people.” Even amidst Israel's stubbornness, rebellion, and sin, God stands by his promises to send a Savior to rescue and restore them. No matter how ugly we make our lives because of sin, God stands ready to restore because of his great and powerful love.</p>

<p>In this message from our “Cutting Through the Noise” series, Pastor J.D. picks up the analogy Paul uses in chapter 9—of an athlete in training—and asks us, “How can we run like disciplined athletes in pursuit of the race God has set before us?” Athletes are ruthless, eliminating everything that stands in the way of winning. And we should be the same. Whether we’re looking at our personal preferences, our worship services, our political decisions, even our ethnic identity … we lay it all on the line for the sake of the gospel—that we might save some.</p>

<p>In this Thanksgiving weekend message from 1 Thessalonians 5:18, Pastor Curtis presses into the heart behind the holiday. What does it mean to be grateful? Is “giving thanks” only something we can do when life is going our way? And what does Jesus have to do with any of this, anyway? In the end, we’ll learn that—because of God’s presence with us—both the high times and the hard times are transformed into moments to see God’s goodness. Because of that, we can always, always, always say, “Thanks.”</p>

<p>In this message from 1 Corinthians 7, Pastor J.D. addresses an issue that is as relevant today as it was 2,000 years ago—divorce. Broken marriages affect so many of us in the church, and we often fail to apply gospel hope to this painful experience. But the Apostle Paul offers real-world wisdom and gospel hope to those who are divorced, those who have considered divorce, those who have been hurt by divorce. Essentially, to all of us.</p>

<p>In this final message from our “Begin Again” series, Pastor J.D. takes us to the tiny book of Haggai, showing what happens when God’s people put him first—and what happens when they don’t. Haggai teaches us something that’s easy to get, but far too easy to forget: Our hearts are continually drawn to invest in things that don’t matter, won’t satisfy, and can’t sustain us. Fortunately, there’s a better way.</p>

<p>In this message from Exodus 13, Pastor J.D. invites us to learn from the Old Testament people of God, who—like us—were coming out of their own trauma into a new land of opportunity. Our last couple of years have been tragic and unpredictable. We don’t know what the future holds. But we do know that God is still at work, both in the church and in the world. Now is not a time to shrink back in fear. It’s a moment for us to renew our commitment. To step forward in faith. To begin again.</p>

<p>In this message from 1 Corinthians 7, Pastor J.D. walks us through Paul’s teaching on sex, singleness, and spiritual gifts. When it comes to marriage and singleness, it’s easy for us to get disoriented. Outside the church, marriage seems less and less important. But inside the church, it can sometimes be elevated to the status of idol! So how do we understand God’s design for both marriage and singleness? Simple: We follow the example of the Apostle Paul.</p>

<p>In this message from Matthew 4, Pastor John Mark Comer carries us 6,000 miles away and 16 centuries into the past, into the ancient wilderness of North Africa. There, along with a desert monk named Evagrius, we learn about what it means to battle the devil. Yes, the devil. Hundreds of years later, the lessons Evagrius learned—about temptation, truth, liberation, and formation—remain as relevant as ever.</p>

<p>As we continue through the book of 1 Corinthians in our series, “Cutting Through the Noise,” Pastor J.D. explores a topic that is as contentious to us today as it was to the people in Corinth—sex. Our society has a lot of competing ideas about what sex is for and what makes sex good. God has ideas, too. And since sex was his idea, it’s well worth listening to the wisdom he has to share.</p>

<p>In this message from Genesis 3, Pastor Curtis dives into a topic that all of us have felt but few of us enjoy discussing—sin. By going back to the very first human sin, we’ll see what sin is, how it operates, and, ultimately, how it can be overcome. <br><br>Has your sin taken you farther than you wanted to go? Jesus has come to get you. <br><br>Has your sin kept you longer than you wanted to stay? Jesus has come to rescue you. <br><br>Has your sin cost you more than you wanted to pay? Jesus has paid your penalty.</p>

<p>In this message from 1 Corinthians 5, Pastor J.D. teaches about the messy but necessary process of church discipline. We may find it harsh to hear what the Apostle Paul says about those who persist in sin. But if we truly care about our people, if we truly care about the vulnerable, if we truly care about our neighbors, if we truly care about Jesus’ reputation ... we will be faithful to confront our brothers and sisters in love.</p>

<p>In this message from 1 Corinthians 4, Pastor J.D. teaches shows us what makes for a good (or a bad) leader. Whether you’re a pastor or a plumber, a stay-at-home mom or a shift leader at a small restaurant, at some point in your life you will lead others. The question, then, is not if you will lead others, but how you will lead. Our culture has a lot to say about leadership. But the gospel cuts through the noise of our culture, painting a picture of leadership that is known less for fame and pride and more for sacrifice and suffering.</p>

<p>In this message from the Gospel of Mark, Pastor Curtis shows us four ways Jesus challenges our assumptions about what it means to be part of the family of God. Is the church full of sinners? Yes. Is the church full of people who will mess up and let you down? Yes. And yet, is the church the divine-albeit-dusty body of Christ, the family of God, the one place you can truly and finally belong? Yes.</p>

<p>In this message, Pastor Bryan continues our series, “Cutting Through the Noise,” showing how the gospel overcomes not only division in the church, but hypocrisy in the church. Church conflict may be at a fever pitch. Cultural idols may have infected Jesus’ body. Still, hope remains. Because as long as we have the gospel, we have the cure in hand.</p>

<p>In this message, Pastor J.D. kicks off our series in the book of 1 Corinthians, showing how the gospel cuts through the noise and chaos of our lives. First up—the issue of divisions in the church. We may assume that church factions are a new phenomenon. But one glance at the church in Corinth reveals that dysfunction, division, and doctrinal chaos are as old as the church itself. And yet, in the midst of all this conflict, all this division, all this noise, the gospel provides a voice of clarity and a place of calm.</p>

<p>In this message from Genesis 32, Pastor J.D. tells the story of Jacob, a man who began his life as a deceiver and ended his life with a limp—but who, right in the middle, wrestled with God and received an unimaginable blessing. Jacob provides a model for all of us who have ever waited on God to answer us, unsure if he hears, he cares, or he will ever act. Through Jacob, we learn that many of the blessings of God are released into our lives only through persistent, unrelenting prayer.</p>

<p>In this message from Genesis 19, Pastor J.D. tells the story of Lot, Abraham’s nephew. Like us, Lot was allured by the world and its fast-paced, attractive life—but it didn’t happen overnight. The constant battle of what the heart loves reveals to us our desperate need for prayer. In our own battle, will we be like Lot, captured by the wonders of the world? Or like Abraham, interceding on behalf of the Lots God has placed in our lives?</p>

<p>In this message from Matthew 11, Pastor Bryan talks about true greatness. We all want to live satisfying lives. We all want to leave our marks for eternity. We all want to become, in a way, great. The problem isn’t in our desire for greatness, but in the path we choose to pursue it. Will we pursue greatness like the world—in status, acceptance, or circumstances? Or will we pursue true greatness—in the upside-down kingdom of heaven?</p>

<p>In this message from Daniel 10–12, Pastor J.D. walks through Daniel’s visions of receiving warnings and capturing hope. We see that hardship, persecution, and suffering have all been decreed, but they’re not the only decree: Jesus will reign forever and judge the living and the dead according to his righteousness. He will renew and restore all things, and his people will dwell with him forever. And as we live in the in-between, Daniel encourages us that though things are dark—and they are likely only to get darker—we don’t despair. It’s all part of the plan.</p>

<p>In this message from 1 Samuel, Pastor Bryan looks at one of the most iconic friendships in the entire Bible. King David and Prince Jonathan were two of the most accomplished people in their nation. What set them apart, though, was not their military achievement, but their committed, transparent, sacrificial friendship. Through these two men, we learn about true friendship, fake friendship, and the greatest friend God could ever give us.</p>

<p>As we continue our walk through the book of Daniel, Pastor J.D. highlights the most undervalued resource of the church—prayer. Discarded by many, prayer is the vehicle through which the blessings of God are released and the promises of God are enacted. In Daniel 9, we not only see five principles that make for effective prayer; we also get a one-of-a-kind glimpse into what happens in heaven as we pray.</p>

<p>As we continue our walk through the book of Daniel, Pastor J.D. tackles two of the most obscure prophecies in the entire book. Although the imagery can be confusing—lions and beasts and fiery thrones—the message is as timely as ever. What God says to Daniel he says to believers in every generation: If you are going to faithfully shine in the present, you need to have a crystal clear vision of the future. There’s two ways to look at the future--a stress-producing way and a peace-producing one.</p>

<p>Have you ever considered that all it takes is one verse, one sentence, one word to change your life forever? As Pastor Josh continues our series, “This Verse Changed My Life,” he walks us through Philippians 1:6.</p>

<p>Have you ever considered that all it takes is one verse, one sentence, one word to change your life forever? As Pastor Dustin continues our series, “This Verse Changed My Life,” he walks us through Hebrews 4:14-16.</p>

<p>Have you ever considered that all it takes is one verse, one sentence, one word to change your life forever? As Pastor Matt continues our series, “This Verse Changed My Life,” he walks us through Psalm 28:6-9.</p>

<p>Have you ever considered that all it takes is one verse, one sentence, one word to change your life forever? Pastor Curtis continues in our series, “This Verse Changed My Life” by taking us to a passage that has carried him more than once—Curtis addresses from Psalm 16:11.</p>

<p>Have you ever considered that all it takes is one verse, one sentence, one word to change your life forever? As Pastor John continues our series, “This Verse Changed My Life,” he walks us through John 15:1-5.</p>

<p>Have you ever considered that all it takes is one verse, one sentence, one word to change your life forever? As Pastor Bryan continues our series, “This Verse Changed My Life,” he walks us through 1 Corinthians 4:1–5, reminding us of the freedom we have when our identity is in the ultimate identity—Jesus.</p>

<p>Have you ever considered that all it takes is one verse, one sentence, one word to change your life forever? As Pastor Rich continues our series, “This Verse Changed My Life,” he walks us through Matthew 12:18-21.</p>

<p>Have you ever considered that all it takes is one verse, one sentence, one word to change your life forever? As Pastor Ricky continues our series, “This Verse Changed My Life,” he walks us through a passage that has repeatedly confronted the accidental Pharisee within—Galatians 2:15–21. Religion and the gospel: They might live in the same habitat, sing the same songs, pray the same prayers, read the same Bible. But one leads to life and the other, death.</p>

<p>Have you ever considered that all it takes is one verse, one sentence, one word to change your life forever? Pastor Curtis kicks off our series, “This Verse Changed My Life” by taking us to a passage that has carried him more than once—Abraham’s fateful journey up the mountain with Isaac in Genesis 22. God has used this passage—and this Book—to change people, to change lives, to change circumstances, and to change eternities. And he can do it again today.</p>

<p>As we continue our series through the book of Daniel, Pastor J.D. teaches on the most famous story in the book–Daniel in the lions’ den. Daniel provides an incredible example of courage in the midst of adversity. But as much as we make of Daniel’s night with the lions, his courage was actually forged long before that fateful night. Courage is not summoned in a moment; courage is developed through a lifetime.</p>

<p>In this message from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, Pastor Bryan challenges us to treat our enemies in a radically counter-cultural way. When we are wronged, nothing in the world seems more natural than replying in kind—"quid pro quo." Jesus calls us to overcome our enemies, not by insisting on our rights, but by laying them down. We win our enemies by losing our rights.</p>

<p>As we continue our series through the book of Daniel, Pastor J.D. preaches through Daniel 5, another story of God taking down a prideful, rebellious, selfish king. But this is much bigger than one king. Through this story, we’ll see God’s verdict on all of humanity: We have been weighed; we have been measured; and we have been found wanting. On our own, this news would crush us. But in Christ, all our insufficiency is swallowed up in his goodness.</p>

<p>As we continue our series through the book of Daniel, Pastor J.D. preaches about the danger of pride, the fruit of pride, and the cure of pride. In King Nebuchadnezzar, we see a mirror of our own story. As Nebuchadnezzar said, “All those who walk in pride God is able to humble.” That was true of Nebuchadnezzar. It’s true of Pastor J.D. And it’s true of every one of us.</p>

<p>As we continue our series through the book of Daniel, Pastor J.D. takes us to the fiery furnace of Daniel 3. Through the famous story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, we will see an example of courage that could only come from faith in God. These three young men knew that God was bigger than anything life can offer us. And more importantly, that God was better than anything death could take away.</p>

<p>As we continue our series through the book of Daniel, Pastor J.D. walks us through Nebuchadnezzar’s confusing dream in Daniel 2. Through this wild and startling story, we’ll learn to view our culture the way Daniel viewed his—not through assimilation, not through separation, but through transformation. Because what was true for Daniel is still true today: “There is a God in heaven.” So where human strategies fail, God begins to work.</p>

<p>Pastor Bryan invites us to hear the words of Jesus in Revelation 2, “You have left your first love.” Does God want us to do things for him? Of course. Does he want us to work hard and sacrifice for him? Of course. Does he want us to engage in ministry and to serve others? Of course. But we must never let what we do get in the way of our “first love”—Jesus Christ himself. Never, never, never confuse being busy for Jesus with the first love of Jesus.</p>

<p>This weekend, Pastor J.D. will be welcoming Rebecca McLaughlin for a Q&A session during weekend services. She is the author of Confronting Christianity: 12 Hard Questions for the World's Largest Religion. She'll be helping us dive into some of these hard questions starting at our Thursday evening services.<br><br>Some of the topics that will be discussed include conversations about gender and sexuality, which may not be appropriate for children.</p>

<p>As we begin our walk through the book of Daniel, Pastor J.D. calls us to see our lives as beacons of hope in a world of despair. Yes, the world we live in, like Daniel’s, is often very dark and hostile. But God doesn’t call us to escape this world. He calls us to transform it. <br><br>The book is about how to shine, how to thrive, in a very dark and hostile world. You see, unlike most of the other books in the Hebrew Bible, the book is set not in Israel, but in the heart of an enemy, pagan Empire where God’s people have been taken captive.<br><br>We’ll learn that the power to make a difference is only found in the commitment to be different.</p>

<p>As we finish our “In Step” series through the Gospel of Luke, Pastor J.D. walks us down the path to Jesus’ tomb. We’ve all walked that lonely path in one form or another over the past 12 months, wondering where life is headed. The bad news? It’s headed to the grave. The good news? It doesn’t have to stay there. Because of the resurrection, the path to true life doesn’t end at the grave. It begins there.</p>

<p>Pastor Jonathan continues our In Step series from the Brier Creek Campus.</p>

<p>Pastor Dustin continues our In Step series from the Blue Ridge Campus.</p>

<p>Everyone has a view of Jesus. Whether you're new to God or if you've been a Christian for sixty years. Everyone has a view of Jesus and we have a value of the cross. Capital Hills Campus Pastor John Muller dives into Luke 23.</p>

<p>As we continue our “In Step” series through the Gospel of Luke, Pastor Daniel takes us to a small hill outside Jerusalem to see the very center of the Christian faith—Jesus dying on a cross. Through this passage, we’ll see that it’s not enough to simply know that Jesus died; we need to know why he died—and how easy it is to miss him.</p>