The Summit Church

<p>As we continue our “In Step” series through the Gospel of Luke, Pastor J.D. takes us along the road to the cross, where we will meet a handful of different people—each of whom has a different response to Jesus’ sacrifice. Luke doesn’t just record their stories because these people were there; he records their stories because in them, we see ourselves. Their stories are our stories. They prompt the question, “How will you respond to Jesus?”</p>

<p>As we continue our “In Step” series through the Gospel of Luke, Pastor Ricky preaches about the ways that God shows up in the storms of our lives. The storms are real. But so are God’s promises. If we want to have faith in the storm, we need to keep the resume of God’s promises near at hand.</p>

<p>Pastor Curtis continues our In Step series from our Brier Creek Campus location.</p>

<p>As we continue our “In Step” series through the Gospel of Luke, Pastor J.D. preaches about the most famous parable Jesus ever told—the story of the Prodigal Son. There’s a reason this parable is so popular: In it we see the biography of all of human history, the story of every single one of us. And we see a picture of God’s extravagant love that is more astounding and more surprising than anything we had ever dared to hope.</p>

<p>As we continue our “In Step” series through the Gospel of Luke, Pastor J.D. asks us to count the cost of truly following Jesus. When Jesus called his first disciples, he warned them that it was going to cost them everything. The path of discipleship hasn’t changed. Are we willing to count the cost, laying aside what we value most for what he offers us?</p>

<p>As we continue our “In Step” series through the Gospel of Luke, Pastor Raudel calls us to stand in awe before God’s perfect, otherworldly, mind-blowing holiness. If we saw God for who he truly was—in all his holiness—we would either die of fear or die of pleasure. Thankfully, in Christ, we can meet the gaze of this holy God, not in condemnation, but in overwhelming compassion.</p>

<p>As we continue our “In Step” series through the Gospel of Luke, Pastor J.D. invites us to view Jesus the way his original disciples did: with overwhelming awe at his radical love. Because when we see the radical love of Jesus for us, we will respond with radical surrender to him. Our lives—and the world—will never be the same.</p>

<p>As we continue our “In Step” series through the Gospel of Luke, guest pastor Clayton King walks us down the Emmaus road of Luke 24, showing us a picture of God’s grace that pursues us, often in unseen ways. God’s grace opens our eyes to see the resurrected Jesus and opens our hearts to the astounding love of God.</p>

<p>As we continue our “In Step” series through the Gospel of Luke, Pastor Curtis teaches about a wee little man we all know—Zacchaeus. What changed Zacchaeus? Not biblical principles. Not personal devotion. Not religious duties and deeds. No, what changed Zacchaeus is what changes us—a glimpse of God in the flesh.</p>

<p>As we continue our “In Step” series through the Gospel of Luke, Pastor J.D. teaches about a defining feature of those who follow Jesus: They care for the vulnerable, the weak, the helpless, and the forgotten. Followers of Jesus care for the vulnerable and the helpless because, before God, we are vulnerable and helpless, too.</p>

<p>As we continue our “In Step” series through the Gospel of Luke, Pastor J.D. talks about the cosmic struggle between God and Satan, a struggle that bears on our lives every day. We’ll see that apart from God’s power, even the best attempts to change are ultimately doomed to fail. But with God’s power, not only can we survive, but we can actually plunder the Enemy.</p>

<p>As we continue our “In Step” series through the Gospel of Luke, Pastor Bryan answers a question we all wrestle with: “How do we scratch the soul’s itch to be free?” The freest people on earth have one thing in common: They’ve all received an unmerited, performance-free, astounding gift of grace.</p>

<p>As we continue our “In Step” series through the Gospel of Luke, Pastor J.D. teaches about a paralytic man and his friends, all of whom were desperate to get close to Jesus. But as we’ll see in this story, as eager as they were to get to Jesus, Jesus was even more eager to extend forgiveness to them. And to us.</p>

<p>As we enter the new year, Pastor Jason invites us to consider the treasure we have in the gospel. In difficult and uncertain times, the light of the gospel shines even brighter. But what should overwhelm our souls is that God chooses to house this precious gospel in us.</p>

<p>As we celebrate Christmas 2020, Pastor J.D. shows us that one of the most familiar nativity stories in the Bible contains a radical, beautiful truth: Jesus came for the poor, the messy, the forgotten, and the guilty.</p>

<p>This Christmas season, Pastor Curtis invites us to see God through the eyes of Mary. Mary lived in the middle of a confusing, worrisome situation—and yet she left singing. If we saw God the way Mary did, we would sing, too. And because of Christmas, we can.</p>

<p>As we enter the Christmas season, Pastor J.D. tells the story of Anna and Simeon, two of the first people to meet Jesus. Unlike so many others who missed Jesus, Anna and Simeon were able to recognize the unexpected majesty of the newborn King. Their story raises the question for us: Will we see Jesus this Christmas?</p>

<p>In this sermon on James 1:2–6, Pastor Daniel preaches about the believer’s hope in the midst of trials. Suffering in this life is real, but when we see our suffering with the lenses God gives us, we realize that God provides for us in our trials—not only with a purpose, but with his very presence.</p>

<p>As we continue our “In Step” series through the book of Luke, Pastor J.D. teaches about the scandal of grace. Grace offends most people, particularly religious people. We are hard-wired to think that our worth is a result of what we do. Do good things, get good outcomes. Do bad things, get bad outcomes. Grace throws this whole system aside. And thank God it does, because without the scandal of grace, none of us would have any hope.</p>

<p>As we continue our “In Step” series through the book of Luke, Pastor J.D. teaches what it means to “live ready” for Jesus’ return. Are we awake to the task Jesus left for his church, or are we asleep at the wheel? Are we confident Jesus will return soon, or do we live without urgency? As followers of Jesus, we should live in such a way that only makes sense if we believe Jesus could be back at any moment.</p>

<p>As we continue our “In Step” series through the book of Luke, Pastor J.D. preaches about a sickness that most of us have, but few of us realize—the sickness of greed. Part of what makes greed so deadly is our inherent blindness to it. Jesus simply assumes that greed is a problem for all of us! But he also offers us a radical, gospel-shaped antidote.</p>

<p>As we begin our “In Step” series through the book of Luke, Pastor J.D. dives into one of Jesus’ most recognized parables. It’s a story about two men who built identical houses—with tragically different results. The only difference? Their foundation. In these times of uncertainty, as our very lives seem shaken, it’s a perfect time to make sure our lives are built on a foundation that will endure.</p>

<p>In this final message in our “Flags” series, Pastor Bryan preaches about unity in the body of Christ. It’s a sad fact that for many followers of Jesus, we have allowed MSNBC, Fox News, and CNN to disciple us more than Jesus. As political division and polarization increase, God calls our church to a different reality. The way forward is to remember that however divided we may be politically, in Christ, we are all on the same team.</p>

<p>In this message on Matthew 11:28–30, Pastor Curtis offers a welcome word to a weary world: “Rest.” We live our lives at a frenzied pace—addicted to technology, disconnected from others, struggling with anxiety and depression. We’re soul tired. But ironically enough, admitting we’re tired is the first step on the road to recovery. Are you ready for an intervention?</p>

<p>In this second message of our “Flags” series, Pastor J.D. explores several myths that are common in our approach to politics, both outside and inside the church. By focusing instead on Jesus’ revolutionary claim to Pilate in John 18, we’ll see that Jesus’ kingdom puts every other earthly kingdom—and political party—into stark perspective. It is a perspective that can transform cynicism and despair into hope and urgency.</p>

<p>In this first message of our “Flags” series, Pastor J.D. shows us that the hope of the gospel unites the most unlikely of people from all tribes, tongues, nations ... and even political parties. As members of Christ's eternal kingdom, we can declare that even in moments of great division, Jesus retains the power to heal, restore, and offer an eternal hope.</p>

<p>In this message on 1 Samuel 14, Pastor Jason encourages us to take the posture of Jonathan. A prince in the nation of Israel, Jonathan didn’t lean on his power, position, or potential. He leaned on the promises of God, even when—especially when—the road ahead was unknown. Through Jonathan, we’ll learn that in the economy of the Kingdom of God, an investment in personal strength is an investment in a crashing market.</p>

<p>In this message on Acts 7–8, Pastor J.D. teaches on The Summit Church’s fourth core value: “We send every member.” Because Jesus sent his Spirit to us, the question is no longer if we are called to join in his mission. It’s only a matter of where and how. Living “sent” isn’t a special calling for our church planters and missionaries. It’s a calling for you.</p>

<p>In this message on Matthew 28, Pastor J.D. teaches on The Summit Church’s third core value: “We make disciples, not just converts.” Most churches celebrate how many people attend services or “make decisions” or get baptized. But our central commission, as a church, is much simpler—and much harder: We are called to make disciples.</p>

<p>In this message on Jeremiah 29, Pastor Bryan shows us a counter-cultural truth: When we live for our own agenda, we don’t find fulfillment, but emptiness. However, when we put our agenda aside and live for God’s agenda, we catch the side effect of fulfillment along the way. And what is that agenda? “Seek the welfare of the city.”</p>

<p>In this message on 1 Corinthians 9, Pastor J.D. explains one of the core four values of The Summit Church, “We do whatever it takes to reach all people.” Believers aren’t meant to be stagnant ponds—receiving, receiving, receiving. We’re meant to be rivers where gospel water flows through us to others. So we get comfortable being uncomfortable, knowing that Jesus wants people from every tribe, every tongue, and every background to be welcomed into his family.</p>

<p>In this message on 1 Corinthians 15, Pastor J.D. begins a deep dive into the mission and values of The Summit Church with Value #1, “We prioritize the gospel above all.” The gospel alone transforms us, empowers us, unites us, propels us. This is why the Apostle Paul puts the gospel in a special class all by itself—because a church without the gospel at the center is a church without power.</p>

<p>This may be the most encouraging message you didn’t want to hear. In this final message on 1 Peter, Pastor J.D. shows how Christians can survive in a hostile, cruel, and chaotic world. In fact, not only can we survive; we can thrive. But it’s not how we might expect. Following Peter’s example, we’ll see that the Christian life, while far better, is not necessarily easier.</p>

<p>The Beatitudes show us the upside-down nature of the kingdom of heaven which stands in stark contrast to the world. Jesus begins his Sermon on the Mount with the Beatitudes, and he starts with those who are poor in spirit—the humble. If we want to live a truly humble life, we have to fix our eyes on Jesus, having a mind consumed with him. We have to abide in Christ.</p>

<p>Listen to four of our campus pastors as they share what God has been teaching them over the last several weeks.</p>

<p>In light of some of the horrific acts of the past few weeks, many people in our church—especially people of color—are hurting. In this conversation between Pastor J.D. and some leaders of color at the Summit, we begin to process where we are and where we need to go.<br><br>Honoring Christ in a moment like this means listening to those who hurt, lamenting with them, bearing their burdens, and walking forward with them. A racially reconciled church requires more than just sentiment. It requires the humility to listen to one another, the empathy to see situations from others’ perspective, and the commitment to pursue justice together, laboring for the dignity of others as fiercely as we would our own children.</p>