Many people think of the Bible as just a book of rules and regulations. And, the Old Testament tends to be especially intimidating, because it appears to be full of impossible standards we can never live up to. As we continue our series called, The Whole Story, Pastor J.D. explains the true purpose behind all of God’s standards. It’s an important reminder about our desperate need of God’s grace.

Yom Kippur, or the Day of Atonement, is the holiest of all the biblical feasts. And traditionally, the activities of this solemn day centered around two goats. One was sacrificed, while the other was sent into the wilderness as a scapegoat, symbolically carrying away the sins of the people. As Pastor J.D. continues our series called, The Whole Story, he explains how this ancient practice points to Jesus!

As we continue our series called, The Whole Story, Pastor J.D. dives into a part of the Bible you don’t usually hear a lot about: the book of Leviticus. We’re learning how the traditional celebration of Yom Kippur serves as a sign—pointing us to Jesus!

The story of Joseph and his many-colored coat is one of the more popular accounts in the Old Testament. But it’s more than just an interesting story. From being sold into slavery by his brothers, thrown into prison, and then rising to power and being reunited with his family, Joseph’s life is a beautiful picture of God’s sovereign plan. And that’s our subject as Pastor J.D. continues our series titled, The Whole Story.

It’s easy to say you trust God. But when things go wrong, and your child gets a scary diagnosis or your business goes under, it’s hard to see how that fits into God’s plan. Pastor J.D. is tackling those doubts as he continues our overview of the Bible called, The Whole Story. We’re getting an important reminder of God’s sovereign control in every situation.

Our culture tells us that the key to happiness is finding your soul mate. But then, when marriage gets hard, we start looking for something else to fill us up, like a career, children, or a hobby. But it never really satisfies! Pastor J.D. is pointing us to the only source of lasting joy as he continues our series called, The Whole Story.

The movies often make it seem like romance is the answer to all of our problems. Guy kisses girl, and they live happily ever after. But we all know that real life doesn’t work that way! No matter how happy your relationship might be, it’s not a guarantee of a happy life. As Pastor J.D. continues our series called, The Whole Story, he’s explaining the key to true, lasting joy, regardless of your relationship status.

When you picture “the good life,” what comes to mind? Financial security? A happy marriage? A successful career? None of those things are wrong on their own. But Pastor J.D. explains that they will never truly bring you satisfaction. We’re discovering the only source of security and significance as we continue our series called, The Whole Story.

What do you do when the thing you’ve been dreaming about doesn’t fulfill you like you thought it would? Pastor J.D. addresses that question as he continues our series called, The Whole Story.

Noah’s Ark is one of the most popular stories in the Bible. It’s an especially big hit with kids. In fact, you’ve probably seen picture books and nursery décor with the animals going up two-by-two into the boat. But when you look at the actual story as it’s told in the Bible, it’s definitely not G-rated! As we continue our series called, The Whole Story, Pastor J.D. explains what Noah’s story reveals about our sin, God’s wrath, and the plan of redemption.

If you asked a few people to name their favorite aspect of God’s character, you’d probably hear things like, “his love” or “his grace.” His wrath usually won’t be at the top of the list! But Pastor J.D. explains that God’s wrath isn’t something to be covered up, ignored, or minimized. It’s actually an important, beautiful part of who God is! And we’ll see why that is as we unpack the story of Noah’s Ark. It’s part of our series called, The Whole Story.

It doesn’t take more than about ten minutes of listening to the news to know that our world is pretty messed up. Between wars, hate crimes, and mass shootings, it can all seem pretty overwhelming! But how did things get this way, and is there any way to fix it? Pastor J.D. tackles those questions as he continues our series called, The Whole Story.

Most people like to think of themselves as a “pretty good person.” But Pastor J.D. is challenging that notion as he continues our study in Genesis. He’s showing that, if we’re honest with ourselves, we know we’re not as good as we should be. So why is that, and what can we do about it? It’s part of our series called, The Whole Story.

If you grew up in the Western world, you’re probably familiar with the Genesis account of creation. But why did this story get included in the Bible? Is it just for the sake of our curiosity, so we know where we came from? Pastor J.D. explains that this story actually has much bigger implications. As we continue our series called, The Whole Story, we’re discovering what the creation account reveals about God’s design for us.

Almost every culture and every religion has their own creation story—their idea of how everything started. And that story says a lot about how the people in that culture view themselves. Well, Pastor J.D. is unpacking the true story of creation. He’s explaining how we were created—and what that says about our ultimate purpose. It’s part of our series called, The Whole Story.

When you pick up a Bible, you’re actually holding sixty-six books, written by more than thirty authors over a span of thousands of years. And yet, it all tells one story! And that’s the subject of our series titled, The Whole Story. We’re going to go from Genesis to Revelation, hitting most of the major events in-between. But before we get to Genesis, Pastor J.D. kicks off the study with a quick stop in the book of Psalms.

What kind of memories do you have of your dad? Maybe he was a good father or, maybe your relationship has been strained. Pastor J.D. explains that no matter what our relationships with our earthly dads look like, we all have some sort of childhood wounds. In a series titled, Foretold, we’re learning how our heavenly father heals all wounds.

As Pastor J.D. continues our series called, Foretold, we’re looking at some Old Testament prophesies in the book of Isaiah. As we study the reign of Ahaz, King of Jerusalem, we’ll learn more about Ahaz’s reign, and an event that pointed to the coming Savior—700 years before the birth of Jesus.

Around Christmas time, we hear and see the words—For to us a child is born everywhere. And we know the verse is talking about Jesus. But for most of us, that’s all we know about it. Join us as Pastor J.D. dives into the context behind this familiar Christmas passage. It’s a message from our series, Foretold.

As a kid, you probably believed a lot of stories about the Christmas season that you later learned were a bit exaggerated or made up entirely. So, is the story of Jesus’ birth just another story? Pastor J.D. addresses that question on Summit Life as he continues our series called, Foretold.

In Jesus’ interaction with the Samaritan woman, we are supposed to hear him speaking words of life to us and learning more about who he is. In this message, Pastor J.D. shows how we are all like the Samaritan woman—searching for something that will satisfy and always coming up thirsty

In this special Christmas message from John 4, Pastor J.D. Greear walks us through a story that demonstrates the beauty of the incarnate Christ, whose coming we celebrate during this Christmas season.

Jesus could have come to earth as the lion, but instead he came as the lamb who conquered death and now offers salvation to anyone who humbly receives it. Pastor J.D. continues to look at our response to who Jesus is by walking through the third question we must answer, after we understand that Jesus knows everything about us and loves us anyway: Will we follow him?

In his incarnation, Jesus personified God’s defining characteristics of grace and truth. Yet religion often espouses one without the other, to the point of condemnation and exclusion. In this message, Pastor J.D. continues to walk through Jesus’ resume in John 1 to show how Jesus is the glory of God in the flesh and how to respond to his offer of grace and truth and eternal life.

In his incarnation, Jesus personified God’s defining characteristics of grace and truth. Yet religion often espouses one without the other, to the point of condemnation and exclusion. In this message, Pastor J.D. continues to walk through Jesus’ resume in John 1 to show how Jesus is the glory of God in the flesh and how to respond to his offer of grace and truth and eternal life.

In this message from the Gospel of John, Pastor J.D. takes us through what we can think of as Jesus’ resume, to better understand who Jesus was and is. With so many misconceptions of Jesus prevalent in today’s world, this is a task that is immensely important. Perhaps you’ve encountered churches that have embodied grace, but not truth (or vice versa). If so, you can rest in the assurance that the Jesus who took on flesh and dwelt among us is full of both grace and truth.

Jesus said that money is the top competitor in our hearts for God, and what we do with our money reveals who is really the Lord of our lives. In this message, Pastor J.D. concludes a series on opening our hands with our time, talent, and treasure to show just how much the gospel has changed our lives by teaching the two ways Zacchaeus demonstrated that he had been changed by grace.

In today’s teaching from the Gospel of Luke, Pastor J.D. leads us through what is likely a familiar story for many—the story of a tax collector named Zacchaeus whose life was forever changed by a glimpse of Jesus. This man who was despised by many was willing to do whatever it took to see the Savior, and as a result, the grace offered by Jesus changed not just his behavior, but his heart.

We may recognize the time, treasure, and talents God has given us, but have we asked God for his purpose in giving them to us? Pastor J.D. continues to teach in this message about investing our lives in God’s kingdom by sharing what keeps so many of us from investing our resources wisely

In this message from the Gospel of Luke, Pastor J.D. looks at the parable of the ten minas, where we see that, likewise, sowing a harvest with our resources can also involve risk. But when the risk is for the building up of God's kingdom, it's always worth it.

The way to reap a bountiful harvest is not by collecting and spending but by giving and trusting. Pastor J.D. continues in this message to show how living like Christ, not money, is what brings happiness by looking at five laws of the harvest.

In this message from the Gospel of Luke, Pastor J.D. looks at one of the most revolutionary principles in all of Jesus’ teaching—the “law of the harvest.” It’s as simple as it is profound: As you give, it will be given to you. Sounds wise enough, maybe even encouraging.

Because Jesus rose from the dead, we know what’s coming, and we know that only what’s done for the sake of the gospel will last—and that’s why we can let go of the things that will soon have no value for the one thing that has infinite value.

In this message from the Gospel of Luke, Pastor J.D. walks through the story of a man who missed out on an enormous (actually, an eternal) opportunity—all because he was too afraid to take a risk.

A lot of people become interested in church because they realize that something is missing from their life. They expect that being a Christian will give them a new sense of purpose, a better family, or comfort during a hard time.

Tragically, there are a lot of pastors out there who have used the Bible to manipulate their listeners into giving, promising financial blessing from God as a result. But that’s a far cry from the true heart behind biblical generosity!

Even more than politics, money is usually considered an impolite topic to bring up at parties. But as we continue our series called All-In, Pastor J.D. is diving into this sensitive subject. He’s describing the biblical principles for handling wealth, and you might be surprised by a few of them!

Whenever a pastor starts talking about money, people usually start squirming in their seats. It’s an extremely touchy subject, and it’s also an area where a lot of people have felt manipulated or taken advantage of in the past.

There’s a cliché phrase we often use when someone gets saved. We say that they “gave their life to Jesus.” But what does that really mean? How will our day-to-day lives look different if we’re really surrendered to God?

Everyone wants to experience God’s blessing, but how do we really grab ahold of that? What does it take to get the abundant life it talks about in Scripture? Pastor J.D. describes the biblical answer to that question as he continues our series called, All-In.

In our series called All-In, Pastor J.D. is walking through the stories of five Old Testament characters who each give us a picture of what it means to be fully committed to God’s mission. This series was originally preached to Pastor J.D.’s home congregation, The Summit Church in Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina, but the principles apply to every believer and every local church.  

If you ever flip through one of those picture book Bibles for kids, one of the first stories you’ll noticed is Noah and the Ark, usually accompanied by a cute illustration of little animals walking two-by-two into the ark. But this account isn’t just a nice story about God saving some animals from a flood; it’s a powerful foreshadowing of the gospel. That’s our subject as we begin our study called All-In.

Did you know that Esther is one of only two books in the Bible named for a woman? It’s been a pretty controversial book. But not because it is named for a woman, but because God’s name is not mentioned— not even one time—in the whole book! Thankfully, however, God has kept it in the Bible for us—because it really has something important to teach us. Today Pastor J.D. will wrap up a quick trip through Esther and we'll hear the timeless challenge that it is always the right call to risk it all for the sake of Jesus. Jump right into Chapter 4 with us.

Pastor J.D. opens up Esther, a book that surprisingly lacks the name of God, yet is mysteriously full of God at work. We’re going to see that God has sovereignly arranged our circumstances, just like Esther's, to be strategically involved in his mission. Grab your Bible, and take some notes as we dive in.

Psalm 91 seems to say that if you trust God, nothing bad will happen to you, and your life will go smoothly. And, well, maybe then if things aren’t going well, you must not be trusting God. That’s troubling, right? It almost sounds like karma. Pastor J.D. uses Romans 8:28 to show us how the promises of Psalm 91 are still true. Today, we’re concluding our series called, Help.

There are some passages in the Bible I’m just not sure what to do with. Well, maybe more than “some”. The Psalms of help and protection especially fall in that category of Scripture I’m not sure if I’m really using correctly. It seems like we gravitate toward them, but I have a hard time applying them to my life.

I’ve started to rely more and more on the different GPS apps on my phone—not because I don’t know my way around, but because they get real-time traffic information and can correct my course. It’s more of a guide than just a map. Today, Pastor J.D. lovingly shows us that what we need is a relationship with a constant guide who, at every point, can provide the next piece. Let’s join in as he concludes his message from Psalm 25.

No matter how strong our faith is, we all have moments when we come to the end of ourselves. The problem is, if we’re honest, we aren’t sure if God can meet us in that place. But Pastor J.D. explains that if we offer our desperation to God in prayer, we will find him eager to listen, eager to forgive, eager to heal, eager to step in and help.

Sometimes it's easy to think about missions and evangelism as a task for "elite Christians" who God calls to be pastors or missionaries. But as we continue our series, "Be the Movement," Pastor J.D. shows us that God wants to use all of us to live on mission for him—yes, God wants to use YOU!

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.

In this message on Matthew 28, Pastor J.D. teaches on a 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.

Believers aren’t meant to be stagnant ponds who are always receiving and never pouring into other people. Instead, we’re meant to be rivers where gospel water flows through us to others. In this message from our series, "Be the Movement," Pastor J.D. talks about how Jesus wants us to take the good news of the gospel to every tribe, tongue, and nation—truly pursuing ALL people in our communities with the love of Jesus.

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.

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.

We all want to make our lives count. We want to use our gifts and abilities to change things for the better. And as Christians, we’ve each been given a spiritual gift that we’re supposed to use to advance God’s Kingdom!

What’s the difference between attending a Christian movie and being part of a church? They both involve a bunch of people listening to someone talk about Jesus. But that’s not all church is supposed to be! As he continues our series called, Rushing Wind, Pastor J.D. reminds us that we’re called to be so much more than just an audience at church.

Take a minute right now to think back to your childhood. What was the best present you were ever given? Maybe it was a new bike one Christmas, or a puppy! Or maybe you were one of the lucky kids who got a car for their sixteenth birthday.

When you sit down to pray, what do you talk about? Maybe you run through a list of people in your life who need healing, or you reflect on everything you’re grateful for. Those are all great things to pray about and should definitely be part of your normal routine. But Pastor J.D. is reminding us of the most important prayer request, one that might have slipped your mind! It’s part of our series called, Rushing Wind, and we’re in Luke 11:11.

How do we become more like Jesus? Is it by reading our Bibles more, getting an accountability partner, or volunteering at church? Those are definitely good steps, but they only deal with surface-level issues. As he continues our series called, Rushing Wind, Pastor J.D. explains how the Holy Spirit works to transform our hearts and our desires, to change us from the inside out.

In our series on the Holy Spirit called, Rushing Wind, we’ve learned who the Holy Spirit is and why we need him in our lives. In this message, Pastor J.D. gets really practical, explaining how you can experience the Holy Spirit in your own life. We’re learning how to tap into the Spirit’s power so we can do God’s work in the world.

As Pastor J.D. continues our series called, Rushing Wind, we’re studying the third person of the Trinity and learning how to live in the power of the Holy Spirit. Pastor J.D. explains what the “filling of the Spirit” is, when it happens, and how it happens. We’re in Ephesians 5:18-21.

Some Christians think you can receive the Holy Spirit months or even years after you’ve been saved. They believe that when he comes, there will be a clear, outward sign, like speaking in tongues or prophesying. Others think you’re sealed with the Spirit when you’re first saved, and that’s your only experience with him!

When we give our lives to Jesus, the Bible says we’re sealed with the Holy Spirit. But what does that mean? Is the Spirit just a stamp we get in our spiritual passport to make sure we’ll get into heaven? As he continues our series called, Rushing Wind, Pastor J.D. explains that we aren’t just sealed with the Spirit. We’re also filled with the Spirit!

Cars either run on gasoline or electricity. If you tried to fill your car up with something else, like soda, you wouldn’t get very far! For a car to work, it has to be drawing from the right power source. And the same is true of us!

When scientists began experimenting with electricity in the 1800s, a whole new world of possibilities opened up. This incredible power source had always existed, but they’d never before been able to tap into it.

The word “charismatic” has very strong connotations for Christians today, and it can be extremely divisive. But as he continues our series called, Rushing Wind, Pastor J.D. gives us clarity on this issue, revealing what the Bible really says about the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of believers.

In certain churches, the Holy Spirit is talked about as something you experience during worship, when the music crescendos and you get a surge of emotions. Or, when we’re praying about a decision and we feel a warmth in our chest, we think that that’s the Holy Spirit telling us which way to go.

In some churches, you’ll hear a lot of talk about God the Father and Jesus Christ, but the Holy Spirit seems to sort of get pushed to the side. In other churches, people focus so much on trying to hear from the Holy Spirit, that they’ll interpret anything and everything as a sign from him. So which side is more biblical? What role is the Holy Spirit supposed to play in our churches and in our lives? Pastor J.D. unpacks those questions as he continues our new series called, Rushing Wind.

When most people try to picture God the Father, they think of him sitting on a throne in heaven. And when we try to picture Jesus, we imagine a bearded carpenter, maybe holding a lamb. But the Holy Spirit can be a little bit harder to relate with! In our series called, "Rushing Wind," Pastor J.D. gets in-depth with what the Bible tells us about the Holy Spirit: who he is, what he does, and how he’s working in our world today. 

Jesus’ kingdom is not of this world, and yet there are myths we believe inside and outside the church that make a season of political turmoil feel even darker. In this broadcast, Pastor J.D. continues to look at some of those myths and how, when we look at the words of Jesus as he stood before Pilate, we will be able to replace feelings of anxiety and despair with hope and urgency about sharing the gospel.

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.

While it is every Christian’s responsibility to bring their faith and understanding of God’s kingdom into all that they do, the church as an organization has a limited platform. In this broadcast, Pastor J.D. looks at the church’s duty to preach righteousness, justice, and compassion and our complementary role as church members so that we can be united by what is most important—our identity in Christ.

In this first message of our “Flags” series, Pastor J.D. Greear shows us that the hope of the gospel unites the most unlikely of people from all tribes, tongues, nations ... and even political parties.

Chapters 22 and 23 of 2 Samuel felt like an ideal place to end David’s story, with a testament to God’s redeeming power. In this message, Pastor J.D. explains why 2 Samuel ends with 70,000 Israelites dying because of the sin of their king and how the story—the whole story of David’s life—points to the real King we’ve all been looking for and the only right response to him.

In this message, Pastor J.D. Greear focuses on a chapter that, frankly, many of us might find confusing—if not downright offensive. By walking through David’s mysterious census and the massive punishment that follows, Pastor J.D. deals with one of the biggest obstacles many people have to trusting in God: Deep down, we don’t think he’s really a good person.

It’s no wonder David closes the psalm of his life glorifying God’s power in redemption, because there is nothing quite as amazing as God taking a life ruined by sin, like David’s, and making it new. In this message, Pastor J.D. continues to look at David’s life song and shares the three things God’s salvation gives us.

A person’s last words can often be very telling. In this week’s message, Pastor J.D. gives us a glimpse into a song that David wrote during an earlier time in his life, which serves as a summary of both his life and his ministry.

In the tragic story of David and his son Absalom, we’re left to wonder what might have happened if David had used his power to protect and heal instead of allowing his power to keep him detached in his palace.

As we near the end of 2 Samuel, this week’s message from Pastor J.D. is one that examines the often far-reaching consequences of sin. These consequences played out not only in David’s life, but in the lives of many in his family.

After David’s sin against Bathsheba and Uriah, he walked through a process of restoration that models for us how to repent and take responsibility for our sin.

What does true repentance look like? This week, Pastor J.D. helps us unpack 2 Samuel 12, in which David is confronted regarding his sin against Bathsheba and Uriah. Following the prophet Nathan’s rebuke of him, David pens Psalm 51.

David was Israel’s long-awaited and hoped-for king, and he’d started out so well by defeating Goliath and writing beautiful psalms about God. But his sin against Bathsheba and Uriah made Israel ask, if even King David, the man after God’s own heart, failed them, what hope was there?

Pastor J.D. helps us process a very difficult passage in 2 Samuel, and a turning point in the life of David—the story of David and Bathsheba. Could this be the same David who was called “a man after God’s own heart”? Though David was indeed forgiven, his sin would affect everyone around him. While this story holds a powerful warning for us today, what it ultimately reveals is a deep longing for another King, a better King—Jesus.

In this message, Pastor J.D. helps us understand that, before we can become generous like David toward Mephibosheth, we must first recognize the generosity of Christ toward us and how the gospel transforms the way we see others.

If you have believed and been changed by the gospel, what should your response be? In this week's message from 2 Samuel, Pastor J.D. takes us through a story that is perhaps not as well-known, that of David and Mephibosheth.

In any great work of art, every stroke on the canvas comes through a paintbrush, but the real brilliance isn’t in the paintbrush but in the hand of the artist wielding the brush.

As we continue in the book of 2 Samuel, this week's message from Pastor J.D. walks us through both King David's desire to build the temple and God's response to him—one that serves as a good reminder for us even today.

What does your worship tell others about God’s value to you? For David, he so valued and adored God that it produced one of the most passionate expressions of worship in the Bible.

In this week's message from 2 Samuel, Pastor J.D. encourages us to honestly evaluate our worship of God. Though different cultures (and different personalities) often exhibit differing styles of worship, our intention should be the same—putting the worthiness of God on display.

God had promised Israel a king that would bring identity, happiness, and security, but their hearts had been broken with their first king, Saul. Friday Pastor J.D. talks about why David was not the king Israel was looking for either and how, just like God brought David and Jesus to the throne through chaos, he is sovereign in the mess of our lives, too.

In this message from 2 Samuel, Pastor J.D. walks us through a few ways in which David was "a man after God's own heart." And yet, what we ultimately see through the first several chapters of this book is that not even David was the king that Israel was looking for.

In this message, Pastor J.D. talks about why David was not the king Israel was looking for and how, just like God brought David and Jesus to the throne through chaos, he is sovereign in the mess of our lives, too.

In this message from 1 Samuel, Pastor J.D. walks through the tragic last chapter of Israel’s first king. King Saul held such promise in the beginning. But the longer he reigned, the more it became clear that he wanted God’s blessing much more than he wanted God.

When life takes an unexpected turn, we have a choice: We can take matters into our own hands, or we can do things God’s way and wait on him to fulfill his promises. In this message, Pastor J.D. uses Abigail’s story of wisdom and discretion to show us why we cannot accomplish the promise of the Spirit in the power of the flesh and how to instead leave vengeance to God and respond with grace.

One day, the story of your life will be told to the next generation. How do you want today’s chapter to be told? In this message from 1 Samuel 25, Pastor J.D. shows us King David at a critical juncture, fresh off his faithful response to the murderous King Saul. But when a smaller obstacle meets David, he stumbles and nearly falls. The only thing that prevents David from veering into a pattern of sin and foolishness is an obscure figure—one of the wisest (and least known) people in the entire Bible.

David did not spend time in the wilderness, running from Saul, so we could believe that if we trust God more, he will accept and provide for us. That’s the wrong order—and the order is critical. Pastor J.D. explains in this message how David’s confidence and steadfast faith in God’s purpose developed because he believed God had already accepted him and how you can have the same faith.

What do you do when the path you’re on takes an expected turn for the worst? In this message from 1 Samuel 24, Pastor J.D. follows King David into an unexpected place—the wilderness. At this point in his life, David had been chosen to be king. And yet circumstances sent him running for his life. David’s temptation in this season echoes our own.

We all need the kind of friendships in our lives that will shield us, strengthen us, and shape us into the person God created us to be. In this message, Pastor J.D. shows how Jonathan’s friendship with David modeled this kind of friendship and how friendship with Jesus enables us to be to others this kind of friend—healthy, complete, trusting, and forgiving.

In this message from 1 Samuel, Pastor J.D. looks at one of the greatest friendship stories of all time—between the presumptive heir, Prince Jonathan, and the anointed king, David. This unlikely friendship challenges us to choose our own response to the one true King, Jesus. Will we, like Saul, resist him? Or will we, like Jonathan, yield the throne of our life to him?

For anyone who struggles to find courage in adversity, the story of David and Goliath does not give us hope because God promises to help us defeat all of our “giants” if we trust him enough. Pastor J.D. teaches in this message how the story of David shows us that, because of Jesus’ victory over death, we can have audacious courage in the face of obstacles.

In this message from 1 Samuel, Pastor J.D. walks through the most famous story in the Old Testament—David and Goliath. Everyone knows this story, but few truly understand what it’s about. Goliath’s downfall isn’t an encouragement to underdogs or a guarantee that you’ll overcome every “giant” in your life. Goliath’s story shows us what true courage is, where courage comes from, and what God is up to when the Accuser’s voice is all we hear.

Do you ever feel like you’re just biding your time doing mundane tasks that aren’t really leading anywhere? In this message, Pastor J.D. continues to look at David’s ordinary years in the pasture before he became king and explains how the blank spaces—the sections in the Bible where all the activity seems to stop—are where our hearts are shaped by God to be faithful in the big and small things.

In this message from 1 Samuel, Pastor J.D. finally introduces us to the person of David. But David’s first appearance is hardly a commanding one: He is overlooked before being anointed as king, then seemingly forgotten immediately afterwards.

Most of us don’t want to be poor in spirit. We’d rather be upper middle class in spirit, so we can do what we want, when we want. Pastor J.D. helps us understand in this message why God blesses those who are poor in spirit and how a posture of humility leads to dependence, surrender, and ultimately peace and life and power.

There’s a fine line between “thy kingdom come” and “my kingdom come.” Friday on Summit Life, Pastor J.D. shows us how Saul was a king who at first displayed humility, yet, as time passed his main concern became making a name for himself.

All earthly kings that we demand, whether a literal king or a metaphorical one, like success or money or romance, are going to not only let us down; they are also going to enslave us.

In this teaching from The Life of David, Pastor J.D. shows us how all of us—religious or irreligious, Christian or not—seem hard-wired to chase after someone (or something) to make us feel okay. Like the people of Israel, we desire a king.

The stories of the Old Testament often show us what not to do, even through some of its most famous characters—but every story points to Jesus, who faithfully delivered God’s truth to us and refused to forsake us when we rejected his words.

In this teaching, Pastor J.D. highlights the radical difference between God’s faithful shepherds and spiritual abusers. Throughout history—and throughout the Bible—it is tragically common to find spiritual leaders who exploit and wound others.

It’s easy to read Hannah’s story in 1 Samuel and think the lesson is that if we ask God for something in faith, he will answer. But Hannah’s song of praise and trust in God’s faithfulness point to an even greater promise.

Pastor J.D. kicks off our series following the biography of David, Israel’s greatest king. A king who began his life as an obscure shepherd boy, but became a warrior who brought rival nations to their knees.

Sometimes, the worst situations in life provide the best opportunities for God to use us. As we conclude our study in the book of Acts, Pastor J.D. reminds us that it’s usually during the middle of life’s storms that God uses us to make the biggest impact on those around us.

Life doesn’t always go the way we want. But even in the midst of those difficult seasons, God calls us to make the most of our time.

Sometimes it can feel like the weight of the world is on our shoulders. But Pastor J.D. explains that there’s only one person who is responsible for saving the world, and it’s not us!

Have you ever considered what you’d like to have written on your tombstone? Well, death isn’t something we like to think about very often.

I bet we all have things we’re not willing to give up. And if we’re holding too tight to something, it might be an idol! So, Pastor J.D. is helping us to examine our hearts to identify any idols in our lives. J.D. is teaching from the book of Acts as we continue our series called SENT.

When we hear the word “idol,” we probably conjure up images of ancient statues and graven images. But idols are still with us today. They just come in different packages. That’s our subject as Pastor J.D. continues our SENT series, teaching from Acts, Chapter 19.

Bank tellers don’t waste their time looking at counterfeit bills. Instead, they learn to spot fakes by studying the genuine article! As we continue our series titled, SENT, Pastor J.D. explains that if we want to share God’s redemptive plan in a counterfeit culture, we’ve got to start by studying God’s Word.

When it comes to cross-cultural communication, there’s a lot that can get lost in translation. We’re learning that in order for others to understand the gospel, we first need to understand where they’re coming from!

In the midst of trials and tribulations, we may not be aware that we’re making an eternal impact on those around us. Our reactions can either draw people closer to God or push them further away. Pastor J.D. continues our study in the book of Acts, picking up in Chapter 16.

A businesswoman, a slave girl, and a jailer. What do all these people have in common? No, they’re not the punch line for a joke, but three biblical examples that remind us that the gospel message is for everyone! Pastor J.D. is continuing a study in the book of Acts, providing the foundational principles for faith.

From the outside, it might seem like there are a lot of rules and regulations when it comes to being a Christian. But Pastor J.D. explains how to remove the barriers that may keep people from coming to Jesus.

The early Church was anything but vanilla! It was full of people from all kinds of backgrounds and ethnicities. As we study the book of Acts, Pastor J.D. is explaining the power of diversity in the body of Christ.

In the art of war, every strategy and every opportunity should be employed, and it’s no different for Christians in the battle to further God’s mission.

It’s easy to tell someone that you will pray for them, or that you’ll be lifting up their needs to God. But is that all there is to a healthy prayer life? Pastor J.D. answers that question as we continue our series called SENT. We’re studying the book of Acts, Chapter 12, to learn God’s view on prayer.

I’m sure we’ve all wondered why God works the way that he does. And Pastor J.D. explains that God has a method to what might look like madness! We’re continuing to discover God’s ultimate plan in the book of Acts, and today we’re in Chapter 9 verses 19 through 31.

When most of us think of demons, we picture something from the latest Hollywood horror film. It’s just the stuff of fiction to us. But Pastor J.D. shows us that the spirit world is very real, and it affects our lives a lot more than we probably think.

Tapestries are formed by weaving together many different-colored threads to create a beautifully textured picture. And the church is like a tapestry: colorful and culturally integrated. We’re continuing our series titled SENT, and today Pastor J.D. is teaching from the book of Acts, Chapter 10.

When you think of racial diversity, what comes to mind? Well, today we’re learning that God’s plan is a true multi-cultural celebration!

As we continue studying the life of Paul, we’re discovering the difference between religion and relationship with God!

When most people think of the apostle Paul, they picture this bigger-than-life, champion of the faith. But before his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus, Paul was a pretty undesirable character!

We would never forget to put on clothes before we leave the house in the morning. But often, we forget to get dressed spiritually.

A firefighter would never run into a burning building without their gear. Being properly equipped is important! But often as Christians, we enter the spiritual battlefield without any protective gear.

Some believers tend to forget about spiritual forces like angels and demons, while others obsess over them and are constantly worried about demonic influences. But neither of these are biblical responses!

When most of us think of demons, we picture something from the latest Hollywood horror film. It’s just the stuff of fiction to us. But Pastor J.D. shows us that the spirit world is very real, and it affects our lives a lot more than we probably think.

For many people, our views on love and relationships were shaped by the songs we listened to growing up or the movies we watched as a teen. But there’s only one relationship model we should care about, and it doesn’t come from Hollywood!

If you were to ask most couples why they got married, they would probably say something about being in love, making each other happy, or physical attraction. And there’s nothing wrong with any of those things!

When life is hard, where do you turn for comfort? Some people lean on alcohol or sex, while others turn to subtler crutches such as T.V. binges or overeating. But no matter what form our vices take, they’re never going to fill us the way we want them to.

Our culture tends to portray Christianity as bland and boring. If you want an interesting life, the last place you’re going look is the church. But as he continues our study of Ephesians called Mystery and Clarity, Pastor J.D. reveals that the Christian life is far from boring.

They say imitation is the highest form of flattery, and it’s something we should aspire to in our relationship with God. But that’s easier said than done! Pastor J.D. describes the key to being more like Jesus as he continues our study of Ephesians called “Mystery and Clarity.”

Throughout our study of Ephesians called “Mystery and Clarity,” Pastor J.D. has been showing us that God isn’t just concerned about our actions; he’s concerned about reshaping our hearts and our desires.

Most religions share the same basic moral code. We might vary on certain points and nuances, but we all agree that it’s bad to lie, steal, or murder. And everyone has met good, kind people from others religions. So if that’s the case, then how is Christianity different than any other faith?

For a lot of people, Christianity seems like just a list of rules. But is that really all it is? Does Jesus just want us to live by a certain moral code? Pastor J.D. addresses that question as he continues our study of Ephesians called, Mystery and Clarity. We’re in Ephesians 4:17-5:2.

Part of the fun of Christmas morning is seeing all of the pretty packages wrapped up under the tree. But no matter how pretty they are, it would be silly to leave them there! Presents are meant to be opened and used.

When you’re a baby, it’s okay to wear a diaper and use a pacifier. But at some point, you have to grow up. You can’t exactly show up to high school with a pacifier in your mouth! As he continues our series called Mystery and Clarity, Pastor J.D. reveals that the same is true of our faith. We can’t be spiritual babies forever!

It’s not uncommon to meet people who consider themselves Christians but aren’t really involved in a church. They might have been hurt by a congregation in the past, or maybe their Sunday mornings are busy and it’s hard to make it out the door. Is it okay to just listen to a sermon online? Is it really any different than going to church? Pastor J.D. answers that question as he continues our study in Ephesians Chapters 2 and 3.

By itself, a single Lego doesn’t really do much. You can’t build anything or do anything with it. And as he continues our series called, Mystery and Clarity, Pastor J.D. reveals that Christians are kind of like Lego bricks in that sense. We can only accomplish our mission when we’re working together!

Everyone wants to know who they are and where they belong, so it’s not surprising that ancestry testing is all the rage right now. But does our family tree really define our identity? Pastor J.D. is helping us understand our identity and purpose as he continues our series called Mystery and Clarity in Ephesians 2:11-3:13.

The Bible makes it clear that without Christ, every single person is dead in their sins. But because of the cross, we don’t have to stay that way! Pastor J.D. reveals how we can be made alive in Christ as he continues our series called, Mystery and Clarity.

When something goes wrong in the world, we tend to look for someone to blame, like the other side of the political line, corrupt businesses, or the education system. But Pastor J.D. reveals that the blame doesn’t lie with one political party or system; it’s in all of us. It’s part of our series called Mystery and Clarity.

Shakespeare was right when he wrote, “All the World’s a Stage.” And even though we’re not the lead actors of this particular play, we still have an essential role!

Prayer is a personal and intimate privilege in the life of every believer. But is there a way we can add power to our prayers?

A lot of us spend our lives trying to earn God’s approval. We’re plagued by guilt when we miss church or fall back into an old sin, and we feel like we have to make it up to God.

When considering adoption, there are many costs and factors to take into account, but throughout Scripture, God repeatedly shows us he is willing to do whatever it takes to make us his children!

As Pastor J.D. continues our series called, Mystery and Clarity, he’s teaching from Acts 18 to 20 to help us understand the historical context for Paul’s letter to the church at Ephesus.

When we first give our lives to Christ, most of us are excited for this new adventure with God. We want to learn more, do more, and grow more! But then, the excitement fades, and our faith becomes part of the routine.

As Christians, we know that the blood of Jesus has completely washed away all our sins. And sometimes when we hear that, we might start thinking of God’s grace as a “get out of jail free card.” But Pastor J.D. reminds us that being forgiven and justified before God, doesn’t mean we won’t still face consequences for our actions here on earth.

As believers, we know that, through the blood of Jesus, all of our sins have been completely forgiven. And yet, we still suffer the consequences for our mistakes.

As we continue our series called, “Freedom in the In-Between,” Pastor J.D. is talking about a subject that comes up a lot: love. What does genuine Christian love actually look like, and how do we live it out? We’re diving into those questions as we continue our study in Galatians 5:25-6:18.

Jesus said that the world would know we are his disciples by our love. As believers, our love for each other and for the world ought to set us apart from any other group. So what does Christian love actually look like, and how do we start to live it out? Pastor J.D. answers those questions as he continues our series called, Freedom in the In-Between.

Next time you’re in a bookstore, go take a peek at the self-improvement section. You’ll see rows and rows of books promising to unlock the secret to a better life. But no matter how many diets you follow or how much positive thinking you do, none of those tricks are going to fill your deepest needs or fix your greatest problems! As Pastor J.D. continues our series called, “Freedom in the In-Between,” he explains the only way for us to truly change and be set free from our own sinful hearts.

Stop and feel your wrist, or put a finger under the edge of your jaw. If you do it right, you’ll be able to feel your own heartbeat—proof that you are alive. So if that’s the case, then what does the Bible mean when it talks about our need for spiritual life? Pastor J.D. tackles that subject as he continues the series called, Freedom in the In-Between.

As we continue our series called, Freedom in the In-Between, Pastor J.D. is tackling an issue that’s critical to understanding the gospel: the relationship between grace and actions. We’re in Galatians chapter 3, and J.D. is answering the question, “If we’re saved by grace, then what’s the point of obeying God’s law?”

It’s been said that Christianity is more like a relationship than a religion. Religions are about what you do, while the gospel is about what God did for you. But if that’s the case, why do Christians still follow certain rules?

Next time you’re in a bookstore, go take a peek at the self-improvement section. You’ll see rows and rows of books promising to unlock the secret to a better life. But no matter how many diets you follow or how much positive thinking you do, none of those tricks are going to fill your deepest needs or fix your greatest problems!

Our Western culture is highly individualistic. We all want to pull ourselves up by our bootstraps and make our own way in the world. We don’t want to be dependent on anyone. But Pastor J.D. cautions us that a self-made mindset doesn’t work when it comes to holiness!

Most everyone agrees that freedom is a good thing. And yet, freedom inevitably leads to conflict. If I’m free to have my opinion, then you’re free to disagree! But as Pastor J.D. continues our study of Galatians, he’s explaining how our freedom in Christ actually leads to greater unity!

If you turn on the news these days or browse through Facebook for a bit, it will be pretty apparent that we’re living in turbulent times. Emotions are running high over issues like politics and race relations.

Paul’s transformation from a Jesus-hating Pharisee to a passionate Christ-follower is nothing short of miraculous. But if you’re a follower of Christ, then your story is a miracle, too! And your testimony is powerful proof of the truth of the gospel! That’s our subject as Pastor J.D. continues our study of Galatians called, “Freedom in the In-Between.”

The word “gospel” literally means, “good news.” It assures us that we’re saved by Jesus’ blood alone, not by anything we do. But how can we really know if the gospel we find in scripture is accurate? How do we know it wasn’t just a clever conspiracy the disciples came up with to gain a following?

On October 31, 2017, Christians around the world celebrated the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, when Martin Luther posted his 95 theses on the door of the Wittenberg church and called Christians to return to the true gospel.

In a new study of Galatians called, Freedom in the In-Between, we’re discovering how the gospel frees us to live with confidence in a world of uncertainty. Pastor J.D. kicks off the study with a message he preached in October of 2017, on the 500th anniversary of the Reformation.

Plenty of people have high aspirations.But as easy as it is to dream about our goals, it’s a lot harder to take the little, everyday steps to reach them.

When most of us pray, we typically spend the bulk of our time telling God about our needs and desires. There’s nothing wrong with that, but what does it say about our hearts?

If you wear glasses, you know how important they are for everyday life. And if you ever lose or break them, you’re not going to waste any time getting a replacement, because without our eyes, most of us are pretty helpless. And we also miss out on seeing all the beauty around us! As we continue our series called, Something Greater, Pastor J.D. reveals that you might be going through life blind, without even knowing it!

Imagine driving down a windy mountain road and having your headlights go off! When we’re driving blind, we’re asking for trouble. And as we continue our series called, Something Greater, Pastor J.D. explains that many of us are going through life with spiritual blindness.

In Christian circles, we tend to throw the word “blessing” around a lot. And it’s true that every good gift is from God! But even non-believers enjoy the “common grace” of everyday blessings. There’s a big difference between good things happening to us, and God actively moving in a miraculous way.

What do you think a “blessed life” looks like? Wealth? Health? A happy family? Pastor J.D. describes what it looks like to be blessed by God, and explains how we can make room for him to move in our lives! It’s part of our study of the prophet Elisha titled, Something Greater.

Most decisions in life are reversible. Take choosing a college, for example. If you don’t like it after a semester or two, you can always transfer! And the same goes for your major, your career, and where you choose to live.

Most of us would say we want to be used by God. But Pastor J.D. is challenging us to consider whether or not we’re really willing to take up our cross and follow wherever God leads. As we wrap up First Kings, we’re shifting our focus from the prophet Elijah to his protégé, Elisha.

First Kings Chapter 18 records a definite high point in the life of the prophet Elijah, when he faced off against the prophets of Baal on Mt. Carmel. God came through for Elijah in an awesome way, and the people repented and turned back to the One True God!

Depression is stigmatized in a lot of Christian circles. We either avoid the topic entirely, or we talk about it in hushed, shameful tones. We act as if believers are just supposed to be happy-go-lucky all the time.

False gods aren’t always little golden statues. They can be anything, even good things like family, health, and financial security. Pastor J.D. explains how we turn good things into idols, and how to spot false gods that are growing up in our hearts.

Every once in a while, you’re bound to come to some crossroads in life, like a marriage proposal or a new career. And either way you choose, you know your life will never be the same again. The nation of Israel had defining moments like that, too, when they had to choose between serving God or idols.

When most of us think of “false gods,” we picture different world religions, mythologies, and little golden statues on altars. But the truth is, we might actually be worshiping a false god even if we think we’re worshiping Jesus!

Often, we think of people from the Old Testament as primitive and backward because they worshiped idols like the god of the harvest or the god of the sun. But in reality, we still worship idols today. They just look a little different! In fact, we might be worshiping a false god even if we think we’re worshiping the God of the Bible.

Many people these days tend to see religion as a personal choice. It’s not so much about truth as it is about finding a faith that “works for you.” But in our brand new series called, Something Better, Pastor J.D. explains why that attitude doesn’t really work!

Many people these days tend to see religion as a personal choice. It’s not so much about truth as it is about finding a faith that “works for you.” But in our brand new series called, Something Better, Pastor J.D. explains why that attitude doesn’t really work!

Have you ever wanted to take a mission trip but didn’t know where to begin? Or maybe you’re waiting for God to present the perfect opportunity. Monday on Summit Life, Pastor J.D. Greear tells us what it takes to be SENT!

We’ve all seen people who say they follow Jesus. But when you look closely, their lives seem to be a reflection of their own gain, NOT God’s.

Most people say they want peace and unity, but few people will do the work to obtain it.  Because it usually requires crossing cultural barriers to bridge the divide.

Many people are being called on right now to glorify God in their hour of trial or in a situation where it is costly to obey him.

One of the out workings of the gospel is that it will inevitably reorder your value system. This is exactly what we find in the book of Acts, in the life of an ordinary man name Stephen—he realized the value of the gospel and was willing to risk everything to preach it.

As human beings, our natural tendency is to focus on ourselves, as we try to cover up our flaws. But outward appearances can be deceiving, resulting in some serious consequences.

What characterizes a gospel-centered life? Praying? Going to church? Being kind to your neighbor? Pastor J.D. provides the answer as he continues our series titled, SENT.

What does a hero look like? Does they wear a red cape? Do they shoot across the sky like a bird or a plane?

When bad things happen, many of us focus so much on the problem that we lose sight of the solution.

Most of us have no problem telling others about our favorite movie or the latest TV show we’ve seen. So why is sharing the gospel so difficult?

Whether it’s money, fame, power, or even health, it’s human nature for us to want what we “think” will make us happy. But Pastor J.D. shows us that oftentimes getting what we think we want, is not what we need. In our series called SENT, Pastor J.D. is teaching us about God’s greater gifts.

The world today is full of suffering and pain. But is that how it's supposed to be? Wednesday on Summit Life, Pastor J.D. Greear explains that God has a better plan for us—both now and in the world to come.

Is the Bible really the Word of God? The apostles and the first-century believers certainly staked their lives on it! That’s our subject Tuesday on Summit Life as Pastor J.D. Greear continues our study in the book of Acts. Discover the validity of the Bible today when you tune in Tuesday to Summit Life with J.D. Greear!

Crime scene experts often confess that eyewitness testimony is subject to personal interpretation. But Pastor J.D. shows us that the testimony of the first-century disciples all points to the same rock-solid evidence.

The early church grew faster than any other religious movement in history. In fact, after the Apostle Peter’s first message, three thousand people got saved! What made this movement so powerful? Pastor J.D. answers that question as he continues our study in the book of Acts titled, SENT.

When we’re picking a movie theater for an evening out, we usually consider a few different factors, such as which one has more comfortable seats or better snacks.

As Pastor J.D. continues our study of Acts called, SENT, we’re looking at the book of Acts and learning what it means to be a follower of Christ.

If you’re like most people, you probably think that mission work is for someone else who’s more spiritual or more talented. But we’re gaining a whole new perspective and taking a fresh look at what it means to be on the mission field as Pastor J.D. continues our series called, SENT. 

Sometimes life feels like an Olympic event with a panel of judges scoring us on everything we do. We constantly feel the need to be better. In fact, that’s how a lot of people imagine God: as an angry judge who’s constantly disappointed.

Sometimes life feels like an Olympic event with a panel of judges scoring us on everything we do. We constantly feel the need to be better. In fact, that’s how a lot of people imagine God: as an angry judge who’s constantly disappointed.

If we’re honest, we’ve all had days where we’ve messed up big time. Maybe we fell back into an old sin, or we did something we swore we’d never do. And in that moment, maybe you wondered if God could ever forgive you.

Many people who reject the resurrection like to think that their issue is an intellectual one. They say the evidence isn’t convincing, or that they just can’t believe in some ancient myth. Well, Pastor J.D. presents an alternative explanation for their unbelief.

How can we trust a God that we don’t fully understand? Today, Pastor J.D. tackles that question and more as we continue our series called, "Can’t Believe."

Pastor J.D. explains that not making a decision is, in itself, a decision! We might not be actively rejecting God, but are we willing to step out in faith and follow him?

As Easter approaches, Pastor J.D. helps us answer two incredibly important questions by pointing us to two statements that Jesus made to people at his crucifixion and after he had risen.

We all know someone who was involved in the church and believed what the Bible says, but then life went wrong. They experienced some tragedy like the sudden death of a loved one, or a debilitating illness. And suddenly, they didn’t know if they could really believe in God anymore, let alone love him.

When life goes tragically wrong, a lot of people end up questioning their faith, wondering how a good God could allow so much suffering. We start to wonder if he’s even there, and if he actually cares.

If you’ve ever spent much time around toddlers, you know how shortsighted they can be. Waiting in line is agonizing for them, even if they’re waiting for something really cool!

These days, it seems like everyone is always up in arms about something or other. There are so many good causes out there we can fight for that it gets overwhelming!

In parts 1 and 2 of this message, we looked at the story of the woman at the well and discovered how her desire for romantic love had taken her captive and was holding her back from finding true joy and satisfaction in God.

The 1960s are often described as a period of sexual revolution when traditional morality was tossed aside. And while that era definitely reframed the way sex was discussed in the public forum, the truth is that sexual sin is as old as time.

As we continue our series called, Can’t Believe, we’re talking about an important but sensitive topic: sexual sin. Despite what many people think, the Bible isn’t against sex. In fact, God designed it! But sex can easily turn from a good gift, to something that enslaves us and holds us back from saving faith. We’re looking at two different examples from John Chapters 4 and 8.

Immunizations are a marvel of modern medicine. One little shot and you suddenly leave the world’s most dangerous diseases weak and ineffective! Diseases that used to take countless lives are now virtually unheard of. But what if you could be immunized against a good thing, like faith?

In our new series called, Can’t Believe, we’re looking at some of the most common barriers that hold people back from saving faith. And the first one might surprise you: religion. Most of us think of religion as a good thing.

Often, after hearing a powerful sermon, we’ll get excited and make all kinds of promises to God about how we’re going to change and be more like Jesus. But over time, we lose our focus and our excitement begins to wane. If you’ve ever been there, you’re not alone!

A lot of people consider themselves religious. They go to church on Sunday, tithe, and even read their Bible during the week. But that’s not necessarily the same thing as having a relationship with God!

There’s nothing wrong with having a favorite book of the Bible. But we have to be careful that we don’t miss out on the rest of God’s word! As Pastor J.D. continues our series called, Come Back to Me, he’s turning our attention to a book you might not be as familiar with: Habakkuk.

At some point or another, we’ve all asked the question, “Where was God when my life went wrong?” You might have even been angry with God. But as Pastor J.D. continues our series called, Come Back to Me, he’s helping us wrestle with those doubts and find the hope to carry us through the painful seasons.

As we continue our series called, Come Back to Me, we’re talking about a prophet named Amos. He was an ordinary guy who was given an uncomfortable task: to call Israel out on their sin.

No one likes being corrected. It’s always painful, especially when we know that they’re right! And even though it doesn’t feel good, being called out on our sin is often the most loving thing someone can do for us!

In our series called, Come Back to Me, we’re looking at a part of the Bible you probably haven’t thought much about: the Minor Prophets.

Why would a loving God let so many bad things happen in the world? That’s a question nearly everyone wrestles with from time to time, even solid, Bible-believing Christians! But Pastor J.D. is flipping the question on its head.

Sometimes, when we’re struggling with sin, it’s tempting to just pull away from God for a little bit. We feel like we need to clean ourselves up before we go back to him, so we stop going to church for a while and try to pull ourselves up by our own bootstraps.

As we kick off a series called, "Come Back to Me," we’re looking at a part of the Bible that most of us probably don’t pay much attention to: the Minor Prophets. As we’re going to see, there’s a lot to learn from these short Old Testament books!

If you think the Son of God never engaged in conflict while he was on earth, then think again! Jesus had lots of interpersonal conflicts, but they were always done from a place of love.

No matter what the structures look like, we all have one thing in common when it comes to family: there will always be conflict.

Sex is no big deal, right? That’s what the world wants you to believe, but God wants us to trust him so that we can view sex rightly and experience his best for us when we wait on him.

Our culture has some deeply held, deeply untrue ideas about sex. To fully understand and respect the sanctity of sex, we have to go to God, who created it, and his Word, which is very clear about how we should view it.

Dating is not easy—whether you’re 16 or 56! When you choose to apply God’s biblical standard to dating, you’re going to stand out, because the world has not figured out how to be successful in relationships without God’s wisdom.

Most people want fulfilling, happy, lifelong marriages, but we don’t get a lot of direction on how to get there. The Bible teaches that if you want something not many people seem to have, then you’ve got to do what few people are willing to do.

Singleness is a gift. That might not be how we’re told by culture to view it—or even what the church sometimes tells us about it. In this message from the “Forever Family” series, Pastor J.D. teaches how to see singleness as a unique opportunity in ministry, relationships, and God’s kingdom.

If you’re single, do you ever feel like the world is telling you that you’re missing out on something because you’re not married? Even in the church, we often equate marriage with completion—but Jesus taught something altogether different and more beautiful.

What does God really think about divorce? In this message from “Forever Family,” Pastor J.D. walks us through Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 19 and helps us see that, though God’s command about divorce is clear, there is no situation that he cannot redeem.

Even if you’re not married, how you think about marriage affects the way you view so much more of life, like dating, sex, conflict, and even singleness.

When it comes to giving, many of us want rules to follow and boxes to check. As Pastor J.D. continues in the “First” series, he helps us see why, though our tithe is a great place to start, God wants our giving to display what is first and best in our hearts.

Have you ever felt guilty about your giving? Many people assume that, because there are still people in need around the world, God’s only purpose for our money is to get the gospel to them.

Jesus doesn’t just expect his followers to give their tithe. He expects us to be out-of-this-world generous! As part of the “First” series, Pastor J.D. helps us understand in this message how being a spender, saver, or steward defines what kingdom we serve and if we have surrendered our finances to God

If we were really living for Jesus’ kingdom, how would it change our giving? In this message from the “First” series, Pastor J.D. explains what our decisions on money reveal about what we love and treasure in this world.

Something is going to be first in our lives, and the Bible makes it very clear that it should be God. Pastor J.D. continues in “Time’s Up” to show us that, while both God and money can be important to us, we cannot serve both of them.

Why does the church have to talk about money? As Pastor J.D. begins this series on why God should be “First” in our lives, he helps us see that to become a committed disciple, we must understand how to have the right relationship with money.

In this final teaching from our series through the book of James, Pastor J.D. Greear reminds us that in the end, we can be encouraged that God does indeed hear the prayers of his children, and it is often through them that he chooses to accomplish his work on earth.

Is prayer actually effective? And if it is, should we still pray even if we have a less-than-robust faith? In this brand new teaching, Pastor J.D. sheds light on a crucial—and often misunderstood—passage about prayer from James 5.

In this teaching from the book of James, Pastor J.D. Greear shows us how even in the midst of suffering and the many challenges thrown at us by life, we can be sure that God is working all things for our good—we need only be patient and wait on him.

In a society of one-click shopping and seemingly endless streaming services, patience is one thing that is often in short supply. In today’s teaching from James 5, Pastor J.D. Greear explains what patience is, why it's necessary, and how we can develop it.

In this teaching from James 4 and 5, Pastor J.D. Greear provides a helpful perspective on how to approach our lives in light of the fact that God is the one in control, not us. The choice is ours: a life characterized by trust in God, leading to humility and generosity—or one characterized by self-sufficiency, leading to arrogance and greed.

We all make plans, whether they concern what we will do the next day or in the coming years. While the Bible acknowledges that it is certainly wise to plan, it also recognizes that the posture behind our planning is crucial. In this teaching from the book of James, Pastor J.D. shows us how to make the most of the short time God has given to each of us.

In this teaching from James 4, Pastor J.D. answers the question James poses to us all: Why do we fight? At the deepest levels, where do our quarrels and jealousies come from? For most of us, we might think we know the answer. We fight because THEY started it! But James has a much different answer.

In this teaching from James 4, Pastor J.D. answers the question James poses to us all: Why do we fight? At the deepest levels, where do our quarrels and jealousies come from?

Taming the explosive power of our words is a difficult battle that we have to fight every day. But in today’s teaching, Pastor J.D. shares the good news that, through the transforming power of the gospel, we can become people whose words are used to encourage others and to restore life.

The tongue is such a small part of our bodies, and yet it has astonishing power—both to wound and to heal, to bless and to curse. In this teaching, Pastor J.D. walks through James 3 to show us the dangers of the tongue and what it can reveal about the state of our hearts.

In today’s teaching, Pastor J.D. unpacks a section of Scripture that talks about what a serious error it is when we show partiality to anyone… especially in the church!

Though we don't like to admit it, we are often guilty of judging others based on very limited information. In this teaching from James 2, Pastor J.D. describes the dangers of showing favoritism, particularly within the church.

Unfortunately, trials can present us with the temptation to sin, rather than wait on God. Pastor J.D. Greear shows us how, in the face of such temptation, we can either embrace the truth that every good gift comes from God—or we can turn to other things for comfort and peace.

The Book of James takes the lofty doctrines of the gospel and brings them down to earth. You can’t read James without being confronted, and Pastor J.D. Greear continues introducing us to one of the most practical books of the Bible in this teaching called “Here Comes Trouble.”

The Book of James takes the lofty doctrines of the gospel and brings them down to earth. You can’t read James without being confronted, and Pastor J.D. Greear continues introducing us to one of the most practical books of the Bible in this teaching called “Here Comes Trouble.”

No other New Testament book is quite like James. Catchy, practical, and in your face, the book of James jumps straight into the nitty gritty of daily life.

When the church pursues ethnic unity, the Enemy usually sends obstacles to try to stand in the way. In this teaching, Pastor J.D. shows us that the effort and commitment needed to achieve ethnic unity are undoubtedly well worth it.

Pastor J.D. Greear leads us through a beautiful passage in Ephesians 2 that speaks to the power of Jesus’ death and resurrection to do what we could not: break down the wall of hostility between us.

As Pastor J.D. concludes our series called Castaway, he explains how Jonah’s message to the Ninevites compares to Jesus’ message to a lost and dying world. Pastor J.D. is teaching from Matthew 12.

Pastor J.D. wraps up our study of the reluctant prophet, Jonah, by turning to the New Testament. We’re discovering that Jonah’s whole story is really a sign that’s pointing ahead to something greater!

In your high school English class, you probably learned that any good book or movie has something called a dénouement at the end, where the story gets wrapped up and we get closure for all the characters.

For generations, the book of Jonah has challenged believers because we see ourselves reflected in Jonah: his disobedience, fear, and reluctance to obey.

As Pastor J.D. continues our study in Jonah 3, he shows us that evangelism isn’t about schmoozing or entertaining—it’s about sharing the free gift of salvation.

As we continue to study the life of Jonah, Pastor J.D. reminds us that people don’t come to Christ through our eloquent speeches or our persuasive arguments.  People come to Christ through God’s relentless love.

Haven’t we all gone through the motions to do something we really didn’t want to do? Like pulling weeds, or taking out the trash!  Pastor J.D. is continuing our Castaway series with another teaching from the book of Jonah.  We’re in Chapter 2 to learn what obedience really means.

In the middle of life’s storms, it’s easy to think God’s mad at us. Have we done something wrong? In our new series title Castaway, Pastor J.D. explains how God turns our tribulations into restoration.

Have you ever found yourself resisting God’s will? You hear him calling you in one direction, but you have another direction in mind?

We’re looking at the life of one of the most important figures in human history. Pastor J.D. investigates how God multiplied Abraham’s life for eternal significance. How can our lives matter in a significant way as well?

The biggest cause of atheism is people who claim to follow Jesus but are in no way distinct from the world. Jesus said this kind of complacency in the church makes him sick, and it tells the world a lie about him.

Jesus said that when the church becomes so complacent that it is neither hot with the passion that fuels sacrifice nor cold and refreshing, it makes him sick.

While Christmas may not be a season of hope for many people, there is a vision of Jesus beyond the cradle that will help us remember his love and power and worship him in the midst of trouble.

Christmas is not a season of hope for many people. Good cheer and glad tidings are a painful reminder of a broken relationship, a long sickness, or an empty place at the table.

In this teaching from one of Summit Church’s Christmas services, Pastor J.D. teaches us that there are only two responses to Jesus: worshipping or weeping.

It’s been said that there’s a “God-shaped hole” in every heart. We all have a sense that there’s something missing—something bigger than us that would give us purpose and meaning. And yet, we often look in all the wrong places.

Have you ever wondered about the meaning behind some of your favorite Christmas songs? Well, Pastor J.D. takes us behind the scenes of the holiday favorite, Hark! the Herald Angels Sing. You’ll never hear it the same way again! It’s part of our series called, Carols.

Have you ever wondered about the meaning behind some of your favorite Christmas songs? Well, Pastor J.D. takes us behind the scenes of the holiday favorite, Hark! the Herald Angels Sing. You’ll never hear it the same way again! It’s part of our series called, Carols.

Sometimes the road ahead is blocked by obstacles or “mountains” that seem too big to overcome.

You’re in for a special treat as the Summit Worship team opens this teaching with a stirring rendition of the popular Christmas classic, Go Tell It on the Mountain.

Christmas is supposed to be a time of joy and peace. But the reality is for most of us, December is just as hard as the rest of the year, if not more!

As Christians, we tend to use the term “blessed” pretty loosely. When something good happens, we say we’re blessed.

Imagine this: It’s the First Century A.D. You’re an unmarried teenage girl. And suddenly, you learn that you’ve got a baby on the way.

Have you ever had one of those moments when you’re singing along with a song that you’ve heard a million times before, but all of a sudden something clicks, and you realize what the lyrics are actually about?

If you really think about it, the incarnation can seem pretty mysterious and confusing. God coming to earth and becoming flesh.

Just like the Wise Men chose to respond with great joy to finding King Jesus, we, too, have to choose how we will respond to the stars, or the signs, that God puts in our lives to point us to him. Pastor J.D. explains the four responses you can have and how, when you choose to keep seeking Jesus, you can experience the same joy the Wise Men had.

In this teaching 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.

Abraham is given the ultimate test of surrender and sacrifice as Pastor J.D. Greear concludes the series called, Multiply. God is committed to us far more than we could ever imagine.

Pastor J.D. asks a few important diagnostic questions to determine your value systems and priorities. Are you more like Lot who valued his own self interests? Or are you more like Abraham who prioritized generosity?

Does God get your first and best? Where does he fall in your list of priorities? Pastor J.D. explains that whatever it is that gets our first and best reveals what serves as god in your life. 

See how serious God is about teaching us to live by faith. Before God can do something through us, he’s got to do something in us. Discover the path you must walk for God to multiply your life.

See how serious God is about teaching us to live by faith. Before God can do something through us, he’s got to do something in us. Discover the path you must walk for God to multiply your life.

Pastor J.D. looks at the life of Abraham, a man who gives us a picture of how God wants to use all of us in the world.

Pastor J.D. continues our brand new “Begin Again” teaching series by taking us to the tiny book of Haggai

Pastor J.D. continues our brand new “Begin Again” teaching series by taking us to the tiny book of Haggai

God has done great things for us, liberating us from the slavery of sin. Now he invites us to become a part of his rescue plan for our neighbors and the nations.

In a brand new teaching from our series called “Begin Again,” Pastor J.D. invites us to rediscover God’s purposes for our church.

The world seems darker and more confusing by the day, but now is not a time to shrink back in fear. It’s a moment for us to renew our commitment.

In this teaching 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.

If you were to ask a hundred people what it means to be “Christian,” you’d probably get a ton of different answers. Some think it means that you come from a Christian family.

The term “Christian” has become almost meaningless in recent years, especially in America. If you believe in God and don’t really identify with any other religion, then you probably call yourself a Christian.

Most people are familiar with the parable of the Good Samaritan. It’s a nice story about loving others and being the bigger person. Isn’t it?

How good do we have to be to get into heaven? J.D. Greear answers that question as we jump into a brand new series called, In Earth as it Is in Heaven.

As we come to the end of our time in First Peter, our theme has been “together we endure”---together, we press through difficult times.

In the middle of summer heat you know how good a moment of shade can feel, like when you’re in a parking lot and look for that one tree to park under.

We’re jumping into a sensitive and controversial subject: the biblical roles of husbands and wives

Our nation has experienced an unusual few years, and the amount of stress that comes with following the authorities set before us is at an all time high.

1 Peter says we’re supposed to be different than the world around us. What does that mean to leave as a citizen of heaven and not of earth?

Grow up. It’s a simple command God gives in 1 Peter. But what does that mean? In our spiritual lives, it can be hard to judge whether or not we’re really “growing up.”

Most of us don’t feel like exiles – we live in communities that we enjoy, with shelter and friendships that sustain us.

This teaching series called “Together We Endure” was originally preached during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the world was on lockdown — and yet, over three years later, our world is still in the midst of so much chaos!

What do you think is the greatest sign of Christian maturity? We close the “Romans” series in today’s message by looking at a seemingly unimportant list of acknowledgements of people serving in the church that fill the last pages of the letter.

After spending 15 chapters in Romans explaining how the gospel has the power to change the world, the Apostle Paul then closes the book with a list of commendations.

Do you know what your calling is? It’s a big concept that many people want to talk about, because if we knew what ours is, then we would be able to make decisions that fall in line with God’s bigger purpose.

Have you turned the will of God into an idol? Many people today desire to know God’s will more than they do his purposes and seek it more than they do his glory.

What are the issues not directly addressed in Scripture that you would let divide you and someone else in the church?

What do you think would happen if the church made unity in the gospel more important than divisions over debatable things?

Jesus once told the Pharisees to “give to Caesar what is Caesar’s but to God what is God’s.” In today’s message, Pastor J.D. continues to look at Romans 13 and its instructions on how to honor and obey those in government.

For the first century church and the worldwide church today, one of the most difficult places to overcome evil with good is in its relationship with the government.

When you’re fighting evil in the world, you’re facing two battlefronts: the evil in another person but also the evil that wants to grow in you in response to what someone has done to you. In today’s message, Pastor J.D. continues to show us how to overcome evil with good.

How do you normally respond when someone treats you unfairly or disappoints you? We can all probably quote verses from the Bible about what gospel love looks like, but it’s often difficult to show that kind of love to our enemies.

Can you imagine a church that didn’t need great musicians or special events to attract people because of the way that it loved each other and the world?

The only way to love like Jesus is to understand how great a love you are a recipient of. In this teaching, we turn to Romans 12, where Paul shows us how we should love in light of God’s mercy to us.

Pride messes up our lives in a lot of ways. But one way you may not have thought about it being a problem is when it keeps you from pursuing your spiritual gifts.

You don’t hear a lot about pride when people talk about spiritual gifts. But the truth is, when we think rightly about ourselves because of the gospel, then we realize how desperately we need the spiritual gifts.

Do you want to know what the will of God is for your life? Pastor J.D. continues in this message from Romans 12 to talk about the two things that summarize what Christianity is all about.

If you grew up in the church, you may have viewed the gospel as a starting point in Christianity, and then you had a bunch of new things you had to do.

Does thinking about God’s mercy ever lead you to pour out your heart in worship? In today’s message, Pastor J.D. turns to Romans 11 and Paul’s exuberant response to the gospel.

Does thinking about God’s mercy ever lead you to pour out your heart in worship? In today’s message, Pastor J.D. turns to Romans 11 and Paul’s exuberant response to the gospel.

If you were put on trial for being a Christian, and the only evidence came from what your friends observed about you at work or at school, would you be convicted?

How do you think God feels about people who claim him as Lord but do not walk with him or submit to his lordship? In this message, Pastor J.D. looks at Romans 11 to show us how, while God has kept his promise to Israel, he will also remove anyone who does not demonstrate a staying faith, like he did with Israel.

Everyone wants to be happy, so why does happiness seem so elusive? Is there a secret to obtaining happiness that we’ve all been missing?

The Bible offers plenty of practical wisdom. For instance, Proverbs says that, “A generous person will prosper.” Or, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.”

The author of Ecclesiastes repeatedly states that life is meaningless, “a chasing after the wind.” But as Pastor J.D. continues our series called, Full of Nothing, we’re discovering what that phrase means, and we’re finding hope in this seemingly pessimistic passage!

Have you ever been in the middle of a crisis—maybe a spouse left you, a loved one passed away, or your business went under—and you started to question whether or not there’s any meaning to all the seemingly random tragedies of life?

Though it’s rarely pleasant, honest introspection is an important part of life. It’s essential to regularly search our own hearts, to see if there’s any secret sin we might be ignoring.

The Hoover Dam is one of the most impressive feats of modern engineering. And yet, all it would take is one little crack being overlooked, and the entire structure would come tumbling down.

In a commencement address, the speaker usually tries to summarize all their wisdom and life advice into one speech. And that’s what King Solomon did at the dedication of the temple.

Popular thought says there are lots of ways to know God, and claiming to have exclusive access makes you sound prejudiced and narrow-minded. But is that really how it works? Does every religion get you to God in the end?

A lot of us tend to see pastors and missionaries as “super Christians,” and we think that getting serious about God means giving up our day job and going into full-time ministry. But as he continues our series called, “The Man Who Had it All,” Pastor J.D. reveals that every job is a full-time ministry! 

Have you ever noticed that most of us have different personas for different places? We have our “work self,” our “home self,” and our “church self.” It’s not that we want to be hypocritical or disingenuous.

Have you ever been facing a really big decision and you prayed for God’s guidance, but all you heard back were crickets? What’s the secret to unlocking God’s wisdom?

As we kick off a new series called, “The Man Who Had It All,” we’re looking at the life of King Solomon, a fascinating Old Testament figure whose story is a string of seeming contradictions.

As we wrap up our brand new teaching series in Psalm 23, Pastor J.D. reminds us how the Apostle Paul never asked for his “thorn in the flesh.”

Have you ever wondered how much goodness God can bring about in your life? Pastor J.D. Greear tackles that question as he examines the sufferings of the Apostle Paul.

As we continue our series through Psalm 23, Pastor J.D. Greear examines the life of Namaan—a powerful king with a powerful problem: leprosy. Naaman would eventually get the healing he was after, but not before God led him in a direction he never expected to go.

As we continue our series through Psalm 23, Pastor J.D. Greear examines the life of Namaan—a powerful king with a powerful problem: leprosy. Naaman would eventually get the healing he was after, but not before God led him in a direction he never expected to go.

As we continue through Psalm 23, we’re finishing up a look into the life of Joseph. Joseph’s life was characterized by betrayal, injustice, confusion, and—above all—years and years of waiting.

In the next teaching from our series called “Goodness In the Middle,” Pastor J.D. draws a parallel between this psalm of David and the life of Joseph – one of the most engaging characters in the entire Bible. Joseph lived a life of high’s and low’s, but through it all, he trusted that God was ultimately in control.

Ever wondered what it would be like to say, “I have no needs?” As Pastor J.D. wraps up the first teaching from a brand new series through Psalm 23 called “Goodness In the Middle,” he shows us exactly what it looks like to have no needs—straight from one of the most famous chapters in the Bible.

Theology isn’t just about learning a lot of impressive terminology. Good, biblical theology is practical, and it changes the way we interact with our world.

In the rush of everyday life, we often find ourselves hungry for a bigger destiny. Pastor J.D. describes the only thing that can fill that desire.

Everyone wants to feel that their life has a bigger purpose. But does anything we do actually last into eternity?

What does it mean to have faith through trials? Does it mean that we just put on a smile and act like everything’s fine, even when we’re hurting inside?

It seems like we’re constantly hearing news of hurricanes, wildfires, and mass shootings. And on a more personal level, we face chronic pain, broken marriages, and unfulfilled dreams. Will it ever get better?

We all have a deep-seated sense that we don’t quite measure up and we need to do better. Where does that feeling come from?

Most of us would say that we’re a pretty good person. We have faults, but our hearts are in the right place. But if our hearts are truly in the right place, then why do we keep doing wrong things? Why do we still hurt people, act selfishly, or lash out in anger?

If there’s one thing that everyone wants in life, it’s happiness. And yet, for so many people, happiness seems like a pipe dream. We either spend our whole lives chasing the next thrill, never completely satisfied, or we end up settling for comfort and trying to drown out the nagging sense that we’re meant for more.

In a brand new study in the book of Psalms called Question Everything, we’re discovering how an ancient book of music lyrics can help us answer some of the most pressing questions on our hearts, like, “Why am I not happy?” and “Does my life have a purpose?”

As Pastor J.D. is concluding our series titled "Kingdom Come," he is explaining how we can have joy today, knowing that what we do in this life will count for eternity!

As Pastor J.D. wraps up our series titled Kingdom Come, he reminds us that the resurrection of Jesus isn’t folklore or myth, but a factual, historical account supported by hundreds of eyewitnesses.

In a teaching called The Imminence of the Kingdom, Pastor J.D. is teaching from the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 17, reminding us that more people will miss the Kingdom of God because they neglect it, rather than reject it.

You’ve probably noticed that Christian books and ministries offer endless speculation about the end times and the Kingdom of God. Pastor J.D. Greear explains that the Kingdom of God is already here, but also, not yet.

Many people think they have to go overseas to fulfill the Great Commission. But Pastor J.D. reminds us that we have a mission field right here at home! Today’s message is part of our series called Kingdom Come. And Pastor J.D. is teaching from Luke, Chapter 14.

As Pastor J.D. teaches from the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 14, he explains who God puts on his A-list, and he notes that it’s much different than our own. This message is part of our series called "Kingdom Come."

We’re learning a lesson in gospel irony as Pastor J.D. continues our study in the Gospel of Luke. In Luke, Chapter 14, he unpacks the meaning of two seemingly different parables. But when we see how they tie together and how much God truly loves and cares for us, we’ll never be the same.

Not all invitations are equal. A backyard BBQ invite might show up in an email or a text message, whereas a wedding invitation is probably going to make a splash.

Have you ever wondered why God doesn’t just show up and announce himself? Wouldn’t that quiet down all the skeptics? As we continue our series titled "Kingdom Come," Pastor J.D. explains that God reveals himself to those who want to know him but hides from those who want to use him.

In this passage of Luke 10, Pastor J.D. explains that Jesus conceals the truth from those who seek to use God as a means to an end.

The Gospel of Luke records several times when Jesus told people not to reveal who he is. If God wants everyone to know him, why did Jesus take such great pains to hide his accomplishments?

When someone asks, “What’s the point of prayer?” there are probably a couple of ways we could answer. As we continue our series, titled “Kingdom Come,” Pastor J.D. turns to the Gospel of Luke to teach us how to pray boldly and with persistence.

Almost every religion teaches prayer, and even non-religious people pray. But what makes Christian prayer different? For starters, it’s not about twisting someone’s arm, or cajoling a distant god, but speaking with boldness to our loving, Heavenly Father.

We’ve all heard the saying: “Nothing in life is certain, except death and taxes.” But Pastor J.D. explains how Jesus removed the sting and power of death

Wherever Jesus went, crowds followed. But no matter a person’s class or station, Jesus extends compassion and tenderness to anyone who comes to him in faith.

As we continue our study in the Gospel of Luke, we’re exploring what Jesus says about the Kingdom! It’s part of our series titled Kingdom Come.

What comes to mind when you think about the Kingdom of God? Jesus robed in white, walking beside your loved ones on streets of gold? Well, it’s likely that we all need to broaden our perspective.

Everyone enjoys the good things in life. But when those “good things” become our focus, we’ve landed in enemy territory. Learn how to steer clear of the temptations.

Can God’s plan triumph over all of life’s hurts and disappointments? It’s a question most of us have asked. Pastor J.D. provides the answer as he continues the series called Kingdom Come.

Do you have pain, disappointment, or unanswered questions in your life? This message, titled “Surprise,” teaches us what real faith is—in spite of the challenges that life throws at you. Don’t miss it Monday on Summit Life with J.D. Greear.

In this message from Romans 10, Pastor J.D. continues to lean into the truth that those of us who have heard the message have an obligation to share it and how to send or be sent.

Are you ready to say “yes” to whatever God asks you to do? In this message, Pastor J.D. looks at four important verses from Romans 10 that show us why, as the ones who believe in the gospel message, we owe it to those who have not heard to take it to them.

Do your circumstances feel pretty dark and heavy right now? When we feel far from God, it’s easy to doubt that we have what it takes to be saved. But in this message from Pastor J.D. on Romans 10, we see why we can trust that what was required for salvation has been fulfilled in Jesus and how, when we confess and believe that Jesus is Lord, we will never be disappointed.

In this message, Pastor J.D. looks at Romans 10 to show us how, no matter how much shame we feel from our past or how far we feel from God, he is as close as our mouth and our heart.

Do God’s ways often seem confusing to you? Pastor J.D. continues today’s teaching from Romans 9 to teach us how trusting in the mystery of God’s wisdom and his goodness to save us gives us assurance that he will finish the work he has started in us.

To answer this and some other tough questions in today’s message, Pastor J.D. looks at Romans 9 to show us how the mystery of God’s ways should point us to his sovereignty and our unworthiness. When we see ourselves rightly, we are emboldened to share his mercy with the least likely.

As Pastor J.D. continues today in Romans 8, he teaches us that persecution and opposition may affect our situation, but, as God’s children, our lives are not defined by our situation. When we suffer, we have the assurance of being called, justified, and glorified—and that makes us more than conquerors.

In this message, Pastor J.D. takes us back to the greatest chapter in the Bible, Romans 8, to show us how God not only delivers us from our suffering. Even more—he makes our pain and suffering serve his purposes.

Pastor J.D. continues in this message to draw from the deep well of gospel truth in Romans 8 to remind us of how God is working in our suffering and the fact that, even when you feel like you’re barely holding onto God in the midst of your pain, he is still holding onto you.

In today’s teaching, Pastor J.D. turns to Romans 8 to show us the myths we believe about suffering as Christians and how we can hope in our suffering, knowing that God is going to finish his good work in us.

Pastor J.D. continues in today’s message from Romans 8 to show us how the Holy Spirit gives us assurance that God is with us and working for our good, even in our pain.

Do you know what to do with the Holy Spirit? Many Christians repeat familiar phrases about the Spirit but still don’t know what they mean. In this message, Pastor J.D. teaches from Romans 8 about why the Holy Spirit is necessary.

What if the worst effect of sin is not how it hurts you or someone else, but how it cuts you off from the Holy Spirit? When there is total surrender to God’s Spirit, we’re free to walk in righteousness and resurrection power.

If some part of your life feels dead because of the effects of sin, then you need to hear this: there is resurrection hope for you. In this message, Pastor J.D. turns to what many people consider the greatest chapter in the Bible, Romans 8.

Can you relate to the Apostle Paul, who was so torn between his desire to do good and the ongoing sin in his life that he needed to cling desperately to God’s mercy? We’ll see how acknowledging the battle with sin and our ultimate victory over it doesn’t just change how we view the fight.

Ever feel like you’re living a double life? There’s one side of you that wants to do the right thing and another that doesn’t want to do it at all—and that can’t be right, because you’re a Christian, and you think you shouldn’t struggle with sin anymore.

Have you ever wondered why, even though you made Jesus Lord of your life, sin still seems so powerful? It’s a question every believer asks at some point, and it’s a struggle the Apostle Paul understood firsthand.

At some point, every follower of Jesus will ask, “If Jesus is Lord of my life, then why do I keep sinning?” In today’s teaching from the “Romans” series, Pastor J.D. shows us how believing in our righteous identity in Christ releases power in us to live up to that identity.

Some of us think if only we could see Jesus with our own eyes, like Paul, then we would never have any doubts about faith.

Do you ever have doubts about faith? If so, you’re not alone. Even the first disciples had unanswered questions. In today’s message from Romans 6, Pastor J.D. walks through how the resurrection shows us not just that Jesus is who he said he was and that his death accomplished what he said it would.

Many of us felt confident and invincible as young kids, but as we grew older, insecurities set in and we started questioning ourselves. Pastor J.D. explains that those insecurities aren’t really a reflection of ourselves — they’re a reflection of our view of God.

Self-improvement is an American obsession, and the self-help industry churns out an endless supply of books, seminars and training programs, raking in about $10 billion each year! But Pastor J.D. teaches about the real path to confidence and significance.

When God doesn’t show up when we want him to, we tend to get worried and anxious, which often leads to disaster.

Sometimes when we’re afraid or in a bind, we try to bargain with God. We’ve all been there — trying to get Jesus to agree to our demands.

Conflict isn’t anything new. It’s as much a part of life as breathing! And while most of us run from conflict, what if conflict is the very thing God wants to use to shape our lives?

Remember how frustrating it was when you were in school and the teacher was describing a big concept, but you couldn’t make heads or tails of it? Nobody likes when they can’t understand something

The battle for holiness was won two thousand years ago on the cross. So why do we still struggle with sin today? And what tools has God given us to break free?

When we’re facing a personal tragedy, we might wonder if we’re being punished for something we did wrong. Certainly, we can cause ourselves a lot of pain when we ignore God’s Word.

Deep down, a lot of people believe the biblical view of submission in marriage is outdated and unequal. But God’s design for marriage is perfect, timeless, and beautiful.

A quick look at the divorce statistics in the U.S. will make one thing abundantly clear: as a culture, we’re bad at marriage. Even couples that manage to stay together often end up living parallel lives rather than the “happily ever after” they dreamed of. So what are we missing?

As Pastor J.D. often says, the gospel is the power for the Christian life. And on this edition of Summit Life, we’re discovering how the gospel transforms our view of marriage.

The Bible makes it clear that if you’re really following Jesus, then the world is going to oppose you in one way or another. So what do we do when we’re mocked or excluded because of our faith?

The Bible clearly calls believers to submit to authority, whether that’s parental authority, a boss at work, or the government. But what about when those in authority are morally corrupt?

In the book of First Peter, Christians are called to be aliens on this earth. That phrase appears on plenty of bumper stickers and T-shirts, but what does it actually mean?

As Christians, we’re supposed to be different than the world around us. We’re called to be outsiders and aliens. But what does that look like on a practical level?

Most teens start feeling grown up when they get their driver’s license or graduate high school. But what are the marks that a person is growing up spiritually?

We can’t help getting older, but growing up is a choice. Pastor J.D. challenges us to Grow Up spiritually and reach true maturity in our faith.

The word “holiness” gets thrown around a lot in church, and most of us have a vague idea of what it means, but do we really understand the implications of calling God holy?

Most Christians think that trusting God means we just have to put on a happy face no matter what, even when we’re hurting inside. But that’s not at all what the Bible teaches us.

Most Christians think that trusting God means we just have to put on a happy face no matter what, even when we’re hurting inside. But that’s not at all what the Bible teaches us.

A lot of people come to Jesus with the expectation that he’ll make their life better. But Jesus said that in this world, we will have trouble. So how should we respond when life gets hard?

From the first century to the 21st, Christians around the world have gladly given their lives for the sake of the gospel. There are countless stories of believers singing as they went to their execution and praying for their enemies. Where did they get that otherworldly courage? Pastor J.D. answers that question as he begins a brand new series called, I Am an Alien. We’re learning what it means to be in the world but not of the world. 

We talk a lot on Summit Life about living our lives on a mission… “sent” into the mission field God has placed us in. Today, we’ll hear more about how we can fulfill the Great Commission in our families, our workplaces, and whatever situation we find ourselves in. Because, no matter what season of life we’re in, our calling as followers of Jesus is to “Live Sent.”

Did you know that every single worship service at The Summit Church in Raleigh-Durham, where Pastor J.D. pastors, ends with the same three words? Those words are: “You are sent.” We love gathering to worship God together every weekend, but we always want to remind ourselves that once we leave the church service, the real work begins… because we’re all missionaries being “sent out” into our mission field!

This is the Tale of Two Adams: While one man brought the curse of death upon the human race, another man sacrificed and took that curse into himself. Pastor J.D. continues to teach in this message how we have chosen sin, like the first Adam, but we can choose life through the second man, Jesus Christ. When we do, we’ll understand why every son and daughter of Adam needs to hear how they, too, can be redeemed.

We all have a problem: We are living under the curse of sin and death, all because of the choice of one man: Adam. That’s pretty depressing, isn’t it? But there’s hope in the gospel. In today’s message, Pastor J.D. walks through Romans 5 and shows us how, even though we all made the same choice as Adam to sin, we can all make the choice today to accept salvation through another man—the second Adam, Jesus Christ.

We won’t always know how God is working in our suffering. That doesn’t sound very comforting, but we know from the Bible that we can trust in two things: first, the cross shows us that he hasn’t forgotten us and, two, the resurrection shows us that he always finishes what he has started. Pastor J.D. continues in this message from Romans to remind us how and why we can have joy in the midst of our suffering.

How is it possible to rejoice when we are suffering? You may think it’s not possible. But, Romans 5 shows us that the gospel changes everything, including how we look at suffering. In this message, Pastor J.D. teaches us how we can rejoice in the hope that God will keep all his promises ... a hope rooted in the assurance that one day, even if nothing else in our lives works out, God will restore everything that is broken.

Do you have the kind of faith Abraham had? The Apostle Paul says that, even when he faltered, Abraham “did not waver in unbelief.” As Pastor J.D. continues to teach from Romans 4, he helps us understand that faith is not about never failing; it’s about placing your trust in the God who always keeps his promises. Faith is about admitting that you cannot save yourself, but that, in God’s grace, he has done it for you.

One of the most common questions about Christianity is, “How did people in the Old Testament get to heaven?” In today’s teaching, Pastor J.D. teaches us not only when and how Abram — the “father of our faith” — was saved, but also how our faith is the same as Abraham’s. Through his story, we see that the Christian life is started and sustained by faith that God will keep his promises and that he fulfilled his most important one in Jesus.

When we experience division in the church, the first question we should ask is, “What are we boasting in?” As he continues in Romans 3, Pastor J.D. shows us in this message the three things we tend to boast in and why they contribute to conflict. When we understand that, while God only accepts those who are repentant, he also accepts repentant people from every background and race, only then will we have unity in God’s family.

We often like the concept of diversity, as long as other people adapt to our customs and styles. But the gospel teaches us a different way. In this message, Pastor J.D. teaches from Romans 3, where we learn that, while there is only one way to salvation, God doesn’t accept us because of anything about us but because of what he’s done for us. This makes Christianity, as Tim Keller says, “the most inclusive exclusivity there is.”

If you’ve never known how to reply to someone who asks, “What’s the big deal about Jesus?” then this is the message for you. Pastor J.D. continues through the passage in Romans 3 that some scholars say is the most important in the Bible. Through its message, we learn what makes Christianity so different from every other religion and how accepting Jesus’ forgiveness changes the foundation of our lives.

Have you ever wondered how to respond when someone asks you why you think Jesus is the only way to salvation? In this message, Pastor J.D. walks through one of the most important passages in Romans, what Martin Luther called “the very central place ... of the whole Bible.” In it, we find not only the answer to why Jesus saves but also a confidence that is found only through our justification.

Billy Graham said that what sends most people to hell is not their sins but their good works, because good works make us think there is something good about us that can save us from ourselves. Pastor J.D. continues in this message from Romans to show us how religion cannot reform us and willpower cannot change our hearts—and the one thing we need to come to Jesus for salvation.

You’ve got a problem. We all do! Salvation through Jesus has always been available, but many people still have not received it because they’re not willing to admit that there’s a problem with their heart. In this message, Pastor J.D. walks through Romans 3 and helps us see how the law showed us our need for a Savior, but that we cannot do anything to be made righteous except believe in Jesus who kept the law in our place.

Good news! Though religion can’t change us, the gospel gives us a new heart. In Romans 2 Paul admonishes religious people who have grown up in church and have never recognized their need for repentance but reminds us that there is hope. In this message, Pastor J.D. shows us the only way for religious and irreligious people to be saved and how God stands ready not with condemnation but mercy and kindness.

In Romans 2, Paul goes after religious people who think they’re better because they know the Bible and go to church—and he’s talking to us. Pastor J.D. continues in the “Romans” series in this message as he explains why, on the final day, God will look beyond the outward performance of religion to our inward motivations and how both religious and irreligious sinners are welcomed back into God’s family through the cross.

It’s easy to look at the sins listed in Romans 1 and think, “What was wrong with those people?” But the gospel teaches us that the same idolatry in the hearts of people throughout history still exists in us today. In this message, Pastor J.D. continues to show us in Romans that, while we all stand under judgment of a righteous God, he is also a merciful God who spares us through his grace.

We often look back at our country’s history of slavery, oppression, and racism and think, “How could they have been so blind?” And yet we continue to practice the same idolatry today, where we reject God as the center and ruler of our lives. As Pastor J.D. returns to the “Romans” series in this message, he shows us why, thank God, it doesn’t matter what kind of sinner we are but what kind of Savior Jesus is.

Have you ever wondered what happens to people who have never heard the name of Jesus? In this message, Pastor J.D. turns to Romans, where the Apostle Paul shows us that God has revealed truth to us in creation and in us through a longing for meaning and eternity. Learn why those longings are no cruel joke; they are, as C.S. Lewis said, evidence that we were made for another world.

When it comes to the gospel, you have to get lost before you get saved. Pastor J.D. shows us in this message from the “Romans” series that though the Bible makes it clear that we have all turned away from God and our hearts are corrupt, God did not stop pursuing us. If you’re lost, just look to the cross, where God shows you his holiness, your unrighteousness, and his willingness to come after you anyway.

What would it take for you to give up your life as you know it so others could hear the gospel? In this message, Pastor J.D. continues to examine the life of Paul, who wasn’t just unashamed to share the good news around the world—he was eager to faithfully proclaim what Christ had done. His example shows us just how unworthy we were to hear the gospel and how much we owe to Jesus for giving it to us.

The gospel that compelled Paul to forsake his life and carry its message around the world for the sake of the lost is the same gospel that calls you today to do the same. Pastor J.D. continues in the “Romans” series by examining the life of Paul—the former Pharisee who understood that with the privilege of hearing the gospel comes the responsibility of sharing it—and showing how the gospel should change the way you look at your life.

The power to continue in the Christian life comes from the same place you got the power to start in the Christian life. In this message, Pastor J.D. continues his introduction to the “Romans” series and explains what it means for the gospel to go deeper in you and through you in the world.

In this introduction to the “Romans” series, Pastor J.D. explains how the gospel is not just the diving board off of which we jump into the pool of Christianity. It is the pool itself.

Is it possible for Jesus to be God but not know everything God the Father knows? Pastor J.D. answers that question as he concludes our series called, The Difficult Sayings of Jesus.

When it comes to end-time prophecy, some Christians spend a ton of time trying to map out the last days. Others want to focus on the here and now. So which approach is correct?

Jesus told his followers that they would have authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy. What exactly did he mean by that?

When many of us picture Satan, we think of little red horns and a pitchfork. But is Satan just a figment of Hollywood’s imagination, or is he really alive and active in our world today?

A lot of people use Matthew 7:1 to argue that we should never tell anyone that they’re sinning. But is that what Jesus really meant when he told us not to judge others?

In our culture, it’s a common belief that every religion leads to God, as long as you’re sincere. But the offensive truth is: that’s not what Jesus taught!

Everyone likes the idea of Jesus bringing peace on earth and goodwill to men. But uncontroversial people don’t get crucified.

In the Garden of Gethsemane, we witness one of the most shocking moments in all of history. God the Father turned his face away from his Son so that he could welcome us into his presence.

Have you ever felt abandoned? Maybe a spouse left you, a friend betrayed you, or a parent wasn’t there when you needed them most. Jesus knows exactly how that feels.

Most people believe that they’re going to go to heaven when they die because they’re a good person. But in truth, our salvation has nothing to do with our moral successes and failures.

As Pastor J.D. begins a series called The Difficult Sayings of Jesus, we’re putting aside our assumptions and taking a fresh look at who Jesus really is.

In this message on 1 Corinthians 16, Pastor J.D. continues to walk through Paul’s concluding thoughts to the Corinthian church, through which we get a helpful look into the biblical motivation for giving and how to make a Spirit-led decision.

As Paul bounces from topic to topic—principles on giving, the need for courage, dealing with opposition, discerning God’s will—we see a snapshot of a faithful Christian life.

Pastor J.D. helps you understand what Jesus has done for you and how to make the most important decision of your life.

In this Easter message, Pastor J.D. explains that whether or not the resurrection is true, we should all want it to be true.

Pastor J.D. teaches the four ways the truth of the resurrection should make a difference in our lives and how to be included in the resurrection to eternal glory.

In this message from 1 Corinthians 15, Pastor J.D. takes a look at how Paul responds to some of the Corinthians who are saying there’s no resurrection of the dead.

Pastor J.D. explains why the love that is described in 1 Corinthians 13 must be received before it is shown—and how that love is found only in Jesus.

A dive into 1 Corinthians 13 shows us the most profound, powerful, and counter-cultural description of love ever written.

Pastor J.D. continues in this message to show how God works in your life not just through your spiritual gifts but also the spiritual gifts of others.

None of us—and none of our brothers or sisters—can truly flourish until we know and exercise our gifts. In God’s community, everybody has a special role to play. Every. Body. Including you.

When the apostle Paul was completely exasperated by the divisions in the Corinthian church, he laid out a theology of communion, because remembering the gospel cuts through all the noise of the chaos in the church.

In this message from 1 Corinthians 11, Pastor J.D. picks up the most fundamental element of Christian worship—the bread and the cup of communion.

Pastor J.D. wants you to see how difficult topics demonstrate created order and the gospel. In this message, Pastor J.D. continues to look at what this passage in 1 Corinthians 11 communicates to us today.

Pastor J.D. walks through one of the most confusing and misinterpreted passages in the entire New Testament. Along the way, we’ll learn just how relevant first-century head coverings are for the hot button questions about gender (and gender identity) in the twenty-first

Pastor J.D. helps you understand what competes with God for first place in your life so that you can get rid of your idols, put God first, and surrender to and serve him.

In this message, Pastor J.D. helps you understand what competes with God for first place in your life so that you can get rid of your idols, put God first, and surrender to and serve him. The only way to overcome idolatry is to lean in to God’s presence and faithfulness!

If athletes train like they do for crowns that perish and names in rafters that fade into oblivion, how much more should we be willing to discipline our lives for the souls of people that last forever? Pastor J.D. explains in this message how to order your life when the crown you are striving for is the soul of your neighbor, coworker, or family member.

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.

As Pastor J.D. continues to look at what the Bible says about divorce, he answers three practical questions about staying in a difficult marriage, remarriage, and how God views divorced people.

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.

Pastor J.D. wants to help believers know when it’s the right time to be married, because God created you for relationship, but also that the ultimate place you find companionship is in the church.

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?

Pastor J.D. continues in this message to help Christians know how to respond to a culture that says sex is no big deal and how to flee temptation with the help of the Holy Spirit.

In this message from our series in 1 Corinthians, Pastor J.D. explores a topic that is as contentious to us today as it was to the people in Corinth—sex.

Because sin is serious, the church has to take it seriously and follow the example of church discipline Paul describes in 1 Corinthians 5.

In this message from 1 Corinthians 5, Pastor J.D. teaches about the messy but necessary process of church discipline.

In this message, Pastor J.D. explains further the four characteristics the apostle Paul says should be championed in those who lead.

Join Pastor J.D. as he unpacks what biblical leadership looks like as we continue our series in 1 Corinthians, Cutting Through the Noise.

The same divisions that were present in the early church are still at work in the church today. Because of this, it’s important for those in the church to recognize the roots of self-righteousness and separation.

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.

As Pastor J.D. continues in this message from the “Love Incorruptible” series, he shows us why feeling weak and unqualified makes us more likely to lean on God’s power and how, when we apply gospel truth to our lives, we are strengthened knowing we are fighting from a victory Jesus has already won.

In this message, Pastor J.D. walks through each piece of spiritual armor so that you know how to arm yourself for the spiritual attack happening right now but also so you understand that you need every part of your body covered—because where the gospel has built you up, Satan cannot attack you.

Pastor J.D. continues in this message from Ephesians 5 and helps us understand the biblical meaning of submission and how, when we use our relationships in marriage, family, and work to love and serve like Christ, we grow deeper in joy and unity and put the gospel on display.

In this message, as part of the “Love Incorruptible” series, Pastor J.D. walks us through Ephesians 5, a passage that stirs up a lot of confusion about submission, and helps us see that God uses the relationships in marriage, family, and work as laboratories to help us grow in spiritual maturity.

You can find plenty of instruction in the Bible on how you should walk as a Christian. As he continues this message from Ephesians 5, Pastor J.D. helps us see that we don’t just need to know how to walk. We need to know how to get the power to walk with Jesus. When we are transformed by the gospel, the wonder of it fills our hearts, and we are compelled to walk in love, light, and wisdom.

You may think you’re being a good Christian because you’re trying to imitate God. But are you doing it because you adore him?

In this message, Pastor J.D. continues in a study of Ephesians, where we learn how moving beyond awareness to engagement helps us create the kind of gospel community that celebrates our cultural differences.

As the church, we cannot insist that people bow to our preferences when it comes to worshiping a Savior who gave up all his rights to rescue us.