Summit Life with J.D. Greear

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. Though we might not always feel like worshiping, we can resolve to do so anyway, out of obedience to and love for our great God.

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. The king that they needed—and that we need today—was one fully without sin, willing to lay down his life even for his enemies. With such a King on the throne, we can learn to accept with joy what God has for us this year and beyond.

God had promised Israel a king that would bring Israel identity, happiness, and security, but their hearts had been broken with their first king, Saul. Surely David would be the king they had been promised! 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. And Saul isn’t alone: In the church today, many people seem destined to miss heaven by 18 inches—the distance between your head and your heart.

This conversation features Abigail, whose story highlights the power of wisdom and discretion in challenging times. She illustrates how to trust God when life diverges from our plans. Key topics include resilience in difficult marriages, emphasizing grace over retaliation, and navigating family dynamics with a strong sense of faith. The discussion also contrasts human leadership flaws with the hope of a perfect king, underscoring the transformative power of gospel partnerships in personal and community growth.

Abigail, a little-known yet profoundly wise figure from the Bible, joins the discussion to reveal her impactful role in King David's life. They delve into how Abigail's quick thinking and courage saved her household from disaster and reminded David of his true purpose. The conversation highlights the importance of seeking wise counsel, challenging gender stereotypes, and the empowerment of women as leaders. Themes of integrity, moral failures, and the significance of one's choices in shaping their life narrative are also explored.

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: When our plans seem to be going south, we can take matters into our own hands. Or we can follow David, doing the hardest thing in the Bible—trust God and actively wait on his timing.

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.