The Summit Church

Have you ever stopped to consider the foundation that your life is built on? As Pastor J.D. continues our series in James this week, he shows us how trials can work to reveal these foundations, for better or worse. Unfortunately, trials can also present us with the temptation to sin, rather than wait on God. In the face of such temptation, we can embrace the truth that every good gift comes from God—or we can turn to other things for comfort and peace. What will you choose?

Not many of us are likely to say that we enjoy tests and trials—and yet, life is full of them. This week, Pastor J.D. begins a series through the book of James, a book filled with practical wisdom and valuable insight. When faced with trials, will you respond in faith? Or will you respond with anger, disappointment, or even despair? When we trust in God's character even in the midst of hardship, we can be sure that he is working to produce lasting fruit in us.

Where does love come from? The culture around us would undoubtedly have a very different answer than what we read in 1 John 4. In this week's message, Pastor John Muller helps us consider the implications of God's love for us. As those who have been loved in such a profound way, we should be eager to share this transforming love with the world.

Apex Campus Pastor Josh Ingram shares a message from Isaiah 55.

North Durham Campus Pastor Gus Pacheco shares a message from Luke 8.

Blue Ridge Campus Pastor Dustin Wells shares a message from 1 Peter 5:6-7.

When it comes to parenting, we can learn a lot from the way God relates to his own children. In this message from Luke 15, Pastor Bryan encourages us with the remarkable truth that God views us not as hired servants, but as sons and daughters. In the way that he relentlessly pursues a relationship with us, God demonstrates compassion and grace beyond measure. What benefits might we reap from the commitment to pursue a similar relationship with our children?

In celebration of Father's Day, Pastors J.D. and Bryan host their own fathers for a panel discussion. As men who have experienced the ups and downs of fatherhood, Lynn Greear and Crawford Loritts offer practical, biblical wisdom to encourage men—whether they are fathers or not.

Our homes matter, even more than we may realize. In this message from Deuteronomy 6, Pastor Bryan walks us through some of Moses' final instructions for the Israelites. These words, intended to prepare the Israelites to enter the Promised Land, still carry important implications for us today as we consider how to engage in gospel-based parenting in our current culture. If we want to have a greater chance of preparing our children to become adults who make a difference for God in their moment in history, we ought to be diligent to equip them to love and fear God.

You don't have to be familiar with the Hebrew language to understand the concept behind the word "hevel": Life can often feel chaotic and empty, meaningless and absurd—despite our best efforts to make it otherwise. In this message from Ecclesiastes, Pastor J.D. helps us see several absurdities about life, as well as vital truths that can help us live in light of these absurdities. For those who have surrendered fully to God, life is anything but meaningless, because there is hope to be found beyond what we merely see "under the sun."