The Summit Church

The book of Jonah ends in a curious manner, with a surprising cliffhanger of a question posed to Jonah. And while we are left wondering what Jonah will do, the real question for us becomes what we will do with God's invitation to extend mercy to our enemies. As we wrap up our series through the book of Jonah, Pastor Bryan walks us through chapter 4, detailing reasons why it is often so hard for us to show mercy, and how we can ultimately grow in mercy. The next move is ours—will it be one toward mercy or toward anger and bitterness?

When we see Jesus for who he truly is, we can't help but respond. In this week's message from Acts 2, Pastor Curtis shows us how the crowd at Pentecost had a revelation about Jesus that led them to respond in repentance and baptism. Maybe you don't feel ready to be baptized, or you aren't sure it's really necessary in order to follow Jesus. Or maybe, like those present at Pentecost, today is the day that you declare your readiness to submit to and identify with Jesus through baptism.

It can be tempting to think that we've messed things up beyond repair, that surely God must be done with us this time. In this week's message from Jonah 3, Pastor Bryan explores the beautiful truth that we serve a God who delights in giving second chances, because he is rich in mercy. And it is precisely this mercy and kindness—not guilt or condemnation—that leads us to repentance.

Chances are, you'll never be swallowed by a giant fish—but you may find yourself in a pit of despair, feeling as though there is no way out. In this week's message from Jonah 2, Pastor Bryan reveals the perhaps counterintuitive truth that there are blessings to be found in the pit. Indeed, God is able to use these experiences that are often unpleasant or even downright painful to make us still more fruitful members of his kingdom. The question, then, is how we will respond to God's steadfast love that is with us even in the deepest, darkest pit.

Why do we often struggle to show mercy to others? Perhaps, we think, the other person doesn't really deserve to be shown mercy—after all, they have offended us deeply. How could we possibly be expected to forgive them? As we begin our series through the book of Jonah, this week's message from Pastor Bryan shows us from Jonah 1 how it is impossible to become people who extend God's mercy without first comprehending the depths of our own sin. Only when we understand how much God has forgiven us can we offer that same forgiveness to others. 

Is prayer actually effective? And if it is, should we still pray even if we have a less-than-robust faith? As we wrap up our series in James this week, Pastor J.D. sheds light on a crucial—and often misunderstood—passage about prayer from James 5. 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. 

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

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 week's message from James 4 and 5, Pastor J.D. 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. 

"I will make you fishers of men." As Pastor John shows us in this week's message from Matthew 4, what Jesus promised to two brothers long ago is what he also promises us, if only we will follow him. The idea of following can often seem counterintuitive in a culture such as ours, with its focus on individualism and self-reliance. And yet, it is only when we joyfully submit ourselves to the leadership of Jesus that we will truly become disciple-making disciples.