Summit Life With J.d. Greear

Have you ever noticed how little kids will pick up a new word without really understanding the nuances? If we’re honest, a lot of grownups still do the same thing with “churchy words” like holiness. We throw it around all the time, and most of us have a vague idea of what it means, but do we really understand the implications of calling God holy? Pastor J.D. clears up any confusion as he continues our series called, I Am an Alien.  

When a soldier is in an active warzone, they’re not going to be getting distracted or daydreaming. They’re going to be on high alert, every thought focused on the battle at hand. And as Christians, we’re constantly engaged in spiritual warfare. So how do we train our minds for the battlefield? Pastor J.D. answers that question as continues our study in the book of First Peter called, I Am an Alien.

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 the case at all! In fact, Jesus himself wept bitterly on multiple occasions. Pastor J.D. describes the biblical response to suffering as he continues our study in First Peter called, I Am an Alien.

A lot of people come to Jesus with the expectation that he will make their life better. They know things won’t be perfect, but they still expect some improvements: a happier family, financial stability, and a “help line” when things get sticky. But the Bible never promised us an easy life! In fact, Jesus said that in this world, we will have trouble. So where does our hope come from when life gets hard? Pastor J.D answers that question as he continues our series, I Am an Alien. 

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. 

As we conclude our powerful series in 1 John called Assured, we’re discovering how we can know with absolute certainty whether or not we’re saved. God doesn’t want you living in fear and doubt! Pastor J.D. has described several tests that give us assurance, and the final test of salvation is our love for others. 

We tend to use the word “love” pretty loosely in our culture. It can refer to your feelings about your pets, your spouse, or your favorite food! Obviously, those are not the same kind of love. So what does the Bible mean when it talks about loving your neighbor? Pastor J.D. unpacks that question today as he continues our series in 1 John called Assured.

When most people think of idolatry, they picture a temple with little golden statues. But Pastor J.D. explains that idolatry is a much broader term. While worshiping a statue is certainly a form of idolatry, it’s not the only kind! Pastor J.D. is continuing our series titled, Assured.

In Matthew chapter 7, Jesus makes it clear that it’s possible to call yourself a Christian, believe all the right things, but still not truly be saved. Even more than that, Jesus even says that it’s possible to prophecy, cast out demons, and do mighty works in his name without even truly knowing him. So how can we tell where we stand? What’s the difference between knowing about Jesus and knowing him? Pastor J.D. answers that question as he continues our series called Assured. 

Sin isn’t a very popular subject. No one likes being reminded of their failures, and even in Christian circles, the subject of sin tends to get glossed over. It’s easier to ask for prayer for an illness or a job situation than it is to admit your deepest struggles. But Pastor J.D. explains that the way we think about and deal with our sin is a crucial sign of where we stand with God. This message is part of our series in 1 John called, Assured. 

As we continue our series in the book of 1 John called, Assured, Pastor J.D. is talking about an often-uncomfortable subject: sin.  He’s revealing that the way we think about our own sinfulness can be proof of our standing with God and can give us assurance of our salvation. 

The deepest-held beliefs in your life are probably not things that have been proven to you through philosophic reasoning. Usually, our deepest beliefs are based on the things we’ve experienced in our own lives. We believe them because we’ve seen, heard, or felt them. But we can’t see God. Is it even possible to know him beyond just an intellectual knowledge? Can we ever really experience him? Pastor J.D. argues that we can. And he’ll explain how as he continues our series called, Assured.

The first disciples believed in Jesus because of the miracles they witnessed: the healing of the sick and blind, the calming of storms, and the resurrection. But now that Jesus has returned to heaven, how can we have that same experience and the same assurance that those first disciples had? We’ll discover the answer as Pastor J.D. continues our new series titled, Assured.  

If you ask a dozen people at your church how they got saved, you’ll probably get a dozen different answers. Some probably grew up in church and have always believed in God. Others might have prayed a prayer in Sunday school or at a youth camp. Still others might have had a dramatic conversion later in life. Are all those experiences valid? Or is there a certain formula you have to follow to truly be saved? Pastor J.D. answers that question as he continues our series called, Assured. 

Have you ever wondered if it’s possible to lose your salvation? Or why some people who seem to be saved later walk away from God? Those are the questions we’ll be looking at over the next two weeks in our new series called Assured. We’ll discover the freedom and power that comes from being secure in Christ. 

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. Others think it means you go to church. Still others just think it means that you believe in God.  So what’s really the defining factor? Pastor J.D. brings some clarity on this issue and defines what it truly means to be a follower of Christ. It’s the final message in our series called, In Earth as it Is in Heaven.

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. But is that really all it takes to be a “follower of Christ?” Pastor J.D. challenges us to reevaluate what we really mean by the term “Christian”.  It’s part of our series called, In Earth as it Is in Heaven.

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? Pastor J.D. suggests that Jesus had a deeper message and a bigger purpose in mind when he told this story. It’s part of our series called In Earth as it Is in Heaven. Download the Margin Auditing Tool that Pastor J.D. referenced in this message. 

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. Pastor J.D. is unpacking the story of the Good Samaritan. He’s getting right to the heart of the difference between works-based religion, and the gospel of Christ. We’re discovering why religion and good works are never enough to save us.  

What are the core components of the gospel centered life? As we wrap up this study on King David, J.D. Greear finds the answer by looking at David’s end-of-life legacy, and the way in which he responded to God’s judgment and mercy by pointing to an even greater King who was yet to come.