In today's episode, Pastor J.D. tells the story of Anna and Simeon, two of the first people to meet Jesus. Unlike so many others who missed Jesus, Anna and Simeon were able to recognize the unexpected majesty of the newborn King. Their story raises the question for us: Will we see Jesus?

As we continue our “In Step” series through the book of Luke, Pastor J.D. teaches about the scandal of grace. Grace offends most people, particularly religious people. We are hard-wired to think that our worth is a result of what we do. Do good things, get good outcomes. Do bad things, get bad outcomes. Grace throws this whole system aside. And thank God it does, because without the scandal of grace, none of us would have any hope.

As we continue our “In Step” series through the book of Luke, Pastor J.D. teaches what it means to “live ready” for Jesus’ return. Are we awake to the task Jesus left for his church, or are we asleep at the wheel? Are we confident Jesus will return soon, or do we live without urgency? As followers of Jesus, we should live in such a way that only makes sense if we believe Jesus could be back at any moment.

As we continue our “In Step” series through the book of Luke, Pastor J.D. preaches about a sickness that most of us have, but few of us realize—the sickness of greed. Part of what makes greed so deadly is our inherent blindness to it. Jesus simply assumes that greed is a problem for all of us! But he also offers us a radical, gospel-shaped antidote.

As we begin our “In Step” series through the book of Luke, Pastor J.D. dives into one of Jesus’ most recognized parables. It’s a story about two men who built identical houses—with tragically different results. The only difference? Their foundation. In these times of uncertainty, as our very lives seem shaken, it’s a perfect time to make sure our lives are built on a foundation that will endure.

Faith often takes different shapes and forms throughout your life. Sometimes it means believing God for a miracle, while at other times it looks like trusting that God is good even when the miracle doesn't come. In this message, the finale of our Hebrews 11 series, Pastor J.D. encourages us with the truth that no matter where we find ourselves, our faith can be used to glorify God and point others to the gospel. What might God do through us as we continue the legacy of these great men and women of faith?

The beauty of faith is often found in its simplicity. You don't have to possess a wealth of theological knowledge to be captivated by the truth of the gospel. Maybe, like Rahab, you've simply heard what the Lord has done and you believe. In this week's message from Hebrews 11, Pastor J.D. explains how the faith of a Gentile prostitute changed the course of history and left an enduring legacy. In the same way, one simple act of faith on our part has the potential to make a profound, eternal difference in the lives of those around us.

It’s tempting at times to read the Bible through a human-centric lens, as though we are the main character in each narrative. But in so doing, we’re in danger of missing the larger point of stories like Joshua and the city of Jericho. In this week’s message from Hebrews 11, Pastor J.D. shows us how this key moment in Joshua’s life holds a valuable lesson for us: Rather than orienting our lives around trying to get God “on our side,” we ought to be asking what God wants to do and how we can join him in it.

There is something in each of us that cries out for acceptance, that longs for blessing. And while the culture around us strives for this acceptance to the point of exhaustion, the gospel says that God's acceptance of us is strictly a gift of grace that can't be earned. In this week's message from Hebrews 11, Pastor J.D. shows us how this truth came to life for Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph. Though circumstances might have pointed to the contrary, God's faithfulness was always at work, even in the midst of dark days.

What Abraham faced in his final test from God was incomprehensible, and yet he knew that God would remain faithful no matter the outcome. How was Abraham able to display such trust when met with the thought of sacrificing his son? In this week's message from Hebrews 11, Pastor J.D. explains how ultimately, this story is not about Abraham's obedience, but about God's commitment to his people. Whatever the nature of our trials in this life, we can take comfort in knowing that the God we place our faith in is the one who always keeps his promises.

 

What Abraham faced in his final test from God was incomprehensible, and yet he knew that God would remain faithful no matter the outcome. How was Abraham able to display such trust when met with the thought of sacrificing his son? In this week's message from Hebrews 11, Pastor J.D. explains how ultimately, this story is not about Abraham's obedience, but about God's commitment to his people. Whatever the nature of our trials in this life, we can take comfort in knowing that the God we place our faith in is the one who always keeps his promises.

Though widely known, the story of Noah and the ark is one that tends to be misinterpreted by many in today's society. Far from being a tame bedtime story, it gives us a glimpse of the response of a holy God to the depravity of sin. In this week's message from Hebrews 11, Pastor J.D. explains how Noah's faith led him to act on God's command, without fear of what the surrounding community might think. Likewise, we are called to display the kind of faith that acts according to God's Word, out of reverence for him, and calls others to do the same.

Who are you, really? In a culture rife with comparison, the question of identity is one that tends to plague many of us. Is your identity anchored in things such as your accomplishments, your net worth, your social media presence—or in God's purpose and plan for your life? In this week's message from Matthew 3 and 4, Pastor J.D. explains common snares that Satan uses to attack our identity and how, by being grounded in the truths of Scripture, we can avoid becoming entangled in them.

Who are you, really? In a culture rife with comparison, the question of identity is one that tends to plague many of us. Is your identity anchored in things such as your accomplishments, your net worth, your social media presence—or in God's purpose and plan for your life? In this week's message from Matthew 3 and 4, Pastor J.D. explains common snares that Satan uses to attack our identity and how, by being grounded in the truths of Scripture, we can avoid becoming entangled in them.

Who are you, really? In a culture rife with comparison, the question of identity is one that tends to plague many of us. Is your identity anchored in things such as your accomplishments, your net worth, your social media presence—or in God's purpose and plan for your life? In this week's message from Matthew 3 and 4, Pastor J.D. explains common snares that Satan uses to attack our identity and how, by being grounded in the truths of Scripture, we can avoid becoming entangled in them.

When you think about the realm of the demonic, perhaps your thoughts tend toward Hollywood depictions of it rather than its real influence in the world around you. As we begin a short series on spiritual warfare, Pastor J.D. takes us through the realities of demonic activity in this week's message from Luke 11. Though the attacks and accusations of Satan can often lead us to despair, there is much hope to be found in fully surrendering to Jesus, the only one who has truly conquered this unseen Enemy.

When you hear the phrase "The Great Commission," what is your initial reaction? There can be a tendency in the church to relegate the carrying out of this command to those who are "called," or perhaps to those of a certain personality type. But if we follow Christ, the command to make disciples applies to us all—to the introvert as well as to the extrovert; to the lawyer and the barista as well as to the pastor and the career missionary. In this week's message from John 15, Acts 1, and Matthew 28, Pastor J.D. provides a helpful framework for how to do what Jesus has called us to do: live with gospel intentionality in a way that results in true multiplication.

Whether you make New Year's resolutions or not, you probably have areas of your life that you would like to change. But the path to change, as we all know, isn't always an easy one. It can be difficult to break old habits, make new ones, and incorporate fresh rhythms into our lives. In this week's message from John 15, Pastor J.D. helps us to see that our growth as disciples isn’t a matter of steeling ourselves and willing new routines and habits into existence. Rather, this growth is a natural byproduct of abiding in Jesus as he abides in us. And it is this true connection to Jesus that will produce fruit that lasts into eternity.

You're listening to a revamped version of the Summit Life podcast now featuring twice a week full length sermons. Prefer to watch? Join us on YouTube!

If you consider yourself a follower of Jesus, you probably refer to yourself as a "Christian." But how often do you call yourself a "disciple"? In this week's message from John 15, Pastor J.D. shows us that the difference between these two words might just be more significant than we think. What's more, we may be surrounded by people who claim to be Christians but are far from being true disciples of Jesus. The good news? For those willing to fully submit to and follow Jesus, there is immense joy to be found in joining him in his mission—one that really does change the world.

You're listening to a revamped version of the Summit Life podcast. Now with twice a week full length sermons, you can stream Pastor J.D. Greear throughout the week. Prefer to watch? Join us on YouTube!

"Getting back to the basics" is an often repeated phrase—and for good reason. Whether you've been following Jesus for 10 months or 10 years, it is always beneficial to be reminded of the essential truths of the gospel, upon which our faith is built. In this week's message, the first in our series on "The Whole Disciple," Pastor J.D. helps us unpack some of these foundational truths from Romans 3:23–26. As true disciples of Jesus, these are the things that we cherish and continually learn from, rather than master and move on from.