Summit Life with J.D. Greear

Most decisions in life are reversible. Take choosing a college, for example. If you don’t like it after a semester or two, you can always transfer! And the same goes for your major, your career, and where you choose to live. But as he continues our series called, Something Greater, Pastor J.D. describes one decision that needs to be all in, no holds barred, and no going back!

Most of us would say we want to be used by God. But Pastor J.D. is challenging us to consider whether or not we’re really willing to take up our cross and follow wherever God leads. As we wrap up First Kings, we’re shifting our focus from the prophet Elijah to his protégé, Elisha. It’s the first message in the second half of our two-part series called, Something Better, Something Greater.

First Kings Chapter 18 records a definite high point in the life of the prophet Elijah, when he faced off against the prophets of Baal on Mt. Carmel. God came through for Elijah in an awesome way, and the people repented and turned back to the One True God! It was an amazing victory. But then, things seemed to go downhill. Pastor J.D. picks up the story as Elijah is on the run for his life and is dealing with some heavy emotions. We’re looking at the biblical response to depression as we continue our series called, Something Better.

Depression is stigmatized in a lot of Christian circles. We either avoid the topic entirely, or we talk about it in hushed, shameful tones. We act as if believers are just supposed to be happy-go-lucky all the time. But Pastor J.D. reveals that reality isn’t that simple! We’re discovering the biblical response for when Christians go through depression. It’s part of our study of the Prophet Elijah called, Something Better. We’re picking up the story after Elijah’s victory over the prophets of Baal on Mt. Carmel.

False gods aren’t always little golden statues. They can be anything, even good things like family, health, and financial security. Pastor J.D. explains how we turn good things into idols, and how to spot false gods that are growing up in our hearts. It’s part of our study of the prophet Elijah called, Something Better. We’re in the book of First Kings.

Every once in a while, you’re bound to come to some crossroads in life, like a marriage proposal or a new career. And either way you choose, you know your life will never be the same again. The nation of Israel had defining moments like that, too, when they had to choose between serving God or idols. As we study this do-or-die moment, Pastor J.D. reveals that we all have to make that decision in our own lives. It’s part of our series called, Something Better.

When most of us think of “false gods,” we picture different world religions, mythologies, and little golden statues on altars. But the truth is, we might actually be worshiping a false god even if we think we’re worshiping Jesus! As he continues our series called, Something Better, Pastor J.D. unpacks four truths that set the God of the Bible apart from the gods of our imaginations.

Often, we think of people from the Old Testament as primitive and backward because they worshiped idols like the god of the harvest or the god of the sun. But in reality, we still worship idols today. They just look a little different! In fact, we might be worshiping a false god even if we think we’re worshiping the God of the Bible. So as we continue our study in First Kings, Pastor J.D. explains how we can tell if we’re worshiping the true God or a figment of our imaginations. It’s part of our series called, Something Better.

When you apply for a job, you typically want to highlight your skills and natural talents. Your strengths are what will qualify you for the position! But Pastor J.D. reveals that, when God chooses us for a job, he has an entirely different standard! It’s part of our study of the life of Elijah titled, Something Better.

Many people these days tend to see religion as a personal choice. It’s not so much about truth as it is about finding a faith that “works for you.” But in our brand new series called, Something Better, Pastor J.D. explains why that attitude doesn’t really work! We’re looking at the life of the prophet Elijah in 1 Kings, and a period in Israel’s history that’s eerily similar to our world today.

As Pastor J.D. concludes our series called Castaway, he explains how Jonah’s message to the Ninevites compares to Jesus’ message to a lost and dying world. Pastor J.D. is teaching from Matthew 12.

Pastor J.D. wraps up our study of the reluctant prophet, Jonah, by turning to the New Testament. We’re discovering that Jonah’s whole story is really a sign that’s pointing ahead to something greater! This redemptive message is part of our series called, Castaway, and Pastor J.D. is teaching from Matthew 12.

In your high school English class, you probably learned that any good book or movie has something called a dénouement at the end, where the story gets wrapped up and we get closure for all the characters. But in the book of Jonah, we never get that kind of closure. Pastor J.D. explains why that is as he continues our series titled, Castaway. He’s challenging us to wrestle with the same question that Jonah wrestled with: Are we engaged in God’s mission?

For generations, the book of Jonah has challenged believers because we see ourselves reflected in Jonah: his disobedience, fear, and reluctance to obey. But Pastor J.D. explains that we don’t have to stay like that! It’s part of our study in the book of Jonah called, Castaway.

In the world of sales, you find success by schmoozing clients and entertaining your audience. But that model won’t work when it comes to evangelism! As Pastor J.D. continues our study in Jonah 3, he shows us that evangelism isn’t about schmoozing or entertaining—it’s about sharing the free gift of salvation. This message is part our series called Castaway.