Many believers think ministry is a job for pastors and missionaries, not the work of “ordinary Christians.” But the truth is that there’s no such thing as an “ordinary Christian”! As you’re transformed by the gospel, you’re empowered to do amazing things for God. And whether he’s called you to go across the ocean or across the street, every one of us is on mission.

One of the most painful things to hear from a loved one is the phrase, “I don’t trust you.” It’s especially painful when you didn’t do anything to break their trust! Yet many of us treat God that way. Pastor J.D. explains that when we doubt our own salvation, we’re really doubting God! And not only does it cause us to be anxious, it actually damages our relationship with him. So on this program, we’re learning how we can know with certainty whether or not we’re truly saved.

Money is an incredibly personal topic, and it’s often considered off limits in polite conversation. But the Bible doesn’t shy away from uncomfortable issues. In fact, Scripture has a lot to say about the way we handle our finances. On this program, Pastor J.D. explains how the gospel transforms our view of money, just as it changes every aspect of life. This message is part of our hallmark series titled, Gospel.

Most people get uncomfortable when the pastor starts talking about money. Some of us come from churches where wealth is looked down on as a sign of worldliness or greed. Perhaps we feel a measure of guilt for having a nice house and a robust savings account. Others may have been burned by prosperity teachers who used false promises to manipulate the congregation into giving. So what does the Bible really say about wealth and generosity?

A lot of people think of pastors and missionaries as “super Christians” who were given an extra measure of faith. And for those who don’t serve overseas, we think of ourselves as “ordinary believers.” But Pastor J.D. explains that every Christian is called to the mission field—whether it’s across the world or across the street. Embracing the Gospel inspires us to go and tell others about the good news. 14

Many believers think ministry is a job for pastors and missionaries, not the work of “ordinary Christians.” But the truth is that there’s no such thing as an “ordinary Christian”! As you’re transformed by the gospel, you’re empowered to do amazing things for God. And whether he’s called you to go across the ocean or across the street, every one of us is on mission.

For many Christians, church is just an event that they attend on weekends, and switching churches is as easy as trying out a new movie theatre. But that’s not what God intended when he designed the church body, and it’s not going to lead to spiritual growth! Pastor J.D. challenges us to flip our view of church. It’s not about what I can get out of the service; it’s about what I can give to the family of Christ.

If you only have one tomatillo plant in a garden, it’ll never produce any fruit because it needs other plants to cross-pollinate. And Christians are kind of like tomatillo plants in that way. Healthy believers will produce the Fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. But first, you have to be rooted in Christ, and second, you need to have community.

At first glance, citrus trees look pretty much the same. Their leaves are the same color and their branches form similar shapes. So the best way to tell them apart is to look for the fruit. And the same is true of people! In John 15, Jesus says, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit.” On this edition of Summit Life, Pastor J.D. describes how good fruit is produced by a life that’s rooted in Christ.

When was the last time you decided you were going to make a change and become a better person? Maybe it was New Year’s Eve, or after a fight with your spouse or a reprimand at work. If you’re like most people, that determination probably lasted a few days and then you were right back where you started. Is real, permanent change even possible? On this edition of Summit Life, Pastor J.D. addresses that question and describes the only path to genuine transformation.