Summit Podcasts: BACK40, Sermon Audio, and Leadership Night

In the fourth and final week of our series called Meet God Here, Pastor Mel teaches about the characteristics of God's presence. Preaching through selected scriptures in Exodus, Mel shows how the presence of God provides rest. Moses was a great man of faith and he didn't want to enter the Promised Land without God. Moses understood it's better to be in the wilderness with God than to be in the Promised Land without God. God's presence is more important than the promise. Mel explains how in the absence of God's presence, we will find alternative gods. In this message you'll learn why God's presence is greater than success, wealth, and happiness. The message concludes with Mel making the case that God's presence is what differentiates His people.

Pastor Collin McKnight preaches live in Blairsville on week three of our series called Meet God Here. Throughout scripture God met with His people on the mountain, but now we can meet Him through Jesus wherever we go. Charles Swindoll said, "God enjoys turning wandering people into worshipers, transforming drifters into pilgrims who receive His words, follow His ways, believe His promises." Israel was called to the mountain to worship God, and today Jesus is the mountain to whom God is calling all who believe.

In the third message of our series called Meet God Here, Pastor Mel explains the role of holy places in our worship. Throughout history, both inside and outside the faith, people have considered high places to be holy. Elevations like mountains and hills have frequently been considered holy locations. Mel talks about several locations in scripture which God's people privileged as being holy. These include Shiloh, Jerusalem, and Mount Gerizim. It's easy for the faithful to become attached to specific places like churches or cathedrals as unique venues where one must go in order to meet God. In the final analysis, the sole factor for determining holiness is the presence of God - so any location where God is present becomes a holy place.

Mel, Collin, and Michael discuss their thoughts on the Inauguration of President Donald Trump. Was the pageantry appropriate or did it go over the top? What can church leaders learn from the technical failure during Carrie Underwood's performance? Should schools close on Inauguration Day? The conversation turns to the best way to treat those who are grieving the loss of a loved one. What should you say? What should you avoid saying? How does this treatment differ from how you treat someone whose loved one is dying but still alive? What about how you handle someone who is himself dying? The episode finishes with a discussion about why unity may not be desirable as an ultimate goal. What are some problems with making unity your highest value?

In the second part of our series called Meet God Here, Pastor Kim teaches how we meet God in community. Western culture has made individualism an ideal by promoting freedom, rights, and satisfaction of our own desires. Kim explains how human beings are created as image bearers of God with an inner need to connect with each other. Preaching through Acts 2, Kim presents four marks of a healthy Church and a healthy follower of Christ. The Church should be devoted to the teachings of scripture, to fellowship, to sharing meals together (including taking Communion), and to prayer. The Spirit of God brings followers of Christ into intimate relationship with Himself, but He also brings followers of Christ into abiding relationship with each other.

Mel and Michael discuss Craig Groeschel's perspective on the value of keeping tenured, trusted leaders together. They also talk about how Jesus viewed the Church. Is Christianity really about relationship more than it is about religion? We learn from Mel why it's important to remain calm when leading through challenges. What are his strategies for inspiring confidence when things are uncertain? Is there such a thing as a noble lie? The conversation finishes with ways a leader can be decisive with his use of authority despite the universal inner-need to be liked by others.

Listen to Wesley Huff on Joe Rogan's podcast here.

Listen to Craig Groeschel's Leadership podcast here.

Mel and Michael talk about practicing prudence while also remembering God tends to deliver in big, unexpected ways. How do you keep yourself open to God's improbable works while also being cautious to make good decisions? What is the right way to think about miracles? Do we expect too much? How can an organization foster a culture of honoring leaders without corrupting the humility of those leaders? What does it mean to follow God's opportunities wherever they lead you? Does this apply to job titles as well as geographical locations? How does understanding this help you find your calling?

Summit Church's theme for 2025 is: Meet God Here. Our first series of the year kicks off this theme and part one focuses on fasting. What does it mean to fast in a way that honors God? What happens when you fast? What are some common mistakes you might make when attempting a fast? Pastor Mel answers all of these questions and more as he carefully works through Isaiah 58. This passage in Isaiah presents a look at God's people Israel participating in religious rituals while their hearts are far from God. Mel explains why God is primarily interested in the transformation of your heart and mind and how rituals like fasting are meaningless unless these more fundamental modes of obedience are first faithfully adopted.

Pastor Mel teaches systematically through a passage in Romans 8 to explain what it means for God to cause everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. This passage is often misquoted or misunderstood because the intention of the text and the meaning of the text is skewed by its interpreters. Mel works through Romans 8:28 nearly word-by-word to ensure each definition and nuance within the famous doctrine is captured. Most Christians believe God is good, but proper understanding of this passage in Romans may lead you to a conclusion that God is even better than you first believed.

In a special Christmas message, Pastor Mel preaches through John chapter 1 that Jesus is the light of the world. He explains why it's fitting for us to celebrate the birth of Christ near the winter solstice because Jesus is the light who came into a darkened world. Mel draws out the analogy to light by reminding us that light energizes, light attracts, and light reveals. He teaches why all of these attributes are common to Jesus as well. The message finishes with an encouragement for each of us to carry light into the world - even if we feel like our own light is insignificant.