The need for godly leaders in the church has perhaps never been more important. In a world and culture that honors gifting over godliness and skill over holiness, the apostle Paul reminds us of what is important when considering the qualifications of an elder. Listen to Pastor John continue our study in Titus as we consider godly leadership in light of parenting.

"God won't give us more than we can handle"… is that really true? The writer of 2 Corinthians certainly knew what it was like to feel crushed, burdened beyond his strength. Why does God let us feel overwhelmed? What comes out of us when we are crushed, and does the Bible have any help for us in our abundant afflictions?

"God won't give us more than we can handle"… is that really true? The writer of 2 Corinthians certainly knew what it was like to feel crushed, burdened beyond his strength. Why does God let us feel overwhelmed? What comes out of us when we are crushed, and does the Bible have any help for us in our abundant afflictions?

We live in a world where church leaders are over chosen for their giftedness while their character is ignored. Paul's letter to Titus is perfectly clear; the character and heart of those tasked with being elders/pastors is the most important qualification when considering their position. Because this area of ministry has been so fraught with scandal in the western church over the past decade, Pastor John has chosen to slow down and spend time in discussing what a godly elder is and what he is called to.

Paul begins his letter to Titus on the foundation of his servanthood to God and his apostolic authority in the ministry of Christ. In doing so, he declares the profound mystery of God's election of his people. This begs several questions:

Who chooses who? Do we as believers choose God? Does he choose us? What does it mean that God elects and what exactly are we elected to?

Listen to Pastor John begin the letter of Titus exploring the doctrine of election, why it matters and it's profound effect on all of our lives.

Pastor John begins our study in Titus with an overview of Paul's message.

In the book of Titus, the Apostle Paul, with a pastoral and fatherly heart, writes to a young pastor – his “child in a common faith.” He not only dwells on salvation’s theological richness but describes to us the practical outworking of our Spirit-filled regeneration. When we find ourselves in godless culture like Titus did in ancient Crete, we can appreciate Paul’s admonition to him and his congregation:

Devote yourselves to good works! – not to be saved – but because you have been saved already!

How old is the earth? Is the Bible reliable? How should we engage incendiary cultural topics and what should we do about politics? Pastors John and Jeremy field a variety of questions asked by the body.

Who is God? We have many names for him. Creator. Sustainer. Lord. The Almighty. King of Kings. Messiah. Holy One. But who does God say He is? "I AM that I AM" was revealed in the burning bush to Moses. But what does that mean? Why does God use such a curious phrase to describe himself? Furthermore, why does it matter? Does it make any difference in our day to day lives? Listen to Pastor Jeremy explain Exodus 3 and why God is the "always-will-be-ever-present-perfectly-existing-one" and how the applies to our lives.

The call to discipleship is found all throughout scripture and seen best in the "one another" passages. At Summit Ridge, we are committed to making disciples of Jesus Christ as we seek to grow in our faith in Him and love for one another. These are all great sentiments, but how exactly does this look? Every church is a bit different and will go about discipling its people and reaching the nations in a variety of ways. Listen to Pastor John lay out Summit's functional and practical plan for its discipleship vision moving forward.

Circumcision is a word that can often make us cringe. Being procedural, graphic and rather uncomfortable, it stirs up images we would rather not consider. Yet, for the Christian, it is a word of promise, representing a covenant the Lord established long ago. And Paul explains in the book of Romans how this covenant finds its spiritual fulfillment in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Listen to Pastor Efrain preach on what it means that believers are circumcised in their hearts, set apart and sealed by the Holy Spirit.