Summit Ridge Church

How do we think about our struggles? What is our perspective when we encounter trials? Is our faith enough to get us through hardship? Today Pastor John Flint gives a message on endurance through suffering. He challenges us to reframe our struggles in light of the Person and Work of Jesus Christ. For it is only in Him that we find our strength to endure and our eternal joy amidst life's pressures and toils.

If there is a one word that describes Christians (even our own church) today it is likely, “Stressed”. “Anxious” could be a close contender. No doubt there are good reasons for our anxieties. We are burdened by financial strains, relationship stressors, global wars, and even the upcoming holidays. There is no shortage of fears and unknowns confronting each of us.

Options abound to mitigate our many anxious thoughts: Mindfulness, psychics, diets, exercise, better sleep, getting rid of toxic people… the list is endless. But how are we as Christians called to navigate what’s truly helpful? Where do we go for relief?

Pastor John introduces us to our four part series addressing these questions.

The end of Paul's letter to Titus might seem irrelevant on first glance. Paul mentions four of his friends and coworkers, wishes Titus grace and then ends. It almost appears as if it's a formality of sorts. One might even be tempted to think that somehow these conclusions, also found in Romans, Corinthians, Colossians, etc. are somehow less inspired than the rest of the revealed Word. However, they are for our instruction. In fact, the practical implications of these words and what they have to say to us today are profoundly useful. Listen to Pastor John wrap up our series in Titus by reminding us of the overarching point of the book: Remaining fruitful in good works as we admit that we are needy creatures who are needed by others, utterly dependent on the grace of God.

In an age of almost ceaseless debating and social media politicking, it is easy for us to fight over non-essentials and ignore the fox in the hen house. We far too often don't know when to "agree to disagree" and lose sight of the real dangers that are present, both in the world and in the church. As Paul finishes his letter to Titus, he gives one final exhortation coupled with a stark warning. We as Christians are called to keep the main thing, the main thing, avoiding all worthless controversies while simultaneously expelling the divisive person from our midst. Listen to Pastor John as he delivers a sobering reminder that we are to guard ourselves from divisions while simultaneously removing bad actors from among us.

What is biblical hope and where does it come from? In what truth is our hope placed in and who does it come from? Often, we place our hope in the temporary. We strive after things which we think will give us confidence. We forget the Creator of the Universe has called us to hope in something different... something more... Himself. Today, Pastor John Flint, who will be launching Summit Ridge Henderson gave his inaugural sermon at Summit Ridge. Listen as he reminds us of the foundations of Biblical hope and the Person and Work in which we put our hope in.

For how short the Paul's letter to Titus is, he references good works more times than there are chapters. Christians have a complicated history with good works. We confuse them. We functionally act as if after Jesus saves us, our good standing is dependent on how well we work. Paul's letter to Titus, in specific 3:4-8 correct this mistake with shocking clarity. In the narrative of our salvation, God considers our hopeless state, moves toward us in mercy, pours out his Spirit on us, and then works in us to do good works. Listen to Pastor John teach on what the practical outcome looks like of being a regenerated person in Christ.

Ancient Crete and modern Las Vegas have a lot in common. Both being dens of iniquity, the Christian can often find themselves wondering how to practically live out their calling while surrounded by ubiquitous sinful practices. In Paul's letter to Titus, he confronts this issue head on. By remembering the life that Christians were saved out of, we can better understand how to be a friend to those around us. Because we have such a hope in the gospel of our salvation, we can, with Jesus in mind, move towards others in friendly love. Listen to Pastor John expound on this topic of friendship as we begin Paul's final chapter to a young church planter.

"What you think about God is the most important thing you think about." These words, said by A.W. Tozer, force Christians to consider what exactly they believe about the gospel. What does the Bible about salvation, how it occurs and what makes it possible? Who is Jesus, what did He accomplish, and why does it matter?

Titus 2:11-14 is one of the clearest summaries of the gospel in the entire New Testament. In it, Paul reminds a young pastor and church planter of the centrality of the good news of Jesus Christ with perfect clarity. The grace of God appeared to us. It was not earned. It was not even asked for. God, in his abundant mercy, appeared to the world to save the world in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Listen to Pastor John as he presents the gospel - the news that changed the world and brought salvation to earth.

Pastor Jeremy continues our study in the book of Titus. Paul spends the entirety of chapter two writing to Titus about how the church should act and function in on the island of Crete. After discussing elders, older men, and women, Paul shifts to younger men and slaves. This passage begs several questions: What does it mean to be slaves to Christ? How should Christians act in a hostile work environment? Why does the gospel speak directly into our working lives and how does it change us?

Summit Ridge Church has been deeply committed to See Jesus ministries for a few years. Throughout this time, we have walked through Paul Miller's books, "A Praying Life" and "Love Walked Among Us", and have recently began utilizing Prayer Cohorts as we seek to grow as a praying church.

Today, Colin Millar from See Jesus joined us to preach on prayer. Why do we pray? What does it do? In what way is Jesus involved in this process? Listen to Colin as he takes one of Jesus' most famous discourses and expounds on the intimate nature of prayers empowered by the Spirit the God and Jesus Christ our Lord. It is challenging. It is provoking. And it will encourage you to come back to a heart of prayer with full assurance of the Person you are praying to... and with.