SummitPA Sermon Audio

In the third message of our series called Welcome Home, Pastor Mel addresses the realities of spiritual war. Humanity has existed in the midst of spiritual conflict since the original sin. This conflict has expressed itself in different ways throughout history, with its most recent expression coming in the form of cultural warfare in the West. Mel explains why we are called to fight the good fight. We make war on Hell and we make war on the flesh. We make ourselves hard to kill by praying everyday, reading scripture everyday, getting in community, and serving the kingdom of God. In the final analysis we must have faith enough to remember who God is and that He fights for us.

In the second part of our series called Welcome Home, Pastor Kim preaches about knowing Jesus and reaching the lost. She explains how there's a difference between cognitive knowledge of God and a personal relationship with Him. We are designed to participate with God at every level of human experience: mind, body and spirit. A life centered in Christ naturally becomes a sent life to reach the lost. The abundance of our intimacy with God spills over into a desire to be Christlike to others. Kim reminds us that reaching the lost is the heart of Jesus. We can't claim to love God if we don't love those whom God loves. As Christians we are called to be salt to preserve that which is good and light to guide the world.

In the first message of our series called Welcome Home, Pastor Mel explains what it means for every life to be made different in Christ. At Summit Church our vision is to see Every Life Made Different. Preaching through the story of Zacchaeus in Luke 19, Mel reminds us the gospel is for everyone. Jesus Christ came to save the lost and that includes people who we sometimes mistake as being irredeemable. Everyone is lost without Christ. To be made different means to be made into a new creation. Jesus will confront our affections in order to transform our affections. Since we have been set free from our transgressions, the Church is under obligation to preach the gospel in all places.

In the final message of our series called One Another, Pastor Mel explains the importance of honoring one another. Honor is rooted in biblical love and therefore bears consequences for the condition of our hearts. Practicing dishonor corrupts a person's heart and limits his relationship with God. Familiarity breeds contempt and too much familiarity can lead to a lack of reverence for God. Scripture instructs us to honor our parents, our pastors, and even people we dislike. A Christian is able to honor others with right actions, words, appropriate times of silence, and sacrificial love from an authentic heart. God wants us to honor our enemies, but doing so is only possible when Jesus changes us by the power of the Holy Spirit.

In the fourth message of our series called One Another, Pastor Kim walks through a series of "one another statements" including: encourage one another, exhort one another, build one another, and meet with one another. The major theme of this message is predicated on small groups. The Christian life is designed to be lived in community with one another. We need encouragement because we live in a broken world and we are prone to negative thinking. The purpose of going to church is not about being religious, it's about being rooted. Summit Church offers a variety of small groups and core classes, all of which can be found at groups.summitpa.church.

In the third message of our series called One Another, Pastor Mel explains what it means to confess your sins to one another and to pray for one another. Confessing sin is difficult because it requires us to be vulnerable and we're afraid of the shame associated with being rejected. The pathway to authentic, loving relationships runs through vulnerability and confession. So often the key to relational healing is simply to say you're sorry. Scripture also instructs us to pray for one another. We should pray for each other in the midst of suffering. We should also pray for each other when we're struggling with sickness. The Bible says, "Confess your faults one to another, and pray for one another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."

In the second message of our series called One Another, Pastor Gilbert explores the biblical perspective on forgiveness. This message provides an answer to the question, "What do we do with the things that can't be undone?" Preaching through Matthew chapters 9 and 18, he reminds us that God doesn't simply recommend we forgive our brothers and sisters - rather He commands it. Gilbert uses the Rwandan Genocide as an example of people being called to forgive what seemed unforgivable. When we forgive others, we reopen intimacy with God. When we forgive others, we find freedom. As Christians we're able to forgive those who have transgressed against us not because the transgressions don't matter, but because the righteousness of Christ and His atoning work on the cross is sufficient to cover them.

In the first message of our series called One Another, Pastor Mel explains the biblical meaning of love. Using 1 Corinthians 13, among other scriptures, Mel shows how love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous, boastful, proud or rude. It does not demand its own way and it's not irritable. Love keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice at injustice but rejoices whenever the truth stands. Perhaps most importantly, love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. Mel reminds us that loving people is not optional if we want to be followers of Jesus.

Preaching through Luke 5, Pastor Collin explains the biblical metaphor of being fishers of men. While some of Christ's disciples were actual fishermen by trade, Jesus told them to follow Him and He would make them fishers of men. Collin reminds us why we should not allow our fear of our sin to inhibit us from obeying Jesus. We've been invited to join Christ in the Great Commission to preach the gospel and save souls. Collin preaches that our mission is to find, disciple, and set free those who are lost. The message finishes with a simple, 3-step method for sharing the gospel: introduce with Jesus' story, illustrate with your own story, and invite with their story.

Pastor Christina preaches through selected scriptures and explains what it means to live a life that is set apart for God. Paul writes to the Romans, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Christina makes the case that a consecrated life begins in our hearts, and those who live consecrated lives understand what they've been redeemed from. Such a life is not lived in part, but is entirely given over to God. The message finishes with Christina encouraging us to trust God even when His plan doesn't seem to benefit us.