SummitPA Sermon Audio

Pastor Mel teaches about biblical masculinity at the inaugural Men's Gathering for 2025. What qualities make for a godly man? How does the Bible say we should conduct ourselves as men? When does it make sense for men to run away as if their lives depend on it? Mel answers these questions and explores further which things a godly man should pursue. Six characteristics of biblical masculinity include righteousness, a godly life, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. Which of these qualities do you or your loved ones struggle with? If you're a man this message will explain who God wants you to be according to scripture, and if you're a woman you'll hear useful information to help the men you love.

In the third message of our series called Inevitable, Pastor Mel teaches how we should prepare for death and how the reality of death should impact our perspective. The unknown scares us and so part of how we prepare for death is focus on what we know. We know death is assured and we know eternity is assured. We know Hell is real but we also know Heaven is real. Seneca said, "The day which we fear as our last is but the birthday of eternity." When thinking about death we must remind ourselves that God's presence is also assured. Despite our impending deaths, we can live our lives without regret if we steward our health well, steward our finances well, steward our time well, and steward Christ well. We must live our lives with an eternal perspective.

In the second week of our series called Inevitable, Pastor Mel teaches how Christians should walk through health setbacks. Proverbs says, "A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person's strength." A positive outlook as you endure health crises doesn't mean you're denying what's happening, it means you're trusting God. Mel unpacks several of Christ's healing miracles and explains why God wants us to confess our lack and our need to be healed. Being healed is an invitation to change, and we don't like change even if it's healthy change. Are you so comfortable with the broken life that you are leading, that you would rather stay this way? The message finishes with Mel explaining why Jesus is more interested in fixing our hearts than fixing our problems.

In week one of our series called Inevitable, Pastor Mel talks about the inevitability of financial setbacks and how we should strive for a godly relationship with money. He explains how a large number of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck, even those who have a relatively high income. Scripture warns us that our lives are not measured by how much we own, but that we should seek first the kingdom of God rather than building our own temporary kingdoms. Mel points out how the two words Jesus uses to describe how we feel when we ignore God in our finances are "fear and anxiety." The message finishes with an encouragement for us to tithe our first-fruits and how doing so is a reminder that God is responsible for our provision.

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.

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.

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.

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.