Summit Church Sermons

What marks a church as being a truly great spiritual community? In this message, Pastor Spencer explores Acts 4:32-37 to show how the early church was defined by unity of heart and soul. By examining their example of selfless sharing and powerful witness, we learn that a church's greatness comes from the transforming grace of Jesus Christ.

Why was the first murder in history committed by a brother? Pastor Catlan explores the story of Cain and Abel from Genesis to unpack 1 John 3:12. This sermon reveals that Cain’s hatred stemmed from a heart that rejected God’s standards of worship. True believers are called to love one another by worshiping God in spirit and truth.

How can we be certain that our faith in Christ is genuine? Pastor Catlan returns to 1 John 3:10–11 to explore how sacrificial love for our brothers and sisters serves as a primary test of a true child of God. This message challenges us to consider if we love one another just as Jesus has deeply loved us.

How can you sustain a life of service without burning out? Pastor Catlan examines Galatians 6:9-10 to show that weariness often stems from wrong motivations, like trying to earn God’s favor. By doing good out of love for Christ rather than for specific outcomes, we find the joy and strength to persevere until God’s perfect timing for reaping.

What is the culmination of the road to Bethlehem? Pastor Catlan concludes our series by examining Matthew 1:20-23, where an angel reveals that Jesus—meaning "YHWH is salvation"—would save His people from their sins. This miraculous birth fulfills ancient prophecy, proving that God is finally, eternally with us.

How can we understand the perfect timing of Christ’s birth in the grand narrative of Scripture? In this message, Pastor Spencer explores Galatians 4:4–7 to reveal how God prepared the world religiously, culturally, and politically for the Messiah. Discover the divine purpose behind the incarnation: to redeem us from the law and adopt us as His heirs.

How does God restore His people after a generation of deep rebellion? In this sermon largely from 2 Chronicles 34, Pastor Catlan traces God’s work through the wicked reign of Manasseh and the faithful reforms of young King Josiah, showing how the rediscovery of God’s Word prepared the way for Christ.

What does Rahab have to do with the incarnation of Jesus? In this sermon, Pastor Catlan walks through Joshua 2 and Joshua 6 to show how Rahab’s fragile scarlet cord reveals God’s precise, sovereign preparation for the arrival of Christ on the road to Bethlehem.

What marks a true child of God? In this sermon from Pastor Catlan, 1 John 3:9–10 reveals the visible evidence of new birth—God’s abiding seed transforming us away from the practice of sin and toward righteousness and brotherly love. This closing passage shows how genuine faith becomes unmistakably evident. 

What does it really mean to “make a practice of sinning,” and why does John say such a person is “ of the devil ”? In this sermon from Pastor Catlan on 1 John 3:8 , we explore the difference between occasional failure and intentional rebellion—and how Christ appeared to destroy the works of the devil and free us for true righteousness.

What does it mean to “abide” in Christ when sin still lingers in our lives? In this message from 1 John 3:6–7, Pastor Catlan unpacks John’s contrast between those who keep on sinning and those who practice righteousness, showing that abiding in Christ transforms how believers view and respond to sin—loving what He loves and hating what He hates.

What if you want to help but you might mess up in the process? In this sermon, Pastor Catlan unpacks the wisdom of Proverbs 14:4 —“Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean, but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox”—showing that healthy, Spirit-filled churches embrace the chaos of empowerment to bear lasting gospel fruit.

Why did Jesus come? In this sermon on 1 John 3:5 , Pastor Catlan shows that Christ “appeared to take away sins.” Exploring the Greek word airo —to lift up and remove forever—he explains that Jesus came not just to cover sin but to terminate it completely, revealing the sinless One whose mission glorifies God by destroying sin’s power.

What does it mean to “purify yourself as He is pure”? In this sermon on 1 John 3:3–4, Pastor Catlan shows that to “purify” means to make holy —to set every part of life apart for God’s purposes. Holiness isn’t just avoiding sin but aligning wholly with God’s order, living in hopeful anticipation of Christ’s return.

What will it be like to see Jesus as He truly is? In this sermon from 1 John 3:2, Pastor Catlan unpacks the promise that when Christ appears, believers “shall be like Him, because we shall see Him as He is.” The message explores the present blessings of being God’s children and the coming transformation that awaits when we behold His glory.

What does it really mean to follow Jesus? In this sermon from Mark 8:27–38, Pastor Spencer explores Jesus’ own definition of discipleship—denying oneself, taking up one’s cross, and following Him. He warns against following a “Christ of imagination” and calls believers to live as true disciples who come after Jesus, not ahead of Him, in wholehearted obedience and trust.

What does it mean to truly follow in Jesus’ steps? In this sermon on 1 Peter 2:18–25, Pastor Catlan shows how discipleship involves imitating Christ’s humility, endurance in suffering, and freedom from deceit. Though we cannot copy His miracles, we are called to embrace His example, returning as sheep to the Shepherd and Overseer of our souls.

In part 2 of Being a Disciple, Pastor Spencer unpacks Mark 8:34-38 and what it looks like to be a disciple of Christ.

In this sermon from Mark 8, Pastor Spencer unpacks what it means to be a Christian.

What makes Christian community powerful? In this sermon from Acts 19:18–20 and Acts 20:17–38, Pastor Catlan highlights the relational depth, mutual care, and spiritual accountability modeled by the Ephesian church. As Life Groups launch at Summit, we are invited to build relationships where we can confess sin, speak truth in love, and grow together into Christ.

What does it mean to be called a child of God? In this sermon on 1 John 3:1, Pastor Catlan explores the wonder of God’s love that gives us a new identity through faith in Christ. He shows how adoption into God’s family changes how we live, shapes how the world sees us, and calls us to enjoy our Father fully.

How can you know if you truly belong to God’s family? In this sermon on 1 John 2:29, Pastor Catlan shows that those who “practice righteousness” reveal they have been born of Him. By knowing Christ’s perfect righteousness, we can discern the fruit of new birth in our lives and live with assurance before God.

How do we prepare for Christ’s return? In this sermon on 1 John 2:28, Pastor Catlan calls us to “abide in Him” so that when Jesus appears, we will have confidence rather than shame. Listen and see how remaining in Christ brings boldness, removes guilt, and prepares us to meet Him face-to-face.

What does it mean that believers “have no need that anyone should teach” them? In this sermon on 1 John 2:26–27, Pastor Catlan unpacks how the Spirit’s anointing equips Christians to discern truth from deception, warns against false teachers, and calls believers to abide in Christ—the ultimate Teacher who anchors them in the Gospel.

How do we respond when a Christian sins? Drawing primarily from Galatians 5–6, Pastor Catlan lays out nine biblical principles for responding to sin among Christians. Whether you’re struggling with hidden sin or walking alongside someone who is, this message points to the path of confession, accountability, and grace-filled restoration.