Summit Life with J.D. Greear

Pastor J.D. often says that the gospel isn’t just a philosophy we believe; it’s the power for the Christian life. And as we continue our series called Everyday Theology , we’re looking at a picture of the gospel at work in the lives of two first-century believers who couldn’t be more different. It’s a fascinating account that shows that the gospel is for everyone. 

When we talk about the gospel, everyone wants to get to the part about God’s love and forgiveness. It’s a lot more pleasant than the parts about being dead in our sin and enemies of God. But Pastor J.D. reveals that without the bad news of sin, the good news wouldn’t be good! It’s part of our study in Titus called Everyday Theology .

When most people think of theology, they usually picture a seminary professor lecturing about obscure terms like dispensationalism, hypostatic union, or substitutionary atonement. It doesn’t seem like the kind of thing that “normal” Christians need to know. But as he continues our study in Titus, Pastor J.D. explains that good theology is essential in our everyday lives. It’s not about knowing fan...

Theology isn’t just about learning a lot of impressive terminology. Good, biblical theology is practical, and changes the way we interact with the world. In our new study of Titus called, Everyday Theology , we’re discovering how to develop a theology for everyday life.

When you’re young, making friends is usually pretty easy. But as you get older, friendships become trickier. They require effort and vulnerability. Many people decide it’s not worth the effort and are satisfied with surface level friendships. But on this edition of Summit Life, Pastor J.D. describes why deep, intimate friendships are so essential for both our happiness and our holiness.

There are few things in life as awkward as dating. And many single Christians feel like they can’t turn to scripture for help because the courtship process looked so different in ancient times. In fact, the word “dating” never even appears in the Bible! But even through the cultural differences, God’s word gives us everything we need for life and godliness in relationships.

As most young couples plan their wedding day, they excitedly anticipate living “happily ever after” like all the fairy tales promise. But as the years tick by, they often discover that the butterflies fade, and the person they married isn’t the saint they imagined. Today, we’re tackling the painful topic of divorce—an issue that’s touched the life of nearly every American in some way or another. I...

Some churches have embraced a tolerant view of homosexual relationships, while other churches have openly protested, even alienated, the gay and lesbian community. Are either of these responses biblical? In this message, J.D. will set current trends aside to see what God’s word truly says about homosexual relationships.

In many churches, single people are sometimes made to feel like outsiders. Everyone appears to be paired off, and a lot of energy goes into cultivating healthy families. As a result, and tragically, some singles admit to feeling like second class Christians. In this message, J.D. explains that God’s view is far different. In fact, the Bible often reinforces the benefits to singleness. And whether...

Many people get uneasy when the preacher starts talking about personal issues. Especially when the subject is sex. But the fact is, sex is one of the few topics that’s addressed in nearly every book of the Bible. God has a lot to say about this topic, and in this series called From the Beginning, Pastor J.D. will explore the Scriptures for clarity and direction on sexual expression and cultivating...

Everyone wants to feel that their life has a bigger purpose. We try to find meaning in our careers, our families, charity work, or special talents. But at the end of the day, none of that is going to last into eternity. So where is the true meaning found? Pastor J.D. explains how to start living out your ultimate purpose as he continues our series, Question Everything .

It seems like we’re constantly hearing news of hurricanes, wildfires, and mass shootings. And on a more personal level, we face chronic pain, broken marriages, unfulfilled dreams, and many other deeply painful struggles. Will it ever get better?  Pastor J.D. deals with that question as he continues our study in Psalms called, Question Everything .

Most of us would say that we’re a pretty good person. We have faults, but our hearts are in the right place. But if our hearts are truly in the right place, then why do we keep doing wrong things? Why do we still hurt people, act selfishly, or lash out in anger? Why don’t our actions fit our ideals? Pastor J.D. answers that question as he continues our study in Psalms called, Question Everything .

In a new study in the book of Psalms called Question Everything , we’re discovering how an ancient book of music lyrics can help us answer some of the most pressing questions on our hearts, like, “Why am I not happy?” and “Does my life have a purpose?”

Everyone wants to have a calling in life, a task they are specifically designed to accomplish to make the world a better place. And Pastor J.D. explains that if you’re a follower of Christ, you do have a calling! It’s part of our series called START .

What is prayer at its most basic level? Is it a wish list that we send up to the genie in the sky, a way to unleash the power of positive thinking, or a ritual we have to go through to gain God’s favor? Or is it just a waste of time, telling God things he already knows? Fortunately, prayer isn’t any of those things! Pastor J.D. takes a fresh look at the basics of our faith as he continues our seri...

For most Christians, reading the Bible is like getting a shot. We know it’s good for us, but it’s not something we look forward to. But is that really how God wants us to approach his Word? That’s our subject as Pastor J.D. continues our series called, START .

In our new series called START , we’re looking at the foundational elements of our faith. Whether you’re a new believer trying to figure out this whole Christianity thing, or if you’ve been following Christ for years but want to get back to the basics, this study is for you! 

In the conclusion of our series titled, First: The Preeminence of Jesus in Colossians  Pastor J.D. encourages us to pray, act wisely, and stay alert as he follows Paul’s conclusion of the book of Colossians.

Sometimes, we view our faith as a checkbox on a list. We go to church on the weekends, check that box, and move on. But in this message, Pastor J.D. reminds us that Jesus isn’t one part of our life, he’s first in everything.

Pastor J.D. cautions us about treating Jesus like an a la carte menu. We’ll see that we can’t take Jesus and “a little bit of this” and “a little bit of that” as we continue our series called, First: The Preeminence of Christ in Colossians .

Have you ever considered that everyday you are experiencing the fruits of the audacious faith of others who came before you? You are the fruit of someone’s bold faith! Now, are you following in the footsteps of those that put their faith first or are you giving Jesus sloppy leftovers?

In the book of Colossians, Paul makes it clear that Jesus is not just a character in God’s story; he’s the author of the story. He’s before all things. He’s above all things. He’s first in all things. In light of who Jesus is, Pastor J.D. asks one simple but revolutionary question: Is Jesus just important to you, or is he truly first in your life?

You’ll likely notice a common message in the ads and marketing that surround us: the accumulation of more things equals happiness. But with a “never enough” mindset, it’s impossible to be what God desires us to be: cheerful givers. In this message from 2 Corinthians 8–9, Pastor J.D. helps us to see a kind of giving that is motivated not by guilt, but as a response to the gr...

We’re likely familiar with the call from Jesus to seek the kingdom of God above all other things, but our financial decisions are one indicator of what we are truly seeking. In this message from Haggai 1–2, Pastor J.D. encourages us to consider how our giving reflects the priority we have placed on God in our hearts and lives. Just as the Israelites fell to the temptation to place their own...