Summit Podcasts: BACK40, Sermon Audio, and Leadership Night

In this episode we pick up right where we left off—exploring how Paul’s self-description as a “slave of Christ Jesus” reflects a remarkable downward trajectory in his own sense of importance: from the least of the apostles all the way to the chief of sinners. We talk about how true spiritual growth often looks the opposite of what our culture celebrates—less self-esteem, greater awareness of our s...

In week one of our series called Asking For a Friend, Pastor Mel directly confronts seven common questions about same-sex attraction and behavior by firmly placing biblical authority above personal feelings or cultural context. He begins by outlining four views on rules versus context (and Bible versus feelings), rejecting the first three positions that allow feelings to override Scripture and aff...

In this episode of the Back 40 Leadership Podcast we have a raw, wide-ranging conversation that starts with the realities of cancel culture in an AI-augmented world. We talk about how leaders can become “cancel-proof,” we discuss the moral tightrope of using tools like Grok or ChatGPT for sermon prep and ministry admin. We explain why we see AI as a powerful tool rather than a replacement for huma...

Pastor Mel interviews 4-time Super Bowl champion Jon Kolb. Kolb played with the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1969 to 1981. Mel and Jon discuss the role faith has played at various points in Jon's career. Jon overcame adversity and unlikely odds to become one of the most decorated offensive linemen in Steelers history. This conversation reveals our common humanity even with those who live special l...

In his Easter sermon on Romans 5:12-21, Pastor Mel explained how Adam’s one act of disobedience introduced sin and death as a universal problem into the world, as seen in the Genesis 3 account of the Fall, affecting all humanity—even before the law was given—with Adam serving as a symbol of the coming Christ. Christ’s righteousness offers forgiveness, the gift of righteousness, new life, and a res...

In his Bible study on Genesis 4:16-26, Michael examines the aftermath of Cain’s murder of Abel, showing how Cain defiantly departs from God’s presence to settle in the land of Nod, east of Eden. He builds a city named Enoch after his son as an outward expression of his unrepentant rebellion and a headquarters of apostasy. The study traces Cain’s cursed lineage through seven generations to Lamech—t...

Mel, Joel, and Michael begin the conversation with a few words about Easter. Is Easter pagan? Next they talk about how God presents Himself differently to unrepentant sinners than He does to the faithful. If God is changeless then why does this happen? They discuss the differences in your spiritual condition should you choose a life of faith over against a life of sin. Scripture makes a point to d...

In Pastor Mel's sermon on Romans 5:1-11, he teaches about God’s transformation of humanity. Because we have been made right by faith, we now enjoy peace with God through Jesus (and therefore peace with ourselves). We stand in undeserved grace, and confidently rejoice in the hope of sharing God’s glory. Even trials produce endurance, character, and an unshakeable hope that never disappoints, si...

Mel, Joel, and Michael discuss the importance of setting the right expectations for what life will be as a Christian. While it's true the Christian life is the best life, it's important to define the best life accurately. What is it about conflict that gives us a sense of meaning and purpose? Is living in the midst of a spiritual war better than living an easy life of material luxury? Next...

Pastor Kim’s sermon on Romans 4:13–25 unpacks the Big Idea that God’s promise has always been received by faith, not performance—and that same faith available to Abraham is still available to us today. She opens by showing in Point 1 that the promise cannot be earned: the law only brings wrath and curse (Romans 4:15; Galatians 3:10–11), so trying to obey it to earn what God freely gives is pointle...

Mel, Joel, and Michael discuss the perceived contradiction between grace-based salvation and societal meritocracy. All of us want the fruits of meritocracy: excellent medicine, dependable air travel, and a power-grid we can rely on. So why does it seem like we undervalue performance in Christianity? What are the differences between salvation and blessings and why do blessings seem dependent on per...

In his sermon on Romans 4:1-12, Pastor Mel explores how Abraham, the forefather of the Jewish nation, was made right with God not through works or human achievement but through faith alone. Drawing from Genesis 15:6, he emphasizes that Abraham "believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness," a principle Paul uses to show that justification is a gift, not earned wages—contrasti...

Joel, Michael and Caleb continue their conversation about the sermon from Romans Week 1. They discuss how the unity or disunity among prominent spiritual authorities has a ripple effect on the broader population. Who are the most influential spiritual authorities of our time? Why are these people analogous to the Roman Church of Paul's generation? Why can big influencers never replace pastors...

Mel, Joel, and Michael discuss how to live faithfully when your life isn't characterized by grand achievements. How does God's measuring greatness differ from our own? Is the key to faithful humility found in the connection between small things and great things? Next they discuss the difference between obeying God's positive commandments and simply trying to avoid sins. What's diff...

In his sermon on Romans 3:21-31, Pastor Mel explains how God has revealed a new way of righteousness apart from the law, a righteousness manifested through faith in Jesus Christ and available to all—Jews and Gentiles alike—who believe. He emphasizes the universal reality that all have sinned and fall short of God's glory, yet through God's grace, believers are justified as a free gift, mad...

In Pastor Mel's sermon on Romans 3:1-20, he addresses the divided church in Rome—composed of returning Jews and a now predominantly Gentile congregation—where Paul seeks to foster unity through a clear presentation of the gospel. While affirming the genuine privileges given to the Jews, such as being entrusted with God's revelation, Paul firmly rejects any notion that Jewish unfaithfulness...

Michael offers a detailed Bible study on Genesis 4:8-15, focusing on the murder of Abel by Cain as the archetype of humanity's fallen condition, portraying Cain as the original persecutor and child of the devil driven by envy, unrighteous anger, and hatred of righteousness, while Abel represents the first martyr whose death is precious to God. Michael emphasizes that all sin shares a common ro...

Michael and Caleb discuss the first week of our sermon series on the Epistle to the Romans. They explore Romans as Paul's theological masterpiece, a comprehensive unpacking of the gospel written without prior connection to the Roman church, contrasting it with his more pragmatic letters to other congregations. The conversation delves into how Romans' dense, layered structure challenges simplistic...

In this episode Pastor Mel talks all about being a people-pleaser. What is a people-pleaser? What are the dangers of being a people-pleaser and how does this impact your leadership? Expect to learn strategies for dealing with individual relationships without defaulting to people-pleasing. You’ll notice one question which comes up continuously throughout this episode: What is your motivation behind...

Pastor Mel's sermon on Romans 2:17-29 challenges those who rely on external religious identity and privileges—particularly the Jews in the Roman church who boasted in their knowledge of God's law, their special relationship with God, and circumcision—while failing to live in obedience to it. He highlights Paul's pointed confrontation: they teach others yet fail to teach themselves, con...

Mel, Joel, and Michael discuss the biblical doctrine that our children belong to God and are given to us to steward. How does this view change the way we see our children? How does the foreordained sanctity of each life influence the way parents react to unplanned pregnancy? Next they talk about gratitude, specifically why no person is justified in having more complaints against God than reasons t...

Pastor Mel's sermon on Romans 2:1-16 challenges listeners not to hypocritically judge others for the sins listed in Romans 1:29-32—such as wickedness, greed, envy, gossip, and heartlessness—while committing the same things themselves, as this self-condemnation leaves no excuse before God's impartial justice. He emphasizes that God's kindness, tolerance, and patience are intended to lea...

In his sermon on Romans 1:18-32, Pastor Collin explains why humanity desperately needs the righteousness and salvation offered through Jesus Christ. Although God has clearly revealed Himself through creation, people suppress the truth, refuse to worship or thank Him, and instead turn to idols and foolish thinking. As a result, God’s wrath is revealed—not primarily as direct punishment, but by “giv...

In Michael's Bible study on Genesis 4:1-7, he offers a rich, theologically layered exploration of the Cain and Abel narrative, presenting it as one of Scripture's most profound revelations of human nature. He portrays Cain as the archetype of the rebellious sinner and Abel as the model of the obedient saint, emphasizing how heart attitude—not merely the external form of sacrifice—determine...

Mel, Joel, and Michael discuss the problems which come with chasing the benefits of Christianity without submitting your life to the lordship of Jesus Christ. What are some advantages to being religious when religion is culturally ascendant? Should we accept people who come to church with the wrong motives? Next they discuss suicide and some patterns of thought which lead to it. What are some impo...