Summit Podcasts: BACK40, Sermon Audio, and Leadership Night

In part two of our series called Absurdity of Generosity, Pastor Mel teaches how trusting in the providence of God is crucial to being generous. We can be generous with others because we know that God is generous with us. Generosity begins with the question, "What can God do with what I have in my hand?" Contentment is a key part of learning to be generous because if you're not content then you'll...

In the first message of our series called Absurdity of Generosity, Pastor Mel explains what it means to be radically generous. At Summit Church we believe God has been radically generous with us and we want the world to see that in how we live and how we give. Mel dispenses with three myths when it comes to generosity: that you must be rich to be generous, that you only have to give if you can aff...

Mel, Todd and Michael discuss whether it's appropriate for Christians to support war-efforts. If world peace apart from Jesus is not possible, should we even strive for it as a goal? Next they talk about how to accept correction from your superiors. What are the best mannerisms to have in this moment? What some things you definitely should not do or say when receiving correction? They also talk ab...

The fifth and final message of our series One Nation Under God brings Pastor Mel teaching about Christian generosity as well as the tithe. The thematic idea for this series is that political transformation is easy while spiritual transformation is hard. Mel begins by explaining the differences between how Romans and early Christians viewed money. Romans were stingy and self-serving, while Christia...

In the fourth message of our series called One Nation Under God, Pastor Mel helps us understand the truths about idolatry. The running theme for this series is that while political transformation is easy, spiritual transformation is hard. We often think of shrines and statues when we think about idolatry, but idolatry normally takes on a different form for us today. Mel explains how idolatry may n...

In the third week of our series called One Nation Under God, Pastor Mel unpacks what the Bible teaches us about sex. He begins the message by contextualizing the Scripture through a comparison of the Roman view sex with the Christian view of sex. Scripture prohibits sexual sins including adultery, fornication, homosexuality, bestiality, and incest. Mel breaks down the neurological processes which...

Mel and Michael discuss a range of topics including what to do when you say something you regret. How do you go about fixing it? The best predictor of future behavior is past behavior. Knowing this, how do you trust someone who has poor past behavior? What does Mel think about Artificial Intelligence? Does AI have a role in the Church or in his own ministry? What should we do when AI becomes indis...

In week two of our series called One Nation Under God, Pastor Collin teaches about the Judeo-Christian values concerning the sanctity of life. The main idea for this series is that nations are changed when followers of Jesus give their lives for other people. Part of understanding this is the reminder that "we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities,...

Mel, Todd, and Michael begin the conversation by discussing whether there's a real risk of Christian Nationalism emerging as a reaction to woke idolatry. What is Christian Nationalism? What makes a political leader a theocrat? Is it even possible or desirable to keep religion out of politics? Next they discuss Israel's multi-front war and whether or not it bears eschatological significance. Does i...

In the first message of our series called One Nation Under God, Pastor Mel explains some critical distinctions between church and government. Part of the reason our political conversations have become so contentious is because we've made our politics as sacred as the church. We idolize our politicians instead of remaining focused on Jesus. Political transformation is often easier than spiritual tr...

In the fourth and final message of our series called More Than Christians, Pastor Mel explains the final phase of a disciple's development: to do as Jesus did. We should be baptized in water because Jesus was baptized in water. We should be led by the Spirit of God because Jesus was led by the Spirit of God. Jesus also prioritized prayer and being with God, even if it meant withdrawing from others...

In part three of our series called More Than Christians, Pastor Mel explains what it means to become like Jesus. He reminds us of the three goals of a disciple: to be with your rabbi, to become like your rabbi, and to do as your rabbi did. God's purpose for his people is for them to become like Jesus Christ. A disciple of Jesus is anyone who intentionally organizes their life around Jesus (being w...

In the second part of our series called More Than Christians, Pastor Mel explains how real disciples commit themselves to be with Jesus. John Mark Comer said, "This is the first and most important goal of apprenticeship to Jesus: to be with him, to spend every waking moment aware of his presence and attentive to his voice. To cultivate a with-ness to Jesus as a baseline for your entire life." Disc...

Mel, Todd, and Michael discuss why being part of a healthy Christian community is necessary for maintaining individual resilience. The investments and sacrifices you make for others determine the quality of your own experience. Next they talk about why money is not a good source for personal resilience. The conversation turns to why challenging sermons are so positively received. The episode finis...

In the first message of our series called More Than Christians, Pastor Mel explains some background behind the usage of the term "Christian." Jesus never used the word "Christian" but in the Bible it means "little Christ." Followers of Christ were probably called "Followers of the Way" before they were called anything else. To give us some insight into what...

Mel, Todd, and Michael discuss the principle of loving God first then loving your family - and how doing it in this order is actually the only way to love your family properly. What happens to the institution of the family as we become more godless? What are some common problems we see from people who idolize their families? Next they talk about how to stay motivated. What are some routines and pr...

In the fourth and final message of our series on the parable of the sower, pastor Mel delivers a sermon discussing the divine purpose of seed and fruit. In the first three messages we learned how a hardened heart, shallow roots, and the cares of this world all detract from our positive response to the gospel. In this message Mel teaches us what it looks like for a Christian to receive the seeds in...

In the third message of our series on the parable of the sower, Pastor Mel teaches about those who hear the gospel but are drawn away by the worries of this world and the lure of wealth. Often these people are racked with anxiety concerning temporary things like their career or even their familial relationships. Those who choose to serve wealth instead of serving Jesus have swallowed the lie that...

In the second sermon of our series called The Parable of the Sower, Pastor Mel explains the importance of being rooted in Christian community. What you are rooted in determines what your life is producing. People who are rooted in the love of Christ will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. A good question to ask ourselves in order to reveal where our roots...

In the first message of our series called The Parable of the Sower, Pastor Mel teaches what it means to have a hardened heart. Preaching through Matthew 13, Mel explains why having a hardened heart prevents you from seeing and hearing God. The factors which contribute to a hardened heart are often associated with repetition. Repetition of pain can harden a person's heart, and repetition of per...

Pastor Kyle Hammond joins us for a special message on what it looks like to be a follower of Jesus. What do Christ followers know? What do Christ followers do? Kyle explains why, while we get to decide whether to be disciples of Jesus, we don't get to decide what a disciple of Jesus does. Disciples of Jesus are called to turn the other cheek, give the shirts off their backs, go the extra mile,...

Mel, Todd, and Michael open the conversation with the question of how much effort to spend stewarding the feelings of others versus encouraging them to be tougher. Next they talk about how to lead well when your followers don't understand your leadership decisions. How do you maintain relationships in the midst of deep divisions? The discussion shifts to the assurance of salvation and what to...

In this special edition of the BACK40 Leadership Podcast, Pastor Kyle Hammond presents a leadership workshop on how to lead like Jesus. In order to lead like a shepherd you need to be intentional about forming relationships with the people you're leading. This means sacrificing yourself, investing time with others, and building intimacy with them. Kyle argues the best way to cultivate a heart...

Mel, Todd, and Michael discuss a curious statement made recently by Professor Jordan Peterson. Is mental health actually external? Can sin damage your brain? Is psychological well-being determined by the narrative on which you construct your life? Next they talk about the importance of repeating personal testimonies. Should churches dedicate platform-time to sharing testimonies? The conversation f...

Mel and Michael discuss how they reacted to the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump. How can you make sense of big news or major events when you aren't given enough information? What's responsible and what's irresponsible? How can we maintain spiritual well-being in this climate? Next they talk about the joy and the sense of meaning which is found in sacrificing yo...