Summit Church

We have massive challenges that we can't handle on our own; what's your's? Brad goes through the battle of David and Goliath, and we learn tons about the character and faith of David, that we then can apply to our character and faith.

The story of David and Goliath. David approaches Goliath and battle knowing the fight is not his own; ultimately, God is the hero, David is a placehold- his place is to create space for God to work. Our effort should be to be the placeholder.

In living a remarkable life, it's not about the circumstances changing, it's about us changing. David was anointed as King by Samuel, but what he does next, with time in between his anointing and kingship, is interesting- he goes back to the sheep.

As we kick off the David Series, Brad starts by stating that a guy like David and his life can actually impact our lives and potentially make a difference in where we are right now.

You have to look back clearly, in order to look forward confidently.

You have a Savior. That's what Christmas is all about. The birth of Jesus- the moment before the moment- because of this moment, as Jesus breathed his first breath, the rest of life, the rest of history can be different- should be different, because we have a Savior. We have a Savior who comes in the middle of our darkness and he is the light of the world and he comes and he gives us that light and says, you are the light of the World.

The last message of this series, Storyteller, is the parable of the vineyard and the tenants. Ultimately, it's a picture of God, Jesus, and us. The purpose of the vineyard is to produce fruit. Your job is to produce fruit. We are here to work the land. What are you doing with what you have?

Jesus tells stories to people who thought they knew, but didn't. So He tells us stories to help us uncover what we really need to know.

How do I know I'm building on the rock? Brad walks through this parable and talks about God's will. The only reason we don't submit our will is because we don't understand the extent of what God has done for us.

This is about the stories Jesus tells when He teaches us how to pray. Jesus tells these stories to help us how to understand the relationship we are to have with God- to help us understand the way we should approach God.

The parables about seeds are showing us the divine patience God uses, it's not about immediacy, about full grown trees, rather it's about seeds being planted and nurtured. The Kingdom of God is more than words or a description- the Kingdom of God is to be experienced, to be lived in.

Having compassion is different than being moved with compassion. Jesus tells a story about a good samaritan who has compassion, mercy, and love on a man who should be considered his enemy. We are to go and do likewise.

True forgiveness is always rooted in what God has done for us.

The parable of the ten servants and how it's not about what we have- it's about what we do with what we have.

Jesus has a way of completely changing the conversation. What He says about how we view money is different than anyone else speaks of- certainly different than our culture. Ultimately, we are to covet nothing more than a rich relationship with God. Are you an anxious fool or rich toward God?

The story of the barren fig tree and the garden keeper shows us more about Who God is and what He wants for us. This message encourages us and teaches us about the salvation we have through grace by faith and emphasizes that we are then made for good works.

Jesus knows there are times we want to give up- which is why He told this story, this parable. Often times, we stop praying because we forget Who we are praying to. We forget God is a just God; God has chosen us and He cares deeply for us. We get to be in relationship with God, including prayer and simply asking Him for what we need. Be persistent in prayer.

This new series is a closer look at the parables of Jesus. The stories don't necessarily resolve- the resolution is supposed to happen in us, the listener. This first message is about the lost sheep, coin, and son. Repentance is the what leads to being found and into rejoicing.

Engaging with God, actively seeking Him, grows faith with the ability to identify what God would like you to do based on who you are. We sometimes limit what we do because we look at what we don't have but God asks, "What do you have?". When I know what I do what I know how to do, Jesus will do what only he can do.

What is your name? We have to come to grips with who we really are before we really can be transformed. Brad asks us to reflect on what's really going on in our own lives and then to let God do a change in us to live the life he died on the cross for us to live.