The Summit STL: Recent Episodes
The Summit Church
As we conclude this section of our Thrive Series on the Word of God we will learn what is means to meditate on the law of the Lord day and night.
The relationship between the Holy Spirit and the Word of God is critical for the life of the believer. Join us as we discover how the Spirit of Truth transforms us by using God's word.
Psalm 1 proclaims that a happy person, a satisfied person is one who delights in the law of the Lord. Join us as we wrestle with how to adjust our tastes to delight in scripture.
What does it look like to live in community as the body of Christ. In this message we look at Ephesians chapter 4 where Paul talks about Unity in the body of Christ, how we find it, and how it's accomplished.
The Bible is the most hopeful document ever written, but we resist the hope offered because it shines a light on our weakness. Join us this week as we discover that the exposure of our weaknesses is actually the beginning of our hope.
We live in a culture that doesn't like authority. God wants to have authority in our lives as well, but the way He offers that is different from what we are used to. Join us as we discover why God's word deserves our trust.
The Bible is an ancient document that stirs lots of questions for us as readers. Even though we have questions and doubts we need to know that what we are reading is God's word for the sake of our transformation. This week we will address the reliability of God's word.
At the end Mark's gospel he leaves his readers with one certainty, that is beyond our comprehension - Jesus defeated death; and one uncertainty - how will his readers respond? Will they believe that Jesus truly was the Son of God.
Mark finally proves his point, the one he said he was going to lead us to in the first verse of his gospel, that Jesus is the Son of God. And the confession comes from one of the most unlikely characters which gives us hope that we too are invited to make the same confession.
Before Mark talks about the spiritual pain of the cross he talks about the physical pain. Jesus is thirsty, He is crucified between robbers, and he is mocked. All for the sake of the world.
It can be difficult for us to see the bigger picture at times. Mark 15 is a case where Pilate, the Jews and the Crowd missed that Jesus wasn't a political king or the king of the Jews, He reveals Himself as the king of King with an eternal Kingdom.
Peter was a power and staunch follower of Jesus, but it was his failure that he is most known for. This failure is a powerful warning and opportunity for all who would consider it.
Jesus's predictions begin to come true as once again humanity is confronted by evil in a garden. It seems like everything is about to be lost, but in truth, everything is about to be gained.
Jesus is about to experience the cross and in a powerful display of humanity He goes before God with a raw and powerful prayer request. Jesus shows us that because He knows God as Abba He believes that all things are possible and He therefore prays boldly and surrendered.
Jesus is the sacrificial Lamb of God who came to redeem us from the bondage of sin and establish a new covenant with us based on His grace. Through this passage we’ll seek to understand why we celebrate the Lord’s Supper (Communion) as a church. We’ll examine the depth and power of the gospel that has redeemed us, is redeeming us, and will one day redeem us.
Giving everything to Jesus can be so difficult to process. At the beginning of the Jesus's last week before the cross Mark gives us a powerful visual picture of what it looks like to give Jesus everything.
Over 300 verses in the New Testament talk about the return of Jesus, and yet Christians seem so confused about it. Not only are there lots of views but it seems that we rarely ever engage on the topic or consider the return of Christ. This week we tackle Jesus's exhortation to the disciples to alwasy be ready for His return.
Mark 13 is considered one of the most studied passages of the Bible, and it's message is one that, if received, can impact, help, and radically change everything.
The second most defining mark of a Christian is that they love others. The challenge of this mark is that love is vulnerable, risky, messy, observable and costly. Jesus doesn't just call us to love this way, but loves us in that extravagant way to be the foundation for His followers to be loving people.
It's interesting how little we talk about the idea of loving God. Jesus offers that the two greatest commandments are loving God and loving others. In this first week back join us as we kick off the year pondering what it means to love God.
The interrogation of Jesus continues and a silly quesion leads to the real definitions of dead and alive.
One of Jesus's most famous line is, 'Give to Caesar what is Caesar's and give to God what is God's.' His thought has so many implications for how we live in an overly politicized world.
Mark 12 continues the theme that has been building of a fruitless temple and a corrupt religious system. And while the parable of the tenants issues a stark warning to the religious leaders, it is also a call to the Church of today.
As Jesus enters the last week of His life He desires to help the world grasp what He is about to do. The forgiveness of sins and the salvation of people can only be accomplished by the one who has authority to do it. Jesus starts down the path of showing the world He has that authority.
Mark uses a very powerful object lesson and a powerful encounter to unveil to the world that Jesus has come to change everything.
Mark 11 begins the final leg of this gospel account, Holy Week. As Jesus sets His sights on Jerusalem, and what lies ahead, Mark is painting a picture of what happens when our misguided longings for a simple Jesus come in contact with the reality of King Jesus.
Mark ends the first half of his book with a powerful story of healing. He displays His desire to restore the sight of the physically blind because He has also come to restore the sight of the spiritually blind.
It seems if we were to reflect on the last century the church has been thinking about power, control and leadership in a way that is not in line with the way Jesus talks about power, control and leadership. Jesus leaves no room for ambiguity that those who call themselves His followers will be defined by a non-negotiable value - they will be servants to all
Salvation is wholly dependent on God's grace. Jesus teaches it is essential that we renounce any idol in our lives and cease relying on our own works to earn salvation and instead approach God solely through faith in Christ.
Jesus calls His followers to have childlike faith. The power of childlike faith is that a child comes with nothing and they are able to rest and accept the love of God. For adults, we usually struggle to admit our brokenness or accept God's love.
Mark turns the corner in his Gospel from declaring who Jesus is to what it means to follow Him. He starts by addressing the area of marriage and calling on his readers to look at marriage in a whole new light.
Following Jesus does not mean that spirituality is one part of our lives it means that Jesus is over every aspect of our lives. When we follow Jesus we are partnering with Him and His mission of restoration. Join us as we unpack what an integrated life looks like and how worship and following Jesus looks Monday-Saturday.
Knowing our motives for things can be so complicated. It can be so easy to convince our hearts of things. This is why the practice of repentance so the foundation of everything in our walk with God. Do you practice repentance as a rhythm or just as something you do when you are caught? Join us as we unpack lifestyle repentance.
Unity is a complicated practice. There are so many things that can get in the way of unity and disrupt unity. One of Jesus's prayers before He went to the cross was for His followers to live in unity. Join us as we look practically at how we, the Summit family, can maintain unity.
In this sermon, we continue our journey in the Book of James and explore what true faith looks like. We will look at three arguments James presents to communicate that true faith will always produce transformation.
In this sermon, we continue our journey in the Book of James and explore the not-so-little sin of partiality. We will look at the case study given to us in James 2 and five applications from it.
In this sermon, we continue our journey in the Book of James and explore the difference between earthly wisdom and biblical wisdom. We will discuss some of the problems of wisdom and three important principles of seeking biblical wisdom.
In this sermon, we begin our journey in the Book of James and explore the concept of joy in the midst of suffering. We will discuss why believers are encouraged to consider suffering as a source of joy and how God's love can have a transformative effect on our lives.
Sometimes it is hard for us to engage with the hard words of Jesus, and Mark 9 is one of those passages. Jesus gives two very stark warnings about being a stumbling block to others and being a stumbling block to ourselves.
Jesus again gives His followers an unsettling prediction as they learn that His kingdom will be unlike any other.
Jesus comes off of the mountaintop and returns back to the reality of the world which is filled with evil and unbelief. The only display of belief in the passage is a man who things he doesn't have any faith, which is exactly what Jesus is looking for.
In this sermon, we dive into Mark's Transfiguration account in chapter 9. As we explore this passage, we are reminded that in Jesus, we see the glory of God coming together with the presence of God. This revelation is truly awe-inspiring, and it begs the question: what should our response be?
The church often neglects the significance of Pentecost when the Spirit came to empower the people of Jesus. Without the power of the Spirit the Christian life would be impossible, so join us as we discuss how the Spirit works in the life of a Christian.
A conversation on the road takes a surprising turn and we realize the the long expected Messiah is not what we expected.
Mark concludes the first half of his book with a miracle that is also a parable about spiritual blindness. Mark has introduced Jesus as the Messiah, Savior and King and asks us the question, "Do you see clearly?"
Warnings are sometimes hard to listen to. Jesus offers a warning about ways of life that could distract us from the wonderful satisfying life that He wants for us.
Jesus is known for His unique interactions and this encounter He turns a powerful miracle into a personal meeting. The beauty is how Jesus knows exactly what this man needs and enters into the moment with him.
Mark tells a story of an unclean outsider who comes to Jesus and her interaction with Jesus displays faith and hope in the mercies of God in such a way that even Jesus is amazed!
Without wrestling with the question of what it looks like for us to become Redeemed Restorers, Easter Sunday becomes nothing more than a box that we check instead of a transformative experience that shapes our lives.
In this sermon Lead Pastor, Brian Agovino talks through Ezekiel 37 and the dry bones as we celebrate Easter and the resurrection of Jesus!
We tend to think about God is an either/or mind set. He is either just or loving. He is either powerful or vulnerability. When Jesus has His triumphal entry He breaks our paradigm to show that He is both a powerful King and a Humble King at the same time, and He isn't one or the other. In fact we need Him to be both/and.
Jesus has His first intense encounter with the Pharisees in Mark 7. He confronts their traditions and rules and flips everything on its head by saying that it is the heart that matters more than then actions.
A royal grudge turns a birthday party bloody. We ask ourselves, what would happen if we let go of the things we cling to most tightly?
The closing of Mark chapter 6 is a powerful reminder about the journey of faith. As we explore the text, we discover that faith is not a one-time event but a process of continually stepping into Christ's divine reality.
All four gospels tell the account of Jesus feeding the 5000. Mark uses this encounter to contrast the type of King Jesus is compared to king Herod and all other kings. Jesus reveals Himself in this miracle as the true and better Moses who will come to provide for His people.
As Jesus starts to gain notoriety He starts to show His disciples how the path is filled with suffering and heartache, not fame and fortune. The disciples learn this lesson as Jesus is rejected in His hometown and they are sent out to do ministy.
Lent is a season of the church calendar that invites followers of Jesus to prepare their hearts and minds for the resurrection. Our desires can be so strong that they can keep us from longing for Jesus. In this season of Lent we are inviting the church to pay attention to their desires so that are hearts will be stirred towards our need for Resurrection.
Jesus encounters a government official and a woman who has been hurting for 12 years and goes beyond both of their expectations in regard to what they thought they needed.
Jesus teaches how different His Kingdom is than the world. His Kingdom is slow and inevitable, but in order for us to really experience it we need to take it in, we need to let the seed grow in our lives and hearts.
Jesus teaches how different His Kingdom is than the world. His Kingdom is slow and inevitable, but in order for us to really experience it we need to take it in, we need to let the seed grow in our lives and hearts.
Parables can be so weird and hard to understand. But that was exactly the point for Jesus. He wanted us to think about life and the world differently. He wanted to reset our perspective and to do that, and He used parables to challenge His listeners. The parable of the sower challenges everyone to be people with eyes to see the Kingdom and ears to hear the voice of the King.
There have been many attempts to contain or control the power of the Gospel, but there has never been one that has succeeded. In Mark 3:20-35 Jesus shows us that He has come with ultimate control to bring a kingdom that makes all things new.
Jesus makes a powerful statement by calling 12 apostles. The Jews would not miss that Jesus was saying a revolution was beginning
Joy and happiness get confused and Christians can be notorious for trying to gloss over suffering and hard things. The gives a different was of living by inviting us into grief and experiencing joy at the same time. It's a brilliant and novel concept that has an impact for all of our lives.
Hebrews tells us that 'for the joy set before Him,' Jesus endured the cross scorning it's shame and taking our shame so that we could have the joy of His presence. This Sunday we talk about the Joy experienced in the saving work of Christ.
In this second message of our Advent Series, DJ Pittman takes us into John 16 and the thing that keeps many of us from experiencing the grace of joy.
In this second message of our Advent Series, DJ Pittman takes us into John 16 and the thing that keeps many of us from experiencing the grace of joy.
Everything is supposed to be joyful around the holidays. But it seems like anxiety and hurry are what we mostly feel. What would it look like to be a joyous people in the midst of all circumstances and what would the practice of Joy look like?
Mark now takes us to the point where the religious leaders start to realize what Jesus is claiming, He is the one who can change everything. Mark invites his readers to wrestle with the truth that Jesus claims to be the only one who can truly give us rest.
Jesus came to bring a new chapter, life, and kingdom. However, so many of us struggle with adding Jesus to a life we are comfortable with. In Mark 2:18-22, we are challenged with the truth that, with Jesus, the new and the old do not mix.
How do you know if you're "in" with a Jesus? A dinner party at a tax collector's house gives us a surprising answer.
The Gospel demands a response, and every one of us will respond when we hear it. The question is, "How will you respond?" In this sermon, DJ Pittman looks at the different responses to Jesus' teaching in Mark 2.
We all have that one area of our lives that could be cleansed or washed away. Jesus takes an unusual approach to provide cleansing for one of the outcast in His society to provide us with hope.
Jesus starts to experience how people are more interested in his miracles than his message. At the same time Jesus talks a unique path to stay focused on what he has come to do and not give into the temptation of fame and power.
We live in a world that is great at dividing life into "parts." We have our family, our job, our church, etc. But what if Jesus commands more? What if He came to teach that Jesus is the final and ultimate authority of our lives, which means that He must become the ONLY part of our life? Embracing this truth must come with a radical change.
Jesus calls his first disciples to follow Him. They have to leave what is valuable to them to join Jesus on a greater and more valuable mission: being a part of helping people go from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light.
In Mark chapter 01 we learn about John the Baptist and how he is preparing the way for Jesus, who is the ultimate salvation.
In Mark chapter 01 we learn about John the Baptist and how he is preparing the way for Jesus, who is the ultimate salvation.
Each Gospel writer engages on the life of Jesus in a unique way. Mark, the first gospel, tells the story of Jesus as the King and someone worthy of following with our whole lives.
Each Gospel writer engages on the life of Jesus in a unique way. Mark, the first gospel, tells the story of Jesus as the King and someone worthy of following with our whole lives.
God's calling brings with it a new identity, dignity, morals, and freedom. No matter your "placement" your assignment is the same, to glorify God in all that we do.
God's calling brings with it a new identity, dignity, morals, and freedom. No matter your "placement" your assignment is the same, to glorify God in all that we do.
Songs are written about love, movies tell the story of love, paintings express the passion of love, but at the same time so many of us struggle to feel and express love. In this sermon we conclude our series and talk about the first aspect of the fruit of the Spirit, love.
Do you find it easier to give in to what is urgent or what is important? In this sermon we will look at self-control and how the Holy Spirit works in the lives of believers to bring self-control.
It has been said that one of the least desired characteristics is gentleness. What if the problem is that we often don't look at gentleness the way God intended? In this message, DJ invites us to explore how gentleness could be one of the key measurements of how much we look like Jesus.
Do you find it hard to stick to a task over a long period of time? This can be a struggle for us in our Christian walk. We can follow Jesus for a long time and wonder if it matters. One aspect of the fruit of the Spirit is faithfulness: the dependability to follow-thru on what we have been called to.
Our world in filled with bitterness, anger, and malice and people just want everyone to be kind. Not only is kindness an aspect of the Fruit of the Spirit, but biblical kindness is deeper and more costly than just being nice. In this sermon Lead Pastor, Brian Agovino, will unpack the idea of sacrificial kindness.
The world seems to be growing more irritable, more frustrated, and more impatient with each passing year. Solid dates and times keep shifting closer to, “The sooner, the better.” And yet one aspect of the fruit of the Spirit is patience. Lead Pastor, Brian Agovino engages on how we can learn to grow patience in our lives.
With a world that seems to be in chaos, anxiety seems to come more naturally to us than peace. In this sermon we investigate peace as as aspect of the Holy Spirit's work in our lives.
In week 03 of our series one of our Elders, Aaron Embry investigates the difference and the powerful joy that God longs to grow in our lives through the Holy Spirit.
In the book of Galatians Paul wants to help the church experience the simplicity and fullness of the Christian life and he sums it up in one simple phrase, 'Walk in the Spirit'. In this Leadp Pastor, Brian engages on the battle between the flesh and the Spirit and start on the journey to living the fullness of the Christian life that God longs for us to have.
This week, Lead Pastor Brian Agovino will intro our summer series on the Fruit of The Spirit by talking about the coming of the Holy Spirit that came to continue the mission that Jesus began.
In this Stand Alone sermon, church planter Demontrey Hamilton challenges us on what it looks like to run the race with confidence.
As Habakkuk looks on his world he is frustrated and disappointed and goes on an important journey with God. In this sermon we reflect on the song of faith Habakkuk sings in the midst of struggle.
In this message, Lead Pastor Brian will unpack how God's ferocious wrath can reveal God's compassion and love.
In this sermon, Lead Pastor Brian unpacks God's simple yet challenging concept of living by faith.
What does it look like to engage with God when we see suffering, injustice and violence in the world? This week our Lead Pastor, Brian will unpack the anatomy of a complaint to God.
In this message, Associate Minister, DJ Pittman, helps us see the empty tomb as more than inspirational, but transformational. Jesus fulfilled the law so that we could experience new life transformed.
The resurrection of Jesus after his death on a cross brings different encounters for many - wonder, doubt, sadness, even jubilation. How will you encounter the message of the resurrection?
In this Palm Sunday sermon, Associate Minister, DJ Pittman, looks at the unexpected arrival of King Jesus into Jerusalem. What did the people say? What did they see? And what does it all mean?
In the last sermon of our series in Jonah, Lead Pastor, Brian Agovino, looks back at how we have seen God’s grace and mercy through Jonah, and how we can experience it ourselves.
In this message, Associate Minster, DJ Pittman, takes us into the angry prayer of Jonah and God’s amazing response.
In this third week of our Jonah series, one of our elders, Aaron Embry, invites us to to look into Jonah’s attitude toward God’s mercy, and how we then approach the mercy of God in our own lives.
In this second sermon in our series on Jonah, DJ Pittman, Associate Minister, brings a message on God’s gift of grace in the face of our greatest struggle.
In this message, Lead Pastor, Brian Agovino, invites us into the story of Jonah to discover the richness of God's love and mercy for us all.
Cultivating grace is both how we want to show up as parents as well as how our kids need us to show up for them. In this message, Brian and Dondra Agovino will unpack the primary ways in which we express grace.
When we think about family we often think about singles being on the outside. But in the family of God singles play a vital role in helping experience family and its purpose. Join us this week as we engage on the topic of singleness.