Summit Life

Pastor J.D. Greear

Inclusive Exclusivity, Part 2

May 19, 2023

When we experience division in the church, the first question we should ask is, “What are we boasting in?” As he continues in Romans 3, Pastor J.D. shows us in this message the three things we tend to boast in and why they contribute to conflict. When we understand that, while God only accepts those who are repentant, he also accepts repentant people from every background and race, only then will we have unity in God’s family.

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Request Elijah and Elisha: An 8-Day Scripture Guide now.
In our workbook, this month, we’ll walk through Scripture from 1 Kings 17 through 2 Kings 6, through the ministries of Elijah and Elisha. Elijah confronted a religious environment very much like our own, one characterized by the attitude, “You have your god, and I have mine.” Elijah, one of the most fascinating characters in Scripture, shows us that knowing the one true God is better than every other rival. Then we’ll take some time to examine the life of one of the greatest miracle workers in all of Scripture: the prophet Elisha. The secret behind Elisha’s power here on earth was his fierce devotion to the God of heaven. Elisha left behind an amazing legacy in this life, not because he was thinking of this life but because he was focused on the greater things that were ahead. Reserve your copy now.

Archives

We often like the concept of diversity, as long as other people adapt to our customs and styles. But the gospel teaches us a different way. In this message, Pastor J.D. teaches from Romans 3, where we learn that, while there is only one way to salvation, God doesn’t accept us because of anything about us but because of what he’s done for us. This makes Christianity, as Tim Keller says, “the most inclusive exclusivity there is.”
May 18, 2023
If you’ve never known how to reply to someone who asks, “What’s the big deal about Jesus?” then this is the message for you. Pastor J.D. continues through the passage in Romans 3 that some scholars say is the most important in the Bible. Through its message, we learn what makes Christianity so different from every other religion and how accepting Jesus’ forgiveness changes the foundation of our lives.
May 17, 2023
Have you ever wondered how to respond when someone asks you why you think Jesus is the only way to salvation? In this message, Pastor J.D. walks through one of the most important passages in Romans, what Martin Luther called “the very central place ... of the whole Bible.” In it, we find not only the answer to why Jesus saves but also a confidence that is found only through our justification.
May 16, 2023
Billy Graham said that what sends most people to hell is not their sins but their good works, because good works make us think there is something good about us that can save us from ourselves. Pastor J.D. continues in this message from Romans to show us how religion cannot reform us and willpower cannot change our hearts—and the one thing we need to come to Jesus for salvation.
May 15, 2023
You’ve got a problem. We all do! Salvation through Jesus has always been available, but many people still have not received it because they’re not willing to admit that there’s a problem with their heart. In this message, Pastor J.D. walks through Romans 3 and helps us see how the law showed us our need for a Savior, but that we cannot do anything to be made righteous except believe in Jesus who kept the law in our place.
May 12, 2023
Good news! Though religion can’t change us, the gospel gives us a new heart. In Romans 2 Paul admonishes religious people who have grown up in church and have never recognized their need for repentance but reminds us that there is hope. In this message, Pastor J.D. shows us the only way for religious and irreligious people to be saved and how God stands ready not with condemnation but mercy and kindness.
May 11, 2023
In Romans 2, Paul goes after religious people who think they’re better because they know the Bible and go to church—and he’s talking to us. Pastor J.D. continues in the “Romans” series in this message as he explains why, on the final day, God will look beyond the outward performance of religion to our inward motivations and how both religious and irreligious sinners are welcomed back into God’s family through the cross.
May 10, 2023
It’s easy to look at the sins listed in Romans 1 and think, “What was wrong with those people?” But the gospel teaches us that the same idolatry in the hearts of people throughout history still exists in us today. In this message, Pastor J.D. continues to show us in Romans that, while we all stand under judgment of a righteous God, he is also a merciful God who spares us through his grace.
May 9, 2023
We often look back at our country’s history of slavery, oppression, and racism and think, “How could they have been so blind?” And yet we continue to practice the same idolatry today, where we reject God as the center and ruler of our lives. As Pastor J.D. returns to the “Romans” series in this message, he shows us why, thank God, it doesn’t matter what kind of sinner we are but what kind of Savior Jesus is.
May 8, 2023
Have you ever wondered what happens to people who have never heard the name of Jesus? In this message, Pastor J.D. turns to Romans, where the Apostle Paul shows us that God has revealed truth to us in creation and in us through a longing for meaning and eternity. Learn why those longings are no cruel joke; they are, as C.S. Lewis said, evidence that we were made for another world.
May 5, 2023
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Featured Offer

Request Elijah and Elisha: An 8-Day Scripture Guide now.
In our workbook, this month, we’ll walk through Scripture from 1 Kings 17 through 2 Kings 6, through the ministries of Elijah and Elisha. Elijah confronted a religious environment very much like our own, one characterized by the attitude, “You have your god, and I have mine.” Elijah, one of the most fascinating characters in Scripture, shows us that knowing the one true God is better than every other rival. Then we’ll take some time to examine the life of one of the greatest miracle workers in all of Scripture: the prophet Elisha. The secret behind Elisha’s power here on earth was his fierce devotion to the God of heaven. Elisha left behind an amazing legacy in this life, not because he was thinking of this life but because he was focused on the greater things that were ahead. Reserve your copy now.

About Summit Life

Summit Life is a daily, 25-minute program, featuring the gospel-centered ministry of J.D. Greear. Summit Life with J.D. Greear is dedicated to calling people up to a joyous, reckless, generous, and audacious life of faith by learning more about God’s extravagant love found in Christ. In each engaging half-hour, J.D. Greear shares challenging biblical truths that inspire listeners to have daily encounters with Jesus Christ and his transformative grace.

About Pastor J.D. Greear

J.D. Greear is the pastor of The Summit Church, in Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina. Under Pastor J.D.’s leadership, the Summit has grown from a plateaued church of 300 to one of over 10,000. Pastor J.D. has led the Summit in a bold vision to plant one thousand new churches by the year 2050.

Pastor J.D. Greear has authored several books, including Above All (2019), Not God Enough (2018), Gaining by Losing (2015), Gospel (2011), Stop Asking Jesus into Your Heart (2013), and Jesus, Continued… (2014). Summit Life with J.D. Greear is a daily, half hour radio broadcast featuring the teaching of Pastor J.D.

Pastor J.D. completed his Ph.D. in Theology at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He currently serves as the 62nd president of the Southern Baptist Convention. Pastor J.D. and his wife Veronica are raising four awesome kids: Kharis, Alethia, Ryah, and Adon.

Contact Summit Life with Pastor J.D. Greear

J.D. Greear Ministries
P.O. Box 12293
Durham, NC 27709
Phone Number
866.335.5220