Summit Church Sermons

How do we test the spirit's? In 1 John 4:1–3, Pastor Catlan shows that those outside the family of God are not merely mistaken, but under the blinding power of Satan. Because of this spiritual danger, believers must “test for genuineness,” measuring every spirit and message by the truth of Jesus Christ.

What is the real danger of false spirits? In this sermon, Pastor Catlan opens 1 John 4:1, showing that God lovingly warns His people not to believe every spirit. False teachers and falsehoods about Jesus are real hazards, so the church must stay rooted in God’s Word and alert to deception.

What does true greatness look like in the kingdom of God? In this sermon, Pastor Catlan preaches from Matthew 20:20–28, showing that Jesus overturns worldly ideas of power and leadership. Because Christ came not to be served but to serve, His people—including elders and deacons—are called to follow Him in humble, sacrificial service.

What does it mean to live a life worthy of the gospel in the face of opposition? In this sermon, Pastor Spencer unpacks Philippians 1:27–30, calling believers to stand firm in unity, strive together in faith, and embrace both belief and suffering for Christ as evidence of God’s saving work in and through them.

What makes a church truly healthy? In this sermon, Pastor Catlan teaches from 1 Timothy 3:8–13, showing that healthy churches are shaped by qualified, godly leadership. As deacons embody integrity, faith, and faithful service, the church is strengthened, cared for, and better equipped to carry out Christ’s mission.

How can we be raised to life like our Savior Jesus? In this sermon, Pastor Catlan teaches from Colossians 2:12–14, showing that through union with Christ, believers are buried and raised with Him. Our sin is fully forgiven, our record of debt canceled, and new life secured through the power of God.

In what way were we “unified with Christ” at the cross? In this Good Friday sermon, Pastor Catlan teaches from Romans 6:1-11, moving beyond the events of Jesus’ death to its meaning for a believer. Christ purchased victory over sin for His people.

What kind of King is Jesus, and how should we respond to Him? In this sermon, Pastor Spencer walks through Luke 19:28–44, revealing Jesus as the humble yet rightful King who comes to save the lost. The passage invites us to move beyond shallow praise and recognize, receive, and follow Him with genuine faith.

What are God’s commandments? In this sermon, Pastor Catlan unpacks 1 John 3:23, showing that God’s commandments have been consistent from the beginning. People who obey God’s commandments believe in Jesus and love one another.

How can we overcome our own heart condemning us? Pastor Catlan examines 1 John 3:21-22, explaining that while sin and trauma cause us to doubt our standing, God’s perfect forgiveness is greater than our self-accusations. By trusting in Christ’s complete work, we gain confidence before God, empowering our prayers and obedience.

How do you find peace when your own conscience attacks you? In this message from 1 John 3:19–20, Pastor Catlan explains how believers can reassure their hearts before God even when they feel condemned. By building a storehouse of faithful, sacrificial love, we find the future evidence needed to trust that God is greater than our failing hearts.

How can Christians move beyond mere words to demonstrate the sacrificial love of Jesus? In this message from 1 John 3:17–18, Pastor Catlan explores three types of "life" and the moral obligation to share worldly goods with brothers in need. True faith is proven through consistent, practical deeds performed in truth.

What is the goal of missions? Pastor Catlan explores Acts 14:21-23 to define the goal of gospel work. By examining Paul’s journey, we learn that missions involves more than just preaching; it requires making disciples and establishing healthy, indigenous churches led by local elders.

How do we define true love in a world of relative meanings? In this message, Pastor Catlan explores 1 John 3:16, contrasting the hatred of Cain with the sacrificial agape of Jesus. By examining Christ’s willful choice to lay down His life, we discover our own obligation to sacrificially love the brothers.

How does our awareness of sin impact our love for God? In this sermon, Pastor Spencer examines Luke 7:36–50, contrasting a self-righteous Pharisee with a repentant woman. He explains that those who recognize their deep need for mercy respond with radical, public devotion. Ultimately, the message reveals that great forgiveness produces great love.

Do you feel like the world hates you? In this message, Pastor Catlan explores 1 John 3:13–14, explaining that the "world" is a system of rebellion against God. Because Christians have passed from death to life and follow a new King, their transformation naturally disrupts a world that prefers its own autonomy.

What does the Bible say about loneliness? Preaching from Ecclesiastes 4:7-12, Pastor Catlan explores the "vanity" of self-sufficiency and the dangers of isolation. By prioritizing deep relationships over personal gain, we find the support and spiritual strength necessary to withstand life’s inevitable hardships.

What marks a church as being a truly great spiritual community? In this message, Pastor Spencer explores Acts 4:32-37 to show how the early church was defined by unity of heart and soul. By examining their example of selfless sharing and powerful witness, we learn that a church's greatness comes from the transforming grace of Jesus Christ.

Why was the first murder in history committed by a brother? Pastor Catlan explores the story of Cain and Abel from Genesis to unpack 1 John 3:12. This sermon reveals that Cain’s hatred stemmed from a heart that rejected God’s standards of worship. True believers are called to love one another by worshiping God in spirit and truth.

How can we be certain that our faith in Christ is genuine? Pastor Catlan returns to 1 John 3:10–11 to explore how sacrificial love for our brothers and sisters serves as a primary test of a true child of God. This message challenges us to consider if we love one another just as Jesus has deeply loved us.

How can you sustain a life of service without burning out? Pastor Catlan examines Galatians 6:9-10 to show that weariness often stems from wrong motivations, like trying to earn God’s favor. By doing good out of love for Christ rather than for specific outcomes, we find the joy and strength to persevere until God’s perfect timing for reaping.

What is the culmination of the road to Bethlehem? Pastor Catlan concludes our series by examining Matthew 1:20-23, where an angel reveals that Jesus—meaning "YHWH is salvation"—would save His people from their sins. This miraculous birth fulfills ancient prophecy, proving that God is finally, eternally with us.

How can we understand the perfect timing of Christ’s birth in the grand narrative of Scripture? In this message, Pastor Spencer explores Galatians 4:4–7 to reveal how God prepared the world religiously, culturally, and politically for the Messiah. Discover the divine purpose behind the incarnation: to redeem us from the law and adopt us as His heirs.

How does God restore His people after a generation of deep rebellion? In this sermon largely from 2 Chronicles 34, Pastor Catlan traces God’s work through the wicked reign of Manasseh and the faithful reforms of young King Josiah, showing how the rediscovery of God’s Word prepared the way for Christ.

What does Rahab have to do with the incarnation of Jesus? In this sermon, Pastor Catlan walks through Joshua 2 and Joshua 6 to show how Rahab’s fragile scarlet cord reveals God’s precise, sovereign preparation for the arrival of Christ on the road to Bethlehem.

What marks a true child of God? In this sermon from Pastor Catlan, 1 John 3:9–10 reveals the visible evidence of new birth—God’s abiding seed transforming us away from the practice of sin and toward righteousness and brotherly love. This closing passage shows how genuine faith becomes unmistakably evident. 

What does it really mean to “make a practice of sinning,” and why does John say such a person is “of the devil”? In this sermon from Pastor Catlan on 1 John 3:8, we explore the difference between occasional failure and intentional rebellion—and how Christ appeared to destroy the works of the devil and free us for true righteousness.

What does it mean to “abide” in Christ when sin still lingers in our lives? In this message from 1 John 3:6–7, Pastor Catlan unpacks John’s contrast between those who keep on sinning and those who practice righteousness, showing that abiding in Christ transforms how believers view and respond to sin—loving what He loves and hating what He hates.

What if you want to help but you might mess up in the process? In this sermon, Pastor Catlan unpacks the wisdom of Proverbs 14:4—“Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean, but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox”—showing that healthy, Spirit-filled churches embrace the chaos of empowerment to bear lasting gospel fruit.

Why did Jesus come? In this sermon on 1 John 3:5, Pastor Catlan shows that Christ “appeared to take away sins.” Exploring the Greek word airo—to lift up and remove forever—he explains that Jesus came not just to cover sin but to terminate it completely, revealing the sinless One whose mission glorifies God by destroying sin’s power.

What does it mean to “purify yourself as He is pure”? In this sermon on 1 John 3:3–4, Pastor Catlan shows that to “purify” means to make holy —to set every part of life apart for God’s purposes. Holiness isn’t just avoiding sin but aligning wholly with God’s order, living in hopeful anticipation of Christ’s return.

What will it be like to see Jesus as He truly is? In this sermon from 1 John 3:2, Pastor Catlan unpacks the promise that when Christ appears, believers “shall be like Him, because we shall see Him as He is.” The message explores the present blessings of being God’s children and the coming transformation that awaits when we behold His glory.

What does it really mean to follow Jesus? In this sermon from Mark 8:27–38, Pastor Spencer explores Jesus’ own definition of discipleship—denying oneself, taking up one’s cross, and following Him. He warns against following a “Christ of imagination” and calls believers to live as true disciples who come after Jesus, not ahead of Him, in wholehearted obedience and trust.

What does it mean to truly follow in Jesus’ steps? In this sermon on 1 Peter 2:18–25, Pastor Catlan shows how discipleship involves imitating Christ’s humility, endurance in suffering, and freedom from deceit. Though we cannot copy His miracles, we are called to embrace His example, returning as sheep to the Shepherd and Overseer of our souls.

In part 2 of Being a Disciple, Pastor Spencer unpacks Mark 8:34-38 and what it looks like to be a disciple of Christ.

In this sermon from Mark 8, Pastor Spencer unpacks what it means to be a Christian.

What makes Christian community powerful? In this sermon from Acts 19:18–20 and Acts 20:17–38, Pastor Catlan highlights the relational depth, mutual care, and spiritual accountability modeled by the Ephesian church. As Life Groups launch at Summit, we are invited to build relationships where we can confess sin, speak truth in love, and grow together into Christ.

What does it mean to be called a child of God? In this sermon on 1 John 3:1, Pastor Catlan explores the wonder of God’s love that gives us a new identity through faith in Christ. He shows how adoption into God’s family changes how we live, shapes how the world sees us, and calls us to enjoy our Father fully.

How can you know if you truly belong to God’s family? In this sermon on 1 John 2:29, Pastor Catlan shows that those who “practice righteousness” reveal they have been born of Him. By knowing Christ’s perfect righteousness, we can discern the fruit of new birth in our lives and live with assurance before God.

How do we prepare for Christ’s return? In this sermon on 1 John 2:28, Pastor Catlan calls us to “abide in Him” so that when Jesus appears, we will have confidence rather than shame. Listen and see how remaining in Christ brings boldness, removes guilt, and prepares us to meet Him face-to-face.

What does it mean that believers “have no need that anyone should teach” them? In this sermon on 1 John 2:26–27, Pastor Catlan unpacks how the Spirit’s anointing equips Christians to discern truth from deception, warns against false teachers, and calls believers to abide in Christ—the ultimate Teacher who anchors them in the Gospel.

How do we respond when a Christian sins? Drawing primarily from Galatians 5–6, Pastor Catlan lays out nine biblical principles for responding to sin among Christians. Whether you’re struggling with hidden sin or walking alongside someone who is, this message points to the path of confession, accountability, and grace-filled restoration.

In this message rooted in Romans 12:1–2, Chris Sanner shares his journey from brokenness to transformation through the gospel of Jesus Christ. With stories from Wisconsin, Alaska, and North Africa, he calls believers to respond to God’s mercy with wholehearted surrender, daily gratitude, and a renewed mind that resists the world’s patterns. A stirring call to live as living sacrifices for God’s glory.

Drawing from Daniel 4, Pastor Spencer walks through the powerful transformation of King Nebuchadnezzar—from proud ruler to humbled worshiper—highlighting God’s jealousy for His own glory. This message reminds us that all success comes from the Lord, and that to claim credit for ourselves is to rob God of what He alone deserves. Through vivid biblical narrative and direct application, we are called to live humbly, repent sincerely, and glorify the Most High God in all we do.

In a world overflowing with new teachings and spiritual distractions, 1 John 2:24–25 calls us back to what we heard at the start—the good news of Jesus the Christ. In this message, Pastor Catlan unpacks how remaining rooted in the original truth of Jesus guards us from false teaching, deepens our love for Him, and assures us of the promise He made: eternal life. This is not just a call to remember your beginning—it’s a call to treasure it forever.

What does it mean to say “Jesus is the Christ”? In this message from 1 John 2:22–23, we explore why that title is not just a name, but the very heart of Christian faith. John warns that the one who denies Jesus as the Christ is a liar and the antichrist—not merely mistaken but cut off from the Father.This sermon traces the Old Testament foundation of the title “Messiah” (Christ) through passages like Psalm 2, Deuteronomy 18, and Isaiah 9. We see that the Christ is the promised King, the Son of God, the prophet like Moses, and the one who possesses all the earth—none other than God Himself. Denying Jesus as the Christ is not a minor error; it is to miss salvation entirely.Whether you’re uncertain about who Jesus is or have long followed Him, this passage calls us to recognize, proclaim, and exalt Him as the one true Christ.

Can you trust God even when life is hard? Drawing from Job, the Psalms, and other Scriptures, Pastor Spencer highlights three foundational truths—God is absolutely sovereign, infinitely wise, and completely loving. These truths invite us into more than obedience; they call us to a deep, personal trust in God. Rather than relying on feelings or circumstances, we are urged to trust the revealed character of God in His Word.

1 John 2:21 affirms that genuine believers already know the truth—not because of special insight, but because they abide in Christ, who is the revealed reality of God. This message explores the biblical meaning of truth (alētheia), showing that true worship must be grounded in God’s self-revelation. Pastor Catlan preaches from both 1 John and the Gospel of John to contrast truth with deception and call the church to worship in Spirit and truth.

1 John 2:20 describes the true believer as one who has been anointed by the Holy One and who knows the truth. In this sermon, Pastor Spencer addresses the widespread misuse of the term “anointed” in many charismatic circles, and clarifies what John meant by this Spirit-given anointing that belongs to all Christians. Rather than being reserved for a select few with supposed spiritual superiority, this anointing guards believers with the truth and anchors them in Christ.

1 John 2:19 is a critical text when encountering a person who has left the church. When John said, "They went out from us", who are "they" and who are "us"? In this sermon, Pastor Catlan unpacks the details of this critical text that helps us worship the Lord of eternal security.