Together in the Psalms: Psalm 1 (BG)
June 30, 2024 • Brad Fenison • Psalm 1
The book of Psalms is one of the most beautiful pieces of poetry ever written. It engages us. It draws us in with its imagery, its raw emotion, and its mix of both problem and praise. The psalms feel like real life, and they model for us what it looks like to encounter God and experience His blessing and rule in our real lives at all times. As we study the book, we will look at various types of psalms which will together give us a feel for the overall landscape of the book’s message and how it communicates that message. What we will see is that the psalms are not merely beautiful, but they are instructive for us, teaching us how we can communicate with God. In our study, we will find various different types of psalms, each of which offers a different example of what it might look like for us to meditate on God’s word and talk with Him about how our lives relate to His word.
Adoration (HP)
December 31, 2023 • Brad Fenison • Matthew 2:10–11
We're so glad you're here! Join us as Pastor Brad leads us through a study of Adoration. -------------------- Were you challenged or encouraged by the message you just heard? We'd love to help you take your next spiritual step. Text CONNECT to (360) 260-8300.
Legacy (HP)
September 3, 2023 • Brad Fenison • Proverbs
We're so glad you're here! After we leave this life for the next one, what do we leave behind? Join Pastor Brad as we discover what Proverbs has to say about Legacy. -------------------- Were you challenged or encouraged by the message you just heard? We'd love to help you take your next spiritual step. Text CONNECT to (360) 260-8300.
Session 7: Leadership & Structure
October 30, 2022 • Brad Fenison
Welcome to Session 7 of our Covenant Community series! Join Pastor Jon as he walks out our Leadership paradigm and resulting Structure in the final week of our Covenant Community series. Questions? http://www.summitview.net/covenantcommunity
Priest of Obscurity (HP)
July 3, 2022 • Brad Fenison • Hebrews 7
Throughout Hebrews the author makes the argument that Jesus is superior to all who preceded Him—from the angels, to Moses, Aaron, The Law, Joshua, and the entire priesthood. This emphasis was due in part to a rise of Christian believers—formerly Jewish in faith—wrestling with the temptation to return to old patterns and traditions. The author attempts to reveal to readers Jesus’ superiority in every aspect to the old covenant; that it would be foolish to turn back, for the former things were there in anticipation of a greater thing to come. The author continues his demonstration by drawing the reader’s attention to Melchizedek, a priest mentioned in the Old Testament. To many, Melchizedek, whose name means “king of righteousness,” is a mysterious biblical figure. Despite what little is captured in writing, this priest-king serves as a poignant foreshadow, pointing us to an integral part of Jesus’ eternal priestly ministry.
The Struggle of a Gospel Centered Life: The Flesh (BG)
April 10, 2022 • Brad Fenison • Galatians 5:16–26
Martin Luther, the German pastor and theologian, once described the Christian situation on earth as “simul justus et peccator” meaning “simultaneously justified and sinful.” Luther was attempting to put into the words the inner tension and turmoil we all face; when our hearts and minds are drawn to two opposing and competing passions. We know that when we choose to follow Jesus we become “a new creation” in Christ. Yet we also know that freedom from sin doesn’t usually come overnight. When we choose to follow Jesus, the Holy Spirit comes to reside in us and begins the slow messy work of redeeming us, eradicating sin little by little. In this week’s passage Paul refers to this sin, and its constant pull back to old ways, as “flesh.” It is because of this flesh we constantly find ourselves doing the opposite of what we want to do. This can be so frustrating! Yet there is hope. The promise found in Galatians 5 is that for those of us who are in Christ, the Spirit will do in us a work that brings forth a new way or “fruit” that pleases God. In place of old ways which seek to please the flesh, we are invited to draw near to God and His grace and from it find a new life.
Disciplines: Solitude & Submission (BG)
January 16, 2022 • Brad Fenison
Do you envision the life of a monk? Or perhaps an era where the world moved more slowly? 😌In today's fast-paced hustle culture, prioritizing time to be alone with God and changed by surrender to His presence could not be more fundamentally needed. Tune in as we conclude our 2022 kickstarter study into the practice of the Spiritual Disciplines.
Faith In Surrender (BG)
August 15, 2021 • Brad Fenison • James 4:1–12
Jesus sums up the Law and Prophets in four simple words, “Love God, love others” (Matthew 22:40). It sounds simple enough but is tragically difficult to do. Why is this so? James puts it quite simply; our passions are at war within us. Rather than love selflessly, we desire to be served, we struggle for recognition, and wrestle for power and prestige—we judge and condemn rather than walking in humility, filled with mercy and grace. To act in such a manner makes us enemies of God; we cannot love God if we are constantly fighting to sit on His throne. The solution to resisting love of self, or worldliness, is to draw near to God. Proximity to God changes us from the inside out. As we draw near to God, our attitude toward others should also be one of humility. God has not put us on an exalted throne; the way we interact with Him and others reveals what we believe.