Cross Section from the Summit View Church of Christ

Sunday Sermon by Guest Speaker Rudy Kantu — A message calling the church to full commitment to God in order that we might be well-equipped to share the gospel with others.   Texts: selections from 1 Corinthians and other texts

Sunday Sermon by Kevin Jensen — Mary, sister of Martha, honored Jesus with an extravagant and beautiful gift—but Judas objected, preferring that the gift be sold and the money be given to the poor. Jesus' response calls us to check our priorities in how we use the money and resources God has given us, and to appreciate every gift that people might bring to God.   Text: Matthew 26:6-13, John 12:1-8

Sunday Sermon by Kevin Jensen — When Mary and Martha were grieving the loss of their brother Lazarus and Jesus knew he was about to raise Lazarus from the dead, why did Jesus weep? Did he weep out of his own sorrow over his friend's death? Was he angry with the unbelief around him? Did something else prompt his tears? In Jesus' tears, we glimpse how Jesus feels about death and how he—the one who will call the dead back to life—joins us in our grief.  Text: John 11:1-44

Sunday Sermon by Kevin Jensen — The sisters Martha and Mary, when their brother Lazarus became sick, quickly sent an urgent message to Jesus to let him know. But Jesus, who could have healed Lazarus, did not come in time. In response—even though they had great faith—the sisters were deeply disappointed. We, too, are disappointed with God sometimes. What should we do when God lets us down, when he doesn't meet our expectations of a good and loving God?  Text: John 11:1-44

Sunday Sermon by Kevin Jensen — If Jesus were personally coming to your house to stay a while, what would you do? Sweep the floor? Send the kids to stay with the grandparents? Martha opened her home to Jesus, and she was busy and worried because of all the preparations that needed to be made—and upset because her sister Mary was not helping her! Yet Jesus said Mary had chosen to do something even better, something we, in all our busyness, should do as well. Text: Luke 10:38-42

Sunday Sermon by Kevin Jensen — Paul, as an apostle of Jesus, could have ordered Philemon to do the right thing and receive his runaway slave back mercifully. But Paul did not exercise his apostolic authority; he did not take a confrontational, forceful approach. He took a soft approach, as Jesus did with us and modeled for us to do with one another. Text: Philemon

Sunday Sermon by Kevin Jensen — One day, Philemon's runaway slave, Onesimus, returned to Philemon's home with a letter from the apostle Paul. Runaway slaves were usually punished harshly, but Paul asked Philemon to receive Onesimus back graciously. Why? And why did Paul send Onesimus back to his master at all? What do Paul's instructions to Philemon teach us today about our relationships with one another in the family of God? Text: Philemon

Sunday Sermon by Ryan Ferguson — What is true freedom, the kind of freedom that comes only from God through Christ? This lesson explores the freedom that God provides—freedom that calls us not to indulge in our own desires, but to grow in the fruit of the Spirit and in love for one another. Texts: Galatians 5 and selected texts

Sunday Sermon by Kevin Jensen — It might be easier to be godly in all our normal, mundane, everyday activities if we could see the end result from the beginning—see the blessings our godliness would produce. But great people of faith like Joseph, Daniel, Tabitha, and the widows of 1 Timothy 5 could not foresee the results of their daily godliness, yet they were faithful to God in their everyday tasks. Like them, when we are godly in all the little things God gives us to do each day, we find God to be faithful, and we receive a rich blessing. Texts: Genesis 39:1-6a, 39:20-23, 41:46-49, 41:53-57; Daniel 1:1-6, 1:18-21, 6:1-4; Acts 9:36-42; 1 Timothy 5:9-10

Sunday Sermon by Kevin Jensen — Some days are filled with the mundane: wake up, get yourself ready, take care of the kids, go to work, come home, clean the bathtub, and so on. Where's the thrill in serving God in ordinary, everyday tasks, when we see no miracles and hear no voice from heaven? From the story of Ruth and Boaz, we look at principles for serving God—and enjoying life with him—on the most ordinary days. Text: Ruth 2

Sunday Sermon by Kevin Jensen — In Jesus' Parable of the Lost Son, a father demonstrates the profound mercy of God by forgiving his disgraceful but repentant son. But there's another son in the story too, and when he witnesses this forgiveness, he is furious—because forgiveness isn't fair. Text: Luke 15:11-32

Sunday Sermon by Kevin Jensen — The shame of our past sins haunts us, but in Christ we receive a new identity and shame's power over us is taken away. We look at the story of the apostle Paul, who called himself the worst of sinners because he had once persecuted God's church. Yet God transformed his life, took away his shame, and entrusted him with the dignity of serving Jesus and the church. Texts: selections from Acts, Galatians 1:13-14, 1 Timothy 1:12-17

Sunday Sermon by Kevin Jensen — In Judah in the 700s BC, God's people were in trouble, threatened with Assyrian invasion. But they did not turn to God for help. Instead, they ran to Egypt to find security in a military alliance. Why do we human beings run everywhere but to God for help? But when we come to him, he is eager to help us, and he delivers us. Text: Isaiah 30:1-22

Sunday Sermon by Kevin Jensen — How do we apologize to God? From Psalm 51, David's great psalm of repentance, we look at steps we can take to tell God we're sorry for our sin, so that we may receive his mercy. Text: Psalm 51

Sunday Sermon by Kevin Jensen — How does God respond when we repent of our sin and turn back to him? In this opening lesson of the series, "Turning Around," we discuss the meaning of repentance and how Jesus responded when Peter repented of a very serious sin. Text: John 21

Sunday Sermon by Jim Mendenhall — Thoughts on the importance of prayer and thanksgiving in the life of the Christian. Text: Colossians 4:2

Sunday Sermon by Jim Mendenhall — One of the most important components of our worship to God is thankfulness as we remember and share his many blessings. Text: Colossians 3:16-17

Sunday Sermon by Jim Mendenhall — As we walk with God in gratitude and honor him, he fills us with peace beyond our comprehension. Text: Colossians 3:15

Sunday Sermon by Jim Mendenhall — Thoughts from the apostle Paul on how to develop a faith that is disciplined, stable, well-rooted, and full of gratitude. Text: Colossians 2:4-8

Sunday Sermon by Jim Mendenhall — Without thanksgiving, our lives cannot bear fruit for Christ. But with thanksgiving, we bear much fruit through good works as we live lives worthy of the Lord. Text: Colossians 1:9-12

Sunday Sermon by Jim Mendenhall — As we give thanks to God, grow in our faith, and focus on Jesus, the gospel bears good fruit for God in our lives and in his church. Text: Colossians 1:1-6

Sunday Sermon by Kevin Jensen — Jesus can be hard to figure out sometimes. He does things and teaches things that surprise us, disorient and confuse us, even make us doubt that his ways are good. But like his disciples on the day of his resurrection, if we will stay near him and search for what is true, he will reorient us to the excellence of God revealed in himself to bring us life. Text: John 20

Easter Sunday Sermon by Kevin Jensen — Jesus' resurrection turned the confusion of Peter and John into belief, turned Mary Magdalene's grief into joy, turned the disciples' fear into amazement, and turned Thomas's doubt into great faith. His resurrection continues to turn our lives around today, giving us hope in God's promise of eternal life. Text: John 20

Sunday Sermon by Kevin Jensen, shared by Ryan Ferguson — As John tells the story of the crucifixion of Jesus, he doesn't stress Jesus' suffering, the supernatural events surrounding his death, or the mercy he showed even as he died. Instead, John focuses on ancient prophecies fulfilled in Jesus—prophecies that reveal that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God. Text: John 19:16-42

Sunday Sermon by Kevin Jensen — Jesus, on the night before he would be crucified, gave his apostles promises and instructions that would bring them peace in this troubled world. These promises reassure us, and these instructions guide us, as we also live for God and receive peace in spite of the world's many troubles—for Jesus, in whom we trust, overcame the world. Text: Selections from John 14-16

Sunday Sermon by Walt Ranta — Jesus taught his followers to love one another as he loved us, and then he showed the full depth of his love by loving even Judas (who would betray him) and Peter (who would disown him). Text: John 13

Sunday Sermon by Kevin Jensen — When Lazarus was sick, Jesus did not hurry to him to heal him. Lazarus died. But when Jesus arrived, he demonstrated the tenderness of God to us when we face the harsh reality of death—and then he demonstrated God's power over death. Text: John 11:1-53

Sunday Sermon by Johnny Gallegos — Paul calls us to, in view of God's mercy, offer ourselves to God as living sacrifices. What does this mean, and how can we do this? Text: Romans 12:1-2

Sunday Sermon by Kevin Jensen — What causes some people's eyes to be open to see Jesus clearly, while others' eyes are blinded to him? From the story of Jesus' healing of the man born blind, we learn three keys to seeing Jesus with open eyes, so that we may see in him the light of the world. Text: John 9

Sunday Sermon by Kevin Jensen — Jesus claimed to be the light of the world. What did that mean? And as Jesus shines his light on our hearts and lives, is that a good thing or a bad thing? Is he, as the light of the world, a friend or a threat? Text: John 8:12-59

Sunday Sermon by Kevin Jensen — Great confusion surrounded Jesus as he taught in the temple courts one festival week. Some thought he was a good man, others saw him as a deceiver. Some thought he was demon-possessed, some wanted him dead, others believed in him. Who was this man Jesus, really? Those who took the time to listen to him—to truly listen, in spite of their own expectations, disappointment, or confusion—found that he brought them a message of hope from God. Text: John 7

Sunday Sermon by Jim Mendenhall — The great servant of God prophesied in Isaiah 42 was Jesus our Lord. In this lesson, Jim shares thoughts on the character of, and evidences for, Jesus who did just what God had foretold through the prophet. Text: Isaiah 42:1-9

Sunday Sermon by Jack Campbell — Just as Jesus taught us that all who work in his vineyard receive an excellent reward, Peter teaches us how to do that work: escaping the corruption of the world, growing in traits of godliness, and making our calling certain as we look forward to Christ's eternal kingdom. Text: 2 Peter 1:1-11, Matthew 20:1-16

Sunday Sermon by Jim Mendenhall — The ancient prophet Isaiah reminds us that our God is greater than any idols people past or present might construct, and we can depend on him. Text: Isaiah 40:9-31

Sunday Sermon by Jack Campbell — With the preacher and the preacher's backup both sick and the church needing a speaker at the last minute, Jack Campbell steps up to share a message crafted by Jim Mendenhall. Text: 2 Peter 1:1-10

Sunday Sermon by Jim Mendenhall — Paul, speaking to the Philippian church, thanked them for the help they sent, but also expressed the he had learned to be content in every situation. The secret of contentment is a secret we, too, need to learn as we find our hope in God. Text: Philippians 4:10-13

Sunday Sermon by Kevin Jensen — In honor of the birth of Jesus, which we traditionally celebrate this time of year, we share the story of Jesus' birth and consider the humility and glory of that great day, calling one another to praise God and to worship Jesus, who was born to be our Savior. Text: Luke 2:1-20, Matthew 2:1-12

Sunday Sermon by Kevin Jensen — Jesus multiplied bread for a massive crowd, and the people came to him again wanting more. The bread Jesus wanted to give them, though was the true bread from heaven, the bread of life—himself, the source of life sent from God. But did the people, and do we, want this bread? Text: John 6

Sunday Sermon by Kevin Jensen — Jesus healed an invalid who had been disabled for 38 years—but he performed that great miracle on a Sabbath, and that sparked a controversy over whether Jesus had done evil by breaking the Sabbath and, in defending his action, claiming to be the Son of God. His miracle and his defense prompt us to respond to the question, "Do you want life?" And if so, are you willing to accept that Jesus has full authority from God? Text: John 5

Sunday Sermon by Kevin Jensen — Jesus met someone at a well one afternoon—someone whom others might've thought of as being of the wrong gender, the wrong ethnicity, the wrong religious background, and the wrong personal history. To her, Jesus offered living water. In fact, Jesus offers living water to us all, even if we don't expect to be found worthy—and he invites us to drink deeply of it, then to share it with others. Text: John 4:1-42

Sunday Sermon by Kevin Jensen — Nicodemus came to Jesus at night, and Jesus told him that no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born again—not even Nicodemus, a prominent religious leader. Everyone needs a new start in life. Why? Because without Jesus, the light of God and the Son of God sent to save the world, we live in darkness, apart from God. Everyone needs Jesus. Text: John 3:1-21

Sunday Sermon by Kevin Jensen — With wine and confrontation, Jesus began to reveal his glory and his purpose. Some believed and others challenged his authority. When God shows you signs of his goodness through Jesus, what will you do? Will you believe? Text: John 2

Sunday Sermon by Kevin Jensen — When John the Baptist pointed his followers toward Jesus, they went after Jesus and got to know him. Like John, we point people not to ourselves, but to Jesus, whom we follow. And to those who want to know Jesus better or who are simply curious about him, we give this invitation: Come and see. Text: John 1:19-51

Sunday Sermon by Kevin Jensen — When we were caught in the darkness of this world, Jesus came as our light of life—the best God could offer, his own Son. Though many did not receive him, to those who do receive him he offers to make us children of God. This lesson begins a study of the Gospel of John in the series, "That You May Have Life: John's Story of Jesus". Text: John 1:1-18

Sunday Sermon by Walt Ranta — Everyone wants to blame someone else for the wrongs they themselves have committed. Eve blamed the serpent for her sin; Adam blamed God himself! But God calls us to take responsibility for our own actions, to beware of anger and related sins, and to forgive one another. Text: Genesis 3:11-13

Sunday Sermon by Kevin Jensen — Haman was gone, but his evil plan to destroy the Jewish people remained. Esther bravely went before the king again for help, and he authorized a plan for the Jews to defend themselves. They did, their enemies were defeated, and the Jews celebrated the first festival of Purim. Their story reminds us that God always delivers his people in due time, and at the end he will give his people ultimate victory. Text: Esther 8-10

Sunday Sermon by Kevin Jensen — Esther was courageous and wise, but what saved her and her people from Haman was more than just her brave action. Events stacked up in favor of the Jews: the king couldn't sleep, just the right chronicles of his reign were read to him, Haman prepared to kill Mordecai but with terrible timing. Coincidences? Or could it have been that God was behind all this? Text: Esther 5-7

Sunday Sermon by Kevin Jensen — Haman hates the Jews and wants to wipe them all out. Esther faces a decision: whether to risk her life to save her people. Why do she and Haman see the Jews so differently? Because of God and how Esther sees him at work in her life. Text: Esther 3-4

Sunday Sermon by Kevin Jensen — Esther's story begins with trouble both personal and societal. God is not mentioned in the entire book of Esther, and he seems unlikely to appear in Esther's difficult situation. Yet, just as Romans 8:28 reminds us that God works in every situation for the good of those who love him, God is at work in Esther's life—in the background, just behind the scenes, preparing her for the work he has in store for her. Texts: Esther 1-2, Romans 8:28