The Ridge – Weekly Message

In Luke 7, a remarkable miracle happens when Jesus raises a young man from the dead. This can prompt us to ask - should we be asking God for dramatic things in our lives? And, if so, how do we navigate the waiting for those prayers to be answered? Join Will Herron, Director of Discipleship, and Ridge Lead Pastor Mike Van Rees as they discuss finding joy in the now and peace in the waiting. Additio...

God has done some marvelous things. But what was His finest moment? Raising the boy from the dead in Luke 7? Making the sun stand still? Parting the Red Sea? It might be something very different than one of these obvious choices. Message by Mike Van Rees      Go Beyond the Sermon: https://ridgelife.org/beyond-the-sermon      Scripture referenced: Luke 7:11–17 Read the  Beyond the Sermon devotional...

In Luke 7, Jesus encounters a centurion who had the greatest faith Jesus had seen in all of Israel. But what does Biblical faith look like? What are some misconceptions on faith that we should be aware of? Join Will Herron, Director of Discipleship and Ridge Lead Pastor Mike Van Rees as they discover what true faith looks like and how we can grow to trust in God Himself rather than the outcomes we...

When we don’t see, feel, understand or perceive something and yet still believe it, that’s faith. When we have conviction that God can and hope that He will, that’s faith. Right? … Isn’t that faith? Well, yes. But there’s more to it than that. Message by Mike Van Rees Scripture referenced: Luke 7:1–10 Read the  Beyond the Sermon devotionals . Get the devotional each week!  Sign up  to receive the...

In Luke 5:33-39 Jesus is questioned about fasting. We see this biblical practice other places in scripture, too. So, how does it apply to our lives today? When and why should we use this spiritual discipline? Join Will Herron, Director of Discipleship and Ridge Lead Pastor Mike Van Rees as they discuss what fasting means for us and how we can experience more of the Holy Spirit in our day-to-day li...

Fasting. It was a normal part of life in the days of the New Testament. This spiritual discipline connects God’s people to Him in a way others do not. Fasting helps us seek after Him and hear the fresh leadings of the Holy Spirit. And it remains just as important to us as followers of Jesus today. Message by Mike Van Rees Scripture referenced: Luke 5:33–39 Read the  Beyond the Sermon devotionals ....

At first glance verses in Luke 9 and 11 seem to contradict one another. This can certainly be confusing. But if viewed in the right way, within context, our faith can be encouraged as we dig deeper to fully understand what God is teaching us in these sections of scripture. Join Will Herron, Director of Discipleship, and Ridge Marketing and Communication Manager Dayne Logan as they discuss ways to...

Two passages in Luke 9 and 11 seem to be contradictory. Confusing, yes. But if we take a closer look and examine these verses within the context they are written, confusion gives way to encouragement as we begin to fully understand what God is teaching. Message by Dayne Logan Scripture referenced: Luke 9 and 11 Read the  Beyond the Sermon devotionals . Get the devotional each week!  Sign up  to re...

In Luke 14:25-32 Jesus says that if anyone is to follow Him they must "hate" their family. What is Jesus trying to teach us here? Why does God ask for our all and not just a part of our life? Join Will Herron, Director of Discipleship, and Director of Family Ministries Doug Applegate as they discuss reasons why full surrender to God's desires for our life is always better. Read the ...

In Luke 14, Jesus states that if anyone is to follow Him they must “hate” their family. In saying this, what is He really asking of us? What is He trying to teach us? Hint: It has something to do with full surrender. Message by Doug Applegate Scripture referenced: Luke 14:25–32 Read the  Beyond the Sermon devotionals . Get the devotional each week!  Sign up  to receive the Beyond the Sermon blog i...

In Luke 5:27-32 Jesus meets Levi, a tax collector. Levi puts together a gathering at his house for Jesus and invites all his tax collector friends. Jesus didn't approve of their immoral financial practices but their behavior wasn’t a reason for him to shun them like the Pharisees. Join Will Herron, Director of Discipleship, and Ridge Lead Pastor Mike Van Rees as they discuss ways in which we c...

Jesus could have had His choice of anyone. He could have picked a scholar, an influencer, someone living a moral life. But He didn’t. He chose Levi, the tax collector. Instead of shunning Levi for his corrupt behavior and immoral financial practices, Jesus said, “Come. Follow me.” Message by Mike Van Rees Scripture referenced: Luke 5:27–32 Read the  Beyond the Sermon devotionals . Get the devotion...

In Luke chapter 5 we unpack the story of a paralytic man being healed and forgiven after his friends went through great lengths to ensure he was brought before Jesus. So how can we serve our friends and families in the same way? What are we willing to do to bring them to Jesus? Join Will Herron, Director of Discipleship, and Ridge Lead Pastor Mike Van Rees, as they discuss ways in which we can be...

The friends of the paralytic man went to great lengths to bring him before Jesus. And through their efforts, he was more than healed, he was forgiven. What are we willing to do to bring others to Jesus? How can we serve our friends and families in a similar way? Message by Mike Van Rees Scripture referenced: Luke 5:17–26 Read the  Beyond the Sermon devotionals . Get the devotional each week!  Sign...

In Luke chapter 10, Jesus sends 72 of His followers to heal the sick and to tell others that the kingdom of God was near. As Jesus followers today, how do we go about spreading the gospel and integrating our faith into every sphere of our lives? Join Will Herron, Director of Discipleship, and Ministry Director Julie Wiemann as they discuss ways on sharing our faith in today's culture. Read the...

In Luke chapter 10, Jesus sends 72 of His followers out into the world. He instructs them to heal the sick and to declare that the kingdom of God was near. So, as followers of Jesus today, how are we using our influence? Are we spreading the gospel? Are we integrating faith into all aspects of our lives? Message by Julie Wiemann Scripture referenced: Luke 10 Video referenced: https://www.youtube.c...

As we continue our sermon series in the Gospel of Luke, Jesus encounters a man with leprosy and heals him. Fully and immediately. Moments like this in Jesus' ministry inspire faith, but they can also raise questions: Why don't we see this response from Him each time we ask? Does it have something to do with us—don't we have enough faith—or is God not as willing to heal today as He was...

In Luke chapter 5, Jesus encounters a man with leprosy and heals him. Fully and immediately. Moments like this in Jesus’ ministry inspire faith, for sure, but they can also raise some hard questions: Why don’t we see this response from Jesus every time we ask? Does it have something to do with us—don’t we have enough faith—or is God not as willing to heal today as He was then? Maybe it’s something...

In Luke chapter 5 Simon (Peter) had been fishing all night with no luck. Jesus comes along and asks him and his men to drop their fishing net one more time and to their delight, they catch a net full of fish. Jesus' direction didn't make sense, but Simon listens, obeys, and casts his net. How can we grow to have a faith like that? How do we say 'yes' to God even when we don't u...

Logic says cut your losses and go home. Experience says pack up and rest. Faith says go and do it because God says so. Because He says so? How do we listen, obey, and follow even when we don’t understand and when we doubt the direction we are given? Message by Mike Van Rees Scripture referenced: Luke 5:1–11 Read the  Beyond the Sermon devotionals . Get the devotional each week!  Sign up  to receiv...

The Prodigal Son, one of the most well-known parables in the Bible, follows the story of a father and his two sons. As the tale unfolds we see the two sons pursue very different directions in life while remaining equally distant from their father. So, what is Jesus teaching us through this story? And why has it become so popular? Join Joni Pine, Director of Hospitality, and Will Herron, Director o...

The parable of the Prodigal Son is well-known. You likely know this story that follows two sons who pursue very different directions in life, yet remain equally distant from their father. What is it that Jesus is teaching us through this story? And, of all of the parables Jesus told, why has this one gained such popularity? Message by Will Herron Scripture referenced: Luke 15 Video referenced: The...

In the gospel of Luke we encounter the ultimate battle of good versus evil: Jesus is tempted by Satan in the wilderness. But how do we know when we are encountering the enemy in our own lives? How can go about identifying and responding to the tactics of Satan? Join BTS host Will Herron and Ridge Lead Pastor Mike Van Rees as they highlight some of the tell-tale signs of the enemy at work in our li...

In Luke chapter 4, God exposes a few myths that we might be caught up in. Here’s one: Satan isn’t real. The Bible teaches us not only that he is but that he is the great tempter. So, how do we handle temptation? We do it just like Jesus did when he faced Satan in the desert. Message by Mike Van Rees Scripture referenced: Luke 4 Read the  Beyond the Sermon devotionals . Get the devotional each week...

One of the key themes in Luke 3:28-38 is baptism. While all Christians agree that baptism is important, it can look different depending on the denomination of the church. So what is the history of baptism, what does it mean and when/how should we do it? Join BTS host Will Herron and Ridge Lead Pastor Mike Van Rees as they dive into the symbolism and meaning behind baptism. Read the  Beyond the Ser...