The Ridge – Weekly Message

First century Jews who believed in Jesus did not consider themselves to be converts to something new. Jesus was their Jewish Messiah, and they were teaching that you cannot be a Christian without first becoming a Jew. As they understood it, it was Jesus and obeying the Jewish laws. But, in fact, it was something altogether different. Message by Mike Van Rees Scripture referenced: Acts15:1–35

Host Will Herron and financial coach, speaker, and writer Travis Shelton ( Meaning Over Money / travisshelton.com ) unpack the first principle to stewarding finances well: The way we view money changes everything about how we handle it.

For many followers of Jesus, the idea of spiritual warfare raises questions or perhaps even skepticism. Yet when we look to the Bible, particularly Jesus ministry, we can't deny the presence of a supernatural enemy in the world. So how do we go about identifying and resisting his work in our lives? Join Ridge Leadership and Ministry Director, Julie Wiemann, and BTS Host Will Herron as they explore...

The enemy may be invisible, but he’s not fictional. As believers we are not immune from his assaults. But we are given access to the power of God. In fact, we’re promised we are fully equipped for the fight. Message by Julie Wiemann Scripture referenced: Ephesians 6:10–18 Read the  Beyond the Sermon devotionals : Get the devotional each week!  Sign up  to receive the Beyond the Sermon blog in your...

None of us are exempt from challenges and problems in our lives. Jesus Himself declared that we would face trouble in this life. But how are we to approach problems when they arise? How can we avoid getting overwhelmed by the challenges we encounter? Join Ridge Lead Pastor Mike Van Rees and BTS Host Will Herron as they explore 2 Chronicles 20 and the discover the godly guidance it gives in navigat...

A problem-free life is a myth. Problems and challenges and battles are part of our ongoing reality. In 2 Chronicles 20, as the problem intensified and King Jehoshaphat had done what he knew to do — he fasted, sought counsel, prayed — he did another thing. He worshipped. And something happened. Message by Mike Van Rees Scripture referenced: 1 Kings 22, 2 Chronicles 20 Read the Beyond the Sermon dev...

If we are to develop in any area of our lives, humility and teachability are key. If we are not willing to be challenged in the way we think and act, our potential for growth is limited. King Ahab ultimately wanted his desires to be validated rather than questioned. How do we avoid this pitfall? How can we be open to challenge and change? Join BTS host Will Herron and Ridge Lead Pastor, Mike Van R...

King Ahab thought he was right, and he didn’t want anyone to tell him that he was wrong. 1 Kings 22 teaches us that truth is not what we like, what we want, what feels good, what everyone else is doing, what works for us. Truth is God’s word. Message by Mike Van Rees Scripture referenced: 1 Kings 22:1–6, 17–18, 34–36 Read the Beyond the Sermon devotionals : Get the devotional each week! Sign up to...

A good question the start any new year is: Are you listening. Perhaps a better question would be how are we listening? Are we listening to live? Message by Will Herron Scripture referenced: Luke 6 Read the Beyond the Sermon devotionals : Get the devotional each week! Sign up to receive the Beyond the Sermon blog in your inbox.

It’s one of the most frequently used words at Christmastime. Immanuel. It’s a word we read and sing and speak over and over. But have you ever stopped to think about what that word means? Message by Mike Van Rees Scripture referenced: Matthew 1:20–23 Read the Beyond the Sermon devotionals : Get the devotional each week! Sign up to receive the Beyond the Sermon blog in your inbox.

No one expects to hear the word “cancer”; and when you do life suddenly speeds up and slows down all at the same time. This past year our podcast guest received that diagnosis and her journey has been a roller coaster since. In the midst of all her treatments she’s faced the journey with peace, hope and the guidance of the Holy Spirit—all gifts Julie talked about in her recent message “The Gifts y...

For young and old alike, there are gifts that won’t be found under the tree that are ours to unwrap. These gifts of peace, grace, hope and the Holy Spirit are all ours to receive. And they are all gifts that never wear out—they are ours now and forever through the gift of Jesus. Message by Julie Wiemann Scripture referenced: James 1:17, Romans 5:1, John 14:27 Read the Beyond the Sermon devotionals...

Join BTS host Will Herron and Ridge Director of Hospitality Joni Pine for this special Christmas edition of the podcast. Listen in as they welcome some Ridge staff members for some Christmas fun! Click here to RSVP for our Christmas services Click here to watch the Ridge U “With Us” video

The first step to accepting Jesus as Lord of your life is belief. Believing He is the Son of God, that He bore all your failures, and died and rose again on our behalf. But where do we go from there? What does Jesus call us into beyond that? Join Pastor Mike and BTS host Will Herron as they discuss how being a disciple of Jesus involves not only belief but a faith that displays itself in the way w...

God asks more of us than belief. He asks us to follow. He asks us not to simply believe something about Him, but to let Him lead. In today’s world — in a culture that prizes individual freedom and personal autonomy — why would and should we agree to such a thing? Message by Mike Van Rees Scripture referenced: 1 Kings 18:16–46 Read the Beyond the Sermon devotionals : Get the devotional each week! S...

Receiving criticism can often be difficult, yet if we are to grow personally and relationally with others it is necessary. But what about giving criticism? How do we get the balance between hounding others and being passive in this area of our relationships? Join Pastor Mike and Will as they discuss striking the right balance when giving feedback. Read the Beyond the Sermon devotionals : Get the d...

What we see in 1 Kings 21 is not an ideal marriage. Jezebel is a controlling wife, Ahab a passive husband. Yet there is something more, something of paramount importance. Jezebel creates a scheme, she’s the instigator. Yet God ultimately holds Ahab accountable. Why? Doesn't that seem strange? Message by Mike Van Rees Scripture referenced: 1 Kings 21 Read the Beyond the Sermon devotionals : Get the...

It can be surprising or even stunning for us to read the Pharisee's response to Jesus. God came in the flesh and walked among them yet in the end they devised a plan to kill Him. They claimed to understand things about God but never truly came to know God. Join BTS host Will Herron and Dayne Logan as they explore how we can avoid simply learning about God and enjoy the life with God we were made f...

The Pharisees. Deeply religious, these men were scholars who knew scripture better than anyone and rose to prominence and influence. They memorized passages that prophesied the promised Messiah. These men knew the Messiah was coming—they were expecting Him, yet they completely missed Jesus. Is it possible that we do the same? Especially now, in the busyness of the season? Message by Dayne Logan Sc...

Let's face it. Admitting we are wrong doesn't come easily for us. Often our pride can cloud our vision to see where we have been at fault and where we need to turn blame from others to ourselves. But how can we grow to be more aware of our failures? How can we mature to hold the humility necessary to admit when we are at fault and seek repentance and/or forgiveness? Join BTS host Will Herron and R...

Sometimes the mess is our own making. God created this world with a certain order. And when we live outside that created order, consequences eventually catch up. When we do things we shouldn’t do, when, not unlike Ahab, we can list the reasons and find excuses, we believe we are justified. Jesus teaches us something much different. Message by Mike Van Rees Scripture referenced: 1 Kings 17–18 Read...

Passages like 1 King 16 can cause pause among modern readers. We see God get angry and act upon that anger–often by inflicting judgement upon an individual or group. Yet if we learn anything from this passage, it's that anger can be used in a God–honoring way. So what does that look like? And when does anger become destructive? Join BTS host Will Herron, and Ridge Lead Pastor Mike Van Rees as they...

God gets angry. Does that sound like a bad thing? Though it may come as a surprise, this is actually a good thing. It means we are counting on a God who destroys sin, stops evil, brings justice and restores goodness to this land. We’re counting on a God who is loving and faithful and gracious. All while being holy, righteous and just. He’s all of those. And that's a very good thing. Message by Mik...

In 1 King 15 King Asa exhibits several admirable qualities but fails in one area. When push comes to shove he disobeys God in an effort to protect himself and his kingdom. Some might argue that his intentions and the end result were good. So didn't the end justify the means? Join BTS host Will Herron and Ridge Lead Pastor Mike Van Rees as they explore the inherent dangers of this mindset and highl...

King Asa seems an admirable leader as he takes the throne. He knows what needs to change, and he sees to it. All is well for awhile. But soon he goes against God’s instruction in an effort to protect himself and his kingdom. His intentions were good. The outcome was just what he wanted. But did the end justify the means? Even if it meant blatant disobedience against God? Message by Mike Van Rees S...