The Ridge – Weekly Message

In James 2:15, we are reminded that as Christians are called not only to have faith, but also to live out our faith in the things we say and do. That can take various forms; meeting a practical or spiritual need/coming alongside someone in a difficult season. Yet the reality is, we can’t help everyone or get behind every good cause. So how do we go about deciding who or what to serve and support?...

Faith is more than holding certain beliefs. It’s more than knowing something is true or believing in the existence of something. Faith is something we live out. Message by Mike Van ReesScripture referenced: James 2:14–26

Love God, love others; it's a simple statement that proves much harder to live out. So, how do we grow to love others? And what does our measure of love have to do with our maturity as a follower of Jesus? Join Ridge Lead Pastor Mike Van Rees and BTS Host Will Herron as they look back at this previous Sunday’s teaching on James 2:8-13.

Faith is more than holding certain beliefs. It’s more than knowing something is true or believing in the existence of something. Faith is something we live out. Message by Mike Van Rees Scripture referenced: James 2:14–26

There are few things more humiliating or hurtful than being unjustly discriminated against because of things like your race, gender, or economic status. In James 2 we are reminded to treat others equally and challenged to become aware of unjust preferences in our lives. But how do we avoid the pitfall of favoritism? How can we come to see others as God sees them? Join BTS Host Will Herron and Ridg...

Following Jesus and favoritism are incompatible. It’s right there in Scripture. James tells us so. But why? What is the reason? What is the basis? Message by Mike Van Rees Scripture referenced: James 2:1–7

To know about something and to experience something are two very different things, none more so when it comes to the love of God. Millions of people live with the knowledge that God loves them but find it hard to truly believe it and live in light of it. So how can we truly come to experience God’s love? Join BTS host Will Herron and Ridge Director of Strategy & Communication Dayne Logan as th...

The Word. It’s God’s book, yes. It’s the Bible. But John tells us at the very beginning of the book of the Gospel he authored that the Word is more than a physical book, it’s a Him. It’s Jesus. But what does that really mean? Message by Dayne Logan Scripture referenced: John 1:1 and 2

Often, we don’t need to know more about or from God, we simply need to do what we already know. Because following Jesus is more than knowing facts and more than something we believe. Following Jesus is something we do. Message by Mike Van Rees Scripture referenced: James 1:22–27

Perhaps you've heard the phrase, "Easier said than done." It could also be said that it's easier to hear and understand something than actually do it. In James 1:22 we are challenged to not only hear God's word but to put it into practice in our lives. But how do we go about doing that? How can we move from information to personal transformation?  Join BTS Host Will Herron and Ridge Lead Pastor Mi...

Perhaps one of the hardest skills to master is the ability to truly listen to others. This kind of listening is not just a matter of hearing others audibly but carrying a loving curiosity for them and their story. But let's be honest. Few of us do this well. So how can we learn to be "slow to speak" and "quick to listen" as James instructs? (James 1:19)   Join BTS Host Will Herron and Ridge Lead P...

Here in chapter 1, James implores us to be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to become angry and to rid ourselves of moral filth. James doesn’t just instruct us and leave us, though. He doesn’t offer tools or tips or techniques. James tells us how. Message by Mike Van Rees Scripture referenced: James 1:19–21

Moses and the burning bush. Great story. But what does that mean for us today? Well, several things. But namely God doesn’t call the qualified; He qualifies the called. Message by Todd Stiles Scripture referenced: Exodus 3:1–12

Christmas makes some very bold, reality-altering claims. You’ve likely heard them. But do you know what they really mean? This Christmas, let’s move beyond simply hearing and knowing the story of Jesus and His birth to applying it to our lives.   Message by Mike Van Rees Scripture referenced: Select Scriptures from Matthew, John, Luke

The Christmas story is a familiar one to most. It’s one we’ve probably heard over and over. But there’s a surprising thread that runs through this story and nearly every other story in the Bible.   Message by Will Herron Scripture referenced: Luke 2:1–18

You would be hard-pressed to find anyone who enjoys waiting. Whether it's waiting in line at the grocery store or waiting for a package to arrive at your door, patience is generally not something that comes naturally to us. And yet sometimes God asks us to wait, just like he did with Simeon in Luke 2:25-35.   Join BTS Host Will Herron and Ridge Lead Pastor Mike Van Rees as they finish out the year...

Mary, Joseph, Jesus, angels, wise men, shepherds. All are part of the Christmas story. So is Simeon. Remember him? He was the one who greeted Mary and Joseph when they brought the infant Jesus to the Temple for purification and dedication. Simeon boldly took the baby Jesus in his arms and celebrated the arrival of the Messiah. It’s the moment he had been waiting for.   Message by Mike Van Rees Scr...

The Bible clearly teaches that God is good and that everything that is good comes from Him. But how do we square this away with the hurt, pain and conflict we see in the world and in our own lives?   Join BTS Host Will Herron and Ridge Lead Pastor Mike Van Rees as they explore this age old dilemma in this week's Beyond the Sermon episode.

God is good. And He is working to lead us into the deepest, richest, fullest life possible. In a world that’s full of sin and darkness, at times, that’s hard to see. But, despite our situation or circumstance, He is still good. All the time. Message by Mike Van Rees Scripture referenced: James 1:16–18

Whether we realize it or not, we are being formed. It's a plain fact that the things we do frequently shape us. So, it stands to reason that If we are to be formed into the likeness of Jesus, we have to think intentionally about the habits and rhythms of our lives.   Join BTS Host Will Herron and Julie Wiemann as they explore some habits we can adopt whereby God can change us into the likeness of...

Jesus was fully human and fully divine. In addition to growing physically, He had to grow intellectually and spiritually. Jesus took the posture of a learner. So should we. Message by Julie Wiemann Scripture referenced: Luke 2

Temptation is an experience common to us all. Yet how can we resist and turn from temptation to think and act like Jesus? How can we experience lasting freedom from the things that draw us away from God? Join BTS Host Will Herron and Ridge Lead Pastor Mike Van Rees as they explore what the Bible has to say about resisting temptation as well as how Jesus' example can both encourage and inspire us.

Temptation. It is a reality of life. We are all tempted to do thins we know to be wrong and to refrain from doing what we know to be right. But is temptation alone a sin?  Message by Mike Van Rees  Scripture referenced: James 1:12–16

Identity isn't something we often talk about and yet it is a crucial part of being human. Each of us has an identity, question is, what is that identity built upon? What does the Bible have to say about who we are? Join BTS Host Will Herron and Ridge Lead Pastor Mike Van Rees as they discuss this important topic, exploring some of the things we tend to build our identity on.

Here, James addresses identity. Individuals were basing their self-worth on their net worth. The more wealth a person had, the more they were valued and esteemed. James tells them they had it all backward.  Message by Mike Van Rees Scripture referenced: James 1:9–11