The Ridge Weekly

Love God, love others… they’re the two most important things Jesus commands us to do. But what does it look like to love a neighbor? What if loving our neighbor involves knowing, serving and loving our actual neighbors… the people who live right outside our door. In this two-part series called “The Art of Neighboring,” Pastor Josh Rhodes digs deeper into the concept of ‘neighboring’ and explores p...

Growing up, I wouldn’t have thought there were any obstacles to being a good neighbor — mine made it look so easy. But I’ve come to realize, as an adult, that being a good neighbor takes intention. It’s not easy to be a good neighbor to a difficult neighbor, but that's what God calls us to do in Luke 10:27. Regardless of our obstacles or challenges, God has placed us in our neighborhood for a reas...

Obstacles and excuses can tend to keep us from taking steps to impact our actual neighbors for Christ. Pastor Josh Rhodes concluded The Art of Neighboring with a talk encouraging us to ask God to help us overcome whatever is standing in the way of neighboring well—what God has called us to, He will equip us for. "Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice...

God gives us neighbors for many reasons. It may take years to get to know our neighbors and to learn why God led us to where we are. But we can be certain that He has led us to where we are. He is sovereign, and He has placed us in our homes, apartments, dorm rooms for a purpose! And part of that purpose is loving those right around us.

God has placed us EXACTLY where we are for a purpose! His desire for us is to love and serve our "actual" neighbors — the people who live right outside our door! When we take steps to know, serve, and love our actual neighbors, we are able to more fully obey Jesus and impact people. // Verses and message notes: https://theridge.church/notes // If you missed Pastor Josh's message from Sunday, take...

5 More Minutes [Face to Face] by Chestnut Ridge Church

John 11:25-27 reads: “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in Me, even if he dies, will live. Everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die — ever. Do you believe this?’ ‘Yes, Lord,” she told Him, ‘I believe You are the Messiah, the Son of God, who comes into the world.’” Martha, in that moment, believed in Jesus and what He was saying. But just like...

Lazarus // Face to Face - Part 9 by Chestnut Ridge Church

When questioned by the Pharisees about the details of his healing, the man spoke these simple, yet profound words, “I was blind, and now I can see!” He likely didn’t understand how the mud and water brought healing, but he had faith in the One who healed. We don’t need to have it all figured out. I can attest that I still have many questions about why a loved one has dealt with serious illness and...

The Blind Man // Face to Face - Part 8 by Chestnut Ridge Church

As Christians, ones who follow the way of Jesus, it can be easy to feel like it’s our place to pronounce judgment over others. However, we must remember what Jesus shares in Matthew 7:1-5: “Do not judge, so that you won’t be judged. For you will be judged by the same standard with which you judge others, and you will be measured by the same measure you use. Why do you look at the splinter in your...

The Adulterer // Face to Face - Part 7 by Chestnut Ridge Church

The Bible has a lot to say about where to place our allegiance. In the Old Testament, it is clear where God wanted the people’s allegiance to be placed — wholeheartedly in Him. Unfortunately, many passages show what happened to the Israleites when their allegiance shifted away from God — none of it was good. But many passages also showed God’s favor when the Israelites turned back to Him.

Jesus's Family // Face to Face - Part 6 by Chestnut Ridge Church

Philippians 4:6-7 says, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." In my naive understanding, I thought this meant that if you prayed, He would answer. Almost a transaction between me and God. My r...

The Crowd // Face to Face - Part 5 by Chestnut Ridge Church

He knew for any real change to happen in this life and the next, He would have to be involved. Jesus did not wait to tell her about eternal life, the “living water”, until after she went back into town and broke up with the man with whom she was having an affair. He shared it with her at the well, right where she was at.

The Samaritan Woman // Face to Face - Part 4 by Chestnut Ridge Church

Real Life: Purpose in Pain by Chestnut Ridge Church

Nicodemus // Face to Face - Part 3 by Chestnut Ridge Church

You Say // Devotional - June 15, 2022 by Chestnut Ridge Church

The Disciples // Face to Face - Part 2 by Chestnut Ridge Church

Devotional - June 8, 2022 by Chestnut Ridge Church

John the Baptist // Face to Face - Part 1 by Chestnut Ridge Church

Finding Purpose - Part 5 by Chestnut Ridge Church