When we think of the word greatness, famous athletes or music artists may come to mind. But what does the Bible have to say about greatness? What does it mean to be great in the kingdom of God? Join Ridge Youth Director Todd Stiles and BTS Host Will Herron as they explore how the Bible defines greatness and how that changes how we live in every area of our lives.
To the world, greatness is synonymous with platform, position, or a spiritual résumé. But Jesus offers a radically different definition. And it's one that flips the world's idea of greatness upside down. Message by Todd StilesScripture referenced: Matthew 20:20–28
Sometimes work is hard, challenging and frustrating. Sometimes we feel stressed, pushed and pulled in our work. How can we go about dealing with this? How might God be working in the midst of it? Join Ridge Lead Pastor Mike Van Rees and BTS Host Will Herron as they continue looking at work from a Biblical perspective on this week's BTS episode.
If work is designed by God and part of His original plan, and if it is supposed to be a blessing, what do we do when it's the opposite of that? What do we do when work is grueling — when it feels like a struggle? Well, there just might be something more to being uncomfortable than being uncomfortable. Message by Mike Van Rees Scripture referenced: Isaiah 20:1–6
When it comes to finding purpose in work, many people might respond by saying, "It pays the bills" or "It gives me a sense of fulfillment". But what does the Bible have to say about God's purpose for work? Join Ridge Lead Pastor Mike Van Rees and BTS Host Will Herron as they explore this question and more on this weeks BTS episode.
Is work is something other than merely a means to an end? According to the Bible, yes! The purpose of work is something much more than this. In fact, when we understand the Biblical teaching of work and calling, we recognize work is much more than making money. Message by Mike Van Rees Scripture referenced: Exodus 3:10; Jeremiah 1:4–5; Matthew 22:37–39; Acts 9:3–5, 18:2b–3; 1 Corinthians 10:31
Recent studies have uncovered some startling statistics regarding Americans dislike of their work. Why is this so? How can we begin to recover God's intention for our work? Join Ridge Lead Pastor Mike Van Rees and BTS Host Will Herron as they kick off a new sermon series on this weeks BTS episode.
Work consumes a significant portion of our lives. But is work a blessing or a curse? To find the answer, we'll go back to the beginning — back to Genesis and the Garden of Eden. After all, Eden was paradise. Then, there was the fall. Disobedience and rebellion led to some significant consequences. So, where was work in all of this? Is it merely painful toil? Message by Mike Van Rees Scripture referenced: Genesis 1–2
Perhaps one of the most challenging teachings of Jesus relates to forgiving others. We all have the capacity to hurt and cause pain, but how do we actually go about sincerely forgiving others and ourselves? Join Ridge Family Ministries Director Doug Applegate and BTS Host Will Herron as they unpack how experiencing God's forgiveness can fuel our ability to forgive others.
Forgiveness is a significant part of the Bible. Why is it so important for us to forgive? And how often should we do it? Are there any exceptions?Message by Doug Applegate Scripture referenced: Matthew 5:18–35
We've all known people who have strayed from their walk with the Lord. James speaks of this kind of scenario in the closing verses of his letter. Question is, how can we go about helping people like that return to a close relationship with God? Join Ridge Lead Pastor Mike Van Rees and BTS Host Will Herron as they finish off our series in James by exploring this question and more in this week's BTS episode.
What James asks and expects of us in the last two verses of his letter are unusual. He ends things a bit abruptly. Yet what he tells us about wandering from the truth is vital to our lives as followers of Jesus. Message by Mike Van Rees Scripture referenced: James 5:19–20
How many people do you know who enjoy confessing their failures to others? How about you? Despite public confession being encouraged in the Bible, it's often something we struggle to put into practice. So why is it so challenging? How can we live more honestly and transparently? Join Ridge Lead Pastor Mike Van Rees and BTS Host Will Herron as they discuss the power of and some practical direction for confession.
Though admitting we are wrong or that we've messed up is hard, confession is important — for us personally and in our relationships with others. James tells us with confession comes freedom, relational and spiritual connectedness, and, ultimately, healing.Message by Mike Van Rees Scripture referenced: James 5:16
It's safe to say that all of us have prayed for healing for someone or from something but for whatever reason, God said no. When this happens, what do we do? Should we keep praying? Do we surrender it to God and trust Him? Or is it a mix of both? Join Ridge Lead Pastor Mike Van Rees and BTS Host Will Herron as they explore what James 5 has to tell us about praying for the healing of others.
Prayer. Seems pretty straightforward, doesn't it? Prayer is how we communicate with God. But James tells us it's something more — in fact, it's something much more — than merely talking to Him. Message by Mike Van Rees Scripture referenced: James 5:13–18
According to a recent study, the average person lies three times within a 10-minute conversation. Even if that study is only half accurate, that's still a lot of lying! So, what's so wrong about casual dishonesty? Join Ridge Lead Pastor Mike Van Rees and BTS Host Will Herron as they explore the why behind our lying and discuss how we can break its hold in our lives.
Honesty is important. In other words, James tells us that we should say what we mean and mean what we say. We should live and speak in a way that doesn't require embellishment or sugarcoating. Our words alone should be enough. Message by Mike Van Rees Scripture referenced: James 5:12
Patience; a familiar virtue but one of the most challenging to put into practice. Whether it's getting stuck in traffic, slow internet, or relational friction, we often find ourselves embracing impatience rather than this fruit of the Spirit. Why is that? How can we grow to be people of patience? Join Ridge Lead Pastor Mike Van Rees and BTS host Will Herron as they explore these questions and more in this week's BTS episode.
We live in a world that works hard — very hard — to eliminate any need for us to wait. But here, James tells us the thing about patience: It’s more than a virtue. It builds our character and produces perseverance and character and hope, yes. But it does something more. Patience reveals something important we might otherwise miss. More in this Series: The Book of James https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL53dfFlKAfepWkP-4tNxHi74X4l6BFEEIFollow our Podcast to get full messages and beyond the se...
For Christians, the literal resurrection of Jesus is the lynchpin of their faith. Without it, there's no forgiveness, no relationship with God, no hope of a new heaven/new earth. So how can we be sure that the resurrection actually happened? How can we know that Jesus is alive and at work among us today by His Spirit? Join Ridge Lead Pastor Mike Van Rees and BTS host Will Herron as they explore these questions and more in our BTS Easter episode.
If we chose one word and one word only to describe Easter, what would it be? It would have to be an authentic expression of awe, wonder, amazement. That word would be wow. Message by Mike Van Rees Scripture referenced: Luke 11:9, 24:1–6, 23:32–33, 46; John 11:25, 14:19, 20:11–14; Romans 8:1, 20–21; 1 Corinthians 15:20–21; Ephesians 1:20; Colossians 3:14; Revelation 1:17–18, 22:3–5
Good Friday is a service of reflection and worship, communion and contemplation as we remember what Jesus has done for us and His ultimate sacrifice on the cross at Calvary.
When the Bible talks about God “abounding in love,” we see that love expressed in many ways (e.g., the gift of salvation/various blessings in our lives.) But have you ever stopped to think whether you are following God mainly for what He can give you? Do you love God for who He is or for what you can get from Him? Join BTS host and long-time Ridger, Julie Wiemann, as they explore ways we can grow to truly love God rather than just use God for our own means.
Believing in Jesus and having eternal life is more than something we know. It’s more than accepting and acknowledging that Jesus was the Son of God — that He is who He said He was. And that did what the Bible tells us He did — He was crucified, died, and rose again on the third day. So, then, what is it? What is true belief? Message by Julie Wiemann Scripture referenced: John 6:22–29, 32, 35; 12:17–18
Jesus once said; "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God." (Mark 10:25 ESV). James begins chapter 5 of his letter with a similar tone and message. So, is accumulating wealth a bad thing? If we find ourselves with some financial resources, how should we go about using them in a way that pleases God? Join Ridge Lead Pastor Mike Van Rees and BTS host Will Herron as they explore what James and the Bible have to say about wealth a...
The Bible has some things to say about money. Here, in the first verses of chapter five, James addresses a specific group of people: the rich. And he offers some perspective and guidance, revealing the responsibility that comes with wealth. Message by Mike Van Rees Scripture referenced: James 5:1–6
Death is a subject we rarely think about, and yet few things are more universally relevant. Our time on earth is limited, and James reminds us of this reality in his letter. Is it possible that considering our passing in the future can actually be life giving in the present? If so, how so? Join Ridge Lead Pastor Mike Van Rees and BTS host Will Herron as they discuss the benefits of living with a healthy awareness of our finite existence here on earth.
Humility. God values it. In fact, He gives grace to the humble. So, how do know if we have humility? And if not, how do we get it? James offers us some answers and guidance and perspective on what humility is and how we can gain it. Message by Mike Van ReesScripture referenced: James 4:13–17
In life, there will be conflict. It’s part of the cost of relationship. So, what do we do with it? What do we do about it? James tells us there’s a better way — a Biblical way — to handle conflict. Message by Mike Van ReesScripture referenced: James 4:1–10
