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 discuss what righteous anger looks like and how God's anger can actually comfort and encourage us. ...
Nov 14, 2022•19 min
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 Mike Van Rees Scripture referenced: 1 Kings 16:1–4, 8–13, 15–19 Read the Beyond the Sermon devotionals ...
Nov 14, 2022•28 min
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 highlight other teachable moments from this passage. Read the Beyond the Sermon devotionals : Get the dev...
Nov 07, 2022•20 min
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 Scripture referenced: 1 Kings 15:9–19 Read the Beyond the Sermon devotionals : Get the devotional eac...
Nov 07, 2022•32 min
For such a familiar part of the Christian life, prayer is often the most neglected aspects of our relationship with God. Well meaning aspirations of setting aside time to pray succumb to busy work schedules, personal commitments, or general tiredness. Join Will Herron and guest host, Dayne Logan, as they seek to re discover the treasure and joy of talking with the God of the universe. Read the Beyond the Sermon devotionals : Get the devotional each week! Sign up to receive the Beyond the Sermon ...
Oct 31, 2022•20 min
The disciples saw Jesus praying, and they wanted to know how to do it themselves. So, He teaches them. Jesus instructs them in the same patterns He Himself lived by and gives them The Lord’s Prayer. There’s so much Jesus reveals through this template of prayer, the most important being this: Prayer is an invitation into relationship with God. Message by Will Herron Scripture referenced: Matthew 6:5–13 Read the Beyond the Sermon devotionals : Get the devotional each week! Sign up to receive the B...
Oct 31, 2022•27 min
In this week's episode, Pastor Mike and Will address the very real possibility of our faith becoming an academic exercise where following Jesus entails knowing the right things but not necessarily living the right way. So how do we avoid this pitfall? How can we learn about God while also applying what we hear in our daily lives? Listen in as we explore these questions and more. Read the Beyond the Sermon devotionals : Get the devotional each week! Sign up to receive the Beyond the Sermon blog i...
Oct 24, 2022•21 min
When it comes to following Jesus, often we aren’t lacking facts and information. We already know , but we don’t do . The goal of reading the Bible isn’t simply to understand; it’s to put into action. If we aren’t careful, the Christianity can morph into an academic exercise instead of a lifestyle. How can we be sure our faith isn’t something we simply study but something we become? Message by Mike Van Rees Scripture referenced: 1 Kings 13:1–19, 23–24 Read the Beyond the Sermon devotionals : Get ...
Oct 24, 2022•27 min
Things like shopping, entertainment, dining and banking have never been more convenient. From ordering food to your door to viewing your favorite new movie releases right in the comfort of your living room, many every day things have never been easier. Join Pastor Mike and BTS host Will Herron as they discover that, while convenience is helpful in certain areas of life, it doesn't work so well as a general life philosophy. Read the Beyond the Sermon devotionals : Get the devotional each week! Si...
Oct 17, 2022•18 min
The kingdom has split. Israel to the north and Judah to the south. With Jerusalem in the north, now the southern kingdom is without a temple, it's without a place to worship. So, King Jeroboam makes some changes. He lowered the standards of God, substituted what was right for what was easy, and created a faith that demanded little. But why? What was behind the decisions Jeroboam made? Message by Mike Van Rees Scripture referenced: 1 Kings 12:20–33 Read the Beyond the Sermon devotionals : Get the...
Oct 17, 2022•27 min
Decision making is a part of our everyday. From the simple things like what we are going to eat for breakfast to bigger things like whether to accept a new job or not. Yet how do we go about making decisions? Particularly the potentially life changing ones? Join Ridge Lead Pastor Mike Van Rees, and BTS podcast host, Will Herron, as the explore some practical ways to approach making good choices in our lives. Read the Beyond the Sermon devotionals : Get the devotional each week! Sign up to receiv...
Oct 10, 2022•21 min
Rehoboam had a decision to make — one that would greatly affect the future. He did a couple of things right: He waited. And he sought counsel. The advice he ultimately took, though, was from unwise friends. As a result, the kingdom split in two. How do you go about making decisions? Who are you listening to? Who are you surrounding yourself with? Who are you influenced by? Message by Mike Van Rees Scripture referenced: 1 Kings 12 Read the Beyond the Sermon devotionals : Get the devotional each w...
Oct 10, 2022•31 min
Many in the modern day believe that discerning right and wrong is a personal endeavor. Our morality is defined not externally by God but internally by each individual. Join Will and Marketing and Communication Manager, Dayne Logan, as they explore what the Bible has to teach us about discerning good/evil and growing into people of wisdom. Read the Beyond the Sermon devotionals : Get the devotional each week! Sign up to receive the Beyond the Sermon blog in your inbox....
Oct 03, 2022•21 min
He could have had absolutely anything. But when God asked Solomon what he wanted, he didn’t ask for riches or fame, peace or long life; rather, Solomon requested wisdom. But here’s the thing: When we are made aware of the existence of good and bad, we have the power to do enormous good, but it also occurs us that we have the option of doing evil things. Message by Dayne Logan Scripture referenced: 1 Kings 3–4 Read the Beyond the Sermon devotionals : Get the devotional each week! Sign up to recei...
Oct 03, 2022•29 min
This week we begin a new sermon series on the kings of the Bible. In this week's episode, Pastor Mike and Will take an opportunity to discuss ways in which we can use the influence that we hold in our lives to honor God. They also explore some ways that we can avoid some of the pitfalls that befell the kings of the Bible. Read the Beyond the Sermon devotionals : Get the devotional each week! Sign up to receive the Beyond the Sermon blog in your inbox....
Sep 26, 2022•19 min
With the exception of Job, every book from 1 Samuel to the end of the Old Testament is about the kings. That's about half of the Bible. This sermon marks the beginning of a series in which we'll take a close look at the leaders of ancient Israel and all the ways they used — and abused — their power, influence, and resources. Message by Mike Van Rees Scripture referenced: Deuteronomy 17:14–20 Read the Beyond the Sermon devotionals : Get the devotional each week! Sign up to receive the Beyond the ...
Sep 26, 2022•26 min
While the truth of God's sovereignty can bring great comfort and hope, it can also raise some deep questions: "How could God let ... happen to me?" or "If God could stop something but chooses not to, does that make Him ultimately responsible?" Join Mike and Will as they explore these challenging questions in this week's edition of the podcast. Read the Beyond the Sermon devotionals : Get the devotional each week! Sign up to receive the Beyond the Sermon blog in your inbox....
Sep 19, 2022•19 min
The book of Genesis concludes with Joseph looking back over his life. But how does he make sense of his great reversals from favored child to slave then to hero? The theological word to explain it all is sovereignty, which basically means God is in control. Nothing can thwart his plan and purpose — not even the sin of man. Rather, He uses it all to bring forth good. Message by Mike Van Rees Scripture referenced: Genesis 50 Read the Beyond the Sermon devotionals : Get the devotional each week! Si...
Sep 19, 2022•25 min
Pastor Mike and BTS host, Will Herron, cover a variety of topics on this weeks episode. From exploring how we speak the truth in love without judgement, to unpacking why being involved in the life of the church is key to our spiritual growth. Join Mike and Will as they explore these areas and more. Read the Beyond the Sermon devotionals : Get the devotional each week! Sign up to receive the Beyond the Sermon blog in your inbox....
Sep 12, 2022•18 min
Sometimes the deepest blessing is to point out truth. Here’s the message that comes screaming out of Genesis 49: Present actions have future repercussions. Temporary pleasure does not equal lasting fulfillment. Our choices today have consequences for tomorrow—our choices effect our lives, the lives of our children, and generations to come. Message by Mike Van Rees Scripture referenced: Genesis 49 Read the Beyond the Sermon devotionals : Get the devotional each week! Sign up to receive the Beyond...
Sep 12, 2022•27 min
More than ever it feels like we are in danger of becoming overly self focused. Everywhere you look, things are catered to what we want, how we want it, when we want it. So how does this line up with Jesus call to be "last" and "the servant of all"? To live more focused on others than ourselves? Join Director of Outreach, Mary Kohlsdorf and BTS host, Will Herron, as they explore these questions and discover just how transformational service can be for all involved. Click here to access this conte...
Sep 05, 2022•17 min
Honoring our father and mother can be difficult sometimes, particularly if they've fallen short of God's intention for those roles. So how do we go about living out this commandment? And how do we parent/influence younger generations in a way that honors God? Join Pastor Mike and Will as they explore some practical ways to approach these questions in our weekly podcast. Read the Beyond the Sermon devotionals : Get the devotional each week! Sign up to receive the Beyond the Sermon blog in your in...
Aug 29, 2022•19 min
What is the goal of parenting? To do everything in your power to influence your children to willingly and joyfully follow Jesus. It starts here: Do you love and follow and grow in your relationship with God? You can’t give what you don’t have. Here’s the rest of it: Every conversation is an opportunity to point to God. He isn’t just in a book or in our heads. He influences what we believe and how we live. Capture every opportunity to show Him to your kids — to the younger generation. Message by ...
Aug 29, 2022•32 min
While we can celebrate with Jacob and his family over their relocation to an abundant land, we also recognize that the lands of Egypt and Canaan remained in severe famine. As we think of our own lives, God doesn’t promise that we won’t have famine or troubles, but He does promise His presence and provision within it. Join Pastor Mike and Will as they share stories of how they have experienced this on a personal level. Read the Beyond the Sermon devotionals : Get the devotional each week! Sign up...
Aug 22, 2022•20 min
There is a belief that is widely held. It’s false. And it can train wreck your faith. Here it is: God will keep you from pain and deliver you from difficulty. Nowhere in the Bible does it say that. What it does say, what God does promise, though, is that He is with us ready and waiting with provision. He is good, even when our circumstances are not. That is why we can worship in every season. Message by Mike Van Rees Scripture referenced: Genesis 47:7–11, 13-25 Read the Beyond the Sermon devotio...
Aug 22, 2022•28 min
Peter's letter was received by Christians undergoing severe persecution. Often in church history it's at such times that we see great spiritual growth. And while we may not experience the same level of suffering as this first century audience, we can still encounter challenging seasons in our own lives. So is it possible for God to use these situations to help us grow in a similar way? If so, how? Join Julie and Will as they discuss this further as well as discover how God's plans for the future...
Aug 15, 2022•20 min
Peter writes about glorious, inexpressible joy. And he reveals that the reward for trusting Jesus will be the salvation of the soul. So, even in the face of horrific daily challenges, Peter encourages first-century Christians — and us — to rejoice. Because we have a joy that comes from heaven and one we can’t humanly describe. It’s joy in the reward yet to come — joy in the eternal hope we have in Jesus. Message by Julie Wiemann Scripture referenced: 1 Peter 1:1–9 Read the Beyond the Sermon devo...
Aug 15, 2022•30 min
The Bible teaches us that God desires to speak to us and lead us in His plans and purposes. But how do we go about discerning His voice amongst all the other voices both inside and outside of us? How can we be sure we are hearing from God and not just ourselves? Join Pastor Mike and Will as they explore some practical steps to growing in hearing God's voice. Read the Beyond the Sermon devotionals : Get the devotional each week! Sign up to receive the Beyond the Sermon blog in your inbox....
Aug 08, 2022•19 min
Should he stay or should he go? Jacob is living in the Promised Land. But he discovers his beloved son is alive and doing very well in Egypt. Jacob is desperate to see him. But he knows once he steps foot beyond Beersheba, he will exit the Promised Land. If he leaves, what about the promises? What about the land? What about the covenant? Jacob puts aside his emotions and seeks God’s will. Do you do that? Can you discern His voice? Message by Mike Van Rees Scripture referenced: Genesis 46 Read th...
Aug 08, 2022•28 min
There are few things harder in life than forgiveness. People can hurt one another deeply, and the impact can be painful and long lasting. And yet if we are to make steps toward healing, forgiveness is essential. So how do we go about doing what can sometimes seem impossible? How do we follow the example of Jesus and Joseph and seek pardon rather than revenge? Join Pastor Mike and Will as they offer practical steps and helpful insights around this challenging topic. Read the Beyond the Sermon dev...
Aug 01, 2022•20 min
