The Ridge – Weekly Message

The Transformative Power of God’s Grace

In Galatians, Paul tells us that a person is saved through faith by grace alone. We cannot earn salvation, and we are not justified by following the law (no matter how closely) or completing good works (no matter how many). Yet in the book of James, James writes, “Faith by itself if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” Huh? If we’re not saved through works, what is James getting at? Message by Dayne Logan Scripture referenced: James 2 Read the Beyond the Sermon devotionals . Get the devoti...

Beyond the Sermon: Experiencing the Transformative Power of God's Grace

As we continue our study in Galatians, we get a look into Paul's past, and it wasn't pretty! While "your past doesn't define you" might be a popular saying, it can be challenging to know how to handle a history of deep failure in our own lives and the lives of others. Join BTS host Will Herron and Ridge Lead Pastor Mike Van Rees as they discuss how our experience of God's grace in our own failures can transform how we respond to failure in others. Read the Beyond the Sermon devotionals . Get the...

The Transformative Power of God’s Grace

So far we know that the Galatians have strayed from the message of the gospel — they've accepted false teaching. As they ponder which teacher to listen to, Paul’s background wasn’t doing him or his message any favors. His past was dark. As we move further into the first chapter of Galatians, we’ll see just what God does with brokenness. Message by Mike Van Rees Scripture referenced: Galatians 1:11–14 Read the Beyond the Sermon devotionals . Get the devotional each week! Sign up to receive the Be...

Beyond the Sermon: What Does Healthy Anger Look Like?

This week we are back in the book of Galatians where we find Paul fired up about some happenings in the church. The Bible teaches that healthy anger is possible, but what exactly does that look like? How can we go about avoiding destructive expressions of anger? Join BTS host Will Herron and Ridge Lead Pastor Mike Van Rees as they explore these questions and more on this week’s episode. Read the Beyond the Sermon devotionals . Get the devotional each week! Sign up to receive the Beyond the Sermo...

The True Gospel

Galatians 1. Paul is angry. And rightly so. He is confronting the Galatians who have strayed from the message of the gospel and have come to accept false teaching. The Galatians have replaced the truth they know — that which Paul himself preached to them — with something else.Message by Mike Van Rees Scripture referenced: Galatians 1:3–10 Read the Beyond the Sermon devotionals . Get the devotional each week! Sign up to receive the Beyond the Sermon blog in your inbox....

Walk Sunday - Panel 2

Walk Sunday — the Sunday we celebrate and recognize youth who have made a commitment to and established a personal relationship with God. Select youth share stories and testimonies of their spiritual journeys. Junkyard Director, Todd Stiles and K-12 Ministry Assistant, Paige Schwickerath with Emma Reaman, Kayla Fox, Sara Brown, Ellie Vaudt.

Walk Sunday - Panel 1

Walk Sunday — the Sunday we celebrate and recognize youth who have made a commitment to and established a personal relationship with God. Select youth share stories and testimonies of their spiritual journeys. Junkyard Director, Todd Stiles and K-12 Ministry Assistant, Paige Schwickerath with Alyssa Krogman, Isaiah Pine, Meghan Wolf.

Beyond the Sermon: The True Starting Point of the Spiritual Life

The Bible as a whole is honest about brokenness in the human heart but also clear about God's stunning grace toward us. But how do we go about keeping a healthy balance between awareness of our sin and living in the reality of God's forgiveness and grace? Join BTS host Will Herron and Ridge Lead Pastor Mike Van Rees as they begin a new sermon series in the book of Galatians exploring the treasure and wonder of God's grace. Click here for more info on our upcoming "After the Pod" event. Read the ...

Where Spiritual Life Begins

When God freely gives us what we need, even though we don’t deserve it and can never repay it, that's grace. That's the message of Paul's letter to the Galatians. So, why were so many so angry over what he was teaching? Message by Mike Van Rees Scripture referenced: Galatians 1:1–2 Read the Beyond the Sermon devotionals . Get the devotional each week! Sign up to receive the Beyond the Sermon blog in your inbox....

Beyond the Sermon: Who is Jesus?

As we remembered and celebrated Jesus' death and resurrection this past weekend, Pastor Mike honed in on one question that Jesus asked His disciples: Who do you say I am? Join BTS host Will Herron and Ridge Lead Pastor Mike Van Rees as they explore the life-altering implications of how we respond to that question. Click here for more info on the upcoming Ridge U class, Experiencing Jesus. Read the Beyond the Sermon devotionals . Get the devotional each week! Sign up to receive the Beyond the Ser...

Who do you say Jesus is?

There is no question about Jesus’ influence, His wisdom or His popularity. But what about His divinity? This Easter, we explore this claim and ask, who do you say Jesus is?Message by Mike Van Rees Scripture referenced: Matthew 16:13–15 Read the Beyond the Sermon devotionals . Get the devotional each week! Sign up to receive the Beyond the Sermon blog in your inbox....

Beyond the Sermon: What is God's Love Language?

In John 14:15, Jesus states, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments." In other words, one of God's love languages is obedience. Join BTS host Will Herron and Ridge Lead pastor Mike Van Rees as they explore how living life God's way is the only way to find the abundance God has for us. Read the Beyond the Sermon devotionals . Get the devotional each week! Sign up to receive the Beyond the Sermon blog in your inbox....

What does it mean to love Jesus?

What does it mean to love Jesus? Is it enough to simply say the words? Is He looking for an emotional response? Is it a deep-seated feeling? Those are all nice. But Jesus is looking for something altogether different. Message by Mike Van Rees Scripture referenced: John 14:15–31 Read the Beyond the Sermon devotionals . Get the devotional each week! Sign up to receive the Beyond the Sermon blog in your inbox....

Beyond the Sermon: What Does it Look Like to Follow Jesus?

It's a term we hear often yet might not fully understand. After all, what does it look like to be a disciple of Jesus when he isn't physically present with us today like he was with his early followers? Join BTS host Will Herron and Ridge Lead Pastor Mike Van Rees as they discuss what it looks like to love and follow God in the present day. Click here to find our podcast page to share with friends and family. Read the Beyond the Sermon devotionals . Get the devotional each week! Sign up to recei...

What does Jesus want from us?

Have you ever wondered what Jesus was looking for in His disciples when establishing the Twelve? Take Peter. What did Jesus see in Him specifically? And how does that apply to us yet today?Message by Mike Van Rees Scripture referenced: John 21:15–25 Read the Beyond the Sermon devotionals . Get the devotional each week! Sign up to receive the Beyond the Sermon blog in your inbox....

God is on the Move

Now that we’ve finished out our sermon series on the book of Malachi, we shift the narrative from comfort to discomfort. From numbness to pain. Suffering is always a hard topic. But in and through it, we see God move. Encounter Sunday: Natalie’s Story Read the Beyond the Sermon devotionals . Get the devotional each week! Sign up to receive the Beyond the Sermon blog in your inbox....

Beyond the Sermon: What Will Heaven be Like?

Have you ever thought about what Heaven will be like? Join BTS host Will Herron and Ridge Lead Pastor Mike Van Rees as they explore what Scripture says about Heaven and highlight the biggest takeaways from the book of Malachi. Read the Beyond the Sermon devotionals . Get the devotional each week! Sign up to receive the Beyond the Sermon blog in your inbox....

The Close of Malachi (Malachi 4:1–6)

The last chapter of the last book of the Old Testament. It opens with a warning and continues with assurance and a promise — Jesus and Heaven. It would be a great ending, if the text stopped here. But it doesn’t. There’s one more verse — a curse. Message by Mike Van Rees Scripture referenced: Malachi 4:1–6 Read the Beyond the Sermon devotionals . Get the devotional each week! Sign up to receive the Beyond the Sermon blog in your inbox....

Beyond the Sermon: What is Tithing and Why Should I Do It?

This week we hone in on Malachi 3:6-18 which contains one of the most famous passages in the Bible on financial giving. Join BTS host Will Herron and Ridge Lead Pastor Mike Van Rees as they discuss how healthy motives for giving and how God can use our giving to shape us into the likeness of Jesus. Read the Beyond the Sermon devotionals . Get the devotional each week! Sign up to receive the Beyond the Sermon blog in your inbox....

What is Tithing and Why Should I Do It? Malachi 3:6-18

Beyond the Sermon: How Can I Deal with Anxiety? (Matthew 6:24-34)

Do not be anxious. These words of Jesus seem almost impossible to imagine in 21st century life. How could we even begin to live lives with less worry and anxiety? Is it even possible? Join Joni Pine, Director of Hospitality and Will Herron, Director of Discipleship, as they discuss several ways how God can go about freeing us from a life of anxiety. Read the Beyond the Sermon devotionals . Get the devotional each week! Sign up to receive the Beyond the Sermon blog in your inbox....

Life with Less Worry (Matthew 6:24-34)

Do not be anxious. These words of Jesus seem impossible — seemingly unattainable. Especially in 21st century life. If we look closer at HIs words, though, we’ll see that He doesn’t leave us to figure it out on our own. Jesus tells us exactly how we can live lives with less worry and anxiety. Message by Will Herron Scripture referenced: Matthew 6:24–34 Read the Beyond the Sermon devotionals . Get the devotional each week! Sign up to receive the Beyond the Sermon blog in your inbox....

Beyond the Sermon: Finding Hope and Healing in the Justice of God (Malachi 2:17 – 3:5)

God's justice is not a characteristic we tend to spend a lot of time thinking about. It's likely we spend more time reflecting on His love, kindness, or His creative power. So, why is it so important for us to not lose sight of God as a God of justice? How can it change how we see our past, present and future? Join BTS host Will Herron and Ridge Lead Pastor Mike Van Rees as they explore God's justice and more on this week's Beyond the Sermon episode. Additional Resources: Mike references the fol...

Finding Hope and Healing in the Justice of God (Malachi 2:17 – 3:5)

Malachi 3: The Israelites were experiencing a gap between what they expected from God and what they were experiencing through God. It’s pivotal that we know God — His nature, character and attributes, His love and kindness, His righteousness and His justice. It is important for us to know all of Him. Message by Mike Van Rees Scripture referenced: Malachi 2:17–3:5 Read the Beyond the Sermon devotionals . Get the devotional each week! Sign up to receive the Beyond the Sermon blog in your inbox....

Beyond the Sermon: Our Model for Marriage (Malachi 2:10-16)

As we continue in the book of Malachi, our focus turns to marriage and faithfulness to God. Join BTS host Will Herron and Ridge Lead Pastor Mike Van Rees as they explore three "Cs" to a healthy marriage, and discuss why the Bible's teaching on marriage still holds true. Additional Resources: for more info on getting connected into a community group at The Ridge click here . Read the Beyond the Sermon devotionals . Get the devotional each week! Sign up to receive the Beyond the Sermon blog in you...

Our Model for Marriage (Malachi 2:10-16)

Behind Malachi's words in verses 10–16, we see that God is all about covenant. We’ll take a closer look at the concept of covenant — what it is and what it means. Hint: It's not a contract. It's a partnership — a sacrificial commitment to the good of the other. Sounds familiar, doesn't it? Sounds like God's design for marriage. Message by Mike Van Rees Scripture referenced: Malachi 2:10–16 Read the Beyond the Sermon devotionals . Get the devotional each week! Sign up to receive the Beyond the Se...

Beyond the Sermon: Growing in the Gift of Confrontation (Malachi 2:1-9)

Do you enjoy confrontation? If so, you are in the vast minority! Most people will do anything to steer clear of challenging conversations. So how do we go about preparing ourselves for confrontational dialogue? And how become more open to receiving critique from others? John Ridge Lead Pastor Mike Van Rees and BTS host, Will Herron, as they discover how confrontation, though challenging, can end up being an unexpected gift to both parties. Additional Resources: for more info on getting connected...

The Gift of Confrontation (Malachi 2:1-9)

Some passages in the Bible that inspire. Some passages guide us. And some that we’d just rather avoid completely. Rather than just skipping over these verses, if we dig in, we can figure out what God means. And what this one is really about is confrontation. Message by Mike Van Rees Scripture referenced: Malachi 2:1–9 Read the Beyond the Sermon devotionals . Get the devotional each week! Sign up to receive the Beyond the Sermon blog in your inbox....

Beyond the Sermon: Letting God Take the Lead (Ruth 1:1-19)

This week we took a break from our series in Malachi and spent time in the book of Ruth. One of the primary questions the story provokes in us is this: How do we go about making wise decisions in our lives? And when we make poor choices, how can we use those failures as a means to grow rather than regress in our faith? Join Will Herron, Director of Discipleship, and Ridge Leadership and Ministry Director Julie Wiemann as they discuss how we can know God's guidance in the present while experienci...

Letting God Take the Lead (Ruth 1:1-19)

The folks at The BibleProject describe the book of Ruth this way: a beautifully crafted look at how God’s purpose interplays with human decision. See how this worked in the lives of Elimelech and Naomi, their sons, as well as their daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth. And learn, too, what this means for us and our lives today. Message by Julie Wiemann Scripture referenced: Ruth 1:1–19 Read the Beyond the Sermon devotionals . Get the devotional each week! Sign up to receive the Beyond the Sermon blo...