Whom Will You Serve?

In his message on Colossians 1:21-23, Pastor Mike comments, "Culture teaches us to be true to who we are and what we feel, but God teaches that who we are and what we feel can be distorted by sin." As followers of Jesus, how should we respond to the modern cultural narrative that leans more on internal feelings than the externals of God and the Bible? And what role do our feelings play, if any, in all this? Join Ridge Lead Pastor Mike Van Rees and BTS host Will Herron as they discuss these questions and more on this week’s Beyond the Sermon.

Scripture tells us that through forgiveness the gospel brings peace. In fact, one of the central teachings of Christianity is that our sins are removed by and through the sacrifice of Jesus. No matter what we've done, no matter what we will do, we are forgiven. Is that really true, though? If it is, why do we still feel guilt and shame? What are we supposed to do when those feelings come back again and again? Message by Mike Van ReesScripture referenced: Colossians 1:19–23

Even for those who have made a commitment to follow Jesus, the person and work of the Holy Spirit can be somewhat of an enigma. It seems that while God the Father and God the Son are easier to wrap our heads around, the Holy Spirit seems nebulous and mysterious all at once. So who is He? How can we know Him and hear from Him in our day-to-day lives? Join guest BTS host Dayne Logan and Ridge Director of Discipleship and Formation Will Herron as they discuss these questions and more on this week’s Beyond the Sermon.

One thing we see throughout all but one of Paul's letters is the person and work of the Holy Spirit. The book of Acts (chapter 19, specifically) reveals much of the Holy Spirit — who He is and what He does. Spoiler: It's likely much more than you know and more than you think. Message by Will HerronScripture referenced: Acts 19

In Colossians 1:19 we learn that God has "supremacy" over all things. Yet when we look at the state of the world and the random, seemingly unjust hardships people face in their lives, it can cause us to wonder: Is God really in control? Is He really sovereign over all? Join Ridge Lead Pastor Mike Van Rees and BTS host Will Herron as they discuss these questions and more on this week’s Beyond the Sermon.

The second half of the first chapter of Colossians holds what may be the most densely packed theological passages about Jesus in all of Scripture. These verses reveal something significant: Jesus doesn’t simply show us who God is, rather, He is God. The one and only.Message by Mike Van ReesScripture referenced: Colossians 1:13–20

TV Adventurer Bear Grylls once said that the church is a mixture between a hospital and a party. We have lots of reasons to celebrate together — recognizing who God is and what He has done in our lives — but it's also a place full of broken people. Pair that with instances of moral failure of church leadership and you might begin to wonder if the church is really worth the risk. However, as we read through the New Testament, we can't ignore the critical role fellowship with other believers plays in the life of a Jesus follower. But why is the church so critical? Why can't we just fly solo as a follower of Christ? Join Ridge Lead Pastor Mike Van Rees and BTS host Will Herron as they discuss these questions and more on this week’s Beyond the Sermon.

The book of Colossians is a letter Paul wrote during his first Roman imprisonment to the followers of Jesus living in Colossae. His intention was to address the problems the church was facing and to challenge the followers of Jesus to examine their lives, ultimately encouraging them to be transformed by the resurrection and the love of Jesus. Message by Mike Van ReesScripture referenced: Colossians 1:1–12

As Joshua's life draws to an end, he leaves the Israelites with one last challenge: Whom will you serve? Famously, Joshua responds, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." But what does that mean, exactly? What does it mean to serve the Lord when He's not physically here with us?Join Ridge Lead Pastor Mike Van Rees and BTS host Will Herron as they discuss these questions and more on this week’s Beyond the Sermon.

The active military conquest is long over. The Promised Land has been allotted and dispersed among the tribes of Israel, and they've settled in. They're establishing themselves and their lives and their families in Canaan. A long time has passed, and Joshua is now an old man. Nearing the end of his life, he has something more to say. He calls the Israelites to remembers, and then he calls them to make a decision: Whom will they serve? Message by Mike Van ReesScripture referenced: Joshua 23, 24