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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

While knowledge of God and the Bible is important to our spiritual growth, it doesn't necessarily indicate our level of spiritual maturity. The Bible uses a different gauge: the fruit of the Spirit. So how do we move beyond mere information to tangible transformation in our lives? How can we begin to see Christlikeness in how we think, what we say and what we do?   Join Ridge Director of Strategic Planning and Communication Dayne Logan and BTS Host Will Herron as they discuss these questions and more on this week's Beyond the Sermon.

As the Israelites are settling in to the Promised Land, Joshua is surely focused on the nation of Israel, how it is to function, and obedience to the Mosaic covenant. Put another way, he's starting to layout the blueprint for God's church. Given that, we'll look at Ephesians — a letter about what God calls His churches to do. It's also about how we — as members of His church — can help or hinder the mission God has Given us. Message by Dayne LoganScripture referenced: Ephesians

The Bible teaches clearly that, for followers of Jesus, our future lies with God in Heaven. Beyond that, lies a new Heaven and new Earth when God draws history to a close. But how should this future hope impact our present day-to-day? How do we strike the right balance between looking ahead while actively fulfilling God's purpose today?   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.

As the Israelites are settling in to the Promised Land, God instructs Joshua to name cities of refuge. These were six cities strategically placed and designated as safe-haven towns where anyone accused of causing an accidental death could flee and be protected from the avenger of blood (the person from the victim's family who had the right and responsibility to bring justice to the matter). There, in cities of refuge, the accused person could also receive a trial. Seems fair. And seems fairly straightforward. So, what is the significance of this system of justice to us yet today? Message by Mike Van ReesScripture referenced: Joshua 20

Dissatisfaction with what we have and the desire for more are two characteristics of our Western modern mindset. But what's behind this? Is more really better? Or is it possible that God's desire for us is a life of greater simplicity? 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 over. And it's time for the land to be dispersed among the tribes of Israel. These chapters detail all the territory that was allotted to each tribe. Each is listed — with one exception: the tribe of Levi. After hundreds of years of promise, when the day finally came, the tribe of Levi gets no mountain, no valley, no river, not even desert land. Seems harsh. Why did and why would God do that? Message by Mike Van ReesScripture referenced: Joshua 14–19

As we read through the accounts of the conquest of the Promised Land by Joshua and the Israelites, it's hard for our modern sensibilities not to take offense. After all, aren't all these people groups being driven from their homes and cities just so that the Israelites can take up residence? What is different from this conquest than other unsettling invasions over the course of history?  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.

Joshua and the Israelites have conquered Jericho, Jerusalem, Ai, Lachish, Libnah and Hebron. They've defeated the Amorites, Hittites and Canaanites. Joshua id what he was supposed to do — he led and ultimately won the war. Yet pockets of resistance remained. These were battles that belonged to the tribes of Israel in the areas in which they settled, but they were battles the Israelites decided not to fight. As the land is divided, they begin building their homes, raising their families and living life in the Promised Land. But before long, it becomes clear there is a problem. Message by Mike Van ReesScripture referenced: Joshua 13

In Joshua 10 we read of God's judgement upon five Amorite kings. Joshua's men execute and impale each of these kings who opposed the Israelites and their allies. Yet its not only within specific Old Testament stories that we read of God's judgment, we encounter it right across the Biblical library. Many find it hard to reconcile God's love and justice in the Bible, so how exactly do these things fit together? Why is it so important for us to view God through His love and His justice?   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.