East Ridge Baptist Church

If someone followed you around for seven days, what would convince them that you belong to Jesus? It’s easy to measure spiritual maturity by how much we know, how often we attend church, or how involved we are in ministry. But in Galatians 5:22–23, Paul points us to something deeper: the fruit of the Spirit.

In this message, we explore the nine qualities the Holy Spirit produces in the lives of believers: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These qualities aren't simply a checklist for self-improvement. They are evidence of the Spirit's work within us as He shapes our character to look more like Jesus.

As we examine the fruit of the Spirit, we're challenged to look beyond outward appearances and ask what is truly growing in our lives. Are we becoming more patient with difficult people? Are our reactions increasingly shaped by the Spirit rather than the flesh? Is the character of Christ becoming more evident in the way we live?

Where do you turn when you’re searching for joy? We often convince ourselves that joy will come when our circumstances change, our problems are solved, or life finally settles down. But what if you don’t have to wait for everything to fall into place before you can experience joy?

In Luke 1:39–45, we see Mary and Elizabeth respond with joy because of the presence of Jesus and their trust in God’s promises. Their story reminds us that Christian joy isn’t found in perfect circumstances. It’s found in Christ. Even in seasons of uncertainty, grief, and waiting, we can rejoice because of who Jesus is and what He has promised.

Discover how to turn your attention toward Christ, celebrate God’s work in the lives of others, trust Jesus as Lord, and find lasting joy in His presence, even when life hasn’t changed.

In Galatians 5:19–21, Paul challenges us to take an honest look at the works of the flesh and examine what our lives are truly producing. From sexual immorality and idolatry to anger, envy, division, and unforgiveness, Scripture reminds us that sin cannot be excused simply because it has become familiar or socially acceptable. This message calls us to stop minimizing sin, bring hidden struggles into the light, and recognize the difference between fighting sin and making peace with it. The good news is that through Jesus Christ, we can be forgiven, set free from the power of sin, and transformed by the Holy Spirit. The flesh always produces what the Spirit came to change. Will you allow the Spirit to expose what needs to change and lead you toward a life of repentance and transformation?

What do you do when God’s plan looks different from your own? In Luke 1:26–38, Mary’s encounter with the angel Gabriel reminds us that God’s plans don’t always align with our expectations, and His favor doesn’t always mean an easy road. Through Mary’s response, we learn to trust God when we can’t see the whole picture, surrender our desire to control the outcome, and obey what He has revealed in His Word. Even when our circumstances change and the future feels uncertain, God remains sovereign, powerful, and faithful. When God changes your plans, trust the God who never changes.

Why do we keep doing what we know we shouldn't do? In Galatians 5:16–18, Paul describes the ongoing battle between the flesh and the Spirit, reminding us that the Christian life isn't about trying harder in our own strength. It's about learning to walk in the power and leadership of the Holy Spirit.

In this message, we explore why temptation remains a real struggle for believers, how to recognize the pull of the flesh, and what it means to depend on the Holy Spirit for strength to obey God. Through daily surrender, obedience to God's Word, and a growing dependence on His grace, we can face temptation without giving in to it.

You can't defeat the flesh by trying harder. You overcome the flesh by walking in the Spirit. Discover how to stop relying on willpower alone and take the next faithful step toward a life shaped by God's Spirit.

What do we do when God seems silent and our prayers go unanswered? In Luke 1:5–25, we see the story of Zacharias and Elizabeth, a faithful couple who waited years for an answer to their prayers. Through their story, we are reminded that God's silence does not mean His absence, and a delay from our perspective may be part of God's greater purpose.

In this message, we discover how to remain faithful while we wait, trust God's timing when we cannot see the full picture, and allow Him to shape us through seasons of uncertainty. Even when we don't understand what God is doing, we can trust who He is and know that His promises will be fulfilled in His time.

God can appear silent without ever being inactive. Keep praying, keep serving, and keep trusting His Word while you wait on the Lord.

Christian freedom isn't about getting our own way. It's about being free enough to love and serve others.

In Galatians 5:13–15, Paul warns believers not to use their liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but instead to serve one another through love. In this message, we examine how freedom can become selfishness when we focus on what we're allowed to do rather than what love calls us to do.

Paul's warning about believers “biting” and “devouring” one another is a reminder that selfishness can destroy relationships and even damage the church. But the freedom Christ gives us points in a different direction: toward love, service, sacrifice, and putting others before ourselves.

Can we trust what the Bible says about Jesus?

In this opening message of When God Steps In, we begin our journey through the Gospel of Luke with Luke 1:1–4. Luke gives us the reason for writing his Gospel and points to eyewitness testimony, careful investigation, and an orderly account so that we can know the certainty of what we have been taught.

Our faith is not built on religious tradition or secondhand belief. Christianity is grounded in what God has actually done in history through Jesus Christ. Luke invites us to ask honest questions, examine the evidence, search the Scriptures, and know why we believe what we believe.

But certainty isn't the destination. The evidence points us to Jesus and ultimately forces us to answer a more personal question: Will I trust Him?

What does it really mean to be free in Christ? In Galatians 5:1–12, Paul warns believers not to return to the bondage they have already been freed from by trying to add human effort, religious works, or personal performance to the finished work of Jesus.

Salvation is not Jesus plus our goodness, our baptism, our church attendance, our morality, or our religious accomplishments. Salvation is found in Christ alone. Good works are not the way we earn salvation; they are the fruit of a life that has already been changed by grace.

In this message, we are reminded to stand firm in the freedom Christ has given us, guard the truth of the gospel, and recognize the subtle ways false teaching can add to or distort the simplicity of salvation by grace through faith. Jesus plus nothing is enough.

Scripture: Galatians 5:1–12

As David’s life and reign come to an end, he gives Solomon one final charge: walk with God, obey His Word, and remain faithful to Him. After a lifetime of victories, failures, battles, blessings, and consequences, David understands what truly matters in the end.

In this concluding message from Shaped in the Shadows, we reflect on what David’s final words teach us about living with the end in mind. Our accomplishments, possessions, titles, and reputation will not last forever. What matters is whether we know Christ, faithfully walk with God, and leave behind a life that points the next generation to Him.

David’s story reminds us that our lives are only one chapter in God’s greater story. We may not have a perfect story to leave behind, but we can leave a story of grace, repentance, faithfulness, and God’s faithfulness.

Scripture: 1 Kings 2:1–4