In this episode of the Ranch Church Podcast, we continue our study through the book of Hebrews, focusing on Hebrews 4:14–16.

The author of Hebrews reminds us that Jesus is not only our Savior but our Great High Priest, one who has passed through the heavens and now intercedes for us at the right hand of the Father. Written to a small, persecuted house church with many Jewish believers, this passage addresses the temptation to return to familiar religious systems instead of fully trusting Christ.

This teaching explores the contrast between the temporary Levitical priesthood and the once-for-all priesthood of Jesus. While earthly priests entered the Holy of Holies year after year with fear and limitation, Jesus entered the ultimate Holy of Holies through His own sacrifice and sat down, His work complete.

We are reminded that Jesus is able to sympathize with our weaknesses. He was fully human, tempted in every essential way we are, yet without sin. Because of this, He does not merely understand our struggles intellectually. He shares in them, empathizes with them, and intercedes for us personally.

The passage culminates in a powerful invitation. Because of Christ, we are invited to approach the throne of grace with confidence, receiving mercy for our past and grace to help us in our present need. This grace comes at exactly the right time and is accessed through prayer.

The message closes with three key responses for believers today.

Confession of Christ as our living High Priest

Understanding Christ as one who truly empathizes with our weakness

Prayer as the means by which we access God’s grace and mercy

This episode offers deep encouragement for anyone facing pressure, hardship, or temptation to look elsewhere for relief. Jesus is sufficient, present, and faithful.

Sermon from Jan 18th. 2026

Hebrews 4:1–13 is a direct warning and a gracious invitation: don’t let your heart harden. This message explores how God’s acceptance, on God’s terms, softens the heart and produces real transformation. A key takeaway is simple but penetrating: spiritual experiences are powerful, but experience alone is not acceptance. The tender heart is formed when we receive God’s Word, obey His voice, and rest in what He’s done.

We also walk through Psalm 95’s rhythm, worship and joy, followed by the urgent “today” warning. From there, we explore Sabbath rest as a creation principle, and practical pathways that keep the heart soft, including healthy community rhythms and the Spirit’s work of making us new.

Key Scriptures

Key Themes

The danger of a hard heart, and how it forms over time

“Today, if you hear His voice”, respond, don’t resist

Experience is not acceptance, surrender to God’s terms

Sabbath rest as worship, wisdom, and spiritual alignment

The Word of God pierces in order to heal and restore

Sermon from Jan 11th, 2026

In Hebrews 4:1–7, we hear the best news: God’s rest is still available, and we’re invited to enter it by faith. This message reframes acceptance, not as self-acceptance, but as Father God’s acceptance of us through the blood of Jesus. From there, real identity, authenticity, and spiritual power begin to take root, and the inner conflicts that keep us restless start to lose their grip.

We also trace the warning behind the passage, Israel received good news but didn’t benefit because they weren’t united by faith. The invitation stands for us today: don’t harden your heart, don’t drift into unbelief, and don’t settle for a version of “rest” that leaves God out.

Key Scriptures

Key Themes

God’s rest is promised, available, and entered by faith

The difference between cultural self-acceptance and God’s acceptance

Identity and inner peace flow from God’s finished work, not our self-effort

A warning and an invitation, don’t miss what God is offering today

Sermon from Jan 4th, 2026

Hebrews chapter 3 confronts a critical question for every believer: will we finish well? In this message, we’re reminded that while Moses was the greatest figure in Israel’s history, faithful as a servant and prophet, Jesus is infinitely greater. He is both the Apostle sent from the Father and the perfect High Priest who brings us full access to God.

The writer of Hebrews warns new believers, and us today, not to drift into unbelief when hardship comes. Using Israel’s wilderness story and Psalm 95, we see how a strong beginning can still end tragically if faith gives way to disbelief. The issue isn’t a lack of miracles or evidence. It’s a hardened heart that forgets what God has already done.

The call is urgent and personal: today, if you hear His voice, don’t harden your heart. Encourage one another daily, hold fast to the hope we first confessed, and trust that God will do exactly what He has promised.

Key Scriptures

Key Themes

Jesus is greater than Moses, servant versus Son

The danger of unbelief after a strong spiritual beginning

Why disbelief leads to disobedience

The importance of encouragement and community

“Today” as the moment to respond, believe, and persevere

Sermon from 12.14.25

In this message from Hebrews 1, Pastor Rick Soto teaches us how angels see Christmas. While we often view the season through tradition and celebration, Scripture shows a different angle: the unseen realm watching the eternal Son step into the world. Hebrews 1 walks us through Old Testament promises that point to Jesus as fully God, worshiped by every angel, and superior to every spiritual power.

Rick explains what the Bible actually says about angels, why their anticipation of Christmas matters, and how Jesus becoming the Son of God in history opens the door for us to be born again. The heart of the message is simple: Christmas is heaven’s joy breaking into our world, and Jesus is the One who will never leave or forsake us.

Key Themes

Sermon from 11.30.25 

Sermon from 11.23.25

Sermon from 11.9.25