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.

As word of the conquest to claim and obtain the Promised Land spreads, the five kings of the Amorites decide to join forces and attack the city of Gibeon. When the Gibeonites learn of the coming danger, they send to Joshua for help. He responds, gathering his troops, leading them to an all-night march from Gilgal to Gibeon to defend the city. As the battle ensues, Joshua boldly asks God to make the sun stand still. And God does. He suspends the sun and the moon and gives Israel extended daylight to pursue the retreating solders — enough time to finally, ultimately defeat them. That's encouraging and uplifting. But there's more: The five allied kings are captured and things get a little gruesome. The question raised is this: Did Joshua and the Israelites take things too far? If not, why would God allow something like this?

Message by Mike Van Rees

Scripture referenced: Joshua 10–11

At several points in the Psalms, we encounter the writers crying out to God from a difficult situation. They, like us, experience things in life that cause use to raise not only prayers but questions of God: Where are you? Why is this happening? So, how should we respond in situations or seasons like that? Where is God and what is He doing when it feels like everything is falling apart?

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.

Most often, God places desires in our hearts long before they come to fruition. Waiting is often intentional because that in between time is formational. If we learn anything for Joseph's story, it's this: In the journey, God equips us for the destination.Message by Will HerronScripture referenced: Genesis 37:3–11

On any given day, the average person makes thousands of decisions, some big, some small. While God doesn't expect us to pray about what kind of cereal we might have for breakfast, there are many other decisions which require greater wisdom than just our logical thinking. So what role should prayer play in our decision making process? And how do we go about hearing from God and receiving His direction?

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.

Lately, things have largely been in Joshua's and the Israelites' favor. But now here, in chapter nine, five of the most powerful kings in the region come together and form an alliance with the intention of annihilating Israel once and for all. One nation — Gibeon — has a different idea. The Gibeonites put together an elaborate plan to trick Joshua into establishing a peace treaty with them. Joshua is suspicious, and though he asked and questioned the Gibeonites, he knew the last thing Israel needed was another enemy. Days later, he discovers the ruse. How could something like this happen? Will Joshua uphold the treaty? Message by Mike Van ReesScripture referenced: Joshua 9

The Lord called Jonah to Nineveh to preach and to call the city to repentance. Jonah first said no. But when he finally said yes, he ultimately saved the city from destruction. Here's the exciting news: Like Jonah, we all have a unique call on our lives to serve the Lord in impactful, significant, life-changing ways. We just have to give Him our yes.Message by Rob LinkScripture referenced: Jonah 1–4

Statistics show a large percentage of kids whose parents become erratic in church attendance end up following a similar pattern, if not disconnecting from God and church altogether. So what is it about being consistently connected to church that ends up being so important for the development of kids? How do we manage age ranges where church feels irrelevant and boring?

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.