Following Jesus and favoritism are incompatible. It’s right there in Scripture. James tells us so. But why? What is the reason? What is the basis?

Message by Mike Van Rees

Scripture referenced: James 2:1–7

To know about something and to experience something are two very different things, none more so when it comes to the love of God. Millions of people live with the knowledge that God loves them but find it hard to truly believe it and live in light of it. So how can we truly come to experience God’s love?

Join BTS host Will Herron and Ridge Director of Strategy & Communication Dayne Logan as they explore some practical steps to experiencing God’s love.

The Word. It’s God’s book, yes. It’s the Bible. But John tells us at the very beginning of the book of the Gospel he authored that the Word is more than a physical book, it’s a Him. It’s Jesus. But what does that really mean?

Message by Dayne Logan

Scripture referenced: John 1:1 and 2

Often, we don’t need to know more about or from God, we simply need to do what we already know. Because following Jesus is more than knowing facts and more than something we believe. Following Jesus is something we do.

Message by Mike Van Rees

Scripture referenced: James 1:22–27

Perhaps you've heard the phrase, "Easier said than done." It could also be said that it's easier to hear and understand something than actually do it. In James 1:22 we are challenged to not only hear God's word but to put it into practice in our lives. But how do we go about doing that? How can we move from information to personal transformation?

 Join BTS Host Will Herron and Ridge Lead Pastor Mike Van Rees as they explore the implications of Christians not living out the Word as well as some practical steps to live out what we learn in the Bible.

Perhaps one of the hardest skills to master is the ability to truly listen to others. This kind of listening is not just a matter of hearing others audibly but carrying a loving curiosity for them and their story. But let's be honest. Few of us do this well. So how can we learn to be "slow to speak" and "quick to listen" as James instructs? (James 1:19)

Join BTS Host Will Herron and Ridge Lead Pastor Mike Van Rees as they explore ways we can get the balance right between speaking and listening.

Here in chapter 1, James implores us to be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to become angry and to rid ourselves of moral filth. James doesn’t just instruct us and leave us, though. He doesn’t offer tools or tips or techniques. James tells us how.

Message by Mike Van Rees

Scripture referenced: James 1:19–21

Moses and the burning bush. Great story. But what does that mean for us today? Well, several things. But namely God doesn’t call the qualified; He qualifies the called.

Christmas makes some very bold, reality-altering claims. You’ve likely heard them. But do you know what they really mean? This Christmas, let’s move beyond simply hearing and knowing the story of Jesus and His birth to applying it to our lives.

The Christmas story is a familiar one to most. It’s one we’ve probably heard over and over. But there’s a surprising thread that runs through this story and nearly every other story in the Bible.

Message by Will Herron

Scripture referenced: Luke 2:1–18