The Bible is clear that there is more going on in the world than what we can see. As we seek to follow after Jesus, there are forces working against us. So how do we combat the work of the enemy in our lives? And what role does prayer have in this battle?

Join Cheryl Sidler, Ministry Assistant and Women's Leader, and Will Herron, Director of Discipleship, as they discuss these questions and more in this week's Beyond the Sermon.

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Toward the end of his letter to the church in Ephesus, Paul reminds the Ephesians of the reality of spiritual evil. There is much more going on in this world than what we see. And there is an enemy we battle, yes. But God equips us for the fight.

Message by Will Herron

Scripture referenced: Ephesians 6:10–17

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In Galatians chapter 3, Paul is frustrated with the church to the point he accuses them of being 'foolish' and 'bewitched.' Though harsh, Paul was addressing a dangerous trend in the church: They received salvation through grace, just as they should, but now they were following God in their own strength.

Join BTS Host Will Herron and Ridge Lead Pastor Mike Van Rees as they explore how to "speak the truth in love."

New Ridge U Class "Living with Purpose" - click here for more info! 

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Paul is frustrated. His concern: A dangerous trend in the church. The Galatians had received salvation through grace but still wanted to live life in their own strength. They were missing something big: The Holy Spirit — His purpose and His power.

Message by Mike Van Rees

Scripture referenced: Galatians 3:1–6

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Do you understand the gospel? Do you really? Because there’s more to it than simply accepting Jesus’ sacrifice as payment for our sin. It also has to do with Christ being in us, transforming us, seeing us as redeemed and righteous and restored. To understand the gospel fully is to know where and with whom our identity lies.Message by Mike Van Rees

Scripture referenced: Galatians 2:15–29

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This past Sunday we were back in the book of Galatians where Paul reminds us that relationship with God is a matter of faith in what Jesus has done for us rather than trusting our own efforts.

One major theme in these passages is identity. This leads to questions, such as how do we form a basis of our identity? How is our identity rooted in God?

Join BTS Host Will Herron and Ridge Lead Pastor Mike Van Rees as they explore the life-changing impact of an identity rooted in God. 

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Up until Acts 9 Saul had been murderously pursuing followers of Jesus, driving them from their homes and throwing them in prison. Today, it's estimated that around 317 million Christians experience high to extreme levels of persecution. And while neither of these may not be our experience here locally, we can still encounter various kinds of opposition to our faith.

What does persecution look like for us in the Des Moines area, and how might we go about responding to it? Join BTS guest host Joni Pine and Ridge Director of Discipleship Will Herron as they discuss this and more on this week's Beyond the Sermon episode.

For more info on the persecuted church worldwide and how you can help click here.

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The early church was under severe threat with Paul leading the way in murderous pursuit. Then the unexpected happened — that Road to Damascus moment of conversion. God uses Paul, redeems his story and his life, enabling him to make an eternal impact.

Message by Will Herron

Scripture referenced: Acts 9:1–19

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In Galatians 2:11-16 we get a window into a conflict between the apostles Peter and Paul. Peter is clearly caving into social pressure, Paul calls him out on it, which raises the questions: How might we be compromising our faith convictions in an effort to gain social acceptance? And how can we avoid this same pitfall that overcame Peter?

Join BTS Host Will Herron and Ridge Lead Pastor Mike Van Rees as they discuss this and more on this week's Beyond the Sermon episode.

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Paul wrote this letter to the Galatians who were falling back into old habits and giving in to the world surrounding them. Turns out, though, that they weren’t the only ones. Just as Paul was writing to confront those in Galatia, here in chapter two, he was also confronting Peter.  

Message by Mike Van Rees

Scripture referenced: Galatians 2:11–16

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