Criticism is hard to avoid. At some point, we're all on the receiving end of it. How, then, should we go about responding to sincere or perhaps even mean-spirited critique as followers of Jesus?

Join BTS Host Will Herron and Ridge Lead Pastor Mike Van Rees as they discuss how we can turn our "critics into coaches."

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In refuting false teachers (Judaizers) and their precepts, Paul brings his teachings to James, Peter and John. He’s seeking their council, yet also accepting responsibility over controversy. Their response: They recognize Paul’s teaching as truth. But there’s one more thing. Peter, James and John ask the apostle to do one more thing in his ministry.  

Message by Mike Van Rees

Scripture referenced: Galatians 2:1–10

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This past week we were in Galatians 1:15-24. Here we get an insight into Saul’s whereabouts the few years after his miraculous conversion. God leads Saul/Paul into a three-year season of deepening — a time of becoming before a season of doing.

 Join BTS host Will Herron and Ridge Lead Pastor Mike Van Rees as they explore what deepening seasons can look like in our lives today.

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Back in Galatians this Sunday, we’ll hear more of Paul’s testimony, specifically the Road to Damascus story — his miraculous conversion. So, what happened next? He went right into ministry, in to leadership in the early church, right? Well, not quite. 

 Message by Mike Van Rees

Scripture referenced: Galatians 1:15–24

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In the book of Galatians Paul speaks of a gospel of grace, not of works. Yet in James we read that faith without works is dead. So are Paul and James presenting two contrasting truths, or is there something deeper going on?

Join BTS host Will Herron and Ridge Strategic Planning and Communication Director Dayne Logan as they discuss ways to approach apparent contradictions in the Bible. 

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In Galatians, Paul tells us that a person is saved through faith by grace alone. We cannot earn salvation, and we are not justified by following the law (no matter how closely) or completing good works (no matter how many). Yet in the book of James, James writes, “Faith by itself if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” Huh? If we’re not saved through works, what is James getting at?

Message by Dayne Logan

Scripture referenced: James 2

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As we continue our study in Galatians, we get a look into Paul's past, and it wasn't pretty! While "your past doesn't define you" might be a popular saying, it can be challenging to know how to handle a history of deep failure in our own lives and the lives of others.

Join BTS host Will Herron and Ridge Lead Pastor Mike Van Rees as they discuss how our experience of God's grace in our own failures can transform how we respond to failure in others.

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So far we know that the Galatians have strayed from the message of the gospel — they've accepted false teaching. As they ponder which teacher to listen to, Paul’s background wasn’t doing him or his message any favors. His past was dark. As we move further into the first chapter of Galatians, we’ll see just what God does with brokenness.

Message by Mike Van Rees

Scripture referenced: Galatians 1:11–14

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This week we are back in the book of Galatians where we find Paul fired up about some happenings in the church. The Bible teaches that healthy anger is possible, but what exactly does that look like? How can we go about avoiding destructive expressions of anger?

Join BTS host Will Herron and Ridge Lead Pastor Mike Van Rees as they explore these questions and more on this week’s episode. 

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Galatians 1. Paul is angry. And rightly so. He is confronting the Galatians who have strayed from the message of the gospel and have come to accept false teaching. The Galatians have replaced the truth they know — that which Paul himself preached to them — with something else.Message by Mike Van Rees

Scripture referenced: Galatians 1:3–10

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