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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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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