As we begin to journey through the book of Luke, we are introduced to one of the central (yet most eccentric) characters in the gospels — John the Baptist. But how do his teachings, specifically on repentance, connect with us today in the 21st century? And how do we really go about living like Jesus in the way that he challenges his listeners?

Join BTS host Will Herron and Ridge Lead Pastor Mike Van Rees as they explore what true repentance looks like and what it means to be empowered and transformed by the Holy Spirit.

Read the Beyond the Sermon devotionals.

Get the devotional each week! Sign up to receive the Beyond the Sermon blog in your inbox. 

People packed their bags, left their homes and camped in the desert to hear John the Baptist teach this: There’s sin in your life, repent! Why would they go to all that trouble to hear that message? We’ll find out while discussing true repentance — what it looks like and how to do it. Hint: It’s not by willpower or grit. It’s something more.

Message by Mike Van Rees

Scripture referenced: Luke 3:1–20

Read the Beyond the Sermon devotionals.

Get the devotional each week! Sign up to receive the Beyond the Sermon blog in your inbox. 

Just under 2000 years ago the most pivotal weekend in history took place: Jesus died and rose again that we might know the beauty of relationship with God. Yet how does this historic event impact not only our future but also our present?

Read the Beyond the Sermon devotionals.

Get the devotional each week! Sign up to receive the Beyond the Sermon blog in your inbox. 

Easter. The most pivotal weekend in history: Jesus was crucified, died and rose again that we might know the beauty of relationship with God. This event took place just under 2,000 years ago, yet it still impacts our present and our future.

Message by Mike Van Rees

Scripture referenced: Luke 24:1–6

Read the Beyond the Sermon devotionals.

Get the devotional each week! Sign up to receive the Beyond the Sermon blog in your inbox. 

There are 250 instances in Scripture where God implores His people to praise Him. Some in the past have accused the God of the Bible of being  prideful and egotistic for commanding this. So how do we respond?

Read the Beyond the Sermon devotionals: 

Get the devotional each week! Sign up to receive the Beyond the Sermon blog in your inbox. 

There are 250 instances in Scripture where God implores His people to praise Him and to declare who He is. Whether we acknowledge the truth about Him or not, it doesn’t change what is actually true. And if we don’t do it, the rest of creation will.

Message by Dayne Logan

Scripture referenced: Luke 19:36–40

Read the Beyond the Sermon devotionals: 

Get the devotional each week! Sign up to receive the Beyond the Sermon blog in your inbox. 

As followers of Jesus, we believe the Bible to be the authoritative word on truth. It informs how we see God and the world, and it shapes how we live. Yet for many of our friends, family, coworkers, etc., the Bible doesn't hold much authority at all. So how can we go about sharing the message of the gospel in a culture that doesn't acknowledge the validity of the Bible?

During his visit to Athens, the leading intellectuals and brightest minds challenged Paul to see if Christianity had intellectual chops. Paul didn’t go to the Bible. He met them on common ground to show them that Christianity isn’t a blind leap of faith into the absurd, but there is credible, logical evidence to defend what we believe.

Message by Mike Van Rees

Scripture referenced: Acts 17:16–34

Get the devotional each week! Sign up to receive the Beyond the Sermon blog in your inbox. 

Christians believe the Bible to be God's very words to humanity. It provides truth about who God is, who we are, and how we were made to live. But what reasons do we have to hold to the authenticity and authority of the Bible? Why should we base our whole lives on this ancient book?

Join BTS host Will Herron and Ridge Lead Pastor Mike Van Rees as they explore answers to these questions while also providing some practical

Resources mentioned in this podcast: www.thebiblerecap.com / www.bibleproject.com

Read the Beyond the Sermon devotionals.

Get the devotional each week! Sign up to receive the Beyond the Sermon blog in your inbox. 

As Christians, we believe the Bible is God’s very word to us. But how did what was written get in there? How do we

Message by Mike Van Rees

Scripture referenced: Acts 17:1–15

Get the devotional each week! Sign up to receive the Beyond the