The Apostle Paul faced many hard things in his life, yet we can also see how God used those things for the good of others and the spread of the gospel. But what about the kind of things that seem to carry no redeemable value at all? The sudden loss of a loved one, an unexpected divorce or loss of a job. How do we go about navigating these kinds of situations?  

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

Additional Resource: How Do We Walk Through Suffering? Beyond the Sermon 2/13/26 featuring Julie Wiemann

We know life hasn't been easy for Paul. He's been falsely accused, arrested, beaten, imprisoned, shipwrecked and snakebitten. In verse 11, we see Paul three months later. He has set sail once again and finally reached Rome only to be placed immediately under Roman guard. There's an irony here in that, for some time, Paul had eagerly desired to go to Rome in order to teach and minister to the local church. He was right where he wanted to be, yet surely this wasn't his plan — it wasn't how he thought he would get there or how he thought he would spend his time once he arrived. God's plan was something much different. And there's something significant for us to see in these verses of Scripture. Message by Mike Van ReesScripture referenced: Acts 28:11–16

The Apostle Paul ends up shipwrecked on an island but even there God works miraculously through him to bring healing to the sick (Acts 28). We see God work through the other apostles in similar ways, so should we expect God to do the same thing today? Does the fact that we see less miraculous healing today suggest that the issue is on our side? 

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

Life has been anything but easy for Paul. He's been falsely accused, arrested, beaten and imprisoned. And now, after boarding a cargo ship to Rome to appeal his case to Caesar, he sails straight into a storm which leaves him along with the crew and passengers shipwrecked on a the small island of Malta. Once there, rather than things getting better, they just get worse! While gathering firewood, Paul is bitten by a snake — a viper latches onto his hand and its fangs begin filling his body with deadly poison. So, what is Paul to do next?

Message by Mike Van ReesScripture referenced: Acts 28:1–10

One aspect of our response to God's truth is walking in it. When we walk with Jesus, we form a personal relationship with Him. And that's by design. God wants a personal relationship with each of us. Let's consider what that really means.Message by Todd StilesScripture referenced: John 1:35–39, 15:4

In Acts chapter 27, we come across a story reminiscent of Robinson Crusoe, Cast Away or even Gilligan's Island. Paul is trying to get to Rome aboard a ship but soon finds himself, soaked, starving and — ultimately — shipwrecked. Yet somehow, God's glory still shines through.

Join Ridge Lead Pastor Mike Van Rees and BTS guest host Dayne Logan as they discuss Paul's predicament and the lessons it holds for the storms we encounter in our own lives.

In our study of Acts, so far we know that Paul has been falsely accused by the Sanhedrin. And he's been arrested. Ultimately, Paul appeals his case to Caesar. And in Acts 27, we find him finally on his way to Rome. The text alternates between Luke's detailed description of the sea voyage and Paul encouraging people on board to make choices that won't be detrimental to them all. When his warnings are ignored, Paul encourages them and models what it is to have faith — to stay strong, take courage and trust God, knowing He is faithful and always keeps His word.Message by Mike Van ReesScripture referenced: Acts 27

Has Easter — Jesus' sacrificial death and miraculous resurrection — changed your life? Truly? It's an important question — one that traces back to the very first Easter Sunday. It's the question two disciples asked each other as they left Jerusalem and walked along the road to the village of Emmaus. Suddenly, a man comes alongisde them and joins their conversation. (The Gospel of Luke tells us this man is Jesus, but the disciples don't recognize Him.) As they continue their discussion, it's clear the two have heard rumor of the resurrection but are uncertain of what to make of it or what it all means or what will happen next. The account reminds us faith isn't just knowing or even believing that Jesus is risen. It's something more. Message by Mike Van Rees Scripture referenced: Luke 24

As we come down to the last number of chapters in the book of Acts, Paul's whereabouts appear largely controlled by Roman rulers. He is imprisoned, taken to different locations and imprisoned again. So where is God in the midst of all this movement? Turns out He is sovereignly working through people and circumstances to accomplish His plans and purposes.

Join Ridge Lead Pastor Mike Van Rees and BTS Host Will Herron as they discuss what we mean by God's sovereignty and how it impacts how we live today.

Palm Sunday is the day we celebrate Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem. It's the beginning of Holy Week. Jesus rode in as a King as was greeted with shouts of praise. Yet just days later, He found Himself standing before rulers on trial as a criminal. As we continue our sermon series Sent: A Study of Acts, we'll take a closer look at Acts chapters 24 through 26. Here, we see a servant of the King in a similar situation. The Apostle Paul has been arrested and finds himself standing before Felix, then Festus and later Agrippa. Wee how Paul's ordeal connects with Jesus' own persecution.Message by Mike Van ReesScripture referenced: Acts 24–26