The Ridge Weekly

You can follow the rules and still miss the heart of what Jesus is saying. In this episode of Side Notes, Brady and Pastor Josh unpack Matthew 5:17–20, what it means that Jesus fulfilled the Law and the Prophets, and why true obedience goes deeper than checking the right boxes. Plus, they explore how the Holy Spirit changes not just what we do, but why we do it.

This Sunday, in Sermon on the Mount, Pastor Josh Rhodes unpacks Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:17–20 and what it means that He came to fulfill the Law and the Prophets. We’ll see how the Scriptures point to Jesus and why the righteousness He calls us to goes deeper than outward obedience—it begins with a heart made new through faith in Him.

This week on Side Notes, Pastor Tim joins Brady to dig deeper into what it means to be salt and light and how our faith can shape the places God has put us. From the way we live at work and at home to the opportunities we have to point others toward Jesus, they talk about the impact of ordinary faithfulness and what it looks like to live differently in a world that desperately needs hope.

What does it mean to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world? In Matthew 5:13–16, Jesus shows us the difference His followers can make in the world around them. Pastor Tim explores what it means to live as salt and light, how even small acts of faithfulness can have a significant impact, and how our lives can ultimately point others toward Jesus.

What do the Beatitudes teach us about living a truly blessed life? Brady and Pastor Josh take a deeper look at Jesus’ words in Matthew 5 and the opening of the Sermon on the Mount. They unpack the meaning behind the Beatitudes, the difference between the world’s idea of blessing and Jesus’ way, and why living these kingdom principles requires more than our own effort.

What does it really mean to be blessed? As we begin our new series, Sermon on the Mount, Pastor Josh takes us to Matthew 5:1–12 and the Beatitudes. While the world often points us toward possessions, popularity, and success, Jesus paints a very different picture of the blessed life. As we walk through each of the Beatitudes, we’ll see that the truly blessed life is found in Jesus and His way, not the world’s way.

What’s the difference between biblical self-control and simply having more willpower? In this episode of Side Notes, Adam and Pastor Josh continue the conversation from the final week of Nine, looking at how the Holy Spirit forms self-control in us. Plus, meet The Ridge’s new Next Steps Director, Brady McDonald, as Adam passes the Side Notes mic, and we get ready to begin a new series on the Sermon on the Mount.

Self-control can feel like a matter of willpower—trying harder, doing better, or simply saying no. But biblical self-control isn’t something we have to produce on our own. As we wrap up our Nine series, Pastor Josh looks at the life of Joseph and how the Holy Spirit develops restraint in our thoughts, desires, words, and actions. We’ll see how staying connected to God, setting wise boundaries, and leaning on others can help us grow in self-control.

How we respond in difficult moments can say a lot about what’s happening in us. This week in Side Notes, Adam and Pastor Josh talk about the difference between our natural reactions and the gentleness the Holy Spirit produces in us. From responding to conflict to recognizing our own patterns of harshness, they explore how staying close to God can shape the way we speak, react, and treat the people around us.

When tension rises, it’s easy to answer harshness with more harshness. But Jesus calls us to a different way. Continuing our Nine series, Pastor Josh explains why gentleness isn’t passive or weak, but strength under God’s control—and how the Holy Spirit can help us respond with humility and care, even in difficult moments.