West Ridge EC Podcast

While God speaks in whispers, so do some not-so-good influences. As we look at the Israelites picking a battle they shouldn't have and the death of the high preist we will consider how we can discern the other whispers in battle, in our reasoning, and in our "birthing".

We jump back into our series in selections from First Samuel on the Voice of God. Today we look at when the boy Samuel first hears God's voice as a whisper in the night and we discuss the role of whispers, the misunderstanding of whispers, and the triggering effect of whispers.

Through looking at various ecounters Jesus had with his disciples after His resurrection we discover four possible responses to Him, encounter, restoration, mission, and dependence.

Today we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus and through Matthew's account of the empty tomb we will discover the seeing of hope, the doing of hope, and the imparting of hope.

This week we study the Last Supper narrative where we discover three of the vital teachings of Christianity, the Lordship of Jesus, the Forgiveness of Jesus, and the Will of Jesus.

We begin an Easter series this week taking a look at a selection of the previous attempts on Jesus' life (before Good Friday). Through these stories we will discover the heart of Jesus' ministry and contemplate death from the perspective of what Jesus saves us from when we put our trust in Him.

This week, we take a look at the role of prophecy in hearing from God. We will discuss how it is confirmation, not information, and that its role is invaluable but not irreplaceable.

We begin our message series on the voice of God by considering the two questions: What's not the issue? And how do we hear? Then, grappling with the truth that not hearing from God means that we don't want to hear.

Today we do a soft launch into our series in First Samuel "The Voice of God" by first being led through the story of Hannah where we will think about what may be possible in our lives when we seek and ask the Lord.

We conclude our study series in First Timothy where the apostle gives all the final reminders to Timothy encouraging his readers to endurance in the faith so they can go the distance.

Today we explore deeper Paul's advice to Timothy about contentment being great gain and answer the questions "What is Contentment?" and "What does Contentment Do?"

We jump back into 1st Timothy looking at the beginning of chapter 6 where Paul addresses slave owners and slaves who are a part of the church where Timothy is pastoring. We will apply this passage to current events to understand that laws and order matter but there is a greater law of grace in the kingdom of heaven.

We conclude our Local Church series looking at the last of the seven churches where we will discover what it means to be a faithful and true witness. Faithful and true witnesses need to be hot or cold, refined in God's fire, and rebuked and disciplined.

The next two churches in Revelation Jesus speaks two teach us that outward reputation does not equal a spiritual life, there is victory beyond appearances, strength does not equal faith and obedience, and how to hold on to Jesus.

This week we study Jesus' words to two more churches in Revelation where the importance of the proper understanding of the Bible as a sword, the Sprit's provision of personal revelation, the role of the Word, and the role of the Spirit.

Today we begin a new mini-series look at the letters to the 7 churches in Revelation 1-2. We start looking at the first two churches where we learn that the presence of Jesus in the local church, the mission of Jesus has local churches, the battle of the local church, and the confidence of the local church.

In the conclusion of our Advent series, we consider what it means to prepare as we wait for Jesus's second advent (second coming). We will discover that faithful preparation involves active living, active listening, and active looking.

On the fourth week of advent we light the pink candle of love. Through the story of the wise men we will learn about the unexpected nature of love, threats to love, and the gift-nature of love.

This week we study the gospel of Luke's birth narrative to find the Joy of Christmas. Through the story we will learn how to ret our Joy for our downcast days, in the right glory, and for people tensions.

Pastor Greg shares with us the story of Joseph in the Christmas narrative and shows us how peace was disrupted, peace was redefined, and how peace was eventually embraced.

Advent means waiting for an arrival. Christian advent is a spiritual rhythm to slow down to look back on Jesus' first arrival and look forward to his second. The theme of the first week of advent is Hope. Today we will learn from the first part of the Christmas story about resetting the rhythm of hope, the enemies to resetting the rhythm of hope and a response to the rhythm of hope.

We finish up chapter 5 by examining how to properly correct. We will learn that proper correction requires discernment, a certain process, and impartiality.

Some fires are good, while others are bad or wrong. Today we look at Paul's advice to younger widows and consider if we are spending our time on the right things.

As we enter chapter 5 of First Timothy, we will be challenged to think about if we put our religion into practice by asking ourselves if we confront but don't crush, care for family as much as we consume, and provide for family without making parasites.

We finish off chapter 4 of First Timothy considering what kind of example we are setting. We will be challenged to set an example in our conduct, devotion, and diligence.

Fitness is talked about a lot in our culture, this week we will explore what it means to be "fit" from a Biblical perspective. Fitness requires enjoyment and avoidance, natural and spiritual nourishment, and physical and spiritual training.

The apostle pauses instructions to tell Timothy the reason why he is writing and gives us a theology of the church and home: The Church is the household of God, the Gospel is the foundation of the home, and the Home is to be protected against deception.

We continue our discussion on leadership by considering the two necessary kinds of leadership, the necessary test for leadership, and the two rewards of leadership.Worship Set: Good Good Father, Yes I Will, Yes and Amen

As we begin chapter three the apostle gives Timothy advise on selecting church leaders and we will learn that God-designed leadership is calling-based not desire-based and required for healthy church growth, and that leadership is required for healthy home growth and healthy evangelism in the marketplace.

The next section in our study of 1 Timothy is a loaded one that has been misinterpreted many times throughout history. Today, we take it head-on on paying special attention to the cultural context that Timothy was serving in. Through careful study, we will discover this passage is upholding the beauty, calling, and unique role of Womanhood.

As we enter into chapter 2 of First Timothy, we go deeper into the conversation about fighting well, looking at how prayer and worship, meditating, and witnessing are all weapons in a spiritual battle.

'A Life Lived Well'Today, we contemplate what it means to have a good life or to live life well. From a Christian perspective, we see that a life lived well means that you fight well, hold well, and let go well.

'Calling, Conviction, and Condemnation'This week, we consider callings and convictions as we continue reading Paul's letter to Timothy.

'The Law Is Good'In this week's message we the role of the law in the Christian life and see the goodness of the law, the law is needed for good relationship with God, and that the law is needed for good relationship with people.

'A God of Order'Today we begin a new series studying the book of 1st Timothy which was a letter from the Apostle Paul to a young pastor. In the opening of this letter we learn about an ordered calling, ordered faith, and ordered purpose.

In the conclusion of our series The Parables of Jesus we look at the Parable of the Bags of Gold and will be challenged to evaluate if we spend or invest our time, talents, and treasure.

Today we look at two parables about dinner parties and learn how Jesus' relentless care for the poor and outsider should affect how we live today.

As we continue our series on the parables of Jesus, we look at the parable of the unmerciful servant and discuss what Jesus requires of us when it comes to forgiving others.

One of the most well-known and loved parables is the Prodigal Son. Today, we will walk through that parable and see how BOTH sons in the story are lost and need to be found by grace.

In this week's message we look at the parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10 to see how Jesus' answers the question "Who is my neighbor?"

Today we start a new series on the parables of Jesus. We begin with the parable that helps us understand the rest of the parables, the Parable of the Soils. In this parable, we will learn what it is to hear God's word and four possible responses: a hard heart, a shallow heart, a choked heart, and a fruitful heart.

In the conclusion of our series we will discuss the Bible based response to these seven questions: 1. Some of our modern luxuries (phones, batteries, computers) are at times manufactured via modern day slavery. Should we give these up to avoid judgment for sin? Is there an age in childhood that sins start counting? 2. Is it wrong to enjoy learning about other religions and mythologies at an academic level? 3. If we don't have Priests and Prophets because Jesus is the perfect fulfillment of these offices, then should Christians seek for a "kingless" society due to Jesus being the perfect King? 4. There is scientific proof that dinosaurs and humans coexisted. How do Christians explain their contradictory beliefs in this? Does the existence of dinosaurs or aliens pose a problem for Christianity? How can Google call the tower of Babel a myth? 5. Is it a sin to buy lottery tickets, go to casinos, place bets, etc.? 6. I invite people in same-sex marriages to church because I see their love for Jesus and their openness to His grace. I assure them that they will be accepted and that Jesus loves them. How do I navigate that while they may feel welcomed, they may also hear that their lifestyle is considered sinful. This might be deeply upsetting to them and I want to help them on their spiritual journey without alienating them? 7. If we are not supposed to "get weird" when thinking about the End Times, how weird is "too weird"? Is having extra water, food, first aid, toilet paper, etc. on hand in case of WWIII weird? And what is Amillennialism?

As we start to draw this series to a conclusion, we answer these 8 questions: 1. I don’t feel much emotionally. Is this ok or even normal? How important are emotions to knowing we are saved? 2. Since believers in Christ are forgiven of their sins past, present, future why do we need to ask God for forgiveness in our day-to-day walk? 3. How is it fair that God gave David endless chances but only gave King Saul a couple of chances? 4. In a recent sermon it was said that we need to pay attention to the theology in worship because some songs are not biblically sound. I would like to hear more on this topic. 5. How did different races become a thing? Did Adam and Eve have other kids besides Cain and Abel? Would that mean they were inbred? 6. I have heard a lot about inner healing: some great things like people experiencing healing and deliverance, but some troubling things like deep hurts and division. What is it? Is it of the Lord? 7. How should Christians observe the sabbath? Does it have to be observed on Sundays? What if you work seven days in one week? 8. In a recent sermon it was said that God doesn't have favorites, but if God called Israel his “chosen people” how can we say that?

This week we are tackling 8 questions: 1. It seems like being an authentic Christian takes a lot of self-reflection. Is there a general checklist in the Bible? 2. What is the church’s view on public school? There seems to be some judgement towards it by members in our church but our pastors send their children to it. 3. Are women supposed to cover their hair when praying? Only a few Christians I know actually practice this. Please help me to understand what is truly being said in 1Tim. 2. When I read this, it makes me feel quite sick. 4. Is the use of hypnosis to quit smoking wrong? 5. How do I stop being judgmental? 6. What is the church's stance on cremation? 7. Is the cloud of witnesses our friends and family who helped us in our Christian Walk and went to heaven before us? Also do our friends and family in heaven know what is going on here on earth? 8. At some point my children will likely tell me they do not want to go to church. How do I address this with kindness, compassion, and wisdom?

This week we cover 6 questions: 1. How can we be supportive yet truthful with unbelievers who have suffered loss or tragedy when they do not understand God’s word but are still angry at God for “allowing” their situation to happen? 2. Where does the church stand on engaging with the teachings of pastors like Steven Furtick or Mark Driscoll? 3. Which words are meant to be capitalized? I know “God” should be, but what about “Bible”, “Holy Spirit”, “Christian”, or “Pentecostal”? What about “Satan”? I don’t want to give him a capital letter. 4. Did John Calvin do more harm than good for Christianity? 5. How much stock should we put into dreams? We know that people like Daniel were able to interpret their dreams but is there a biblical example that we should examine our own dreams? 6. If occasional drinking is not a sin and can be used to relax or blow off steam, why is this not true of swearing? What does the Bible say about swearing? Is it always frowned upon or are there certain swear words that don’t offend God?

Today we tackle 6 questions: 1. When Jesus told the man on the cross "today you will be with me in paradise", did Jesus go to Paradise first and then to hell? 2. If someone was attending West Ridge Church and you discovered they were in the US illegally would you report them to government authorities? 3. How do I know if God is calling me to do something? Especially in the moment, when I only have a few minutes to sit and pray about it? How do I hear God’s voice? 4. Is "Giving it to God" a part of submission? 5. What is a biblical view of transgenderism? If a Christian is in relationship with a person struggling with gender dysphoria should the Christian use the person’s preferred pronouns? 6. How do I grow in my relationship with God in the busyness of life?

Today we are tackling 8 questions: 1. Why are there so many versions of the Bible? 2. Could you explain how BC works and why AD doesn't seem to start at Jesus' birth? 3. Do people who have a relationship with Jesus go to heaven or hell if they keep committing a sin? If a "saved" person steps away from God do they need to get "saved" again or is there a necessary "refresher course" or prayer? 4. Does the Bible mention any unforgiveable sins? If so, what are they? 5. How is it decided which book to go through? Why not just go from beginning to end? 6. Where do you find proof of the trinity in the Bible? 7. Why does the Bible give us the number and size of the fish caught by the disciples in John 21:11? 8. Is there a difference between our soul and our spirit? Are they interchangeable terms?

In the conclusion of our message series in the book of Joel, we dissect the blessing that is prophesied over Israel to see that we need to battle for the blessings of God's presence in our lives, God's anointing in our lives, and God's vengeance in our lives.

This week we talk about the battle for souls so that people can experience God's mercy rather than his wrath, experience revelations of God's grace and love, and experience Jesus in refuge rather than wrath.

As we enter into chapter three of the book of Joel, we learn about different types of spiritual battles. Battles against dehumanizing people, for treasures and temples, and the Last Battle.