Category Archives: Recaps

06.17.13
by

A Few Stories From Sunday

Sunday we kicked off a series called Biblical Manhood.  In this series we are talking about what it means for men to love the Lord, pursue righteousness and unleash their biblical manhood.  This Sunday had no shortage of amazing stories and things happen;

  • A woman who visited our church last week was headed to visit another church this week, but her daughter insisted they come back to “the fun” church.  She came.
  • A girl serving with Y.W.A.M. as a missionary in Alaska came to our church while on leave.  She is based just 2 hours outside of where our executive pastor is currently serving on a mission trip.  Small world.
  • A woman told us she was giving up her pursuit for “just a man” and instead will pursue the Lord first.  In the process she hopes to one day find a Biblical man.
  • Another woman stated that although this series was designed to speak mainly to men, the message really spoke to her
  • Another woman said she was encouraged to hear that a church was speaking to and encouraging men specifically to live righteously and to pursue the Lord
  • Lots of men in all services indicated they are taking the next step to pursuing righteousness and love for the Lord

What a great day at Ridge Church!  If you missed Sunday’s message, look for it to be posted here

05.13.13
by

Sunday’s Message in 3 Minutes or Less: Prodigal Week 1

Sunday we kicked off the message series titled Prodigal. If you’re on top of things, that’s a message series on the Prodigal Son from Luke 15.  We’ll spend the next 3 weeks talking about a few different things in this passage.

Sunday was Mother’s Day and it was a great day to celebrate homecomings.  Here’s a few highlights from the message.  Be sure to listen to the entire message on our website.  If you’re on Twitter, be sure to follow @theridgechurch. The message notes are tweeted each Sunday

  • The Prodigal Son is a parable Jesus told as a response to Pharisees that questioned why Jesus cared so much about sinners and tax collectors, or those far from God
  • The son set off and lived recklessly.  But it’s not like he meant to ruin his life. One bad decision, led to another and so on. He drifted
  • “Sin takes you further than you want to go, keeps you longer than you want to stay, costs you more than you want to pay”
  • The son woke up and “came to his senses” meaning that he began to repent
  • Wake up! You don’t have to eat with pigs! You’re better than that
  • 3 elements of repentance – Wake up, realize how deeply you’ve offended God, come home
  • The heart of the Father is surprising- no one listening to Jesus would have expected this response
  • The Father ran to his son, embraced him and took him back and restored him to his previous place.  This is just like our heavenly Father
  • Chris Hill’s story, Prodigal Me
  • God doesn’t just forgive you, He restores you
  • No matter how far you’ve been, no matter where you’ve been, and no matter how long you’ve been gone, you can still come home
05.06.13
by

Sunday’s Message in 3 Minutes or Less: Oh Snap! Week 5

Sunday we concluded our Oh Snap series with arguably one of the hottest topics in our culture currently, Jesus and homosexuality.  More specifically, what Jesus had to say about it and how we should respond.  If you missed Sunday’s message, I highly encourage you to listen to it.  If you think you know how all Christians believe and think about homosexuality, then I also encourage you to listen as well.  (link to follow)

  • The Oh Snap series was one of my all time favorite series we have ever done at Ridge Church
  • The level of excitement for this series for each week was off the chart
  • The bible paints a very clear picture of what Christ followers should believe about not only homosexuality, but ALL sin (Romans 1:21-34 & 1 Corinthians 6:9-11)
  • We can not and should NOT elevate homosexuality over any other sins.  Unfortunately, we have done just that.  It’s almost like it’s the unforgivable sin.  But according to 1 Corinthians 6- it is not that sin.
  • God does not hate homosexuals or just homosexuality- no God hates ALL sin, including being lazy, lust, or that extra piece of cake I had when I should have passed
  • Jesus created tension and contrast by showing us how He loved and responded to sinners
  • Read stories about the Samaritan woman, the Rich Young Ruler, and the woman caught in adultery
  • John 1: 14-18 was our main scripture for the day
  • Jesus was full of both grace and truth.  100% of both- not one or the other
  • If you want to see how Jesus loved, watch what he did
  • Church we are to be dispensers of both grace and truth – not just one of the two – especially when it comes to homosexuality
  • To speak only truth drains the cross of its grace and to speak only grace drains the cross of its power
  • With those that struggle with homosexuality or with any sin, lead with grace with a helping of truth and another side of grace.
  • Romans 15:7 says that we should accept one another the way that Christ has accepted us- that doesn’t mean we turn our heads to sin- no we call sin, sin, love the sinner and extend grace

If you would like to listen to the message or download it to listen to later, here’s your link. 

04.30.13
by

Sunday’s Message in 3 Minutes or Less: Oh Snap! Marriage/Re-Marriage/Divorce

Sunday we tackled the difficult topic of marriage/re-marriage and divorce in our sermon series, titled Oh Snap!  Here are a few highlights of the day and the message

  • Every week I’m blown away by how our band brings the people into worship and how they flawlessly set up the message each week.  We have always been blessed with talented people in our band, and this group is no different.  AND- they get better every week
  • This week they used a Zac Brown Band song called Goodbye in Her Eyes to set up the message.  Perfect
  • The topic was a difficult one because the truth of the Gospel on this topic is pretty tough.  But I think we approached it with grace and people grew from it
  • Our scripture was Matthew 5:31-32 and Matthew 19: 3-10
  • There are times Jesus speaks metaphorically.  This was not one of those times.
  • Jesus spoke about the topics that were relevant to the people at that time- and in relevant terms
  • How can someone who is divorced be committing adultery if adultery is what we understand it is? Jesus is saying there is something about marriage that maybe we have forgotten, missed, or just don’t understand
  • The Pharisees when confronting Jesus wanted to to know, that even though God made 2 become 1, when can 1 become 2 again?
  • Jesus’ answer was simple- what has been oned can not be un-oned (Andy Stanley)
  • This is problematic for some who have been divorced.
  • We may recognize the divorce, but it’s possible that God does not.  Oh Snap
  • We may think it has been un-oned but God says that you can not un-one what has been oned. #OhSnap!
  • The bible is NOT picking on divorced people- the same Jesus that said these also said that he did not come into the world to condemn the world but to save the world
  • There is GRACE
  • Here’s what we do- Embrace – Confess – Ask
  • Embrace the truth of the scripture, regardless of any objections you may have
  • Confess any/all sin, especially sin that this may expose
  • Ask for marriage grace- Marriage grace will fill the gap
04.22.13
by

Sunday’s Message in 3 Minutes or Less: 4 Year Birthday Edition

Happy birthday Ridge Church!!!!  This past Sunday we celebrated 4 years of doing ministry as Ridge Church in Oak Ridge.  It was an awesome celebration with food, games, fellowship and some church!  Here are a few thoughts from the day….

  • Sometimes I wonder why each year we celebrate another year of ministry as Ridge Church and then I remember the people/organizations that said we would fail or wouldn’t make it in Oak Ridge, or didn’t have what it takes.  We’re 4 years in and God is still moving in this place.  I’ll celebrate that.  
  • Every time I think about how God called us to start a church from scratch in a city that was not my home, I’m floored with emotion that God has sustained us, grown us, and is still pushing us forward.  I’m so glad we get to be part of this.
  • Thank you to those people/churches/organizations that have helped us and prayed for us over the years.  People like David Allred and High Places Community Church here in Oak Ridge (a truly Kingdom minded church), Ignite Network and pastors Dan Grider and Dan Palmer, all our Ignite partners and Mission Church team, pastor JR Lee, pastor Perry Noble and the team at Newspring Church in Anderson SC, pastor Steven Furtick and the team at Elevation Church, especially Frank Bealer, Connect Rome Church, KnoxLife Church and Sean Alsobrooks, Legacy Church and Luke Thomas, OneLife Church and Rodney Arnold, and last but not least, the people of Ridge Church
  • And I (Bobby) have to also thank my wife Denira for being an amazing pastor’s wife and supporter of my crazy dreams of being a church planter.
  • If you attend Ridge Church, are on staff at Ridge Church, or volunteer, you are what puts the Church in our name and you do a heck of a job at it.  I love being your pastor!
  • As far as the message goes from Sunday, it was one my favorite of all time to preach.  Check it out on our website under podcast
  • You need to go ahead and make plans to be here Sunday and the next Sunday.  We’ll talk about two of the most controversial things Jesus had to say when it comes to marriage, remarriage, divorce and homosexuality.  It’s about to get hot!
04.08.13
by

Sunday Replay: Oh Snap! Week 1

This Sunday we kicked off a brand new series called Oh Snap! The Sayings of Jesus.  We started this controversial series off with a message about how Jesus addressed his disciples when they were thinking of leaving and slipping off with the crowd.  Here are some highlights…

  • The main scripture was from John 6:54-69- I call this the Twilight sermon :)  Read it and you’ll understand
  • Jesus said some pretty shocking things then that in a lot of ways, are counter cultural to our culture now
  • The phrase “you must eat my flesh and drink my blood” was troubling to those disciples on the peripheral
  • Jesus was giving them a different view of what it means to follow him- now it was about more than just following and getting the benefits of following Jesus
  • Many of the disciples on peripheral decided to walk away from Jesus that day- When things get tough or when it seems it would be easier to not be a Christian than to be a Christian, we can be tempted to walk away too
  • Jesus asks his 12 disciples if they too are thinking of leaving
  • Peter has the best answer- he says “To whom will we go?  Only you have the words of eternal life.”
  • Peter brings up a great theological idea we can all understand- if we’re not following Jesus, then we’re following someone or something else
  • So if we choose to not follow Jesus, we’re choosing to follow someone or something else, whether it be an idol of our hearts or actually chase after things that take us away from Christ
  • The disciples that left Jesus were hung up on getting all their questions answered, yet Peter instead of getting all the answers, focused on the other option; if not Jesus then whom?  No one else has the words of eternal life
  • If you’re thinking of walking away, whether it be consciously or not, instead consider the options; if not Jesus to whom will or to what will you follow instead?  And do they or does it have the words of eternal life (Here’s a hint: NO)

If you have questions about Sunday’s message email us at hello@ridgechurchonline.com

 

04.03.13
by

Easter at Ridge Church Recap

Easter 2013 has come and gone but you better believe that we’re STILL celebrating what God did at Ridge Church on Easter.  For obvious reasons, we get really pumped about Easter around here, and after the dust settled, we had a lot of reasons to be pumped.  Here’s a short review of Easter at Ridge Church…

  • Both services (9:30 and 11:15) were packed!  I even think our team set out more chairs for the 11:15 service!  That’s exciting!
  • If you brought someone with you Sunday, thank you for carrying the mat and tearing the roof off to get them here!
  • You guys rocked the Easter Offering!  We’ll tell you Sunday if we made our goal
  • Was the band not on point or what?! Every week I’m blown away by the talent that God has blessed us with in the Ridge band.  Every musician we have could easily be getting paid for what they do, but they do all this for a King- Jesus.
  • Speaking of the band, how about Austin Bradford busting more rhymes on stage!? He’s the resident MC for Ridge Church bringing a little hip hop flavor to the mix.
  • The resurrection is not something we celebrate one day a year at the Ridge- we get to do it every time we get together!
  • There a lot of people that really connected with the feeling of hopelessness but responded to the new hope that the resurrection brings.  The resurrection STILL changes everything
  • Our cafe workers, those that provided snacks, etc did an awesome job keeping everyone’s bellies full!
  • There are no words for our Ridge Kids workers and volunteers. They had a TON of kids this past week and rocked it like they always do! If you have kid in Ridge Kids, do me a favor and thank them for what they do
  • To all the production team and band- you guys put a TON of time in to make Sunday happen.  Thank You!!!!
  • The VIP team members didn’t a little rain keep them from smiling, greeting and meeting people- you guys rock!
  • Guess what?  We get to do it all again this Sunday!

If you missed things this week or just want to listen to the message again, you can do so here.  

See you Sunday as we start a brand new series called Oh Snap! The sayings of Jesus and we’ll tell you how the Easter Offering went!

03.18.13
by

Sunday’s Sermon in 3 Minutes or Less: The Gospel Week 3

Sunday we shifted gears a little in our Gospel series and started talking about how the Gospel comes out of us when it is at work in us.  We focused on the parable of the Good Samaritan from Luke 10.  Here’s some of the highlights…

  • The main passage was Luke 10:25-37
  • Side note: St. Patrick was a real guy who helped bring Christianity to Ireland.  His compassion was rooted in the Gospel
  • Is our compassion driven by the Gospel?
  • We have a way modeling Jesus after ourselves instead of modeling ourselves and reflecting the image and glory of Jesus
  • The lawyer from Luke 10 expected an easier answer than the one Jesus gave
  • Be easy on the Priest and the Levite from the story; we’ve done the same thing
  • What Jesus says next is scandalous and would have shocked the lawyer
  • A Samaritan stops to help the injured Jew.  This would have been shocking because the Samaritans and Jews hated one another
  • But the Samaritan had COMPASSION for him and did whatever it took to help him
  • Are we willing to do that for people nothing like us?
  • Jesus told the lawyer to go and do likewise; show compassion and mercy for people who are not in his comfort circle
  • The answer to the lawyer’s question of who is my neighbor was simple; everyone is your neighbor
  • We go and do the same because this is what Jesus did for us on the cross- he came to us, enemies and aliens of the Gospel, died a brutal death, and gave up his comfort for our rescue
  • We have a choice to now make; do we keep talking about it or do we start doing it?

Join us Sunday for the conclusion of the Gospel series!