Podcast
The Ridge – Weekly Message
Hosted by The Ridge Ankeny · EN
The Ridge weekly message podcast is a production of The Ridge church in Ankeny, Iowa. At The Ridge, we invite people to grow, connect and serve. Subscribe to this podcast for weekly Bible-based messages that teach how to live that out. And if you’re looking to go deeper, check out our Beyond the Sermon (BTS) episodes. These supplements to our weekly message will feature a Q&A with the pastor that provides additional context, insight and application steps based on the week’s message.
38episodes
Episodes
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Beyond the Sermon: How Should We Read the Bible?
2w ago00:17:42Tap to summarizeReading through the Bible, you may find many parts that inspire, encourage and direct you in your life. Yet there are other parts that at first seem confusing, raising questions as to how we are to understand and apply what we are reading. So how can we go about reading the Bible in a way that leads to understanding, application and transformation? Join Ridge Family Ministries Director and BTS Host Will Herron as they discuss this question and more on this week's Beyond the Sermon.
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To Be A Disciple
2w ago00:30:30Tap to summarizeWhen Jesus called Simon and Andrew to be His disciples, it was a significant moment in their lives. It's even more meaningful when we know the cultural significance surrounding it. If we look closer at what Jesus said and how Simon and Andrew responded, we will discover the full depth of what it meant for them to be called and what was expected of them living the life of a disciple. We’ll also see what this all means to us and how it applies to our lives as followers of Jesus yet today.Message by Doug ApplegateScripture referenced: Mark 1:16–20
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Beyond the Sermon: How Can We Share our Faith with Others?
3w ago00:17:26Tap to summarizeAs we close out our sermon series on the book of Acts, we turn our attention to what it looks like to share our faith with others. Over the years Christians have used a variety of methods and means to share the good news of Jesus to the world. But not all of those methods were impactful in the right ways, nor fruitful in the long run. So how should we go about sharing our faith in 2026? What are some practical ways in which we can communicate the reality of God's love and saving work in Jesus? 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.
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An Incomplete Ending
3w ago00:29:59Tap to summarizeThe book of Acts is unlike any other. It tells of what happened after the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. It gives us the account of His ascension and of Pentecost, miraculous healings and bold preaching. It tells of the growth and advancement of the Church. But how does it end? To understand, we have to look closer at what Paul was doing here and determine what it all means for us today as followers of Jesus. Message by Mike Van ReesScripture referenced: Acts 28:17–31
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Beyond the Sermon: What Do We Do When Things Happen That We Can't Understand?
4w ago00:17:32Tap to summarizeThe 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
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When God's Plan is Different
4w ago00:26:14Tap to summarizeWe 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
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Beyond the Sermon: Why Don't We See Healing as Often Today as We do in the New Testament?
Apr 2700:19:14Tap to summarizeThe 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.
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Facing Troubles and Burdens in This Life
Apr 2700:24:43Tap to summarizeLife 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
Transcribe →Responding to God's Truth
Apr 2000:25:14Tap to summarizeOne 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
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Beyond the Sermon: How should we respond to life's storms?
Apr 1300:16:30Tap to summarizeIn 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.
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