Chestnut Ridge Church

This week, Pastor Tim looks to Luke 7:36-45 to remind us that when we extend forgiveness and grace to those who have wronged us, it cultivates love in the heart of the other person toward us. // Verses and message notes: www.theridge.church/notes // Join us live online or in person Sundays at 9a + 11a: www.theridge.church/live

During the last couple of years of my mom’s life, she suffered from some pretty severe memory issues, robbing her of recollections and weaving confusion into her day. Now that she has been gone for over five years, I would give just about anything for one of those conversations over the same stories and questions. Instead, I get to reflect on our many amazing memories that I get to hold tightly until we meet again. As Pastor Tim said on Sunday, listening is a way of demonstrating love, drawing closer to one another, resolving conflicts, and results in greater understanding, knowledge, and wisdom. My mother helped me learn all these things, both when she was of sound mind and after.

Do you take time to listen to others before you speak? Pastor Tim continues our new series, "I Do, but Do I," with four reasons why we should learn to listen before speaking. // Verses and message notes: www.theridge.church/notes // Join us live online or in person Sundays at 9a + 11a: www.theridge.church/live

When my little sister Bree entered our family, it marked a significant turning point in my life, a transition from self-centeredness to selflessness—everything wasn't about me now. While selflessness still doesn't come naturally to me, I've come to understand how important it is in fostering strong, healthy connections with my husband and with others. Choosing to be selfless requires an intentional effort, and its rewards are immeasurable.

Continuing in week three of "I Do, but Do I," Pastor Josh reminds us that we can grow in selflessness when we share generously, serve humbly, and submit willingly. // Verses and message notes: www.theridge.church/notes // Join us live online or in person Sundays at 9a + 11a: www.theridge.church/live

What we all need to recognize is that the intimacy we long for can only be found in the person of Jesus Christ. There is no more intimate act than Christ’s death for us. He knew everything about us, all of our sins and shame, and yet, He still laid down His life for us. He fully knows you and fully loves you.

Pastor Josh joins us for our "I Do, but Do I?" series and shares how the goal of marriage is physical, emotional, and spiritual intimacy. // Verses and message notes: www.theridge.church/notes // Join us live online or in person Sundays at 9a + 11a: www.theridge.church/live

Marriage matters to God because it reflects the depth of His love for His people. Just as Christ laid down His life for His bride, the Church, so too, are husbands and wives called to sacrificially love and honor one another. In sickness and in health, in joy and in sorrow, marriage became a testament to the transformative power of God's love—a testament to His sovereignty—a reminder that His purposes prevail even in the face of adversity.

Pastor Tim introduces "I Do, but Do I?" a new series focusing on the essential qualities needed to build strong marriages and develop relationships. During this week's talk, he explains why marriage matters and defines marriage according to the Bible. // Verses and message notes: www.theridge.church/notes // Join us live online or in person Sundays at 9a + 11a: www.theridge.church/live

Jesus is our hope! He died as payment for our sins and rose again to conquer death. God’s desire for us to be in a relationship with Him was made possible. Now, each of us has a responsibility to recognize that we have a sin problem that can only be solved by believing in Jesus as the forgiver of sins. The question you must ask yourself is, “Do I accept Jesus as my Savior?”

Pastor Tim wraps up our "Foretold" series by teaching through Isaiah 53 and sharing five surprising things the prophet Isaiah foretold about the Messiah who was to come. // Verses and message notes: www.theridge.church/notes // Join us live online or in person Sundays at 9a + 11a: www.theridge.church/live

I was incredibly angry at God for many years because He allowed my siblings and mother to die in spite of my family's faithfulness to Him and the incredible amount of prayer that people offered for my family. I couldn’t understand it. Why would God allow that? That’s a question I have wrestled with for most of my life. While this was originally something that kept me far from God, the more I honestly wrestled with the question, the more I realized that God is good and sovereign, and He loves my family.

Holy Saturday is an invitation to stillness, contemplation, and anticipation. On this day, the tomb would still be inhabited—Jesus’ body lying there, broken for us. All the momentum the disciples felt as they were celebrating Jesus coming to be crowned King just days ago came to an abrupt halt—forced stillness. This was a day of sorrow for the Apostles, as they felt their plans and hopes were dashed. Just like the Apostles, we can get ahead of ourselves when we are constantly moving on to what’s next and what we intend to make happen.

It was on Golgotha, the place of the skull, that Jesus was crucified. But before His hands and feet were nailed to the cross, He endured unimaginable pain. For hours leading up to the cross and for six long hours nailed on it, Jesus endured shame and suffering in every imaginable way. Yet through His agony, Jesus exemplified His love for humanity, willingly enduring the cross to save a world of lost sinners, including you and me.

Barabbas’ story points to the idea that the Gospel is about a righteous Savior dying for guilty sinners—setting them free. Barabbas was a rebel and murderer. He was probably the next in line to be nailed to a cross, but because of a tradition related to the Passover festival, he was set free instead.

As I read through the text, I found myself looking for the emotions of those involved. When you search for the emotions, you question the hows, the whys, and the whats. How could Judas betray Jesus? Why did the disciples not understand what was going to happen to Jesus? What emotions did Jesus go through as He spent His last moments with His disciples, eating together, praying together, and ultimately being separated from one another?

We are commanded to love God with every piece of us—our hearts, our souls, and our minds. However, Jesus also commanded us to love our neighbors as ourselves. If we are to love our neighbors as ourselves, we aren't going to go to our neighbors and say the unloving things we say to ourselves. We must begin by loving ourselves just as Jesus loves us.

Pastor Tim continues our “Foretold” series by pointing out three Old Testament stories from Israel's time in the wilderness that lead us to Jesus and the cross. // Verses and message notes: www.theridge.church/notes // Join us live online or in person Sundays at 9a + 11a: www.theridge.church/live

During the last week of Jesus’ life, He returned to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. When He entered the temple complex, Jesus expected to see people praying, praising, and thanking God. Instead, He witnessed money changers and merchants exploiting and overcharging the people. And, because they set up shop in the Court of Gentiles, they made it useless as a place of prayer and worship for the Gentiles. Jesus was filled with such a wave of righteous anger that He overturned the tables and drove the money changers out.

Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice to save the world. It was the hardest thing that He had to do and something He didn’t necessarily want to do, but He obeyed His Father. He took on the sins of the world by dying on a cross for every one of us.