Redeemer Blue Ridge

05/29/2026

From time to time it's good to consider words like being and doing.
Here is what I mean.
Being has to do with identity, our nature, the condition of our heart. Who we are in our core, our inward person. Who we are in relation to God.

Doing has to do with the practice of our lives before God and neighbor in regards to thought, word and deed.

The reason I bring this up now and the reason I think it is important is that in our culture today, even in the Church, there is confusion between the two. People are taught, whether intentionally or not, that their standing before God is based on their doing. This leads some to believe that by outward obedience, religious activity, or moral living apart from true faith, they become "good Christians", meaning their identity/being is built by their works.

The Bible teaches otherwise. By nature, apart from Christ, we are fallen creatures. We are sinful rebels against God. Our hearts are corrupt and we are unable to do anything that pleases God and is righteous. As Paul says in Romans 3, "none is righteous, no, not one". Our being is not naturally good, so our doing is likewise stained by sin.

The Bible also says that God, being rich in mercy, grants new life to those who are united to Christ by faith. In Him we are made new creatures. We are given a new heart, a new standing before God, and a new trajectory in life, and this is not earned by works, but received by grace.

So our doing does not create our identity; rather, our identity in Christ gives rise to faithful living. Because we belong to Him, we seek to walk in faithful obedience. In faith we worship God with our thoughts, our words, and our deeds, not to become His people, but because by grace He has already made us His people in Christ.

Join us at 10AM this Sunday as we study Mark 10 - The Rich Young Man.

Painting by Jacque, A Shepherd with His Flock

05/26/2026

This painting by Blechen titled "Stormy Sea with Lighthouse" captures the life of the Christian. We are to be built upon the foundation of the Word of God laid down by Christ and the Apostles, looking to the Light, Jesus Christ who is our Savior and then letting that light shine in the darkness and storms of life as a beacon of hope and a testimony of the salvation to those lost in the darkness and being tossed about by the storms.

So as believers we must have our lives firmly built upon the foundation, those truths revealed, recorded and preserved for us in the Bible. Beginning in June, we will begin a short series called Foundations of the Faith. This will be a series where we study what the Bible says about the core doctrines that comprise the Christian Faith. The prayer is that these sermons will strengthen our foundation so that we may stand against the dark and stormy trials of life, and also be a beacon of light to those around us.

We will look at the foundational doctrines of the Sufficiency of Scripture, the Self Sufficiency of God, the Doctrine of Man, the Gospel & Redemptive History, and Sanctification.

While this is not an exhaustive list of the core doctrines of the Christian faith, these are some of the most pressing for the Church today.

Please join us Sundays at 10AM.

05/14/2026

One thing most children have in common is a desire to grow up. They look forward to being big and experiencing life from the perspective of someone who has advanced beyond childhood. Whether that involves going to school or getting a driver’s license, the privileges and opportunities that attend m...

05/10/2026

The call to be a mother is a high calling indeed. Even when the home life is fraught with difficulties and challenges, a Christian mother has a great opportunity to influence her children for Christ. Her family is her mission field.

05/09/2026

As parents I'm sure we've all heard the phrase, "the days are long but the years are short". This is certainly true. As fathers and mothers we are in it, living out those long days. Day in and day out in the trenches of diapers, breakfasts, spilled milk, stuffy noses, late nights and early mornings, homework, driver's license tests, and everything else that comes along with being a parent.

Moms and dads, we fight each day, but not against flesh and blood. We fight against the spiritual forces of darkness. We fight against the temptations within ourselves and outside of us. We fight against those things striving to keep us from loving and leading our children.

We also fight to train our children up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. We fight with all that we have so that they might be better off and further along than we are.

Jesus says in Mark 10:14, "“Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God."

This is our passage for tomorrow morning's sermon. We don't want to hinder our children, we want to bring them to the Lord.

If you are looking for a place to bring your children and worship join us at 10AM.

Photo: Adolf Luben, Farmer Family at Church

05/01/2026

04/25/2026

Good episode. Give it a listen.

Listen to the whole episode where Tom Ascol & Graham Gunden discuss biblical parenting, family worship, and training our children to sit in worship - https://youtu.be/i5e7LRl35W4?si=AMP0NpzdhB4v-H2t

04/24/2026

Jesus Christ is the bedrock beneath every faithful home, church, and town. He does not govern like distant rulers who chase applause and build their names on the backs of strangers. He walked dusty roads, knew His neighbors, and gave Himself for a people He called His own. His kingdom does not grow through self-promotion or abstraction, but through ordinary, embodied service—men loving their wives, raising their children, serving their churches, and taking responsibility for the good of their place.

Here is the pattern for any man who would lead well in his community: bend low before trying to rise high; serve those under his roof before seeking a wider name; carry the real burdens of real people rather than demanding their praise from afar.

A humble leader does not despise his role, but neither does he make much of himself. With Christ as his foundation, authority becomes a duty to steward, not a platform to shine. With Christ as his example, strength is joined with gentleness, and truth is carried with compassion. Look to the suffering Savior, who is Lord of all, and learn this: true greatness is proven in faithful presence, costly service, and steadfast love among your own people.

Join us this Sunday as we look to Jesus in our sermon text from Mark 9.

04/15/2026

Psalm 100:1-2 "A Psalm for giving thanks. Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth! Serve the LORD with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!

Reminder - this Saturday at the Old Montvale School join us for a Hymn Sing. Bring a camping chair as we'll gather outside. All are welcome!

04/09/2026

Psalm 95:1, "Oh come, let us sing to the LORD;
let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!"

Bring a camping chair and join us as we meet outside of the Old Montvale School to sing and pray to the Lord!