Pastor Caleb Smith joins Rick and Svea on today's episode. They dig into what is perhaps one of the most debated stories Jesus ever told, The Parable of the Dishonest Manager in Luke 16. Show Notes 00:00 Intro Rick's story from the gym trying a new workout and being less than shrewd 03:13 Many preachers skip this parable because it can throw people…

Today's Topic Rick and Svea discuss one of Jesus' most famous stories, The Prodigal Son found in Luke 15:11-32. Topics Discussed in this Episode 00:00 Intro - Rick's late caffeine morning. 01:39 Talking about the word, "Lost." 04:21 Love requires we be sensitive about the language we use, especially around those who have not yet come to faith in Je…

Rick and Svea reverse roles today. He puts Svea in the "hot seat" as they discuss the genius of the stories in Luke 15:1-10. In these parables, Jesus simultaneously speaks to, and shows compassion toward, two groups of people who viewed themselves as being at opposite ends of the spectrum. Topics Discussed in this Episode 00:00 Intro 01:14 Mother's…

Rick and Svea talk about Rick's last weekend message about focusing in on our mission. Topics Discussed in this Episode 00:00 Intro 00:50 What was the purpose of this past sermon? Why was it applicable to our church? 01:23 Discussion of changes in our church and in other churches - post-COVID, senior pastors, men and women in leadership, worship se…

On this episode, Pastor Otis Hall joins Rick and Svea in the studio to continue the weekend’s discussion on James 1:27 and how that verse can propel us into action to care for our society’s most vulnerable. Topics Discussed in this Episode 00:00 Intro 01:17 We looked at a passage in James that gave us insight into the fostering world. 02:26 James 1…

Today, Pastor Caleb Smith joins Svea in the studio as they close out our discussions on family by looking at parenting and parental influence. Topics Discussed in this Episode 00:00 Intro 01:36 An exceptional message that spoke to people of many different categories of people who have parental influence whether or not children are a part of home li…

Today's Topic Rick and Svea talk about singleness, dating, and loneliness. They discuss Jesus and his singleness, guarding against being defined by another person, and not choosing a path that leads away from Jesus. Topics Discussed in this Episode 00:00 Intro. 00:52 Nerding out on church history. 04:58 Fighting against alienating singles - Svea's …

Today, Rick and Svea examine Ephesians 5 and what Paul says (and doesn’t say) about marriage, our presuppositions, and our culture. By applying this chapter to all relationships, what can the family of believers learn about the gospel way of life? Topics Discussed in this Episode 00:00 Intro 00:42 Welcome to new listeners 02:40 Church should be a c…

1 Timothy Message Series 1 Timothy Chapter 6 Rick and Svea swap chairs as Svea preached the message on 1 Timothy 6 this week and Rick asks her clarifying questions. Topics Discussed in this Episode 00:00 Intro and recap of the message. 02:54 Discussion of what slavery was like in the NT times. 08:57 Not every single verse in the Bible points to how…

1 Timothy Message Series 1 Timothy Chapter 5:17-25 Today, we live up to “Church Is Messy” as we dive into the topic of accountability. How do we rightly hold people accountable? How do we respond when we’re being held accountable? How do we respond to anxiety-producing situations? Roll up your sleeves and get ready for a little messiness. Topics Di…

1 Timothy Message Series 1 Timothy Chapter 5:1-16 While the first half of 1 Timothy 5 is often viewed as a tutorial on caring for widows, this week Rick and Svea discuss what may be surprising themes this section is dripping with: leadership in challenging situations and what confrontation in the way of Jesus looks like. Topics Discussed in this Ep…

In this episode, Pastors Rick Henderson and Svea Merry discuss 1 Timothy 4 and the issues of church leadership, reliance on the Spirit vs our conscience, understanding spiritual growth, and primary and second issues of Christianity. 00:27 Intro - Recap of the series, intro to 1 Timothy 4, and transitioning from 1 Timothy 3 01:28 If people watch us …

1 Timothy Message Series 1 Timothy Chapter 3 In this discussion on 1 Timothy 3, Rick and Svea answer your questions about our attitudes toward leaders who taught us something we now disagree with, the interpretation that is inherently connected to Bible translation, specific words and phrases in 1 Timothy 3, and leaning into our own shortcomings as…

1 Timothy Message Series 1 Timothy Chapter 2:11-15 Join us for an in-depth discussion on 1 Timothy 2:11-15. Rick and Svea dive into the differences of interpretation, a brief history that brought us to this discussion, and a recognition that men and women are different. Topics Discussed in this Episode 00:00 Intro. 01:43 Context: 1 Timothy 2:11-15.…

1 Timothy Message Series 1 Timothy Chapter 2:1-10 Join us for an in-depth discussion on 1 Timothy 2:1-10. Rick and Svea tackle embracing humility and mutual submission and the far-reaching implications of the gospel for men and women. Additional Resources https://autumnridge.church/1-timothy/ Topics Discussed in this Episode 00:00 Welcome and Intro…

1 Timothy Message Series 1 Timothy Chapter 1 Join us for an in-depth discussion on 1 Timothy 1. Rick and Svea dig into living the gospel, dealing with false teaching, and our tendencies to add to or subtract from Scripture. Additional Resources https://autumnridge.church/1-timothy/ Topics Discussed in this Episode 00:00 Welcome and introduction. 01…

Today Rick and Svea share the studio with Pastor Otis Hall. In the Parable of the Sower (Matt. 13:1-9), they discuss shifting the focus to looking for the desired result: a good harvest, not just from the perspective of sowing the seed. NOTE: This is the last episode of 2023. Rick and Svea will be back behind the microphones in January 2024 for a n…

So far in this series, we’ve looked at the unexpected messages to four churches in modern-day Turkey. UNEXPECTED MESSAGE: • It’s better to have no church than an unloving church. • It’s better to let a church suffer than to prevent it. • It’s possible for a church to stand up for Jesus while standing against Jesus. • It’s possible for a church to w…

So far in this series, we’ve looked at the unexpected messages to four churches in modern-day Turkey. UNEXPECTED MESSAGE: • It’s better to have no church than an unloving church. • It’s better to let a church suffer than to prevent it. • It’s possible for a church to stand up for Jesus while standing against Jesus. • It’s possible for a church to w…

So far in this series, we’ve looked at the unexpected messages to four churches in modern-day Turkey. UNEXPECTED MESSAGE: • It’s better to have no church than an unloving church. • It’s better to let a church suffer than to prevent it. • It’s possible for a church to stand up for Jesus while standing against Jesus. • It’s possible for a church to w…

So far in this series, we’ve looked at the unexpected messages to four churches in modern-day Turkey. It’s better to have no church than an unloving church. It’s better to let a church suffer than to prevent it. It’s possible for a church to stand up for Jesus while standing against Jesus. It’s possible for a church to wrongly value staying togethe…

So far in this series, we’ve looked at the unexpected messages to three churches in modern-day Turkey. It’s better to have no church than an unloving church. It’s better to let a church suffer than to prevent it. It’s possible for a church to stand up for Jesus while standing against Jesus. Today, we spend quite a bit of time looking at practical s…

It's better to let a church suffer and to prevent it. Today’s episode unpacks suffering, faith, and trust in Jesus. Message Scripture Passage: Revelation 2:8-11 Series Thesis: KNOWING the truth doesn’t change anything. SUBMITTING to the truth changes everything. Topics Discussed Today: 00:00 Intro. 01:54 Recap and overview of the series resources. …

Rick and Svea kick off the new "Dear Church" series with a discussion about symbolism in the Book of Revelation and move on to the difficult topic of a loveless church. Rick then casts a vision for what he thinks a loving church exemplifies. Message Scripture Passage: Revelation 1:17-2:7 Series Thesis: KNOWING the truth doesn’t change anything. SUB…

During the Preseason message series the mission, vision, and goals of Autumn Ridge Church have come up repeatedly. In this episode Rick and Svea dissect the Autumn Ridge Vision, "We want to be a church of all cultures where curious, skeptical, and hurting people love to attend." They talk about practical steps to help achieve this aspiration. Topic…

Pastor Paul McDonald joins Rick and Svea as their discussion closes out the Masterpiece series. About the Masterpiece series Theme Verse: For we are God’s handiwork [masterpiece], created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10 Series Thesis: We are good works of art created to do the art of good…

Caleb Smith joins Svea Merry on the podcast today. About the Masterpiece series Theme Verse: For we are God’s handiwork [masterpiece], created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10 Series Thesis: We are good works of art created to do the art of good works. Resources for this episode Watch the …

Bob Ross, air conditioning, adversity, and pruning. What do all of these have in common? Rick and Svea have a very practical conversation about the latest installment in our Masterpiece series, The Art of Love. About the Masterpiece series Theme Verse: For we are God’s handiwork [masterpiece], created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God pre…

This week Rick and Svea give us a two-for-one. In the first half of the episode, Rick and Svea delve into the area of women in (church) leadership. In the second half, they have a heart-felt talk on Svea's sermon about patience. In her message, Svea showed how Jesus modeled patience even when he knew his remaining time on Earth could be measured in…

In this episode, Rick and Svea discuss unity in the church and the challenges that come cultural or stylistic preferences, particularly in regard to styles of worship music. This episode is an extension of a message preached at Autumn Ridge Church in Rochester, MN on July 2, 2023. Watch the original message. See Romans chapter 11 to read the primar…

About the Masterpiece series Theme Verse: For we are God’s handiwork [masterpiece], created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10 Series Thesis: We are good works of art created to do the art of good works. Resources for this episode Listen to the message at: https://churchismessy.transistor.fm…

About the Masterpiece series Theme Verse: For we are God’s handiwork [masterpiece], created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10 Series Thesis: We are good works of art created to do the art of good works. Resources for this episode Listen to the message at: https://churchismessy.transistor.fm…

In this special episode of Church Is Messy, Rick and Svea follow up an email that was sent to the Autumn Ridge congregation on June 20, 2023 about the plan for the worship services. Rick gives greater detail to many of the topics introduced in the email. Here are a list of topics and the times in today's podcast: 00:00 Intro 01:20: What is going on…

What is God’s purpose in using humility to make us his masterpiece? Pastors Caleb Smith and Svea Merry discuss different aspects of humility. This is a practical topic for every person - not just church people. About the Masterpiece series Theme Verse: For we are God’s handiwork [masterpiece], created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God pre…

We kick off the Masterpiece series with a discussion between Pastors Svea Merry and Caleb Smith about what a masterpiece is and isn't and get a hint about where the series will be going over the next several weeks.By Rick Henderson and Svea Merry

Rick and Svea begin by answering questions that have come in recent weeks. They also talk in detail about open and loving ways to share the gospel with other people.By Rick Henderson and Svea Merry

Rick and Svea close out the He Gets Us series looking at the scandalous love of Jesus for those who were on the fringes.By Rick Henderson and Svea Merry

Today guest Pastor Caleb Smith joins Svea Merry in the studio to talk about his message and a little bit more about "following the cloud" and what it looks like to recognize the faithfulness of God in the various chapters of life.By Rick Henderson and Svea Merry

Rick and Svea look at the struggles of life and the example we have in Jesus in dealing with struggle and hardship.By Rick Henderson and Svea Merry

Today Pastor Otis Hall joins Rick and Svea on the podcast to discuss questions people had after Otis' message on outrage and appropriate responses to the situations that may cause outrage, anger, and indignation.By Rick Henderson and Svea Merry

Today Rick and Svea discuss compassion and Jesus' example that compassion was always accompanied by some form of action. You can view the full message that is the basis for today's discussion at: https://youtu.be/PH3M47DhQ0sBy Rick Henderson and Svea Merry

Was Jesus anxious? Did Jesus worry? In this episode we look at the difference between anxiety and worry. Realizing God is both sovereign and intimately personal can keep us from worry. Pastors Rick and Svea unpack these ideas today.By Rick Henderson and Svea Merry

Today Pastor Svea Merry asks Pastor Rick Henderson to reflect on his first three years at Autumn Ridge Church.By Rick Henderson and Svea Merry

In this final episode discussing the 1 Peter series, Rick and Svea answer a number of question from their congregation. Topics include dealing with leadership in church, being humble leaders, spiritual forces, and more. Plus Rick gives a detailed account of an experience he had with demonic forces during a recent trip to Guinea, West Africa and cal…

Rick and Svea discuss practical ways to live out Peter's words of encouragement in 1 Peter chapter 4.By Rick Henderson and Svea Merry

Rick and Svea continue their discussion on 1 Peter chapter 3.By Rick Henderson and Svea Merry

This is the audio recording of the Winter, 2023 lectures at Women's Bible Study.By Autumn Ridge Church Women

This is the audio recording of the Winter, 2023 lectures at Women's Bible Study.By Autumn Ridge Church Women

This is the audio recording of the Winter, 2023 lectures at Women's Bible Study.By Autumn Ridge Church Women

This is the audio recording of the Winter, 2023 lectures at Women's Bible Study.By Autumn Ridge Church Women