Some people see following Jesus as a destination we reach But it isn't really that. Following Jesus is a lifelong journey!

From the moment we trust in Christ until the day we see Him face to face, God is continually at work transforming us into the likeness of His Son. No believer ever reaches a point where growth is no longer necessary.

Our fourth core value is this: We Grow Together.

Paul says this in Philippians 1:6 - “being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;"

And in another place, Paul reminds us of what that work is meant to do in our lives! “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.” — Romans 8:29 (emphasis mine)

Spiritual growth isn't something we accomplish through our own determination or effort. It is the ongoing work of God in our lives as we submit ourselves to His Word and the leading of His Spirit.

The Christian life is not about arriving. It is about continually taking the next step in following Jesus. That's why one of the healthiest attitudes a believer can have is the simple recognition: "I haven't arrived yet." And recognizing that should discourage us. It's actually freeing! Because as long as we're following Christ, there is always another step to take, another lesson to learn, another area in which God desires to make us more like Jesus.

Growth always begins with humility.

Pride convinces us we've already learned enough. Humility recognizes how much we still need God to teach us. The moment we believe we've "arrived," we stop growing.

The apostle Paul, even near the END of his ministry, described himself as continuing to press forward toward what God still had for him.

“Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” — Philippians‬ ‭3‬:‭12‬-‭14‬ ‭

Mature Christians aren't people who think they've figured everything out. They're people who continually recognize their dependence on God's grace. Humility keeps our hearts teachable. It enables us to receive correction, admit when we're wrong, ask questions, and remain eager to learn from God's Word.

The more we grow, the more we realize how much we still need Christ.

Spiritual maturity shouldn't just be measured by how much we know. It is measured by what we do with what we know. God's desire is that we would do more than just fill our minds with biblical information, but that His truth would change the way we live.

Jesus made this clear when He said “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” — John‬ ‭14‬:‭15‬

And James tells us, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.” — James‬ ‭1‬:‭22‬-‭25‬

Every act of obedience is another step of spiritual growth. Sometimes those steps are large. But more often they're small and ordinary. Things like: choosing forgiveness, responding with patience, sharing our faith, serving someone quietly, or trusting God in a difficult season.

Faithfulness isn't usually built through dramatic moments. It's built through daily obedience.

God never intended the Christian life to be lived in isolation. From the very beginning of the church, believers gathered together to worship, pray, learn God's Word, encourage one another, and bear one another's burdens.

“And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.” — Acts‬ ‭2‬:‭42‬-‭47‬

“And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” — Hebrews‬ ‭10‬:‭24‬-‭25‬

Spiritual growth flourishes in biblical community. We need people who encourage us when we're discouraged. People who lovingly challenge us when we're drifting. People who celebrate God's faithfulness with us. People who remind us of the gospel when we forget.

God often uses other believers as one of His primary means of helping us become more like Christ. Growing together doesn't mean we all look the same or grow at the same pace. It means we're moving in the same direction—toward Jesus.

Discipleship is about more than accumulating biblical knowledge. It's about helping one another faithfully follow Jesus.

That's why we don't expect everyone to be in the same place spiritually. Some are just beginning to explore who Jesus is. Others are taking their first steps as new believers. Still others have walked with Christ for decades.

And yet, each person has a next step. Our desire is to help people discover what that step is and encourage them to take it. Sometimes that's learning to read God's Word consistently. Sometimes it's baptism. Sometimes it's joining a community group. Sometimes it's serving, mentoring someone else, or sharing the gospel with a friend.

Whatever the next step may be, our goal is the same: to become more like Jesus together.

Spiritual growth isn't an event. It isn't a class. It isn't something we ever finish in this lifetime. It is the lifelong work of God as He shapes His people into the image of Jesus.

This is why we say, "We Grow Together."

Spiritual growth is a lifelong journey. No one has arrived. We pursue maturity through humility, obedience, and community, helping one another take next steps in following Jesus.

We live in a world filled with competing voices. Every day we're told what to believe, how to live, what success looks like, and where to find truth. Culture shifts. Opinions change. Trends come and go. And even our own hearts can lead us in conflicting directions!

So where do we turn?

Our third core value is this: The Bible Is Our Authority.

The apostle Paul wrote,
 “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” — 2 Timothy 3:16–17

The Bible is unlike any other book. While it was written through human authors over the course of centuries, it is ultimately God's inspired Word. It is His revelation of Himself, His will, and His plan of redemption.

Because it comes from God, it carries His authority. This means we don't stand over Scripture, deciding which parts we like or dislike. Scripture stands over us. It shapes our beliefs, corrects our thinking, confronts our sin, and teaches us how to live in a way that honors God.

When our opinions conflict with Scripture, Scripture is right. When culture changes, God's Word remains the same. When our feelings pull us one direction and God's Word points another, we trust His wisdom over our own. The Bible isn't merely one source of truth among many. It is our final authority for life and faith.

The Bible isn't most essentially a book of rules, a collection of heroic stories and myths, or an encyclopedia to find answers for every question we could think to ask.

The Bible is the story of God's redemptive work throughout history, culminating in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

From Genesis to Revelation, the Scriptures reveal who God is. It reveals His holiness, His justice, His mercy, His faithfulness, and His love. Every page ultimately points us toward Christ.

Jesus Himself taught this!

“Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?” And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself. Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.” And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.” — ‭‭Luke‬ ‭24‬:‭26‬-‭27‬, ‭44‬-‭45‬

“You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me.” — John‬ ‭5‬:‭39‬

This means that reading the Bible isn't merely about gaining information. It's about knowing God more deeply. The more we understand His Word, the more we understand His character, His purposes, and His heart for His people.

But God didn't give us His Word primarily so we would know more. He gave it so we'd become more like Christ.

The Scriptures expose areas where we've believed lies. They correct our thinking, reshape our priorities, and lead us toward lives marked by holiness and wisdom.

James reminds us that the goal is to do more than just hear God's Word. The goal is doing what it says.

“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.” — James 1:22–25

Knowledge alone doesn't produce maturity. Obedience does. Every time we submit ourselves to God's Word, the Holy Spirit uses it to transform us from the inside out.

If the Bible truly is God's Word, then our responsibility isn't to improve upon it. Our responsibility is to faithfully teach it.

That's why we're committed to teaching Scripture clearly, accurately, and in its proper context. We don't want to use isolated verses to support our own ideas. We want to understand what God intended to communicate and faithfully explain His Word.

One of the best ways to do that is by preaching and teaching verse by verse through books of the Bible. Walking through entire books helps us understand passages in their context. It prevents us from skipping difficult subjects or dwelling only on our favorite topics. It allows God's Word (not the preacher) to determine what we study.

The believers in Berea modeled this kind of posture. When Paul preached to them, they didn't blindly accept his words simply because he was an apostle. Instead, they eagerly received the message while carefully examining the Scriptures to see whether what he taught was true. (see Acts 17:11)

That is the kind of culture we want to cultivate! We don't want people to believe something simply because a pastor said it. We want them to know God's Word well enough that they can faithfully discern truth for themselves. Healthy churches aren't built on charismatic personalities. They're built on people who know, love, and submit to the Scriptures.

Our desire is never for people to leave impressed by a sermon. Our desire is for people to leave understanding God's Word more clearly than when they arrived.

No one ever graduates from needing God's Word! Whether you've followed Christ for fifty years or fifty days, God's Word continues to teach, encourage, convict, strengthen, and mature His people. That's why discipleship must always be rooted in Scripture.

Faithful discipleship can involve passing along opinions or experiences. But it goes deeper than that for the Christian! It is helping one another understand God's Word, apply it faithfully, and grow into the likeness of Christ.

This is one of the reasons we are committed to verse-by-verse discipleship. Rather than building our lives around isolated topics or personal preferences, we want to continually submit ourselves to the whole counsel of God. As we walk through Scripture together, we learn not only what God has said, but how to read, understand, and faithfully apply His Word for ourselves.

As believers, we never stop learning. We never stop growing. We never stop submitting ourselves to the authority of God's Word. Because the goal isn't just to know the Bible. The goal is to know the God of the Bible and to become more like His Son.

In a world where truth is constantly being redefined, God's Word remains unchanging. It is trustworthy because God is trustworthy. It is true because God cannot lie. It is sufficient because God has given us everything we need for life and godliness.

“Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven.” — Psalms‬ ‭119‬:‭89‬

“The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.”‬ ‭— ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭40‬:‭8

“As His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,"‬  — 2 Peter 1:3

This is why we say, "The Bible Is Our Authority."

We stand on the truth of God's Word as our final authority for life and faith. We are committed to knowing it, teaching it clearly, and living it out through faithful, verse-by-verse discipleship.

The word gospel simply means "good news." But for the Christian faith, it is far more than a religious term or a theological concept. It is the greatest news the world has ever heard!

Our second core value is this: The Gospel Changes Everything.

Paul writes,

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes... — Romans 1:16

At its heart, the gospel is the announcement of what God has done through Jesus Christ.

Every one of us has sinned against a holy God and deserves His righteous judgment. Yet in His great love, God sent His Son into the world. Jesus lived the perfect life we could never live, died on the cross in our place, and rose again in victory over sin and death. Through repentance and faith in Him, our sins are forgiven, we are reconciled to God, and we receive the gift of eternal life.

The gospel is not advice about how to reach God. It is the good news that God has reached us through His Son!

The first and most obvious way the gospel changes everything is that it changes our eternal destiny!

No amount of morality, religious activity, or good works can make us right with God. We cannot earn His favor or undo our sin. Salvation is entirely a work of God's grace, received through faith in Jesus Christ.

When we trust in Christ, we are forgiven, justified, adopted into God's family, and given the Holy Spirit. We are no longer under condemnation because Jesus bore our judgment on the cross.

Paul writes,

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. — 2 Corinthians 5:17

The gospel doesn't merely make bad people better. It makes spiritually dead people alive.

Sometimes we think of the gospel as the message we believe to become Christians, and then we move on to other things.

But the Bible never presents it that way!

For in it (the gospel spoken about in verse 16) the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith." — Romans 1:17, emphasis mine

Paul tells us that the gospel actually shapes the way that we live too! That means that the gospel isn't only the doorway into the Christian life; it is the foundation of the Christian life. We never outgrow our need for it. Every day we are reminded that our acceptance before God is not based on how well we've performed this week. It rests entirely on the finished work of Jesus Christ.

And that truth changes the way we live! It produces humility because we contributed nothing to our salvation. It produces gratitude because we recognize the immeasurable grace we've received. It produces obedience, not because we're trying to earn God's love, but because we already have it in Christ! It produces forgiveness because we have been forgiven. It produces hope because our standing before God is secure in Jesus, not in our successes or failures.

The more deeply the gospel grips our hearts, the more it transforms our attitudes, priorities, relationships, and everyday lives.

Our culture encourages us to build our identity around countless things: our career, accomplishments, family, possessions, personality, or even our failures.

The gospel offers something far more secure. Our identity is rooted in Jesus.

Because of Him, we are forgiven. We are redeemed. We are adopted into God's family. We are loved, accepted, and declared righteous before God—not because of our own merit, but because of Christ's. (If you're interested in learning more about how the Bible shows us all of this, we studied Ephesians chapters 1-3 a few years back. You can watch those sermons here ---->  Gospel Identity Sermon Series

When we understand what the gospel accomplishes in our lives, it changes the way we see ourselves. Success doesn't become our ultimate source of confidence. And failure doesn't become our ultimate source of shame. The opinions of others no longer determine our worth. Our identity is anchored in the unchanging work of Jesus Christ.

When we understand who we are in Christ, we are free to live with humility, peace, confidence, and joy.

The gospel was never meant to stop with us!

Throughout the New Testament, those whose lives were transformed by Jesus couldn't help but tell others about Him. And they weren't driven by guilt or obligation. They were compelled by gratitude and love.

The same should be true of us! If we truly believe that Jesus is the only Savior, then sharing the gospel is one of the greatest privileges God has given us. We should consistently point people to Christ.

There is no greater hope for our families, our neighbors, our community, or the nations than the good news of Jesus Christ!

The gospel changes where we will spend eternity, but it also changes how we live today. It changes the way we view God. It changes the way we view ourselves. It changes the way we love others. It changes our priorities, our purpose, and our hope.

The Christian life is not about trying harder to become a better person. It is about continually returning to the good news of Jesus Christ and allowing that truth to shape every area of our lives.

This is why we say, "The Gospel Changes Everything."

The gospel not only saves us...it shapes us. It defines our identity, transforms our lives, and compels us to share it with others.

Every church has values that shape how it thinks, serves, and ministers. But before we talk about what we value, we must first begin with who we value.

Our first core value is this: Jesus Is Preeminent.

The apostle Paul writes,
"And He is the head of the body, the church... that in all things He may have the preeminence." — Colossians 1:18
 
The word preeminence means first place. It speaks of supremacy, superiority, and unrivaled importance. It's often said this way: "Jesus is not to just be prominent, He is to be preeminent. He does not merely deserve a place in our lives; He deserves the highest place. There is no one like Him, and there is no one above Him."

And this value is really the foundation from which every other value flows.

Jesus deserves first place because of who He is.

He is the eternal Son of God. He is the Creator through whom all things were made (John 1:1–3; Colossians 1:16). He stepped into His creation, lived the perfectly sinless life that we could never live, died the death we deserved, and rose again in victory over sin and death. Today, He is seated at the Father's right hand, reigning as King over all creation, interceding for His people, and one day He will return to establish His kingdom in its fullness.

Because of who He is and what He has accomplished, Jesus deserves far more than our admiration. He deserves our worship, trust, obedience, and love. He deserves our complete surrender.

Paul writes in Philippians 2 that God has highly exalted Jesus and given Him "the name which is above every name," so that every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Philippians 2:9–11). Whether people acknowledge Him today or not, Christ is Lord. We do not create His supremacy by believing it. It is a reality we joyfully recognize.

To say that Jesus is preeminent is simply to affirm what has always been true: He is worthy of first place in everything.

Even the Scriptures point to the preeminence of Jesus in all things!

After His resurrection, Jesus walked with two disciples on the road to Emmaus and explained "in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself" (Luke 24:27). Later that same day, He told His disciples that everything written in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms pointed to Him (Luke 24:44). Earlier in His ministry, He had told the religious leaders, "These are they which testify of Me" (John 5:39).

The Bible is not most essentially a collection of moral lessons or inspirational stories. It is one unified story of God's redemption through Jesus Christ.

Now, that doesn't mean every passage mentions Jesus by name. What it means is that every passage fits into the grand story that culminates in Him. The Old Testament prepares the way for Christ. The Gospels reveal His life, death, and resurrection. The Epistles explain the significance of His work and teach us how to live in light of it. Revelation points us to His glorious return and eternal reign.

This changes the way we read Scripture. We don't approach Scripture primarily asking, "What should I do?" We first ask, "What does this passage reveal about God and His redemptive plan through Christ?" As we behold Him throughout Scripture, we are transformed into His likeness.

Because Jesus is preeminent, He is also the focus of our worship.

And worship is much more than music! It is the response of a heart that recognizes the worth of Christ.

When we gather with the church, we sing because He is worthy. We pray because He hears. We open the Scriptures because He speaks through His Word. We celebrate baptism and the Lord's Supper because they proclaim His saving work. Every aspect of our gathering is meant to direct our attention toward Christ.

But worship doesn't end when the service does.

Romans 12:1 calls believers to present their bodies as "a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service." Worship is the offering of our entire lives to the One who gave Himself for us.

The reality is, every person worships something. The real question is whether our hearts are centered on Christ or on something else.

A lot of people live as though following Jesus just means adding Him to an already busy life. But following Jesus is actually about recognizing that every area of life belongs to Him.

Our marriages should reflect His love. Our parenting should display His grace and truth. Our work should be done as unto Him. Our decisions should be guided by His wisdom. Our finances should honor His priorities. Our relationships should reflect His character.

As Paul writes, "And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus" -- Colossians 3:17

There is no part of life that falls outside His lordship.

When Jesus is truly preeminent, following Him goes beyond an hour or so service on Sunday. He shapes the way we think, the way we speak, the way we love, the way we forgive, the way we serve, and the way we live every day.

One of the greatest misconceptions about following Christ is that giving Him first place somehow diminishes everything else we love.

The opposite is true!

When Jesus is first, we don't love our families less! We love them better. We don't become indifferent to our work. We work with greater purpose! We don't lose our identity. We discover that our identity has always been found in Him rather than in our accomplishments, possessions, or circumstances.

Jesus doesn't compete with every other priority in life. He rightly orders them.
 

This is what it means to say that Jesus is preeminent! Everything begins and ends with Him. He is the center of Scripture, the focus of our worship, and the foundation of our lives. Our greatest desire is to know more about Jesus, to know Him more deeply and personally, to treasure Him more fully, and to make Him known more faithfully.

Because in all things, Jesus deserves the preeminence.

The central focus of Jesus' commission is Jesus Himself!

The disciples were sent by Jesus, empowered by Jesus, instructed to testify about Jesus, and called to teach others to follow Jesus, identify with Jesus in baptism, and live under the instructions of Jesus. The mission wasn't about building their own platform, creating an organization, or establishing their own legacy. It was about making Christ known.

This is why our mission begins with elevating Jesus.

Colossians 1:15-18 says:
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.

Everything we do as a church should point people to Him. The mission of the church is all about Jesus. It is all because of Jesus. And it is all for Jesus. He is the Savior we proclaim, the Lord we worship, and the foundation upon which the church is built.

Jesus didn't simply tell His followers to make converts. He told them to make disciples.
The way Matthew records the Great Commission calls believers to teach others to obey everything Christ commanded.

Matthew 28:19-20
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

The goal is that people come to faith, of course! But it's more than that. The goal is that they continue growing in faith.

That is why part of our mission is to equip believers.

We want people to grow in their understanding of Scripture, deepen their relationship with Christ, and learn to live faithfully as His disciples. This happens through the preaching of God's Word, personal discipleship, community, and everyday obedience to Jesus.

Jesus repeatedly emphasized the need to take the gospel to those who do not yet know Him.

In Acts 1:8, He told His followers to be witnesses. In Mark 16:15, He tells them to preach the gospel to every creature. And in Matthew 28:19, He says they are to make disciples of all nations.

That is why we are committed to evangelizing the lost.

Our desire is to see people come to know Christ right here in Wenatchee, throughout our region, across our nation, and around the world. The gospel is good news for every person, and the church has been entrusted with sharing that message.

The mission Jesus gave is far bigger than anything we could accomplish on our own!

That is why Jesus promised both His presence and His power. He told His disciples that the Holy Spirit would empower them for the task, and He assured them, "I am with you always" (Matthew 28:20).

The church does not fulfill its mission through human effort alone. We depend entirely upon the power of God to accomplish the work He has called us to do.

As Jesus ascended into heaven, the angels reminded the disciples that He would one day return.

Acts 1:9-11
Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”

Why does this mission statement need to be taken seriously? Why do we need
to spread the gospel and see people grow in their walk with Christ? Because
Jesus is coming back!

The Bible tells us that Jesus is going to come back for all those who have
accepted Him as their Savior. And it could happen anytime! It could happen
today. It could happen next week. We don’t know when it will happen. But we
do know this: It will happen.

We need to be at work bringing other people to know Jesus so that when He comes, they will be caught up together with Him as well.

People need to hear the gospel. Believers need to be discipled. The church has work to do while we wait for Christ's return.

That is why Ridge Point exists.

We exist to elevate Jesus, equip believers, and evangelize the lost.

Everything we do flows from the mission Jesus gave His church and the gospel He entrusted us to proclaim.