The Ranch Church Podcast

Obedience, Discernment, and the Love That Leads to Life - Rick Soto

Episode Summary

In this message from Hebrews 5, Pastor Rick explores the obedience of Jesus and what it means for us today. Jesus’ obedience led to perfection and eternal salvation. Ours leads to direction, maturity, and discernment.

This teaching challenges believers to grow beyond spiritual milk into spiritual maturity, learning to love God deeply, walk in wisdom, and hold fast to Christ in a culture that often pulls in the opposite direction.

Obedience is not about moral perfection. It is about gospel direction. It is about loving God with all your heart and letting that love shape how you live.

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Key Scripture

• Hebrews 5:8–14

• John 14:15–31

• Matthew 22:34–40

• Hebrews 4:14

• Romans 12:9

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Main Themes

1. The Obedience of Jesus

Hebrews tells us that Jesus “learned obedience” and became the source of eternal salvation.

His obedience included:

• God’s timing — Christmas, the cross, resurrection.

• Messianic prophecy — fulfilling what was spoken.

• A holy lifestyle — power without corruption.

• Protection of His disciples — guarding those entrusted to Him.

• Obedience to the Word — defeating temptation.

• Submission to the Father’s will — “Not my will, but Yours.”

Jesus’ obedience led to perfection.
Our obedience leads to direction.

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2. Obedience Is Love

Jesus says plainly:

“If you love me, keep my commandments.” — John 14:15

Love for God is not abstract.
It shows up in:

• Trust

• Surrender

• Alignment with His Word

• Loving your neighbor

Obedience flows from relationship, not pressure.

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3. Obedience Produces Discernment

Hebrews says mature believers have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice.

Discernment grows when we:

• Know the Word

• Stay close to the Spirit

• Practice obedience consistently

• Learn to distinguish good from evil

Spiritual maturity is not automatic. It is cultivated.

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4. Hold Fast

Hebrews 4:14 calls us to “hold fast” to our confession.

God reaches for us.
We reach back.

When we hold fast to Christ, He releases strength, grace, and power into our lives.

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Practical Takeaways

• Obedience is a filter that protects your soul.

• Maturity comes through practice, not just knowledge.

• The Holy Spirit presses Jesus into your life.

• Growth requires intentional response.

Ask yourself:

• Where is God calling me to deeper obedience?

• Am I moving toward spiritual maturity or staying on milk?

• What would it look like to “hold fast” this week?

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Next Steps at Ranch Church

Want to get involved?

1. Give your life to Jesus.

2. Join a small group.

3. Consider the School of Ministry.

For more information and service times, visit:
ranchchurch.com

Hebrews 5:1–14 | The Sufferings of Christ and the Call to Spiritual Maturity - Rick Soto

Episode Summary

In Hebrews 5, we are reminded of a powerful truth: you need a High Priest.

Every person must answer the question, “How am I connected to God?” Scripture teaches that no one appoints themselves to that role. A high priest is called by God. Jesus did not exalt Himself. He was appointed by the Father.

In this message, we explore:

• Why Jesus alone qualifies as our High Priest
• What it means that He suffered “with loud cries and tears”
• How His obedience secured our salvation
• The difference between tragedy and obedience
• What spiritual maturity looks like

Jesus’ suffering was not weakness. It was reverent trust. On the cross, He placed His life fully into the Father’s hands. Because He trusted the Father with death, we can trust Him with our lives.

The resurrection reveals the power of the Trinity at work. The Father raised the Son. The Spirit raised Christ from the dead. Jesus declared He would raise Himself. This is divine authority and divine love in action.

Hebrews then shifts to spiritual growth. Believers are called to move beyond milk to solid food. Maturity requires training. Discernment must be practiced. We learn to distinguish good from evil through constant obedience.

The message closes with a clear invitation: stop resisting God. Make it personal. Extend your life to Him in trust, and receive new life in Christ.

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Key Scriptures

Hebrews 5:1–14
Romans 6:4
Romans 8:11
Galatians 5:1
John 2:19–21
1 Peter 3:18
Revelation 1:5

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Main Themes

Jesus Is Our High Priest
Connection to God is not earned. It is mediated through Christ alone.

The Sufferings of Christ
His prayers, tears, humiliation, obedience, and trust.

Resurrection Power
The Father, Son, and Spirit working together in victory over death.

Obedience and Spiritual Discipline
Learning to follow Jesus is not tragedy. It is transformation.

Spiritual Maturity
Moving from milk to solid food. Training discernment. Growing in wisdom.

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Application

• Examine what you are trusting as your “high priest.”
• Practice obedience in everyday decisions.
• Train your discernment through Scripture and prayer.
• Make your faith personal, not theoretical.

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A Final Invitation

Jesus suffered so you could be forgiven.
Jesus obeyed so you could be saved.
Jesus stands as your High Priest today.

Respond to Him.

Jesus, Our Great High Priest - Rick Soto

Episode Description

In this teaching from Hebrews 4 and 5, we enter what Scripture calls the “deep waters,” exploring Jesus as our great and eternal High Priest. Unlike every human priest who came before Him, Jesus alone fully bridges the gap between sinful humanity and a holy God.

This message unpacks why every person needs a high priest, how Jesus uniquely fulfills that role, and why believers can approach God with confidence rather than fear. We also confront false ideas of spiritual mediation and are reminded that forgiveness, mercy, healing, and restoration flow only through Jesus Christ.

If you’ve ever wondered whether you can come back to God again, whether grace really covers ongoing weakness, or what it means to live as part of a “royal priesthood,” this teaching speaks directly to those questions.

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Teaching Highlights

• Why the book of Hebrews presents Jesus as superior to all others

• What a high priest does and why humanity needs one

• Jesus as the only true mediator between God and humanity

• The difference between the Old Testament priesthood and Jesus’ eternal priesthood

• Why believers can approach God with confidence, not shame

• The role of confession, forgiveness, and ongoing grace

• What it means to share in Christ’s priestly ministry without replacing Him

• How God uses weakness to cultivate dependence and spiritual growth

• The compassion of Jesus, even in His suffering on the cross

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Key Takeaway

Jesus is not a distant or harsh mediator. He is a compassionate High Priest who understands human weakness, invites honest repentance, and continually offers mercy, healing, and grace to all who come to Him.

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Closing Call

If you are carrying spiritual weight, unresolved sin, or deep discouragement, Jesus invites you to draw near. He remains faithful, present, and powerful to restore what has been broken.

Jesus, Our Great High Priest - Hebrews 4:14–16 with Pastor Jeff Clay

In this episode of the Ranch Church Podcast, we continue our study through the book of Hebrews, focusing on Hebrews 4:14–16.

The author of Hebrews reminds us that Jesus is not only our Savior but our Great High Priest, one who has passed through the heavens and now intercedes for us at the right hand of the Father. Written to a small, persecuted house church with many Jewish believers, this passage addresses the temptation to return to familiar religious systems instead of fully trusting Christ.

This teaching explores the contrast between the temporary Levitical priesthood and the once-for-all priesthood of Jesus. While earthly priests entered the Holy of Holies year after year with fear and limitation, Jesus entered the ultimate Holy of Holies through His own sacrifice and sat down, His work complete.

We are reminded that Jesus is able to sympathize with our weaknesses. He was fully human, tempted in every essential way we are, yet without sin. Because of this, He does not merely understand our struggles intellectually. He shares in them, empathizes with them, and intercedes for us personally.

The passage culminates in a powerful invitation. Because of Christ, we are invited to approach the throne of grace with confidence, receiving mercy for our past and grace to help us in our present need. This grace comes at exactly the right time and is accessed through prayer.

The message closes with three key responses for believers today.

• Confession of Christ as our living High Priest

• Understanding Christ as one who truly empathizes with our weakness

• Prayer as the means by which we access God’s grace and mercy

This episode offers deep encouragement for anyone facing pressure, hardship, or temptation to look elsewhere for relief. Jesus is sufficient, present, and faithful.

The Tender Heart (Hebrews 4:1–13) - Rick Soto

Sermon from Jan 18th. 2026

 

Hebrews 4:1–13 is a direct warning and a gracious invitation: don’t let your heart harden. This message explores how God’s acceptance, on God’s terms, softens the heart and produces real transformation. A key takeaway is simple but penetrating: spiritual experiences are powerful, but experience alone is not acceptance. The tender heart is formed when we receive God’s Word, obey His voice, and rest in what He’s done.

We also walk through Psalm 95’s rhythm, worship and joy, followed by the urgent “today” warning. From there, we explore Sabbath rest as a creation principle, and practical pathways that keep the heart soft, including healthy community rhythms and the Spirit’s work of making us new.

Key Scriptures
Hebrews 4:1–13, Psalm 95, John 6:68, Isaiah 53:5, Ezekiel 36:26, 2 Corinthians 5

Key Themes

• The danger of a hard heart, and how it forms over time

• “Today, if you hear His voice”, respond, don’t resist

• Experience is not acceptance, surrender to God’s terms

• Sabbath rest as worship, wisdom, and spiritual alignment

• The Word of God pierces in order to heal and restore