How much sin are we allowed to have when we die for God to consider that we've overcome? It's an uncomfortable question—and the answer turns on a single Greek word we think we already understand. This message digs into the word "overcome" repeated to all seven churches of Revelation—nikao in Greek, the root of the brand name Nike, the goddess of victory. It doesn't mean "improve" or "make good progress." It means to conquer, to prevail, to carry off the victory. And that changes everything about how we understand God's call to overcome. Through the story of a fictional man named "Jack" and his monthly count of sins, and the analogy of a championship team that wins the series without playing a perfect game, we explore six lessons on what it means to be an overcomer: ° We can't do it alone—victory comes by the blood of the Lamb (1 John 4: 4; John 16: 33) ° The key ingredient to overcoming is faith (Philippians 3: 7-11; 1 John 5: 2-5) ° Overcoming requires faithful servanthood to God (Romans 6: 15-16; Romans 2: 5-8) ° Pray for protection and that our faith not fail (Luke 22: 31-32) ° Look within to identify what is overcoming you (2 Peter 2: 19; Romans 12: 21) ° Overcoming is a marathon of endurance, not a sprint (Matthew 24: 12-13; Matthew 13: 1-12; Galatians 6: 9) We close with the stunning promises made to those who overcome (Revelation 2-3, 21) and the assurance that the Lamb will overcome (Revelation 17: 14). God isn't looking for a perfect game—He's looking for those who, through faith, submit and let Him win the victory in us. Give praise and glory to God! Presented by Dan Apartian, August 1, 2026, at United Church of God in Northwest Arkansas. For more messages, go to: http://bit.ly/ucgnwa-sermons

Baby ducks follow their mother. Baby bears follow theirs. And Jesus said just two words: "Follow Me." But whom do we actually follow—and how do we know the way? This message unpacks the UCG preteen camp theme "Follow Me" as it was presented to campers at Camp Gilmont, using vivid, visual illustrations that speak to children and adults alike. From ducklings imprinting on their mother, to a real-life storm-drain rescue, to a flock of Barbados Blackbelly sheep that come running at their shepherd's voice, we see a simple truth: following is how the young and the faithful stay safe, fed, and headed the right direction. But following requires a roadmap. Just as GPS needs road signs to work, our lives need Scripture. We walk through: Why Scripture is our roadmap for life (2 Timothy 3: 16) Writing God's commandments on our hearts and teaching them to our children (Deuteronomy 6: 6-7) A walk through all Ten Commandments (Exodus 20: 1-17) and why each one protects us The warning of what happens when we turn from following God (1 Kings 9: 6-7) The sheep who know the shepherd's voice (John 10: 27) Baptism as turning to follow Jesus, and the promise that the Father will honor those who follow (John 12: 26) Many people admire Jesus, but admiring is not following. Whether you're a preteen, a parent, or a grandparent, the question is the same: whom do we follow? Give praise and glory to God! Presented by Tim Martens, August 1, 2026, at United Church of God in Northwest Arkansas. For more messages, go to: http://bit.ly/ucgnwa-sermons

He lost everything—his wealth, his ten children, and his health—yet through it all, Job refused to curse God. This message walks through one of the Bible's greatest books on suffering, faith, and restoration. The book of Job is one of the great literary and spiritual treasures of the Bible—a book of wisdom, suffering, reconciliation, and even prophecy. Chronologically the first of the Old Testament wisdom books, it gives us the account of a real, historical man whose faith was tested to its very limits. In this message, we walk through the book of Job from the prologue to the epilogue: Satan's challenge before God, the loss of Job's wealth and children, the painful boils that covered him from head to toe, the misguided counsel of his three friends, and Job's own struggle to understand why the righteous suffer. Above all, we see that through every trial, Job did not curse God. We explore key lessons for our own lives: - Why suffering comes to both the righteous and the wicked - The difference between godly wisdom and conventional wisdom when comforting others - Job's understanding of the Redeemer and the resurrection (Job 19: 25-27) - God's answer from the whirlwind and the greatness of the Creator - Job's repentance and God's restoration—twice what he had before Scriptures covered include Job 1-3, 7, 8, 19, 38, and 42, along with Ezekiel 14: 14, 2 Timothy 3: 16, and Romans 8: 28. Whether you're facing health struggles, loss, or trials of any kind, the lessons of Job remind us to never give up on God—because He will never give up on us. Give praise and glory to God! #Job #faith #biblestudy Presented by David Cook, July 25, 2026, at United Church of God in Northwest Arkansas. For more messages, go to: http://bit.ly/ucgnwa-sermons

Did Paul teach a different gospel than Jesus? Critics claim Paul invented a new religion, teaching grace and faith alone while Jesus taught law and obedience. But what did Paul himself actually say? Walking through Galatians, Romans, Acts, and Hebrews, this message shows that Paul never changed the gospel — he reinforced it. The law was never meant to save; it was a tutor pointing to Christ. Justification comes by faith in Jesus' sacrifice, not by our own righteousness. Yet the law itself remains eternal, written now on our hearts by the Holy Spirit. From Genesis to Revelation, God's requirement has never changed: love toward God and toward our fellow man. The accusation that Paul taught a different gospel falls apart when you read Paul's own words defending his adherence to the Law and the Prophets. Scriptures referenced: Galatians 2: 16, 21; Galatians 3: 10–13, 21–25; Galatians 5: 18; Philippians 3: 8–9; Hebrews 8: 7–10; Hebrews 10: 1–5; Colossians 2: 16; Acts 24: 14; Acts 25: 8; Romans 3: 31; Isaiah 64: 6; Revelation 12: 17; Revelation 14: 12; Revelation 22: 14 Presented by Greg Sanny, July 18, 2026, at United Church of God in Northwest Arkansas. #PaulsGospel #GraceAndLaw #BibleStudy For more messages, go to: http://bit.ly/ucgnwa-sermons

What does freedom really mean? As America marks 250 years since the Declaration of Independence, this message compares two definitions of freedom: man's — the right to act, speak, and think as we choose — and God's — freedom from the bondage of sin. The very language of American liberty was borrowed from the Bible: the Liberty Bell's inscription comes from the year of Jubilee in Leviticus. But when Jesus stood in the synagogue at Nazareth and read His own commission, He proclaimed a different liberty — not release from Rome, but release from sin. Walking through John 8, Luke 4, Romans 6, Galatians 5, 1 Peter 2, 1 Corinthians 7, and Revelation 1, this message shows that God's freedom does not depend on earthly circumstances, cannot be granted by any government or taken by any ruler, and was purchased at the price of Christ's blood. One freedom lasts as long as a nation stands. The other lasts forever. Scriptures referenced: John 8: 31–36; Psalm 119: 160; John 17: 17; Luke 4: 18; Romans 6: 6–18; Galatians 5: 1, 13; 1 Peter 2: 16; 1 Corinthians 7: 20–24; Revelation 1: 4–6; Titus 1: 2; James 1: 13; Leviticus 25: 10; Ephesians 5: 21; Ephesians 6: 12 #FreedomInChrist #BibleStudy #Sermon Presented by Kelly Irvin, July 18, 2026, at United Church of God in Northwest Arkansas. For more messages, go to: http://bit.ly/ucgnwa-sermons

What can we learn from a father whose sons became some of the most notorious outlaws in American history? This sermon, "Benefits of Honoring Your Parents," traces the true story of Henry Washington Younger — a peace-seeking Missouri farmer during the Civil War — and how his sons Cole, Jim, John, and Bob Younger chose the path of Quantrill's Raiders and the James Gang instead of honoring their father's example. Through the tragic outcomes of the Younger brothers' lives, this message explores what Scripture says about vengeance, parental honor, and the consequences of rejecting wise counsel — drawing from the Parable of the Prodigal Son, Proverbs 1, and the Fifth Commandment. Scriptures referenced: Proverbs 1:8–18, Deuteronomy 32:35, Luke 15:11–32, Ephesians 4:26–27, Romans 12:19, Malachi 4:5–6, Exodus 20:12 #BibleStudy #HonorYourParents #ProdigalSon Presented by Roy Jackson, July 11, 2026, at United Church of God in Northwest Arkansas. For more messages, go to: http://bit.ly/ucgnwa-sermons

Angels are one of the most powerful yet overlooked topics in Scripture — mentioned in nearly 300 places, with the Bible describing millions of them, yet far less attention is given to angels than to demons in today's culture. This message explores who angels are, where they came from, and what the Bible actually says about their nature, power, and purpose — separating biblical truth from popular myths (like the idea of personal guardian angels, or angels appearing as winged babies). We'll look at the named angels — Michael, Gabriel, and Lucifer — the ranks of Seraphim and Cherubim, and the major roles angels play: ministering spirits, messengers, protectors, agents of judgment, and spectators of God's work on earth. We'll close by comparing angels to mankind, and why God's plan of salvation for His children is even greater than the extraordinary nature of the angels themselves. Scriptures referenced: 1 John 4:4, John 1:1, Job 38:1–7, Daniel 10:5–6, Matthew 22:29, Matthew 26:52–53, Revelation 5:11, Hebrews 12:22, 2 Peter 2:4–11, Jude 1:9, Luke 1:19, Ezekiel 28:12–15, Isaiah 14:12–14, Revelation 12:3–4, Isaiah 6:1–7, Ezekiel 10:9–24, Revelation 4, Hebrews 1:14, 2 Kings 6:15–17, Psalm 91:10–11, Matthew 18:10, Luke 15:10, Hebrews 2:5–9, Job 1:10 #BibleStudy #Angels #SpiritWorld Presented by Dan Apartian, July 4, 2026, at United Church of God in Northwest Arkansas. For more messages, go to: http://bit.ly/ucgnwa-sermons

Successful Experiment or Divine Providence? For 250 years, the United States has defied every historical odds — surviving revolution, war, civil conflict, and global superpower status that historians and philosophers still can't fully explain. In this sermonette, we trace the birthright promise God made to Abraham through Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph's sons Ephraim and Manasseh — and how Israel's national disobedience triggered a 2,520-year period of delayed blessing (Leviticus 26:18, 23–24). That prophetic countdown lands with striking precision on the founding of the United States and the rise of the British Empire between 1776 and 1803. 📖 For deeper study: The United States and Britain in Prophecy and Birthright Blessings Delayed for 2,520 Years (available at UCG.org) Scriptures referenced: Genesis 22:16–18, 1 Chronicles 5:1–2, Leviticus 26:18, 23–24, Numbers 14:34, Ezekiel 4:6, Isaiah 55:11 #AmericanExperiment #BibleProphecy #BirthrightPromise Presented by Anthony Scott, July 4, 2026, at United Church of God in Northwest Arkansas. For more messages, go to: http://bit.ly/ucgnwa-sermons

Ever witnessed a road rage incident and wondered what drives that kind of fury? Explosive anger seems to fuel much of the world today — but Scripture shows us a better way. This message focuses on two attributes of the fruit of the Spirit, longsuffering and self-control (Galatians 5: 22–23), and examines what the Bible teaches about the three faces of anger, the danger of unchecked wrath, and the example of Cain whose anger led to murder. Most importantly, it offers four practical, biblical steps for overcoming explosive anger: pray for self-control, pause before reacting, practice forgiveness, and seek wise counsel. Learn how widening the gap between the trigger and the response can protect your relationships, your reputation, and your place in the kingdom of God. Scriptures referenced: Galatians 5: 19–23; Ephesians 4: 26–27; James 1: 19–20; Proverbs 29: 11; 25: 28; 15: 1; 12: 15; 19: 20; 1: 5; 11: 14; Ecclesiastes 7: 9; Genesis 4: 3–8; Matthew 5: 9, 22–24; Colossians 3: 8; Deuteronomy 30: 19 Presented by Tim Martens, June 27, 2026, at United Church of God in Northwest Arkansas. For more messages, go to: http://bit.ly/ucgnwa-sermons

Words and music by Steve Green. Offered by Cheryl Carlson, June 27, 2026, at United Church of God in Northwest Arkansas. For more messages, go to: http://bit.ly/ucgnwa-sermons

Is salvation a one-time transaction, or a journey that must be walked? This message examines the popular doctrine of "Once Saved, Always Saved"—formally known as eternal security or the perseverance of the saints—and asks what a truly transformed life requires of us. We begin by looking honestly at the doctrine itself. Its core claim is that salvation, once genuinely received, cannot be lost, because it rests on God's faithfulness rather than human performance. Even many of its advocates insist that real salvation produces a changed heart: "if it didn't alter you, it didn't save you." But Scripture shows us that a believer truly begotten of God can still forfeit that standing—and that the gateway back is always the same: repentance. David is our central example. A man after God's own heart, fully gifted with the Holy Spirit and destined to be king in God's Kingdom, David nonetheless fell into grievous sin with Bathsheba and Uriah. When the prophet Nathan confronted him, David did not excuse himself—he confessed, "I have sinned against the Lord." Through Psalm 51 we see the heart of genuine repentance: a plea for a clean heart, a renewed spirit, and the restored joy of God's salvation. David faltered seriously, yet through repentance he continued his salvation journey rather than abandoning it. The message closes by considering the gap between self-identified and practicing Christians in America, and why "cheap grace"—the comfort of forgiveness without the cost of discipleship—falls so far short of the transformed life God calls us to. Salvation is the starting line, not the finish. Godliness is a skill set to be developed, and repentance is its foundation. Scriptures referenced: Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 · 1 Samuel 13:14 · Acts 13:22 · Luke 6:45 · Ezekiel 37:24 · 2 Samuel 12 · Psalm 51 Presented by Kelly Irvin, June 20, 2026, at United Church of God in Northwest Arkansas. For more messages, go to: http://bit.ly/ucgnwa-sermons

What if salvation isn't the destination, but the ship that carries you there? This message opens with an original parable: a man named Manny, trapped on the island of Hopelessness, dreams of reaching a distant land called Destiny. No one has ever made the crossing on their own strength—every boat they build flounders, and every swimmer drowns or washes back ashore. Manny tries to build his own vessel, gives it everything he has, and still comes up short. It's only when he cries out for help that a sea captain offers him passage aboard a perfect ship. The captain asks for just one thing: his all. From this story we explore what Scripture really teaches about salvation, works, and inheritance. Drawing on Romans 6, Ephesians 2, and Colossians 3—including a look at the Greek behind "have been saved" (este, G2075) and "reward" (antapodosis, G469)—we see why salvation is better pictured as a ship than as a finish line. Three points anchor the message: we have all already earned the wages of sin, which is death; we must accept those wages and surrender to our Redeemer through the free gift of pardon; and once aboard the ship of Salvation, we are called to work—not to earn salvation, but to journey toward the inheritance God has prepared. Along the way we consider why the Bible does not teach "cheap grace," and how the Spirit given to us serves as the earnest, the down payment, of all that awaits. Whether salvation is a destination you strive to reach, or a vessel that carries you home, makes all the difference in how you understand your works of obedience. Climb aboard. Scriptures referenced: Romans 6:21-23 · Ephesians 2:4-10 · Colossians 3:23-24 · Hebrews 9:15 · Ephesians 1 Presented by Kelly Irvin, October 12, 2013, at United Church of God in Northwest Arkansas. This video is remastered for improvements in audio. For more messages, go to: http://bit.ly/ucgnwa-sermons

Are we here to serve, or to be served? This message explores what it truly means to serve from the heart, following the example of our Lord and Master Jesus Christ. We begin with the remarkable true story of Desmond Doss—the Seventh-day Adventist combat medic depicted in the film Hacksaw Ridge. A conscientious objector who refused to carry a weapon in World War II, Doss was ridiculed as a coward, yet single-handedly rescued 75 wounded soldiers on the cliffs of Okinawa, lowering them to safety one by one. He received the Medal of Honor from President Harry S. Truman without ever harming another person. From there, we turn to the Scriptures to see servanthood modeled by Christ Himself: John 13 :1-17 — Jesus washes the disciples' feet, leaving us an example to follow Matthew 25 :31-40 — "Inasmuch as you have done it to one of the least of these My brethren, you have done it to Me" Mark 10 :42-45 — The Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve and give His life as a ransom Mark 9 :35-37 — Whoever desires to be first must be last of all and servant to all While we can't all be heroes like Desmond Doss, every one of us—from the youngest to the oldest—can make a difference by serving others in our families, our congregation, and our communities. We also discuss the wisdom needed to distinguish between a genuine need and a want, and why our service is more appreciated than we often realize. Presented by Roy Jackson, June 13, 2026, at United Church of God in Northwest Arkansas. For more messages, go to: http://bit.ly/ucgnwa-sermons

Mr. Sanny responds to a YouTuber who rejects the Trinity and pagan-rooted holidays—positions Mr. Sanny agrees with—but who then uses 1 Timothy 2:5 to argue that Jesus was merely a mortal man and never divine. Mr. Sanny works through Scripture to show that while the Trinity is unbiblical, the deity of Christ is not. Drawing on John 17, John 1, 1 Corinthians 15, Philippians 2, Hebrews 7, and many other passages, this study examines who Jesus was, whether He pre-existed His earthly life, whether He retained a fleshly body after the resurrection, and how His role as Creator made His sacrifice sufficient to atone for all mankind. Mr. Sanny argues that the Father and the Son are two distinct beings—one in mind, spirit, and purpose—and that the "one true God" of Scripture stands in contrast to the false gods of the nations, not to the Son. Topics covered include the Word made flesh, the pre-incarnate Christ as the "I AM," the meaning of "let us make man in our image," the Melchizedek priesthood, and why pseudepigraphal works like the Book of Jubilees were rightly left out of the canon. A scriptural case that Jesus is both fully God and the sinless man whose blood became the Passover Lamb for all. Scriptures referenced: 1 Timothy 2:5 · John 17:1-3 · 1 John 3:1-2 · 1 Corinthians 15:45-47 · John 1:1-5 · Romans 6:23 · John 3:13 · Luke 24:39 · Ephesians 5:30 · John 8:58 · Hebrews 7:1-4 · Philippians 2:5-11 · Genesis 1:26 Presented by Greg Sanny, June 6, 2026, at United Church of God in Northwest Arkansas. For more messages, go to: http://bit.ly/ucgnwa-sermons "The Man, Jesus" · Is Jesus God or just a good man? · The Trinity is false but Jesus is still divine · One God and one mediator · The Word was God · Before Abraham was, I AM · Two co-creators from the beginning · Only a sinless, immortal spirit could say "if you have seen Me, you have seen the Father" · As Creator, His life was greater than the sum of the created · Flesh and blood cannot inherit eternal life · The blood of the Passover Lamb for all mankind · Let us make man in Our image · Why the Book of Jubilees is not Scripture

In this message, we explore the striking parallels between what God did at Mount Sinai and what He accomplished on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2. At Sinai, God established a covenant with the congregation of Israel. Roughly fifteen centuries later, on Pentecost in 31 AD, God established the new covenant with those being called into the Church of God, the body of Christ. Building on the harvest themes of the Pentecost season, this message focuses on a phrase that appears only once in Scripture, "the church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven" (Hebrews 12). What connection exists between the firstborn of ancient Israel, whom God claimed as His own, and the church of the firstborn today? By examining the covenant at Sinai, the role of the firstborn, and the events of Pentecost in Acts 2, we come to understand the extraordinary calling God has given to every member of His church. We trace through: - The covenant at Sinai — God calling Israel to be a special treasure, a holy nation, and a kingdom of priests (Exodus 19) - The job description of a priest — preserving knowledge, teaching God's law, and serving as His messenger (Malachi 2; Proverbs 9) - Why God claimed the firstborn — redeemed by the blood of the lamb at Passover, and later represented by the Levites (Exodus 13; Numbers 3) - The awe-inspiring presence of God at Sinai — thunder, lightning, smoke, and fire (Exodus 19–20) - Pentecost in Acts 2 — the same evidence of God's presence in wind and tongues of fire, with His law now written on human hearts (Acts 2; Jeremiah 31; Ezekiel 36) - The church as a royal priesthood — chosen, holy, and being prepared for service in the kingdom of God (1 Peter 2) - The remarkable phrase "church of the firstborn" and what it reveals about our identity and purpose (Hebrews 12) God's purpose for the church is not only to be an early harvest of salvation, but to be prepared as a royal priesthood to serve under Jesus Christ in His coming kingdom. As you listen, consider what it means that God has called you, set you apart, and registered you among the firstborn. Presented by William Bradford, May 30, 2026, at United Church of God in Northwest Arkansas. For more messages, go to: http://bit.ly/ucgnwa-sermons For audio, go to, "https://www.ucg.org/sermons/church-firstborn-2".