How do you perceive people around you? A hummingbird trapped in a garage sees danger where there's help. The Pharisees saw a liar where Jesus stood before them. We see lazy where someone's struggling. Our perceptions become our truths — and they drive our actions. But what if our perceptions are wrong? In this message, Dan Apartian explores seven foundational principles about how we perceive others and, critically, how others perceive us. From the State Farm office dynamics that changed everything to the disciples who couldn't recognize their own Savior, this teaching reveals how perceptions shape relationships, block unity, and ultimately reflect whether we're becoming more like Christ. Learn how to separate facts from the stories we tell ourselves, how wrong perceptions lead to wrong expectations, why first impressions are usually short-sighted, and what Jesus does that we don't: He looks past weaknesses to see potential. God's timing and priorities are far different than ours. Our perceptions are shallow. But if we're willing to be shaped, to look past our mental stories, and to let others grow beyond the labels we've given them, we might finally understand what it means to be Christlike. Scriptures referenced: Luke 9: 18–21; Acts 14: 8–19; Mark 8: 27–30; John 9: 1–7; Matthew 7: 1–2; 2 Corinthians 12: 9; Ephesians 4: 3; Mark 6: 45–52; Deuteronomy 8: 2–3; Psalm 90: 4; Revelation 21: 14; Titus 2: 6–8 Presented by Dan Apartian, August 22, 2026, at United Church of God in Northwest Arkansas. For more messages, go to: http://bit.ly/ucgnwa-sermons

End-time prophecies can weigh heavy. Wars, famines, earthquakes, tribulation — it's all in the Bible. But if you stop there, you've missed half the message. When Jesus began His ministry, He preached good news — the gospel, literally "good news" of the kingdom of God. And the Bible is full of reminders to maintain a positive outlook, not despite the world's troubles, but because of God's promises. From Philippians to Zephaniah, Scripture calls believers to rejoice, to meditate on what is true and noble and pure, to cast anxiety on God who cares for us, to find strength in joy. A merry heart does good like medicine. Hope is not naïve; it's rooted in the character of God and His plan for our future. While the world around us may be full of Pigpen characters and Debbie Downers, we can look to the hope preached by Jesus Christ — and embrace the positivity in the Bible. Scriptures referenced: Mark 1: 14; Luke 4: 43; Luke 8: 1; 2 Timothy 3: 1–5; 2 Peter 3: 3; Matthew 24: 3–14; Philippians 4: 8; Romans 12: 12; Psalm 118: 24; Proverbs 17: 22; 1 Thessalonians 5: 16; Psalm 16: 11; Isaiah 41: 10; Nehemiah 8: 10; Philippians 4: 4; Psalm 37: 4; John 16: 33; Colossians 3: 15; Joshua 1: 9; Romans 15: 13; 2 Corinthians 4: 16–18; 1 Peter 5: 7; Zephaniah 3: 17; Proverbs 3: 5–6; Hebrews 12: 2; Ephesians 3: 20; Acts 2: 17 Presented by Tim Martens, August 15, 2026, at United Church of God in Northwest Arkansas. For more messages, go to: http://bit.ly/ucgnwa-sermons

What does grace really mean? In modern Christianity, many preachers say all you need to do is accept Jesus and you're saved by grace — end of story. But that's not what the New Testament writers understood by the word "grace." The Greek word charis appears 156 times in the New Testament, and to understand it, you have to step back into the first-century Roman world. Grace wasn't a blank check; it was a patron-client relationship. A wealthy benefactor would sponsor you, knowing you could never repay them. In return, they expected loyalty, gratitude, and service. That's the same relationship believers have with Jesus, our divine patron. He paid the penalty we could never pay. We respond with faith and loyalty — by keeping His commandments, by striving to be like Him, by examining ourselves daily and seeking His forgiveness. Grace and obedience aren't opposites; they're partners. When we understand the first-century context, the confusion between modern Christianity and what the apostles actually taught disappears. Scriptures referenced: Romans 12: 1; Romans 6: 14 Presented by Anthony Scott, August 15, 2026, at United Church of God in Northwest Arkansas. For more messages, go to: http://bit.ly/ucgnwa-sermons

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