Sermons

Posted are messages offered on the Sabbath and Annual Holy Days.

[ucgnwa]

Did Paul Change Christ's Gospel, by Greg Sanny

#paulsgospel #GraceAndLaw #biblestudy 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.

[ucgnwa]

Defining Freedom, by Kelly Irvin

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.

[ucgnwa]

The Benefits of Honoring Your Parents, by Roy Jackson

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.

[ucgnwa]

Angels, by Dan Apartian

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.

[ucgnwa]

Why Does the U.S. Exist?, by Anthony Scott

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

[ucgnwa]

Explosive Anger, by Tim Martens

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.

[ucgnwa]

People Need the Lord, Offered by Cheryl Carlson

Words and music by Steve Green. Offered by Cheryl Carlson, June 27, 2026, at United Church of God in Northwest Arkansas.

[ucgnwa]

A Foundational Trait of Saved Behavior, by Kelly Irvin

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

[ucgnwa]

To Serve or to Be Served? Serving from the Heart, by Roy Jackson

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.

[ucgnwa]

The Man, Jesus, by Greg Sanny

In "The Man, Jesus," Sanny responds to a YouTuber who rejects the Trinity and pagan-rooted holidays—positions Sanny agrees with—but who then uses 1 Timothy 2:5 to argue that Jesus was merely a mortal man and never divine. 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. 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

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

[ucgnwa]

The Church of the Firstborn, by William Bradford

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.

[ucgnwa]

What Is the Church?, by Andrew Lee

This message explores descriptions the New Testament writers used to describe the church in the years following that first Pentecost. Just as early inventors described the automobile as a "horseless carriage" because they could only understand the new in terms of the familiar, the apostles provided descriptions to capture a spiritual reality that defied simple definition.

Beginning with the curious story of Uriah Smith's 1899 "Horsey Horseless," this message walks through the rich collection of word-pictures Scripture uses to describe the church, and what each one teaches us about our identity and calling.

We examine the church as:

A Body — many very different members, yet one under Christ as the head (1 Corinthians 12; Ephesians 1) A Building / Temple — built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ as the chief cornerstone (Ephesians 2; 1 Kings 6) A Family — adopted as sons and heirs, not strangers or foreigners (Ephesians 2; Romans 8) A Bride — making herself ready for the marriage of the Lamb (Revelation 19) A Mother — nurturing, loving, and seeing the value in each individual (Galatians 4) A Flock — known by the voice of the Good Shepherd who leaves the 99 for the one (John 10; Luke 15) A Garden / Vineyard — branches that bear fruit only when connected to the true vine (John 15) A City — citizens of a heavenly country, called to live by its culture (Hebrews 11; Philippians 3) A Priesthood — a royal priesthood called to holiness, able to come boldly before God (1 Peter 2; Hebrews 4)

The church cannot be fully captured in any single image. It is all of these at once. As you listen, consider which metaphor resonates most with where you are in your walk with God, and how it might shape the way you live and treat your brothers and sisters.

Presented by Andrew Lee, May 30, 2026, at United Church of God in Northwest Arkansas.

[ucgnwa]

The Process of Conversion, by Jim Moody

Conversion is a lifelong process, which takes you from the mortal, sinful being you were, and are, to ultimately becoming an immortal spirit being in God’s family. Step by step. This message discusses nine steps in the conversion process. On this Day of Pentecost and beyond, let us all continually go through the process of conversion, until we reach our glorious destiny!

Presented by Jim Moody, May 24, 2026, at United Church of God in Northwest Arkansas, a combined service with Springfield, MO, in Monett, MO.

[ucgnwa]

A Rushing, Mighty Wind, by Tim Martens

In this Pentecost message, we explore how wind has been a powerful symbol of God's presence and action throughout Scripture — from the drying of the floodwaters in Genesis, to the parting of the Red Sea, to the rushing mighty wind of Acts 2. Through vivid examples spanning the Old and New Testaments, this sermon traces how God has used wind to deliver, provide, judge, and ultimately pour out His Holy Spirit. As we celebrate Pentecost, we're called to stop grasping for what we cannot control and instead embrace the wind of God by walking fully in the Holy Spirit.

Presented by Tim Martens, May 24, 2026, at United Church of God in Northwest Arkansas.

[ucgnwa]

What Is a True Christian?, by Jim Moody

About 2 ½ billion people on the planet claim to be Christians, but their beliefs, doctrines and practices vary widely. What makes you and me different from other people who call themselves Christians? In this message we’ll discuss six characteristics of a true Christian, and we must have ALL six of them.

Presented by Jim Moody, May 23, 2026, at United Church of God in Northwest Arkansas.

[ucgnwa]

The Feast of Firstfruits, by Kelly Irvin

Does your Bible show two feasts in Leviticus 23 — a "Feast of Firstfruits" and a "Feast of Weeks"? One of them isn't there. Here's what the text actually says.

This presentation examines what makes an annual Holy Day a Holy Day by God's own definition, why Passover and the wave sheaf offering don't meet that standard, and why the name "Feast of Firstfruits" belongs to Pentecost — not to the wave sheaf Sunday inside the Days of Unleavened Bread.

Topics covered:

— The three criteria every annual Holy Day carries: rest, holy assembly, and prescribed offering — The 7+7 structure of Leviticus 23: seven Holy Days within seven broader Festivals and Memorials — Why Passover is a holy event but not a Holy Day — What Leviticus 23: 9–14 actually commands — and what it doesn't — The 50-day harvest season from the wave sheaf to Pentecost — Four names in Scripture for one feast: Pentecost, Feast of Weeks, Feast of Harvest, Day of Firstfruits — Why there is no New Covenant observance commanded for the wave sheaf day — Christ as the once-for-all fulfillment of the wave sheaf (1 Corinthians 15: 20)

Key scriptures referenced: Leviticus 23: 5–22 · Numbers 28: 26 · Exodus 34: 22 · Exodus 23: 16 · Acts 1: 3 · John 20: 17 · 1 Corinthians 11: 24–25 · 1 Corinthians 15: 20, 23 · Colossians 1: 15, 18 A detailed reference document with full scripture citations, Hebrew terminology, and footnotes is available for personal study. It covers the miqra qodesh criterion, the historical debate over the omer count, and the New Covenant fulfillment of the wave sheaf in depth. This presentation was prepared for a pre-Pentecost assembly.

Presented by Kelly Irvin, May 23, 2026, at United Church of God in Northwest Arkansas.

[ucgnwa]

How to Have Unity Within the Body of Christ, by Dan Apartian

This is the second part of a message building on the analogy of us being diverse and unique parts of the one body of Christ with the key goal of unity. To have unity with others we have to become unified with God first and yield to his Holy Spirit. God needs all parts of the body to be under the direction of the head and striving to be one-minded by refocusing on our one common purpose. We will ultimately be judged based on how we use our gifts and calling for the benefit and best interest of the whole body.

Presented by Dan Apartian, May 16, 2026, at United Church of God in Northwest Arkansas.