What are you supposed to do between now and when the seventh trumpet sounds? Noah had a hundred years to build an ark. But he didn't know it was a hundred years. He just knew God said build it, so for a century — cutting trees, making tools, training beasts of burden, facing mockery, growing weary — he built. Then he finished and went inside, and it rained. Elijah stood on Mount Carmel and called fire from heaven. The pagan priests were humiliated. The king and queen wanted him dead. So he ran. He crawled into a cave and wanted to die. He thought he was the only one left faithful to God. He was wrong — there were 7,000 others. God didn't let him hide. God told him to get back to work, to anoint his successor, to plan for a future he wouldn't see. These are the two biblical examples this message leans on to answer the question: Are you persevering? Are you preparing? Are you doing the work God has set before you, even when you're tired, even when you're afraid, even when you don't know exactly when that seventh trumpet will sound? Because when it does, everything changes. Scriptures referenced: Joshua 6: 16; Revelation 11: 15–19; Leviticus 23: 23–25; Numbers 29: 1; Hebrews 11: 7; Genesis 6: 5, 11–12; Luke 17: 26–27; 1 Kings 18–19; Matthew 24: 32–45; Matthew 28: 18 Presented by Tim Martrens, on the Feast of Trumpets, September 12, 2026, at United Church of God in Northwest Arkansas. For more messages, go to: http://bit.ly/ucgnwa-sermons

Have I done enough? How much is enough? What more do I need to get right? These questions haunt God's people. We go to church every Sabbath, we offer sacrifices of praise, we give generously — what is God expecting of us anyway? It's a question that strikes at the heart of the Feast of Trumpets: If Christ is about to return and move Earth's rulership from Satan to God, what does God require of us to be part of that? The answer comes from Micah, and it sounds simple at first glance. Three things: do justly, love mercy, walk humbly with your God. But as this message unfolds, those three words become a mirror. They're not a checklist of performance criteria. They're a portrait of the character you're meant to develop. Because God didn't just command these things — He demonstrated all three through Christ. God has been completely just, shown covenant mercy, humbled Himself to human form. And now He's asking: will you return what He first offered? This is what alignment with God looks like. This is the real meaning of the Feast of Trumpets. Presented by Dan Apartian, on the Feast of Trumpets, September 12, 2026, at United Church of God in Northwest Arkansas & Springfield, MO, combined services. For more messages, go to: http://bit.ly/ucgnwa-sermons

A man reaches out to steady the Ark of God as an ox stumbles. It's an instinctive act — a natural reaction to prevent disaster. God strikes him dead. Why? Because God gave specific instructions on how to carry the Ark, and they did it their own way instead. Four thousand years later, we're still asking the same question: Does God mean what He says? And what happens when we follow His instructions exactly versus when we decide to do things our own way? This message walks through Scripture's most sobering and hopeful examples of consequences. A naked couple disobeys once, and everything changes. A military commander almost refuses a simple instruction and nearly dies of leprosy. A woman chooses life instead of abortion — and we get Steve Jobs, Steph Curry, Tim Tebow, Andrea Bocelli — people who've shaped the world. What if she hadn't chosen differently? What if Naaman only dipped five times instead of seven? The pattern echoes from Genesis to Deuteronomy: God's blessings are real and specific. So are His curses. Before you make your next decision, ask yourself the question at the heart of this message: What if I do this God's way instead of mine? Scriptures referenced: Genesis 3: 1–6; Exodus 25: 14–15; 2 Samuel 6: 3–7; Leviticus 23; Deuteronomy 28: 1–6; Deuteronomy 28: 15 (blessings and cursings); Sixth Commandment; Fifth Commandment Presented by David Cook, September 5, 2026, at United Church of God in Northwest Arkansas. For more messages, go to: http://bit.ly/ucgnwa-sermons

What you do matters. What you decide to do, today and every day, has a consequence. The Bible is relentlessly clear about this: cause and effect, decisions and rewards. From Revelation to Proverbs, from Ruth to the Epistles, Scripture repeats the same theme — sometimes gently, sometimes urgently — that we reap what we sow. But this isn't about earning salvation. It's about understanding that grace saves us, but our works determine our reward. A grandfather's small mistake in 1920s Minnesota cost his family everything. A decision to keep the Sabbath cost a job but opened doors to blessings no paycheck could buy. A little girl picking peas instead of rocks on a Minnesota farm learned what so many adults never grasp: your choices have consequences, and those consequences can be either the bitter fruit or the sweet harvest. This message walks through the entire Bible — Old Testament to New — showing how God measures our lives not by our intentions or our beliefs alone, but by what we do with what we've been given. You get what you pay for. The question is: what are you planting? Scriptures referenced: Revelation 22: 12; Ruth 2: 10–11; 2 Samuel 22: 21; Psalm 19: 7–11; Psalm 28: 4; Psalm 33: 14–15; Psalm 62: 12; Proverbs 11: 18; Proverbs 13: 13, 21; Proverbs 24: 12; Ezekiel 16: 43; Isaiah 59: 18; Jeremiah 25: 14; Jeremiah 31: 16; Ezekiel 9: 10; Hosea 4: 9; Jonah 3: 10; Micah 3: 4; Micah 7: 13; Zechariah 1: 6; Matthew 5: 12; Matthew 6: 4, 6; Matthew 10: 41–42; Matthew 16: 27; Luke 6: 23; Romans 2: 6; 1 Corinthians 3: 8, 14; 1 Corinthians 9: 17, 24; 2 Corinthians 5: 10; 2 Corinthians 11: 14–15; Galatians 6: 7; Philippians 3: 14; Colossians 3: 24; 2 Timothy 4: 14; Hebrews 11: 6, 24–27; James 1: 12; James 2: 18; 2 John 1: 8; Revelation 18: 6; Revelation 2–3 Presented by Tim Martens, August 29, 2026, at United Church of God in Northwest Arkansas. For more messages, go to: http://bit.ly/ucgnwa-sermons

What is worship? Not just asking God for things. Not just gratitude for what He provides. True worship — the Greek proskunio — is devotional affection like a dog licking its master's hand: intentional, loving, focused on pleasing the one you adore. In this message, learn what it means to worship God in spirit and truth, and how prayer becomes a two-sided relationship rather than a one-way transaction. The model prayer Jesus taught us uses "us," not "me" — shifting our focus from personal provision to God's kingdom and all His children. Discover how to pray beyond petitions and thanksgiving, bringing your whole self into conversation with God: acknowledging His holiness, expressing your desire to be like Him, reviewing His faithfulness in your life, and praying for others as part of God's family. Prayer isn't a withdrawal from a cosmic ATM. It's intimacy with your Father and your Lord. Learn to approach God not only as your provider, but as someone who desires — even more than a good dog desires to please its master — to become like Him. Scriptures referenced: John 4: 23; John 1: 14; Psalm 51: 10; John 14: 23–24; Philippians 4: 6–8; Matthew 6 (Model Prayer) Presented by Kelly Irvin, August 29, 2026, at United Church of God in Northwest Arkansas. For more messages, go to: http://bit.ly/ucgnwa-sermons

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