Sermons

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Body of Christ, by Dan Apartian

In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul explained how baptized Christians around the world and over time are members together of the one body of Christ. The message analyzes this chapter and the lessons taught in it. Many unique and diverse parts make up the body of Christ, but we are all united through the Holy Spirit into one unit which is indispensable, interdependent and interconnected. God puts each member in the place that pleases Him and where we can contribute if we use the gifts He gives to us. God wants us to take the diversity of our parts and work together in unity for the benefit of the whole body of Christ.

The Holy Spirit: God's Tool for Conversion, by Roy Jackson

Consider the Parable of the Talents with the Holy Spirit in mind as the given "talent". Can you successfully bury that talent and please God, or must you aggressively invest it to increase it?

Created with Five Senses, by Tim Martens

We are designed to take advantage of five senses to navigate life; sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell. These senses are key to establishing a relationship with God, especially in terms of their spiritual application.

Adam and Eve, by Greg Sanny

#originalsin #salvation Was God's intention to cause man to stumble, or did He have a greater purpose in mind for us?

Moving from Selfishness to Godly Love, by Dan Apartian

What would you do if you knew you only had 3 months to live? Everything Jesus did in his last 24 hours was very intentional as he knew he would die. What he taught was a lesson on Godly love and how we should care for each other and exemplify that love. This sermon covers six lessons on Godly love as well as how we can best love God, our neighbor, and ourselves.

The Seven Beatitudes of Revelation, by Anthony Scott

In the Beatitudes of Matthew 5, Jesus expresses blessings upon those who express traits that reflect the character of God. Later, in Revelation, Jesus Christ offers seven more blessings to those who hold fast to His teachings, especially during hard times.

Website Updated!

The UCG-NWA website has been updated to the latest WordPress installation, and with the benefit of Ruffle, puzzles are again functional in desktop browsers, meaning you can work to solve the puzzles online. Though they will load on a mobile device, they don't appear to be functional on mobile, but you can always download the PDF and print it. Let us know if you try on mobile and succeed!

Temptation and Self-Control, by Tim Martens

How do we manage temptation, taking individual responsibility? We need to utilize a fruit of the spirit, self-control. And, in doing so, we take a huge step toward receiving the crown of life.

The Biblical Significance of the Number Seven, by Tim Martens

The Bible uses the number seven strategically throughout scripture in a plethora of circumstances to symbolize fulfillment and completion. Ultimately, its significance reminds us of God's ability to fulfill His promises.

A Whole Life in Christ, by Kelly Irvin

The purpose of God's Passover and His Holy Festivals is not to help faithful Christians get right with Him. God designed His Memorial and Festivals to celebrate His power to save us and share with us His overall plan in doing so, foundationally established with the Passover. These revelations are then designed to inspire our thankfulness, gratefulness, and appreciation, shown primarily in our response to follow in Jesus' way daily.