Merge.Church

Celebrate Mother’s Day with a powerful message about choosing life, sowing purposeful seeds, and trusting God over fear and feelings. This sermon explores how our choices shape our future, how faithfulness in difficult seasons produces a harvest, and how God’s truth is greater than our emotions. Be encouraged to choose hope, purpose, and the life God has called you to live.Welcome to our podcast of Merge.Church in Van Buren, Arkansas, led by Pastor Jacob Howell. We desire to help everyone, everywhere discover new life in Christ by creating a warm and welcoming family home where you can feel the love and forgiveness that Jesus offers to all. Wherever you are today, we pray that you would be encouraged, challenged, and inspired to take your NEXT STEP in you relationship with Jesus. For more information, visit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://merge.church/⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this message, we see Jesus restore Peter after his failure, showing that our mistakes are never greater than God’s love and forgiveness. Instead of shame, Jesus offers grace, meets us where we are, and calls us forward with purpose. No matter our past, He invites us back into the mission—reminding us that restoration always leads to calling.Welcome to our podcast of Merge.Church in Van Buren, Arkansas, led by Pastor Jacob Howell. We desire to help everyone, everywhere discover new life in Christ by creating a warm and welcoming family home where you can feel the love and forgiveness that Jesus offers to all. Wherever you are today, we pray that you would be encouraged, challenged, and inspired to take your NEXT STEP in you relationship with Jesus. For more information, visit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://merge.church/⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this message, we explore John 21 and the moment the disciples return to fishing—only to come up empty. This message speaks to seasons where what once worked no longer does, reminding us that being busy doesn’t always mean being fruitful. Through Jesus’ simple instruction, we see that breakthrough comes through obedience, not effort. Even in the mundane, Jesus is closer than we think—providing what we cannot produce on our own. This sermon challenges us to trust His voice, take the next step in obedience, and recognize that He desires relationship over results. What’s your “right side of the boat”?Welcome to our podcast of Merge.Church in Van Buren, Arkansas, led by Pastor Jacob Howell. We desire to help everyone, everywhere discover new life in Christ by creating a warm and welcoming family home where you can feel the love and forgiveness that Jesus offers to all. Wherever you are today, we pray that you would be encouraged, challenged, and inspired to take your NEXT STEP in you relationship with Jesus. For more information, visit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://merge.church/⁠⁠⁠⁠

In moments of confusion, doubt, and uncertainty, Jesus meets us with peace—not answers first, but His presence. In this message from Luke 24, we see how Jesus steps into chaos, welcomes our doubts, and invites us to experience what’s real. Even when it feels too good to believe, He’s drawing us into a genuine, everyday relationship with Him. You don’t need full clarity to have peace—you just need to be close to Him.Welcome to our podcast of Merge.Church in Van Buren, Arkansas, led by Pastor Jacob Howell. We desire to help everyone, everywhere discover new life in Christ by creating a warm and welcoming family home where you can feel the love and forgiveness that Jesus offers to all. Wherever you are today, we pray that you would be encouraged, challenged, and inspired to take your NEXT STEP in you relationship with Jesus. For more information, visit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://merge.church/⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this message, we explore how Jesus meets us in our disappointment and reminds us of the power of the simple Gospel. Looking at the road to Emmaus (Luke 24), this message shows that we don’t have to fix people or force outcomes—Jesus does the real work. Our role is to show up, walk with others, listen, and build genuine relationships. The same Gospel that restored hope then is still transforming lives today—if we trust it to do the work.Welcome to our podcast of Merge.Church in Van Buren, Arkansas, led by Pastor Jacob Howell. We desire to help everyone, everywhere discover new life in Christ by creating a warm and welcoming family home where you can feel the love and forgiveness that Jesus offers to all. Wherever you are today, we pray that you would be encouraged, challenged, and inspired to take your NEXT STEP in you relationship with Jesus. For more information, visit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://merge.church/⁠⁠⁠⁠

"Hope In The Silence" - Even when Jesus was falsely accused, He chose silence—not out of weakness, but out of confidence and purpose. His silence fulfilled God’s plan, leading to the powerful declaration on the cross: “It is finished.” What looked like defeat was actually victory in motion. When God feels silent in our lives, it doesn’t mean He’s absent—it means He’s working behind the scenes. Because of Jesus’ finished work, we can live with confidence, freedom, and hope, knowing that silence is never the end of the story.Welcome to our podcast of Merge.Church in Van Buren, Arkansas, led by Pastor Jacob Howell. We desire to help everyone, everywhere discover new life in Christ by creating a warm and welcoming family home where you can feel the love and forgiveness that Jesus offers to all. Wherever you are today, we pray that you would be encouraged, challenged, and inspired to take your NEXT STEP in you relationship with Jesus. For more information, visit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://merge.church/⁠⁠⁠⁠

Friendship isn’t just about having many people around you—it’s about choosing the right ones. This message explores what true, biblical friendship looks like: rooted in wisdom, honesty, and love that endures through every season. We’re reminded that who we walk with shapes who we become, and that real friends offer truth, counsel, and presence—even when it’s hard. Ultimately, the foundation of every strong friendship is found in Jesus, who shows us the greatest example of love and loyalty.Welcome to our podcast of Merge.Church in Van Buren, Arkansas, led by Pastor Jacob Howell. We desire to help everyone, everywhere discover new life in Christ by creating a warm and welcoming family home where you can feel the love and forgiveness that Jesus offers to all. Wherever you are today, we pray that you would be encouraged, challenged, and inspired to take your NEXT STEP in you relationship with Jesus. For more information, visit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://merge.church/⁠⁠⁠⁠

This sermon centers on the question Jesus asks in Matthew 16: “Who do you say I am?”—challenging listeners to move beyond others’ opinions and personally recognize Jesus as the Messiah and supreme authority over all. It emphasizes the supremacy of Jesus in every area of life—control, identity, comfort, ambition, and trust—while acknowledging that many struggle to fully surrender these to Him. Like Peter, faith isn’t about perfection but continually coming back to Jesus, even after failure. The message encourages believers that “if you know, you know”—a confident, personal revelation of who Jesus is should lead to bold faith and action. It calls the church to share that truth, invite others, and bring people to Jesus, especially those who have drifted. Ultimately, this sermon reminds us that Jesus is still working, no one is too far gone, and the Church remains God’s plan to reach the world.Welcome to our podcast of Merge.Church in Van Buren, Arkansas, led by Pastor Jacob Howell. We desire to help everyone, everywhere discover new life in Christ by creating a warm and welcoming family home where you can feel the love and forgiveness that Jesus offers to all. Wherever you are today, we pray that you would be encouraged, challenged, and inspired to take your NEXT STEP in you relationship with Jesus. For more information, visit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://merge.church/⁠⁠⁠⁠

This sermon explores 2 Corinthians 1:15–22 and reminds us that while plans may change and circumstances may shift, God’s promises never do. Paul addresses accusations against him by pointing the Corinthians back to the faithfulness of God, emphasizing that every promise of God finds its “Yes” in Christ. When the gap between our expectations and reality appears, we are challenged to fill it not with doubt, blame, or anger, but with trust, grace, and the work of the Holy Spirit. Our certainty isn’t found in perfect plans—it’s found in Jesus, who is God’s unchanging “Yes.”Welcome to our podcast of Merge.Church in Van Buren, Arkansas, led by Pastor Jacob Howell. We desire to help everyone, everywhere discover new life in Christ by creating a warm and welcoming family home where you can feel the love and forgiveness that Jesus offers to all. Wherever you are today, we pray that you would be encouraged, challenged, and inspired to take your NEXT STEP in you relationship with Jesus. For more information, visit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://merge.church/⁠⁠⁠⁠

In John 2:1–11, Jesus performs His first miracle at the wedding in Cana, turning water into wine during a moment when everything seemed to fall apart. This sermon explores the “uh-oh moments” in life—times when expectations fail, resources run out, or plans collapse—and how Jesus meets us in those moments. The miracle is more than saving a wedding; it’s a sign pointing to something deeper: Jesus as the true Bridegroom inviting us into relationship with Him. Through humility, obedience, trust in God’s timing, and dependence on Christ as our true source, we learn to follow the signs that lead us closer to Him and experience the better life He offers.Welcome to our podcast of Merge.Church in Van Buren, Arkansas, led by Pastor Jacob Howell. We desire to help everyone, everywhere discover new life in Christ by creating a warm and welcoming family home where you can feel the love and forgiveness that Jesus offers to all. Wherever you are today, we pray that you would be encouraged, challenged, and inspired to take your NEXT STEP in you relationship with Jesus. For more information, visit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://merge.church/⁠⁠⁠⁠

How do you respond to criticism? In 2 Corinthians, Paul shows us that true confidence isn’t found in defending ourselves, but in boasting in the Lord. Instead of self-promotion, Paul points to integrity, surrender, and reliance on God’s grace. Our identity in Christ determines our response to the world. When we understand that we are chosen, loved, and sustained by Him, we stop living for approval and start living for His glory. This is our boast: that God would choose us, die for us, and invite us to live fully for Him.Welcome to our podcast of Merge.Church in Van Buren, Arkansas, led by Pastor Jacob Howell. We desire to help everyone, everywhere discover new life in Christ by creating a warm and welcoming family home where you can feel the love and forgiveness that Jesus offers to all. Wherever you are today, we pray that you would be encouraged, challenged, and inspired to take your NEXT STEP in you relationship with Jesus. For more information, visit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://merge.church/⁠⁠⁠⁠

What do you do when suffering feels overwhelming and hope seems out of reach? In this message from 2 Corinthians 1:1–11, we discover that even the Apostle Paul despaired of life itself — yet found unshakable hope in God. This sermon reminds us that God is the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort. Our suffering is not wasted. It teaches us to rely on Him, deepens our faith, and equips us to comfort others. When we are burdened beyond our strength, we learn to trust the One who raises the dead.Welcome to our podcast of Merge.Church in Van Buren, Arkansas, led by Pastor Jacob Howell. We desire to help everyone, everywhere discover new life in Christ by creating a warm and welcoming family home where you can feel the love and forgiveness that Jesus offers to all. Wherever you are today, we pray that you would be encouraged, challenged, and inspired to take your NEXT STEP in you relationship with Jesus. For more information, visit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://merge.church/⁠⁠⁠⁠

This sermon introduces 2 Corinthians by explaining the conflict Paul faced with false teachers who questioned his authority and used his suffering to discredit him. In response, Paul reminds the church that God often works powerfully through weakness, just as He did through Christ. Focusing on 2 Corinthians 1:3–6, the message highlights God as the “Father of mercies” and “God of all comfort.” True comfort comes from God, especially in trials, and the comfort we receive equips us to comfort others. Paul models worship in the midst of hardship, showing that praise is not circumstantial but rooted in who God is and what He has done through Christ. This message calls believers to worship God in hardship, trust His comfort in affliction, and remain faithful to their calling despite opposition or discouragement.Welcome to our podcast of Merge.Church in Van Buren, Arkansas, led by Pastor Jacob Howell. We desire to help everyone, everywhere discover new life in Christ by creating a warm and welcoming family home where you can feel the love and forgiveness that Jesus offers to all. Wherever you are today, we pray that you would be encouraged, challenged, and inspired to take your NEXT STEP in you relationship with Jesus. For more information, visit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://merge.church/⁠⁠⁠⁠

This sermon, Handle With Care, focuses on the biblical principle of stewardship — recognizing that God is the true owner of everything in our lives and we are called to manage His blessings faithfully, including our time, families, talents, and resources. The message emphasizes that stewardship begins with surrendering control to God and acknowledging that every good gift comes from Him. A major focus is placed on financial stewardship, encouraging believers to give generously as an act of worship, save diligently with wisdom and faith, and spend wisely with intentional planning. Through Scripture, the sermon reminds us that when we honor God first, He brings provision, freedom, and blessing, calling us to live responsibly and faithfully with all He has entrusted to our care.Welcome to our podcast of Merge.Church in Van Buren, Arkansas, led by Pastor Jacob Howell. We desire to help everyone, everywhere discover new life in Christ by creating a warm and welcoming family home where you can feel the love and forgiveness that Jesus offers to all. Wherever you are today, we pray that you would be encouraged, challenged, and inspired to take your NEXT STEP in you relationship with Jesus. For more information, visit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://merge.church/⁠⁠⁠⁠

Spiritual growth doesn’t happen through feelings alone, but through consistent obedience. Jesus teaches that hearing God’s Word without putting it into practice is like building without a foundation. This message reminds us that discipline often comes before desire, and obedience creates the space where God meets us. Using the example of Jesus’ own life, the sermon challenges us to adopt a lifelong posture of growth—mentally, physically, spiritually, and relationally. Growth requires clear goals, accountability, and a willingness to stretch beyond comfort. Faith is trained, not tried. Stay faithful in the small, consistent steps. God works gradually… then suddenly.Welcome to our podcast of Merge.Church in Van Buren, Arkansas, led by Pastor Jacob Howell. We desire to help everyone, everywhere discover new life in Christ by creating a warm and welcoming family home where you can feel the love and forgiveness that Jesus offers to all. Wherever you are today, we pray that you would be encouraged, challenged, and inspired to take your NEXT STEP in you relationship with Jesus. For more information, visit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://merge.church/⁠⁠⁠⁠

This message reminds us that God’s work is accomplished not by our might or power, but by His Spirit. Drawing from the story of Zerubbabel, we’re encouraged not to despise small beginnings, to face life’s mountains with faith, and to trust God in seasons of gradual progress that often lead to sudden breakthrough. Learn the difference between working hard and striving, how to move forward with a pure heart, and why obedience often requires saying “yes” before knowing the outcome. When we stop relying on ourselves and fully trust the Spirit, God turns obstacles into opportunities and vision into victory.Welcome to our podcast of Merge.Church in Van Buren, Arkansas, led by Pastor Jacob Howell. We desire to help everyone, everywhere discover new life in Christ by creating a warm and welcoming family home where you can feel the love and forgiveness that Jesus offers to all. Wherever you are today, we pray that you would be encouraged, challenged, and inspired to take your NEXT STEP in you relationship with Jesus. For more information, visit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://merge.church/⁠⁠⁠⁠

Spiritual growth doesn’t happen overnight—it happens gradually, through consistent obedience and daily disciplines, until God turns it into a “suddenly.” Drawing from Scripture and stories like David’s unseen preparation before Goliath, this message reminds us that maturity is trained, not discovered, and legacy is built through thousands of faithful choices. In a culture obsessed with instant results, God calls us to consistency—because faith isn’t mystical, it’s practiced, and discipline always outlasts talent. Welcome to our podcast of Merge.Church in Van Buren, Arkansas, led by Pastor Jacob Howell. We desire to help everyone, everywhere discover new life in Christ by creating a warm and welcoming family home where you can feel the love and forgiveness that Jesus offers to all. Wherever you are today, we pray that you would be encouraged, challenged, and inspired to take your NEXT STEP in you relationship with Jesus. For more information, visit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://merge.church/⁠⁠⁠⁠

This message explores how God works gradually, then suddenly. Through the story of the Exodus, the domino effect of faith, and the courage of ordinary people. We’re reminded that small, unseen acts of obedience matter deeply to God. What feels insignificant today may be the first domino in a chain reaction that impacts generations. As we step into 2026, we’re challenged not to despise small beginnings, to trust God’s timing, and to “own our domino,” knowing that faithful obedience today prepares the way for a divine suddenly tomorrow.Welcome to our podcast of Merge.Church in Van Buren, Arkansas, led by Pastor Jacob Howell. We desire to help everyone, everywhere discover new life in Christ by creating a warm and welcoming family home where you can feel the love and forgiveness that Jesus offers to all. Wherever you are today, we pray that you would be encouraged, challenged, and inspired to take your NEXT STEP in you relationship with Jesus. For more information, visit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://merge.church/⁠⁠⁠⁠

Be Found Faithful. As we step from 2025 into 2026, this message calls us to move beyond good intentions and into faithful action. We are reminded that God doesn’t ask for comparison or perfection—He asks for stewardship. When we stay close to Him, prioritize what He’s doing, and boldly use what He’s entrusted to us, He can work through our lives to grow heaven, shrink hell, and impact the world around us.Welcome to our podcast of Merge.Church in Van Buren, Arkansas, led by Pastor Jacob Howell. We desire to help everyone, everywhere discover new life in Christ by creating a warm and welcoming family home where you can feel the love and forgiveness that Jesus offers to all. Wherever you are today, we pray that you would be encouraged, challenged, and inspired to take your NEXT STEP in you relationship with Jesus. For more information, visit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://merge.church/⁠⁠⁠⁠

The sermon explored the historical and spiritual significance of celebrating Christmas on December 25th - chosen as the darkest, coldest day of the year to symbolize Christ as the light of the world breaking into our darkness. We examined Luke's account of the first Christmas and the angel's declaration to the shepherds: "good news of great joy for all people." In our current climate of overwhelming negativity - where 90% of news carries a negative bias - this message reminds us that Christ's coming represents hope, redemption, and a light that cannot be overcome by darkness. The sermon challenged us to recognize that this celebration isn't about comparison or measuring up, but about grace that is freely available to all people, regardless of status or circumstance.Welcome to our podcast of Merge.Church in Van Buren, Arkansas, led by Pastor Jacob Howell. We desire to help everyone, everywhere discover new life in Christ by creating a warm and welcoming family home where you can feel the love and forgiveness that Jesus offers to all. Wherever you are today, we pray that you would be encouraged, challenged, and inspired to take your NEXT STEP in you relationship with Jesus. For more information, visit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://merge.church/⁠⁠⁠⁠

The Christmas story reminds us that Jesus came as light into a dark world. We can trust that Jesus shines brightest in our darkest moments. The darkness has not overcome Him, and it never will. Today, consider where darkness feels overwhelming in your life. Financial stress? Relational conflict? Uncertainty about the future? Jesus didn't just come to save you for eternity; He came to be light in today's darkness. His presence within you means you carry an unquenchable light. Where can you let that light shine today? Who needs to see Christ's warmth through you?Welcome to our podcast of Merge.Church in Van Buren, Arkansas, led by Pastor Jacob Howell. We desire to help everyone, everywhere discover new life in Christ by creating a warm and welcoming family home where you can feel the love and forgiveness that Jesus offers to all. Wherever you are today, we pray that you would be encouraged, challenged, and inspired to take your NEXT STEP in you relationship with Jesus. For more information, visit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://merge.church/⁠⁠⁠⁠

This message explores Romans 16:25-27, revealing how the birth of Jesus was God's perfect timing to unlock the mystery of salvation. Like an escape room where all the clues finally connect, Jesus fulfilled over 100 Old Testament prophecies, proving He is the Savior of the world who came for all people—not just a select few.Welcome to our podcast of Merge.Church in Van Buren, Arkansas, led by Pastor Jacob Howell. We desire to help everyone, everywhere discover new life in Christ by creating a warm and welcoming family home where you can feel the love and forgiveness that Jesus offers to all. Wherever you are today, we pray that you would be encouraged, challenged, and inspired to take your NEXT STEP in you relationship with Jesus. For more information, visit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://merge.church/⁠⁠⁠⁠

The sermon emphasized our temporary earthly existence and the need for an eternal perspective. Like Paul with his tents, we must recognize the fleeting nature of our bodies and achievements. The key question is: what are we doing with our "mist" while we wait?Welcome to our podcast of Merge.Church in Van Buren, Arkansas, led by Pastor Jacob Howell. We desire to help everyone, everywhere discover new life in Christ by creating a warm and welcoming family home where you can feel the love and forgiveness that Jesus offers to all. Wherever you are today, we pray that you would be encouraged, challenged, and inspired to take your NEXT STEP in you relationship with Jesus. For more information, visit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://merge.church/⁠⁠⁠⁠

This week we explored Acts 5:12-16, examining why the early church prayed so desperately for signs, wonders, and healing. We discovered that they weren't just open to God doing the miraculous—they were desperate for it because miracles helped lead people to Christ and fulfill the mission of being witnesses.Welcome to our podcast of Merge.Church in Van Buren, Arkansas, led by Pastor Jacob Howell. We desire to help everyone, everywhere discover new life in Christ by creating a warm and welcoming family home where you can feel the love and forgiveness that Jesus offers to all. Wherever you are today, we pray that you would be encouraged, challenged, and inspired to take your NEXT STEP in you relationship with Jesus. For more information, visit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://merge.church/⁠⁠⁠⁠

The sermon explored Acts 4:32-5:11, examining the radical freedom that comes from authentic belief in Jesus Christ. Through the contrasting stories of Barnabas and Ananias and Sapphira, we discovered that genuine faith transforms our relationship with both people and possessions. When we truly believe in Jesus as our Savior and Lord, we experience freedom—not bondage to rules, but liberation to love people deeply while loosening our grip on material things. This passage isn't about forced giving or earning God's favor; it's about the internal transformation that occurs when Christ becomes the subject of our faith, freeing us to use our resources to love others rather than loving our resources and using people.Welcome to our podcast of Merge.Church in Van Buren, Arkansas, led by Pastor Jacob Howell. We desire to help everyone, everywhere discover new life in Christ by creating a warm and welcoming family home where you can feel the love and forgiveness that Jesus offers to all. Wherever you are today, we pray that you would be encouraged, challenged, and inspired to take your NEXT STEP in you relationship with Jesus. For more information, visit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://merge.church/⁠⁠⁠⁠

This sermon examines the early church's response to persecution in Acts 4, highlighting the concept of biblical boldness as a spirit-empowered conviction that enables fearless proclamation of the gospel. It emphasizes the importance of prioritizing prayer and unity before action, urging believers to seek God's will rather than trying to change their circumstances. It challenges believers to find their strength in God's sovereignty, understanding struggles as part of their participation in Christ's life and death, and to seek divine empowerment for boldness.Welcome to our podcast of Merge.Church in Van Buren, Arkansas, led by Pastor Jacob Howell. We desire to help everyone, everywhere discover new life in Christ by creating a warm and welcoming family home where you can feel the love and forgiveness that Jesus offers to all. Wherever you are today, we pray that you would be encouraged, challenged, and inspired to take your NEXT STEP in you relationship with Jesus. For more information, visit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://merge.church/⁠⁠⁠⁠

What anchors us in life? This message challenges us to reflect on our foundations. Drawing from Psalm 121, it emphasizes that, like ancient pilgrims, we seek help from the Lord on our journey. The lesson from Peter walking on water shows that focusing on Jesus allows us to overcome challenges, while looking at our circumstances leads to sinking. By remembering God's faithfulness and provisions, we cultivate gratitude and obedience, realizing we only need to fix our eyes on Him to walk in victory through any storm.Welcome to our podcast of Merge.Church in Van Buren, Arkansas, led by Pastor Jacob Howell. We desire to help everyone, everywhere discover new life in Christ by creating a warm and welcoming family home where you can feel the love and forgiveness that Jesus offers to all. Wherever you are today, we pray that you would be encouraged, challenged, and inspired to take your NEXT STEP in you relationship with Jesus. For more information, visit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://merge.church/⁠⁠⁠⁠

This week we studied Acts 4:1-12, where Peter and John face opposition after healing a lame man and preaching about Jesus. Despite being arrested and questioned by the same religious leaders who crucified Jesus, Peter boldly proclaims that salvation is found in no other name but Jesus Christ of Nazareth.Welcome to our podcast of Merge.Church in Van Buren, Arkansas, led by Pastor Jacob Howell. We desire to help everyone, everywhere discover new life in Christ by creating a warm and welcoming family home where you can feel the love and forgiveness that Jesus offers to all. Wherever you are today, we pray that you would be encouraged, challenged, and inspired to take your NEXT STEP in you relationship with Jesus. For more information, visit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://merge.church/⁠⁠⁠⁠

This week's sermon explored the first miracle performed after Jesus' resurrection, as recorded in Acts 3. We delved into the interconnection between the wonder of miracles and the power of God's Word. Pastor Jacob highlighted how miracles point us in four directions: upward to Jesus, downward to recognize suffering, forward to God's promise of restoration, and inward to our need for salvation. This multifaceted view of miracles challenges us to deepen our faith and understanding of God's work in our lives and the world.Welcome to our podcast of Merge.Church in Van Buren, Arkansas, led by Pastor Jacob Howell. We desire to help everyone, everywhere discover new life in Christ by creating a warm and welcoming family home where you can feel the love and forgiveness that Jesus offers to all. Wherever you are today, we pray that you would be encouraged, challenged, and inspired to take your NEXT STEP in you relationship with Jesus. For more information, visit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://merge.church/⁠⁠⁠⁠

This week, Pastor Jacob dove into Acts 2, exploring the Day of Pentecost and the profound implications it has for our church today. We examined how the gathering of believers creates a unique expression of God's presence and power. The sermon highlighted the universal nature of the gospel, emphasizing that it's for everyone, everywhere. We also saw how the Holy Spirit empowers us to be witnesses and fulfill our mission as a church.Welcome to our podcast of Merge.Church in Van Buren, Arkansas, led by Pastor Jacob Howell. We desire to help everyone, everywhere discover new life in Christ by creating a warm and welcoming family home where you can feel the love and forgiveness that Jesus offers to all. Wherever you are today, we pray that you would be encouraged, challenged, and inspired to take your NEXT STEP in you relationship with Jesus. For more information, visit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://merge.church/⁠⁠⁠⁠

This sermon explored the concept of waiting on God's power, as illustrated in Acts 1. We delved into Jesus' instructions to the disciples to wait for the Holy Spirit, emphasizing that the church's power comes not from our own efforts, but from God. This message reminds us that in our spiritual lives, waiting isn't passive, but an active process of preparing ourselves for God's empowerment.Welcome to our podcast of Merge.Church in Van Buren, Arkansas, led by Pastor Jacob Howell. We desire to help everyone, everywhere discover new life in Christ by creating a warm and welcoming family home where you can feel the love and forgiveness that Jesus offers to all. Wherever you are today, we pray that you would be encouraged, challenged, and inspired to take your NEXT STEP in you relationship with Jesus. For more information, visit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://merge.church/⁠⁠⁠⁠

Pastor Willie George delivered a thought-provoking sermon on the topic of resurrection, focusing on Jesus' encounter with death in the story of Lazarus. The sermon explored the concept of resurrection not just as a future event, but as a person - Jesus Christ Himself. It emphasized God's ultimate plan to defeat death completely, highlighting that there are eight eternal resurrections mentioned in Scripture. This understanding has profound implications for our faith and how we view death and eternal life.Welcome to our podcast of Merge.Church in Van Buren, Arkansas, led by Pastor Jacob Howell. We desire to help everyone, everywhere discover new life in Christ by creating a warm and welcoming family home where you can feel the love and forgiveness that Jesus offers to all. Wherever you are today, we pray that you would be encouraged, challenged, and inspired to take your NEXT STEP in you relationship with Jesus. For more information, visit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://merge.church/⁠⁠⁠⁠

Pastor Jacob delivered a thought-provoking sermon on sacrifice and commitment in our relationship with God. Using the story of David's purchase of the threshing floor from Araunah (2 Samuel 24), we explored the importance of giving our best to God, not just in terms of material offerings, but in our whole-hearted devotion. The message emphasized that true worship and commitment to Christ require sacrifice, challenging us to move beyond convenience and into a deeper, more costly faith.Welcome to our podcast of Merge.Church in Van Buren, Arkansas, led by Pastor Jacob Howell. We desire to help everyone, everywhere discover new life in Christ by creating a warm and welcoming family home where you can feel the love and forgiveness that Jesus offers to all. Wherever you are today, we pray that you would be encouraged, challenged, and inspired to take your NEXT STEP in you relationship with Jesus. For more information, visit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://merge.church/⁠⁠⁠⁠

In Part 5 of It's Me, Pastor Jacob explored the critical importance of maintaining our dependence on God, even as we grow in our faith. Using the story of King David's census in 2 Samuel 24, it was highlighted how easily we can slip into self-reliance, forgetting the source of our strength. This message challenges us to examine our own lives and ensure that our spiritual maturity is marked by increasing dependence on God, not independence from Him.Welcome to our podcast of Merge.Church in Van Buren, Arkansas, led by Pastor Jacob Howell. We desire to help everyone, everywhere discover new life in Christ by creating a warm and welcoming family home where you can feel the love and forgiveness that Jesus offers to all. Wherever you are today, we pray that you would be encouraged, challenged, and inspired to take your NEXT STEP in you relationship with Jesus. For more information, visit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://merge.church/⁠⁠⁠⁠

This week's sermon, "Get Your Confidence Back," explored the critical role of confidence in our spiritual lives and relationships. Pastor Jacob spoke about the story of Joshua to illustrate how God empowers us to face life's challenges with unwavering faith. Pastor Jacob emphasized that true confidence comes from resting in God's plan, reframing our failures as growth opportunities, and recognizing God as the source of our strength.Welcome to our podcast of Merge.Church in Van Buren, Arkansas, led by Pastor Jacob Howell. We desire to help everyone, everywhere discover new life in Christ by creating a warm and welcoming family home where you can feel the love and forgiveness that Jesus offers to all. Wherever you are today, we pray that you would be encouraged, challenged, and inspired to take your NEXT STEP in you relationship with Jesus. For more information, visit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://merge.church/⁠⁠⁠⁠

Part 3 explored the importance of commitment in our pursuit of unity, both with God and in our relationships. Pastor Jacob emphasized that true unity requires personal commitment and that we must be willing to take responsibility for our part in building and maintaining healthy relationships. The message challenged us to look inward, recognizing that "we starts with me" in our journey towards unity and spiritual growth.Welcome to our podcast of Merge.Church in Van Buren, Arkansas, led by Pastor Jacob Howell. We desire to help everyone, everywhere discover new life in Christ by creating a warm and welcoming family home where you can feel the love and forgiveness that Jesus offers to all. Wherever you are today, we pray that you would be encouraged, challenged, and inspired to take your NEXT STEP in you relationship with Jesus. For more information, visit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://merge.church/⁠⁠⁠⁠

Part 2 of our "It's Not You, It's Me" series, explored the vital importance of holy relationships in our spiritual lives. Pastor Jacob emphasized that to live a life set aside for divine use, we must view our relationships as holy endeavors. The sermon challenged us to consider how the people around us shape our faith, character, and life direction, urging us to choose relationships wisely and assign God-given value to our interactions.Welcome to our podcast of Merge.Church in Van Buren, Arkansas, led by Pastor Jacob Howell. We desire to help everyone, everywhere discover new life in Christ by creating a warm and welcoming family home where you can feel the love and forgiveness that Jesus offers to all. Wherever you are today, we pray that you would be encouraged, challenged, and inspired to take your NEXT STEP in you relationship with Jesus. For more information, visit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://merge.church/⁠⁠⁠⁠

NEW SERMON SERIES, "It's Me | Real Relationships".Have you ever said or heard, "It's Not You, It's Me"? We explored the challenging topic of conflict in relationships. Pastor emphasized that conflict is a natural part of every real relationship, but how we handle it can make all the difference. The sermon delved into biblical principles for managing conflict, highlighting the importance of self-reflection, listening, and extending grace. It reminded us that the source of conflict often lies within ourselves, not others, and that by applying God's wisdom, we can nurture healthier, more Christ-like relationships.Welcome to our podcast of Merge.Church in Van Buren, Arkansas, led by Pastor Jacob Howell. We desire to help everyone, everywhere discover new life in Christ by creating a warm and welcoming family home where you can feel the love and forgiveness that Jesus offers to all. Wherever you are today, we pray that you would be encouraged, challenged, and inspired to take your NEXT STEP in you relationship with Jesus. For more information, visit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://merge.church/⁠⁠⁠⁠

Concluding the "Be the Branch" series, Pastor Jacob explored John 15, Jesus' teachings on remaining connected to Him as the true vine. Pastor Jacob emphasized that we are chosen by Jesus, not for our qualifications, but for our potential. This choice empowers us to bear fruit even in the face of worldly hate and challenges. The sermon highlighted the importance of staying focused on God's purpose for our lives and maintaining our friendship with Jesus.Welcome to our podcast of Merge.Church in Van Buren, Arkansas, led by Pastor Jacob Howell. We desire to help everyone, everywhere discover new life in Christ by creating a warm and welcoming family home where you can feel the love and forgiveness that Jesus offers to all. Wherever you are today, we pray that you would be encouraged, challenged, and inspired to take your NEXT STEP in you relationship with Jesus. For more information, visit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://merge.church/⁠⁠⁠⁠

Part 4 of our "Be the Branch" series delved deep into John 15. Pastor Jacob explored Jesus' teachings on remaining connected to Him as the true vine. The message emphasized that our primary role is to stay connected to Christ, trusting that fruit will naturally follow. We were reminded that God isn't concerned with appearances, but rather with the genuine fruit our lives produce when we abide in Him.Welcome to our podcast of Merge.Church in Van Buren, Arkansas, led by Pastor Jacob Howell. We desire to help everyone, everywhere discover new life in Christ by creating a warm and welcoming family home where you can feel the love and forgiveness that Jesus offers to all. Wherever you are today, we pray that you would be encouraged, challenged, and inspired to take your NEXT STEP in you relationship with Jesus. For more information, visit⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://merge.church/⁠⁠⁠⁠

The Sunday explored the concept of "abiding" in Christ, based on John 15:7. Pastor Jacob delved deep into what it truly means to abide in Christ and allow His words to abide in us. This isn't just about memorizing scripture, but about giving God's Word a home in our lives and letting it transform us from the inside out. The implications for our spiritual life are profound - as we abide in Christ, we bear fruit, overcome evil, and experience the life-giving power of God's Word.Welcome to our podcast of Merge.Church in Van Buren, Arkansas, led by Pastor Jacob Howell. We desire to help everyone, everywhere discover new life in Christ by creating a warm and welcoming family home where you can feel the love and forgiveness that Jesus offers to all. Wherever you are today, we pray that you would be encouraged, challenged, and inspired to take your NEXT STEP in you relationship with Jesus. For more information, visit⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://merge.church/⁠⁠⁠⁠

Part 2 of our "Be the Branch" series, delved into John 15:1-2, exploring God's role as the gardener in our spiritual lives. Pastor Jacob emphasized God prunes us not to punish, but to help us bear more fruit. The message challenged us to trust God's vision for our lives, even to embrace the pruning process, even when it feels difficult.Welcome to our podcast of Merge.Church in Van Buren, Arkansas, led by Pastor Jacob Howell. We desire to help everyone, everywhere discover new life in Christ by creating a warm and welcoming family home where you can feel the love and forgiveness that Jesus offers to all. Wherever you are today, we pray that you would be encouraged, challenged, and inspired to take your NEXT STEP in you relationship with Jesus. For more information, visit⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://merge.church/⁠⁠⁠⁠

Part 1, NEW SERIES! We explored "being the branch" connected to Jesus, the true vine. Pastor Jacob delved into John 15:5, emphasizing our need to stay connected to Jesus as the source of our spiritual life and fruitfulness. He highlighted the importance of prioritizing connection with Christ over production and how this connection transforms our relationships, work, and overall mission in life.Welcome to our podcast of Merge.Church in Van Buren, Arkansas, led by Pastor Jacob Howell. We desire to help everyone, everywhere discover new life in Christ by creating a warm and welcoming family home where you can feel the love and forgiveness that Jesus offers to all. Wherever you are today, we pray that you would be encouraged, challenged, and inspired to take your NEXT STEP in you relationship with Jesus. For more information, visit⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://merge.church/⁠⁠⁠⁠

This week's sermon, part 6 of our "Living Out the Verbs" series, explored the concept of wisdom being better than weapons of war, particularly in the battle of our thoughts. Pastor Jacob delved into the story of Gideon, illustrating how God calls us to step into our purpose despite feelings of inadequacy. The sermon emphasized the importance of aligning our thoughts with God's word and recognizing His presence in our lives, even when we feel unqualified.Welcome to our podcast of Merge.Church in Van Buren, Arkansas, led by Pastor Jacob Howell. We desire to help everyone, everywhere discover new life in Christ by creating a warm and welcoming family home where you can feel the love and forgiveness that Jesus offers to all. Wherever you are today, we pray that you would be encouraged, challenged, and inspired to take your NEXT STEP in you relationship with Jesus. For more information, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://merge.church/⁠⁠⁠⁠

Part 5 explored the concept of wisdom as the master key that unlocks the door to abundant life. Pastor Jacob emphasized that wisdom is more valuable than any material possession and is essential for making godly decisions. This message highlighted how wisdom helps us see the connection between our choices and their outcomes, not just for ourselves but for those around us.Welcome to our podcast of Merge.Church in Van Buren, Arkansas, led by Pastor Jacob Howell. We desire to help everyone, everywhere discover new life in Christ by creating a warm and welcoming family home where you can feel the love and forgiveness that Jesus offers to all. Wherever you are today, we pray that you would be encouraged, challenged, and inspired to take your NEXT STEP in you relationship with Jesus. For more information, visit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://merge.church/⁠⁠⁠⁠

This week's sermon, part 4 of our "Living Out the 'Verbs" series, focused on the importance of wisdom in our speech. Pastor Jacob emphasized that we can't become who we're meant to be without heavenly wisdom, particularly in how we use our words. The sermon explored Proverbs 18:21, highlighting that our tongue has the power of life and death. We were reminded that our words are seeds that form our future, and our life moves in the direction of our words.Welcome to our podcast of Merge.Church in Van Buren, Arkansas, led by Pastor Jacob Howell. We desire to help everyone, everywhere discover new life in Christ by creating a warm and welcoming family home where you can feel the love and forgiveness that Jesus offers to all. Wherever you are today, we pray that you would be encouraged, challenged, and inspired to take your NEXT STEP in you relationship with Jesus. For more information, visit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://merge.church/⁠⁠⁠⁠

Part 3 focused on the critical role of wisdom in our spiritual journey. Pastor Jacob emphasized that we can't reach our God-given destiny without God's wisdom. The sermon explored the difference between earthly knowledge and heavenly wisdom, highlighting that true wisdom is stable, consistent, and essential for experiencing God's favor in our lives.Welcome to our podcast of Merge.Church in Van Buren, Arkansas, led by Pastor Jacob Howell. We desire to help everyone, everywhere discover new life in Christ by creating a warm and welcoming family home where you can feel the love and forgiveness that Jesus offers to all. Wherever you are today, we pray that you would be encouraged, challenged, and inspired to take your NEXT STEP in you relationship with Jesus. For more information, visit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://merge.church/⁠⁠⁠⁠

This week's sermon, continuing our "Living Out the Verbs" series, delved into the book of Proverbs and James, exploring the concept of heavenly wisdom. Pastor Jacob emphasized that true wisdom isn't just about catchy phrases or outward appearances, but a transformative power that comes from following Jesus Christ closely. The message highlighted the distinction between earthly and heavenly wisdom, urging us to pursue the latter in our daily lives.Welcome to our podcast of Merge.Church in Van Buren, Arkansas, led by Pastor Jacob Howell. We desire to help everyone, everywhere discover new life in Christ by creating a warm and welcoming family home where you can feel the love and forgiveness that Jesus offers to all. Wherever you are today, we pray that you would be encouraged, challenged, and inspired to take your NEXT STEP in you relationship with Jesus. For more information, visit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://merge.church/⁠⁠⁠⁠

Pastor Jacob kicked off a new series called "Living Out the Verbs," focusing on the book of Proverbs. The sermon explored the concept of "fearing the Lord" as the beginning of wisdom and knowledge. We learned that this fear isn't about being afraid, but rather standing in awe of God's sovereignty. This understanding helps us grow through trials, transitions, and hard moments in our lives.Welcome to our podcast of Merge.Church in Van Buren, Arkansas, led by Pastor Jacob Howell. We desire to help everyone, everywhere discover new life in Christ by creating a warm and welcoming family home where you can feel the love and forgiveness that Jesus offers to all. Wherever you are today, we pray that you would be encouraged, challenged, and inspired to take your NEXT STEP in you relationship with Jesus. For more information, visit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://merge.church/⁠⁠⁠⁠

This week's sermon explored the crucial difference between being a fan of Jesus and a true follower. We delved into Matthew 19:16-22, examining the rich young man's encounter with Jesus. The message challenged us to move beyond casual admiration of Jesus to committed discipleship, emphasizing the need to deny ourselves, carry our cross daily, and actively follow Christ's teachings in our lives.Welcome to our podcast of Merge.Church in Van Buren, Arkansas, led by Pastor Jacob Howell. We desire to help everyone, everywhere discover new life in Christ by creating a warm and welcoming family home where you can feel the love and forgiveness that Jesus offers to all. Wherever you are today, we pray that you would be encouraged, challenged, and inspired to take your NEXT STEP in you relationship with Jesus. For more information, visit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://merge.church/⁠⁠⁠⁠