This powerful exploration of Genesis 3 invites us to confront the raw reality of shame and sin while discovering the breathtaking truth of God's relentless pursuit. We journey back to humanity's first moments of hiding—when Adam and Eve covered themselves and retreated into the shadows after believing the serpent's lie. But here's where the story becomes beautifully transformative: God doesn't abandon them to their shame. Instead, He walks into the garden asking 'Where are you?'—not because He's lost them, but because He refuses to leave them hidden. This question isn't about location; it's about invitation. We learn that shame always distorts our perception of God, making us see Him as harsh when He's actually merciful, distant when He's pursuing us, angry when He's grieving for us. The sermon unpacks how lies—whether about our identity, our worth, or our bodies—echo that ancient deception in Eden. From the tragedy of sexual abuse victims believing they're dirty, to cultural narratives that contradict God's creative design, we see how the enemy still whispers 'Who told you that?' becomes God's heartbreaking question as He tears down the lies that bind His children. This Advent message intentionally leaves us in the tension, feeling the weight of sin's fracture, so we can truly appreciate the promise that's coming. We're reminded that our worth isn't restored by perfection—it's restored by the God who runs toward us when we're standing in danger, just as a father snatches his child from oncoming traffic.

christourcornerstonechurch.com

This powerful exploration of Jonah chapter one reveals something extraordinary: we're not just reading about a reluctant prophet, but witnessing a preview of Christ himself. The storm that rages around Jonah's disobedience becomes a vivid picture of God's wrath against sin, and Jonah's sacrifice—being thrown overboard to calm the waters—foreshadows Jesus's ultimate sacrifice on the cross. What makes this even more compelling is the contrast: Jonah went into the sea reluctantly for his own sin, while Jesus willingly went to the cross for ours. The pagan sailors desperately rowing harder to save themselves mirrors our own tendency to work our way out of spiritual storms through good deeds, religious activity, or self-rescue efforts. But the message is clear: the storm only stops when we surrender to God's way, not our own. Perhaps most beautiful is how God doesn't waste our failures—even through Jonah's rebellion, the pagan sailors come to know Yahweh by name. This reminds us that our testimonies, even the messy parts, can become lifelines for others struggling in their own storms. We cannot row our way to peace; we can only receive it through the one who stepped into the storm for us.

Chapter 1: Introduction and Jonah's Reluctant Admission

0:00 - 15:00

We explore how Jonah's reluctant confession of guilt parallels our human tendency to hide sin, contrasting this with Jesus who willingly stepped forward to bear our shame.

Chapter 2: The Sailors' Struggle and the Danger of Self-Rescue

15:00 - 30:00

We see how the pagan sailors' attempt to row harder instead of throwing Jonah overboard represents our tendency to rely on works and self-effort rather than surrender to God.

Chapter 3: The Storm Silenced by Sacrifice

30:00 - 40:00

The immediate calming of the storm when Jonah is thrown overboard pictures how Christ's perfect sacrifice instantly stilled God's wrath against our sin.

Chapter 4: The Sailors' Conversion and the Power of Testimony

40:00 - 50:00

God used even Jonah's disobedience to draw pagan sailors to himself, demonstrating that God doesn't waste our storms and highlighting the importance of sharing our testimonies.

Visit us at Christourcornerstonechurch.com

“I’ll be back.” The Terminator’s famous line feels a little different in a world filled with chatbots, algorithms, and AI doing everything from writing emails to predicting human behavior. But how should Christians actually think about artificial intelligence?

In this episode, Pastor Logan dives into a biblical, balanced perspective on AI—its dangers, its potential, and the ways it quietly shapes our souls. We talk about how AI can dehumanize us, why it can become a tool that uses us instead of the other way around, and why Christians must care about the ethical frameworks behind emerging technology.

Pastor Logan also shares honestly about how he personally uses AI (and how he absolutely doesn’t), why it’s not the “mark of the beast,” and how believers can navigate modern technology with wisdom, discernment, and love for their neighbor.

If you’ve wondered whether AI is harmless, helpful, or something more complicated, this episode will equip you to think clearly and faithfully..

christourcornerstonechurch.com

[email protected]

In this episode, Pastor Logan unpacks a jarring moment from Jonah’s story—one that exposes how easily we root our identity in anything other than God. When the sailors demand answers, Jonah introduces himself by his ethnicity before his faith: “I am a Hebrew… and I worship the Lord.” That order reveals a heart untethered from its true calling.

We do the same. We lead with our careers, our family names, our achievements, our politics, our personality types—everything except our identity as children of the living God. And like Jonah, our misplaced identity doesn’t just derail our spiritual lives—it creates storms for everyone around us.

This episode challenges you to examine what comes first in your life’s identity hierarchy and invites you to rediscover the mission God has entrusted to you.

Why did the demons beg Jesus to enter the pigs? Why did Jesus allow it? And what does this unusual moment in Mark 5 actually teach us about spiritual warfare, judgment, and the mission of Christ?

In this episode, Pastor Logan Merrick gives a clear, biblical, and theologically rich explanation of the demon-possessed man in Mark 5. We discuss:

• why demons seek physical bodies
• why the demons recognized Jesus as the Son of God
• what the presence of pigs reveals about Gentile territory
• how this event foreshadows the Gospel going to the nations
• why demons are powerful but not all-knowing
• the economic impact of the 2,000 pigs
• and how Jesus restores broken humanity

Whether you're a student of Scripture or curious about one of the strangest stories in the New Testament, this episode will help you understand the meaning and message behind the demons and the pigs—and why this passage still matters today.

Why are the Gospels Different a blog to answer that question: https://open.substack.com/pub/redeemingthedirt/p/why-four-gospels?r=2rnfoe&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web

Have a question for me? Email me at [email protected]

Check out our website at Christourcornerstonechurch.com

In this powerful message from Jonah 1:3–6, we uncover the uncomfortable truth about spiritual rebellion and divine pursuit. Jonah’s flight from God isn’t just an ancient story—it’s a mirror held up to our own hearts. Why do we run from God while convincing ourselves we’re at peace?

This sermon explores how sin brings its own storm, how God’s mercy often sounds like thunder, and why sometimes the chaos in our lives is God’s invitation to return. Through the Hebrew word kum (“arise, get up”), we see how God continues to call—even when we’ve gone silent.

When Jonah sleeps below deck as the sailors cry out to their false gods, it paints a haunting picture: rebellion can feel restful… until the storm hits. But even in our disobedience, God’s grace is relentless. He doesn’t send storms to destroy us—but to wake us up.

If you’ve ever wondered whether the turmoil around you might be God’s loving pursuit, this episode will help you see your storm differently.

christourcornerstonechurch.com

In this episode of the Christ Our Cornerstone Church Podcast, Pastor Logan dives into one of the most challenging questions in Scripture: If Jesus already knew Judas would betray Him, did Judas really have free will?

Through a closer look at Judas’s life, motives, and tragic choices, we explore how God’s perfect sovereignty and human responsibility work together. Discover what Judas’s story reveals about our own hearts, the danger of misplaced worship, and the incredible grace of a God who fulfills His plan through even our worst failures.

Whether you’ve wrestled with questions about predestination, free will, or the problem of evil, this episode offers biblical clarity and hope — reminding us that only Jesus can satisfy what the world never will.

📖 Scripture references: Matthew 26, John 13, Acts 1, Zechariah 11, Psalm 41 🎧 Length: ~15 minutes

Visit our website at christourcornerstonechurch.com

📖 Jonah 1:1–3a

Summary: In this message, Pastor Logan unpacks the opening verses of Jonah and the uncomfortable truth that God’s call doesn’t always make sense to us—but it always demands obedience. We see how Jonah’s story exposes not only rebellion but also the subtle pride of religion, reminding us that God’s mission reaches far beyond our comfort zones, preferences, and prejudices.

Main Points:

1. God’s Mission Transcends Our Boundaries and Biases – God’s heart for the nations doesn’t stop at our cultural, political, or personal borders. – Jonah ran because God’s compassion offended his categories—and sometimes ours too.
2. God’s Call Doesn’t Need Explanations—It Comes with Expectations – God doesn’t owe us a reason to obey; He invites us to trust. – When we wait for clarity before obedience, we often miss the beauty of surrender.
3. God’s Call Exposes Both Our Rebellion and Our Religion – Jonah’s disobedience wasn’t just defiance—it was self-righteousness. – The same God who confronts our running also reveals our hearts, showing that even “good” people need grace.

Takeaway: God’s call is less about what makes sense to us and more about what glorifies Him. When we say “yes,” even without full understanding, we join Him in His redemptive mission to reach people we might never have chosen—but whom He deeply loves.

To find out more about Christ Our Cornerstone Church please visit christourcornerstonechurch.com

In this episode, Pastor Logan unpacks the real history behind Halloween — separating fact from folklore. Was it truly a pagan festival turned Christian? Or is there more to the story? Join us as we explore the origins of Samhain, the meaning of All Hallows’ Eve, and how believers can think biblically about the traditions that surround this time of year.

In this sermon titled “The Prophet’s Prayer and Living by Faith,” Pastor Logan Merrick preaches through Habakkuk chapter 3, where the prophet turns from wrestling with God’s justice to worshiping in awe of His power and mercy. Recorded live on October 26th at Christ Our Cornerstone Church in O’Neill, Nebraska, this message explores how faith endures even in seasons of fear and uncertainty—and how true worship is often born in the midst of struggle.

Listen and be encouraged to live by faith, trusting in God’s unchanging character when the world around you is shaking.