Christ our Cornerstone Podcast

What happens when God’s goodness feels unfair? Scripture repeatedly confronts us with a grace that refuses to play by our rules—mercy given to the undeserving, kindness poured out on people we’re convinced should know better. Nowhere is this tension clearer than in the story of a prophet who sits outside a city, furious that God didn’t destroy it. In this episode, we explore the uncomfortable trut...

When we run from God, we often end up "smelling like what swallowed us"—spiritually wrecked and marked by our rebellion. But as the story of Jonah reveals, our God is the God of the second chance. From the coal mines of the Welsh Revival to the ancient, violent streets of Nineveh, this message explores the transformative power of a simple, humble response to God. Whether you feel like a "broken se...

We often sanitize the story of Jonah with colorful children’s Bible illustrations, but the reality is far darker—and far more hopeful—than we realize. In this episode, we dive deep into the belly of the fish to discover a profound truth: God’s grace swims deeper than our rebellion ever could. Join us as we explore Jonah’s desperate prayer from the roots of the mountains. This isn't a sweet devotio...

When Heaven Comes Home: The Radiant Promise of Our Eternal Worth is a hope-filled journey through the final vision of Scripture, exploring what it truly means for Christ to return and for God to dwell with His people forever. This episode looks beyond end-times speculation and taps into the deeper longing behind the question “When are You coming back?” —the ache for home, permanence, and restored...

Week 3 of our Advent Series - The Soul Felt its Worth What gives your life worth when the darkness feels heavy, joy feels distant, and hope feels fragile? In this Advent sermon from Isaiah 9:1–7, we explore the stunning promise that God sent light into the darkest places—and that He began His work where no one expected. Long before Bethlehem, Isaiah foretold a Savior whose coming would restore wor...

This message takes us back to the very beginning of our broken story to discover the first whisper of hope. In Genesis 3:15, we encounter what scholars call the 'proto-evangelium'—the first gospel—where God promises that the serpent who deceived humanity will one day be crushed. This isn't just ancient history; it's the foundation of our redemption story. We see God immediately responding to human...

In today’s Mailbag Episode, we tackle three big questions every Christian—new or seasoned—faces: Who exactly is Melchizedek—and could he have been Jesus? What does Ephesians 4:30 mean when it says not to “grieve the Holy Spirit”? And what should new believers do when all their friends are unbelievers? Should you get new friends? This episode walks through Genesis 14, Psalm 110, Hebrews 7, and Ephe...

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 aba...

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 mak...

“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...

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 n...

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 recognize...

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 th...

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 revea...

📖 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 Point...

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...

🎙️ Episode 1: Faith in the Waiting — An Introduction to the Christ Our Cornerstone Podcast In our very first episode, Pastor Logan Merrick welcomes listeners to the Christ Our Cornerstone Podcast from O’Neill, Nebraska. Hear the heart behind the new show, what to expect each week, and a short devotional from Habakkuk chapters 1 and 2 — a reminder that even when life feels uncertain, God is still a...