September 21, 2026

The Gospel of John – The First Disciples

John 1:35–51

John the Baptist serves as a witness, testifying to the Light. He identifies himself as the “voice” preparing the way and declares Jesus to be “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world,” first to the crowd and then to two of his disciples. One of those disciples is Andrew, who tells his brother Peter. The next day Jesus finds Philip, who tells Nathanael. In talking with Nathanael, after he proclaims, “Rabbi, You are the Son of God; You are the King of Israel”, Jesus says, “You will see greater things than these.” So, get ready.

Notice the progression of this thing. Andrew hears John’s testimony about Jesus, and the first thing he does is tell his brother. A guy named Peter. Jesus tells Philip, who has no doubt already heard something about Him, to follow Him. And what does Phillip do? He goes and tells his buddy Nate. And that’s how we get the first official followers of Jesus. The first of the disciples.

So, who have you told? Who have you shared your story with, or who do you need to share your story with? Who do you need to tell about Jesus and the hope you’ve found in Him and the difference He’s made in your life? The gospel is not a secret to keep, but good news to share.

If you have not yet trusted in Jesus, today’s a great day to do that. It starts with recognizing that you are a sinner in need of a Savior and believing that Jesus is the Savior whom God promised. He lived a perfect life and died a sacrificial death. He was raised to life on the third day, proving that He had conquered both sin and death, so that by believing in Him, we can be saved. We can become children of God—not because of anything that we have done, but because of what Jesus did. The Innocent who died for the guilty so that the guilty could be declared innocent.

pro rege

This post is based on a sermon from our Gospel of John series. Download the podcast from the Central Christian Church Main Service, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, X, or Threads at @ccclancaster. You can also download our Central Christian app in the iTunes App Store.

September 14, 2026

The Gospel of John – The Testimony of John

John 1:19–34

John the Baptist serves as a witness, testifying to the Light.

He is clear about who he’s not. He’s not the Guy. He’s just the one to point you to the Guy. He’s the “voice” preparing the way, declaring Jesus to be “the Lamb of God,” the Perfect Sacrifice to take away the sin of the world.

And so, we are going to see that everything that John, the Gospel-writer, writes is for this one purpose: that y’all may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing y’all may have life in His name.

If you have not yet trusted in Jesus, today’s a great day to do that. It starts with recognizing that you are a sinner in need of a Savior and believing that Jesus is the Savior whom God promised. He lived a perfect life and died a sacrificial death. He was raised to life on the third day, proving that He had conquered both sin and death, so that by believing in Him, we can be saved. We can become children of God—not because of anything that we have done, but because of what Jesus did. The Innocent who died for the guilty so that the guilty could be declared innocent.

pro rege

This post is based on a sermon from our Gospel of John series. Download the podcast from the Central Christian Church Main Service, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, X, or Threads at @ccclancaster. You can also download our Central Christian app in the iTunes App Store.

September 7, 2026

The Gospel of John – The Word

John 1:1–18

In these opening verses, John unmistakably presents Jesus as more than a Man…He was with God, and He was God. As I said earlier, it’s our Trinitarian concept of God…one God in three Persons. God the Father. God the Son. And as we will see soon enough, God the Holy Spirit. Not easy to grasp, but foundational to our faith.

And not only does John present Jesus as more than a Man…He is also a Man. The Word became flesh. He didn’t give up His God-ness to become a Man, but somehow clothed His divinity in humanity. Again, not something that is easy to understand, but also foundational to our faith.

John wants us to know Jesus…fully God because only God can forgive sins. Fully Man because only a Man could die for sin. The perfect Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

I’m excited for our journey through John. Lots of good stuff here. Let me leave you with this.

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name… If you have not yet trusted in Jesus, today’s a great day to do that. It starts with recognizing that you are a sinner in need of a Savior and believing that Jesus is the Savior whom God promised. He lived a perfect life and died a sacrificial death. He was raised to life on the third day, proving that He had conquered both sin and death, so that by believing in Him, we can be saved. We can become children of God—not because of anything that we have done, but because of what Jesus did. The Innocent who died for the guilty so that the guilty could be declared innocent.

pro rege

This post is based on a sermon from our Gospel of John series. Download the podcast from the Central Christian Church Main Service, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, X, or Threads at @ccclancaster. You can also download our Central Christian app in the iTunes App Store.

August 31, 2026

The Book of the Twelve – Malachi

Malachi 1–4 (Hebrew 1–3)

Malachi writes a bit later than Haggai and Zechariah. The temple has been rebuilt, and folks have settled in. But there’s a problem. Although the people have returned to the land, they are not experiencing the restoration that Deuteronomy 30:1–10 promised. The land they are currently occupying is a small province within the Persian Empire. The promises of this glorious future made by Haggai and Zachariah have not been realized. The LORD had yet to visit the temple (3:1) as He had done in the tabernacle (Exodus 40:34–38) and Solomon’s temple (1 Kings 8:10–11), where “the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle/house of the LORD.” And so, the people question the LORD’s covenant love for them (1:2) and His justice (2:17; 3:14–15). Malachi (“My messenger”), then, writes to Israel, and especially to the priests, using disputation, repetition, and vivid imagery in order to challenge and correct their charge against the LORD and make them aware that they are not experiencing restoration/blessing in the land due to their profaning of the altar with improper sacrifices, the false teaching of the priests, marrying daughters of foreign gods, divorcing their Jewish wives, withholding the tithe, and acting arrogantly against the LORD, so that they will fear the LORD and repent and so avoid further judgment and experience the promised blessing as they await the coming day of the LORD heralded by Elijah.

We’ve seen it throughout the prophets: the LORD’s desire for Israel’s repentance, and their seeming determination to run in the opposite direction. The LORD’s warning of judgment to come, and their refusal to listen. And yet, even then, the LORD promises to one day restore them. But it will require them to return to Him. He still has big plans for them, but they need to return to the LORD. Maybe you do too.

I hope this series has been profitable for you. I’ve enjoyed it. It’s not been easy, but it’s been worthwhile. And if you’ve gotten nothing else out of it, I hope you’ve seen that the LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness and faithfulness, relenting of evil, forgiving of iniquity, transgression, and sin, mighty to save, but who will by no means leave the guilty unpunished. The LORD is a good, good God, but He does take sin seriously. And so should we. If you’ve strayed, don’t wait to come back. Do it today.

If you don’t know the LORD, you can come to know Him today. It starts with recognizing that you are a sinner in need of a Savior and believing that Jesus is the Savior whom God promised. He lived a perfect life and died a sacrificial death. He was raised to life on the third day, proving that He had conquered both sin and death, so that by believing in Him, we can be saved—not because of anything that we have done, but because of what Jesus did. The Innocent who died for the guilty so that the guilty could be declared innocent.

pro rege

This post is based on a sermon from our Book of the Twelve series. Download the podcast from the Central Christian Church Main Service, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, X, or Threads at @ccclancaster. You can also download our Central Christian app in the iTunes App Store.

August 24, 2026

The Book of the Twelve – Zechariah

Zechariah 1–14

Zechariah is a contemporary of Haggai. Both were writing to the Jews returning from the Babylonian exile to Jerusalem. While both encourage them to complete the building of the temple, Zechariah primarily focuses on their spiritual return to the LORD.

So, Zechariah sees a series of visions and pronounces a number of oracles rebuking the people for their disobedience, calling them to repentance, promising their restoration and the judgment of the nations, and prophesying the coming, rejection, and return of the Messiah to reign. But key to their restoration will be more than a physical return to the land. And more than just building the temple. They need to return to the LORD. Maybe you do too.

Just a reminder of the big plans the LORD had for Israel. They were His seghola. His treasured possession. They were to be a kingdom of priests for the nations. The LORD had so much good He wanted to do for the nation. If they would only listen to His voice, keep His covenant, and follow His commands. They would experience all the blessings of the covenant. He would bring them into the land. He would be an Enemy to their enemies and an Adversary to their adversaries. He would fight for them. And they would live securely in peace. They would be a spectacle to the world for all the good that the LORD did for them. He would be their God, and they would be His people.

But if not…well, that’s a different story. Then they would experience the curses of the covenant. The LORD would drive them out of the land. He would become their Enemy. They would be a different kind of spectacle to the world…a horror and a curse…for all the evil that the LORD would do to them. And so it happened.

And even though they failed, the LORD still has big plans for Israel. Because He made the promise, and He is always faithful, even when His people are not. That’s who He is. Gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness and faithfulness, relenting of evil, forgiving of iniquity, transgression, and sin, mighty to save, but who will by no means leave the guilty unpunished.

The LORD has plans for us, too. Even if we’ve blown it. Even if we’ve strayed and experienced the LORD’s discipline. He still invites us to return to Him. To come back. Like the prodigal. And when we do, we find that He’s been anxiously awaiting us all along. If that’s you today, don’t wait. Come home.

If you don’t know the LORD, you can come to know Him today. It starts with recognizing that you are a sinner in need of a Savior and believing that Jesus is the Savior whom God promised. He lived a perfect life and died a sacrificial death. He was raised to life on the third day, proving that He had conquered both sin and death, so that by believing in Him, we can be saved—not because of anything that we have done, but because of what Jesus did. The Innocent who died for the guilty so that the guilty could be declared innocent.

pro rege

This post is based on a sermon from our Book of the Twelve series. Download the podcast from the Central Christian Church Main Service, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, X, or Threads at @ccclancaster. You can also download our Central Christian app in the iTunes App Store.

August 10, 2026

The Book of the Twelve – Zephaniah & Haggai

Zephaniah 1–3, Haggai 1–2

Both Zephaniah and Haggai write their prophecies to the folks in Judah.

Zephaniah’s prophecy is written to confront Judah’s covenant unfaithfulness, and to warn both Judah and Jerusalem of the coming “Day of the LORD” when the LORD will bring His wrath upon the nations for their idolatry and treatment of Israel and upon Judah for her covenant unfaithfulness in an effort to encourage them toward godly living and to give hope to the faithful remnant in the midst of judgment that the LORD will restore the fortunes of His people.

Haggai, writing years later, is on the other side of the judgment that came on Judah and Jerusalem when the Babylonians ransacked Jerusalem, broke down its walls, burned the temple to the ground, and took most of the people away into exile. Now the folks are starting to return, and construction on the new temple has begun. However, even though the foundation of the temple has been laid, the people stopped work on the temple to build their own houses and settle in. So, Haggai writes to confront the people’s neglect in completing the work of rebuilding the house of the LORD, reminding them that when they give priority to the LORD and His house, they are blessed rather than cursed, and His presence will be with them to grant them success in the work because the LORD will fulfill His covenant with them and establish the kingdom in an effort to encourage them to be faithful and complete the work on the house of the LORD.

And like most of the prophets we’ve seen so far, there is both warning and promise. In Zephaniah, there’s warning of the judgment to come because of sin; in Haggai, there’s a reminder that disobedience brings consequences. It’s clear that the LORD takes the sin of His people seriously.

Yet there’s also the promise of restoration for the LORD’s people. He will judge, but He will also restore because He is faithful to His covenant promises even when His people are not. I love the promise He makes to the returning exiles, “I am with you.” And that’s true for us today as well. If you know the LORD.

If you don’t know the LORD, you can come to know Him today. It’s as simple as recognizing that you are a sinner in need of a Savior and believing that Jesus is the Savior whom God promised. He lived a perfect life and died a sacrificial death. He was raised to life on the third day, proving that He had conquered both sin and death, so that by believing in Him, we can be saved—not because of anything that we have done, but because of what Jesus did. The Innocent who died for the guilty so that the guilty could be declared innocent.

pro rege

This post is based on a sermon from our Book of the Twelve series. Download the podcast from the Central Christian Church Main Service, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, X, or Threads at @ccclancaster. You can also download our Central Christian app in the iTunes App Store.

August 3, 2026

The Book of the Twelve – Nahum & Habakkuk

Nahum 1–3, Habakkuk 1–3

Both Nahum and Habakkuk write their prophecies to the folks in Judah; Nahum’s prophecy is against Nineveh and her soon and sure fall because her wickedness and cruelty against Judah and the nations, in order to comfort the folks in Judah, reminding them of the LORD’s covenant faithfulness and that His righteous and just kingdom will stand while the kingdoms of the world fall, encouraging them to covenant faithfulness and to take refuge in Him.

Habakkuk’s prophecy, on the other hand, confronts Judah’s pride, using his conversation with the LORD and struggle to understand the LORD’s justice to show them that it is by faith that the prophet, and thus the nation, must live, submitting to the righteous ways of the LORD despite outward appearances, so that they will live by faith in the LORD and not by sight.

And like most of the prophets we’ve seen so far, there is both warning and promise. Warning of the judgment to come because of sin, whether that sin pertains to Nineveh or Judah or Babylon; it’s clear that the LORD will not leave the guilty unpunished. Sin carries a steep price. For Nineveh and Babylon that meant total destruction. For Judah, exile. The wages of sin are death.

Yet there’s also the promise of restoration for the LORD’s people. He will judge, but He will also restore because He is faithful to His covenant promises even when His people are not.

Two things that are important for us: 1) the kingdoms of this world will fall. Only the LORD’s righteous and just kingdom will stand, and so we need to take refuge in Him. 2) It’s by faith that the righteous should live, meaning whatever our circumstances, we trust the LORD to be working things out for our good and His glory no matter what things look like on the outside. Not always easy to do, but the LORD is faithful. And He will never leave us or forsake us.

If you don’t know the LORD, you can come to know Him today. It’s as simple as recognizing that you are a sinner in need of a Savior and believing that Jesus is the Savior whom God promised. He lived a perfect life and died a sacrificial death. He was raised to life on the third day, proving that He had conquered both sin and death, so that by believing in Him, we can be saved—not because of anything that we have done, but because of what Jesus did. The Innocent who died for the guilty so that the guilty could be declared innocent.

pro rege

This post is based on a sermon from our Book of the Twelve series. Download the podcast from the Central Christian Church Main Service, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, X, or Threads at @ccclancaster. You can also download our Central Christian app in the iTunes App Store.

July 27, 2026

The Book of the Twelve – Micah

Micah 1–7

Micah writes a series of three poetic/prophetic oracles of indictment against Israel and Judah to expose their rebellion, idolatry, and tolerance of injustice, warning them of impending judgment while also expressing confidence in their restoration, grounded in the LORD’s character and promise to Abraham. A King will come to shepherd His people, defeat the nations, and establish the kingdom.

And yet Israel and Judah refuse to repent. Instead, idolatry, violence, greed, and injustice prevail. They hate the good and love the evil. In fact, they are schemers of iniquity and workers of evil, and so the LORD will bring evil on them.

But the LORD will save a remnant of the people. Those who do justice, love lovingkindness, and walk humbly with their God. All evidence of their faith. And Israel will one day fulfill her role as the priest to the nations. Folks will come to Jerusalem to learn about the LORD, and His people will take His word out among the nations. He will raise up a Ruler for His people, to shepherd them and lead them to victory over those who oppose them. Not because Israel deserves it. But because of who He is and His covenant with Abraham.

The salvation that the LORD has promised has already gone out to the nations. Because the King has come and laid down His life for the sins of the people and was raised to life again, so that all who believe in Him…not just the folks from Israel, but those from all the nations…can be saved, not because of anything that they have done, but because of what Jesus did. The Innocent who died for the guilty so that the guilty could be declared innocent.

pro rege

This post is based on a sermon from our Book of the Twelve series. Download the podcast from the Central Christian Church Main Service, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, X, or Threads at @ccclancaster. You can also download our Central Christian app in the iTunes App Store.

July 20, 2026

The Book of the Twelve – Jonah

Jonah 1–4

The LORD’s plan has always been for the nations. He promised Abraham that through him all the families of the earth would be blessed. For God so loved the world, He gave His one and only Son…

How did Jonah miss that? He had a tremendous response from folks he seemingly couldn’t care less about…first on the ship and then in Nineveh. And the folks in Nineveh’s overwhelming response even makes him angry. He definitely doesn’t share the LORD’s heart on the matter. Judgment is always the last resort. Jonah reminds us of that.

Two things that are unmistakable in this story…the LORD’s sovereignty over and love for His creation. He appoints a great wind and a great fish, a plant, a worm, and a scorching east wind. He directs His prophet and even uses the prophet’s disobedience to accomplish the salvation of a great number of folks. He is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness and relenting of calamity. He loves the lost. He loves us too. And like a good Parent, He pursues us even when we are running from Him.

The LORD’s question to Jonah (and Israel) at the end of the story isn’t answered. “Should I not have compassion on Nineveh?” Of course, the answer should be yes. We all need the LORD’s compassion. So, who might you share it with this week?

If you don’t know the LORD, you can come to know Him today. It’s as simple as recognizing that you are a sinner in need of a Savior and believing that Jesus is the Savior whom God promised. He lived a perfect life and died a sacrificial death. He was raised to life on the third day, proving that He had conquered both sin and death, so that by believing in Him, we can be saved—not because of anything that we have done, but because of what Jesus did. The Innocent who died for the guilty so that the guilty could be declared innocent.

pro rege

This post is based on a sermon from our Book of the Twelve series. Download the podcast from the Central Christian Church Main Service, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, X, or Threads at @ccclancaster. You can also download our Central Christian app in the iTunes App Store.

July 13, 2026

The Book of the Twelve – Amos Part 2 & Obadiah

Amos 7–9, Obadiah

Amos writes his prophecy to the northern kingdom of Israel to pronounce judgment against Israel for the multitude of her transgressions against the LORD, using courtroom language to warn them of future judgment in the coming day of the LORD, so that they will repent, seek the LORD, that they might live.

But Israel refuses to repent. She tells the prophets not to prophesy and refuses to take heed to the word of the LORD. And so judgment will come. But so will restoration. Because the LORD is faithful to His covenant promises even when His people are not.

Obadiah, on the other hand, writes to the southern kingdom of Judah, encouraging and reminding them through his prophecy concerning Edom that the LORD will judge the nations for their treatment of His people and will restore Israel to the land (Deuteronomy 30). 

A common theme throughout the prophets is judgment for sin, and yet the promise of restoration to come. Because He is the LORD, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and faithfulness; relenting of evil, who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression, and sin, but who does not leave the guilty unpunished.

If you don’t know the LORD, you can come to know Him today. It’s as simple as recognizing that you are a sinner in need of a Savior and believing that Jesus is the Savior whom God promised. He lived a perfect life and died a sacrificial death. He was raised to life on the third day, proving that He had conquered both sin and death, so that by believing in Him, we can be saved—not because of anything that we have done, but because of what Jesus did. The Innocent who died for the guilty so that the guilty could be declared innocent.

pro rege

This post is based on a sermon from our Book of the Twelve series. Download the podcast from the Central Christian Church Main Service, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, X, or Threads at @ccclancaster. You can also download our Central Christian app in the iTunes App Store.