Apostle

April 7, 2025

Paul’s Prayer for the Ephesians

Ephesians 1:15-23

Paul prays that these Ephesian believers will understand what it means to be in Christ…what an incredible thing it means to be a part of the Church. All because of Jesus.

Where will that understanding come from? The words of the Apostles and Prophets. The Scriptures. That was true for them, and it’s also true for us. We will only understand what it means to be “in Christ” through the Word. That’s why it’s so important to spend time in it everyday…so that we not only get to know the LORD better, but we also get to know who we are in Him.

So, I’m going to continue to challenge you to spend time in God’s Word everyday. Ephesians is a great place to start. Six chapters…a chapter a day leading up to Sunday. If you commit to doing that over the next several weeks while we are in the book, you will certainly grow in your understanding of what it means to be in Christ.

pro rege

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

October 31, 2022

The Coming of the Day of the Lord

2 Peter 3.1-9

Despite the mocking mockers willful ignorance, judgment is coming. And Peter doesn’t want us as believers to be deceived and led astray from the life that the Lord desires for us…a life we will only experience as we stay on the Torah Road.

What you do today matters. Who you listen to matters. I’ve said that a lot in this series, I know. But it’s because Peter does. The danger is real. And the stakes are high. So heed Peter’s warning.

If not, don’t be surprised that the path that you’re now on does not lead to joy and peace. How can it? When you trusted in Jesus, the Spirit was given to you as a pledge, and you became a new creation. You’re not who you used to be. Which means now that you have the Spirit, you can’t enjoy sin any longer. You can’t pursue life as if you didn’t know Him. God loves you too much for that. And so He disciplines you. To bring you to repentance. And until that happens…until you return, you will feel your righteous soul tormented day after day by the lifestyle you’re choosing to live. You will be blind, short-sighted, forgetting your salvation. Not really living. It’s not a good place to be. God wants much more for us than that.

So if that’s you, what do you need to do? Making every effort, to your faith add moral excellence. And to your moral excellence, knowledge…then self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness and finally love. That keeps you strong and keeps you from stumbling. Makes you fruitful and useful for the kingdom. And an abundant entrance awaits.

pro rege

This post is based on a sermon from our 2 Peter series. Download the podcast at: Central Christian Church Main Service, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube or Twitter: @ccclancaster. You can also download our Central Christian app in the iTunes App Store.