Gospel

July 21, 2025

Walk in the Light

1 John 2:1-14

John challenges his readers to walk in the light together, which includes loving one another…a we-thing, not just a me-thing…and is only possible when we have fellowship with the Father through faith in Jesus.

Jesus has made atonement for the sins of all those who have believed. Our slate is wiped clean. We are forgiven. We have both peace and fellowship with the Father. We are not who we used to be, but are now children of God. That’s good news.

More good news? If you have not yet trusted in Jesus, He has made that same atonement available to you. All can be saved, although not all will be. Only those who have trusted in Jesus. You can do that today. It’s as simple as recognizing that you are a sinner in need of a Savior. Believing that Jesus is the Savior that God promised. He lived a perfect life…He Himself walked in the light…He died a sacrificial death to pay the penalty for sin, and He was raised to life on the third day, conquering death so that your sins can be forgiven, that you can have eternal life, and that you can become a child of God. Then you, too, can walk in the light and have fellowship with the Father and the Son.

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This post is based on a sermon from our 1 John series, “Unshakeable.” 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.

May 5, 2025

Brought Near

Ephesians 2:11-22

Although we, like the Ephesians, were separated from God, we have now been brought near through the sacrificial death of Jesus and so are, along with believing Israel, a part of the Church built on the Apostles and Prophets aka the Scriptures and indwelt by the Spirit.

That is good news. We who were without access now have access. We were excluded but now are included. We were without hope and without God in the world. But now, because of Jesus, we have a living hope and are members of God’s household. How awesome is that?!?

That’s true for us as believing Gentiles just as it is for believing Jews. We are both fellow citizens of the same household. Members of the one Body of Christ. A New Man. The Church.

If you have not yet believed, you are still far off. But you can be brought near. It’s as simple as recognizing that you are a sinner in need of a Savior. Believing that Jesus is the Savior that God promised. He lived a perfect life. He died a sacrificial death on your behalf and was raised the third day conquering both sin and death, so that by faith in Jesus you can have forgiveness of sins and eternal life.

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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.

April 28, 2025

The Gospel

Ephesians 2:1-10

For by grace you all have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. A dead man can’t do anything to save himself…he’s dead! He must be made alive again.

The bad news…if you have not yet trusted in Jesus, you are dead. Your sin has killed you. And if something doesn’t change, nothing will change. You will remain dead. Separated from God forever. Not a very pretty picture. In fact it’s a very grim picture. An unsettling picture. But an accurate picture. The bad news is you’re as bad off as you can possibly be without Jesus.

The good news…Jesus came to change all of that. He came to give you life. His death has taken care of the sin problem, His resurrection has taken care of the death problem, so that through faith in Him you can can be saved because of His amazing grace.

It’s as simple as recognizing that you are a sinner in need of a Savior. Believing that Jesus is the Savior that God promised would come. He lived a perfect life. He died a sacrificial death on your behalf and was raised the third day conquering both sin and death, so that by faith in Jesus you can have forgiveness of sins and eternal life.

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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.

April 21, 2025

Easter – Jesus’ Life, Death and Resurrection

Luke 15:11-31, 23:32-56, 24:1-12

What an amazing first Easter morning! Though all hope seemed to be lost…the Hero was dead…God wasn’t  finished yet. In an astounding twist to the plot…the Hero is raised to life. Death is conquered. Sin is atoned for. The way is made available for us to be reconciled to God. Death is swallowed up in life, despair in hope, mourning in astounding joy. Jesus is risen! He is risen indeed!

The resurrection confirms that Jesus is the Hero He claimed to be and that everything He said is true…His death satisfied God’s wrath on sin, and His resurrection means that He is also able to raise us up and give us new life…eternal life. That is good news!

For those of us who have trusted in Him, one day our King will return just as He promised. Until that day, we, as His followers, are commanded to carry out His mission…to seek and to save the lost. To storm the gates of hell. To set the captives free. To point the way to Jesus..

But maybe you haven’t yet trusted in Jesus. If not, today can be the day of salvation for you. He has already done all the heavy lifting. You simply have to recognize your need to be rescued…that you are a sinner in need of a Savior and believe that Jesus came to do just that…He lived a perfect life, died a sacrificial death in your place and was raised the third day, conquering both sin and death. When you do that, the Bible says that your sins are forgiven, that you have eternal life, and that you are now a part of God’s family…a son or daughter of the King.

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This post is based on our Easter sermon. 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.

March 10, 2025

Prelude to Ephesians – A Riot at Ephesus

Acts 19.21-41

Paul prepares to leave Ephesus to return to Jerusalem and then on to Rome. But before he can leave, a riot breaks out in the city. The gospel is transforming lives, which is proving to have an adverse effect on the local economy.

The gospel is good news. Because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, those who believe in Him have forgiveness of sins, eternal life, a new heart and God’s Spirit living within them. They pass from death to life, from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of the beloved Son…they are not who they used to be. Jesus changes everything!

For the folks at Ephesus, that meant confessing their sins and making a clean break with their past…no more magic, but also no more Artemis worship. And it made an IMPACT on their city. The IMPACT can be seen in two ways. First there’s the number of folks who believe, then there’s the radical change in their behavior. One or two or a handful whose behavior is radically changed will have an IMPACT, but probably not enough to cause a riot. And a great number of folks whose behavior changes a little will have an IMPACT, but again probably not enough to cause a riot. But when you combine those two…a large number of people who are radically changed…then you have the recipe for a riot.

So I wonder what kind of IMPACT we are having on our community, and is it the IMPACT we want to have…are we causing a stir by the way we follow Jesus? Are we disrupting the economy of those who are peddlers of sin and bad choices? The Ephesian Christians caused a stir, not by picketing outside Demetrius’ shop and not by running a smear campaign against Artemis. How did they cause a stir? By living a different kind of life. A noticeably different kind of life. A life marked by the gospel and transformed by God’s grace. And if we want to make an IMPACT on our community for good, that’s where it starts…by living lives that have been radically transformed by the gospel of God’s grace and sharing the hope that we have with those around us who so desperately need it. So let me challenge you this week…if one or two of us live lives that have been radically transformed by the gospel of God’s grace and share the hope that we have with others, we’ll have an IMPACT…but if hundreds of us do it, we’ll have a riot. Let’s start a riot!

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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.

November 11, 2024

IMPACT Promise Week 6: The Generosity of God

2 Corinthians 9.10-15

“Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness; you will be enriched in everything for all generosity, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God.”

Last weekend Wendy and I were visiting our son’s church, and the pastor said something that stuck with me about giving. We will call it four views of “my stuff”: 1) all that I have is mine 2) the more is mine 3) some of what I have is mine or 4) all that I have belongs to the LORD (generous/kingdom IMPACT mindset). Helpful way of thinking about this idea of generosity.

Everything we have comes from the LORD. Everything. He has entrusted us with His resources. He provides the seed…time, talent, experience, gifts, money/stuff…and He expects us to invest those resources until He returns. Parable of the Mina’s in Luke 19. Guess what He wants us to invest in? Our kingdoms? Building bigger barns…seeing who can die with the most toys…having a YOLO attitude? And who gets all that stuff when you die? Eventually it all goes to the graveyard or the junkyard. What a foolish way to live! Or are we to invest in His kingdom? Yeah…His kingdom. Easy to say, but hard to do. It requires us to let go, rather than hold on. To recognize that we are not the main character in our story. He is. Our job is simply to say “yes” to Him.

Here’s the thing…our money/stuff and how we use it…is a good indication of our spiritual health (all mine vs. all His or somewhere in between). In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus challenges His disciples not to worry…about food or clothing…the necessities of life…God will provide for us just as He does for the lilies of the field and the birds of the air. He says instead that we are to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to us. For where our treasure is, there our heart will be also.

Now’s the time to make an IMPACT. Strive to become a generous giver, not a bigger barn builder. Then watch and see what the LORD does.

IMPACT Promise is a great place to start.

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This post is based on a sermon from our IMPACT Promise 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 21, 2024

IMPACT Promise Week 3: Finish What You Start

2 Corinthians 8.8-15

Why be generous? Because of Jesus. Though He was rich, yet for our sake He became poor, so that we through His poverty might become rich. That’s God’s grace. That’s the gospel.

Being generous is a heart attitude. Not really something that’s easy to teach. It starts with the recognition of God’s grace…His generosity towards us. Those forgiven much, love much. Those forgiven little, love little. Truth is…we’ve all been forgiven much. And when that sinks in, we will do a much better job of loving. Loving God and loving others. We will simply be more generous. We will have an IMPACT mindset.

Everything we have, we’ve been given. It’s been entrusted to us. It all belongs to God. We are managers of His resources. And one day we will have to give an account…have we been generous with His stuff? Have we been generous with the money, time, relationships, etc…with the life He’s entrusted to us?

Another way to ask that is…what kind of IMPACT are you having right now for the kingdom? What kind of IMPACT would you like to have? 

Let’s start today…sign up to be a part of our IMPACT Promise and say “yes” to the LORD.

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This post is based on a sermon from our IMPACT Promise 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 7, 2024

IMPACT Promise Week 1: Paul at Corinth

Acts 18.1-11

Paul’s trip to Corinth is a game changer. A church is planted in one of the most affluent and influential cities of the ancient world, setting the stage for major strategic IMPACT, and Paul himself is encouraged by the Lord to press on to greater IMPACT despite ministry fatigue.

Following Jesus is hard work at times. Opposition and obstacles are often in the way. But the Lord is with us, and He will see us through. He still has work for us to do…lots of folks who need to hear about Jesus. Now’s not the time to shrink back. Now’s the time to forge ahead…to crash the gates of hell…and proclaim our Resurrected King. Now’s the time to make an IMPACT.

Like Paul, it’s our job to share the gospel…to be a watchman on the wall. The gospel is good news for those who receive it, but a warning of impending judgment for those who reject it. Jesus is either our King, or He will be our Judge. No middle ground. You are either in or out, for or against, saved or lost.

And also like Paul, we all need encouragement. Who can you encourage this week? Maybe someone who is having a rough go of it. Maybe someone who’s been out of the game for awhile. Maybe someone who has walked away from the faith for any number of reasons. Maybe someone who needs to take a step of faith. Maybe it’s something else. Whatever the situation…encourage them in the Lord this week. Another great way to have an IMPACT.

BTW if you have not yet trusted in Jesus, please make today the day. It is as simple as recognizing that you are a sinner in need of a Savior. Believing that Jesus is the Savior that God promised. He lived a perfect life. He died a sacrificial death on your behalf and was raised the third day conquering both sin and death, so that by faith in Jesus you can have forgiveness of sins and eternal life.

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This post is based on a sermon from our IMPACT Promise 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.

September 30, 2024

The Relentless Love of God

Jonah 4.1-11

We said this week 1 of Jonah…God’s plan has always been for the nations. He promised Abraham that through him all the families of the earth would be blessed. And John 3.16 reminds us…“For God so loved the world He gave His one and only Son…”

But too bad it’s not the same for Jonah. He had a tremendous response from folks he seemingly couldn’t care less about…first on the ship and then in Nineveh. And the overwhelming response of the folks in Nineveh even makes him angry. He definitely doesn’t share God’s heart on the matter.

If we are not careful, we too can be like Jonah. Maybe for good reason…or so we think. Maybe someone’s hurt us in some way. Maybe they are making bad life choices. I don’t know. We can come up with all kinds of reasons why, but the bottom line is: we don’t think they deserve God’s mercy. We of course do. But they definitely don’t. And you know sometimes, we may even get mad when God shows them mercy. How dare He! Yeah, we can be a lot like Jonah.

Two things continue to be unmistakable in this story…God’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. The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness and relenting of calamity. He loves the lost. He loves us too. And wants us to love the lost just like He does.

Sometimes the folks that we have written off as too far gone, like the folks there in Nineveh, are just the folks who are ready to hear the gospel and respond to it. God’s question to Jonah at the end of the story isn’t answered. “Should I not have compassion on Nineveh?” We all need the LORD’s compassion…His mercy. Who do you need to share His mercy with this week?

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This post is based on a sermon from our Jonah 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.

September 9, 2024

Jonah’s Disobedience

Jonah 1.1-16 (Hebrew)

God’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…exhibit A…the men on the ship who go from fearing the storm to fearing the LORD. Jonah definitely doesn’t share God’s heart on the matter.

I think if we are honest with ourselves we can be like Jonah. Maybe for good reason…or so we think. Maybe someone’s hurt us in some way. Maybe they are making bad life choices. I don’t know. We can come up with all kinds of reasons why, but the bottom line is: we don’t think they deserve God’s mercy. We of course do. But they definitely don’t. Oh, we would never say it out loud, or at least not where anyone could hear us. But our action or inaction speaks louder than words. Who are you avoiding/refusing to share your story with? Maybe you think they won’t respond in faith, or maybe you think they will. But how can we expect God to be gracious to us if we won’t share His grace with others? 

And while Jonah tells the sailors he fears the LORD, his actions don’t seem to make that obvious. But for the sailors, fear/belief has resulted in action. Their response of faith has been just that…a response. Our actions don’t save us, but they do demonstrate the faith that we say we have. Remember to hear and not do is not to hear. To believe and not to respond is not to believe. Jesus said, “He who hears My words and does them will be like a man who built his house on the rock…” Is your faith obvious by the way you live your life? Would folks know you’re a Christian by your actions?

Two things that are unmistakable in this story…God’s sovereignty over and His love for His creation. He appoints a great wind. He directs His prophet and even uses Jonah’s disobedience to accomplish the salvation of a group of unsuspecting sailors. 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 Father, He pursues us even when we are running from Him.

Sin is serious and impacts the folks who are around us…Jonah’s sin impacted the sailors, and it affects those closest to us too. Even though we may think otherwise. Sin is greedy that way.

So don’t be like Jonah. We all need the LORD’s compassion. We all need His mercy. Who do you need to share it with this week?

BTW if you have not yet trusted in Jesus, please make today the day. It is as simple as recognizing that you are a sinner in need of a Savior. Believing that Jesus is the Savior that God promised. He lived a perfect life. He died a sacrificial death on your behalf and was raised the third day conquering both sin and death, so that by faith in Jesus you can have forgiveness of sins and eternal life.

pro rege

This post is based on a sermon from our Jonah 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.