Israel

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 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.

February 23, 2026

Setting Aside the Firstborn

Exodus 13

Passover is such a defining moment in Israel’s history that it not only resets the calendar but is also celebrated at the Feast of Unleavened Bread and memorialized in the consecration of the firstborn. Lots of symbolism that points forward to and is fulfilled in Jesus. The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

It’s an event to be passed down and explained from father to son from generation to generation. The faith of the father that becomes the faith of the son. Sounds a lot like what we are supposed to be doing, right? Passing down the faith to the next generation. Transforming families to live and love like Jesus. Not necessarily easy, but extremely important. And something we can and should all do. It just takes time and intentionality.

Here’s the good news. It’s not something we do alone. It’s something we should do together. And it’s something we do in tandem with the Spirit. As He guides and directs, and as we make ourselves available to Him. That’s what I love about the pillar of cloud and the pillar of fire. Day and night, the LORD’s presence was right there with the Israelites to guide them in the way they were to go. Lamp to my feet and a light to my path. As we follow the LORD’s leading, He will show us the way. And then we can lead others.

But it starts with faith. 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 Exodus 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 16, 2023

Greater Than Moses

Hebrews 3.1-11

Jesus is greater. He’s greater than the OT revelation that points to Him. He’s greater than the angels who were created to worship and serve Him. He’s greater than Moses. Jesus is greater.

Moses was faithful as a servant. And although Moses was faithful, those who followed him weren’t. They grumbled and complained. They questioned. They rebelled. They missed their opportunity to enter the land. They fell short of the promise.

Jesus is faithful as the Son. So what about those of us who follow Him? Are we…will we be faithful? Or will we too grumble and complain? Will we question Him? Will we rebel? Will we drift away or become hardened and so miss our opportunity to experience the life that He called and saved us for? I pray that that’s not the case. I pray that we do remain faithful. That we keep our feet on Torah Road and our eyes fixed on Jesus.

pro rege

This post is based on a sermon from our Hebrews 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.

January 31, 2022

The Two Witnesses

Revelation 11.1-14

The two witnesses prophesy in the streets of Jerusalem to the nation of Israel, calling them to repentance like the great prophets of old. When their testimony is complete, they are overcome and killed by the beast, and their dead bodies are left in the street for all to see. After three and a half days they are resurrected and called up to heaven. Afterwards, the city is rocked by a great earthquake, and Israel is saved.

God is faithful to His promises. He promised Abraham that through him all the families of the earth would be blessed. And while the people failed at every turn, still God was determined to save the people He had chosen and through them to bring salvation to all peoples.

When it comes to following Jesus, winning often looks like losing. It looks like suffering and persecution and giving up my good for the good of another, but suffering comes before glory. And though the world may see us losing, the joy, the peace and the hope that we have in the midst of it all leads to an abundance of life that the world will never know. “He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”

pro rege

This post is based on a sermon from our Revelation 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, Google Play or the Amazon App Store.

August 23, 2021

The 144,000

Revelation 7.1-8

The 144,000 are sealed for the coming days of judgment. It’s not clear as of yet what God has in store for them, but we will find out in the coming weeks.

God is in control, and He has a plan. His ways are not our ways, and while we won’t understand everything, we can trust in a God who does. He has a plan for Israel, He has a plan for the 144,000, and He has a plan for you and me.

If you have trusted in Jesus, you too have been sealed. Sealed with the Holy Spirit that Paul says is a downpayment on our future inheritance. So we need not be afraid. We belong to God. We are His, and no one can snatch us out of His hand.

If you have not yet trusted in Jesus, please don’t wait. No one can stand on their own in the day of God’s wrath. I know that’s not easy to hear. I know it’s not popular to talk about. God is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness and relenting of evil. But He is also just. And there will come a day when it’s too late. So don’t wait.

pro rege

This post is based on a sermon from our Revelation 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 app store or google play.

May 3, 2021

The Revelation of Jesus Christ

Revelation 1.1-8

We live in uncertain times. But no less uncertain than the times John lived in. And honestly no less uncertain than folks have lived in for thousands of years. The world is an uncertain place…or so it seems. But God is at work now just as He’s always been.

Revelation is the story of the reconciliation of heaven and earth. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. It’s the capstone to God’s Story of redemption. And Jesus is the Hero of the Story.

By now, most of you know that I am a football fan. Revelation is the fourth quarter. Not sure how much time is left on the clock, but the countdown has begun. It started the day Jesus ascended into heaven. Our job is to finish strong. We’ll talk more about what this means in coming weeks, but our mantra throughout the book will be, “Don’t give up. Don’t give in. Jesus wins.”

Let me challenge you with something throughout this series…read through the passage we will be covering (devotional in the app for Saturday), show up and listen as we walk through the book, and then respond…do it. Whatever it is that God impresses you with…do it.

pro rege

This post is based on a sermon from our Revelation series. Download the podcast at: Central Christian Church Main Service, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube or Twitter: @ccclancaster

November 23, 2020

The Restoration of Israel

Romans 11.25-36

God is not done with His people Israel. Though things haven’t turned out quite the way we might have expected, God is using Israel’s disobedience to bring the gospel (mercy) to the Gentiles which in turn will result in Israel’s turning to God (mercy) because of the blessings of salvation being shown to the Gentiles…blessings that are part of the OT promises.

Only God could do it. He makes a way when there seems to be no way. He is in a category all His own. He’s God.

And when we think about our own salvation, like Paul it should cause us to break out in praise to God. Is that true for you? Maybe it’s been awhile since you’ve really thought about it. Might be worth a walk around the block or an hour or so sitting on the back porch thinking, pondering, meditating on the goodness of God in your life…then thanking and praising Him. Sounds like a great plan for the week of Thanksgiving.

I said this last week, but I want us to keep it in mind. Pray for Israel. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Pray for individual Jews that you know. Pray for the nation that they would accept Jesus as their Messiah. If their failure is riches for Gentiles, how much more will their fulfillment be…right? It’s as they see the difference that Jesus has made in our lives that they will become jealous in a good way…a life changing, eternity transforming way…a passing from death to life way.

Next week we start our Advent series, Joy Delivered.

pro rege

This post is based on a sermon from our Romans series. Download the podcast at: Central Christian Church Main Service, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube or Twitter: @ccclancaster

November 16, 2020

The Jewishness of Christianity

Romans 11.11-24

Being grafted in to the people of God is a huge privilege for us…for a “no people without understanding”, wild olive branches that had no hope of salvation outside the kindness and mercy of God. By faith we have been grafted in and by faith we stand.

God is not done with His people Israel. They still are His people. We benefit from the promises given to them. We are partakers of the rich root of the olive tree…not as natural branches, but as those who have been grafted in. So there is no room for boasting. We, the Church, have not replaced Israel. We have been grafted in to the people of God. Reminds me of the picture of New Jerusalem in Revelation…the twelve gates have the names of the twelve tribes written on them (OT), while the twelve foundation stones have the names of the apostles (NT) (Revelation 21.12-14)…a picture of the cultivated olive tree to which the nations coming streaming in.

Pray for Israel. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Pray for individual Jews that you know. Pray for the nation that they would accept Jesus as their Messiah. If their failure is riches for Gentiles, how much more will their fulfillment be…right?

God takes our faith seriously, and so should we. We are saved by faith and not by works. But we are saved to do the good works which God has prepared for us to do. We are to live out our faith. We are to provoke others to jealousy…living our lives in such a way that they want to come to know and follow Jesus. Can that be said of you? If not, what needs to change?

pro rege

This post is based on a sermon from our Romans series. Download the podcast at: Central Christian Church Main Service, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube or Twitter: @ccclancaster

November 2, 2020

Israel’s Believing Remnant

Romans 11.1-10

God has not rejected His people. There is a believing remnant of Jews now just as there has always been…a remnant chosen by God. Not because they deserve it. But because of God’s mercy. A remnant who have trusted in Jesus.

Two things that I want you to think about. First, you are not alone. Often in the Christian life we find ourselves in situations where we feel all alone. Like we are the only ones who are following Jesus. And it’s tempting in those times to despair…to throw our hands up and want to give up. But don’t. My guess is you’re not alone. If you will lift your head up out of the dark cloud you’ve created, you’ll often find there are other believers around that you were not previously aware of. And in the workplace or at school, it’s good to know others who share your faith and can be a support when times are tough. Maybe it’s the push you need to share your story…tell others about the hope that you have in Jesus.

Second, there is an implicit warning for us not to disregard the truth. If we are constantly hearing the Word preached/taught and yet not responding to it, our hearts become hard. Eventually we are unable to respond to the truth. Now God can work miracles in hard hearts, but don’t let it go that far…don’t neglect to respond to the truth that you hear.

pro rege

This post is based on a sermon from our Romans series. Download the podcast at: Central Christian Church Main Service, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube or Twitter: @ccclancaster