Jesus

January 26, 2026

Locusts and Darkness

Exodus 10–11

Two more plagues, with the last one looming on the horizon. And still Pharaoh’s heart is hardened. Even as his kingdom lies in ruins, he still refuses to let the Israelites go.

The LORD will use Pharaoh’s obstinacy, his hardheartedness, his pride to demonstrate His power and to make His name known, so that not only the sons of Israel, but also all the world may know that the LORD, He and He alone, is God. There is none like Him. Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness and faithfulness, relenting of evil, forgiving of iniquity, transgression, and sin, mighty to save, but by no means leaving the guilty unpunished.

For those who have trusted in the LORD, who have responded to His mercy, that’s great news. Forgiveness of sins. Eternal life. The kingdom awaits. But for those who have not trusted in Him, who like Pharaoh have rejected His mercy because of hardheartedness, well, that’s a different story. Judgment. Wrath. Death. Forever separated from God and all that’s good. Not the option you want to take.

And you don’t have to. You don’t have to harden your heart. You can respond to God’s mercy with repentance. 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 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.

January 19, 2026

Livestock, Boils, and Hail

Exodus 9:1–35

Three more plagues. Each one is more severe than the one before. And though Pharaoh seeks relief from the consequences of his refusal to let Israel go, he does not repent of his actions.

Being sorry for the consequences of our bad behavior/choices is not the same as being sorry for our bad behavior/choices. Everyone’s sorry when punishment/judgment comes. That’s just no fun. But being sorry for the bad behavior/choices… that’s the kind of sorrow that leads to repentance. Regretting not that I got caught, but that my actions negatively impacted others. Regretting that my actions caused others to stumble or reflect my own disobedience toward the LORD. That’s what we call repentance. Super important for both believers and unbelievers.

For believers, repentance allows us to restore our fellowship with the LORD when we’ve blown it. And with each other. Not a heaven/hell thing, but a relationship thing.

For unbelievers, repentance leads to salvation. It’s the recognition that you are a sinner in need of a Savior. And then from there, it’s 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.

January 5, 2026

Reflect and Resolve: Put Off the Old, Put On the New

Ephesians 4:17–32

The Ephesians are not to live as they did before Christ, but to live as members of the Body of Christ, pursuing greater knowledge of Him through the Scriptures and unity with one another. So are we.

We are not who we were. We were dead, but now we are alive. We were lost, but now we are found. Darkened in our understanding, but now our hearts have been enlightened with the true knowledge of Him. Far off, but brought near. Without hope and without God, but now a living hope and members of God’s household. Fellow citizens. Fellow heirs. Fellow members of the Body. Fellow sharers of the promise. With access to the Father and the unfathomable riches of Christ.

Knowing these things can and should impact the way we live our lives. That’s why spending time in God’s Word is so incredibly important. It helps us to understand who God is, who we are, and what He requires from us. So, we are no longer to live like we used to. We are to live like who we are in Christ.

That assumes, of course, that you have already trusted in Jesus. But if you haven’t yet, you can 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 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 and can now be a part of this thing called the Church.

For the rest, let me challenge you, if you haven’t already, to spend some time over the next week or so reflecting. Ask yourself the tough questions: What lessons have I learned this past year, both good and bad? Where is my relationship with the LORD? What about my family and friends? Favorite memories? Greatest accomplishments? Biggest disappointments? And where have I used the resources the LORD has entrusted to me to serve?

And then resolve…what do I want to do better? How can I grow in my relationships with the LORD and others? How can I be more intentional? How will I challenge myself this year? What will I do to finish strong? What is my part? Where can I use the resources the LORD has entrusted me to serve? Maybe start by making reading your Bible and committing to prayer a daily habit, joining a small group, finding a place to serve, sharing your story with someone at school, work, home, or in your neighborhood who doesn’t yet know Jesus, and living a generous life…

pro rege

This post is based on a sermon from our January series: Reflect and Resolve. 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.

December 29, 2025

Reflect and Resolve: Equipping the Saints

Ephesians 4:1–16

We all have a part to play in preserving unity. Not just some of us…all of us. But within this unity, there is diversity. We all have to work together for the mutual building up of the body, the Church. Equipping the saints for works of ministry, each of us doing our part.

So, whatever the talent, resource, gift, experience, passion, or personality the LORD has entrusted you with, we need you. We will only reach our full potential as a Body when each member does their part to build it up. If you are not currently serving, find a place to plug in and serve.

This passage always reminds me of when my son Jack and I decided to try taekwondo. On the first day we entered the dojo, aka the YMCA, it was clear that the goal was for us to become black belts. Even though there were a number of them present, the sensei didn’t consider his job done until we all crossed the finish line and mastered the art. The idea in this passage is very similar…it’s not about one of us making it to maturity. The job’s not done until we all attain to the unity of the faith… 

That’s, of course, if you have trusted in Jesus. But if you haven’t yet, you can do so 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 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.

For the rest, let me challenge you to spend some time over the next couple of days reflecting. Ask yourself the tough questions: What lessons have I learned this past year, both good and bad? Where is my relationship with the LORD? What about my family and friends? Favorite memories? Greatest accomplishments? Biggest disappointments? And where have you used the resources the LORD has entrusted to you to serve?

And then resolve…what do I want to do better? How can I grow in my relationships with the LORD and others? How can I be more intentional? How will I challenge myself this year? What will I do to finish strong? What is my part? Where can I use the resources the LORD has entrusted me to serve? Maybe start by making reading your Bible and committing to prayer a daily habit, joining a small group, finding a place to serve, sharing your story with someone at school, work, home, or in your neighborhood who doesn’t yet know Jesus, and living a generous life…

pro rege

This post is based on a sermon from our January series: Reflect and Resolve. 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.

December 25, 2025

The Promise Kept

John 1:1–18

In these opening verses, John presents Jesus as more than a Man…He was with God, and He was God. But 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.

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.

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, tonight would be a great time to do that.

It’s as simple as admitting that you are a sinner in need of a Savior. Believing that Jesus came to save you from your sin. He lived a perfect life, died a sacrificial death on your behalf, and was raised the third day, so that you might have forgiveness of sins and eternal life with Him, so that you might become a child of God.

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This post is based on a sermon from our Advent series: The Promise of Christmas. 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.

December 22, 2025

The Promised Redeemer (Love)

1 John 4:7–21

God is love. As His children, then, love is what defines who we now are. And love should flavor and drive all that we do.

For some, Love this Christmas starts with realizing God’s love for you. Faith comes before obedience. God has proven His love for us by sending His Son, Jesus, to die for our sins. The Promised Redeemer. He lived a perfect life, died a sacrificial death on our behalf, and was raised the third day, so that by believing in Him we could have forgiveness of sins and eternal life, becoming sons and daughters of the King. [Trust]

For others, Love this Christmasstarts with loving God more. Jesus said, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments” (John 14.15). Obedience is active love. It’s the way we show our love for God and for others. The good news…we don’t have to forge ahead on our own in obedience. The Spirit empowers and enables us to do what God asks us to do. And when we say yes to Him, the Spirit is the One who transforms us to live and love like Jesus. [Trust and obey]

For the rest, Love this Christmas looks like loving others the same way God loves us. Being just like our heavenly Father. Loving others in active and practical ways. Love is an action word. It builds up and spurs on. It sacrifices and gives. It doesn’t look out for “me” but for the good of others. It can’t help but help. When it sees a need, it meets the need. Bringing the full weight of the resources that God has blessed us with to serve others. It’s the natural consequence of our experience of God’s love for us. The Christian life is not a solo journey…it’s a group adventure. It’s something we do together. And it’s one of the best ways we express love.

pro rege

This post is based on a sermon from our Advent series: The Promise of Christmas. 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.

December 15, 2025

The Promised Good News (Joy)

Luke 2:1–20

Mary had a little Lamb…what a simple story with life-changing implications! Mary’s little Lamb is none other than the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Jesus is not only the promised King for whom the ancients long awaited and who came to save His people from their enemies, but He’s also the LORD who is worthy of all worship and praise and honor…and obedience.

The heavens erupt in praise at His coming, and the shepherds can’t help but rejoice. The people are amazed, and Mary ponders. So what will you do?

Do you know Jesus as Savior and LORD? If not, today I want to invite you to take that first step. Jesus came as Savior, the Hero and only One who can rescue us from sin and death by dying in our place, and who by His resurrection, offers us new life when we believe in Him. Good news of great joy! If you are going to experience the joy of Christmas, it has to start with the joy of knowing Jesus as Savior.

If you do know Jesus as Savior, are you serving Him as LORD? I hope so. If not, then who are you serving? Who or what is “lord” of your life? Who or what do you love more? Father John of Kronstadt (John Sergiev), a Russian Orthodox priest greatly beloved for his charity and wisdom, said this, “The enemy of our salvation especially strives to draw our heart and mind away from God when we are about to serve Him, and endeavours to adulterously attach our heart to something irrelevant.” Sound familiar? Whoever or whatever that irrelevant thing might be for you, you won’t experience the joy of Christmas, the joy of your salvation, until you make it right, until Jesus has your affections.
There is only One King of kings and Lord of lords…only One is worthy of our worship. Only He can bring true joy.

Spend some time this week, like Mary, pondering the good news that the King has come…He’s come to rescue us, He’s come to save us, He’s come to give us true peace and joy, He’s come to give us new life, and He will never leave us or forsake us. Then share that good news of great joy with someone else.

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This post is based on a sermon from our Advent series: The Promise of Christmas. 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.

December 8, 2025

The Promised Prince (Peace)

Isaiah 9:2–7 (Hebrew 9:1–6)

Isaiah pictures a time of good news for a group of people who desperately needed it. They were under the enemy’s oppression. They were defeated. They were without hope. They knew no peace. But the LORD hadn’t forgotten them. Light was coming. God Himself would rend the veil of time and space and step into the world He had created in the Person of Jesus. He would rescue them. He would save them from sin and death by sacrificing Himself in their place. He would die that they might live. He would reconcile them with their heavenly Father. He would establish a kingdom where they could live and reign with Him forever. Where they would know true and lasting peace.

And so Jesus has come…

I like the way Paul talks about it in Romans 5…“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. 3And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; 4and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; 5and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. 6 For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. 8But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. 10For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. 11And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation” (Romans 5:1–11)

If you have not yet trusted in Jesus, make today the day. It starts with recognizing that you are a sinner in need of a Savior and believing that Jesus is the Savior that God promised would come. He lived a perfect life. He died a sacrificial death on your behalf. He was raised on the third day, showing that He had conquered both sin and death, so that by believing in Him, you could have forgiveness of sins and eternal life.

pro rege

This post is based on a sermon from our Advent series: The Promise of Christmas. 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.

December 6, 2025

Frogs, Gnats, and Flies

Exodus 8 (Hebrew 7:26–8:28)

Three more plagues. The LORD continues His work to bring Israel out of Egypt.

A pattern we will see repeated throughout the plagues: The LORD makes the request and warns of the consequences of refusal. Pharaoh refuses anyway. The LORD brings judgment through a plague. Pharaoh and his people suffer the consequences. He asks Moses to plead to the LORD for him. The LORD relents. And Pharaoh’s heart is hardened. (Request. Warning. Refusal. Judgment. Plea for mercy. Relief. Hardened heart.) Pharaoh’s continued response to the LORD’s mercy is hardheartedness. A continual turning away.

Again, I’m struck by the LORD’s mercy. Pharaoh certainly doesn’t deserve it. Neither do the Israelites. And frankly, neither do we. And yet, the LORD is merciful. The question is, how will we respond to His mercy? “The people believed, and when they heard that the LORD was concerned about them and that He had seen their affliction, then they bowed low and worshiped.” Pharaoh hardened his heart. The people believed and were saved. Pharaoh didn’t and was not.

How will you respond to His mercy? The good news is—anyone can be saved. Not everyone will be, but anyone can be. 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 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.

November 10, 2025

And So It Begins

Exodus 7 (English) 7:1–25 (Hebrew)

The LORD has promised to rescue the sons of Israel from their captivity in Egypt, to go down and bring them up, and to deliver them to the land. And now the work begins.

The LORD makes an initial request and gives a sign before He begins His great judgments through the plagues He will unleash on Pharaoh, his people, the land, and the gods of Egypt. We can easily get caught up in the plagues and miss that, in the midst of judgment, there’s this vein of mercy that runs throughout.

The LORD gives Pharaoh the choice. Let the people go, or suffer the consequences. But because Pharaoh doesn’t know the LORD, he refuses. His heart is hardened. The LORD’s instrument for hardening Pharaoh’s heart? His mercy. Every time the LORD relents, Pharaoh hardens his heart. Sad because had he responded differently, he could have spared himself and his kingdom the total devastation that is soon to come. But because he didn’t know the LORD, he continues to run headlong down the broad road to destruction.

The LORD is merciful. He’s gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness and faithfulness, relenting of evil, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin. Mighty to save. But He will judge the wicked.

The good news is—anyone can be saved. Not everyone will be, but anyone can be. 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, the Bible says we, like Adam and Noah, Abraham and Joseph, 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.