judgment

June 22, 2026

The Book of the Twelve – Joel

Joel 1–3 (Hebrew 1–4)

Joel writes his prophecy to the southern kingdom of Judah, in order to expose Israel’s covenant unfaithfulness, using the illustration of the locust plague, to warn Israel against future judgment in the coming day of the LORD, so that they will repent, turn to the LORD, and be restored. 

The LORD had big plans 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 them. 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 had made with them. 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 the land 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.

Unfortunately, they did not listen to His voice. They did not keep His covenant. They did not follow His commands. And so, the LORD, being true to His word, has brought the curses of the covenant on them in the form of the plague of locusts. But there’s still time to repent before things get worse. Before the LORD drives them out of the land. Before He becomes their Enemy. Before the day of the LORD comes, and they become a different kind of spectacle…a horror and a curse…to the world for all the evil that the LORD does to them. If only they would turn back to the LORD.

Maybe that’s where you are today. You’ve strayed far from the LORD. Maybe intentionally. Maybe it’s been a slow drift. But here you are. I think most of us have been there at some point. So, what do you do? It reminds me of the prodigal son. Stuck in the muck. Longing to eat what the pigs are eating. That’s pretty low. But then he came to his senses and remembered his Father’s house, and he turned to come back. And he discovered the most beautifully unexpected thing. The Father had been waiting for him all along and met him with open arms, celebrating His son who had been lost and now was found. That’s just like the LORD, “compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and faithfulness, relenting of evil, who knows whether He might turn and relent and leave a blessing instead?”

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, you can be saved—not because of anything that you 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 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.

June 15, 2026

The Book of the Twelve – Hosea Part 2

Hosea 4:1–14:9

Hosea writes his prophecy to the northern kingdom of Israel, pronouncing judgment against her for her covenant unfaithfulness, committing spiritual adultery through her idolatry, which she refuses to repent of, yet because of the LORD’s love for her and His covenant faithfulness, He will redeem and restore her.

One thing is extremely clear. Israel has been unfaithful to the LORD. Chief among her sins is her idolatry. They’ve broken the first and greatest commandment. You shall have no other gods before Me. Israel was to be the LORD’s seghola. His treasured possession. They were to be His people, and He was to be their God. He had so much that He wanted to do for them. He wanted to bless them. To give them life, if they would only obey Him. If they would keep His covenant. If they would trust Him. And yet they failed. Miserably.

We said this last week, but it bears repeating. In fact, we will be reminded of this throughout this series.

Though Israel is unfaithful, the LORD is always faithful to His covenant promises to both Abraham and David. So, although He will bring judgment on Israel for their rebellion against Him, He will also restore them. Because He is the LORD. “The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and faithfulness; who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression, and sin; yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished, visiting the iniquity of fathers on the children and on the grandchildren to the third and fourth generations.”

This should serve as both a warning and a comfort to us. The LORD takes sin seriously. And so should we. Sin always carries consequences. Yet the LORD’s lovingkindnesses never cease. He will discipline His children, but He does so as a loving Father who is conforming us to the image of His Son. A painful process, but one that’s for our good. Of course, that’s if you know the LORD. If you don’t, your sin carries very different consequences.

The good news is you can come to know the LORD 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 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.

June 8, 2026

The Book of the Twelve – Hosea Part 1

Hosea 1:1–3:4

Hosea writes his prophecy to the northern kingdom of Israel/Ephraim, pronouncing judgment against her for her covenant unfaithfulness but also promising her restoration based on the LORD’s faithfulness, with the desire to see Israel repent of her idolatry and turn to the LORD.

Hosea’s marriage is a shocking illustration of Israel’s covenant unfaithfulness. Like a wayward wife, Israel has broken her covenant with the LORD, committing spiritual adultery with her idolatry. Not only does she not know the LORD, but she also refuses to know Him.

Yet the LORD is faithful to His covenant promises, both to Abraham and to David. So, although He will bring judgment on them for their rebellion against Him, He will also restore them. Because He is the LORD. “The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and faithfulness; who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression, and sin; yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished, visiting the iniquity of fathers on the children and on the grandchildren to the third and fourth generations.”

This should serve as both a warning and a comfort to us. The LORD takes sin seriously. And so should we. Sin always carries consequences. Yet the LORD’s lovingkindnesses never cease. He will discipline His children, but He does so as a loving Father who is conforming us to the image of His Son. A painful process, but one that’s for our good. Of course, that’s if you know the LORD. If you don’t, your sin carries very different consequences. Eternal consequences.

The good news is you can come to know the LORD 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 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 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.

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.

November 3, 2025

The Promise of Rescue

Exodus 6

Pharaoh’s resistance has set in motion his downfall. Not only will he let the sons of Israel go, but he will also drive them out of his land.

The LORD has not forgotten His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Not only will He rescue the sons of Israel and bring them into the land, but He will also be their God, and they will be His people. And unlike Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, He has made Himself known to the people by His covenant name, the LORD.

But the people can only see their circumstances. They “lack spirit.” It’s hard to imagine that anything will ever get better. And yet, the LORD is on the move. He will rescue them. He will do what He said. He will keep His promise.

Ever feel like that? So caught up in the circumstance that you can’t see any way out? Maybe you need to be reminded that the LORD has not forgotten you. In fact, not only do we know Him as LORD, but we also know Him as Father. Not only are we His people, we are His children. That is, if you know the LORD.

Do you know the LORD? If not, you can 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, 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.

October 6, 2025

The Birth of Moses and His Escape from Egypt

Exodus 2

The scene is being set for the Exodus. Moses, the man that God has chosen to deliver his people, is himself delivered from the wicked schemes of Pharaoh by Pharaoh’s own daughter. He’s raised as a prince of Egypt, but fails to deliver his fellow Hebrews through his own efforts, and so is on the run, fearing for his life. He lands in Midian, marries a local gal, and has a son. He’s all but faded from the picture.

But God isn’t finished yet.

The king of Egypt dies, and God hears the groaning of His people. He hears, and He remembers the covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He sees, and He knows. And soon He will act. His faithfulness endures forever.

That’s good news. God still hears the groaning of His people. He remembers His promises. He will never leave us or forsake us. No matter how great the storm, no matter how dark the night, no matter how fierce the battle, even when things seem hopeless and we feel helpless, He’s there and He’s at work and He will bring us safely through! He sees, and He knows. And even when we don’t see it, He’s always acting on behalf of His people. It was true then. It’s true today.

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.

May 6, 2024

A Terrifying Thing…

Hebrew 10.26-39

Endure. Hold fast your confidence. Keep trekking down Torah Road. Live the life that you were saved for. Invest your mina well.

If not…the picture is pretty grim. The LORD will discipline His people. Guaranteed. Why? Because He saved us for a reason. And He redeemed us with the blood of His own Son. So we dare not turn back, but press on.

But why might we be tempted to turn back? Because following Jesus is hard. Giving up the life we once knew. Suffering persecution. Loss of friends and family. Wanting to go back to Egypt. Back to the good ole days. We fool ourselves into thinking that life was so much simpler then. Less friction. Less resistance. Really? Yeah, I’m not buying it. There’s a reason you chose to trust in Jesus. Because Egypt was death. Your old life wasn’t life at all. No hope and without God in the world…but so soon we forget.

We were saved on purpose for a purpose. That we might bear fruit for the kingdom. That we might endure suffering for the faith and hold fast our confession firm until the end. That we wouldn’t shrink back, but boldly move forward, storming the gates of hell and rescuing the captives. Going in for just one more.

So, let us not be those who shrink back, but those who, with confidence, forge ahead in our pursuit of Jesus. Let’s continue down Torah Road. And let’s do it together.

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, X or Threads: @ccclancaster. You can also download our Central Christian app in the iTunes App Store.

November 7, 2022

A New Heaven and a New Earth

2 Peter 3.10-18

Peter finishes with a final warning and encouragement for us to avoid the false teachers and stay on Torah Road…knowing that judgment is sure and Jesus will soon return. We are to live with the end in mind.

We don’t often talk about judgment when it comes to believers. We focus on whether or not we’re “in”, and pursuing Jesus is a good idea if you want to live the abundant life today. We can make it sound like a good but optional idea. But throughout both the OT and NT, there is a common refrain…each man will be judged according to what he has done, whether good or evil.

Now let’s be clear…when you trusted in Jesus, your sins were forgiven, you experienced peace with God, you were adopted into His family, you received the Spirit, you became a kingdom citizen…all the things that Paul talks about in Romans are true of you. You’re a new creation. You’re not who you used to be. When it comes to sin, Jesus paid the penalty for everyone of them. He satisfied God’s wrath.

But that doesn’t mean that you will not have to give an account for how you lived your life as a believer. Luke 19. You’ve been entrusted with a mina. And when the King returns He’s going to ask you how you invested it and what’s His return on your investment. Paul talks about our works being tested by fire. We will have to stand before our King one day, so what you do today matters.

We’ve talked a lot about Torah Road in 2 Peter and the importance of staying on it. But what if I’ve fallen off of it? What do I do if I am experiencing the “living death” of having my righteous soul tormented because of the lifestyle I’m choosing to live that is clearly not what God would want for me? What do I do?

And the answer is…you need to get back on Torah Road. It starts like it did in the beginning. Turning away from known sin. That may be hard…especially if, as I said earlier, you’ve developed some bad habits or addictions that you were hoping would numb the pain of living a life contrary to your new nature. That’s where “we” come into the picture. The Christian life is not intended to be a solo gig. It’s not just me, my Bible and a cup of coffee. We go together. We help each other, encourage each other, challenge each other, pray for each other, love each other. One of the best ways to do that is to get into a small group. Find some other believers to come alongside you.

We’ve been given everything we need to live the life that God calls us to…the Word and the Spirit and each other. God wants you to experience life to its fullest. He wants you to have a useful and fruitful life. It won’t be easy. It will be hard at times, but if you stay on Torah Road you can be confident you are right where God wants you to be. And what an entrance into the kingdom you have to look forward to!

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.