love

September 22, 2025

A Genesis Overview

The God of Genesis is a God who loves deeply, who creates and restores, who rescues and guides, who redeems evil. He is the Bringer of hope. He is the God who blesses—blessing is mentioned more in Genesis than anywhere else in the Bible. He is gracious and merciful. But He is also just, and He will punish those who reject Him.

Genesis begins with a man in a garden enjoying perfect fellowship with God—it ends with a man in a coffin awaiting his return to the land—a haunting picture of the terrible consequences of sin introduced when we revolted against our Maker. Death has invaded our world and made captives of us all. Yet hope remains alive because of the faith of the man in the coffin. God would one day send a Hero to rescue us and provide a way back to the garden and perfect fellowship with Him. 

The good news—the Hero that God promised has come.

Jesus, God’s only Son, came and lived a perfect life — a life totally in tune and dependent on His Father. He died a sacrificial death. He was raised 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. He is the Genesis 3:15 Head-crushing Seed of the woman—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.

September 8, 2025

Overcoming the World

1 John 5:1-12

The one who loves God loves the children of God. And the one who loves the child of God demonstrates his or her love by keeping God’s commandments, which is only possible for a child of God.

But how do we keep the Father’s commandments? And how can John say that they are not burdensome? Only through Jesus. Because He has already kept them. So when we live through Him, when we live out our new identity as children of God, we walk in the light and have fellowship with Him. We purify ourselves just as He is pure. Will we do it perfectly? No. But we should do it faithfully. And when we fail…and we will fail…we confess it and He cleanses us. He washes our feet.

We are known by our love or lack thereof. Love is an identifying characteristic of the child of God. Like Father, like son/daughter. Love doesn’t make us a child of God. Only faith can do that. But love distinguishes us as children of God.

If you haven’t trusted in Jesus yet, you can do that today. You, too, can become a child of God. 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, died a sacrificial death, 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.

pro rege

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.

August 25, 2025

God is Love

1 John 4:7-21

God is love. As children of God, then, love is a defining characteristic of who we now are. And love should permeate and motivate all that we do.

I said this earlier, but it bears repeating. Love, in the Bible, is not just a warm, fuzzy feeling. It’s not just good vibes toward someone who’s important to you. It’s not heart emojis and puppy dog eyes. 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 the LORD has blessed us with to serve others. It’s the natural consequence of our experience of God’s love for us.

Jesus said that the world would know that we are His disciples by our love. So, if you are having a hard time loving others, what’s getting in the way? Love doesn’t save us. Only faith in Jesus can do that. But love is an indication that we have been saved, that we are children of God. So, again, what’s getting in the way of your loving others? Are you listening to the wrong voices? Are you following the wrong path? If so, you won’t experience the life that Jesus saved you for. That’s why it’s so important to listen to the testimony of the Apostles. To spend time in God’s Word.

The other end of the spectrum is hate. The one who hates is not a child of God. Love and hate, like life and death, are mutually exclusive. You are a child of God, or you are a child of the devil. There is no middle ground. Faith in Jesus is what separates the two.

If you haven’t trusted in Jesus yet, you can do that today. You, too, can become a child of God. 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, died a sacrificial death, 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.

pro rege

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.

August 20, 2025

The Testimony of the Spirit

1 John 4:1-6

The Spirit of God testifies that Jesus is the Christ. The Apostles received this message from the Spirit, so by listening to the Apostles and believing their testimony, we become children of God.

How do we receive the Apostles’ message today? Through the Word. The Bible. It’s the testimony of the Apostles written down.

Discerning Truth from deception is just as important today as it was in John’s day. There are a lot of voices out there. It matters who you listen to. How do you know what is true? How do you “test” the spirits? It’s simple. Does it align with the Word of God? If not, don’t listen. But how will you know? No shortcuts. You have to spend time in God’s Word. You have to receive the testimony of the Apostles (NT) and Prophets (OT). Otherwise, it’s easy to be led astray.

If you haven’t trusted in Jesus yet, you can do that today. You, too, can become a child of God. 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, died a sacrificial death, and was raised to life on the third day, conquering death so that your sins would be forgiven, that you would have eternal life, and that you would become a child of God. Then you, too, can walk in the light and have fellowship with the Father and the Son.

pro rege

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.

August 11, 2025

Believe in Jesus, Love One Another

1 John 3:13-24

As children of God, we will be hated by the world just as Jesus was. And with that hatred will come suffering and persecution. But let us not lose heart. Because of our faith in Jesus, we have passed out of death into life. And just like Jesus, we are called to love.

Love is an action word. Love motivates us to do something. When we see a need, to meet the need. To go beyond words to works. Bringing the full weight of the resources that the LORD has entrusted to us to bear in serving others. Helping them in practical ways.

By believing in Jesus, which shows our love for God, and loving one another, then, we keep the LORD’s commandments. And when we keep His commandments, we remain in Him. Remember, we are children of God. We have a new identity. We are not who we used to be. Our sins have been completely forgiven. We now have fellowship with the Father and the Son. The Spirit dwells within us. So, our believing and loving come out of our new identity. Will we do it perfectly? No. But definitely something we are striving for and growing in.

That assumes, of course, that you’ve trusted in Jesus. That’s the only way to be a child of God. It’s the only way to have your sins forgiven. It’s the only way that you can have fellowship with the Father.

If you haven’t trusted in Jesus yet, you can do that today. You, too, can become a child of God. 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, 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.

pro rege

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.

August 9, 2025

Children of God

1 John 3:1-12

John reminds his readers that they are children of God who will one day see Him face to face. And so he encourages them to live their lives in light of that truth.

John once again draws a line in the sand and presents two sides. The children of God and the children of the devil. The doers of righteousness and the doers of sin. There is no middle ground. You are on one side or the other. If you have trusted in Jesus, you are a child of God, a doer of righteousness. How does that work? Because your sins have been completely erased. You have been made pure just as He is pure.

John’s still encouraging his readers to listen to him. John and the Apostles are children of God, doers of righteousness who walk in the light and have fellowship with the Father and the Son. The antagonists are children of the devil, doers of sin who walk in the darkness. Who should you be listening to?

If you have not yet trusted in Jesus, then like the antagonists, you are a child of the devil, a doer of sin. That sounds incredibly harsh, and yet that’s the truth of where you are right now because your sin remains.

But the good news is…you can become a child of God 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 you could have eternal life and become a child of God. Then you, too, can walk in the light and have fellowship with the Father and the Son.

pro rege

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.

August 9, 2025

The Truth vs. the Lie

1 John 2:15-29

The Truth vs. the lie. Confessing Jesus as the Christ vs. denying Him. To confess is to believe, and only those who believe in Jesus have the promise of eternal life. Only they are children of God who do righteousness. Only they have the Spirit.

Jesus is coming back. No question about that. The only question is: will you be ready when He comes? Will you be prepared to welcome the King at His return, or will you shrink back in shame?

John makes it pretty clear in this letter…there are only two sides. Confessing vs. denying. Light vs. darkness. Truth vs. lie. Child of God vs. child of the devil. Which side are you on?

The good news is…you can be on the right side 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 would be forgiven, that you would have eternal life, and that you would become a child of God. Then you, too, can walk in the light and have fellowship with the Father and the Son.

pro rege

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.

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.

pro rege

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.

July 14, 2025

Eyewitnesses

1 John 1

John is among those who were eyewitnesses to Jesus’ life and teaching (His words and works, including His death and resurrection). As an eyewitness, John has the words of eternal life. Life that comes from the Father and is only available through Jesus.

That life is available to all, although not all will experience it. You see, we have a sin problem. By default, we walk in the darkness. The only cure? To have our sins eradicated. Wiped out. Gone. The good news is…that’s why Jesus came. 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 He might give eternal life to all who would believe in Him. You can do that today. Then you, too, can walk in the light and have fellowship with the Father and the Son. 

pro rege

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.

July 7, 2025

The Armor of God

Ephesians 6:10-24

Paul’s final instructions to the Ephesians are a charge to be prepared for the spiritual warfare that they will face as a Church. Put on the full armor of God that you all may be able to resist in the evil day and to stand firm. Truth…righteousness…gospel of peace…faith…salvation. We could sum it up this way…the Word of God and prayer.

We have a real enemy who seeks to steal and kill and destroy. He would like nothing better than to bring down the Church. Both individually and corporately. That’s why it’s so important that we stand firm together. That we journey down Torah Road together. That we pursue Jesus together. Each part doing his or her part. Doesn’t mean that it will be easy and that the struggle won’t be intense at times. That’s life this side of the garden. But it does mean that whatever comes our way, we will face it together. As the Church…the Body of Christ…the one New Man.

And the good news…Jesus promised that the gates of hell would not prevail against His Church.

I pray that our time in Ephesians has been profitable for you. That you understand more what it means to be a part of the Body of Christ. That you’ve been reminded of the importance of time spent in God’s Word. And that you’ve been challenged to discover the part that the LORD is calling you to play in this thing called the Church.

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.