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March 18, 2024

A Greater Covenant

Hebrews 8.1-13

As the Mediator of a better covenant which has been enacted on better promises, Jesus has a more excellent ministry. And we are the beneficiaries of that ministry.

No longer do we have to rely on the copies and shadows because we have the Substance. Jesus fulfills all that the OT foreshadowed, pictured, prophesied and promised.

I said it last week, but let me reiterate…we may not fully appreciate all that Paul is saying here, but it doesn’t make it any less spectacular. Jesus is always interceding for us before the Father. His death on our behalf was the perfect Sacrifice that both atoned for and took away our sins. His Torah is written on our heart. Because of Him we can draw near to God. And if all that wasn’t enough…He also saves us forever…completely and for all time.

If you haven’t trusted in Jesus yet, please make today the day. 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 you can draw near to God.

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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.

March 11, 2024

A Greater Priesthood

Hebrews 7.11-28

Jesus is greater. In every way, Jesus is greater. He serves in a greater priesthood and is Himself both the perfect Sacrifice and the perfect High Priest. He saves forever those who have trusted in Him, always making intercession for them before the Father, having provided the way for them to draw near to God through Him.

I think as Gentile Christians it’s a bit harder for us to grasp the profound significance of what Paul is saying. We didn’t grow up under the levitical system. We didn’t have priests that offered sacrifices annually for us on the Day of Atonement. We take for granted our own experience.

And yet what Paul is saying is profoundly significant, not only for these Hebrew believers, but for us as well. Jesus is always interceding for us before the Father. His death on our behalf was the perfect Sacrifice that both atoned for and took away our sins. Because of Him we can draw near to God. And if all that wasn’t enough…He also saves us forever…both completely and for all time. O what a Savior!

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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.

March 4, 2024

A Priest in the Order of Melchizedek

Hebrews 7.1-10

Melchizedek was greater than Abraham. How do we know? The honor that Abraham showed towards him by giving him a tenth of the spoils, but also by the blessing that Melchizedek pronounced over Abraham. And since Abraham in turn is greater than his descendants, including Levi and Aaron, Melchizedek is also greater. And as a priest then, his priesthood is greater than that of Aaron’s.

Why is that important? Because Jesus is a Priest in the order of Melchizedek. Jesus, then, has a greater priesthood than that based on the Law, and His priesthood is based on a better Sacrifice.

Abraham’s encounter with Melchizedek is a stop on his journey down Torah Road. In the Genesis account of his life, we can see Abraham move from being a man of faith to being a faithful man. He wasn’t always perfect. He blew it pretty big sometimes…just like us. But he never took his feet off Torah Road. He continued to go farther up and farther in. Through faith and patience he inherited the promises (Stay tuned for Hebrews 11). An example that we are to follow…not being sluggish, but diligent…finishing strong as we too wait on the LORD.

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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.

February 26, 2024

A Sure Hope

Hebrews 6.9-20

Having started well, the challenge is to finish well. Not to be sluggish, but to be diligent. To imitate the example of those who demonstrated faith and patience as they waited on God…like a guy named Abraham.

Suffering can be very confusing. Especially suffering for the faith. Persecution has a way of making a person question his or her life choices. Am I doing the right thing? If so, why am I suffering for it? And yet, there is no maturity in the Christian life apart from suffering. Suffering doesn’t guarantee maturity (bitter vs. better), but maturity doesn’t happen without suffering. It’s been true for every believer who’s taken their faith seriously. It’s been that way since the garden. And it will be that way until Jesus comes back.

Why? Because we live in a fallen world. A world that is in rebellion against its Creator. And a world that is at war with everyone who chooses to follow Him. That’s why Jesus tells His disciples not to be surprised when the world hates them…neither should we. Sounds like bad news.

But that’s why it’s so important to be reminded that Jesus is greater. So, when we are suffering…when we are being persecuted…we know that the One who is the radiance of the Father’s glory, the exact representation of His nature, through whom all things were made, and by whose word all things are upheld, the One who is worshiped by the angels, is also the One who is the Heir of all things, both the perfect High Priest and Sacrifice, who defeated death and the devil, our resurrected King…we know that that Guy is interceding for us and saving us and perfecting us and will be with us no matter what. And that promise is as sure as God Himself.

So, let’s endure suffering, hold fast our faith and finish well.

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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.

February 19, 2024

The Danger of Falling Away

Hebrews 6.1-8

Press on to maturity. Keep trekking down Torah Road. Live the life that you were saved for. Invest your mina well.

Because if not…the picture is pretty grim. For the exodus generation, it was a lifetime of wandering in the wilderness. For these Hebrew believers, the LORD’s discipline might look somewhat different, but their lives would likewise fall short of what the LORD intended for them. They would be worthless for the kingdom.

The same is true for us. I’ve said it before, but we were not saved simply to go to heaven. If so, we would already be there. 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 fall back, but those who press on in our pursuit of Jesus. Let’s continue down Torah Road. And let’s do it together.

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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.

February 12, 2024

Walking Torah Road

Hebrews 5.11-14

Paul says it this way in Romans 12.2, “…do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” Don’t be lazy or sluggish…don’t be “dull of hearing/obeying” in your walk down Torah Road. Spend quality time in God’s Word every day because, as we do that, the Spirit takes the truth that we have read and begins to transform us, so that whatever the situation, we can discern what it is that God would have us do.

There is no such thing as pause or neutral in life. We are either growing or not, progressing or regressing. It’s true mentally, physically, emotionally and…spiritually. If we are not making progress down Torah Road then we are sliding backwards…losing whatever ground we may at one time have gained.

So, if you suspect that might be you…that you might be a spiritual “infant”…how do you begin your path to maturity? Well, good news. We just finished our 5 Marks series aimed specifically at furthering our walk with the LORD. Time with other believers. Prayer. Daily Devotion. Generous living. Sharing your story. All are a part of the path to maturity.

And while all are important, your daily devotion…time in the Word…is where your senses are trained to discern good and evil. So start training today with a simple Bible reading plan. Check out the Central app. We have a reading plan already set up that will take you through the OT once and the NT twice this year. Pretty aggressive, but well worth it. If you want to strike out on your own…well, what do you like to read? Do you like poetry? Start with Psalms. Do you like wisdom literature, pithy sayings? Then, Proverbs. Action? Genesis or 1 Samuel or Mark. Pick a book and start. Work your way up to the heavier books like Isaiah or Ezekiel or Romans or Revelation. Pray before you start that God will help you put into practice what you’re learning. Remember it’s hearing and doing. And if you miss a day? Don’t beat yourself up, just start again.

Two last words…first, while personal time in the Word is super important, pro tip…time in the Word with other believers leads to even greater gains. The Bible was written to a community of believers and that’s how it’s best understood and applied. If you are not a part of a small group, now’s a great time to join one.

Second, for you husbands and fathers, this is a great opportunity for you to begin to lead your families. Share with your wife and your kids what God is teaching you through His Word, and encourage them to do the same. Maybe read a Proverb a day together…

Let’s press on to maturity then, walking down Torah Road, making time in God’s Word a daily practice, training our senses to discern good and evil so that we can more and more live and love like Jesus…and let’s do it together.

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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.

January 29, 2024

5 Marks of a Disciple: Share Your Story

Luke 8.26-39

Having just calmed a violent storm at sea, Jesus meets a man with an equally violent storm raging within him. In both cases Jesus is able to squash the chaos with a word. It would be easy to come to the conclusion that Luke is showcasing Jesus’ power and authority over both the natural and supernatural worlds. And he does that, but I think Luke is driving us to something even more powerful…you see, beyond the power of Jesus is the love of Jesus. Jesus crosses a violent, storm-tossed sea and faces down the forces of hell for one man! Did you get that? Jesus crosses a violent, storm-tossed sea and faces down the forces of hell for one man! O what a Savior! And having rescued him, He sends him on a mission to share his story – of “what great things God had done for him.”

I love this story. It’s a beautiful picture of the lengths that Jesus goes to to seek and save the lost…

Crossed the sea (calmed the storm, etc.). Faced off with the hosts of hell. Braved the potential backlash of a frightened mob…For one man

Jesus is still on a rescue mission, pulling folks out of the fires of hell. Setting the captives free. And as those who have been set free, He calls us to join Him in that same mission. To share our story…of what great things Jesus has done for us.

Though we may not have been as bad off as the demoniac in this story, before Jesus we were all just as lost. We were all held captive in the kingdom of darkness. We were all without hope and in desperate need of rescue. And only Jesus could do that.

Each one of us is here today because someone shared their story with us. Like the one-time-demoniac-turned-follower-of-Jesus in our story this morning, they shared with us what great things Jesus had done for them. And having believed ourselves, now we have a story to tell as well of what great things Jesus has done for us.

So what is your story, and who can you share it with? Jesus sent the man back to his home town to share with those closest to him what God had done for him. Sounds a lot like our impact list…those folks who are closest to us who don’t know Jesus. Could be friends or family, neighbors, co-workers, classmates or teammates. If you have trusted in Jesus, then you have a story to tell.

Let me challenge you with two last words…first, take time this week to write out your story. On our website or on the app you can find a template that will walk you through putting together Your Story. Take your time…don’t rush. Pray over it and ask God to direct you through the process.

Second, prayerfully consider who you need to share your story with. Who do you know that hasn’t yet trusted in Jesus? Pray for opportunities and ask God for courage in the moment to take advantage of those opportunities when they come.

So let’s be intentional in 2024. Let’s challenge ourselves to spend quality time in God’s Word and pray everyday, to take steps to join a small group if we are not already in one, to live generous lives and share our stories, and let’s do it together.

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This post is based on a sermon from our January series: 5 Marks of a Disciple. 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 22, 2024

5 Marks of a Disciple: Generous Living

Luke 18.18-27, 19.1-10, 21.1-4

God’s economy is different than ours. The stories of the rich young ruler, Zaccheus and the poor widow are reminders that God is not looking at the size of the gift, but the motivation behind giving it. God’s not after our money, but us. And when He gets us, He gets all of us…including the resources He’s entrusted to us to invest in kingdom purposes.

Just as our Father is generous, He wants us to be generous too. Because of our so great salvation, our thankful and happy hearts should loosen our grip on our stuff and free us up to give…and to give generously like both Zach and the widow. In fact, we as believers should be the most generous folks on the planet!

But so often we’re not. We act more like the rich young ruler. Maybe it’s because we have too low a view of God. Maybe we’re afraid to trust Him because deep down inside we believe Him to be stingy…that somehow He might hold out on us. And if we give away what we have, there won’t be enough for us. 

Yeah…but that’s not the picture that the Bible paints of who God is…think about the number of stars in the heavens, the number of galaxies, the greatness and vastness of space. In the Genesis account, when God creates the sun, moon and stars, what is their purpose? To give light to the earth, and for signs and for seasons. Seems to be a bit extravagant, doesn’t it?

What about God’s grace and His mercy and His love? His boundless, immeasurable love? The cross where the sins of all mankind were placed on His beloved Son. Every sin atoned for. Every one. So that all might be saved…if they will believe in Jesus.

So if God is so incredibly generous in these things…both in creation and in redemption, then why would He be stingy in providing for our needs (birds and flowers)? Our generosity problem has nothing to do with our wealth or lack thereof. The widow was certainly not rich by anyone’s standards. It has everything to do with our faith and obedience. So the question is, do you trust God enough to be generous and to live generously?

BTW generosity isn’t just about our stuff. It also involves our time and our gifts/talents/abilities. As I said before, one of the most valuable resources we have is our time. We have not all been entrusted with the same amount of stuff, but we have been entrusted with the same amount of time…24 hours in a day the last time I checked. The question is…how are you going to invest it? Generous living is just that…generous living.

If giving is new to you, I know what it feels like to look at your finances and wonder, “how?” Or to look at your calendar and wonder, “when?” Let me just challenge you to try it. Pick an amount and begin to give regularly. Set a goal…maybe ten percent, and build those giving muscles until you reach it. Volunteer to serve in a ministry. Taste and see that the LORD is good. Strive to become a generous giver, not a bigger barn builder, knowing that investing in the kingdom pays eternal dividends. Then your heart won’t be wrapped up in your stuff, but in the kingdom. Just like Zach and the widow.

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This post is based on a sermon from our January series: 5 Marks of a Disciple. 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 15, 2024

5 Marks of a Disciple: Daily Devotion

2 Peter 1.3-9

Being transformed to live and love like Jesus is the ultimate goal of the Christian life. The good news is, we’ve been equipped with everything we need to pursue this life…the Scriptures and the Spirit. Peter even gives us some hand and footholds, a list of virtues from faith to love.

I know we all want to finish well…we want our lives to have an impact for the kingdom. And that’s going to take some intentionality. Diligence. But spending time in God’s Word…your daily devotion…this is something you can do, and something you must do. It’s hard work to finish well, but it’s worth it.

There is no such thing as pause or neutral in life. We are either growing or not, progressing or regressing. We can train our bodies…we can go to the gym, we can eat right, etc., and we will see progress. We will get stronger, faster, more agile. But if you skipped going to the gym for a time, or didn’t run or ride your bike , you find out pretty quickly how easy it is to lose ground. The same is true intellectually. If we stop learning, our brains begin to shrink. Emotionally, if we withdraw from people, we lose the ability to relate. It’s true in every area of life…if we don’t use it, we lose it. So how do we miss it spiritually? It should be obvious that if we are not growing spiritually then we are shrinking. We are moving backward. We are losing whatever ground we may at one time have gained.

What if that’s you? Maybe you started out well, or maybe not so well, and now you’re wondering what to do. Peter would say, “I know you’ve messed up. I know you’ve failed Jesus. Welcome to the club, so did I…” but the good news is, you can still finish well. How? Get back to the basics…back on Torah Road. Begin today to pursue godliness…to spend time in the Bible getting to know God, not just getting to know about Him, but really knowing Him and doing what He says. Start with a simple Bible reading plan. Read, listen to, think about, meditate on, marinate in God’s Word. Dwell in it, and let it richly dwell in you. And as you do that, the Spirit will begin to take the Word and use it to transform you to more and more live and love like Jesus. That’s my prayer for us in 2024.

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This post is based on a sermon from our January series: 5 Marks of a Disciple. 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 8, 2024

5 Marks of a Disciple: Prayer

Matthew 6.5-15

Prayer is something we have talked about before. Has it been woven into the fabric of your daily routine yet? Time spent with just you and your Father? If not, today’s a great day to get started.

If you are new to prayer, having a plan is helpful. It’s going to take some intentionality to get started because as much as we may want prayer to just happen, unless we are intentional about setting aside time to pray it doesn’t and it won’t. So plan it into your schedule…maybe in the car on your commute to work. Maybe before your feet hit the floor in the morning or after your head hits the pillow at night. Maybe on your lunch break or over your first cup of coffee. You could even do it while you’re in line at the store or working out at the gym. Maybe all those times. But get in the habit of praying. (Brother Lawerence’s The Practice of the Presence of God)

A couple of resources that will help you in your prayer journey…the Central prayer calendar and The AV School Prayer Project. Jared has put together a prayer calendar for the month of January where you can pray for each of our ministries every week. It’s a great way to not only practice the individual aspect of discipleship, but also the corporate. It’s an easy, yet super important opportunity for you to be involved in every one of our ministries here at Central.

The AV School Prayer Project kicked off this past fall. Lots to say about this one, but let me narrow it down to this. Prayer is important and desperately needed. There is a spiritual battle that is being waged for the hearts and minds of our students. And we have the opportunity to step into the fray and do battle with the spiritual forces of darkness in the heavenly places.

You can find out more about both opportunities on our website or the Central app.

May you have an ever deepening experience of contentment, joy and confidence in your everyday life with God when you spend time with Him in prayer in 2024.

pro rege

This post is based on a sermon from our January series: 5 Marks of a Disciple. 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.