New Testament

November 18, 2024

IMPACT Promise Week 7: Commitment

2 Corinthians 8-9

The series has focused on 2 Corinthians 8-9 and Paul’s encouragement to the church at Corinth concerning generosity.

The city of Corinth was about 40 miles west of Athens in what was ancient Achaia. It was a thriving, cosmopolitan city known for its many gods, diverse culture and great wealth. The church of Corinth was planted by Paul during his second missionary journey (Acts 18). You can imagine that folks coming out of that lifestyle might carry some baggage with them, especially since the world around them didn’t change even though they had. They passed the same temples they once worshiped in on their way to work everyday. They interacted with the same folks who shared a totally different worldview everyday. They were surrounded with the same affluence and allure that it brought everyday. The same temptations… So Paul writes both of his letters to the Corinthians to encourage, equip, provoke, instruct, admonish and challenge them to live lives that reflect the truth that they (and we) are new creations in Christ. The old is gone, the new has come.

Two things that drove Paul…first, the gospel. His heartbeat. Only way to stop him was to kill him. Even through all the persecution that he faced (stoned, beaten, mocked, thrown in jail, run out of town…) he still couldn’t wait to share the good news that the Jewish Messiah was the Savior of the world. To his final breath… oh that we had such a passion for the gospel. To reach the lost and to build up the saints! That’s what IMPACT Promise is all about.

Paul had a desire to take up a collection for the church in Jerusalem. Both because of famine and because of persecution, believers there had fallen on hard times. Many had lost jobs, friends and family had abandoned them, and the religious leaders were actively pursuing them. As a former persecutor of the church, Paul knew what kind of suffering and persecution they had faced and were facing. So now he wants to help them out…motivated by the hope of greater unity within the church (Jew/Gentile) and by the desire to meet the needs of his brothers and sisters in the LORD living in Jerusalem.

A few of my takeaways from this series…the example of the churches of Macedonia. Crazy generous. Despite the desperate circumstances they were facing…“in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their generosity.” How is that possible? Suffering to joy, poverty to generosity. Because of the grace of God they had received. It overwhelmed them. And they really wanted to share that grace with others. Because of God’s grace.

Another takeaway…the example of Jesus. Though He was rich, yet for our sake He became poor, so that we through His poverty might become rich. Every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. That’s God’s grace. That’s the gospel…the generosity of God. “For God so loved the world He gave…”

Our greatest IMPACT is the one we make together. Serving alongside one another with an earnestness…a diligence…an eagerness…a zeal to reach the lost, expand the kingdom, and make Jesus more famous.

We have enough to be generous. If we make giving a priority, God will supply enough for our needs…not necessarily our wants…but our needs. And not only that, He gives us an abundance so that we can be even more generous. How could the Macedonians give generously with joy? How could the widow give all that she had? Because they trusted that God was able to make all grace abound to them. They trusted that God would provide for their needs. And God who provides the resources in the beginning also multiplies those resources when they are generously given.

Everything we have comes from the LORD. Everything. He has entrusted us with His resources. He provides the seed…time, talent, experience, gifts, money/stuff…and He expects us to invest those resources until He returns. Not in our own little kingdoms, but in His. Easy to say, but hard to do. It requires us to let go, rather than hold on. To recognize that we are not the main character in our story. He is. Our job is simply to say “yes” to Him. Parable of the Mina’s in Luke 19.

pro rege

This post is based on a sermon from our IMPACT Promise 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 11, 2024

IMPACT Promise Week 6: The Generosity of God

2 Corinthians 9.10-15

“Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness; you will be enriched in everything for all generosity, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God.”

Last weekend Wendy and I were visiting our son’s church, and the pastor said something that stuck with me about giving. We will call it four views of “my stuff”: 1) all that I have is mine 2) the more is mine 3) some of what I have is mine or 4) all that I have belongs to the LORD (generous/kingdom IMPACT mindset). Helpful way of thinking about this idea of generosity.

Everything we have comes from the LORD. Everything. He has entrusted us with His resources. He provides the seed…time, talent, experience, gifts, money/stuff…and He expects us to invest those resources until He returns. Parable of the Mina’s in Luke 19. Guess what He wants us to invest in? Our kingdoms? Building bigger barns…seeing who can die with the most toys…having a YOLO attitude? And who gets all that stuff when you die? Eventually it all goes to the graveyard or the junkyard. What a foolish way to live! Or are we to invest in His kingdom? Yeah…His kingdom. Easy to say, but hard to do. It requires us to let go, rather than hold on. To recognize that we are not the main character in our story. He is. Our job is simply to say “yes” to Him.

Here’s the thing…our money/stuff and how we use it…is a good indication of our spiritual health (all mine vs. all His or somewhere in between). In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus challenges His disciples not to worry…about food or clothing…the necessities of life…God will provide for us just as He does for the lilies of the field and the birds of the air. He says instead that we are to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to us. For where our treasure is, there our heart will be also.

Now’s the time to make an IMPACT. Strive to become a generous giver, not a bigger barn builder. Then watch and see what the LORD does.

IMPACT Promise is a great place to start.

pro rege

This post is based on a sermon from our IMPACT Promise 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 28, 2024

IMPACT Promise Week 4: Teamwork

2 Corinthians 8.16-24

Each of us is called to make an IMPACT. And all of us can have IMPACT in different ways. Sharing our story. Serving in a ministry. Investing our financial resources in kingdom purposes. Loving our neighbor. All of the above.

Our greatest IMPACT is the one we make together. Serving alongside one another with an earnestness…a diligence…an eagerness…a zeal to reach the lost, expand the kingdom, and make Jesus more famous.

So what about you? What IMPACT are you having right now? What kind of IMPACT do you want to have  around the block and around the world?

It starts today…sign up to be a part of our IMPACT Promise and say “yes” to the LORD.

pro rege

This post is based on a sermon from our IMPACT Promise 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 21, 2024

IMPACT Promise Week 3: Finish What You Start

2 Corinthians 8.8-15

Why be generous? Because of Jesus. Though He was rich, yet for our sake He became poor, so that we through His poverty might become rich. That’s God’s grace. That’s the gospel.

Being generous is a heart attitude. Not really something that’s easy to teach. It starts with the recognition of God’s grace…His generosity towards us. Those forgiven much, love much. Those forgiven little, love little. Truth is…we’ve all been forgiven much. And when that sinks in, we will do a much better job of loving. Loving God and loving others. We will simply be more generous. We will have an IMPACT mindset.

Everything we have, we’ve been given. It’s been entrusted to us. It all belongs to God. We are managers of His resources. And one day we will have to give an account…have we been generous with His stuff? Have we been generous with the money, time, relationships, etc…with the life He’s entrusted to us?

Another way to ask that is…what kind of IMPACT are you having right now for the kingdom? What kind of IMPACT would you like to have? 

Let’s start today…sign up to be a part of our IMPACT Promise and say “yes” to the LORD.

pro rege

This post is based on a sermon from our IMPACT Promise 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 14, 2024

IMPACT Promise Week 2: The Overflow of Grace

2 Corinthians 8.1-7

Because of the grace of God they had received, the churches of Macedonia give generously and with great joy despite the desperate circumstances they are facing. Because of God’s grace.

That kind of generosity doesn’t come naturally for most folks. For most of us, even giving something may be a stretch. So, how do we get to this “generosity” thing? It starts by recognizing God’s grace in our own lives. That of course should lead us to offer ourselves to the LORD. His grace should motivate us to be all in! To have an IMPACT. And then, from there, showing grace to others…even in crazy, generous ways…is just the overflow of the grace the LORD has shown towards us.

There are lots of examples of generosity right here at Central…lots of folks having an IMPACT. Some of that’s through sharing their story. Some of that’s through serving. Some through giving. All of it through loving. All with the desire to be all in. To have an IMPACT.

So what about you? What IMPACT are you having right now? What kind of IMPACT do you want to have?

What would Central look like if everyone was as generous as you are? If everyone gave and served and shared and loved exactly like you, what IMPACT would that have, not only on Central, but around the block and around the world?

A simple start…sign up to be a part of our IMPACT Promise.

pro rege

This post is based on a sermon from our IMPACT Promise 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 7, 2024

IMPACT Promise Week 1: Paul at Corinth

Acts 18.1-11

Paul’s trip to Corinth is a game changer. A church is planted in one of the most affluent and influential cities of the ancient world, setting the stage for major strategic IMPACT, and Paul himself is encouraged by the Lord to press on to greater IMPACT despite ministry fatigue.

Following Jesus is hard work at times. Opposition and obstacles are often in the way. But the Lord is with us, and He will see us through. He still has work for us to do…lots of folks who need to hear about Jesus. Now’s not the time to shrink back. Now’s the time to forge ahead…to crash the gates of hell…and proclaim our Resurrected King. Now’s the time to make an IMPACT.

Like Paul, it’s our job to share the gospel…to be a watchman on the wall. The gospel is good news for those who receive it, but a warning of impending judgment for those who reject it. Jesus is either our King, or He will be our Judge. No middle ground. You are either in or out, for or against, saved or lost.

And also like Paul, we all need encouragement. Who can you encourage this week? Maybe someone who is having a rough go of it. Maybe someone who’s been out of the game for awhile. Maybe someone who has walked away from the faith for any number of reasons. Maybe someone who needs to take a step of faith. Maybe it’s something else. Whatever the situation…encourage them in the Lord this week. Another great way to have an IMPACT.

BTW if you have not yet trusted in Jesus, please make today the day. It is 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.

pro rege

This post is based on a sermon from our IMPACT Promise 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 2, 2024

Living Out the Truth

Titus 3.1-15

Those who know the Truth are to live out the Truth. In every circumstance. Why? Because of the gospel. Because we have been saved on purpose for a purpose. That we might be careful to engage in good deeds.

The gospel compels us. We were dead, but Jesus has given us life. And He’s given us life so that we might share the message of the gospel with others. The hope that we’ve found in Jesus. That’s why we’re here…to adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect. To live our lives in such a way that others see Jesus. To be the aroma of Christ in each and every situation. To point others to Him. We won’t always do it perfectly, but we should always strive to do it intentionally.

If you have not yet trusted in Jesus, please make today the day. The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men. It is 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.

pro rege

This post is based on a sermon from our Titus 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.

August 26, 2024

The Grace of God

Titus 2.11-15

We live between the two Advents, where the work of the cross has already been accomplished…sin has been atoned for, the penalty has been paid, and forgiveness of sins and eternal life provided for all those who would believe in Jesus. And now we await the return of our King, the appearing of the glory of our Great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, to finish the work of salvation, removing sin and death for all time and establishing His eternal kingdom.

We were saved on purpose with a purpose. We have been redeemed so that we might be purified and be zealous for good works. We were saved to do stuff. To let our light shine in such a way that others see our good works and glorify our Father who is in heaven. We were saved to have an impact on this world for the kingdom. We were saved to point others to Jesus.

The King is coming back, and when He does, we will all have to give an account of how we invested the life He has given us. What are you doing with yours? It’s not too late. If you’re still here, He still has work for you to do.

If you have not yet trusted in Jesus, please make today the day. The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men. It is 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, that you might be His own possession, redeemed, purified and zealous for good deeds.

pro rege

This post is based on a sermon from our Titus 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.

August 12, 2024

Family Responsibilities

Titus 2.1-10

Paul exhorts Titus to speak the things that are fitting to sound doctrine. To teach the things that align with the Word of God. While times may change and cultures shift, the Truth never does. That’s why it’s absolutely imperative for the health of a church to be rooted in the truths of Scripture.

Teaching the Truth is important. But living It out…equally important. Hearing and doing. Faith and practice. One without the other will not do and leads to the dishonoring of the Word of God. But when we live out the Truth, when we put Faith into practice, then we adorn the teaching of God our Savior in every respect.

Reminds me of what Jesus’ said in Matthew 7.24-27, “Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. “And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. “Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. “The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell—and great was its fall.”

So, let’s strive to be a people who not only speaks the Truth, but also a people who lives It out. And let’s do it together.

pro rege

This post is based on a sermon from our Titus 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.

August 5, 2024

Taking Care of Business

Titus 1.1-16

Paul writes to Titus, instructing him to set things in order and appoint elders…men who are well qualified to lead the flock as stewards of God.

The importance of sound doctrine…of the faithful preaching and teaching of the Word…must not be underestimated. A church stands…or falls…based on its fidelity to the Scriptures. That’s why it’s so important that we have elders who are committed to promoting and defending the Truth and the truths of the Bible. They bear a huge responsibility. Please pray for them.

And watch out for those who don’t have a high view of Scripture. Their conduct, character and conversation always give them away. Out of the heart…

If you have not yet trusted in Jesus, please make today the day. It is 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.

pro rege

This post is based on a sermon from our Titus 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.