New Testament

August 7, 2023

The Goal of Life: Part 1

James 3.1-11

My righteousness or His? Confidence in the flesh only produces self-righteousness. Faith in Jesus? That’s where the righteousness of God comes from.

What Paul once considered gain…that “what does it profit a man to gain the whole world” thing…he now considers loss, a liability for the sake of Christ. Paul knows that his self-righteousness is no true righteousness. True righteousness can only come from Jesus through faith. And nothing even comes close to what Paul calls “the surpassing value of knowing” Jesus. Everything that Paul had given up (his righteousness) and everything that Paul had suffered for the sake of Christ…it was worth it all to gain Jesus. The treasure in the field. The pearl of great price.

What are the things for you? What does your BC (before Christ) resume look like? What are the things that made you feel like you were ok with God? Maybe even a good person. What are the things that would weigh in your favor if God graded on a curve? Are you still holding on to any of those things? Maybe something that gives you a sense of self-worth? Those things can sometimes be hard to let go of. Because they have been a source of pride. It’s what “I’ve” done. Putting confidence in the flesh. But those things will never make us righteous before God…they only get in the way. Jesus is way better. For Paul, giving up the “good” was well worth it. I wonder if we can say the same thing…

If you are still putting confidence in the flesh…if you have not yet trusted in Jesus…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. You too will have the righteousness that comes from God through faith in Jesus.

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This post is based on a sermon from our Philippians 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.

July 31, 2023

Walking Torah Road

Philippians 2.12-30

Unity requires that we as individuals, work out our salvation with fear and trembling. Out and not for. We are saved (justified) by grace through faith. Period. We are also to work out our salvation (sanctification). We are to walk in obedience. To let our lights shine. To follow Torah Road. The good news is…God gives us both the will and the ability to do so. It is a divine partnership, but He does all the heavy lifting.

Unity also requires that we as a church, work out our salvation with fear and trembling. A crooked and perverse generation is watching…the world is watching…to see what difference Jesus makes, not only in our individual lives, but also in our corporate life. Our “unity” quotient will have a direct impact on our “effectiveness-in-sharing-the-gospel” quotient. That means “we” not “me”. Not just one of us crossing the finish line, but all of us. Until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ…

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This post is based on a sermon from our Philippians 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.

July 24, 2023

Who’s the Greatest?

Philippians 2.1-11

Paul challenges the Philippians to pursue “we” not “me” by putting away selfishness and empty conceit and with humility of mind looking out for one another.

Unity doesn’t just happen. It’s something that we have to pursue. Just like our own “knowing God more”, our walk down Torah Road. It takes intentionality. It takes practice. We will fail at it, but it’s not just about trying. We have to train for it. A great way to do that is to join a small group or a class or one of our ministries. Meet some other folks. Begin to live life together. That’s the one another’s in a microcosm. But don’t stop there. Look for ways to get involved in the larger body. Remember it’s all y’all, not just a select few.

The goal is not just one or two of us standing firm or crossing the line. But all of us. Reminds me of my experience taking tae kwon do with my son. Goal wasn’t just a few black belts. Our Sensei wanted everyone who entered the Dojo (local Y) to cross the line. And often the more advanced group helped to teach the less experienced. Black to brown/blue. Brown to blue/green. Blue to green/yellow/white. Until we all attain to the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man attaining to Christ’s full stature. That’s what discipleship is all about. “We” not “me”. Not a solo activity, but a team sport.

Jesus is the King…our Resurrected King. He died so that we might live. He came to rescue sinners. Jesus is coming back one day. And when He does, He will either be your King or your Judge. He would rather be your King. So if you haven’t yet trusted in Jesus, 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. You too can be “in Christ.”

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This post is based on a sermon from our Philippians 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.

July 9, 2023

The Priorities of the Gospel and Unity

Philippians 1.12-30

Two priorities for Paul are clear: proclaiming the gospel and unity of the body. The first might be done out of mixed motives, but the second requires oneness of spirit and mind…an attitude of togetherness.

As individuals, sharing the gospel…telling our story, investing our mina…should be a motivating, a driving factor in our lives. We weren’t saved to go to heaven…we were saved to serve and to share. To be a part of seeing the kingdom expanded through the spread of the gospel. Here in the valley and around the world. Part of that sharing…living a life worthy of the gospel we’re proclaiming. Folks shouldn’t be surprised to find out you’re a believer…it should be obvious in the way that you conduct yourself. You are a citizen of heaven, so live like it. Here you are just a pilgrim passing through.

As a church, sharing the gospel is also super important. It should drive the things that we do, the ministries that we offer, and the way we invest the resources that we’ve been entrusted with. But equally as important is our unity. That will impact our effectiveness in sharing the gospel. Our oneness of spirit and mind. Our standing firm together. Our striving together for the faith of the gospel. Our love for one another.

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This post is based on a sermon from our Philippians 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.

July 3, 2023

Greetings and Opening Prayer

Philippians 1.1-11

Philippians is a letter written by Paul to a group of folks who have partnered with him in grace…sharing the gospel themselves and financially supporting him as he shared the gospel with others. That partnership had forged a unique bond between Paul and the Philippian church.

As we will see throughout this book, the gospel is of paramount importance. Should be no surprise. Sharing the hope that we have found in Jesus is the greatest thing… We ourselves were saved on purpose with a purpose. To invest our mina. To expand the kingdom. To tell others about Him. Until our King returns. That’s something we are to do individually and something that we are to do corporately as we financially partner with the church to further the proclamation of the gospel both here in the valley and around the world.

If you have not yet trusted in Jesus, the first step in participating in the gospel starts with trusting in Jesus. 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 would come. He lived a perfect life, died a sacrificial death on your behalf and was raised the third day, conquering both sin and death, so that by believing in Him you could have both forgiveness of sins and eternal life.

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This post is based on a sermon from our Philippians 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.

June 26, 2023

Paul in Philippi

Acts 16.11-40

Paul and his companions step off the boat from Troas onto the shores of Macedonia, part of modern day Europe, a new frontier to carry out the same mission that Jesus gave to His Apostles way back in Acts 1…to be witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. In Philippi, the first of many captives to come are captured by the gospel…they are rescued from the kingdom of darkness and transferred to the kingdom of the beloved Son.

A wealthy business woman (Lydia), a demon-possessed slave girl, and a jailer…a reminder that the gospel is for everyone. No one is too far gone to be saved, no one so lost that they can’t be found, no one so dead that they can’t be made alive. I don’t know about you, but that’s good news for me.

Have you come to the place where you’re ready to ask the question, “What must I do to be saved?” It’s the most important question of your life. The answer is simple…believe in Jesus, and you will be saved. And not only will He save you, but He wants to use you to reach your household…family, friends, co-workers, classmates, neighbors, etc.

If you have trusted in Jesus for eternal life, are you trusting Him in the day-to-day of life? Are you able to pray and sing praises even in the worst of circumstances, knowing that you are not alone and that God is working through those circumstances to accomplish things that may only become clear when you look back at them down the road? Make no mistake about it. An unbelieving world is watching to see if we really believe what we say we believe. The storms of life…trying times and unfair treatment…have a way of revealing that. I’m reminded of Joseph’s words to his brothers… “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result…” (Genesis 50.20). That’s a perspective that only comes through time spent with the Lord, cultivating your relationship with Him in prayer and in His Word and with His people.

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This post is based on a sermon from our Philippians 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.

June 5, 2023

Serving

Romans 12.1-8

We all have ways that we are conforming to the world around us. Hard not to do when you walk this planet. But as we spend more time in God’s Word and allow God’s Word to spend more time in us, the Spirit uses the Word to renew our minds and transform us to live and love like Jesus. We begin to see the world more and more through His eyes. We begin to want what He wants. We see that His will for us is perfect. And then offering the whole of ourselves to Him…serving Him…just makes sense. It’s the only reasonable thing to do.

Because of what God’s done for us, we want to serve Him…and we do that by serving others.

God’s gifted you for a reason…are you using your spiritual gift to build up the body? Of course that assumes that you know what your spiritual gift is. One way to discover what your spiritual gift is…is to serve. If you hear about an opportunity that sounds good to you, then just try it. If it’s an area of giftedness, you’ll know. It will “feel” right, and we won’t be able to talk you out of it. If not, you’ll know that too, and you can try something else. Remember the Christian life is not a one-and-done but a lifestyle…training not just trying.

If you want to experience the fullness of joy and abundance of life that Jesus talks about, you’ve got to get serving. So find ways to serve. As you exercise your spiritual gifts, don’t be surprised to see God use them in tandem with others, bringing you closer together and closer to Him.

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This post is based on a sermon from our For Future Reference 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.

May 8, 2023

Forgiveness

Luke 17.1-6

Jesus warns His followers about the sad reality that there will always be those who cause others to stumble…either by their words or actions…cause them to turn away from following Him. Don’t let it be you. For those who do fall into sin…confront, confess, forgive, repeat is our mantra. It won’t be easy…it requires faith and obedience. Faith because forgiveness is a supernatural act; obedience because it’s not an option.

Where are you struggling today? Are you making lifestyle choices that may be causing others to stumble, maybe even becoming a barrier to others coming to know Jesus? We are to live lives worthy of the calling…doesn’t mean that we’re perfect, but it means that we are choosing to love God more. More than our other relationships that may not be honoring to Him. More than our careers. More than our popularity. More than our stuff. It means saying “no” to the things that might trip others up.

Maybe your struggle’s on the other side…forgiving those who have caused you to stumble or have wronged you in some way. That’s a tough one. It’s hard to confront those who hurt us…especially in a loving way. And it’s even harder to forgive those who hurt us, especially when we begin trying to evaluate whether or not they really mean “I’m sorry” when they say it. And when they do it over and over…forget about it. But forgiveness is not an option for those who have been forgiven by God. So if that’s you today, ask God to help you forgive. The main issue isn’t faith but obedience.

Sometimes our forgiveness problem is a love problem. Remember…he who has been forgiven much loves much. Until we see ourselves as sinners who have been forgiven a tremendous debt, we, like Simon, are going to have a hard time loving others, much less forgiving.

And maybe you have yet to be forgiven yourself. Maybe you haven’t yet trusted in Jesus. Maybe you don’t think He can or will forgive you…like that woman. But that’s exactly why Jesus came…to save sinners. Sinners like you and me. You simply have to ask.

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This post is based on a sermon from our For Future Reference 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.

April 24, 2023

Final Words

James 5.7-20

Knowing that the Lord is coming, how then shall we live in the chaos of the various trials that we find ourselves in? With patient endurance. Waiting for the Lord, and waiting through our circumstances. Prayer will be an integral part of that. Prayer for wisdom in our suffering. But also prayer for others who are weak and have strayed, trusting that the Lord will restore them and lift them up.

Consider it all joy my brethren when you fall into various trials…how is that working for you? Are you asking for wisdom in the midst of the trial to see things from God’s perspective? Are you seeing it as an opportunity to grow in your faith? To take another step towards Jesus? It’s not easy. It takes practice. Training and not trying. Good news is…life is full of trials and opportunities to practice. Even when we blow it there’s always the possibility of making it right. Submit. Resist. Draw near. Cleanse and purify. Repent. Humble yourself. You can do it.

Remember the King is coming back, and when He does we will each give an account for how we lived our lives. Good news is…you won’t have to give an account for me or vice versa. We will all give an account for our own lives. Our choices. Steps we took toward and steps we took away from the Lord. So what you do today matters. Make it count.

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This post is based on a sermon from our James 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.

April 17, 2023

Warning to the Wealthy

James 5.1-6

James has some strong words for the rich…those who have chosen to store up for themselves treasures on earth rather than treasure in heaven.

And while James’ warning certainly applies to many believers today who have bought in to the lie that “he who dies with the most toys wins”, it doesn’t have to apply to you. Money can be a tool for great good as well as great evil. It depends on how you use it. And it depends on Who or what you are trusting in. Am I trusting in the Lord or my stuff? Sounds kind of absurd that we would trust in our stuff…but does it really? That’s what building bigger barns is all about.

But if we see our stuff as simply a resource that God has provided for us as stewards (it’s all His, right?) to help others and invest in His kingdom, then our stuff…our riches can become a tool that God uses for great good.

Reminds me of the story of a guy named Zaccheus from Luke 19. Jesus is in the vicinity of Jericho headed for Jerusalem. The head of the Jericho tax cartel…the kingpin if you will…is a guy named Zaccheus. Chief tax collector. Worst of the worst. Hated and despised by everyone who fell victim to him…which was pretty much everyone. Kind of guy that would be hard for a mother to love. And like the rich young ruler, he was rich. Filthy rich. Not a likely candidate for the kingdom.

Oh, and Zaccheus is also vertically challenged. Luke describes him as small in stature…we might call him a wee little man. Anyway, Jesus is in town and Zach wants to see Him. Why? Not sure. Maybe curiosity…maybe he’s heard about Jesus healing the blind man…maybe he’s a friend of Levi…maybe he’s heard that Jesus is a friend of tax-collectors and sinners from some of his tax-collecting buddies at the annual tax-collectors’ conference, buddies who had shared a meal with Jesus when He told the parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin and the lost/prodigal son. But for whatever reason, Zach really wants to see Jesus. One problem though…did I mention he’s vertically challenged?

With his profession, you can imagine that no one is interested in helping Zach out. The crowds are barring his way from seeing Jesus. Not only is he small in stature, but he’s also small in the estimation of others. But Zach is not to be denied. He does something very undignified for a rich Jewish man…he runs and climbs a tree. Running and climbing…that’s not an old man’s game, that’s something that kids do. But it shows Zach’s desire and singleminded intent to see Jesus. He doesn’t care what others think. Didn’t Jesus say something about becoming like a little child to enter the kingdom (Luke 18.15-17)?

As Jesus passes by He looks up and sees Zaccheus…imagine Zach’s surprise when Jesus says, “…hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” Not words of rebuke, but of compassion. Almost sounds like Jesus is on a mission to find Zach… and notice the sense of urgency. Zach runs to the tree, Jesus says hurry and come down… you can almost feel the excitement and anticipation.

Zach receives Jesus gladly…joyfully…same response we’ve seen from folks throughout Luke’s Gospel when they are rescued by Jesus (Luke 1:14; 8:13; 10:17; 13:17; 15:5, 9, 32; 19:6, 37). But while Zach rejoices, what is the crowd doing? Same thing we’ve seen the Pharisees and scribes do before…grumbling and complaining (Luke 5.30, 7.37-50, 15.1-2). Why? Because Jesus is hanging out with the wrong crowd. Zach is a sinner…and a really good one in a bad sort of way.

Don’t know if Zach hears the grumblings of the crowd, but something’s going on with him. He turns to Jesus and offers to give half his possessions to the poor and payback anyone that he’s cheated 4x the amount. The Law required a person who defrauded their neighbor to pay back the stolen amount plus 20 percent (Leviticus 6.1-5, Numbers 5.5-7). He goes way beyond what is required. So how much would Zach have left if he gave half his stuff away and paid back 4x the amount stolen, especially assuming that he made his living by stealing…by defrauding others? Not much.

But Zach has had an encounter with Jesus that changed everything. An encounter that changed him from being a taker to a giver. “…where your treasure is…” And so Jesus became Zach’s treasure, no longer his stuff. It made being generous easy. He had found the pearl of great price. What the rich young ruler could not or would not do, Zach does. What seemed to be impossible with men, is not with God (Luke 18.18-27). Zach is walking through the eye of a needle and living to tell about it. 

Zach provides us with a powerful counter example to the rich that James warns us against. His is a life that’s been radically changed by Jesus. So has ours, but sometimes we forget that and make ourselves the main character of the story that God is telling. Don’t let that be you. And if you are afraid it might be, remember the tale of the wee little man.

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This post is based on a sermon from our James 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.