Old Testament

December 23, 2024

O Holy Night (Peace)

Isaiah 9.2-7

Isaiah pictures a time of good news for a group of people who desperately needed it. They were under oppression by the enemy. They were defeated. They were without hope. They knew no peace. But God hadn’t forgotten them. Light was coming. God Himself would rend the veil of time and space and come down to the earth He had created in the Person of Jesus. He would rescue them. He would save them from sin and death by sacrificing Himself in their place. He would die that they might live. He would reconcile them with their  heavenly Father. He would establish a kingdom where they could live and reign with Him forever. Where they would know true and lasting peace.

And so Jesus has come…

I like the way Paul talks about it in Romans 5…“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. 3And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; 4and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; 5and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. 6 For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. 8But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. 10For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. 11And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation” (Romans 5.1-11)

If you have not yet trusted in Jesus, make today the day. It starts with acknowledging that you are a sinner in need of a Savior and believing that Jesus is the Savior that God promised would come. He lived a perfect life. He died a sacrificial death on your behalf. He was raised the third day showing that He had conquered both sin and death, so that by believing in Him you could have forgiveness of sins and eternal life.

May you experience the peace that Jesus came to bring this Christmas season.

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This post is based on a sermon from our Advent series: Songs of the Season. 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 30, 2024

The Relentless Love of God

Jonah 4.1-11

We said this week 1 of Jonah…God’s plan has always been for the nations. He promised Abraham that through him all the families of the earth would be blessed. And John 3.16 reminds us…“For God so loved the world He gave His one and only Son…”

But too bad it’s not the same for Jonah. He had a tremendous response from folks he seemingly couldn’t care less about…first on the ship and then in Nineveh. And the overwhelming response of the folks in Nineveh even makes him angry. He definitely doesn’t share God’s heart on the matter.

If we are not careful, we too can be like Jonah. Maybe for good reason…or so we think. Maybe someone’s hurt us in some way. Maybe they are making bad life choices. I don’t know. We can come up with all kinds of reasons why, but the bottom line is: we don’t think they deserve God’s mercy. We of course do. But they definitely don’t. And you know sometimes, we may even get mad when God shows them mercy. How dare He! Yeah, we can be a lot like Jonah.

Two things continue to be unmistakable in this story…God’s sovereignty over and love for His creation. He appoints a great wind and a great fish, a plant, a worm and a scorching east wind. He directs His prophet and even uses the prophet’s disobedience to accomplish the salvation of a great number of folks. The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness and relenting of calamity. He loves the lost. He loves us too. And wants us to love the lost just like He does.

Sometimes the folks that we have written off as too far gone, like the folks there in Nineveh, are just the folks who are ready to hear the gospel and respond to it. God’s question to Jonah at the end of the story isn’t answered. “Should I not have compassion on Nineveh?” We all need the LORD’s compassion…His mercy. Who do you need to share His mercy with this week?

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This post is based on a sermon from our Jonah 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 23, 2024

Nineveh Repents

Jonah 3.1-10

This episode in Jonah 3 is one of the few times in the OT that we see the nations responding to the LORD in faith. Too bad that Jonah can’t…won’t celebrate it.

Jonah has a tremendous response to his message from folks he seemingly couldn’t care less about…first on the ship and then in Nineveh. And the overwhelming response of the folks in Nineveh, as we will see next week, even makes him angry. Mercy…what’s that?!?

It’s a warning to us…we too can forget that we are all in need of God’s mercy. Everyone one of us. And just as God has been merciful to us, so we are to be merciful to those around us. Lot’s of ways we can show mercy, but the best way is to share the hope that we’ve found in Jesus.

The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness and relenting of calamity. He loves the lost. He loves us too. And wants us to love the lost just like He does.

Sometimes the folks that we have written off as too far gone, like the folks there in Nineveh, are just the folks who are ready to hear the gospel and respond to it. Believe it or not, that might have been you at one point. Then somebody told you about Jesus, and you responded in faith. Our job is to pay it forward…being faithful to share our story with the folks around us who need to hear it. Who is that for you?

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This post is based on a sermon from our Jonah 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 16, 2024

Jonah’s Prayer

Jonah 2.1-11 (Hebrew)

Jonah’s own need for the LORD’s mercy is painfully obvious as he descends to the depths of the sea in the belly of the great fish. It’s only then that he once again cries out to the LORD, confident that the LORD will rescue him despite the seemingly overwhelming evidence to the contrary.

What was the source of Jonah’s confidence? He knew the LORD. He had spent time in His Word. And so in a time of great distress, the words of God flood his mind. And not only does he call out in prayer, but he also offers thanksgiving to the God he knows will deliver him. What about you? When you hit the wall, what are the words that come to your mind? Confidence in the LORD? Or something else? That kind of confidence can only come through time logged with the LORD…getting to know Him through His Word and spending time with Him in prayer.

The LORD is merciful. Amen for that. I’m thankful for His mercy toward me. And I pray that I’m as thankful for His mercy toward others. I can’t always say that’s the case, but I am praying for it. What about you? Seems Jesus said something about that…blessed are the merciful for they shall receive mercy, right?

Anyway, we are reminded again of God’s sovereignty over and love for His creation. He appoints a great wind and a great fish. He directs His prophet and even uses the prophet’s disobedience to accomplish the salvation of a great number of folks. He is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness and relenting of calamity. He loves the lost. He loves us too. He loves us so much that even when we are running from Him, He pursues after us.

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This post is based on a sermon from our Jonah 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 9, 2024

Jonah’s Disobedience

Jonah 1.1-16 (Hebrew)

God’s plan has always been for the nations. He promised Abraham that through him all the families of the earth would be blessed. For God so loved the world He gave His one and only Son…

How did Jonah miss that? He had a tremendous response from folks he seemingly couldn’t care less about…exhibit A…the men on the ship who go from fearing the storm to fearing the LORD. Jonah definitely doesn’t share God’s heart on the matter.

I think if we are honest with ourselves we can be like Jonah. Maybe for good reason…or so we think. Maybe someone’s hurt us in some way. Maybe they are making bad life choices. I don’t know. We can come up with all kinds of reasons why, but the bottom line is: we don’t think they deserve God’s mercy. We of course do. But they definitely don’t. Oh, we would never say it out loud, or at least not where anyone could hear us. But our action or inaction speaks louder than words. Who are you avoiding/refusing to share your story with? Maybe you think they won’t respond in faith, or maybe you think they will. But how can we expect God to be gracious to us if we won’t share His grace with others? 

And while Jonah tells the sailors he fears the LORD, his actions don’t seem to make that obvious. But for the sailors, fear/belief has resulted in action. Their response of faith has been just that…a response. Our actions don’t save us, but they do demonstrate the faith that we say we have. Remember to hear and not do is not to hear. To believe and not to respond is not to believe. Jesus said, “He who hears My words and does them will be like a man who built his house on the rock…” Is your faith obvious by the way you live your life? Would folks know you’re a Christian by your actions?

Two things that are unmistakable in this story…God’s sovereignty over and His love for His creation. He appoints a great wind. He directs His prophet and even uses Jonah’s disobedience to accomplish the salvation of a group of unsuspecting sailors. He is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness and relenting of calamity. He loves the lost. He loves us too. And like a good Father, He pursues us even when we are running from Him.

Sin is serious and impacts the folks who are around us…Jonah’s sin impacted the sailors, and it affects those closest to us too. Even though we may think otherwise. Sin is greedy that way.

So don’t be like Jonah. We all need the LORD’s compassion. We all need His mercy. Who do you need to share it with this week?

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.

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This post is based on a sermon from our Jonah 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.

July 15, 2024

Joshua and the Walls of Jericho

Joshua 6

Joshua fought the battle of Jericho…well not quite. The LORD fought the battle of Jericho. And the walls came tumbling down.

This is a story of the LORD’s promise and its fulfillment, of faith and obedience. From start to finish, the battle is the LORD’s. He had given Jericho into Joshua’s hand well before the battle began. You see, what the LORD says, the LORD does. He can be trusted.

But Joshua had a part to play. His was to respond in faith to what the LORD had said. Jesus said, “Those who hear My words and act on them may be compared to a wise man who built his house upon a rock…” Hearing alone won’t do. There must be a response in faith.  For us as believers, it’s important to remember that faith is demonstrated by action. To hear and not to do is not to hear. To believe and not to act is really not to believe. What is it that you need to obey the LORD in? What response do you need to make?

What if Joshua had decided not to listen to the LORD and instead went with conventional wisdom? He’s a military guy. What if he devised his own plans? Joshua already knew the answer to that…he knew the consequences of not doing things the LORD’s way, of not trusting Him but instead choosing to go his own way. When the Israelites failed to trust the LORD and enter the land after coming out of Egypt, the LORD said you’ve got forty years to think about it. None of those who were supposed to enter the Promised Land would be able to. Had Joshua decided to forego the LORD’s instructions and rush the city using whatever military acumen he may have possessed, the results would have been disastrous. The same is true for us when we choose to ignore the LORD’s instructions and do things our own way. And we wonder why things aren’t working out…we’ve forgotten that the battle is the LORD’s.

But what if the LORD’s instructions don’t make sense? Last first, love your enemies, etc. Probably didn’t make sense to Joshua either, but the battle is the LORD’s. Ours is to trust and obey. Proverbs 3.5-6: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your path.”

Presumably all of the folks in Jericho believed the Israelites were a threat. That’s why they shut themselves in their fortress. They believed that the LORD was on Israel’s side. They had a choice to make in the moment…they could have responded in faith like Rahab. They could have humbled themselves, acknowledged their sin and turned to the LORD (much like the folks of Nineveh did at the preaching of Jonah) and welcomed the Israelites in. And like Rahab, they could have become a part of the community of believers. Instead they chose to turn away from Him. And instead of experiencing the LORD’s mercy, they experienced His wrath. Sin is serious, and the LORD takes sin seriously. So should we. Jesus is either your King, or He will be your Judge.

Let me leave you with this. There is room for all in the kingdom. Rahab may have seemed like one of the least likely folks to make it in. She hasn’t made the greatest of life choices. And yet, when she has an encounter with the LORD, everything changes. Her life takes a different trajectory. Her past isn’t erased…it is a part of the story of the LORD’s grace in her life. And she has the high honor of being listed in the genealogy of the King (Matthew 1.5)!

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This post is based on a sermon from Joshua 6. 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 13, 2024

Some Mother’s Day Encouragement

1 Samuel 1

Hannah was a woman of prayer, a woman of faith, a faithful woman, and a thankful woman of worship. Oh, and of course Hannah was a mom.

Prayer, faith, faithfulness, thankfulness, and worship…all things that are not just good for moms. They’re good for all of us.

Moms…you have the incredible responsibility of caring for your kids, and one of the most significant of  your responsibilities is passing on your faith to them, and that starts with the time you spend pursuing after the LORD yourself. You can’t lead them where you’re not going. So your training them up in the fear and admonition of the LORD is simply the overflow of the life you are living before them. That’s where prayer and Bible stories and taking them to church and your own lived-out faith come into play. Teaching them to worship the LORD just like you.

And Moms…as much as you want to, you cannot protect your kids from everything forever…especially as they get older. They will make mistakes, just like you did. So, take advantage of every one of those teachable moments while they are young. Teach your kids to be in the world, but not of the world. You won’t do it perfectly, and your kids won’t always respond the way that you would have hoped, but moms, when you have done all that you know to do, continue to pray for your kids and be in the Word. You may not see the fruit of your labor…it may not seem like it’s “taking”, but remember…when they are in distress, when they are alone, when their worlds are crumbling…they will remember what their momma taught them. So be encouraged.

If you can, thank your mom today for all she has done…give her a hug, send her a text, make a phone call… and let her know how much you love her and that you appreciate all that she has done for you.

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This post is based on our Mother’s Day sermon. 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.

December 18, 2023

Prince of Peace (Peace)

Isaiah 40.1-11

“The peace the world offers is a peace of avoidance, a peace of denial, a temporary, fragile peace…” It reminds me of what Hezekiah said when Isaiah revealed that the Babylonians would come and ransack Jerusalem… “The word of the LORD which you have spoken is good.” For he thought, “For there will be peace and truth in my days.”

The peace of Hezekiah is too often the only peace we know…fleeting, empty, selfish. We get so distracted by trying to maintain our own peace now. If I can make it through the holidays, If I can make it to payday, I can retire when…, if I can get my kids through college, if I can keep my spouse happy. A peace like Hezekiah’s – “at least I’ll know peace”. The only problem is, maintaining peace is hard work. If you find yourself always trying to keep the peace, know that you don’t have it. True peace is not something you can manufacture.

But the peace that the coming Davidic King would bring is as everlasting/eternal as the word of the LORD, never fading, never failing. Isaiah paints a landscape where all war has ended. Peace has been established.  And that is true, our peace has come. Our peace is here – here and now, in this moment, today. And our peace is coming, advancing every moment, we are anticipating our coming King. And again, to be clear, Jesus is the Davidic King who came to bring that peace. It is the peace of the kingdom…peace with God and peace with our neighbor.

Paul describes it this way…“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. 3And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; 4and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; 5and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. 6 For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. 8But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. 10For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. 11And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation” (Romans 5.1-11)

Where is your peace today? As I read these verses from Isaiah 40, the prophet seems to offer comfort by reminding the people  who they were. They were God’s – the LORD’s…The LORD God’s…Zion…Jerusalem. When people under Babylonian captivity, in the distant future, would read these words, they would recall whose they were. The present realities of suffering could not be ignored, but neither could the fact that they were God’s chosen people…they were His. I think that is our comfort. That is our peace. We are His. He chose us, died for us, lives in and through us. I pray that you may know His peace today by understanding the depths of His love for you.

It starts by trusting in Jesus. You can do that today. It’s as simple as admitting that you are a sinner in need of a Savior. Believing that Jesus came to save you from your sin. He lived a perfect life, died a sacrificial death on your behalf, and was raised the third day, so that you might have forgiveness of sins and eternal life…that you might know true peace.

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This post is based on a sermon from our Advent series: He Shall Be Called. 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.

December 4, 2023

Mighty God (Hope)

Isaiah 9.2-7

Isaiah pictures a time of good news for a group of people who desperately needed it. They were under oppression by the enemy. They were defeated. They were without hope. They knew no peace. But God hadn’t forgotten them. Light was coming. God Himself would rend the veil of time and space and come down to the earth He had created in the Person of Jesus. He would rescue them. He would save them from sin and death by sacrificing Himself in their place. He would die that they might live. He would provide the way back to Father God. He would establish a kingdom where they could live and reign with Him forever. Where they would know true and lasting peace. This was their hope.

There are lots of things we “hope” for in this life….some good and some not so good. As I thought about my own life, I realized how often I set my hope on people or events that only disappoint…they can’t carry the weight of my hope. Not their fault. They weren’t designed for that.

How about you? Where is your hope this Christmas? Who are you hoping in? Is your hope big enough to carry you through the storms of life, the disappointments and frustrations, the trials and the suffering that come from living on planet earth? Is your confidence in people or things that are destined to disappoint? Hope placed in anyone or anything other than Jesus will disappoint…it will fail. Why? Because hope based anywhere but in Him is based on things that are fleeting and subject to decay…where thieves break in and steal or moth and rust destroys…

You see, the hope that the Bible talks about is so much more than a feeling. It’s not wishful thinking. The hope that the Bible talks about is a confident expectation. It’s a sure thing. How can it be so sure? Because it’s based in God Himself. He will bring it about. And that’s why only a hope in Jesus is a living hope…living because He is alive and gives life to those who trust in Him…a life that starts today and continues forever. So while we mourn the disappointments in life, we can also choose to worship God in the knowledge that He will never disappoint us. That’s why we never need despair.

If you have not yet trusted in Jesus, make today the day. It’s as simple as admitting that you are a sinner in need of a Savior. Believing that Jesus came to save you from your sin. He lived a perfect life, died a sacrificial death on your behalf, and was raised the third day, so that you might have forgiveness of sins and eternal life…that you might have a secure and certain hope.

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This post is based on a sermon from our Advent series: He Shall Be Called. 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 19, 2023

A Ferocious Faith

1 Samuel 17

God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart. The story of David and Goliath is the story of a ferocious faith that conquers not only fear, but also an enemy of such gigantic proportions that he seems impossible to defeat.

Two men…Saul and David…have the same problem. A giant of a man, an overpowered killing machine, a fierce warrior named Goliath. Saul, seeing only the man, looking only at his circumstances, viewing the situation from ground level, considering only what he can see…is dismayed and greatly afraid. He relied on his armor and his abilities, his natural strength and charisma to face his problems. But when the problem was bigger and stronger and fiercer and scarier than him, he was paralyzed with fear. It’s easy to be like Saul. Just focus on your circumstances, see life from a pedestrian point of view, live life in your own strength and eventually your Goliath will come and stop you in your tracks.

David reminds us what it means to be a “man after God’s own heart”…a man who is brave and bold…a man of faith and conviction…a man willing to step onto the battlefield and face down his enemies, who knows that the battle belongs to the LORD, and who is trusting in Him to fight for him and with him. A man who does not look at things from ground level…whatever the circumstances…but who sees the world from God’s perspective. A man of ferocious faith.

So Dad’s, what does it look like to have a ferocious kind of faith like David? Let me give you a few thoughts. First, it involves spending time in the Word, time in prayer, time with other men…remembering who God is. David was able to be such a man because he knew the LORD. Not just as a passing acquaintance. But he had been to battle with Him before. David had spent time with Him and tested Him. Unlike Saul, David hasn’t forgotten who God is.

Second, it’s shepherding your family well, providing for them, protecting and serving them. Leading them and guiding them. Nurturing them. Fighting for them. You see a ferocious faith isn’t just for you…but according to Deuteronomy 6, it’s for you to pass on to your sons. To do that, you have to teach it to them and model it for them. But you can you can only do that if you have a ferocious faith yourself. You can’t lead them where you’re not going…Torah Road (no detours).

Finally, it’s acknowledging that sometimes life is hard, but remembering that God is greater. And Dad’s, for those of you who are here today, let me just tell you that I’m proud of you. For many men it’s not easy going to church. But by being here today you’re showing your family what it looks like to follow Jesus in the day to day. Sometimes in our walk with God we just need to show up. We live in a culture that has so devalued the role of husbands and fathers, the world…this community…this church…your family…needs you to step up and be the man of God that the LORD has created, gifted, called and saved you to be.

I want to ask one last question. Do you know the LORD? Years later One of David’s descendants, Jesus, will face down an even greater enemy, Satan, and having secured victory through His own death on a cross and His resurrection from the dead, Jesus gives the spoils of His triumph to those of us who believe…forgiveness of sins, eternal life, a kingdom. Do you know the LORD?

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This post is based on our Father’s Day sermon. 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.