Salvation

September 22, 2025

A Genesis Overview

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

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

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

Jesus, God’s only Son, came and lived a perfect life — a life totally in tune and dependent on His Father. He died a sacrificial death. He was raised on the third day, proving that He had conquered both sin and death, so that by believing in Him, the Bible says we, like Adam and Noah, Abraham and Joseph, can be saved—not because of anything that we have done, but because of what Jesus did. He is the Genesis 3:15 Head-crushing Seed of the woman—the Innocent who died for the guilty so that the guilty could be declared innocent.

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This post is based on a sermon from our Exodus series. Download the podcast at: Central Christian Church Main Service, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, X or Threads: @ccclancaster. You can also download our Central Christian app in the iTunes App Store.

August 25, 2025

God is Love

1 John 4:7-21

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

I said this earlier, but it bears repeating. Love, in the Bible, is not just a warm, fuzzy feeling. It’s not just good vibes toward someone who’s important to you. It’s not heart emojis and puppy dog eyes. Love is an action word. It builds up and spurs on. It sacrifices and gives. It doesn’t look out for “me” but for the good of others. It can’t help but help. When it sees a need, it meets the need. Bringing the full weight of the resources that the LORD has blessed us with to serve others. It’s the natural consequence of our experience of God’s love for us.

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

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

If you haven’t trusted in Jesus yet, you can do that today. You, too, can become a child of God. It’s as simple as recognizing that you are a sinner in need of a Savior. Believing that Jesus is the Savior that God promised. He lived a perfect life, died a sacrificial death, was raised to life on the third day, conquering death so that your sins can be forgiven, that you can have eternal life, and that you can become a child of God. Then you, too, can walk in the light and have fellowship with the Father and the Son.

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This post is based on a sermon from our 1 John series, “Unshakeable.” Download the podcast at: Central Christian Church Main Service, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, X or Threads: @ccclancaster. You can also download our Central Christian app in the iTunes App Store.

August 11, 2025

Believe in Jesus, Love One Another

1 John 3:13-24

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

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

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

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

If you haven’t trusted in Jesus yet, you can do that today. You, too, can become a child of God. It’s as simple as recognizing that you are a sinner in need of a Savior. Believing that Jesus is the Savior that God promised. He lived a perfect life, He died a sacrificial death, and He was raised to life on the third day, conquering death so that your sins can be forgiven, that you can have eternal life, and that you can become a child of God.

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This post is based on a sermon from our 1 John series, “Unshakeable.” Download the podcast at: Central Christian Church Main Service, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, X or Threads: @ccclancaster. You can also download our Central Christian app in the iTunes App Store.

August 9, 2025

The Truth vs. the Lie

1 John 2:15-29

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

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

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

The good news is…you can be on the right side today. It’s as simple as recognizing that you are a sinner in need of a Savior. Believing that Jesus is the Savior that God promised. He lived a perfect life…He Himself walked in the light…He died a sacrificial death to pay the penalty for sin, and He was raised to life on the third day, conquering death so that your sins would be forgiven, that you would have eternal life, and that you would become a child of God. Then you, too, can walk in the light and have fellowship with the Father and the Son.

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This post is based on a sermon from our 1 John series, “Unshakeable.” Download the podcast at: Central Christian Church Main Service, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, X or Threads: @ccclancaster. You can also download our Central Christian app in the iTunes App Store.

July 21, 2025

Walk in the Light

1 John 2:1-14

John challenges his readers to walk in the light together, which includes loving one another…a we-thing, not just a me-thing…and is only possible when we have fellowship with the Father through faith in Jesus.

Jesus has made atonement for the sins of all those who have believed. Our slate is wiped clean. We are forgiven. We have both peace and fellowship with the Father. We are not who we used to be, but are now children of God. That’s good news.

More good news? If you have not yet trusted in Jesus, He has made that same atonement available to you. All can be saved, although not all will be. Only those who have trusted in Jesus. You can do that today. It’s as simple as recognizing that you are a sinner in need of a Savior. Believing that Jesus is the Savior that God promised. He lived a perfect life…He Himself walked in the light…He died a sacrificial death to pay the penalty for sin, and He was raised to life on the third day, conquering death so that your sins can be forgiven, that you can have eternal life, and that you can become a child of God. Then you, too, can walk in the light and have fellowship with the Father and the Son.

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This post is based on a sermon from our 1 John series, “Unshakeable.” Download the podcast at: Central Christian Church Main Service, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, X or Threads: @ccclancaster. You can also download our Central Christian app in the iTunes App Store.

July 14, 2025

Eyewitnesses

1 John 1

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

That life is available to all, although not all will experience it. You see, we have a sin problem. By default, we walk in the darkness. The only cure? To have our sins eradicated. Wiped out. Gone. The good news is…that’s why Jesus came. He lived a perfect life…He Himself walked in the light…He died a sacrificial death to pay the penalty for sin, and He was raised to life on the third day, conquering death so that He might give eternal life to all who would believe in Him. You can do that today. Then you, too, can walk in the light and have fellowship with the Father and the Son. 

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This post is based on a sermon from our 1 John series, “Unshakeable.” Download the podcast at: Central Christian Church Main Service, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, X or Threads: @ccclancaster. You can also download our Central Christian app in the iTunes App Store.

June 2, 2025

Put off the Old, Put on the New

Ephesians 4:17-32

The Ephesians are not to live according to their lives before Christ, but they are to live their lives as members of the Body of Christ pursuing greater knowledge of Him through the Scriptures and unity with one another. So are we.

We are not who we were. We were dead, but now we are alive. We were lost, but now we are found. Darkened in our understanding, but now our hearts have been enlightened with the true knowledge of Him. Far off, but brought near. Without hope and without God, but now a living hope and members of God’s household. Fellow citizens. Fellow heirs. Fellow members of the Body. Fellow sharers of the promise. With access to the Father and the unfathomable riches of Christ.

Knowing these things can and should impact the way we live our lives. That’s why spending time in God’s Word is so incredibly important. It helps us to understand who God is, who we are and what He requires from us. So, we are no longer to live like who we used to be. We are to live like who we are in Christ.

That assumes of course that you have already trusted in Jesus. But if you haven’t yet, you can today. It’s as simple as recognizing that you are a sinner in need of a Savior. Believing that Jesus is the Savior that God promised. He lived a perfect life. He 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 can now be a part of this thing called the Church.

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This post is based on a sermon from our Ephesians series. Download the podcast at: Central Christian Church Main Service, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, X or Threads: @ccclancaster. You can also download our Central Christian app in the iTunes App Store.

May 19, 2025

Paul’s Second Prayer for the Ephesians

Ephesians 3:14-21

Paul prays that these Ephesian believers will be empowered to understand the love Christ for them as members of His body, the Church. He prays that they may be “strong enough to grasp”, which means it’s not easily understood.

So, how will the Ephesians understand the love of Christ? How will we? Through the words of the Apostles and the Prophets. Through the Scriptures. The foundation on which the Church is built, Christ Jesus Himself being the Cornerstone.

Understanding the love of Christ is a “you all” thing. It’s something we understand together. And it’s something we share together. It’s as the Church that we are “filled up to all the fullness of God”. The glory of the LORD filling the house of the LORD.

That’s of course if you are a part of the Body. A member of the Church. I’m not talking about showing up on Sunday or taking a class. I’m talking about trusting in Jesus. You see, it’s when you trust in Him that you are in the Church. Until then, you may “go to church” but you are not a part of the Church. And all the things we’ve talked about…that’s not you.

But it can be. If you haven’t yet trusted in Jesus, you can today. It’s as simple as recognizing that you are a sinner in need of a Savior. Believing that Jesus is the Savior that God promised. He lived a perfect life. He 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 Ephesians series. Download the podcast at: Central Christian Church Main Service, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, X or Threads: @ccclancaster. You can also download our Central Christian app in the iTunes App Store.

April 28, 2025

The Gospel

Ephesians 2:1-10

For by grace you all have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. A dead man can’t do anything to save himself…he’s dead! He must be made alive again.

The bad news…if you have not yet trusted in Jesus, you are dead. Your sin has killed you. And if something doesn’t change, nothing will change. You will remain dead. Separated from God forever. Not a very pretty picture. In fact it’s a very grim picture. An unsettling picture. But an accurate picture. The bad news is you’re as bad off as you can possibly be without Jesus.

The good news…Jesus came to change all of that. He came to give you life. His death has taken care of the sin problem, His resurrection has taken care of the death problem, so that through faith in Him you can can be saved because of His amazing grace.

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. 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 Ephesians series. Download the podcast at: Central Christian Church Main Service, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, X or Threads: @ccclancaster. You can also download our Central Christian app in the iTunes App Store.

April 21, 2025

Easter – Jesus’ Life, Death and Resurrection

Luke 15:11-31, 23:32-56, 24:1-12

What an amazing first Easter morning! Though all hope seemed to be lost…the Hero was dead…God wasn’t  finished yet. In an astounding twist to the plot…the Hero is raised to life. Death is conquered. Sin is atoned for. The way is made available for us to be reconciled to God. Death is swallowed up in life, despair in hope, mourning in astounding joy. Jesus is risen! He is risen indeed!

The resurrection confirms that Jesus is the Hero He claimed to be and that everything He said is true…His death satisfied God’s wrath on sin, and His resurrection means that He is also able to raise us up and give us new life…eternal life. That is good news!

For those of us who have trusted in Him, one day our King will return just as He promised. Until that day, we, as His followers, are commanded to carry out His mission…to seek and to save the lost. To storm the gates of hell. To set the captives free. To point the way to Jesus..

But maybe you haven’t yet trusted in Jesus. If not, today can be the day of salvation for you. He has already done all the heavy lifting. You simply have to recognize your need to be rescued…that you are a sinner in need of a Savior and believe that Jesus came to do just that…He lived a perfect life, died a sacrificial death in your place and was raised the third day, conquering both sin and death. When you do that, the Bible says that your sins are forgiven, that you have eternal life, and that you are now a part of God’s family…a son or daughter of the King.

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This post is based on our Easter 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.