Salvation

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.

pro rege

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.

pro rege

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.

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.

pro rege

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.