Salvation

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?

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

April 29, 2024

Drawing Near to God

Hebrews 10.19-25

Because of Jesus we can draw near to God in full assurance of faith. Let that sink in for just a minute. Because of Jesus, we have full access to the Father. No longer is that access limited to one person, one time a year and only with the blood of bulls and goats. But because of Jesus’ once for all sacrifice of Himself for our sins, we need not fear but confidently step through the veil. Because of Jesus.

So let us do those things…provoke each other to love and good works, continually draw near to God, and hold fast our confession without wavering. May we be a light and a beacon of hope in this valley, as we anxiously await the return of our King. And may we do it together.

If you haven’t trusted in Jesus yet, 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.

pro rege

This post is based on a sermon from our Hebrews 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 8, 2024

The Old and the New

Hebrews 9.1-14

The old and the new. The copies and shadows vs. the Substance. Paul said it before, but may we never get tired of hearing it…we have such a High Priest.

All that the OT anticipated…all that the sacrifices looked forward to…the pictures and the symbols. All of it. Is now fulfilled in Jesus. What the blood of bulls and goats could never fully accomplish, Jesus did. They covered sin for a time. He took it away for all time. They worked for the cleansing of the flesh. He provided the way for the cleansing of the conscience. Theirs was external. His internal. There’s was a knockoff. He’s the real thing.

Jesus entered into the greater and more perfect tabernacle, the holy place, not of this creation, once for all, offering His own blood, obtaining eternal salvation, cleansing the conscience of those who believe from dead works to serve the living God. Jesus is greater…

If you haven’t trusted in Jesus yet, 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, eternal life and a clean conscience.

pro rege

This post is based on a sermon from our Hebrews 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 1, 2024

Easter – A Living Hope

1 Peter 1

Jesus changes everything! Because of His death and resurrection we have a living hope…a hope that’s alive because Jesus is alive and a faith that continues to grow and mature as we follow Him. We need not live a life of fear, though the world around us is shaking, we can have confidence knowing that the temporary things may fade, but the kingdom remains.

So let us live as sojourners in this world. Let us live courageous and generous lives, preoccupied with the kingdom. And let us make an impact in the lives of those around us for Jesus…living like Him and living for Him no matter what comes our way.

Do you know Jesus as Savior today? If you have not yet trusted in Him, 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 saved…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, a living hope, an eternal inheritance, and that you are now a part of God’s family…a son or daughter of the King.

pro rege

This post is based on a sermon from Easter. 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.

March 11, 2024

A Greater Priesthood

Hebrews 7.11-28

Jesus is greater. In every way, Jesus is greater. He serves in a greater priesthood and is Himself both the perfect Sacrifice and the perfect High Priest. He saves forever those who have trusted in Him, always making intercession for them before the Father, having provided the way for them to draw near to God through Him.

I think as Gentile Christians it’s a bit harder for us to grasp the profound significance of what Paul is saying. We didn’t grow up under the levitical system. We didn’t have priests that offered sacrifices annually for us on the Day of Atonement. We take for granted our own experience.

And yet what Paul is saying is profoundly significant, not only for these Hebrew believers, but for us as well. Jesus is always interceding for us before the Father. His death on our behalf was the perfect Sacrifice that both atoned for and took away our sins. Because of Him we can draw near to God. And if all that wasn’t enough…He also saves us forever…both completely and for all time. O what a Savior!

pro rege

This post is based on a sermon from our Hebrews 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.

December 25, 2023

He Shall Be Called…Jesus

John 1.1-18

In these opening verses, John presents Jesus as more than a Man…He was with God and He was God. But not only does John present Jesus as more than a Man…He is also a Man. The Word became flesh. He didn’t give up His God-ness to become a Man, but somehow clothed His divinity in humanity.

John wants us to know Jesus…fully God because only God can forgive sins. Fully Man because only a Man could die for sin. The perfect Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name…if you have not yet trusted in Jesus, tonight would be a great time to do that.

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 with Him.

pro rege

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.