suffering

October 13, 2025

The Burning Bush

Exodus 3

For forty years, Moses has been living in the land of Midian, presumably enjoying a quiet life. His life in Egypt is a fading memory. Living in relative seclusion. Ah, the golden years.

But God isn’t finished yet. Not with Moses and not with His people.

An encounter with the LORD in a burning bush, and Moses is called back into action. He’s given a mission. A message for the people: “I have surely seen, I have heard, I know, I will go down, and I will bring you up.” And a message for Pharaoh: “Let My people go!” Although Moses will have a part to play, make no mistake about it—it is God who will rescue His people.

God still sees the affliction of His people, He hears our outcry, and He knows our suffering. He’s already at work. On the flip side, He has a job for us to do. He does the rescuing, but we have a part to play. Our’s is to say yes. If we are still here, then we’re not done. He has work for us to do. To reach the lost, to storm the gates of hell, to advance His kingdom…

Do you know this God? If not, you can today. It’s as simple as recognizing that you are a sinner in need of a Savior and believing that Jesus is the Savior whom God promised. The Hero that God’s people had been anxiously awaiting for thousands of years. He lived a perfect life and died a sacrificial death. He was raised to life 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. 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.

July 8, 2024

Farewell

Hebrews 13.15-25

And so we come to the end of the book of Hebrews. A word of exhortation. An encouragement and a warning. Patiently endure persecution. Hold fast to the faith. Don’t give up and don’t give in. No matter the circumstances. Why? Because Jesus is greater.

Jesus is greater. As both the Son of God and the Son of David. The radiance of the Father’s glory, the exact representation of His nature, through whom everything was created, and by whose Word everything is upheld. Worshiped by the angels. Savior and Redeemer. The perfect sacrifice. The heir of all things. The great High Priest. Defeater of death and the devil. Our resurrected King. Jesus is greater.

So, let us continually offer a sacrifice of praise to Him, the fruit of our lips that confess His name. And let us do good and be generous with one another. Loving God and loving others.

Let us remember, in the midst of our suffering, that God is at work. Like a father disciplining his children whom he loves, so God is our Father who disciplines us for our good, working in us to make us more like Him…to share His holiness, so that it might produce in us the peaceful fruit of righteousness.

Now may the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord, equip us in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

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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.

June 24, 2024

The Unshakable Kingdom

Hebrews 12.18-29

Copies and shadows vs. the Substance. The Old vs. the New. The anticipation that awaits the Fulfillment. Sinai vs. Zion. The unapproachable or the Approachable. Why go back?

Paul’s final warning and encouragement…strange that they go together…points us once again to what we’ve seen throughout Hebrews. Jesus is greater. And the destiny that awaits us who have trusted in Him is far greater than anything that we could return to. But we have to keep our eyes on the prize. If we focus on our circumstances, it’s easy to get distracted and drift away or fall back. But if we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus no matter our circumstances, then we have a shot at patiently enduring.

Jesus is coming back. And when He does, there will be a whole lot of shaking going on. For those of us who are ready to welcome Him back as King, we will be welcomed into a kingdom that cannot be shaken. For those who are not…a very different story. Jesus will either be your King or your Judge. You can make Him your King 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. If you would like to talk more about that I’ll be up at the front after the service.

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.

May 27, 2024

By Faith: Part 1

Hebrews 11.1-16

By faith…the only way to patiently endure is by faith. Following the example of the ancient faithful.

Faith is not a leap in the dark. It’s the assurance of things hoped. It’s the reality behind our confident expectation. It’s the proof…the conviction…of the things we cannot see. The Substance behind the shadows. Faith is required if we are going to please God…faith that He is and that He rewards those who seek Him.

Faith (unseen) becomes visible through our actions. Our obedience to what God calls us to do, and our patient endurance in the midst of suffering. Just like these Hebrew Christians.

And like the ancient faithful, we too are to live as strangers and sojourners in this world, with our eyes fixed on the kingdom and our feet firmly planted on Torah Road, pursuing after Jesus, anxiously awaiting the return of our King. Not always easy to do…that’s why it’s by faith.

BTW 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 that you too can live by faith. 

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.

February 26, 2024

A Sure Hope

Hebrews 6.9-20

Having started well, the challenge is to finish well. Not to be sluggish, but to be diligent. To imitate the example of those who demonstrated faith and patience as they waited on God…like a guy named Abraham.

Suffering can be very confusing. Especially suffering for the faith. Persecution has a way of making a person question his or her life choices. Am I doing the right thing? If so, why am I suffering for it? And yet, there is no maturity in the Christian life apart from suffering. Suffering doesn’t guarantee maturity (bitter vs. better), but maturity doesn’t happen without suffering. It’s been true for every believer who’s taken their faith seriously. It’s been that way since the garden. And it will be that way until Jesus comes back.

Why? Because we live in a fallen world. A world that is in rebellion against its Creator. And a world that is at war with everyone who chooses to follow Him. That’s why Jesus tells His disciples not to be surprised when the world hates them…neither should we. Sounds like bad news.

But that’s why it’s so important to be reminded that Jesus is greater. So, when we are suffering…when we are being persecuted…we know that the One who is the radiance of the Father’s glory, the exact representation of His nature, through whom all things were made, and by whose word all things are upheld, the One who is worshiped by the angels, is also the One who is the Heir of all things, both the perfect High Priest and Sacrifice, who defeated death and the devil, our resurrected King…we know that that Guy is interceding for us and saving us and perfecting us and will be with us no matter what. And that promise is as sure as God Himself.

So, let’s endure suffering, hold fast our faith and finish well.

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.

November 13, 2023

The Greater High Priest

Hebrews 5.1-10

Jesus is greater. He’s greater as the Son of God. He’s greater as the Son of David. He’s the greater Prophet…Priest…and King. Jesus is greater.

Jesus learned obedience through suffering. Not that He was disobedient, but that suffering was necessary for Him to be the perfect sacrifice. Not only sinless. But One who could relate to our suffering. And the One who obediently suffered on our behalf calls us to obediently follow Him. Not under the heavy yoke of endless rules, but in the easy yoke of a life-giving relationship.

That’s why today is always important. Whatever yesterday looked like. Whatever my failures…or successes. I have today. And today if you hear His voice… If you haven’t been walking in obedience to your Savior, then today you can. Today you can get back on Torah Road.

If you haven’t yet trusted in Jesus, today can be the day for that as well. 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 or Twitter: @ccclancaster. You can also download our Central Christian app in the iTunes App Store.

August 28, 2023

Think Excellently

Philippians 4.1-9

The cure for anxiety…for worry…that trials and suffering often cause is prayer. It’s crying out to God and asking for help. We don’t pray because God doesn’t know, but we pray to show our dependence on Him. God knows our needs, He cares about them, and He provides for them. Just like the birds of the air and the flowers of the field.

And when we rest secure knowing that God will take care of us, then we realize the peace of God. We already have peace with God because of Jesus, but when trust in the midst of the trial we can experience His peace in the midst of the trial. Sounds kind of crazy, but it’s the same thing with joy. And this peace guards our minds. Again super important idea. Because our minds can go all over the place when we are in a tough situation, but when we turn to prayer and trust the Lord through it, our minds can settle.

Along with prayer, Paul says we are “to think excellently”, focusing on the things that reflect the true, the honorable, the right, the pure, the beautiful, the stuff of good repute, the excellent, the praiseworthy. Just imagine if those were the kinds of things that you consumed yourself with throughout the day. What difference do you think that would make? All the difference. And when we do those things, following the example of Paul and others who are doing the same, then not only do we experience the peace of God, but the God of peace is with us.

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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.

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.

January 30, 2023

The Joy of Suffering

James 1.1-11

Consider it all joy when you encounter various trials. That’s only possible when we see things from God’s perspective…when we realize that God is using these trials to grow us, change us, transform us to live and love like Jesus.

The trials that we endure are designed to purify and strengthen our faith, not destroy it. But that assumes that we are running toward God and not away from Him in the midst of the trial. And that takes wisdom. Wisdom to see God’s hand at work through it all. Wisdom to realize my need for Him. Wisdom to place my confidence in Him. Wisdom to take my eyes off my feet and lift them up to see the world around me.

The alternative to running toward God in trials…running away from Him can have a devastating impact on our faith. I think we all know folks who, when tragedy struck, chose to blame God and run away from Him. Faith is crippled if not shattered. There is no joy there. And some of you know that all too well.

Trusting God fully…putting our confidence in Him…and not in anything else. That’s the key to success. That’s the path that leads to joy no matter the trial. And if you are lacking the wisdom to see that, just ask God for it. He will be glad to give it to you.

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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.

December 5, 2022

Joy This Christmas

1 Peter 1.6-9

We can experience inexpressible joy even in the midst of trials when we see our lives from a kingdom perspective…because we have a living hope and an imperishable inheritance that is protected by God.

Everyone who walks this planet will suffer…guaranteed. It’s part of living in a fallen world. Death. Loss. Broken relationships. Disappointment. You name it. Some of that suffering is due to our own bad choices. Some of it’s due to the bad choices of others. Some of it’s a result of the fall. But everybody will suffer in some way at some time. But not all will suffer for their faith.

The picture that Jesus frequently uses for discipleship…for following Him…is taking up our cross. It’s a clear picture of suffering. Now why does suffering have to be a part of the deal? I mean if we’ve chosen to follow God, if we’ve been adopted into His family, if we’re kingdom citizens, then why doesn’t He keep us from suffering? If we are on the winning side, then why does it feel like we’re losing? It goes back to the fall…

When we rebelled against our Creator, it had a devastating effect not only on us but also on the good world that God had made. The benevolent rule that man was supposed to exercise over creation was forfeited to the enemy (Luke 4.6), who subsequently became “the god of this world” (2 Corinthians 4.4) , “the prince of the power of the air” (Ephesians 2.2). Before we trusted in Jesus, we were “sons (and daughters) of disobedience” (Ephesians 2.2), citizens of this world thoroughly committed to life in the kingdom of darkness.

When we trusted in Jesus another rebellion occurred, but this one was really a return. And while it is true that we are citizens of a new kingdom and children of God, we are still living in enemy territory. Because our allegiance has changed, we are at odds with the world around us. The more we look like Jesus…the more we live as kingdom citizens…the more at odds we will be. The more at odds, the more suffering. The more suffering, the more rejoicing. Why can we rejoice? Because our faith has been purified and strengthened. Because we know that our salvation is sure. Because we are becoming more like Jesus.

The counterfeit joy that this world offers is based on avoiding unpleasantness of any kind…forget about suffering. It’s a joy that is hollow, self-seeking and fleeting. It disappears when the storms of life come. Unfortunately that’s the only joy that many of us pursue. But true joy…inexpressible joy…comes only from following Jesus, taking up our cross and being willing to suffer with Him. Seems like an odd way to find joy…especially an inexpressible joy…but there it is. That kind of joy is independent of circumstance…good or bad, suffering or rejoicing…it remains unshaken.

It’s not that suffering in and of itself brings joy, but it’s our identification with Jesus…it’s the family resemblance. Suffering for my faith is the only suffering that I have some control over…I can avoid it by not living out my faith or I can embrace it when it comes while pursuing Jesus. The choice is up to you and me.

So what if I’m not distressed by various trials? What if I’m not suffering persecution of any kind for my faith? First question would be, have you trusted in Jesus? If not, today could be the day of salvation for you…the day that you are adopted into God’s family…a living hope, an imperishable inheritance, and an inexpressible joy can all be yours. You just have to recognize that you are a sinner in need of repentance, believe that Jesus can save you and trust Him to do so.

If you have trusted in Jesus, then is it obvious to those around you? Does your life look any different than theirs? Actions…attitudes…language? Is there anything that would distinguish you from them? If the answer is “yes.” Then keep living out your faith. Trials will come…they may look different for you than for me…but they will come because we live in enemy territory. But if the answer is “no,” there’s a good chance that the folks around you are not mistaking you for being a Christian. You see, if you are living according to this world’s standards and behaving like everyone else…why would you be persecuted? But make no mistake…you will not experience the inexpressible joy that Peter is describing…only the counterfeit joy that disappears when hard times come.

This Christmas season I pray that you will experience the inexpressible joy that only Jesus can bring…the joy of knowing that He, your King is coming, the joy of knowing your salvation is secure, the joy of knowing Jesus.

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This post is based on a sermon from our Advent series: This Christmas. 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.