Sunday Sermons

By Central ChurchReligion & Spirituality Christianity

Sunday Sermons episodes

July 29, 2024Values
I Love Central Week #7
Values
Luke 5:33-39

They said to him, “John’s disciples often fast and pray, and so do the disciples of the Pharisees, but yours go on eating and drinking.” Luke 5:33
Comparison is a dangerous trap to fall into

It’s ok to have personal convictions

Don’t force your convictions onto other people
Jesus answered, “Can you make the friends of the bridegroom fast while he is with them? 35 But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; in those days they will fast.” 36 He told them this parable: “No one tears a piece out of a new garment to patch an old one. Otherwise, they will have torn the new garment, and the patch from the new will not match the old. 37 And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the new wine will burst the skins; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. 38 No, new wine must be poured into new wineskins. 39 And no one after drinking old wine wants the new, for they say, ‘The old is better.’” Luke 5:34-39

Three things Central will Value:

1. We will value conversation over condemnation

2. We will value maintaining the relationship over winning the argument

“I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. 21 I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me. 22 “I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. 23 I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me. John 17:20-23

3. We will value honesty over hypocrisy
38 min
July 22, 2024 Focused on His Holiness
I Love Central Week #6
Focused on His Holiness
Isaiah 6:1-8

False Idea- I don’t need church to worship Jesus

We all need church if we're going to maximize our relationship with Jesus

It was in the year King Uzziah died that I saw the Lord. He was sitting on a lofty throne, and the train of his robe filled the Temple. 2 Attending him were mighty seraphim, each having six wings. With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. Isaiah 6:1-2

The first step away from God is a step away from the people of God

It is not information that changes people, it is revelation

They were calling out to each other, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Heaven’s Armies! The whole earth is filled with his glory!” 4 Their voices shook the Temple to its foundations, and the entire building was filled with smoke. Isaiah 6:3-4

Revelation changes our lives

Then I said, “It’s all over! I am doomed, for I am a sinful man. I have filthy lips, and I live among a people with filthy lips. Yet I have seen the King, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.” Isaiah 6:5

Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal he had taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. 7 He touched my lips with it and said, “See, this coal has touched your lips. Now your guilt is removed, and your sins are forgiven.” Isaiah 6:6-7

Our past sin may be what we did, but in Christ, it is not who we are

Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?” I said, “Here I am. Send me.” Isaiah 6:8

All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’). Isaiah 7:14

(Video and audio clips in this video may contain content copyrighted by third parties but is used as part of education and commentary and therefore subject to the fair use exception under Title 17, Chapter 1, Section 107 of United States law. Central Church makes no claims to third party content contained in this video and no infringement is intended.)
38 min
July 15, 2024 Free from the Words of Others
I Love Central Week #5
Free from the Words of Others
John 7:12-44

The reason it often seems difficult to follow Jesus is because it's actually difficult to follow Jesus

Three things to focus on that will set us free from living under the oppression of the words of other people:

1. Ignore their opinions

There was a lot of grumbling about him among the crowds. Some argued, “He’s a good man,” but others said, “He’s nothing but a fraud who deceives the people.” 13 But no one had the courage to speak favorably about him in public, for they were afraid of getting in trouble with the Jewish leaders. John 7:12-13

The crowd replied, “You’re demon possessed! Who’s trying to kill you?” John 7:20

When the crowds heard him say this, some of them declared, “Surely this man is the Prophet we’ve been expecting.” 41 Others said, “He is the Messiah.” Still others said, “But he can’t be! Will the Messiah come from Galilee? 42 For the Scriptures clearly state that the Messiah will be born of the royal line of David, in Bethlehem, the village where King David was born.” 43 So the crowd was divided about him. 44 Some even wanted him arrested, but no one laid a hand on him. John 7:40-44

It's possible to know the scriptures and not know Jesus

The quickest way to lose sight of what God says about me is to hyper-focus on what other people say about me

But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer Luke 5:16

If Jesus needed some time to get his focus on The Father, then we do too

2. Don’t submit to the standards of others

For John the Baptist didn’t spend his time eating bread or drinking wine, and you say, ‘He’s possessed by a demon.’ 34 The Son of Man, on the other hand, feasts and drinks, and you say, ‘He’s a glutton and a drunkard, and a friend of tax collectors and other sinners!’ 35 But wisdom is shown to be right by the lives of those who follow it” Luke 7:33-35

If Jesus doesn't affect everything, then he means nothing to our lives ultimately

3. Talk about celebrations

Central will be known as a church known more for our celebrations rather than our condemnations

I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.” Psalm 122:1

What can we celebrate?

a. When a Prodigal comes home!

b. When an addict is clean for a day!

c. When people find hope to keep on living!

d. When people meet Jesus!

Where were you when Jesus found you?

How far has Jesus brought you?

What has he brought you through?

How much strength has He given you?

What did He rescue you from?
36 min
July 08, 2024The Second "Yes"
I Love Central - Week 4 - July 7, 2024

The Second “Yes”

Mark 10:17-22

As Jesus was starting out on his way to Jerusalem, a man came running up to him, knelt down, and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”8 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked. “Only God is truly good. 19 But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. You must not cheat anyone. Honor your father and mother.” 20 “Teacher,” the man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.” Mark 10:17-20
If we don't have self-awareness we will be self-righteous

Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. “There is still one thing you haven’t done,” he told him. “Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” Mark 10:21
I can trust Jesus because He is always speaking out of love
Love is the primary motivator for the Word of God being spoken into our lives
Jesus deals with us one issue at a time
The first “yes” is easy
The reason Jesus comes after things in our life is because He knows what satisfies us now, in the moment, eventually will let us down

At this the man’s face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions. Mark 10:22
35 min
July 01, 2024 Is Baptism My Next Step?
I Love Central - Week #3 - June 30, 2024
Is Baptism My Next Step?
Matthew 3:13-14

• We all have a next step in our walk with Jesus
• Your next step is your best step
• Baptism is an outward profession of an inner connection

Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” Matthew 3:13-14

• Opposition is an opportunity to continually say yes to Jesus.

Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented Matthew 3:15

• The best time to take your next step is right now

As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. Matthew 3:16

• Breakthrough comes after follow through

And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:17

• When we take our next step in our walk with Jesus, God is pleased

When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Acts 2:37

• When the Holy Spirit cuts to our heart, it’s because He wants to do something in us, so eventually He can do something through us.

Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38

• Repent means to turn away from sin and submit your life to Jesus.

• Walking with Jesus is a process

• Repentance is internal, baptism is external

• Baptism is the way that we are given to identify with Jesus

Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. Romans 6:3-4

3 POINTS ABOUT BAPTISM:

1. Baptism is always after salvation

• Baptism is symbolic of the fact that we’ve entered into a covenant with God

2. Baptism is by immersion

3. Baptism is everyone’s next step after salvation

Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. 25 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self? 26 Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. 27 “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:23-27

This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

If you would like to be baptized on July 14, please sign up at http://yourcentralchurch.com/baptisms (by July 10, 2024)
35 min
June 24, 2024Ask, Seek and Knock
I Love Central - Week #2

Ask, Seek and Knock

Luke 11:5-10

Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit Ephesians 5:18
The Holy Spirit fills us with joy

The Holy Spirit enables us to love other people

The Holy Spirit empowers us to speak the truth

Prayer #1- I want to see God’s Spirit poured out in this church

Prayer #2- I want to see God’s Spirit poured out in me

Resurrection is greater than healing
“Roll the stone aside,” Jesus told them. But Martha, the dead man’s sister, protested, “Lord, he has been dead for four days. The smell will be terrible.” 40 Jesus responded, “Didn’t I tell you that you would see God’s glory if you believe?” 41 So they rolled the stone aside. Then Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, thank you for hearing me. 42 You always hear me, but I said it out loud for the sake of all these people standing here, so that they will believe you sent me.” 43 Then Jesus shouted, “Lazarus, come out!” John 11:39-43
When the Word of God is spoken, things happen
And the dead man came out, his hands and feet bound in graveclothes, his face wrapped in a headcloth. Jesus told them, “Unwrap him and let him go!” John 11:44
People that don't know Jesus are always going to live like they don't know Jesus
Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. 26 Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off! Acts 16:25-26

Then, teaching them more about prayer, he used this story: “Suppose you went to a friend’s house at midnight, wanting to borrow three loaves of bread. You say to him, 6 ‘A friend of mine has just arrived for a visit, and I have nothing for him to eat.’ 7 And suppose he calls out from his bedroom, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is locked for the night, and my family and I are all in bed. I can’t help you.’ 8 But I tell you this—though he won’t do it for friendship’s sake, if you keep knocking long enough, he will get up and give you whatever you need because of your shameless persistence 9 “And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Luke 11:5-10
What are you asking Jesus for?

Seek means participate in the process

Knock and keep on knocking
...how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.” Luke 11:13(b)
34 min
June 17, 2024Your Church or Nacho Church
I Love Central - Week #1 - June 16, 2024
Your Church or Nacho Church?

We’re Nacho Church if you’re:

1. Looking for the perfect pastor
Letter of the Law vs. Spirit of the Law
Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. 2 Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect. 1 Timothy 3:1-4

You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Matthew 5:27-28

2. If you have super high expectations

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3:23-24

3. If you want the staff to do everything
One of the primary causes of anxiety is people trying to be who others expect them to be and do everything others expect them to do

A church is not effective when the staff ministers to the people. But rather when the body ministers to the body.
4. If you hate a certain group of people
We are for people meeting Jesus and taking their next step as He leads them to take their next step
5. if you don’t love people who are far from God

But the people were displeased. “He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner,” they grumbled. Luke 19:7

For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.” Luke 19:10

We are your church if you:

1. Want to come as you are

2. Want to be who you are
Everybody is welcome. Nobody is perfect. Anything is possible.
3. Want to understand confession does not lead to exclusion
Central Church is a church for misfits, failures and outcasts, led by misfits, failures and outcasts
41 min
June 10, 2024How to Love Jesus
How to Love Jesus
John 14 (NIV)
Have you ever been in a situation where confusion and anxiety reigned?
1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.”

5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. He continues…) 7 If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

8 Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”

9 Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. 11 Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. 12 Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

15 “If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. 21 Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”

22 Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, “But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?”

23 Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. 24 Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.

25 “All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

28 “You heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. 29 I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe. 30 I will not say much more to you, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold over me, 31 but he comes so that the world may learn that I love the Father and do exactly what my Father has commanded me. -John 14:1-31

9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. -John 15:9-11

Commands of Jesus:
Love God

Love your Neighbor

Love one another

Love and pray for your enemies
15 If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. 16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. -1 John 4:15-16
God is love.
5. Treat people as you want to be treated

6. Be reconciled

7. Forgive others

8. Confront your fellow believer in private first

9. Repent

10. Let your light shine

11. Preach the Gospel

12. Make Disciples

13. Don’t Lust

14. Keep guard against sin

15. Don’t Judge

16. Beware of false prophets

17. Be on guard against greed

46 “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? 47 As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. 48 They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. 49 But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.” -Luke 6:46-49

22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. -James 1:22-25
If Jesus was willing to take all of our sins and suffer on the cross for us, keeping His commands is the least we can do.

We don’t need to try to deal with life’s struggles on our own.

Trust that His Holy Spirit will give us the guidance we need.

He knows exactly what we need and even more so, what we don’t need.

Let’s love Jesus better by following His commands.
37 min
June 03, 2024Are you willing to go out on a limb for Jesus?
Are you willing to go out on a limb for Jesus?

Luke 18:10-14, Luke 19:1-10

1. We get in a rut of rationalize and repeat.

Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. 3 He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way. 5 When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” 6 So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. 7 All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.” 8 But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” -Luke 19:1-10

2. Long before Zacchaeus needed it, God planted that tree.

3. God knows you by name.

14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— -John 10:14

22 This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, -Romans 3:22-23

21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. -Matthew 6:21
What is your treasure? _____________________________
Where is your heart? _______________________________
What do you give all your time to? _______________________________

4. Faith = Risk - You must be willing to take risks to follow Jesus.

5. If we are willing to take the first step, God is waiting for us.

10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ 13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ 14 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” -Luke 18:1-14

6. Jesus has come to seek and save the lost
Will you step out on a limb for Jesus?
27 min
May 28, 2024 Dealing with Denial
Dealing with Denial
1 John 1:8; John 8:31-32

6 “I am too ashamed and disgraced, my God, to lift up my face to you, because our sins are higher than our heads and our guilt has reached to the heavens. ~Ezra 9:6 (NIV)

“‘When people fall down, don’t they get up again? When they discover they’re on the wrong road, don’t they turn back? 5 Then why do these people stay on their self-destructive path? Why do the people of Jerusalem refuse to turn back? They cling tightly to their lies and will not turn around. 6 I listen to their conversations and don’t hear a word of truth. Is anyone sorry for doing wrong? Does anyone say, “What a terrible thing I have done?” ~Jeremiah 8:4-6 (NLT)

19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. ~Galatians 5:19-21 (NIV)

14a “You can’t heal a wound by saying it’s not there!” ~Jeremiah 6:14a (TLB)

1. Disables our feelings

18 For, speaking loud boasts of folly, they entice by sensual passions of the flesh those who are barely escaping from those who live in error. 19 They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved. ~2 Peter 2:18-19 (ESV)

2. Energy lost

3. Negates growth

13 Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble; He saved them from their distress. 14 He brought them out of darkness and gloom and broke their chains apart. ~Psalm 107:13-14 (HCSB)

4. Isolates us from God.

5 “God is light, and there is absolutely no darkness in Him. 6 If we say, “We have fellowship with Him,” yet we walk in darkness, we are lying and are not practicing the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say, “We have no sin,” we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” ~1 John 1:5-8 (HCSB)

5. Alienates us from our relationships.

25 What this adds up to, then, is this: no more lies, no more pretense. Tell your neighbor the truth. In Christ’s body we’re all connected to each other, after all. When you lie to others, you end up lying to yourself. ~Ephesians 4:25 (MSG)

6. Lengthens our pain.

2 O Lord my God, I pleaded with you, and you gave me my health again. 3 You brought me back from the brink of the grave, from death itself, and here I am alive! ~Psalm 30:2-3 (MSG)

16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. ~James 5:15-16 (NASB)

“If you continue in My word, then you are truly My disciples; 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” ~John 8:31-32 (NASB)
27 min

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