Sunday Sermons

By Central ChurchReligion & Spirituality Christianity

Sunday Sermons episodes

December 18, 2023A Voyage Thru the Chaos
Voyage to the Manger - Week #3

A Voyage Thru the Chaos

Matthew 2:1-12
Chaos is a really great indicator that we need Jesus

Always anticipate an encounter with the Savior because He’s alive and He’s closer to you than you think
Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, 2 “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.” Matthew 2:1-2
Jesus says, ‘Follow me and you will change”
King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem. 4 He called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of religious law and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?” 5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they said, “for this is what the prophet wrote: 6 ‘And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah, are not least among the ruling cities of Judah, for a ruler will come from you who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.’” Matthew 2:3-6
Information + Application= Transformation

Do you view Jesus as King?
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24 Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. Psalm 139:23-24

Then Herod called for a private meeting with the wise men, and he learned from them the time when the star first appeared. 8 Then he told them, “Go to Bethlehem and search carefully for the child. And when you find him, come back and tell me so that I can go and worship him, too!” Matthew 2:7-8
When Jesus isn’t King, we will use people rather than love them

When we get close to a work of God, the enemy will compel us to try to kill that work of God
After this interview the wise men went their way. And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! Matthew 2:9-10
A voyage toward Jesus is a voyage filled with joy!
They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Matthew 2:11
When we know Jesus is King, we worship

When we know Jesus is King, we give
When it was time to leave, they returned to their own country by another route, for God had warned them in a dream not to return to Herod. Matthew 2:12
You cannot meet Jesus and stay the same
41 min
December 14, 2023 The Shepherds' Voyage
The Voyage to the Manger – Week #2
The Shepherds’ Voyage
Luke 2:2-8

That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. 9 Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, 10 but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people Luke 2:8-10

There is a difference between good advice and good news

God wants you to be filled with joy!

The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! 12 And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” Luke 2:11-12

The manger is not a symbol of how clean we are, it is a reminder of how dirty we are, and how much we need God’s grace

Christianity is not about measuring up, it’s about opening up

Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” 15 When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” Luke 2:13-15

What if we spent half as much time on Sunday preparing our hearts as we did in preparing our appearance?

They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. 17 After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. 18 All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, 19 but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. 20 The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them. Luke 2:16-20

There is a difference between a person who doesn’t know Jesus, and the person who knows that Jesus is alive

But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last. Job 19:25
41 min
December 04, 2023 Mary's Voyage
The Voyage to the Manger - Week #1
Mary’s Voyage
Luke 1:30-38; 2:1-7; Matthew 2:1-23

When it comes to following Jesus, the best is yet to come

“Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! Luke 1:30

God speaks to people in different ways, and in different times, and in different places

You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. 33 And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!” 34 Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.”35 The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. Luke 1:31-35

You will go insane trying to explain what the Holy Spirit is doing inside your life

At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. 2 (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. 4 And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. 5 He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. Luke 2:1-6

Sometimes God has to take us out of our comfortable situation so that we will actually pay attention to how desperate we really are for Him

She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them. Luke 2:7

God is at work in the Christmas story

God is at work in your story

After the wise men were gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up! Flee to Egypt with the child and his mother,” the angel said. “Stay there until I tell you to return, because Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” 14 That night Joseph left for Egypt with the child and Mary, his mother, 15 and they stayed there until Herod’s death. This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: “I called my Son out of Egypt.”16 Herod was furious when he realized that the wise men had outwitted him. He sent soldiers to kill all the boys in and around Bethlehem who were two years old and under, based on the wise men’s report of the star’s first appearance. 17 Herod’s brutal action fulfilled what God had spoken through the prophet Jeremiah: 18 “A cry was heard in Ramah— weeping and great mourning. Rachel weeps for her children, refusing to be comforted, for they are dead.” 19 When Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt. Matthew 2:13-19

God will handle your Herod

Get up!” the angel said. “Take the child and his mother back to the land of Israel, because those who were trying to kill the child are dead.” 21 So Joseph got up and returned to the land of Israel with Jesus and his mother. 22 But when he learned that the new ruler of Judea was Herod’s son Archelaus, he was afraid to go there. Then, after being warned in a dream, he left for the region of Galilee. 23 So the family went and lived in a town called Nazareth. This fulfilled what the prophets had said: “He will be called a Nazarene.” Matthew 2:20-23

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. 3 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!” Isaiah 6:1-3
42 min
November 27, 2023Miracles in the Storm
Master of the Miraculous - Week #5
Miracles in the Storm
Matthew 14:22-33

Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people home. Matthew 14:22
God loves you so much that sometimes He will take something away from you
After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone. Matthew 14:23
Are you intentionally spending time with Jesus every day?
Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. Matthew 14:24
Some people drive into their own storm
About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. Matthew 14:25

When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!” Matthew 14:26
Sometimes Jesus takes us through the storm so we can see Him in ways we’ve never seen Him before
But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here! Matthew 14:27
When we get in the middle of the storm, The Spirit brings in the Word that we need to hear
Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.” 29 “Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted. Matthew 14:28-30
One of the biggest battles in the Christian life is the battle for our mind
Finally, brothers… whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- think about such things.” Philippians 4:8

Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?” Matthew 14:31
What could God do in our lives if we just had a little faith?

Jesus give me the faith to follow you, even when it doesn’t make sense
When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped. 33 Then the disciples worshiped him. “You really are the Son of God!” they exclaimed. Matthew 14:32-33
46 min
November 13, 2023 Covered by Grace in the House of Grace
The Master of the Miraculous - Week #3

Covered by Grace in the House of Grace

John 5:1-9

Afterward Jesus returned to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish holy days. John 5:1
“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 17 God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:16-17

Inside the city, near the Sheep Gate, was the pool of Bethesda, with five covered porches. John 5:2
Bethesda = House of Grace

Central is a House of Grace where we are covered by grace
Crowds of sick people—blind, lame, or paralyzed—lay on the porches waiting for a certain movement of the water, 4 for an angel of the Lord came from time to time and stirred up the water. And the first person to step in after the water was stirred was healed of whatever disease he had. 5 One of the men lying there had been sick for thirty-eight years. John 5:3-5

When Jesus saw him and knew he had been ill for a long time, he asked him, “Would you like to get well?” John 5:6

Some people don’t want to get well

“I can’t, sir,” the sick man said, “for I have no one to put me into the pool when the water bubbles up. Someone else always gets there ahead of me.” 8 Jesus told him, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk!” John 5:7-8

Don’t accept a label religion tried to put on you

Instantly, the man was healed! He rolled up his sleeping mat and began walking! But this miracle happened on the Sabbath John 5:9
40 min
November 06, 2023Don't Allow the Familiar to Become Familiar
Master of the Miraculous Week #2
Don’t Allow the Familiar to Become Familiar
John 4:43-54

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8

At the end of the two days, Jesus went on to Galilee. 44 He himself had said that a prophet is not honored in his own hometown. John 4:43-44
When we let the supernatural become familiar, we miss the miracle
Yet the Galileans welcomed him, for they had been in Jerusalem at the Passover celebration and had seen everything he did there. 46 As he traveled through Galilee, he came to Cana, where he had turned the water into wine. There was a government official in nearby Capernaum whose son was very sick. John 4:45-46
The individual matters to Jesus
When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went and begged Jesus to come to Capernaum to heal his son, who was about to die. John 4:47
We often don’t get the miracle because we’re not asking for it

Jesus wants us to bring Him our problems, but he doesn't need our ‘how’
My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. 9 For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9

Jesus asked, “Will you never believe in me unless you see miraculous signs and wonders?” John 4:48
If Jesus doesn’t do what you want Him to do the way you want it done, it’s still a miracle
The official pleaded, “Lord, please come now before my little boy dies.” John 4:49
Are you calling Jesus Lord?

Then Jesus told him, “Go back home. Your son will live!” And the man believed what Jesus said and started home. John 4:50
The Word of God can bring healing to our lives

While the man was on his way, some of his servants met him with the news that his son was alive and well. 52 He asked them when the boy had begun to get better, and they replied, “Yesterday afternoon at one o’clock his fever suddenly disappeared!” 53 Then the father realized that that was the very time Jesus had told him, “Your son will live.” And he and his entire household believed in Jesus. John 4:51-53
The miracle that Jesus wants to do in you and through you is bigger than you

This was the second miraculous sign Jesus did in Galilee after coming from Judea. John 4:54
If you are in Christ, the enemy has no power over you
49 min
October 30, 2023 Do Whatever He Tells You
Master of the Miraculous - Week 1
Do Whatever He Tells You
John 2:1-10

The next day there was a wedding celebration in the village of Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, 2 and Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the celebration. John 2:1-2

People that were nothing like Jesus, liked Jesus. And Jesus liked people that were nothing like Him.

The wine supply ran out during the festivities, so Jesus’ mother told him, “They have no more wine.” 4 “Dear woman, that’s not our problem,” Jesus replied. “My time has not yet come.” 5 But his mother told the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” John 2:3-5

On the other end of obedience is a miracle

Standing nearby were six stone water jars, used for Jewish ceremonial washing. Each could hold twenty to thirty gallons. John 2:6

Jesus has more for you than you could ever imagine

Jesus used incomplete, unclean vessels for the miracle

Jesus told the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” When the jars had been filled... John 2:7

Walking with Jesus is a process

Don’t shortcut yourself by saying “no” to the process

Jesus told the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” When the jars had been filled, 8 he said, “Now dip some out, and take it to the master of ceremonies.” So the servants followed his instructions. John 2:7-8

Jesus called us to be light into the dark

December 3rd is our last baptism for the year. Go public for Jesus. Sign up at the welcome desk today.

When the master of ceremonies tasted the water that was now wine, not knowing where it had come from (though, of course, the servants knew), he called the bridegroom over. John 2:9

Only the servants got to see the miracle

“A host always serves the best wine first,” he said. “Then, when everyone has had a lot to drink, he brings out the less expensive wine. But you have kept the best until now!” John 2:10

Jesus only has the best in mind for you!
44 min
October 23, 2023 The Hands that Hold the Golden Chain
The Hands that Hold the Golden Chain
Guest Speaker: Dave Stephens
Romans 9:1-33 (NASB)

29 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters; 30 and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified. ~Romans 8:29-30

1 I am telling the truth in Christ, I am not lying; my conscience testifies with me in the Holy Spirit, 2 that I have great sorrow and unceasing grief in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed, separated from Christ for the sake of my countrymen, my kinsmen according to the flesh, 4 who are Israelites, to whom belongs the adoption as sons and daughters, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the Law, the temple service, and the promises; 5 whose are the fathers, and from whom is the Christ according to the flesh, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen. ~Romans 9:1-5

Why do some people believe while others don’t?

6 But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel; 7 nor are they all children because they are Abraham’s descendants, but: “through Isaac your descendants shall be named.” 8 That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are regarded as descendants. 9 For this is the word of promise: “At this time, I will come, and Sarah will have a son.” ~Romans 9:6-9

10 And not only that, but there was also Rebekah, when she had conceived twins by one man, our father Isaac; 11 for though the twins were not yet born and had not done anything good or bad, so that God’s purpose according to His choice would stand, not because of works but because of Him who calls, 12 it was said to her, “The older will serve the younger.” 13 Just as it is written: “Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated.” ~Romans 9:10-13

Establishes divine election.

14 What shall we say then? There is no injustice with God, is there? Far from it! 15 For He says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whomever I have mercy, and I will show compassion to whomever I show compassion.” 16 So then, it does not depend on the person who wants it nor the one who runs, but on God who has mercy. 17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very reason I raised you up, in order to demonstrate My power in you, in that My name might be proclaimed throughout the earth.” 18 So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and He hardens whom He desires. ~Romans 9:14-18

All have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God.

Justice demands that sin be punished and the punishment is death.

19 You will say to me then, “Why does He still find fault? For who has resisted His will?” 20 On the contrary, who are you, you foolish person, who answers back to God? The thing molded will not say to the molder, “Why did you make me like this,” will it? 21 Or does the potter not have a right over the clay, to make from the same lump one object for honorable use, and another for common use? 22 What if God, although willing to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known, endured with great patience objects of wrath prepared for destruction? 23 And He did so to make known the riches of His glory upon objects of mercy, which He prepared beforehand for glory, 24 namely us, whom He also called, not only from among Jews, but also from among Gentiles, ~Romans 9:19-24

That’s not fair!

Is man’s will equal to God’s will?

25 as He also says in Hosea: “I will call those who were not My people, ‘My people,’ and her who was not beloved, ‘beloved.’” 26 “And it shall be that in the place where it was said to them, ‘you are not My people,’ There they shall be called sons of the living God.” ~Romans 9:25-26

27 Isaiah cries out concerning Israel, “Though the number of sons of Israel may be like the sand of the sea, only the remnant will be saved; 28 for the Lord will execute His word on the earth, thoroughly and quickly.” 29 And just as Isaiah foretold: “If the Lord of armies had not left us descendants, We would have become like Sodom, and would have been like Gomorrah.” ~Romans 9:27-29

30 What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, attained righteousness, but the righteousness that is by faith; 31 however, Israel, pursuing a law of righteousness, did not arrive at that law. 32 Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as though they could by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone, 33 just as it is written: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense, And the one who believes in Him will not be put to shame.” ~Romans 9:30-33
36 min
October 16, 2023 Wasted Worship?
Love and War - 10/15/23 - Week 6

Wasted Worship?

Romans 12:1

That Thing We Do - “It’s what you were made to do. Should you for some reason choose not to give God what He desires, you’ll still worship something- exchanging the Creator for something He has created.”

37 He (Jesus) said to him, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. 38 This is the greatest and most important command. 39 The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. ~Matthew 22:37

While it’s simplistic to say that worship is love, it’s a fact that what we love most will determine what we genuinely worship.

If we put too much of our time and energy into those things, they can become our idols, the created things start to have more meaning than the One who created us.

4 Their idols are silver and gold, made by human hands. 5 They have mouths but cannot speak. eyes, but cannot see. 6 They have ears but cannot hear, noses, but cannot smell. 7 They have hands but cannot feel, feet, but cannot walk. They cannot make a sound with their throats. 8 Those who make them are just like them, as are all who trust in them. ~Psalm 115:4-8

If we are not careful, we will become just like those in this scripture. We become worshipers of the created, not the creator.

“I am the good shepherd. I know My own sheep, and they know Me, 15 as the Father knows Me, and I know the Father. I lay down My life for the sheep. 16 But I have other sheep that are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will listen to My voice. Then there will be one flock, one shepherd. 27 My sheep hear My voice, I know them, and they follow Me. John 10:14-16, 27

12 Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship. ~Romans 12:1

Regardless of our perception, viewpoint, past experiences, or feelings, God is still worthy and will be praised!

39 Some of the Pharisees from the crowd told Him, “Teacher, rebuke Your disciples.” 40 He answered, “I tell you, if they were to keep silent, the stones would cry out! ~Luke 19:39-40

Worship is an action word, it’s something we do!

Serving IS worshipping.
28 min
October 09, 2023In the Pits
Love and War – 10/8/23 – Week 5
In the Pits
Genesis 37, 39

Genesis 37:5-6 “Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more. 6 He said to them, “Listen to this dream I had: 7 We were binding sheaves of grain out in the field when suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around mine and bowed down to it.”

Genesis 37:8 8 His brothers said to him, “Do you intend to reign over us? Will you actually rule us?” And they hated him all the more because of his dream and what he had said.
Don’t lower your standards to someone else’s expectation in exchange for being accepted by them.
Genesis 37:23-24 “So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe—the ornate robe he was wearing— 24 and they took him and threw him into the cistern. The cistern was empty; there was no water in it.”
There are moments when betrayal wasn’t designed to break you, but deliver you.
Proverbs 19:21 “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”

Genesis 39:2 “The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master.”
Look for God’s Favor to free you
Genesis 39:11-12 “One day he went into the house to attend to his duties, and none of the household servants was inside. 12 She caught him by his cloak and said, “Come to bed with me!” But he left his cloak in her hand and ran out of the house.”
We need to be committed to where God is taking us that we are willing to leave what we have.
Psalms 23:4 “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with
me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

Genesis 39:21 “the Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden.”
You may feel at rock bottom but start being intentional with where God has you
5 Anchors in a Relationship:
1. Telling the truth
1 Corinthians 13:6 “Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
2. Being transparent
James 5:16 “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
3. Keeping your word
Matthew 5:37 “For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open.”
4. Offering acceptance
Romans 15:7 “Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.”
5. Demonstrating sorrow, repentance, and accountability
1 John 3:18 “Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.”

Hebrews 10:24-25 “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
38 min

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