Sunday Sermons

Sunday Sermons

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Sunday Sermons episodes

  • The Power of a Serving Church
    More than Conquerors Week #2
    The Power of a Serving Church
    Mark 1:21-34


    Do I really want to walk closer with Jesus?


    God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. 11 Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen. 1 Peter 4:10-11


    Jesus and his companions went to the town of Capernaum. When the Sabbath day came, he went into the synagogue and began to teach. 22 The people were amazed at his teaching, for he taught with real authority—quite unlike the teachers of religious law. 23 Suddenly, a man in the synagogue who was possessed by an evil[h] spirit cried out, 24 “Why are you interfering with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” 25 But Jesus reprimanded him. “Be quiet! Come out of the man,” he ordered. 26 At that, the evil spirit screamed, threw the man into a convulsion, and then came out of him. Mark 1:21-26


    The enemy never gives up without a fight


    Amazement gripped the audience, and they began to discuss what had happened. “What sort of new teaching is this?” they asked excitedly. “It has such authority! Even evil spirits obey his orders!” 28 The news about Jesus spread quickly throughout the entire region of Galilee. 29 After Jesus left the synagogue with James and John, they went to Simon and Andrew’s home. 30 Now Simon’s mother-in-law was sick in bed with a high fever. They told Jesus about her right away. 31 So he went to her bedside, took her by the hand, and helped her sit up. Then the fever left her, and she prepared a meal for them. Mark 1:27-31


    Serving is worship


    That evening after sunset, many sick and demon-possessed people were brought to Jesus. 33 The whole town gathered at the door to watch. 34 So Jesus healed many people who were sick with various diseases, and he cast out many demons. But because the demons knew who he was, he did not allow them to speak. Mark 1:32-34


    You can serve because:


    1. You are gifted
    2. You are qualified


    3. You have time


    4. You will grow in your walk with Jesus and change the world one person at a time


    just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:28


    If YOU are ready to start serving, visit http://yourcentralchurch.com/serving
    35 min
  • The Power of a Praying Church
    More than Conquerors Week #1
    The Power of a Praying Church
    Acts 12:1-17
    • Sometimes bad things happen to good people
      • But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats. 1 Peter 3:14


      About that time King Herod Agrippa[a] began to persecute some believers in the church. 2 He had the apostle James (John’s brother) killed with a sword. 3 When Herod saw how much this pleased the Jewish people, he also arrested Peter. (This took place during the Passover celebration.) 4 Then he imprisoned him, placing him under the guard of four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring Peter out for public trial after the Passover. Acts 12:1-4
      • The enemy always wants us to feel overwhelmed and hopeless
        • But while Peter was in prison, the church prayed very earnestly for him.6 The night before Peter was to be placed on trial, he was asleep, fastened with two chains between two soldiers. Others stood guard at the prison gate. 7 Suddenly, there was a bright light in the cell, and an angel of the Lord stood before Peter. The angel struck him on the side to awaken him and said, “Quick! Get up!” And the chains fell off his wrists. Acts 12:5-7
        • God’s Word is stronger than the chains the enemy tries to use to hold us back
        • Prayer and participation go hand in hand
          • Then the angel told him, “Get dressed and put on your sandals.” And he did. “Now put on your coat and follow me,” the angel ordered. 9 So Peter left the cell, following the angel. But all the time he thought it was a vision. He didn’t realize it was actually happening. 10 They passed the first and second guard posts and came to the iron gate leading to the city, and this opened for them all by itself. So they passed through and started walking down the street, and then the angel suddenly left him. 11 Peter finally came to his senses. “It’s really true!” he said. “The Lord has sent his angel and saved me from Herod and from what the Jewish leaders[c] had planned to do to me!” 12 When he realized this, he went to the home of Mary, the mother of John Mark, where many were gathered for prayer. 13 He knocked at the door in the gate, and a servant girl named Rhoda came to open it. 14 When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed that, instead of opening the door, she ran back inside and told everyone, “Peter is standing at the door!” 15 “You’re out of your mind!” they said. When she insisted, they decided, “It must be his angel.” 16 Meanwhile, Peter continued knocking. When they finally opened the door and saw him, they were amazed. 17 He motioned for them to quiet down and told them how the Lord had led him out of prison. “Tell James and the other brothers what happened,” he said. And then he went to another place. Acts 12:8-17
          34 min
        • Here Comes Trouble
          I Love This Church Week #7
          Here Comes Trouble
          Luke 4:14-30


          Then Jesus returned to Galilee, filled with the Holy Spirit’s power. Reports about him spread quickly through the whole region. 15 He taught regularly in their synagogues and was praised by everyone. 16 When he came to the village of Nazareth, his boyhood home, he went as usual to the synagogue on the Sabbath and stood up to read the Scriptures. Luke 4:14-16
          • The Spirit of God and The Word of God work together
            • The Levites obeyed Moses’ command, and about 3,000 people died that day. Exodus 32:28


            Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all. Acts 2:41


            The scroll of Isaiah the prophet was handed to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where this was written: 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, 19 and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.” Luke 4:17-19
            • If we would lean into The Word of God and The Spirit of God, we will never have to live an unguided day in our life
              • and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.” 20 He rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the attendant, and sat down. All eyes in the synagogue looked at him intently. 21 Then he began to speak to them. “The Scripture you’ve just heard has been fulfilled this very day!” 22 Everyone spoke well of him and was amazed by the gracious words that came from his lips. “How can this be?” they asked. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” 23 Then he said, “You will undoubtedly quote me this proverb: ‘Physician, heal yourself’—meaning, ‘Do miracles here in your hometown like those you did in Capernaum.’ 24 But I tell you the truth, no prophet is accepted in his own hometown. 25 “Certainly there were many needy widows in Israel in Elijah’s time, when the heavens were closed for three and a half years, and a severe famine devastated the land. 26 Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them. He was sent instead to a foreigner—a widow of Zarephath in the land of Sidon. 27 And many in Israel had leprosy in the time of the prophet Elisha, but the only one healed was Naaman, a Syrian.” 28 When they heard this, the people in the synagogue were furious. 29 Jumping up, they mobbed him and forced him to the edge of the hill on which the town was built. They intended to push him over the cliff, Luke 4:19-29
              • We will never love a view more than we love you
              • If we are not open to what Jesus wants to do in us, we will become bitter, callous and miss out on His best for our lives
                • but he passed right through the crowd and went on his way. Luke 4:30
                34 min
              • Rescued from Wrath
                I Love This Church! - 6/29/25
                Rescued from Wrath
                Ephesians 2:1-7 (NASB 1995)


                1 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins 2 in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. 3 Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. -Ephesians 2:1-3


                1. From God


                2. By God


                4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved) 6 and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, -Ephesians 2:4-6


                8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. -Romans 5:8


                9 Much more then, having been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. -Romans 5:9


                10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. -Romans 5:10


                3. For God


                7 so that the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. -Ephesians 2:7


                9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; -1 Peter 2:9


                8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. -Ephesians 2:8-10
                31 min
              • The Prayer of Salvation
                I Love This Church - Week #5
                The Prayer of Salvation
                Matthew 7:21-23


                Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. 22 On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ Matthew 7:21-22


                Christianity is not about what we do for God, it’s about what God has done for us through His Son Jesus Christ


                But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’ Matthew 7:23


                Our relationship with God is not based on our performance, it is based on His love


                Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.” John 3:3


                You can be born physically once. You can be born spiritually once.


                The Prayer of Salvation:


                “Jesus Christ”


                There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12


                “I know that I am a sinner and I need forgiveness”


                Every inclination in us is towards sin


                As the Scriptures say, “No one is righteous— not even one. Romans 3:10


                For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Romans 3:23


                “And I need you as my Savior”


                “I believe you died on the cross”


                “And rose from the grave”


                And if Christ has not been raised, then all our preaching is useless, and your faith is useless. 1 Corinthians 15:14


                “To pay for my sins”


                So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1


                “Right now, I confess you as Lord”


                When we say this, 2 things happen:


                1. There is an immediate change


                2. There is ongoing change


                If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9


                “Come into my life and take over. Be my Lord, my God, my King and my Savior. All of me for all of you. Thank you for dying for me. Thank you for saving me. In Jesus name I pray”


                For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:13


                Jesus Christ, I know that I am a sinner and need forgiveness. I need you as my Savior. I Believe you died on the cross and rose from the grave to pay for my sins. Right now, I confess you as Lord. Come into my life and take over. Be my Lord, My God, My King and my Savior. All of me for all of you. Thank you for dying for me. Thank you for saving me. In Jesus name I pray...
                37 min
              • Substitutionary Atonement
                I Love This Church - Week #4
                Substitutionary Atonement
                Genesis 2:15-17


                Substitutionary = substitute
                Atonement = to pay for


                The  Lord  God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and watch over it.  16  But the  Lord  God warned him, “You may freely eat the fruit of every tree in the garden—  17  except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat its fruit, you are sure to die.” -Genesis 2:15-17


                The enemy wants us to focus on what we can’t have and lose sight of how blessed we are


                And the Lord  God made clothing from animal skins for Adam and his wife. -Genesis 3:21


                But the blood on your doorposts will serve as a sign, marking the houses where you are staying. When I see the blood, I will pass over you. This plague of death will not touch you when I strike the land of Egypt. 14  “This is a day to remember. Each year, from generation to generation, you must celebrate it as a special festival to the  Lord. This is a law for all time.  -Exodus 12:13-14


                “Remember, these instructions are a permanent law that you and your descendants must observe forever.  25  When you enter the land the  Lord  has promised to give you, you will continue to observe this ceremony. -Exodus 12:24-25


                The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! -John 1:29


                Jesus is the Lamb of God


                Now the Festival of Unleavened Bread arrived, when the Passover lamb is sacrificed.  8  Jesus sent Peter and John ahead and said,  “Go and prepare the Passover meal, so we can eat it together.” -Luke 22:7-8


                Then he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. Then he said,  “Take this and share it among yourselves.  18  For I will not drink wine again until the Kingdom of God has come.” 19  He took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying,  “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” -Luke 22:17-19


                Somebody had to pay for our sin


                After supper he took another cup of wine and said,  “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood, which is poured out as a sacrifice for you. -Luke 17:20


                Communion is an opportunity to:
                1. Look back
                2. Look around
                3. Look ahead


                Mark my words—I will not drink wine again until the day I drink it new with you in my Father’s Kingdom.” -Matthew 26:29
                30 min
              • Connected to the Head and the Body
                I love This Church - Week #3
                Connected to the Head and the Body
                Matthew 16:13-19
                • There is nothing that has the potential to bring change to the world like the local church
                  • When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples,  “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” -Matthew 16:13


                  “Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.” -Matthew 16:14
                  • The strength of our nation is not necessarily who is in Washington, but more specifically who is in our churches
                    • Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?” -Matthew 16:15
                    • Jesus always makes it personal
                      • Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” -Matthew 16:16
                      • Messiah = Savior
                      • When Jesus died on the cross, He gave us power over sin
                      • Sin is too big to take on by ourselves
                        • Jesus replied,  “You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being.  -Matthew 16:17
                        • We need the help of God and the help of others
                          • How could one person chase a thousand of them, and two people put ten thousand to flight, unless their Rock had sold them, unless the  Lord  had given them up? -Deuteronomy 32:30


                          Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’),  and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell  will not conquer it.  19  And I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Whatever you forbid  on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit  on earth will be permitted in heaven.”
                          -Matthew 16:18-19
                          32 min
                        • Vision
                          I love This Church - Week #2
                          Vision
                          Acts 19:8-10; 23-27


                          1. Do I want to become a better person?


                          2. Do I want Carroll to be a better community?
                          • Our Vision: To create an environment where people, all people, can experience the presence of Jesus every single week
                          • It is impossible to experience the presence of Jesus and stay the same
                          • Jesus did not die on the cross so the church could establish a behavior modification program
                          • Before we change externally, Jesus changes us internally
                            • Paul entered the synagogue  and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God.  9  But some of them  became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way.  So Paul left them. He took the disciples  with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus.  10  This went on for two years,  so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia  heard the word of the Lord. Acts 19:8-10


                            About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way.  24  A silversmith named Demetrius, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought in a lot of business for the craftsmen there.  25  He called them together, along with the workers in related trades, and said: “You know, my friends, that we receive a good income from this business.  26  And you see and hear how this fellow Paul has convinced and led astray large numbers of people here in Ephesus  and in practically the whole province of Asia.  He says that gods made by human hands are no gods at all.  27  There is danger not only that our trade will lose its good name, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be discredited; and the goddess herself, who is worshiped throughout the province of Asia and the world, will be robbed of her divine majesty.” Acts 19:23-27
                            33 min
                          • Different Strokes for Different Folks
                            I Love This Church! Week 1 - May 25, 2025
                            Different Strokes for Different Folks
                            Mark 2:1-12


                            When Jesus returned to Capernaum several days later, the news spread quickly that he was back home. 2 Soon the house where he was staying was so packed with visitors that there was no more room, even outside the door. While he was preaching God’s word to them, 3 four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. 4 They couldn’t bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, so they dug a hole through the roof above his head. Then they lowered the man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus. 5 Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “My child, your sins are forgiven.” Mark 2:1-5


                            5 Different types of people:


                            1. Someone in need


                            2. Someone who cares
                            • Compassion = taking action
                              • 3. Someone who is unaware
                              • We can never be so focused on one thing that we lose sight of the focus of Jesus, which is, people far from God
                                • Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “My child, your sins are forgiven.” Mark 2:5
                                • Jesus will often give us what we need before He gives us what we want
                                  • 4. Someone who is critical
                                  • The most critical people in the Bible were the religious people
                                    • But some of the teachers of religious law who were sitting there thought to themselves, 7 “What is he saying? This is blasphemy! Only God can forgive sins!” 8 Jesus knew immediately what they were thinking, so he asked them, “Why do you question this in your hearts? 9 Is it easier to say to the paralyzed man ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk’? 10 So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, 11 “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!” 12 And the man jumped up, grabbed his mat, and walked out through the stunned onlookers. They were all amazed and praised God, exclaiming, “We’ve never seen anything like this before!” Mark 2:6-12


                                    5. Someone who needs to be changed
                                    33 min
                                  • The Ember Still Burns
                                    May 18, 2025
                                    The Ember Still Burns
                                    2 Timothy 1:6


                                    1. Faith Ignited — Peter’s Spark


                                    “Then Jesus said to Simon, ‘Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.’ So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.” -Luke 5:10-11


                                    • When Jesus calls you, He’s not just seeing who you are right now—He’s seeing who you’ll become when His purpose sets your soul on fire.


                                    • God doesn’t light the fire to impress you — He lights it to empower you.”


                                    • The spark is not the destination — it’s the invitation to step into a new season.


                                    “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven.” -Ecclesiastes 3:1


                                    “At the proper time, we will reap a harvest — if we do not give up.” -Galatians 6:9


                                    2. When the Fire Fades – Faith Tested


                                    • “Failure doesn’t extinguish your fire — it reveals what kind of fuel your faith runs on.”


                                    “Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. ‘You of little faith, why did you doubt?’” -Matthew 14:31


                                    The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.” -Luke 22:61


                                    • Your flame may flicker in fear, but it’s not extinguished in failure.


                                    3. Faith Sustained


                                    15 After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”“Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.”“Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him. 16 Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.”“Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said. 17 A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.” -John 21:15-17


                                    • You may feel like the fire has dimmed — but God still sees the ember.


                                    For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. -2 Timothy 1:6


                                    • Paul doesn’t tell Timothy to get a new fire — he says stir up what’s already there.


                                    • Jesus didn’t give Peter a pep talk — He gave him a purpose: Feed my sheep.


                                    4. Faith Refined — Champions Are Formed in the Ember


                                    “Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd…” -Acts 2:14


                                    • If you want to make a Kingdom impact, stop waiting to be on fire — and start living as the ember.


                                    “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


                                    • When you let the ember forge your faith, you stop being just a church attender — and you become a Kingdom sustainer.


                                    5. Faith Mobilized — Be the Ember


                                    “Humble yourselves under God’s mighty hand…” -1 Peter 5:6


                                    “Add to your faith goodness, knowledge, self-control…” -2 Peter 1:5–7


                                    “We cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” -Acts 4:20


                                    • “You don’t have to chase revival when you are revival — faithful, steady, burning with purpose.”


                                    • The ember is not the end — it’s the fire that fuels others.
                                    34 min

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