Central Baptist Church, Portsmouth, Virginia

Through the centuries the church has gathered in homes and buildings, in temples and tabernacles, or just outside to celebrate the reality of the resurrection of Jesus and the implications of it. This week we gather again, both on Friday and on Sunday, to join in the long line of saints declaring that Jesus is risen.

Have you ever set out to accomplish something but weren’t sure when or if you’d ever finish? Maybe it was when you started college or took that first position in hopes of launching your career. Maybe it was holding your child knowing you had the responsibility of preparing them to be an adult. Jesus was on a long journey. We’ll see just how long it was as we follow him to Golgotha this week to be...

Which do you prefer the original or the sequel? Most of us would probably say the original. However, last week we saw, in some respects, the original wilderness experience. The Israelites failed that test miserably. But many years later there was a sequel to the story. Although instead of all the Israelites there was just one. His time in the wilderness proved much different.

Who likes a lot of rules and regulations? Probably not a lot of us, but if we think more about it, we may come to the realization that rules are designed to give us direction or provide us guidelines to keep us safe. If that is true, then standards may not be bad. All throughout Scripture, we can read God’s standards. We not only get to read the rules, but also read about the benefits of following...

The passion of Jesus and the story of Easter began in a garden. Its name wasn’t Gethsemane but Eden. Eden was paradise until the first two people sinned. Their sin unleashed consequences upon all of creation. The most painful consequence was that humanity was separated from God. However, God launched a plan right then to rescue humanity. The climax of that rescue was seen at Golgotha. During this...

This week we’ll be wrapping up Peter’s first letter. His conclusion includes the previous themes of pain, suffering and triumph. And in so doing, he draws the attention of his audience to God in such a winsome way.

We’ve all experienced the effects of good leadership and poor leadership. Sometimes, we’ll settle for a poor leader because we think a good leader will call us to do the right thing which is a hard thing and we’re comfortable just where we are. The task of the church is to make disciples of all nations. That’s a hard task and we need godly leaders who will equip us for that intimidating work.

One of the questions that has bothered a lot of people is, “Why does God allow bad this to happen to good people?” In Peter’s 1st letter he spends a lot of time talking about the sufferings of the church. This next section is no different.

One question that humanity has wrestled with is when will the end of the world come. The church has often asked when will Jesus return. As we continue our series in 1st Peter we’ll discover how the church should live in the end times.

Have you ever noticed how Hollywood distorts reality? Ventilation systems in any building are always strong enough to hold at least one, but usually multiple people crawling through them. When cars crash they always burst into flames. People living in the Victorian era never seem to sweat wearing all that clothing and their teeth are always perfect. So many distortions. You know, in the church som...

Have you ever been confused? We’ve all been there. Some things in life are just confusing. One of the most confusing aspects of the human experience is why do bad things happen to good people. Why do Godly people deal with suffering. As we continue our study of 1st Peter, we’ll tackle that and several other difficult questions in a message that is sure to make you think. I hope you’ll join us this...

How do you react to thought of more pain or suffering? Many of us try to avoid that as much as possible. We place a high value on safety and comfort. While we know we are empowered to make disciples sometimes that calling seems too messy and makes us uncomfortable. Peter wrote two letters to encourage the church that there is strength in the face of trouble, that those troubles are temporary, and...

I get it—having a New Year’s resolution is a cliché. Almost everyone is doing it, and most of them are just going to fail by February, so why bother? But here’s the thing: none of us is perfect. We all have things that need to change, and as followers of Jesus, we’re actually in the very business of being changed by His power! And psychologists tell us that the absolute best time to make changes i...

In our world people pick sides. The latest headlines reveal division across the globe. Let’s face it if we were God, we’d come to rescue some, but not others. However, the angels announced that the birth of the Messiah would be good news of great joy for all people. Jesus came for the Jew and the Gentile. He came for the down and out and the up and out. He came for the moral and the immoral. He ca...

Sometimes we laugh when people talk about traveling a great distance to visit Buc-ee’s or In and Out Burger or some other place. Other long trips make more sense to us, like traveling to see family or friends. This week we’ll look at the distant gentile magi who traveled a great distance to see the one born king of the jews. Their story raises lots of questions, but also serves as a great reminder...

As you set up your nativity scene this year. There is of course Mary and Joseph and baby Jesus. Then, looking on are those nice shepherds dressed in robes with staffs in hand. We’re familiar with the Christmas story; we like them in the scene. However, if we were living in first century Bethlehem, we wouldn’t have wanted them there – not at all. Join us this Sunday as we discuss the shepherds and...

In our world people pick sides. The latest headlines reveal division across the globe. Let’s face it if we were God, we’d come to rescue some, but not others. However, the angels announced that the birth of the Messiah would be good news of great joy for all people. Jesus came for the Jew and the Gentile. He came for the down and out and the up and out. He came for the moral and the immoral. He ca...

Have you ever been lost? It’s a disorienting feeling. Seconds can seem like minutes, minutes can seem like hours. When you are lost what you really want is to be found. The Bible speaks of people who are not in right relationship with God as lost. Jesus came for the lost and he commissioned his followers to go to them as well. As we continue our Key Questions series, we will be asking the question...

Living life alone on a desert island may sound romantic at times, but if you’ve ever seen the movie Castaway you get an idea as to just how lonely you’d be. The reason is we were created to live alone. Just as God exists in community (He’s triune) so He designed His people to exist in community as well. As we continue our key questions series, we’ll be asking the question: where are you experienci...

Have you ever met someone who has it all together? The truth is we are all in process, growing to become more and more like Jesus. That’s what our series the key questions is all about. Asking key questions that help reveal where we are and spur us toward spiritual growth. This week we’ll be asking the question "Who am I discipling?". 

Throughout our lives we ask and are asked countless questions. Sometimes those questions can be silly other times serious. Some questions are trivial others are critical. There are several questions for the life of any Christian that are critically important because they are so clarifying. During our next series, our aim is to equip you with 5 questions that will help propel your disciple-making m...

Most of us have had dreams about what life would be like without the limitations of time, space, or gravity. The thrill of fling around the universe is captivating. That dream of life without limits has made it’s way to many parts of our culture. We are living in a time when many of the limits that were in place for marriage have been abolished. Perhaps, that’s why the need for godly marriages are...

This last week we’ve seen the atrocities that took place in Israel. I have been diligent in praying for the people there, and I hope you have as well. The hostility of the world has been on full display. There are certain wars that are just. Jesus will execute a just war to rid the world of sin and evil. He is our ultimate authority. Unfortunately, in this life sometimes we are under the authority...

Know Your Identity

A Healthy Appetite