Central Church Podcast

In this episode of the Central Church Podcast, Pastor Chris concludes the series on James, focusing on the question, "What are you counting on?" He contrasts self-serving religion with transformative faith, urging us to reflect on our reliance on material wealth versus God’s promises. Chris highlights the role of community and prayer during hardships, inviting genuine faith and introspec...

In this episode of the Central Church Podcast, Pastor Hannah examines James chapter 4, focusing on how internal conflict and pride disrupt our relationships. She challenges listeners to recognize the roots of their disputes in selfish desires and emphasizes the importance of humility and a genuine relationship with God. Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction to Conflict and Desire 10:15 - The Role of Prid...

In this episode of the Central Church Podcast, Pastor Chris kicks off a new series on the book of James, emphasizing its relevance to modern challenges. He encourages us to see trials as growth opportunities and discusses the importance of being “quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger.” The episode also contrasts genuine faith with transactional religion and highlights the call to care...

In this week's episode of the Central Church Podcast, Pastor Hannah discusses Matthew 5:13-16, focusing on our identity as the "salt of the earth" and "light of the world." She shares a touching story about her daughter, Thea, to illustrate our call to shine Jesus’ love. Chapters : 00:00 - Our Identity in Christ 05:30 - The Importance of Light 15:45 - Jesus’ Command to Love...

In this episode of the Central Church Podcast, we explore Matthew 5, where Jesus refers to us as the "salt of the earth" and the "light of the world." Pastor Chris highlights the significance of every profession and encourages us to express our faith through our work. Chapters: 00:07 - Introduction and Scripture Reading 23:45 - The Importance of Every Profession 29:52 - Work as...

In this episode of the Central Church Podcast, Pastor Tony discusses "Salt and Light" from Matthew 5:13-16, highlighting believers' role in reflecting God's love and grace in their communities. He emphasizes the importance of being salt and light in everyday life and concludes with a call to communion. Chapters 00:07 - Introduction to Salt and Light 15:32 - Misconceptions About God 29:12 - The Met...

In this episode of the Central Church Podcast, Hannah explores the Beatitudes in Matthew 5, emphasizing the call to be peacemakers. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction 05:45 - Meaning of "Makarios" 10:22 - Biblical Peace 18:15 - Peacemaking Call 25:30 - Practical Steps 33:50 - Oscar Romero 42:10 - Christ-Centered Peacemaking 50:55 - Communion Learn more at centralchurch.cc or connect at hello@...

In this episode of the Central Church Podcast, Pastor Chris reflects on Matthew 5:1-12, focusing on “Blessed are the pure in heart.” He emphasizes the need for a heart devoted to God amidst competing desires and distractions, and encouraging self-examination of our true longings for God and ends with a prayer for renewal. Chapters00:00 - Introduction05:15 - Personal Reflections10:40 - Understandin...

In this episode of the Central Church Podcast, Pastor Chris reflects on Matthew 5:7—“Blessed are the merciful.” He shares a personal story about mercy, explains the Greek word "Elios," and highlights the importance of experiencing God's love to extend mercy to others. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction & Personal Story 12:34 - Understanding "Elios" 26:10 - Experiencing Mercy...

In this week’s episode of the Central Church Podcast, “Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness,” Pastor Tony unpacks the fourth beatitude (Matthew 5:6), showing how Jesus redefines righteousness—not as religious duty, but as genuine relationships and justice for the marginalized. Chapters 00:07 - Introduction to the beatitudes 15:23 - Righteousness vs. God’s justice 25:12 - Insights from Isaiah 58 36:...

In this episode of the Central Church Podcast, Pastor Hannah discusses the beatitude "Blessed are the meek" (Matthew 5:5). In it, she compares the values of the Kingdom that Jesus is introducing to the values we tend to live by in our everyday lives. Chapters 00:07 - Introduction to the Beatitudes 10:15 - Competition vs. Cooperation 28:30 - Defining Meekness 35:00 - Meekness in Jesus’ Life 45:20 -...

In this episode of the Central Church Podcast, Pastor Chris reflects on the Beatitude "Blessed are those who mourn." He encourages us that if we are experiencing grief, we can find comfort in God's presence through our pain, because he's right there suffering in some way along with us. Chapters 00:07 - Introduction to the Beatitudes10:22 - The Meaning of Mourning20:45 - Cultural...

In this episode, we begin "How to Be Blessed," focusing on the Beatitudes in Matthew 5. Pastor Chris discusses what Jesus means when He says: "Blessed are the poor in spirit," highlighting spiritual poverty and dependence on God, and teaching us to understand just how much we need Him. Chapters00:00 - Introduction05:00 - Reading Matthew 5:1-1210:45 - Meaning of "Poor in Sp...

In this episode of the Central Church Podcast, we conclude the "Parables" series with Luke chapter 12. Pastor Chris explores a parable addressing greed and true value in life, urging us to prioritize our relationship with God over material possessions. Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction 05:00 - Reading from Luke 12:13-21 15:30 - The Nature of Greed 25:40 - Recognizing God's Provisions 35...

In this week's episode of the Central Church Podcast, Pastor Tony shares insights from the parables in Matthew, specifically focusing on the vineyard workers. He reflects on God's goodness amidst life's challenges and how the parable confronts our views on fairness and reward. Chapters 00:10 - Introduction and personal story 15:22 - The parable of the vineyard workers 28:45 - Fairness...

In this episode of the Central Church Podcast, Pastor Hannah teaches on the theme of being lost and found, illustrated through the parable of the Prodigal Son in Luke chapter 15. Chapters 0:07 - Introduction to This Week's Sermon 0:50 - A Mother's Love and Sacrifice 12:01 - The Parables of the Lost 14:24 - The Prodigal Son's Journey 21:54 - The Older Brother's Dilemma 30:09 - The F...

In this episode of the Central Church Podcast, Pastor Chris discusses the Parable of the Talents from Matthew 25, highlighting our responsibilities in cultivating the Kingdom of God through our time, talents, and relationships, with a surprising twist on what these parables mean. Chapters00:00 - Introduction07:24 - Understanding the Kingdom of God14:10 - The Parable of the Talents23:45 - Each serv...

In this episode of the Central Church Podcast, we continue "Stories of the Kingdom" with a focus on Luke 14. Pastor Chris explores the Great Banquet parable, urging us to reflect on inclusivity and who we invite to our tables. He emphasizes God’s call to embrace the marginalized and concludes with an invitation to communion, reminding us of our place at Jesus's table. Chapters 00:00...

In this episode of the Central Church Podcast, we celebrate Pentecost Sunday, focusing on the Holy Spirit’s role in establishing God’s kingdom. Pastor Tony highlights Jesus’ parables, particularly the growing seed in Mark 4, and reflects on Pentecost as the birth of the church, where the Holy Spirit empowers the disciples, leading to 3,000 new believers. Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction to Pentecost...

In this episode of the Central Church Podcast, Pastor Chris begins the "Parables" series with the 'Parable of the Sower' from Matthew 13. He discusses how different soil types represent heart conditions toward God’s truth and encourages us all to allow God to cultivate receptive hearts in us through community + worship. Chapters: 00:07 - Introduction 10:15 - Reading the Parable 1...

In this week’s episode of the Central Church Podcast, Pastor Tony discusses how our perceptions of Jesus shape our faith. He emphasizes Jesus as the embodiment of God’s love, sharing Gospel stories to highlight His compassion and patience, culminating in reflections on His final moments on the cross. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction and Opening Prayer 05:43 - The Heart of God Revealed to Moses 15:21...

In this episode of the Central Church Podcast, Pastor Chris explores the idea of understanding God through the person of Jesus. He challenges us to examine our perceptions of God, and emphasizes Jesus as "What God Has To Say". Chris encourages us to embrace a childlike wonder in our relationship with God, concluding with a call to deepen our faith through Jesus’ teachings. Chapters: 00:0...

In this episode of the Central Church Podcast, Pastor Hannah introduces our new series "Who is this Jesus?" She encourages listeners to deepen their understanding of Jesus humanity and divinity, by diving into the frame, and engaging in relationship with Jesus. Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction and Toy Camera Anecdote 10:21 - Understanding Jesus 20:45 - Historical Impact 30:22 - Exploring J...

In this Easter episode of the Central Church Podcast, Pastor Chris explores the significance of Jesus' resurrection as the start of a new reality for humanity. He emphasizes its transformative power beyond merely reversing Good Friday's sorrow. Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction to Easter Sunday 12:45 - Reflecting on Childhood Memories of Easter 23:10 - The Heart of the Resurrection: More than...

In this episode of the Central Church Podcast, we conclude our series on doubt and deconstruction during Lent. Pastor Chris emphasizes that skepticism can deepen faith and highlights the role of community. Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction 09:45 - Personal story on deconstruction 24:50 - Understanding deconstruction 45:10 - The role of community 1:12:20 - Closing prayer