Central Church Podcast

We believe that we're all one as a body of believers, but are we all equipped to do the same thing? Do we all possess the same gifts, or are we to use our different gifts for one common goal? In this sermon, Pastor Jon talks about the writings of Paul to the believers in Corinth and how they are to use their gifts; not as individuals, but as one body in Christ

Heaven is our ultimate destination. But how do we get there? Is our way into heaven based on our performance, or is it truly by the grace of God that we can one day enter into eternal glory?

How do we approach the sacrament of baptism? As a believer, what does baptism symbolize in our walk of faith? Is it something that is open to everyone? Terry Harris confronts these questions and seeks to answer them through the Word, the Heidelberg Catechism, and belief statements through the Sending Network

During Jesus' fast for 40 days in the wilderness, he was met by Satan, who tempted him to disregard the things of the Father and embrace the things of the world. In the 3 noted temptations, we see this trend in how we as Christians are tempted today: 1. To care for ourselves 2. To idolize ourselves 3. To think we are alone

Jude, the brother of Jesus, writes this short letter about the abundant, matchless grace that we receive from Jesus. Our human nature is severely broken and fractured, indulging in sin and being corrupted by the desires of the flesh. Jude helps us understand that, which highlights just how significant and incredible God's grace to us truly is

In Paul's shortest letter, he writes about his passionate, solid relationship with Onesimus and how useful he has been to himself and Philemon. Paul takes the bold stance that if there was any wrong that Onesimus committed, it would be charged to Paul, and that he would take care of any debt that he owed. In the same way, Christ has embraced the debt that we owe and has charged it to himself

It's the shortest book in the Old Testament, but there's a lot to be learned in these short 21 verses

James concludes his book with a strong instruction that, in the face of suffering, we are to be patient. We serve a God who sees our suffering and knows our hurt and knows that strong, authentic faith in Him can come from patience and perseverance (James 1:2-3). He writes that the most appropriate response to anything is prayer. Suffering, cheerful, sick, we are to pray. Not just once, but faithfu...

Be whoever it is you want to be. It's a common message that circulates all throughout our culture, but is it really the message that should govern our lives? James writes to the church that we are to submit ourselves to God and to draw near to Him. And when we draw near to Him, we find Him drawing near to us

Bits control horses. Rudders control ships. Tongues control us, and we can easily be led in any direction depending on how we use our words. It can cause great encouragement or harsh devastation. We can use it to praise our Father, yet condemn our neighbor. Do we use our words to speak life into others, or to speak death?

When we face trials, how do we face them and what is our perspective? Do we let them defeat us for the time that we're in the midst of them, or do we look for hope? In James 1, the writer tells us to consider each trial as "pure joy," because the testing of our faith produces perseverance. How can we face each trial that comes our way and consider it pure joy?

Prayer is important, which is why we dedicated this service to pray for gratitude, children, local and international missions, and our fathers on Father's Day

Everything is meaningless. It's all just a chasing after the wind. But what if there's a point to this chasing? What if life isn't as meaningless as the author of Ecclesiastes is making it seem to be? "Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind." (12:13) How are we to fear God, though? Do we tremble and fear for our every next step, thinking that His power is waiting t...

Death. It's inevitable for us all. So we focus on today. Not the future. Not the past. Just today

Our lives are a vapor; a mist that is here today and is gone tomorrow. We can do many things in this life but we may never find full enjoyment in the midst of them. Marvin Knoot breaks down Ecclesiastes 6 by looking at three main ideas: 1. Riches without enjoyment are pointless 2. Labor without satisfaction is pointless 3. There will be questions without answers

Money = happiness. Right? If we just had this amount of wealth, we'd be set! Until we get it and it suddenly isn't enough anymore, and we find ourselves in an insatiable climb to have as much as we possibly can and to gain as much as we possibly could. Solomon had everything. He had the greatest empire with the greatest wealth, yet he described it all as meaningless. So, maybe money ≠ happiness

We're having a good time, right? In this portion of Solomon's writing, he details how there's a specific time for everything in life–to be born, to mourn, to dance–and that there is a season for every activity under the heavens. With the season that you're in, in the time that you've been given, are you having a good time?

We can find satisfaction in so many things, especially those that look good and feel good. We can build our empire, perfect our craft, and delight in whatever it is that we want, but where will it get us? Solomon had more than anyone else that was around him, yet he felt as though he really had nothing at all

Life is full of so many meaningful moments that can bring so much joy to our hearts. But what if not meaningful, but it's actually just meaningless? In Ecclesiastes 1, Solomon emphasizes that there's nothing new under the sun and that this life is not best lived when it's in constant pursuit of "more."

The time had come for the Son of God to be crucified and laid in the tomb. But when they went to check on the body, it was nowhere to be found. Who was this man who took on the sins of all mankind? Who was this man who said he was going to resurrect and then actually did? He's Jesus.

In the sermon on the mount, Jesus didn't teach for information; he taught for application. Whether it was being the salt and light, worrying, or judging others, he gave us all a glimpse into a life that is greater than the one we know, which is a life that is found in Him. He concludes the sermon by comparing those that hear these words to wise builders who built their houses on the rock, being ab...