Central Church Sermons

In Mark 6:1-13, two different groups of people are given a great opportunity to follow Jesus.  One group failed to take advantage of their opportunity, while the other group embraced it.  Today we will take a look at what we can learn from these two groups to make sure we don't miss Jesus in our own lives.

What is 'desperate faith', and why does Jesus respond to it? We'll see this in Jesus' interactions with two very different people in Mark 5:21-43.

This week we look at Jesus' encounter with a man possessed with many demons in Mark 5:1-20. We'll see how we're up against supernatural powers that seek to defeat, deface, deform, and ultimately destroy life. Most significantly, we'll see the ultimate authority and supreme power Jesus has to rescue us from these powers.

This morning we'll see how Jesus teaches us that the opposite of faith is not doubt, but fear! What is fear? What is faith in the face of fear? We'll look at these questions in our study of Mark 4:35-41.

What is your responsibility in receiving the ‘seed’ of gospel truth? What is God’s responsibility in this? This morning we’ll look at how Jesus addresses this in two more parables involving seeds (Mark 4:26-34).

We in the Student Ministry have the opportunity every day to see in our students the potential and direction of the church. Many of these youth are inflamed with a love for God and a tender heart for their peers, and we frequently find ourselves learning from them as often as they learn from us. Today, our students have the opportunity to display the love of Christ to the larger church body, to yo...

Why is it that some people see the ‘Christ’ in Christmas, while others don’t? In this sermon, Pastor Dan looks at what Jesus says about this in His parables of the lamp and the measures in Mark 4:21-25.

Christmas is a time of the year when many hear the good news of Jesus Christ who don't normally hear it. Why do some respond in faith while others do not? Why do some only seem to respond in faith, but later seem to "fall away"? In this sermon, Dan Werthman will look at what Jesus taught about this in Mark 4:1-20.

Why did Jesus teach in parables? What do we do with His parables? Why doesn’t He just come out and teach plainly? Today we’ll look at these questions in Mark 4:1-12. 

In Mark 3:31-34, we read about Jesus' family. His mother is well known but his brothers to a lesser degree. In our message today we will look into Jesus' family, both biological and spiritual, and delve into what Jesus meant when he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers." 

As we continue our study in Mark, we see in 3:20-30 that Jesus had many critics. Some of his greatest critics were the Jewish religious leaders who accuse him of being possessed by Satan in this passage. In response to them, he gives important words of wisdom and warning that we can apply to our lives today.

This morning in Mark 3:7-19, we will see Jesus withdraw to the Sea of Galilee, followed by a large crowd from every corner of the region.  Then, pulling aside his disciples, he names them apostles, marking a transition in their servanthood, as they move from "learner" to "messenger.

In this sermon, based out of Mark 3:1- 6, we look at what Jesus teaches us about the difference between being a rule-follower and a follower of the One who rules.

Today we look at the growing accusations that Jesus was a "Sabbath-breaker" in Mark 2:23-28. What is the Sabbath and what was its purpose? Are followers of Jesus today required to keep the Sabbath?

This week we look at Mark 2:18-22. What does Jesus tell us about Himself and His relationship with us through the images of the bridegroom, the unshrunk cloth, and the new wine?

Today is Missions Emphasis Sunday!  This week is about learning of opportunities to serve and then actually taking advantage of those opportunities.  In Luke 17, Jesus gives us a picture of a true servant.  This passage gives us a great example of what a life of service looks like!

Last Sunday we saw Jesus claim the authority to forgive sins in Mark 2:1-12. Today in Mark 2:13-17 we look at who are the sinners that Jesus actually forgives.

This morning we are looking at Jesus through the lens of what we see of him healing a paralyzed man and reading the minds of the scribes in Mark 2:1-12.

This week we will continue our study in the Gospel of Mark. Through this study, our desire is to be re-awakened to the majesty of the person and work of Jesus! Just as those that encountered him in the gospel stories were amazed, we ought to be amazed by Jesus! In Mark 1:35-45, we will see Jesus praying, preaching and healing throughout all of Galilee, as he continues to proclaim the coming of the...

What does it mean that Jesus is king? How was that demonstrated in how He taught, healed, and freed people from demonic possession? This week we’ll look at those questions and what they mean for us today in Mark 1:21-34.

The Gospel of Mark introduces two terms that are not commonly understood by your culture: "Gospel" and "Kingdom." We'll look today at what those mean in Mark 1:14-20 and what this means for our lives today.

Why was Jesus baptized? Why did he undergo the period of temptation in the desert? We'll continue to be "amazed by Jesus" as Pastor Dan looks at these questions in Mark 1:9-13.

When is the last time that you were amazed by Jesus? The Gospel of Mark gives account after account of people who were "amazed" by Jesus as they witnessed his ministry. In this sermon, Pastor Dan Werthman begins a new preaching series through the Gospel of Mark that could be called, "Amazed by Jesus." And we'll begin to answer the question: Where should that amazement lead...

As we pursue Christ, the enemy is always working to rob us of our passion for the Lord. When he succeeds, it leaves us spiritually dry and ineffective. The way Isaac responds in a difficult situation in Genesis 26 gives us a great “spiritual blueprint” on how to “Re-Dig the Wells” of our life.

What do you treasure? How can that be seen in your life? In this sermon, Dan Werthman looks at Jesus' "Treasure Principle" in Matthew 6:19-21.