Lenexa Central Church Sermons

John 3:1-17 Nicodemus is not a model disciple, but too often, he is a typical disciple. He lacks an imagination for what God can do, focusing too much on what is familiar and verifiable. Jesus, however, is faithful to meet him where he is. He allows him to question and to seek understanding. Through the Holy Spirit, Jesus continues to meet with those with “faith seeking understanding.” 

Rob and Cindy serve at Africa Nazarene University (ANU), in Nairobi, Kenya – Cindy as Director of Spiritual Development and Rob as Director of University Advancement where he has the privilege to work with volunteers, Work and Witness teams, visiting professors and professionals coming to lend a hand at ANU. Since Oct of 2014 they have served as International Staff for ANU and have transitioned ba...

Acts 16:6-10 The Holy Spirit prevented Paul from doing ministry in two different places before revealing in a dream that he is to go into Macedonia, where he has a very fruitful season of ministry. Life doesn't always play out the way we want it to, but in the twists and turns the guiding presence of the Holy Spirit is there, leading us to people and places where we can thrive. 

Date: June 4, 2023 John 20:19-23 The church is the continuation of the ministry of Jesus, sent through the power of the Spirit to "do the things I have been doing." (John 14:12) As the church is filled with the Holy Spirit, it becomes a community of peace and reconciliation in the world.

The Church is an eclectic, multi-cultural, diverse, and (sometimes) weird group of people. In divided and polarizing times, the only way a group like this comes together is through the unifying work of the Holy Spirit. This is the miracle of Pentecost, as diverse peoples come together to hear the same message of salvation. 

The woman in this story had a great need, but demonstrates even greater faith. In faith, she brings empty jars giving God something to bless. Every generation of believers at Central are called to give God something to bless. When we offer what we have in faith, he multiplies it to accomplish his mission in the world. 

Elisha purifies the water so that everyone in the town can thrive. Just as salt was added to the spring to purify it, Jesus was sent into our world to bring life. Central has received this precious gift and has thrived. It's our turn now to share with others the life we have received. 

Elisha makes a bold request: a double-portion of Elijah's spirit. Asking and trusting God to do difficult things is where we experience the best God has for us. We are called to be a people of the double-portion: more committed to passionate worship, life-giving community, and purposeful mission than those who have gone before us. 

1 Kings 19:19-21; Hebrews 12:1-2 Hebrews describes those who have gone before us as a "great cloud of witnesses" who cheer the faithful on in the race of faith. This sermon kicks off 21 days of prayer and discernment as we move forward with a new vision for our facilities. It's "our turn now" to follow those who have come before us and reimagine our facilities to help us b...

He's often called "doubting Thomas," but the doubts of Thomas are a stop on the way to faith. Saving faith is not unexamined or unquestioned but is forged through a journey of questions that only the resurrected Christ can answer. Salvation isn't coming to a place of "no doubt" but one of knowing Jesus in the midst of our doubts. 

For every time you’ve walked a road paved with unrealized hopes, the resurrected Jesus is there to walk with you. Jesus walks to your "Emmaus" with you. You can journey with a guide. You can go with someone who’s walked that road millions of times with millions of folks, but would like nothing more than to walk it one more time with you.

He is risen! He is risen indeed! Everyone has been frustrated by empty promises, but Easter tells the story of God’s promises in the midst of emptiness. It celebrates the reality of Jesus’ bodily resurrection. It’s not just an idea, abstraction, or philosophy. It’s a miracle that really happened in time and space, and it can really make a difference for us today. 

Palm Sunday commemorates the day Jesus rode into Jerusalem as a King, but he was not the kind of leader the people were expecting. They wanted power and force, but Jesus would go on to show them love and sacrifice. In a world obsessed with power, the people of God are called to follow the example of Jesus with a love that conquers all.

Followers of Jesus must constantly resist the urge to remake Jesus in their image. Too often, we try to conform Jesus into our image rather than be conformed into his. Jesus comes not to make us a more socially acceptable version of ourselves. He comes to completely transform us and make us to be more like him. 

In the Psalms, we hear the song of the faithful that we need to hear in our moments of doubt. We need to hear the song of those who have experienced the worst life has to offer, and the best of God’s care and protection. If life has robbed you of your song, we can lean in to the Psalms and the story of Lazarus (John 11) to find a song of unshakable faith.

Pastor David calls us to be honestly engaged with God as we explore the four movements of Psalm 27 which include Trusting, Seeking, Pleading and Waiting. Also check out the guest appearance of Eliza Goodwin.

In Psalm 32, the Psalmist writes, “Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven!” This is an invitation to think about the joy that should accompany the good news of our salvation. We have been forgiven, restored, redeemed, and made whole. This joy is available to the whole world through Jesus, and he calls us to invite others to sing along. 

Have you ever been between the "devil and the deep blue sea?" Jesus has!  His calming of the sea and his healing of the man possessed by demons illustrate that he knows what it’s like to face pressure from all sides. In these times, the Lord promises his presence and his power, a truth affirmed in a song (Psalm 91) that Jesus would have sung and one that we can sing too! 

On the mountain of Transfiguration, Jesus received affirmation from the Father and the disciples experienced the glory of God. Jerusalem, however, the place of passion and suffering, is the next stop after the mountain. We want our mountain top experiences to last forever, but Jesus calls us into the valley. It's good to be "here" in the presence of God, but we must go "there&q...

The stress and worries of life can be overwhelming, but followers of Jesus are called to trust in him. When we make His Kingdom and His "right-relatedness" the first impulse of our life, we discover that all the things we think we have to provide on our own strength are provided by God. 

Jesus calls his followers to "exceed the righteousness" of the scribes and Pharisees. This isn't an invitation to be more strict or legalistic but to order one's life by the spirit of the law and not just the letter of the law. This call is "above and beyond" our human ability and is only possible through the Holy Spirit. 

The Beatitudes are an invitation to become a mirror of God’s character to the world. This is only possible through Jesus who restores the believer’s capacity to reflect the image of God to the world. Through grace-filled acts of mercy, peace-making, justice, and forgiveness the world is invited into the good and beautiful life of God. 

Jesus invites us to follow him and join with him in proclaiming the “good news of the Kingdom.” It’s a vocation that brings purpose and meaning to our lives, and requires that we  surrender everything to him. In doing so, disciples discover a life of deep joy and fulfillment. 

Matthew 4:1-11 Life is full of temptations.  We make choices to either stand against them or give in...  Let's learn from the example Jesus gives us when He faced temptation, too.  As disciples when we walk with the Lord, He faithfully helps us.  It is simply good news that the battle has been won!

The Magi are those who “wonder” at the new thing God is doing in Jesus. Herod is one who “wanders” from one selfish passion to another and fails to receive God’s greatest gift. The good news is that “wanderers” can become “wonderers.” As we live in wonder of God’s grace in our lives, what gifts can we bring for this King so that others might know Him?