Lenexa Central Church Sermons: Recent Episodes
Rev. Mark Snodgrass
Matthew 5:43-48There's nothing easy about the Sermon on the Mount, but perhaps the hardest part of this teaching is Jesus' command to love one's enemies! Jesus had enemies who opposed him at every turn, and yet, he called on his followers to pray for them. Prayer for the well-being and redemption of our enemies is the most difficult part of being a Jesus follower, and yet, it may be the practice that shapes us in Christlikeness the most! As Matthew 5:48 demonstrates, our growth in Christlikeness is directly tied to our willingness to prayer for our enemies.
1 Peter 4:1-11Prayer connects us to our Creator and opens our eyes to who God is and what he is calling us to do.
1 Peter 5:1-11
When we are at our lowest, that kind of vulnerability can be an opportunity to rely on the Lord. Yes, that's when our weaknesses are highlighted, but it's also when we experience the Lion of God care for us.
1 Peter 4:1-11Our world is filled with competing visions of the “good life,” but following Jesus invites us to live with our eyes open, aware of God’s vision for who we are to be and what we are to do. Life is too short to spend our days living for temporary pleasure or chasing the next fad. Prayer connects us to our Creator and opens our eyes to who God is and what he is calling us to do.
1 Peter 2:13-3:7
Peter describes the church as "exiles and foreigners." It's a reminder that this world and its ways are not our true home. While we live in it, however, we are to live with respect towards everyone. From the highest levels of power to the lowest in society, the people of God distinguish themselves in how they show respect to everyone. The bridge between doubt and faith begins with respect.
1 Peter 2:11-12; 3:15Are you a bucket filler or a bucket dumper? Peter recognizes that all of us are vessels that can be filled through encouragement and kindness or emptied by insult and slander. When we are going through difficult times that leave us empty, Peter points us to Jesus who emptied himself so that we might be filled. As God’s holy people, the unlimited love of Jesus overflows into our lives so that we can fill the lives of others.
1 Peter 2:9-10Pastor Howie Tempel calls our congregation to be a holy people based on 1 Peter 2:9-10. Because we are a "royal priesthood and holy nation," we live in a way that invites others out of darkness and into the wonderful light of a relationship with Jesus. Only the power and presence of the Holy Spirit makes this possible.
1 Peter 2:4-11
What are the rough edges and broken pieces in your story? Even when the rough edges keep us from reflecting our Creator, the work of the Holy Spirit allows us to reflect the work of our Creator back to Him.
1 Peter 1:3-12
Peter is writing to those suffering persecution, but he begins his letter by calling them to praise! Jesus is the living hope that transcends our circumstances. Even in the face of difficult situations, holy people can worship a holy God. Praise centers us in God's presence and reminds us where our hope is.
Luke 24:36-49
The resurrection is a miracle that defies logic, making it difficult for the human mind to accept it. The disciples could hardly believe what their senses were telling them as they talked with the One who was crucified and was now alive. It did not compute. Faith is not illogical, but it defies logic. Jesus invites us on a journey to believe what we cannot comprehend and to trust in that which we cannot control. When the world demands evidence, God provides presence, made known to us in faith around His table.
Matthew 11:28-30; Acts 9:1-9
Before he had an encounter with Christ, Saul's pace of life as a Pharisee was predictable and constant. Everything changed, however, on the road to Damascus. Saul's eyes were opened and the pace of his life changed. No longer did he walk by his own righteousness through adherence to the Law, but he learned to "keep in step with the Spirit" (Gal. 5:25) as he trusted in the righteousness of Christ. If you're frustrated by trying to fulfill the demands of discipleship on your own strength, the resurrected One offers you a change of pace: "His yoke is easy and his burden is light." (Matt. 11:28-30)
Mark 16:7; Acts 2:37-39The messenger at the empty tomb tells the women to, "Tell his disciples AND Peter." The resurrection of Jesus means that even those that deny him three times can experience forgiveness, hope, and restoration! Peter has a change of heart and is then empowered by the Holy Spirit to help others experience this change as well. His sermon on the day of Pentecost calls everyone to "repent and believe." God does his part in the cross and resurrection, but to receive it, we must repent and believe.
Luke 24:13-35
The two disciples on the Road to Emmaus were disappointed and heartbroken by the loss of Jesus. The resurrection, however, changes their walk. Not only do they not walk alone, but they ultimately are able to walk in a completely different direction. The resurrection of Jesus changes the direction of our lives, transforming the journey of grief into a journey of grace as we are sent from the Lord's Table to share Good News!
Mark 16:1-8; Mark 14:51-52
The risen tomb is a miracle that demands a response of praise. It's not just a fact to be remembered, but a reality that changes everything. The unnamed man who flees the garden in shame (Mark 14:52) is all of us, but we can become the man clothed in white at the tomb, announcing the good news of resurrection. Our mess is changed by His message!
Matthew 6:13; Matthew 21:1-11
Humanity will always face the temptation to trust in anyone or anything other than God. This is how Jesus was tempted in the desert. On Palm Sunday, the crowd was trusting in their image of who they wanted Jesus to be rather than who he was. Kings and earthly rulers come and go, but Jesus and His Kingdom is eternal. A life of prayer connects us to this King and helps us resist the constant temptation to follow another.
Matthew 6:12; Matthew 18:21-35
God offers us an amazing gift in the forgiveness of our sins, but we are not always ready to offer others the same deal. Forgiveness is central to the gospel, both as a gift to be received and as a gift to share. For those who have been hurt and abused, God knows what you're going through and provides the grace to forgive those who have hurt you. Forgiveness releases from the bitterness of past hurts and moves us toward healing.
Matthew 6:11; Matthew 7:7-12
Learning to pray for "daily bread" requires that we surrender our sense of entitlement. God doesn't promise excess but he does promise enough. Rather than hoard our limited resources for things beyond our control, we must learn to trust in the unlimited resources of our Father who controls all things. When released from the fear of scarcity, we can live in abundance, free to "do to others as we would have them do for us."
Matthew 6:10; Rev. 11:15-16It's obvious the world is not the way that it's supposed to be, but praying and living this prayer calls us to a renewed imagination. Instead of throwing up our hands in despair and saying, "What's the world coming to?", we boldly declare, "Look, who is coming into the world!" Prayer teaches us patience in the "not yet" of God's promises and gives us clarity as to how we can join Him in the Already!
Matthew 6:5-15; 1 Peter 1:13-16In prayer, we honor and revere the name of God. It's a reminder that just as God is holy, we too, are called to lives of holiness that honor God. We "sanctify" the world through worship and mission. A holy people are sent out to transform common places into holy places. How do we hallow the name of God in the common places of life, making them a "thin place" where those far from God are drawn near to Him?
Matthew 6:5-15; Luke 11:1In revealing who God is, Jesus is inviting a Jewish audience to think of God as "Father." Prayer and its importance was nothing new, but calling God "Our Father" was more than just novel, it was revolutionary. We are to live each day in the confident assurance that we have a Father with Heavenly power at his disposal and he longs to bless us, his sons and daughters. Lord, "teach us to pray" with this kind of boldness.s
Genesis 32:22-32Jacob has a past. He's known as a deceiver, manipulator, and cheater, but God doesn't give up on him. God meets Jacob in his failure and "wrestles" with him, leaving him changed as evidenced by the new way he walks. When we have a genuine encounter with God it's real and it changes the way we walk. A new way of living awaits, but you've got to be willing to wrestle with God?
Genesis 22:1-18God asked Abraham to offer back to Him the most important gift he had ever received: his only son. It's the first time in the story Abraham does what God asks him to do with nothing to gain and everything to lose. Abraham's faith and obedience demonstrate his relationship with God is not about what God can do for him, but anchored in who God is. The provision of God's presence is always enough.
Genesis 15God reaffirms his covenant with Abraham, walking between the sacrifices as a demonstration of his commitment to the promise. Like Abraham, we are unfaithful to the covenant, but Jesus walks between the sacrifices for us. He keeps promises that we cannot!
Genesis 12:1-5God called Abraham to a land that was not his own and in faith he obeyed. God continues to call, asking his people to step into unknown places and situations. Will we step out in faith, trusting that the one who calls goes before us and will provide?
Genesis 1In the creation narrative, the Lord speaks and worlds are created. There is power in words. They create worlds. We have a story to share and it matters more than we know. Let's tell our story and allow God to use it to create new worlds!
Matthew 2:13-23Jesus growing up in Nazareth shows that God delights to work through the overlooked and despised. Our own humble circumstances can be the very soil where God’s glory grows.
Luke 2:8-20On the first Christmas Eve, the shepherds didn’t expect anything out of the ordinary, but they were surprised by the gift of God’s glory as angels lit up the sky to announce, “Good news of great joy for all people.” The only faithful response to God’s glory is to worship, something we were created to do. Not only at Christmas but throughout the year, may we not give our worship to anything or anyone else.
Matthew 1:18-25God reveals to Joseph that something miraculous is happening in the life of Mary, his fiancée. He has an important role to play, but only the gift of God’s divine revelation could move him to embrace this new reality. What God reveals requires faith that can only be forged in regular rhythms of solitude in quiet spaces where a noisy world cannot distract. The resolve of Joseph in the Christmas story demonstrates that he regularly withdrew from the world to hear from the Lord, a practice he undoubtedly modeled for his son, Jesus.
Luke 5:5-25Zechariah and Elizabeth were always waiting for a child but were continually disappointed. In the waiting, they experience the gift of God’s presence. Our response to God’s presence is prayer. This discipline makes us aware of God’s presence that is always near. Unfortunately, we are only occasionally aware of it. Prayer allows us to be surprised by an awareness of the divine that sustains and encourages us in the waiting.
Ephesians 2:19-22Hear from Pastor David from our Hispanic ministries about what it means to be the Church! Every disciple has a unique contribution to make in the Kingdom of God, but the true value of our contribution is revealed when we place it in the service of God and others.
Revelation 21:1-7
Heaven is not just an eternal reward but the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. Revelation reminds us that we live between two gardens and that ultimately God will restore creation to its original goodness. In the meantime, we’re invited to trust in His plan, live with hope, and remember that—because of Christ—the worst thing is never the last thing.
Revelation 14:1-5Silence is not emptiness but sacred space—an invitation to prayer. The prayers of God’s people rise like incense before the throne, showing that the unfolding of God’s purposes includes the faithful prayers of His people. Prayer isn’t just expression—it’s alignment, shaping our will to match God’s, just as Jesus modeled in Gethsemane. As we wait for God's full redemption, our calling is to pray, trusting that heaven listens and responds.
Revelation 8:1-7Silence is not emptiness but sacred space—an invitation to prayer. The prayers of God’s people rise like incense before the throne, showing that the unfolding of God’s purposes includes the faithful prayers of His people. Prayer isn’t just expression—it’s alignment, shaping our will to match God’s, just as Jesus modeled in Gethsemane. As we wait for God's full redemption, our calling is to pray, trusting that heaven listens and responds.
Angel and Krista Sigui are our missionaries in Ecuador! Angel shares about the ways God continues to demonstrate his active participation with those who are willing to be the hands of feet of Jesus. Listen in for updates about how God is moving in the South America Region and through the global Church of the Nazarene.
Revelation 3:14-22Through Jesus’ messages to the seven churches in Revelation, we are reminded to truly listen—not just to reply, but to understand what the Spirit is saying. The message to Laodicea invites us to open the door to Christ, who desires deep fellowship and transformative work in our lives. God calls us to leave behind lukewarm living and fully surrender to His purpose, trusting His presence in every season.
Revelation 2:1-7Christians are called to know what they believe but it's equally important to know how to love. If we fail to love what we believe doesn't matter. The distinguishing characteristic of the holy life is the believer's capacity to love the people that God loves. This is our first love.
Revelation 5When going through difficult times, one might be tempted to worry or even panic. The book of Revelation reminds us that God is sovereign and ultimately in control of our lives and the world. Heaven is not worried, but engaged in a worship service that exalts the "Lamb who has overcome." May we "worship on" when life presses in and know that the Lamb wins in the end.
Revelation 1:9-20When times are tough, the Bible reminds us that God is always with us. As John was exiled on Patmos, he discovered worship reveals the nearness of a powerful, glorious Savior who walks among us. In times of fear and uncertainty we are called to exalt Christ who is victorious over death and holds the keys to life. We can keep calm and carry on because Jesus is present, powerful, and in control.
This Sunday is Faith Promise Sunday with our guest speaker, Rev. Carlos de la Cruz, district superintendent in the Dominican Republic. Faith Promise is a commitment to give above your tithe to support local and global missions. Last year, your Faith Promise giving helped to create a new district in Cuba. This added layer of leadership ensures that Cuban pastors have the resources and support they need to grow their congregations and serve their communities. That’s the power of your generosity—it changes lives, churches, and even nations.
Mark 10:46-52
Jesus asks the same question and gets two different responses. James and John ask to be exalted to places of power and prestige, but Bartimaeus simply asks for his sight to be restored. The greatest thing Jesus could do for us is not give us everything we want but enable us to see him for who he truly is. Seeing Jesus changes everything.
John 6:60-69When Jesus promises us eternal life it is an invitation to become by grace what Christ is by nature. It means that we give up who we are in exchange for who Christ is, a demand that may seem "offensive." This moment and process of sanctification begins now, not after we die. It is accomplished as we participate in the life-giving ways of Jesus. Are we willing to find our life only in that which may be an offense to the rest of the world?
Luke 5:17-26
Jesus forgives sin and heals the sick, but some do not understand. It doesn't fit any of their ideas about who God is and what he does. Could God be at work in our world in ways we don't fully understand? Jesus invites us to slow down, consider what is in our heart, and prayerfully discern how we can be aligned with the ways of God in the world. The friends who bring the paralytic don’t know a lot about God, but they know to do whatever it takes to bring their friend to Jesus.
Luke 7:36-50It is easy for us to take a quick glance at a person and assume things about them based on our preconceptions or what we think we know about them. God, however, sees people for who they can be through His love, grace, and mercy. Do we see the people Jesus wants us to see? Do we see them in the same way?
Mark 3:20-35In the Kingdom of God everyone is invited to be part of God’s family. This family isn’t defined by one’s lineage, but by one’s ultimate devotion to God. Becoming a member of this family is open to all who trust in Christ for salvation.
Philippians 4:10-19}When Jesus asks "Who do you say I am?" He's asking a personal question that requires a personal answer. While the answer to this question has implications on our eternity, who we say Jesus is should affect our present day. Confessing Jesus as Savior and Lord isn't just a creed we say but a lifestyle we embrace in all we say and do.
Philippians 4:10-19There are times when we feel empty, as if we cannot take another step. The Gospel promises that what God provides is always more than enough. When tempted to chase a life of excess, know that when you have Christ you always have enough. Resting in this truth makes us generous and fills our hearts with joy for the ride ahead!
Philippians 2:12-18God created us to shine with the light of Christ, a light that was dimmed by sin but restored through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. When we receive salvation, we receive this light—not to hide it, but to live it out with visible joy, gratitude, and faithfulness. Paul reminds us that salvation is both a gift from God and a responsibility for us to “work out” in our daily lives, reflecting what God is doing within us. Grumbling, complaining, or spiritual passivity threaten to extinguish our light, but when we actively live as God’s redeemed people, we shine like stars in a dark world—offering hope, direction, and a glimpse of home.
Philippians 2:1-11An African proverb says, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” We are tempted to pursue success as fast as we can, but following Jesus invites us into a different pursuit, something the Apostle Paul calls, “a life worthy of the calling you have received.” This calling does not come to us in a vacuum, but in community with other people. Jesus emptied himself for the sake of others, and calls His people to do the same.
Philippians 1:12-26On our own, life is a lose-lose proposition. No matter how many deals we cook up, or how much success we have, eventually our time on earth comes a close. We can delay this reality, but we cannot escape it. In Christ, we are invited out of a lose-lose kind of life and into a win-win kind of death. With the Apostle Paul we can say, “to live is Christ…to die is gain!”
Philippians 1:1-11If life is a journey, we need a "ride or die" for the road ahead. Paul found this in the Philippians church, and this relationship brought him great joy. There is a friend who is even closer than this: Jesus. Paul prays that their knowledge of this friend would grow and deepen. We need friends, but we need Jesus even more! What are we doing to cultivate that friendship with Jesus? He gives us joy for the journey that no one else can give.
Acts 2:1-13; Isaiah 56:1-8The gift of the Holy Spirit gave the disciples power to declare the Gospel in languages they did not know. What God did in confusing the languages at Babel (Gen. 11), he reverses at Pentecost in bringing them together, fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy that “my house will be a house of prayer for all nations.” Becoming a church for all nations is hard work, but the Holy Spirit gives us all we need for this high and holy calling.
Acts 1:1-11Having spent 40 days with the resurrected Jesus, the disciples understood more than they ever have before that God was truly for them. The resurrection of Jesus wasn’t the end of the story but the beginning. However, when God gives us a new beginning, we are called to tell what he has done for us.
Romans 8:33-34; John 15:12-17We were created for community and to be in relationship with one another. The brokenness of our world, however, can leave us broken and feeling isolated. When other relationships fail, Jesus is the friend who always has our back. Because our God is FOR us, we will never be alone.
1 John 4:7-12Christ's triumph in the resurrection is not the end of the story...it's just the beginning! Because Christ has loved us, we are to love others deeply. Our love for others is what "completes" our love for God! It's the ultimate "so what?" to the Gospel.
1 Corinthians 12:6-10
Are you frustrated with life, with your circumstances, with God? Followers of Jesus are not promised an easy path, but we can have faith in the God who walks with us. His grace meets us right where we are, and his peace surpasses our understanding
John 20:1-18Mary didn’t recognize it was Jesus until he called her by name. The Good News of Easter is that love knows our name. When Jesus calls us by name, He invites us into a life-giving relationship with Him in which we discover the relationship our soul has longed for. This one who knows our name restores what the world has taken away.
Romans 8:31-23; John 20:24-31How does one take a leap of faith into the unknown? Thomas doubted, yet confessed, “My Lord, and My God!” The Apostle Paul once tried to destroy the church, and then spent the rest of his life building up what he once tried to destroy. An encounter with the risen Christ changes everything and enables us to jump into the unknown. Because THIS God is for us, we can enter the unknown with confidence and assurance.
John 12:12-19
Earthly kings come and go. Some are good, and some are bad. No earthly king, however, is perfect. Jesus is the perfect King who embodies the love, justice, and righteousness that enables God's Kingdom to come "on earth as it is in Heaven." Will we give our allegiance to this King and this Kingdom?
Luke 9:18-27When Jesus invites someone to follow him, he is inviting them to die. This death to all that is contrary to the Way of Jesus begins in surrender. Surrender is the foundation of the spiritual life. Practicing the Way is a lifelong process of deepening surrender to Jesus. Surrender to Jesus begins today, and it begins again tomorrow.
Luke 5:12-16Becoming an apprentice of Jesus doesn't happen by accident. Jesus lived by a "rule of life" that is anchored in prayer, and would-be apprentices must understand the connection between what Jesus did and who he was. His purpose was fulfilled because he was intentional in how he used his time. God invites us to commit to a grace-filled rule of life that transforms us into who we were meant to be.
John 14:8-14As apprentices of Jesus, we not only spend time with Him and become like him, but we are sent out to do what he did. The end goal of apprenticeship is to grow and mature into the kind of person who can say and do what the Master does. Compared to Jesus, this sounds impossible, but we have the gift of the Holy Spirit that enables us to do "even greater things than these."
Matthew 5:43-48When Jesus talks about "perfection," he isn't referring to unattainable sinlessness. He's referring to maturity, specifically, being mature and complete in our love for others. It may not always be pretty or easy to understand, but love for the unloveable becomes the ultimate measure of one's growth towards Christlikeness.
John 15:1-17As an apprentice of Jesus, our life is anchored in his presence by the Holy Spirit. This is the call to "abide" in him. If you're not abiding in Jesus, you're abiding in something: media, relationships, careers, or any combination of things. Apprenticeship with Jesus recognizes that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit that we must intentionally set before God and set apart from the world.
Mark 1:16-20We live in a world that imagines one can be a "Christian" but not an "apprentice" of Jesus. The invitation to follow Jesus is more than subscribing to the bare bones beliefs of Christianity. Jesus invites us to follow him and to become his apprentice. Converts to Christianity will not change the world, but apprentices of Jesus who embody His Kingdom in what they do and say will.
John 6:35; 6:68-69There is a difference in knowing about Jesus and being in relationship with Jesus. We are invited into a deep and abiding relationship with him that impacts our entire life. In John 6, Jesus not only feeds the 5,000, but declares himself to be the “bread of life” that “comes down from heaven.” Are we “all in” with who Jesus declares himself to be or are we just in it for the free buffet?
Psalm 37, Matthew 7:13-14, 1 Corinthians 1:21-25
Jesus is Lord of all, or He is not Lord at all.
Mark 10:46-52Are we so familiar with God that we're missing Him? Hear the Word from Mark 10 as Rev. LaMorris Crawford provokes us to live in faith and expectancy.
Psalm 37; Matthew 11:28-30The creation account describes a rhythm in which God separates, fills, and rests/blesses. In the same way, our lives are "recreated" by God's Holy Spirit when we seperate from the world, are filled by God, and become a conduit of God's blessings to the world. Jesus invites us into this way when we are invited to "take his yoke" upon us. This is not a life of "ease," but we rest in the deep satisfaction of what God is doing through us.
Psalm 37; Luke 17:11-19Delighting in the Lord means we revere the Giver more than the gift. In the story of the 10 lepers who were cleansed, one came back to give thanks, a Samaritan! We are not entitled to anything, but everything is a gift from God. This cycle is sustained by grateful hearts who find their delight in their relationship with God.
Psalm 37
Some people are leapers - they jump in with both feet with little hesitation. Others are calculators - they analyze the risk thoroughly before making a decision. Both are called to be disciples of Jesus who trust God above all else. This way of living demonstrates for the world the most basic of all biblical truths: God is with us!
Psalm 37:1-9This Psalm invites us to fully commit to the ways of God that bring peace in place of worry. It's a daily decision that teaches us faith in the character of God and not in our circumstances. As we face new situations, we commit to this way again and again, experiencing more of God's peace and faithfulness.
Luke 1:46-56
The message of Christmas invites the people of God to sing, but the world is woefully out of tune with God’s purposes for creation. Mary obediently brings her life into harmony with the Christmas message in the midst of a dissonant world. All are invited to sing with Mary as we embrace the Christmas message that brings the sour notes of our life into the key of Christmas.
Isaiah 12:1-6We are reminded in the season of Advent that, while Christ has already come, Christ will also come again. We live in a reality where things are not as they should be, but we find an unexplainable joy that only God can give as we wait.
1 Corinthians 13The people of God are invited to join in and experience this faithful covenant and steadfast love. Even in our silent unbelief and our periods of waiting, God is still working to make all things right and good.
Psalm 25:1-10
Psalm 25 is a reminder that we worship a God we can trust and rely on. In this Advent season, as we wait, God has given us a promise that brings hope, even in lament when we are tempted to despair. As we live into our lament, we are called to be people who surrender to the God of hope in order to be transformed.
2 Kings 2:6We are thankful for many things in this season, but being united to Christ as “One Family” is at the top of the list. Kansas City District Superintendent, Rev. Kyle Poole, reminds us of the unity of the Church through the power and presence of the Holy Spirit.
John 13:1-17The love of God is on full display in Jesus being willing to wash the feet of his disciples. We may be overwhelmed by all the people in the world in need, but Jesus saved the world by serving those closest to him. It's a reminder to think global...act local! Kindness transforms the world one friendship at a time.
John 9:24-34Everyone has a story to share, but no story is bigger than God's story. When we tell our story with authenticity and vulnerability, our life becomes an entry ramp for others to experience this good news for themselves.
Genesis 18:1-16What if eating is about more than food? Jesus ministered to people around a table. Like Abraham and Sarah welcoming three strangers, ordinary meals become holy moments when we invite Jesus and those he loves around our tables.
Prov. 10:19; James 1:19, 1 Kings 19:9-15
Jesus listens to the one everyone else ignores. When we listen with care we embody the life of Jesus and create an open door for a conversation that has the potential to transform the speaker and the hearer. Are we being careful to listen to those everyone else has ignored?
Luke 6:12-19
Jesus sets an example of prayer for his people. One cannot engage in the mission of God without being connected to the Life of God. Our effectiveness in ministry is dependent upon our connection to God in prayer.
Genesis 12:1-3Abraham was called by God and given a promise that through the blessing of his descendants, "all people will be blessed." He was blessed to be a blessing, and this captures who the church is called to be as well. The blessing of salvation isn't for our personal enjoyment. Rather, what God has done for us he wants to do through us!
We believe God has a mission to redeem the world and he calls his church to join him in this work. Our annual “Faith Promise” weekend celebrates this shared mission! Hear from the national director of the Church of the Nazarene in Cuba, Rev. Leonel Lopez, as he speaks of God's faithfulness and our role as God's people.
Jeremiah 17:5-8
A life of faithfulness isn't created overnight. It's nurtured over time like a tree by a stream with roots that go deep. Even in seasons of drought, a life with roots that run deep will always bear fruit.
Psalm 37:1-7There is a “cycle of victorious living” that sustains us in every season of life. The psalmist's admonition to “trust, delight, commit, and rest” is a life-giving rhythm, no matter what life throws at us.
Proverbs 8:32-36The world may appear to be haphazardly spinning out of control, especially in the face of big changes. However, God's wisdom was present at creation and is programmed into the "operating system" of life. Living a life of greed or in selfish pursuit of power doesn't result in eternal gain, even if it produces temporary success. Wisdom is embodied in Jesus and his life reminds us of who we are and whose we are. This is a good reminder in every season of life!
Proverbs 3:5-6It's one thing to say you trust God, but do your actions reflect a life that is fully dependent upon God and his provision? Following Jesus is a matter of trust. Will we trust our way or God's way in life's biggest changes? Always trust the one who has been there before.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-11The human experience is filled with sorrows and joys. Without faith, one can only hope that the high moments outnumber the low ones. Sometimes, however, life doesn't make sense and joy is difficult to find. Faith in God enables us to trust in a plan, even when we can't see the finish line. When times are changing, God is not. His presence and guidance remain steadfast.
Luke 19:1-10Zacchaeus is famous for being "short," a detail that reflects humanity being stunted by greed and worldly pursuits. As it turns out, these are exactly the people Jesus wants to have dinner with and to whom the mission of the church should be aimed. Anytime the Church makes its table bigger we love people into a better story.
John 4:4-26Everything about Jesus’ encounter with the Woman at the well could be described as “wrong time and wrong place.” The hospitality of Jesus, however, takes everything that's wrong and makes it right. If your story is filled with wrong time/wrong place moments, it’s always the right time to have a life-giving conversation with Jesus.
Luke 7:36-50Jesus will break bread with anyone and everyone, which earns him the title, "friend of sinners." This is on full display as a "sinful woman" offers her worship in the middle of dinner. The journey from sinner to saint is dependent on our willingness to join with Jesus and also be known as a "friend of sinners."
John 2:1-11In the first of his "miraculous signs," Jesus turns water into wine and announces that God has "saved the best for last." When we are out of resources and don't know where to turn, there is "new wine" available to us. God keeps the party going, and never stops giving his best for us.
Hear from this week's guest speaker, Dr. Larry Bollinger, as he gives insight into God's call for the body of Christ to be a "kingdom of priests."
2 Corinthians 12:1-10Life has its shares of ups and downs. The Apostle Paul reminds us to not get too high on the good times as that could result in spiritual pride. God transforms our weaknesses into opportunities to give Him glory. Our successes and our perseverance in trials are all because "he is strong."
Ruth 4:13-22Naomi’s joy underscores the heart of biblical faith: when God writes your final chapter, your story always ends well. Although Ruth and Boaz are the main characters in this story, we can hardly relate to characters so amazing. We are Naomi, and God invites us to see his beauty and goodness no matter what!
Ruth 4:1-12
Boaz is willing to do what no one else will do. He is in love with Ruth, and love has a cost. It’s a cost that Boaz is willing to pay, because no price is too high. Like God's love for us, it’s a lavish display of costly grace. We are not worthy of this gift, but no price is too high for our God!
Ruth 3Faith is an active trust in the One who is “threshing out” the bad and preserving the good in our lives. Just as the wind blows, separating the wheat from the chaff, the wind of the Spirit blows in our life preserving the good and discarding the bad.
Ruth 2Ruth went looking for grain, but she found so much more. She found grace. Grace opens the door to more than mercy but to covenant relationship. God’s ultimate plan of salvation doesn't end with the forgiveness of your sins, but extends to the complete transformation of your life. In this journey towards transformation, we find grace in the grain again and again!
Ruth 1
In our suffering, God is present, sovereign, and purposeful. In Naomi’s limited view of her life it appeared that God was actively working against her. However, the story points toward the hope of another harvest just on the horizon, and we often experience this hope through someone we would least expect.
Romans 8:31-38
God went all in and it will always be enough! We may be discouraged as we face trials of many kinds, but nothing can overcome what God has already done for us. The challenge is to live as conquerors and not as victims.
Ephesians 4:1-6A divided world needs a united Church. This is only possible through the healing and empowering presence of the Holy Spirit. This Pentecost, we ask the Spirit to reconcile, heal, and make us one in Him.
Romans 8:18-30Our worries about the future often begin with a "what if..." question. There is so much about the future we don't know, but God’s Word declares that we are never alone in our struggle. God is WITH us and the Holy Spirit intercedes FOR us even when we don't know what to pray. The Gospel invites us to ask, "What if God is working all things out for the good?"
Romans 6:1-14Coming to faith in Christ means we embrace an entirely new understanding of death and life. The cross and resurrection demonstrate God’s miraculous power to bring life out of the experience of death. God wants to do the same for us as we die to sin and are raised with Christ to live holy lives. We are wanted by our Creator, both dead AND alive.
Romans 5:12-19
Life under the lordship of Jesus is a new way of living like you’ve never experienced before. The grace of God mediated to us through the obedience of Jesus has infinitely more potential for good than our tendency to sin and rebel we inherited from the Fall.
Romans 5:1-11
The heart of our Easter faith is simple: God is “all in” for humanity. We’ve been forgiven and reconciled to God, something that would not be possible without Jesus going “all in” for us. In response to this grace, are we “all in” with God?
Matthew 28:1-10The first witnesses of the resurrection were women who left the tomb, “afraid yet filled with joy.” The resurrection of Jesus is the beginning of all things being made new. There is no fear it does not confront and overwhelm with joy that only Jesus can give.
Ephesians 4:7-14
On Palm Sunday we celebrate the mission of Jesus. Like the colt Jesus uses to ride into Jerusalem, we were made for this mission. Everyone is uniquely gifted to join with God, and “the Lord needs” your story, gifts, and talents. We are people committed to a purposeful mission.
Ephesians 5:1-2As we continue talking through core values in our church, Rev. Bethany Acre talks about the characteristics of Christ-like living and the impact of saying "yes" to God on every step of the journey.
Ephesians 3:14-21Because God is overflowing with abundant generosity to us, we are called to be abundantly generous to others. God uses the generosity of his people to power the Church to accomplish “immeasurably more than all we could ask or imagine.”
Ephesians 2:11-22The Church is filled with diverse individuals who are made one in Christ. When believers walk in loving fellowship with God and each other, an unbelieving world sees what their hearts long for. Ephesians 2:11-22 envisions a life-giving community that God can use to heal the hurts and divides of the world.
Ephesians 1:3-14
We were created to worship. Paul begins the book of Ephesians with a doxology that tells the story of salvation. This good news invites us to respond with our whole life to who God is and what he has done.
Ephesians 2:8-10We were not created to live random and haphazard lives. We were made for a good and beautiful purpose, made known to us when we receive the grace of God and live on mission in response to what God has done for us. This is what we were made for, and there is no better way to live!
James 1:12-18
There’s a big difference in knowing in our heads the right thing to do and actually doing it with our actions. Temptation works the same way: even when we know something is wrong, all too often fail to resist it. Everyone will face temptation, but fortunately, God provides a way out.
James 5:13-18
Prayer is keeping company with God. Learning to pray is like learning anything else: it won’t happen overnight. Pick a time. Pick a place. Ask Jesus to teach you how to pray.
James 3:1-10
Pastor David shares about the weight of our words and how we can express our love for God through intentional encouragement.
James 2:1-13
Jesus embodied radical hospitality and called his followers to do the same. James calls us to resist playing favorites with people who can advance our place in life and give VIP treatment to the vulnerable.
James 1:22-27; 2:14-26
Faith without action is dead. The world needs more than talk about what we believe. Those far from God need to see it lived out with tangible action.
James 1:1-12
James is the New Testament’s book of wisdom. The journey to wisdom begins by recognizing life has inevitable trials and pressures. God provides the gift of his grace, strength, and presence so that we can grow in spiritual maturity, even in the midst of the trials.
Guest preacher, Dr. Frank Moore, shares a prayer for the New Year in which we remember what God has done and forget what might have been.
Luke 1:57-80
Zechariah's mouth is opened when he obediently names his child John, who would grow up to prepare the way for Jesus, the prince of peace. He sings about this peace that is on the way. For those looking for peace in the midst of life's chaos, we are invited to join with Zechariah in a song of peace.
Luke 2:1-20
The birth of Jesus isn’t a myth. It REALLY happened at a real time and in a real place. Because of the presence of Jesus in our lives, we have real hope for the real problems we face. This message of the Christmas angels is REAL good news!
Luke 1:39-56
The baby in Elizabeth's womb leaped for joy when he heard Mary's voice. More than a new gift under the tree, our joy comes from being close to Jesus. We see God's vision for the world in Mary's song. This is the kind of world Jesus is going to bring about, and this should be the source of our joy. If this doesn't cause us to leap for joy, we need to get closer to Jesus.
2 Peter 3:8-16
We don't like to wait, but Advent reminds us that our waiting is not without purpose. God is patient, wanting everyone to come to repentance. God’s love waits for as long as it takes and never gives up. For the believer, we do not wait passively but in partnership with God to see others experience this love as we have.
Isaiah 64:1-9
In Advent, we are reminded of the Israelites in captivity, asking God to intervene as he did in the past and rescue them from their oppressors. Similarly, in our brokeness, we cry out for God to break in and fix it all. Advent teaches us that He is present in our wounds, using them as opportunities for His healing light to break through.
Mark 6:7-13
Becoming like Jesus means we shift from following the crowd to leading like Christ. Just as the disciples were sent to heal the sick and to cast out demons, the call to follow becomes the call to lead in the very circles in which we once followed. Our careers become a calling and we, who were sheep, become shepherds.
Dr. Fili Chambo, General Superintendent in the Church of the Nazarene, challenges us to run the race set before us as we dedicate our new sanctuary to the worship and glory of God.
Mark 3:1-6
Are we receptive to the unconventional ways God works in our lives, our church, and our world?
Mark 10:35-45
Life together means we strive to love each other as much as we love Jesus. Because the people of God are commanded to love God and others, is there a better place or for that than the church? In this story, James and John learn that personal transformation is only possible through communal transformation.
Mark 9:2-10
When it comes to decisions, where do we turn? Are you living in a posture of listening?
Mark 10:46-52
When we are healed of our spiritual blindness, we see with eyes of faith. It causes a shift in our values as we see the world in light of God’s Kingdom. The things of the Spirit become the things that are most essential to us.
Rev. Astrid Camacaro, regional coordinator of compassionate ministries for the South American Region, shares how our support of the World Evangelism Fund enables local churches in global contexts to transform their communities through ministries of compassion and justice.
Mark 10:13-15
The disciples were worried that the children were getting in the way, and Jesus was worried the disciples were not like children. In order to be “minded” like Jesus, we must shift from fearing God as an omnipotent taskmaster to embracing God as a loving Father.
Mark 8:31-33; Philippians 2:13-14
Becoming like Jesus is to absorb the mind of Jesus into ours until we think and act like him without even trying. This requires several different "soulshifts." A SoulShift is a change in the deepest part of our being that makes us more like Jesus and less like our old selves.
Colossians 4:2-6
Paul calls the believers to pray for him, not that he would be released from prison but that God would use his imprisonment as a platform for the Gospel. Prayer connects us to the heart of God and gives us a divine perspective beyond the limited view of our circumstances. Being fully alive in Christ means our eyes are open to the opportunity before us, our heart is responsive to what God wants to do, and our hands are ready for the mission ahead.
We spend the majority of our waking hours at work, a responsibility that is often seen as a drudgery or obligation, but in Christ it can be an opportunity for God to advance his mission in the world through us. God enables us to be fully alive in our vocation so that every part of our life is an opportunity to bring glory to God.
Colossians 3:5-17
Who the believer is on the outside should reflect what God is doing on the inside. In this way, believers live on earth as if they are already enjoying the full benefits of Heaven, bringing Heaven to earth through the beauty of their lives. As we become who God wants us to be, we have a new wardrobe to match!
Colossians 2:16 - 3:4
External religious regulations are described by Paul as a “shadow” of things to come. Christ is not the shadow but the real thing, whose light brings us out of the murkiness of religious entrapments and into the experience of being fully alive. Because the believer has been raised with Christ, we can find our way out of the shadows and discover who we are, what we are called to do, and where we are going.
Colossians 2:6-15
The believers in Colossae were "fully alive" in their newly transformed lives in Christ! As adopted sons and daughters of God, the community was thriving and relying upon the Spirit of God to be "life-givers" to all those they encountered. The enemy, however, was attempting to steal, kill, and destroy this life by promoting the following lies: "Jesus is not enough - You need to do more" and "Jesus is not actually God." The apostle Paul reminds the Church that "Jesus is more than enough" and "Jesus is indeed God." His Kingdom far surpasses all other rulers and authorities.
Colossians 1:24-2:4
We become fully alive when the glory of God is restored to us. This glory is a restoration of the image of God in us, and it is accomplished when we are united with Christ, who is the fullness of God. When we understand the magnitude of this treasure in us, it impacts how we see ourselves, live with others, experience suffering, and live out God’s calling in our lives. The revelation that Christ is the treasure in us helps us to live as God’s holy ones in this world.
Colossians 1:15-23
The fullness of God dwells in Jesus Christ. He is the first and the last, the beginning and the end. He is the source of life for all that was, is, and ever will be! In worship we find life and HE is the only one worthy of our worship. Our worship must not be misdirected towards imposters that take life, but constantly refocused on the ONLY one able to give life.
The early church father, Irenaeus, said, "The glory of God is a person fully alive." God desires for humanity to be fully alive by his grace and to fully experience the joy, hope, and love that is available through Christ. This journey of becoming fully alive begins with the forgiveness of our sins as we move from surviving to thriving!
John 15:1-17
The vineyard in scripture is a symbol that represents Israel, who failed to give the world the fruit God intended for them to produce. The life of Jesus reveals that fruitfulness is only possible through a relationship with him through the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit. This is the only way our life produces fruit that will last for eternity.
**John 14:15-27
The Holy Spirit brings comfort in the midst of our chaos; truth in the midst of the world’s lies; and wholeness to broken situations. This gift is something the believer receives by faith, but is then empowered through the Spirit to share it with others. The church is a gathering of wounded healers.**
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 back to missionary service through the Church of the Nazarene on March 1, 2021. Rob and Cindy will be sharing with us all the God is doing in their ministry.
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 be a people of passionate worship, life-giving community, and purposeful mission.
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" on mission with Jesus.
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?
Do you know what it’s like to wait? Luke tells the story of Simeon and Anna who had waited their entire lives to see Jesus. Their patience is rewarded when they are able to hold in their hands the one who would ultimately provide for their salvation. You may be waiting for answers to questions or for solutions to problems. The good news is that whatever you’re waiting for, God is with you.
Luke 2:1-20
If we’re not careful, we can run through the Christmas season and not fully appreciate what it’s all about - the gift of Jesus, God’s one and only son. The news of Christmas is that God came near. This is too good to only celebrate one day a year. It’s the good news that transforms our lives and is to be lived out every day of our lives.
The story of Christmas is messy. No one knew this more than Mary and Joseph. In the mess, however, Jesus’s earthly father, Joseph, demonstrates the love of the Heavenly Father. God’s love comes to us in all our conflict, pain, or humanness. This baby Joseph embraces as his own changes everything and reminds us we are loved, no matter the mess we are in.
Luke 1:46-54
In the Magnificat, Mary offers a song that dares to imagine the different world her baby will bring: proud brought low, humble exalted, oppressive kingdoms toppled, and everyone has what they need. She sings in obedient and faith-filled hope. Discover why Mary sings and experience the grace that enables us to join her.
The Advent season is the four Sundays leading up to Christmas that calls the church to live expectantly. During Jesus's earthly ministry, many did not recognize who he was and missed out on what God wanted to do. Advent is a call to live in anticipation of Christ’s second coming, as the Bible teaches that his return is imminent. Let Us Adore Him is a sermon series that invites the people of God to look forward to Christ's return with hope, as they live each day adoring, worshipping, and serving Jesus.