Central Church NYC: Recent Episodes
Central Presbyterian Church
Weekly and special sermon series. Central Presbyterian Church of New York City is a diverse community seeking to follow Jesus Christ in his mission to transform lives and make all things new. For more information and to access other resources, visit centralchurchnyc.org.
The earliest Christians had their lives radically transformed by Jesus, and their response was justice, mercy, and faithfulness, yes, but in addition to the practice of tithing. The radical generosity of Jesus in giving his very life naturally led to the Church radically giving to support the advancement of the gospel and to provide for those in need. Listen to this sermon as we consider the voluntary, responsive, and sacrificial gift of generosity.
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When Jesus ascended into heaven, he gained access to the throne of the universe. But he didn’t just leave us behind to fend for ourselves. His Spirit is alive in us, and with that Spirit comes power — power that changes our hearts, gives us life, and allows us to be his witnesses to the world. Listen to this sermon as Rev. Walter Henegar considers the manifestation of God’s power in and through the Church.
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We live in a troubled time and a troubled world. We’re not strangers to the challenges Paul speaks of in Scripture. But when Jesus came, God reclaimed the earth as his own. Jesus modeled a new way to live — a way of love — that we, as heirs with Christ, can also embody in order to make God’s presence and power known to a perilous world. Listen to this sermon as the Right Reverend N.T. Wright leads us to consider the powerful love that God offers us so that we can in turn offer it to a world in need.
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Life is chaotic and confusing. Most of the time we can’t tell exactly where we’re headed, and everything feels out of our control — probably because it is! Which is why it’s such great news that we have a God who is in control and is actively involved in every aspect of our lives. When it feels like we have nothing to hold on to, we can find confidence in a God who is working all things together for our good. Listen to this sermon as we consider the beauty and freedom of assurance in Christ.
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We live in between God’s promised future and our present reality. This place of suspense causes pain — pain for us as the people of God, pain for all of God’s creation, and even pain for God’s Spirit, who hears our groanings and groans along with us, longing for the day when pain will be overshadowed once and for all by God’s glory. Listen to this sermon as we consider how to wait eagerly and patiently for that day, all the while interceding on behalf of the world through lament and prayer.
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We often hear mention of the “glory of God,” but what exactly is it? Glory has much to do with fame, honor, and renown, but even more specifically, the glory of God relates to his majesty, his power, and his rule as the true King. So what a marvelous truth it is that God doesn’t just reveal his glory to us; he shares it with us! Listen to this sermon as we consider our future glory and how even the deepest suffering we experience on this earth doesn’t begin to compare to the weight of it.
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When we embrace the salvation Jesus offers us, that brings with it a number of new realities, not the least of which is the spirit of adoption from God. We become not just heirs of God’s Kingdom but beloved children, upon whom he delights to bestow every blessing of inheritance. Listen to this sermon as we consider our position as sons and daughters of God, and how that motivates us to put to death our sin, bringing it to the gospel.
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The resurrection is what it’s all about because the resurrection offers salvation. But what is salvation all about? Is it just about rescue for the next life? Is it just about being saved from this world? No, in Romans 8, Paul begins to show us that salvation has just as much to do with freedom and renewal in this life as it does our eternal destiny elsewhere. Watch this sermon as we explore how we are saved for this world, to be a part of God’s great work of renewal.
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If Jesus rose from the dead, it changes everything. It really is what it’s all about. It gives us forgiveness for the past, hope for the future, and meaning in the present. You can’t get that anywhere else. Listen to this sermon as we consider the historical support for the resurrection and the massive implications its truth has on our lives.
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Jesus felt a lot on the cross. In addition to the most intense physical pain, he felt abandoned. He felt humiliated. He felt rejected. He felt so many negative human emotions and experiences to the greatest degree. But these emotions of Jesus don’t just point to his humanity or provide us with an example of how to endure them. Listen to this sermon as we consider how Jesus’ emotions on the cross demonstrate his salvation — and his utmost love for us.
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We’ve observed how, during his life on earth, Jesus experienced the whole spectrum of human emotion, and yet without sin. Perhaps this was never more difficult than on the night before his crucifixion, when he faced the most painful of human emotions: agony. Listen to this sermon as pastoral resident Hansol Kang considers how Jesus’ response when facing intense pain and betrayal exhibits his role as a better friend, a better son, and a perfect savior.
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The biblical account of the original Palm Sunday reveals a complex messiah capable of experiencing multiple strong emotions simultaneously. While Christ’s seemingly paradoxical emotions teach us a lot about him, they also teach us a lot about ourselves. Listen to this sermon as we consider the multifaceted image of Jesus and what that reveals about our position as being simultaneously a sinner and justified.
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When we think about the countenance of Jesus, we tend to think of him as calm, composed, measured, or stoic. We rarely think of him as being outwardly joyful. But Jesus rejoiced in the Holy Spirit with a joy that was very deep and very real. Listen to this sermon as we consider Jesus’ pure joy and how we too can experience that in our own lives.
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We see in Scripture accounts of Jesus walking on the earth, experiencing the full gamut of human emotion, yet navigating those emotions without sin. We find peace in the relatability of the incarnate Jesus in this area. But what about the ascended Jesus and his connection to our emotions? Listen to this sermon as Rev. Dr. Jay Harvey considers how, in addition to being able to identify with our emotional life, the ascended Jesus also shepherds our emotional life by dwelling with us and reigning over all — even our emotions.
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Anger is a big emotion, but it’s also a more complex emotion than we give it credit for. There’s blowup anger — the type we typically think of, which feels negative and leads us to strive for no anger at all — but there’s also a slow anger that grows in response to the ways the world deviates from God’s original plan. So does anger have a place in the Christian life? Watch this sermon as Rev. Andrew Smith considers the righteous anger demonstrated by Jesus that’s rooted in nothing less than the deepest love.
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Sorrow is a tricky emotion. Too often it feels like our options are to be completely overwhelmed by sorrow, or to shut it out completely. But in Jesus’ life, he showed us that there is a place for healthy sorrow, so long as it has the correct object and doesn’t lose sight of the truth. Listen to this sermon as we consider how fallenness justifies sorrow, but the hope of Christ has the last word.
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Of all the emotions Jesus could have felt toward the sinful people around him, compassion makes the least sense. But time and time again in the Gospels, we see that Jesus looked upon those around him with compassion. He saw the needs of the people, and he was so moved in his gut that it spurred him on to action — even the ultimate action of giving his life on the cross. Listen to this sermon as we explore the implications of understanding the compassion of Christ.
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Lament is rooted in longing. We all know what it feels like to have deep longings go unfulfilled, but Jesus knew what it felt like too. In his life, he longed for Jerusalem to receive him as King, and every day now, he longs to be in relationship with us. His lament over our sin drove him to the cross; this Lent, we have the opportunity to let our lament over our sin drive us to him. Watch this sermon as Rev. Andrew Smith considers how Jesus exemplifies holy lament.
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What difference does anything in this life make if we’re all just going to die? Is there really any meaning to life? These are the questions Ecclesiastes asks, but they are also the questions that in the end Ecclesiastes finally does answer. So does that meaning exist, and if so, where do we find it? Listen to this sermon as we examine the fear of the Lord as the joy-filled, life-changing sense of awe that provides meaning and fullness of life.
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The seemingly inescapable problem of death hangs over us all. No matter who we are, no matter how we live, the same thing is going to happen to all of us in the end. So of what value is anything in this life? Listen to this sermon as we consider how Jesus’ act of going to the cross opens up a way, through death, for us to find true value and enjoyment in life.
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The Bible never tells us we shouldn’t have wealth. The Bible never even tells us we shouldn't enjoy wealth. But in Ecclesiastes (among other places), the Bible does tell us we shouldn’t love wealth. Because wealth offers all kinds of problems, and in the end wealth offers us a false promise. Thankfully, the Bible also offers an antidote to the problems of wealth. Listen to this sermon as guest preacher Rev. Dr. Scott Redd explores how earthly wealth pales in comparison to the wealth of Jesus that truly satisfies.
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Whether you profess faith in God or not, suffering is a challenge. It’s a challenge to endure, and it’s a challenge to watch other people endure. The problem of suffering — and of the justice that often seems so elusive — was a challenge for the author of Ecclesiastes as well. But this problem isn’t without answer. Listen to this sermon as we consider the ultimate resolution to suffering and injustice.
Central Church hosted its second annual Vision Night to remember our past, celebrate our present, and anticipate our future.
It may be identity, it may be security, it may be celebrity, or it may be one of any number of other enticing outcomes. Everyone looks to achievement to meet a deep need. But all of those attempts will fail because we're asking our achievements to provide something for us that they never can. Listen to this sermon as we consider how success will only satisfy when viewed in light of the one ultimate, final, promised achievement.
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Wisdom is revered and coveted. It’s often seen as the byproduct of education, experience, or maybe just a life well lived. But when we seek wisdom in earthly sources, it’s temporary at best and foolish at worst. If you want to embrace a wisdom that will successfully inform your life now and last into eternity, then you don't need to look any farther than Jesus. Listen to this sermon as we consider the true source of wisdom.
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We all have different goals, dreams, ambitions, and desires, but there is one thing everyone seeks: happiness. No matter what paths we choose for ourselves, there is the consistent hope that those paths will bring us happiness. The professor in the book of Ecclesiastes had this same hope, and we have much to learn from his experiment toward this end. Listen to this sermon as we explore the elusive yet good gift of pleasure and consider how to obtain it.
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To both Christians and non-Christians, life is a baffling enigma. There’s so much about life that we don’t understand. But when it comes to the meaning of life, that’s where Christians differ. The author of the book of Ecclesiastes runs through all different philosophies on the meaning of life to show us that in the end, either nothing matters, or everything matters because of God. Listen to this sermon as we uncover the only source of true meaning, significance, and purpose.
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Jesus has said that disciples walking with him will be like a city on a hill which cannot be hidden (Matthew 5:14). Listen to this sermon as Dr. Jay Harvey explores how Israel’s time in Exile informs the Church’s understanding of what it means to be a new kind of community in Jesus Christ — a city within a city that nurtures those inside it and blesses those outside of it.
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In the beginning of Matthew's gospel, we see Mary fulfilling Isaiah's prophecy: "The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel (God with us)." Matthew explains to his readers that God has always been with his people throughout all of history — in the past, present, and future. Specifically, Matthew shows that all of the Trinity — God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit — is Immanuel. Listen to this sermon as pastoral resident Hansol Kang helps us see how God's promise to be with us is the best gift He can give us.
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It certainly counters biblical teaching that once you profess faith in Jesus, it doesn’t matter how you live. Faith is not a license to excuse sin and dismiss it as simply a part of the human condition. The ancient theologian Pelagius knew this, and it drove much of his ideology. But what Pelagius failed to understand was where one finds the power and ability to live a life of obedience to God. Listen to this sermon as we consider how the gospel of grace is the only way to a virtuous life.
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The Bible is clear that Jesus is the Son of God. But many biblical characteristics of Jesus have, throughout history, been analyzed and debated. For the ancient theologian Arius, one of those characteristics was the essence — or the substance — of Jesus. Was Jesus simply the greatest of all created beings, or was he of the same substance as God the Father? Listen to this sermon as we consider how getting the essence of Jesus right doesn’t just settle a theological debate; it revolutionizes our knowledge of God, our worship of God, and even our salvation.
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Christianity is the only world religion with a God who experiences the weakness, temptation, and suffering of humanity. That also means Christianity is the only world religion with a God who has become like us so he can make us like him. So what if, as some have argued in the past, Jesus appeared human but wasn’t actually human? Does it matter whether the baby whose birth we celebrate this month was actually fully God and fully man? Listen to this sermon as we consider how the human incarnation of Jesus was the only means to redemption.
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The Christian doctrine of the incarnation — God taking on human flesh in the person of his Son, Jesus — is a central teaching of the faith. But there has been some debate throughout theological history over whether Jesus was the Son of God by nature, or if, being born a mere human, he was then adopted as God’s Son. While this may seem like a minor distinction, rightly understanding Jesus’ deity and his relationship to God the Father has massive implications for the salvation of the world. Listen to this sermon as we consider how our adoption into God’s family is only possible through the unadopted, eternally divine Jesus.
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The Christian life requires something of us. We do have to invest time, energy, and effort into living according to God’s Word. But in the end, even when we are faithless, he is faithful. Even when we fail, his promises remain true. Listen to this sermon as we consider how the gospel and only the gospel ignites our worship, so that we might find our deepest joy and delight in Jesus.
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The biblical concept of the day of the Lord — Jesus’ second coming — is defined by judgment, justice, and even wrath. And on top of that, we are told no one knows the hour or the day it will happen. So how is there any hope in that? The hope lies in the reality that God’s judgment, justice, and wrath are in opposition to sin, evil, and injustice — against which God has already issued the ultimate blow. Listen to this sermon as we consider the encouragement that comes from anticipating God’s promised consummation of his Kingdom.
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Even for Christians, death is a difficult subject. But for those who have no hope beyond this life, facing death personally or through the loss of a loved one can feel devastating and even crippling. Which is why it was so challenging for the new believers in Thessalonica to shift their perspective on death. Listen to this sermon as we hear how the apostle Paul instructs the early Church believers — and us — to take heart in the hope of the resurrection.
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When the early Church embraced the gospel and the good news that Jesus would one day come again to bring redemption to the world, they struggled to see why their work on earth mattered. In the apostle Paul’s addressing of their questions, he helps us see that there is inherent dignity in our work, and also that the way in which we work can be a means of giving glory to God. Listen to this sermon as we consider how the gospel inspires our work.
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The early Church believers in Thessalonica wrestled with many of the same questions we ask God today, so when they faced confusion over how to honor God with their bodies, Paul’s instruction to them delivers truth to us as well. The biblical sexual ethic may have a restrictive, negative, and life-denying reputation, but it actually frees us unto a holiness already secured for us in Jesus. Listen to this sermon as we explore the life-giving effects of being wholly devoted to God.
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The book of 1 Thessalonians — and likewise many books of the New Testament — are actually letters, written by the apostle Paul to the early Church believers whom he loved with an inspirational love. In addition to instruction and guidance, we see in his words an outpouring of passionate care and concern worth embodying. Listen to this sermon as we consider the intense, exemplary love of Paul — and more importantly, the Good News out of which it was born.
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Faith can prove most challenging when we face circumstances that leave little rationale for hope. But in those instances, it is actually our faith itself that helps us to discern God’s activity, confront our doubts, and become more dependent upon him. Watch this sermon from guest preacher Rev. Michael Davis as we consider the many functions of faith — and the one who gives it to us.
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Last week we saw that the good news of the gospel transforms the lives of every individual who receives it. So what then? Do those individuals walk their individual paths of faith for the remainder of their days? Joyfully we see that the identity, responsibility, and destiny that the gospel transfers to believers has a communal element, because the gospel creates a unique community meant to walk the journey of faith together. Listen to this sermon as we consider the beauty of Christian community.
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The nature of good news is that it communicates that something has happened that changes your situation for the better. But good news rarely ends with good news. It signifies change, it motivates action, and it establishes a future that is uniquely different from the past in an exciting and unchangeable way. The good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ does exactly that for those who receive it. Listen to this sermon as we consider the power of the gospel to transform our lives and the lives of those around us.
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One shared experience across all of humanity is the desire to be chosen. It’s built into who we are, whether we own it or not. For this reason, the biblical story of Saul’s encounter with Jesus is both intriguing and attractive. Saul of all people would have never chosen Jesus, but for that reason, Jesus chose him. Listen to this sermon from pastoral resident Alan Charnock as we consider how, in Jesus himself being chosen, charged, and changed, we see the blueprint for Saul’s life and for our own.
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When we have needs, we are painfully aware of them. Sometimes they feel truly debilitating, and often they leave us feeling weak and helpless. But is it possible there’s someone who knows our deepest need even better than we know it ourselves? Listen to this sermon from guest preacher Scott Redd as we consider the one who not only knows our true needs but is the sole agent in meeting them.
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Jesus is a curious character. His life, his works, and his words stand out and pique interest. Sometimes for the most unsuspecting person, in the most unsuspecting circumstances, curiosity is a catalyst for an encounter with Jesus. And sometimes, in our curious seeking, it turns out Jesus has also been seeking us. Listen to this sermon as we consider the patient pursuit of a seeking savior.
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We are people driven to distraction, living in an age of distraction. As such, simplification does not happen naturally. But Jesus advocates for us to simplify our focus, because when we busy ourselves, we are driven away from him. Listen to this sermon from guest preacher Brent Harriman as we consider the one thing that’s necessary.
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The Bible is full of examples of faith, many of which are particularly unlikely and uniquely inspiring. One such example is the unnamed centurion in Matthew 8. His story illustrates not only that you don’t have to fit a particular mold to have faith, but also that in response to faith alone, Jesus can and will act in miraculous ways. Listen to this sermon as we explore the empowering simplicity of faith in a powerful savior.
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One consequence of the human condition is that we are all in need of healing. Things are broken in our lives, and at almost any given moment, we are either consciously or subconsciously looking for a way to improve that. There are many options to which we can turn — but only one option that can deliver. Do you want to be healed? If the answer is yes, listen to this sermon as we consider how the tiniest bit of faith in the true source of healing is all it takes.
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Understanding who we are is integral to living a meaningful life. As human beings we strive to discover and live out our true identities. So when Christianity instructs us not to affirm our self but to deny our self, it initially seems to oppose the very goal of becoming the truest version of who we are. Upon closer examination of the Scriptures, however, we see that shifting our identity from being rooted within our self to being rooted outside of our self is exactly how we find the stable identity we’ve been craving all along. Listen to this sermon as we consider how our identities are not repressed but rather fulfilled through our faith in Jesus.
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“Tolerance” and “inclusivity” are principles of high value in our modern society. Likewise, one of the most common critiques of Christianity these days is its perceived lack of tolerance and inclusivity. When we examine Jesus’ actions and words in Luke 13, however, we find that what he offers — and therefore what Christianity offers — goes far beyond tolerance. It is a radical love extended to all, as all have sinned and are in need of rescue. Listen to this sermon as we consider the inclusive hope of the gospel.
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The very nature of faith according to Scripture is believing what cannot be seen. It’s understandable, then, that faith invites questions and even doubts. And in a world that values reason, logic, and thoughtful analysis, it’s natural that some question the rationality of Christianity. But Jesus doesn’t condemn this unbelief. On the contrary, he accommodates himself to meet us where we are and engage our doubts. Watch this sermon as we survey what faith is and consider why it is right and good for us to invite Jesus into the process of moving from doubt to belief.
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Throughout human history, much debate has centered around whether Christianity is true, but recent generations have also begun to call into question the goodness of Christianity. If, in fact, Christianity is true, does it offer anything of value to the world? Listen to this Easter Sunday sermon as we explore the challenge and counterclaims of the resurrection as well as the resulting colossal consequences that accompany its truth.
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Without a proper understanding of who Jesus was, what he did, and why he matters, the cross of Christ — a unique benchmark of the Christian faith — can seem like nothing more than a gruesome and confusing event in the history of the Church. But when we look back at the words of the prophet Isaiah, as Jesus did at the time of his death, we see the breathtaking reality that Jesus and no other could perform the ultimate act of love: losing his life so that we may gain ours. Listen to this Good Friday sermon as we examine the sacrifice of Jesus, servant and king.
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Isaiah provides us with a beautiful vision of the grandest mountaintop feast, at which all God’s people partake in an eternally life-giving meal together. But our lives are so far from that mountaintop, and we cannot ascend that mountain of the Lord on our own. Watch this Maundy Thursday sermon as we remember how Jesus descended from the mountain to a place of humble earthly service, right before his ultimate descent into the grave that miraculously paved our path up the mountain to glory.
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The word “home” represents different things — both negative and positive — for different people depending on their heritage, upbringing, and life journey. But as we see in Isaiah 65, there is a universal future home promised in Scripture that is perfect in its nature — with no grief, no tears, and abundant blessing. When Jesus left his heavenly home, he came to earth with the ultimate goal of securing this future for us. Listen to this sermon as we discover how God invites each of us to persevere in the hope of this beautiful eternal home.
Isaiah 35 gives us a beautiful picture of a wilderness that is transformed by God's presence and provision. It serves as a promise to God's people that it is in the wilderness of our lives — where we lack clarity and control — that we see God most clearly, and we find that he has come to rescue us. Isaiah's transformed wilderness vision points us forward to Jesus, who meets us in the wilderness of this world and there enables us to find God’s presence, protection, and path. Listen to this sermon as we discover the kind provision of God.
The Old Testament principle of Jubilee was familiar to the Jews of Jesus’ day — a celebratory year of release during which all debts were forgiven and all servants set free. But when Jesus’ inaugurated his ministry, he came to proclaim a Jubilee that was far greater. In Isaiah 61, we see Jesus taking this concept of Jubilee and alluding to an ultimate release that he, as the anointed one, offers to all people — one where those who are both materially and spiritually poor, brokenhearted, captive, and bound will gain freedom and be clothed with forgiveness and righteousness. This is the release we receive as followers of Jesus. Listen to this sermon as we discover our cause for celebration!
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Isaiah 49 reveals the very heart of God, — perhaps unlike any other passage. For most if not all people, perhaps everyone — whether a Christian or a non-believer — our biggest problem is that we do not believe that God really loves us. That is what easily leads to a kind of spiritual despondency. But when we feel forgotten or forsaken, our hope and our confidence can be found in remembering who God is, what he's done, and what he's promised to do. Listen to our sermon to learn more about the remedy to spiritual depression.
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The 18th century theologian Jonathan Edwards insightfully remarked in one of his sermons that there is an admirable conjunction of diverse excellencies in Jesus Christ. Jesus does indeed bring together in his person and work beautiful attributes that we simply wouldn't expect, but once we see them, they bring us to a place of wonder and worship. Listen to this sermon to see how this conjunction of diverse excellencies in the coming Messiah was anticipated by the prophet Isaiah.
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Many people assume that we can separate the teaching of the Sermon on the Mount from the teacher. In almost every other religion that is true. The teaching is primary and the teacher is secondary, so we can accept the teaching and discard the teacher. But when it comes to the Sermon on the Mount we encounter a difficulty. If we try to separate the teaching from the person who offered it, the Sermon on the Mount becomes ludicrous and nonsensical. That's why the crowds who first heard Jesus speak these words were astonished. They were literally dumbfounded because, quite simply, they had never heard anyone say anything like this before.
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No one wants to be "narrow-minded" if that means being intolerant, unsympathetic, and petty. But if we are not "narrow-minded" in the sense that Jesus requires, then we will miss the open and inclusive invitation that Jesus offers to us all to experience the presence and power of God.
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Central Church hosted it first-ever Vision Night to remember our past, celebrate our present, and anticipate our future.
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Jesus offers us some of the strongest reasons and greatest encouragements to pray that we will find anywhere. If we are facing a need, if we are not sure what we are looking for, if a door has been closed in our face — all we have to do is ask! Listen to the sermon as we consider some of the general as well as specific implications of Jesus' astonishing promises when it comes to prayer.
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Jesus famously says, “Judge not, that you be not judged.” At first, the teaching of how not to judge may seem straightforward and clear. But upon reflection, it is far more complex and far more difficult to practice than we might think. In this sermon, we consider the context of judgment, the complexity of judgment, and the key to judgment.
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Charles Wesley was walking to church one Christmas morning when he was inspired by the sound of all the London church bells ringing. He subsequently wrote a poem which he intended to be read every year on Christmas Day, and it eventually became one of the world's most beloved carols. The power of Christmas carols lies in the fact that the whole gospel is contained within these songs; that is especially true of this one as this carol tells us about what Jesus has accomplished for us through his birth, what Jesus has accomplished for us through his death, and what Jesus has accomplished for us through his resurrection.
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During this Advent season, we will explore the gospel message contained in some of our favorite hymns. This week we turn to “What Child Is This?” This carol was written by William Chatterton Dix who established himself as a successful businessman managing an insurance office in Glasgow, Scotland. But during his late ‘20s he was struck with a near-fatal illness which threw him into a severe depression. While recovering from his illness, he had a spiritual awakening which changed him forever. Dix became an avid reader of the Bible which inspired him to write hymns such as this familiar classic.
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This Advent, we are engaging in a series focused on the gospel in some of our favorite Christmas carols. We begin this sermon series by looking closely at “Joy to the World,” which is based on Psalm 98. The song describes the second coming of Jesus as the risen and reigning king, to restore and renew all things. As we examine this song, we will look at the cause for joy: the Lord has come, the scope of joy: as far as the curse is found, and the call to joy: repeat the sounding joy.
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Jesus famously said, "Wherever your treasure is, there will your heart be also." We all have something we treasure, and our heart moves to be wherever we place it. In other words, our identity is bound up with our treasure. We become whatever we most love. The problem, from Jesus' point of view, is not that we treasure something. The problem is that we often treasure the wrong thing.
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Right in the middle of the greatest sermon ever told, Jesus offers the greatest prayer ever uttered. The Lord's Prayer may be the most recited prayer in the entire history of human civilization. Though it is familiar, we may fail to appreciate its significance and power. As Jesus lays out God's new way of being human in the Sermon on the Mount, he leads his followers through the school of prayer. If you have ever struggled to know how prayer works, or if prayer works, then this message is for you.
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One of the most common reasons why people reject Christianity is because of the hypocrisy of Christians. But if we have a problem with the way in which religion is often practiced, we can take comfort in the fact that Jesus is even more troubled by counterfeit forms of spirituality than we are. As we continue our exploration of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus reveals the marks of false spirituality so that we might practice the real thing.
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Many modern people consider the Bible's views on sex and sexuality as not only outdated, but oppressive. And yet it seems that just as many people are disappointed and confused by their relationships. To our own surprise, we may find that the ancient wisdom of Jesus provides the kind of critique and guidance we are really yearning for. As we continue our series on the Sermon on the Mount, we discover what Jesus has to say about love, lust, and the Christian life.
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In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus reveals the anger that lies in all of our hearts. But as he exposes the danger of our anger, he also reveals the heart of God, which promises to repair our hearts. It's only as we behold the heart of God that we can trust in his kingdom, and thus reorient our hearts away from the fear that leads us to anger, and towards hope and courage that leads to reconciliation.
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Jesus concludes his Beatitudes with a word of blessing for those who may suffer mistreatment because of their close identification with Jesus, yet he calls us to be “the salt of the earth" and "the light of the world,” so that we can be distinctive, transformative, and penetrating for the good of the world around us.
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We often look for validation and affirmation from the outside to tell us that we matter, that we count, that we're significant, that we're secure, but we will never learn how to grow spiritually until we come to grips with our true identity, which we find in Christ.
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Union with Christ is the single most important thing you need to know and understand and appreciate in order to grow spiritually, but what does that entail? In this sermon, we take a close look at Colossians 3 and explore what union of Christ is, how it works, and why it matters.
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How can we possibly experience a fulfilling life in light of the painful reality of human suffering? The way to the good life is not to go around suffering, but to go straight through suffering. In this sermon, we turn to 2 Samuel 18 and explore the source, the sorrow, and the solace of suffering.
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In the story of Mephibosheth in 2 Samuel 9:1-13, we learn about the covenant relationship between David and Mephibosheth’s father Jonathan, and how it foreshadows the ultimate significance and security we receive through Jesus’ covenant relationship with us.
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We often view the "good life" as the "significant life." We want to prove to ourselves and to others that our life counts for something, but this week through a close reading of 2 Samuel 7, we discover we simply cannot find the “good life” without grace.
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When we speak of the “good life,” we're not merely talking about an ethical or a moral life. Ethics and morality are important, but they only carry us so far. The real question is: How can we make the most of this gift of existence and live a life that is truly worth living? This sermon considers one of the most difficult and unsettling passages in the Old Testament—2 Samuel 6—and what it tells us about what worship is not, what worship is, and why it matters.
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The good life is a life that looks outward to others, not just in friendship but in compassion. This sermon examines the strength for compassion, the eyes of compassion, and the compassion of the Gospel. This sermon was given by guest preacher Rev. Andrew Smith, the pastor of Presbyterian Church of Kennett Square in Pennsylvania.
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The story of David and Goliath is one of the most well-known stories in the Bible. But despite its familiarity, it is often misunderstood. In this sermon, we take a closer look at 1 Samuel 17 and consider what it has to teach us about living a life of faith and what’s possible when we possess a God-dominated imagination.
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One domain in which we find some semblance of meaning in our lives is the domain of fulfilling work. Interestingly, the first story that is told about David in 1 Samuel 16 is set in the workplace. This sermon considers what this episode has to tell us about the dignity of work, the dangers of work, and the deliverance of work.
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We long to live fulfilling lives that make sense, and yet it seems that we are increasingly confused about what such a life might entail. But one thing is for certain—if we want to live “the good life,” the first thing we have to do is figure out who we are, and what we learn from the outset of David's story in 1 and 2 Samuel is the importance of grounding our identity in our relationship to God, above and beyond anyone or anything else. This first sermon in our series David and The Good Life looks at 1 Samuel 16 where we are first introduced to David and considers the Lord's mission, the Lord's sight, and the Lord's anointed.
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Psalm 2 teaches us to recognize the chaos in this world as a reality that results from our attempt to declare independence from God. While we cannot find solace apart from God, we can find refuge in him as our King and Redeemer.
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Psalm 1 acts as an introduction for the Book of Psalms. Meditating upon it allow us to see ourselves in a mirror and understand not only who we are, but the world around us. In our first installment of the Summer Series “God Our Refuge,” we see that Psalm 1 is an invitation and promise that we will be blessed by reflecting upon the Psalms just as Christ did.
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In this new sermon series, we consider the distinguishing marks of an authentic follower of Jesus and reflect on how we know if we are being shaped primarily by the world’s vision for life or by Jesus’ way towards life and wholeness. In other words, we are all disciples of something or someone so how do we more fully and faithfully bear the marks of Jesus and grow in our love of him? One great place to begin such a discussion is in Matthew 28, which we explore in this sermon.
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In light of the 100th anniversary of our building at 593 Park Avenue, we consider three big questions: 1) what's the point of the Bible?, 2) what's the point of the church?, and 3) what's the point of your life?
In John 6, after Jesus fed 5,000 people with a few loaves of bread and some fish, the crowds continue to follow him because while their physical hunger has been satisfied, their deeper hunger has been awakened. In this sermon, we explore John 6:41-51 to see how Jesus invites to come to him with our deepest longings as only he can truly satisfy us.
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Christianity stands or falls on the resurrection of Jesus. Christians do not believe that Jesus was merely resuscitated after what we might call a “near-death experience,” or raised from the dead in a metaphorical sense because he continued to “live on” in the memory of his followers. No, Christians believe that Jesus died a violent death on a Roman cross and then was raised with a new physical body to a whole new mode of existence. If the resurrection really happened, then that changes everything. The question is: Can we believe it?
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This Good Friday, we explore the heart of the gospel by taking a closer look at why Jesus died and what it means for us.
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This Maundy Thursday, we reflect on the nature of Jesus' love and explore how that ought to shape how we are to love one another and to love the world.
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Jesus uses the phrase “If anyone” to extend an invitation to become his disciple and explains what such a commitment entails. He offered one such invitation on the original Palm Sunday as he entered the city of Jerusalem among a large crowd. In this sermon, we take a closer look at Jesus' subversive entrance, his unexpected parable and his radical call.
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Everybody wants to be happy, but true happiness often eludes us. We sense that something is missing, but we do not know where fullness can be found. Jesus offers a surprising resolution to our search and an invitation to receive the abundant life we so desire.
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In this sermon, we look at John 15, where Jesus invokes the image of branches connected to a vine to describe the relationship between Jesus and all of us. Jesus offers us an invitation not to grow in independence and self-reliance as we oftentimes are prone to do, but rather to grow in deeper reliance upon him who alone is the source of life.
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Central was pleased to welcome Rev. Dr. Jay Harvey to give a sermon on John 7:37-39 entitled "If Anyone Thirsts...”, where he discussed our need for Jesus. Jay is the Executive Director of Reformed Theological Seminary, New York City.
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In Luke 14:25-33, Jesus tells us to count the cost of becoming his disciple. Before venturing to become a student of Jesus' life, we must pause to consider the radical requirement, the risk assessment, and the redefined values involved in following Jesus.
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More often than not, Jesus used the phrase "If anyone..." to extend an invitation to become one of his followers and to explain what such a commitment would require. In our first sermon of the Lenten series, An Invitation to Discipleship, we explore what it means to be a disciple of Jesus by considering the gospel offer, the gospel demand, and the gospel incentives.
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In Psalm 6, David admits his need to be rescued and cries out to God, and as he does he finds God who is ready to save. That's the invitation to us on Ash Wednesday. As we hear these words, “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return," we are making an honest assessment about our lives and our world. We are admitting our need to be rescued and as we do, we too, just like King David, will find our God ready to save.
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A basic definition of justice means to give each person what she or he deserves. But if a wrongdoer deserves punishment, then does forgiveness violate justice? By commanding us to forgive, is Jesus calling us to be unjust? In this final sermon of the series, we explore these questions by addressing what forgiveness is and is not, and how we are to follow Jesus’ example when it comes to forgiving others.
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In Luke 10:25-37 Jesus is asked a question: 'who is my neighbor?' He answers with a parable about a Good Samaritan that is so widely known in our culture we sometimes miss its shocking implications. In this sermon, we explore how Jesus not only expands our understanding of our neighbor, but also calls us to deeper compassion for those God puts on our path. As we delve deeper into this sermon and explore the metaphors, we see how Jesus promises to equip us for the beautiful, yet challenging work of love and justice.
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Central was pleased to welcome Paul Coty to give a sermon on Luke 18:18-23; Matthew 22:34-40; Micah 6:8 about kingdom-centered justice and our call to take the next step in our faith in pursuit of justice. Mr. Coty is the Vice President of the Northeast Division of Young Life, a Christian ministry that reaches out to middle school, high school, and college students.
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Jesus understood that if someone wrongs you, mistreats you, or takes advantage of you, you cannot bear to let the injustice stand. You want to see the wrong made right, and if there is no human court that will hear your case, then your only option is to appeal to the highest. In this sermon, we take a closer look at the parable of the persistent widow who continuously appeals to an unjust judge to explore how Jesus encourages us to pray and never give up in the face of the world's injustice.
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Do Christianity and politics mix? The answer isn’t as simple as a yes or no. While we should be concerned about the politicization of the American Church and the ways in which the pursuit of political power has undermined the Church's integrity as well as its witness, it's possible that Christians can fall into the opposite trap of quietism. It's not possible to remain neutral in the face of the world's injustice, so how do we strike the appropriate stance? In this sermon, we take a closer look at Jesus’ Sermon on the Plain in Luke 6 to explore the politics of Jesus, the platform of Jesus, and the plan of Jesus to usher in a new kingdom.
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In this sermon, we delve deeper into the topic of justice as we explore the relationship between upholding the gospel and social responsibility.
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In a continuation from the previous sermon, we explore Luke 4:14-22 in more detail, specifically addressing who exactly Jesus has come to aid, how he goes about doing so and why it matters.
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Justice is complicated, contentious and personally challenging. In our first sermon of the winter series “Jesus & Justice,” we set the stage as we explore the Biblical definition of justice, why it is an essential aspect of the Christian hope, and how we are meant to pursue it.
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Central was pleased to welcome Dr. Scott Redd to give a sermon on Acts 1:6-11 entitled "The Time and Place." Scott is the president and Stephen B. Elmer Professor of Old Testament at the Washington, D.C., campus of Reformed Theological Seminary.
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In the final sermon of our series, “The Actors of Advent,” we look at the shepherds and how their actions provide us with a model for what it means to be a Christian.
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We continue our sermon series “The Actors of Advent,” by focusing on John the Baptist, who prepared us for the coming of the Lord. In this sermon, we explore what he is not, what he is, and why he matters as well as how through his actions, he shows us how we are to point others toward Christ.
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We continue our sermon series “The Actors of Advent,” by focusing on Joseph, who is often overlooked and underappreciated. In this sermon, we explore the pivotal role he plays in the coming of Jesus by taking a close look at his compassion, his courage, his conviction, and how it points us to Jesus.
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Continuing our sermon series, “The Actors of Advent,” in this sermon we pay close attention to Mary, and her favor, faith and future in particular, and explore how God used the unlikeliest person to carry out his mission to make the world new.
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In the first sermon of our new series The Actors of Advent,” we look at Zechariah and his response to Archangel Gabriel’s news that he and his wife would have a child who would pave the way for Christ’s coming. In this sermon, we explore how to contend with the news of Christ's birth and how God uses the unlikely of people for his purpose.
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In our final message of our sermon series on 1 Corinthians, we explore the model, mode, and motivation for Christian mentorship.
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Becoming a Christian is simple, but living out an authentic Christian life in today's world is easier said than done. In this sermon we explore how to follow Jesus along the way of humility, courage and love, and what that looks like in our everyday life.
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We all wrestle with harsh criticism from time to time. That criticism can come from others or even from our own selves, but how do we handle criticism thrown our way? In this sermon we explore what Paul says is the secret to being set free from the effects of criticism, but the answer isn’t what we expect.
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One of the dominant themes running all through the Scriptures is the Temple. In this sermon, we explore the deeper meaning behind this theme and how the temple serves as a symbol to illustrate God’s future promise.
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Many churches today have foundational issues and are in danger of collapsing, but this isn’t a modern phenomenon. The Apostle Paul addressed this issue head on in his letter to Corinth as the church he helped build faced a similar dilemma. In this sermon we explore what the church can and should be, specifically addressing what it means to engage in Christian ministry.
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What is true maturity? Why do we need it? How do we get it? In this sermon, we discuss what it means to be a mature Christian and how the answer might not be what we expect.
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In “The Way of Wisdom” we explore the three keys to Godly wisdom and how this wisdom will bring renewal to a world that so desperately needs it.
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As we celebrate the 200th anniversary of our church, we focus on the importance of humbling ourselves before the Lord and letting God use us in unexpected ways. This sermon discusses how God’s power is made stronger in our weakness, and we also discuss Central’s plans for the future as we seek to help build stronger churches throughout the city and in our world.
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In “Stranger than Fiction,” we explore the contrast between the wisdom of the world and the wisdom of God and how through this contrast Paul seeks to flip everything around to show us true wisdom.
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The temptation to draw lines and form cliques around certain leaders is as old as the church itself. Why does this issue continue to exist after thousands of years? Why are we continuously drawn to charismatic personalities? In this sermon we discuss the underlying cause of schisms within the church and analyze how reorienting our focus on Jesus enables us to be a stronger, healthier, more united church.
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The Apostle Paul’s first letter to the church in Corinth is applicable in our day and age because not unlike the first-century Christian church, we have major issues with which to contend. In our first sermon of the fall series “The Church the World Needs,” we set the stage by exploring the present, past and future state of the church and what we can learn from the church in Corinth.
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Central was pleased to welcome Rev. Dr. Jay Harvey to give a sermon on James 1:19-27 entitled "The Perennial Challenge,” where he discussed the gap between Christ and his followers and how God, through the Holy Spirit, narrows that gap. Jay is the Executive Director of Reformed Theological Seminary, New York City.
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The last sermon of the “The Upside-Down Kingdom” series, Where the Blind Can See, continues to address what it means to boldly follow Jesus by highlighting the desperation of discipleship, the expectancy of discipleship, and the path of discipleship.
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Oftentimes in life we seek our own paths and our own ways of glory. In this sermon, Where the Least are the Greatest, we explore the problems that arise from our desires for false glory and how Jesus gently and lovingly shows us our need for the cross and the path to true glory.
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Central’s new Executive Pastor Chris Hildebrand begins a new three-part sermon series entitled “The Upside-Down Kingdom” about Mark 10. This week’s sermon, Where the Children are Blessed, explores what it means to follow Jesus, specifically how having childlike, fearless faith that is radically dependent upon God enables us to live life to the fullest.
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Central was pleased to welcome Robert Cunningham to give a sermon on John 13:1-17 entitled "The Posture of the Christian” in which he discussed how God is rewiring us to live an abundant life through Jesus. He highlights the picture of, the problem with and the path to servanthood. Robert is a Campus Minister with Reformed University Fellowship at the University of Virginia.
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Central was pleased to welcome Rev. Doug Webster again to give a sermon on Psalm 22:1-31 entitled "The Psalm of the Cross—He Has Done It,” where he explained how this Psalm points to Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. Doug teaches pastoral theology at Beeson Divinity School and is a teaching pastor at the Cathedral Church of the Advent in Birmingham, AL. Doug and his wife, Virginia, served Central from 2010-2014 and helped re-establish Central’s gospel ministry.
Central was pleased to welcome Rev. Doug Webster to give a sermon on Psalm 16:1-11 entitled "Living the Resurrection,” where he addressed how living for eternity enables us to live a life of significance. Doug teaches pastoral theology at Beeson Divinity School and is a teaching pastor at the Cathedral Church of the Advent, in Birmingham, AL. Doug and his wife, Virginia, served Central from 2010-2014 and helped re-establish Central’s gospel ministry.
Central was pleased to welcome Rev. Luke Miedema to give a sermon on Philippians 4:1-9 entitled "God’s Kintsugi World,” where he addressed how God is restoring a broken world that is fractured by sin into something that’s brand new and far better than the original. Luke Miedema is the senior pastor at Grace Church of the Roaring Fork Valley in Basalt, CO.
In the final sermon of our series “How To Be Human (Again),” we explore the priority, practices, and power of Christian community and why we need others in order to become the person God has called and destined us to be.
Anger is a complex response to a complex world. Continuing with our sermon series "How To Be Human (Again)," This week's sermon, Good and Angry, explores what anger is, what's wrong about it and what's right about it. We also delve deeper to address the five categories of anger and how to approach anger from a Biblical point of view.
Continuing the current sermon series, “How To Be Human (Again),” this week we expand on the concept of lasting character change, by addressing the uniqueness of God's way of change. This sermon highlights the foundation for change, the fight for change, and the freedom of change and explores how Jesus gives us the resources to fight knowing that the victory is ours, not in ourselves, but in him.
Building upon what we discovered in the previous two sermons of this series, we explore if it’s possible for people to change, deep down at the heart level, and if so, what does this actually look like in practice? What is God's way of change? This sermon addresses those questions and highlights the three principles Christians should bear in mind in order to experience God's transformation in their life.
Sanctification is one of the most important and most often misunderstood aspects of the Christian life. In this sermon we define sanctification, address why it's important in a Christian's life and learn how we can achieve sanctification to be transformed into the people God calls us to be.
In the first sermon of our new series “How To Be Human (Again),” we explore Jesus' central task to renew us in God's image. How does this work? How does it actually take place in our lives? What is our responsibility in this? This sermon addresses those questions and reveals that only through Christ are we transformed and fully made human again.
In the second sermon of a two-part series “Searching for God,” we explore how God is the living water that we need. Continuing Psalm 42, we look at how nearness to God plays an essential role in our well being and how a deep relationship with God is at the heart of a full and flourishing life.
In the first sermon of a two-part series “Searching for God,” we explore spiritual thirst and our need for God. What is spiritual depression and what is the cure? In Psalm 42, we look at how nearness to God plays an essential role in our well being and how a deep relationship with God is at the heart of a full and flourishing life.
Embracing the message of the Gospel in the midst of our pluralistic culture is difficult and causes tension in our daily lives. We are all forced to contend with a myriad of issues and to make many hard choices—there is a lot to be anxious about. But God calls us to cast all of our anxieties on Him because He cares for us. In this final sermon in our series on the book of First Peter, we discuss that though the anxieties we feel may be great and the pressures we face may be real, the promises of Jesus are sure.
From sexual misconduct to the mishandling of money, there is much ailing the American church today. Similar to the days of the early church, many churches today are at risk of putting leaders on a pedestal and using the church to advance their own personal gain. What is the root of the problem, the proposed remedies, and the ultimate cure? Peter anticipates many of the issues that we confront in today's church and offers a solution to ensure a healthy, functioning church.
In our suffering, we are never really alone because Jesus suffers, too. Jesus not only suffers for us but with us in order to prove His love to us. Jesus reveals God's pathway through suffering, God's perspective on suffering, and God's presence in the midst of suffering.
As we move deeper into the 21st century, the church must adopt a missional model of ministry. All Christians, not just the religious professionals, are called to engage in mission. The book of 1 Peter describes how we are called to engage in ministry and practical ways to live out the Christian hope, despite the challenges that we might face. Peter tells us that we need to think clearly, love deeply, welcome widely and serve responsibly.
We are in many ways entering into new terrain in the Western world. In the not so distant past, there might have been a social benefit connected to being a Christian, because Christianity was widely perceived as a social good and a benefit to society. However, as the perceptions of those around us begin to change, we increasingly may experience something of a social cost for being a Christian. So given the social risks and costs, is it worth it?
Christians are called to be ready to make a case for their hope in Christ with gentleness and respect and to make a case for it unapologetically.
Easter Sunday is the day we celebrate Jesus' resurrection from the dead and the ultimate hope that is made possible through the resurrection. God has promised to do for us at the end of history what he did for Jesus in the middle of history--he will raise us up with new physical bodies to enjoy a new physical world with God and with one another.
Good Friday is the day we remember Jesus' death on the cross. He was unmade so that we might be remade in his image. He willingly died an ungodly death on the cross to put to death every ungodly bit within us so that we might be justified in God's sight and transformed into his image.
Maundy Thursday is the day we remember the night when Jesus gave himself into the hands of those who would betray him. It is the night when Jesus gathered with his disciples in the upper room and when Jesus gave us this holy feast, that as we break the bread and drink the cup we may here proclaim his holy sacrifice, and come at the last to his table in heaven. This is the night when Jesus took a towel and washed the disciples’ feet, showing us how to honor and serve one another in love.
Palm Sunday celebrates Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem and represents the heart of Jesus' ministry.
The gospel of Jesus Christ has something to say about how Christians are to respond to unjust suffering. In the book of 1 Peter, Peter describes the attributes of Christian community as having a unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. How Christians respond to abuse, hatred, and suffering speaks volumes about who God is and what Christians believe He has done for them.
The book of 1 Peter shows us what it means to live a Christ-centered life. But what exactly does it mean to live a life with Christ at the center? What problems do we encounter? And how do we find the power to live in such a way?
We think that in order to thrive and flourish as human beings, we have to be free to do whatever we want and to express whatever lies within us. We think, therefore, of freedom as the absence of all restrictions. But what if true freedom is submitting to the right kinds of restrictions? It is only by submitting ourselves to one another in love, that we discover who we really are. Jesus is the only one in whose service we find perfect freedom.
Our ultimate citizenship the moment that we put our faith in Jesus lies in heaven rather than on earth--it lies within the kingdom of God, rather than the kingdoms of this world. Our true home as a Christian is not where we are from but rather where we are going.
The church is the instrument through which God makes himself known to the world, and that is why Peter encourages us to come to God in faith, so that we might declare together the excellencies of Him who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light.
What does it mean to love earnestly and with a sincere brotherly love? There's nothing more beautiful, more compelling, more powerful than earnest, pure-hearted love. The most powerful way to testify to the reality of Christ is to love others as he has loved you.
If you think different, you live different. The world needs people who are attractively different, and that's precisely what Peter tells us to do.
We can rejoice now, even in the midst of grief because we already know how the story ends. One day sin, evil and death will be defeated, and everything that had once gone wrong will be made right. We are coming from a world of hurt, but we are headed to a world of healing.
The Apostle Peter's first letter was written to the early Christians living throughout the Roman provinces of Asia Minor. Not unlike today, the early Christians struggled to live out their faith in an intensely pluralistic context in which the majority of their friends and neighbors believed very different things about the world than they did. Peter has much to teach us today about how to embody the gospel in a predominantly non-Christian society and offers us encouragement as we seek to thoughtfully engage our contemporary culture.
Central was pleased to welcome Rev. Dr. Jay Harvey to give a sermon on Luke 12:32 entitled "Fear Not." Jay Harvey is the Executive Director of Reformed Theological Seminary, New York City.
The Apostle Peter's first letter was written to the early Christians living throughout the Roman provinces of Asia Minor. Not unlike today, the early Christians struggled to live out their faith in an intensely pluralistic context in which the majority of their friends and neighbors believed very different things about the world than they did. Peter has much to teach us today about how to embody the gospel in a predominantly non-Christian society and offers us encouragement as we seek to thoughtfully engage our contemporary culture.