Central Church Sermons: Recent Episodes
Central Church
We are a church in the greater Memphis area that wants to be different. Our desire is for people who are far away from God as well as those who are tired of religion, to see a church that is doing everything possible to honor Christ and change the world. For more information visit www.centralchurch.com
The Tower of Babel story reveals humanity's tendency to misuse God's gifts for selfish purposes. The people possessed four powerful tools for multiplication: language, innovation, unity, and the ability to receive correction. Instead of using these tools to fulfill God's command to fill the earth, they gathered together to make a name for themselves. God's intervention wasn't punishment but mercy, preventing them from using their power for ultimate destruction. At Pentecost, God began reversing Babel's confusion, showing His plan to unite all nations under Christ's lordship. We face the same choice today: will we use our God-given tools for His glory or our own?
Noah's story doesn't end with the rainbow. After the flood, this righteous man experienced a devastating fall that teaches us important lessons about human nature and grace. Noah's gradual descent into sin reminds us that anyone can fall, and that failure often happens in private long before it becomes public. His story shows how sin spreads quickly through families and communities, affecting the most vulnerable first. However, we can learn from the contrasting responses of Noah's sons - while Ham exposed his father's shame, Shem and Japheth chose to cover it with love. This points us to the Gospel, where Christ covers our shame with His righteousness, and calls us to extend that same covering grace to others.
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When disaster strikes, we often struggle with trust in ourselves, others, and God. Genesis 9 shows us how God meets Noah's family after the flood with a powerful covenant (or promise) that offers comfort and security. This covenant has four key aspects: its broad scope includes all creation, its security is permanent across generations, its singularity means it depends solely on God's faithfulness, and its seal (the rainbow) serves as a reminder of God's commitment. Through Jesus Christ, we experience an even greater covenant that offers security when our world falls apart, reminding us to find our comfort in God's faithfulness rather than our circumstances.
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Finding hope after disaster requires action, not just a change in attitude. Genesis 9 shows us how Noah moved forward after the flood by returning to God's original calling to multiply, remembering God's covenant, and recognizing that sin still exists in human nature. We're called to perpetuate God's image through investing in the next generation, project His image through exercising self-discipline and dominion in our lives, and protect His image through supporting justice. No matter what failures we've experienced, God offers us renewal and a fresh start when we return to our calling.
Visit https://www.centralchurch.com to get involved with Central Church.
In a world that mirrors the moral decay of Noah's time, we need an ark of refuge just as Noah did. Today, Jesus Christ serves as our ark, protecting us from judgment, gathering us as family, providing truth, and offering clarity in confusing times. The church reflects this ark imagery, giving us community when society seems to be falling apart. By entering this spiritual ark, we can endure societal corruption, enjoy God's grace, and experience a fresh start. Like Noah, our response should be worship and gratitude, inviting others to find the same refuge we've discovered in Christ.
Visit https://www.centralchurch.com to get involved with Central Church.
In Genesis 4-5, we witness the stark contrast between Cain's corrupted lineage and Seth's faithful line. While Cain's descendants pursued self-glorification through cities, achievements, and violence, Seth's line began to call upon the name of the Lord. This fundamental difference highlights our purpose: to reflect God's image in a corrupt world. Enoch exemplifies this by walking with God so faithfully that God took him directly. As Christians today, we're called to reflect Jesus in every aspect of our lives—at work, home, and in our communities—turning many from iniquity through our example and bringing God's peace wherever we go.
Jesus as the Good Shepherd represents the ultimate example of true manliness, characterized by sacrificial love and strength. Far from being sentimental, shepherding was a demanding job requiring toughness, vigilance, and deep care. Jesus proves He is the Good Shepherd by willingly laying down His life for His sheep, knowing them intimately, and intentionally seeking those who are lost. This powerful love establishes a profound relationship between Jesus and His followers, creating one united flock under His leadership. Understanding Jesus as our Good Shepherd should inspire awe and gratitude while challenging us to model His sacrificial love in our own leadership roles.
In this sermon from Pastor Matt on Genesis 3, we see how Satan’s deception in the garden still mirrors the struggles we face today in our homes, marriages, and personal lives. From doubt to temptation, hiding to blame-shifting, the enemy seeks to divide and destroy—but God offers a greater covering through Jesus Christ. This sermon unpacks the reality of spiritual warfare, the dangers of leaving our homes unguarded, and the hope of the gospel that restores what was broken.
In a culture filled with confusion about gender roles, understanding God's design for womanhood offers clarity and purpose. Biblical womanhood encompasses three key aspects: being a helper (a position of strength, not weakness), a partner (created for relationship and equality in value), and a life-giver (bringing vitality to every environment). Women possess the remarkable ability to elevate those around them through their support, wisdom, and life-giving presence. Rather than feeling restricted by God's design, women who embrace biblical womanhood often discover greater joy and fulfillment than those who reject it.
In a culture where masculinity is often misunderstood, understanding God's original design for men is crucial. With only 24% of American homes having a father figure present, many young men lack proper role models. Genesis 2 reveals God's blueprint for masculinity through three primary roles: men are called to be providers who work and lead, protectors who guard their families, and priests who offer spiritual guidance. Jesus Christ exemplifies perfect masculinity - providing for others' needs, protecting the vulnerable, and fulfilling the ultimate priestly role. By following His example, men can reclaim biblical masculinity and use their strength to serve others.
God's original design for humanity includes a call to multiply in every sphere of life - family, work, church, and personal growth. This purpose stems from being created in God's image, which gives all humans inherent dignity and worth. To fulfill this multiplication calling, we need to recover God's purpose, reproduce His multiplication power through relationships, His blessing, and health. Rather than embracing our culture's self-serving mentality, Pastor Matt Shackelford shows us how to identify areas where God wants us to multiply what He's entrusted to us.
Visit https://www.centralchurch.com to get involved with Central Church.
This message invites us to reimagine what the church is truly meant to be—not just a service we attend, but a movement we embody. Rooted in Psalm 66, we’re reminded that our lives should be a public, joyful testimony to the greatness of God. Worship isn’t confined to a room; it’s meant to echo into our neighborhoods, schools, and cities.
God has done awesome deeds—so how do we live like it?
Visit https://www.centralchurch.com to get involved with Central Church.
Being a Gospel servant means following a threefold compass that guides our Christian life: upward devotion to God, inward love for the church, and outward mission to the world. Upward devotion involves giving thanks to God, rejoicing in His work, and praying continually with submission to His will. Inward love means building warm relationships with fellow believers, using spiritual gifts to strengthen others, and seeking mutual encouragement. Outward mission requires recognizing the Gospel as a sacred trust for all people and eagerly sharing Christ across all boundaries. This sermon by Pastor Tim Gibson from Romans 1:8-15 provides clear direction for finding purpose in Christ.
Psalm 98 reveals three compelling reasons why God's people should praise Him. First, we praise God for His marvelous works - His power that brings salvation, His revelation of that salvation to the world, and His faithful love toward His people. Second, our entire lives should be a joyful song of praise, involving every aspect of our being and joining with all creation in worship. Finally, we praise God for His promised return, when He will judge the world with perfect righteousness and equity, making all wrongs right. The soundtrack of a saved life is characterized by intentional gratitude, complete surrender, and readiness for Christ's return.
Worship is not just singing on Sundays but a lifestyle that aligns our hearts with God's rule and reign. Psalm 96 teaches that true worship is a response to the hope we have in Christ, expressed with confidence in God's greatness. It involves offering repentance, turning from worthless idols to faith in Jesus, and declaring our allegiance to God as King. When we truly worship, we join all creation in expectantly awaiting Christ's return, knowing His judgment brings rejoicing for believers because of His faithfulness to His finished work on the cross.
In a world of influencers promising happiness, Jesus offers genuine satisfaction through three essential elements. In this sermon from Luke 20 & 21, Pastor Matt Shackelford shares where true satisfaction comes from. First, we must recognize Jesus as the incarnational Son—fully God and fully man—which gives purpose to our worship and meaning to our service. Second, we need to follow Him as our transformational Savior, allowing Him to change us from the inside out rather than focusing on appearances like the scribes did. Finally, we must finance His sacrificial story by investing our resources in God's kingdom, going 'all in' like the widow who gave everything she had. True satisfaction comes only when we fill the hole in our heart with Jesus alone.
True lasting peace can only be found through a relationship with Jesus Christ, the King of Peace. His humble entrance into Jerusalem on a donkey symbolized His approachability and desire for personal connection. Finding peace requires recognizing life isn't about us, understanding our greater purpose, and fully submitting to Jesus as King. In this sermon on Luke 19, Pastor Matt teaches how you can have peace with God.
The eternal destinations of heaven and hell are determined by where we place our trust and what we truly desire in life. While some trust in their wealth and earthly kingdoms, true believers place their complete trust in God. Death comes to everyone regardless of status, but it's not the end - it leads either to eternal comfort or torment. Hell is a real place of conscious suffering, permanent separation from God, and eternal regret. The only escape is through genuine repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, turning from self-reliance to complete dependence on God.
Finding joy in seeking those who are spiritually lost - exploring Jesus's heart for reaching others through powerful parables in Luke 15. Discover the transformative patterns of loss, searching, and celebration that reveal God's deep love for every individual. Learn practical ways to build meaningful relationships with non-believers and share your faith effectively. In this sermon, Eric Jones II shares why every Christian should strive to share Jesus Christ with those who are lost.
In this week's deep dive into Luke 13, Pastor Matt Shackelford explores the relentless spirit required for effective evangelism. Jesus exemplifies this spirit, always ready to preach the gospel and correct false teachings, even in challenging situations. Jesus' healing of a woman oppressed for 18 years and His correction of the synagogue ruler serve as powerful examples. As believers, we are called to embrace the fight of evangelism, dream about winning souls, and see every interaction as an opportunity to share the life-changing message of the gospel.
In this insightful exploration of Luke 13:1-9, Pastor Matt Shackelford shows how to navigate life's inevitable tragedies by focusing on transformation. Jesus addresses the unavoidable nature of suffering in a fallen world, using the examples of the Galileans killed by Pilate and the tower in Siloam. Learn how to prioritize your spiritual life, respond to tragedy, and allow God to shape you through trials.
Many of us hold a familiar image of Jesus: the Prince of Peace, or the newborn in a manger. But passages like Luke 12:49-58 challenge us to see another side—one that calls us to a choice and warns of consequences. When Jesus says, "I came to cast fire on the earth," it may feel unsettling, even unexpected. In this powerful sermon, Pastor Matt Shackelford dives into the urgency behind Jesus' words and why He calls us to make a decision that can’t be delayed. Learn why Jesus warns us against missing our opportunity to follow Him and how His words are a call to real transformation.
Thieves are only effective when you don't know they're coming. In the same way that we would protect our house if we knew it was in danger, Jesus tells us to be vigilant for His return. In Luke 12:35-48, Jesus teaches that we must be prepared and guard our hearts and minds. In today's sermon, Pastor Matt teaches three ways we can stand guard for the return of Christ.
Chances are that you or someone you know struggle with anxiety. It's one of the most common issues of our generation. In this sermon, Pastor Todd Parr looks at Luke 12:23-34 and what the Bible says about anxiety. Through this sermon, you'll learn four ways that you can help fight against letting anxiety rule over your life.
One of our greatest mistakes is relying on ourselves. Whether it's for our physical needs or our spiritual, we often forget that God is ultimately in control. In this sermon from Luke 12, Pastor Matt Shackelford teaches on the parable of the rich fool and how shares how we can avoid the avoid the deadly results of greed.
Whether it's a haunted house or a horror movie, we love the adrenaline we get from a good scare. In Luke 12, Jesus tells his disciples that all too often, we fear the wrong things. Those who can harm us are not the ultimate thing we should fear, but the one who can condemn us to hell. In this sermon, Pastor Matt Shackelford shares what it means to have a healthy fear of God.
An evangelestic church needs to go public! In today's sermon from Acts 5:11-42, Pastor Matt explores 6 ways you can go public with your faith.
Fatherhood is not a entry level position. It is one of the highest positions a man can ever have. As fathers we are called to love our children and raise them to be Godly men and women. Pastor Matt shares 3 ways you can be a great dad and raise great children.
This week in Israel, Pastor Matt takes on tour of Bethlehem and Nazareth - the birthplace and childhood home of Jesus. In partnership with that, we study Luke 1 and see the characteristics of Mary, the mother of Jesus.
As Christians in the church, we sometimes tend to neglect scripture and want to do things our own way instead. We think that a certain worship style or church programming will cause us to experience the blessing of God, but it doesn’t. In this sermon, Pastor Matt Shackleford dives into 1 Thessalonians 1:2-10 to teach us 3 things we can do to be a more godly church.
There’s 3 things all Christians should do on Christmas. Without them, you'll miss out on the full experience of this day. In this sermon, Pastor Matt Shackelford dives into Luke 2 to show us how we can exchange self-centeredness for savior-centeredness.
Christmas is a time to remember the birth of Christ, and to celebrate the joy we have in Him. Christ came into the world to give us a future with God our father, knowing that we as sinners we could never do it on our own. In this sermon, Pastor Matt Shackelford takes us through Matthew 1:1-17 to show us how God can take the greatest failures and turn them into instruments for His glory.
Many of us are looking forward to gift-giving this Christmas season, but are we effectively using the spiritual gifts that God has given us for His kingdom? In this sermon, Pastor Matt Shackleford dives into Ephesians 4:7-14 to show us how we can best use our unique spiritual gifts.
For many of us, 2022 may have felt something like a dumpster fire full of compounded stress and worry. Maybe you’ve had to put your dreams on hold, work at a job you don’t love, or struggle to get by financially… In this sermon, Pastor Matt Shackleford dives into Matthew 6:25-34 to show us how to exchange our worry for wonder.
Are you eager to hear from God, but don’t know how? The phrase “God told me” is often abused, but that doesn’t mean we can’t hear from God. In this sermon, Pastor Matt Shackleford dives into Luke 8:4-15 to show us what is means to hear from God, and how it works.
Visit https://www.centralchurch.com to get involved with Central Church.
New Christians often have a fire and passion about their faith. But we often see that fire die down as the years go on. In today's sermon, Pastor Matt looks at Luke 7:36-50 and what it means to love Jesus with an outrageous love.
Doubts don't make you a terrible Christian. We see all throughout scripture the stories of those who had doubts, but worked through them and were more faithful because of it. If we are to become stronger Christians, we must learn how to start doubting our doubts. In this sermon, Pastor Matt looks at 3 ways we can start working through our doubts and focus on the truth of scripture.
What is the most important thing that we can pass on to the next generation? In this sermon, Pastor Justin Halverson dives into 2 Thessalonians to teach us how to leave a Godly legacy while living in the end times.
Many Christians avoid end-time prophesy because they believe it’s foggy, unclear, or far off. In this sermon, end-times expert Jeff Kinley dives into Revelation to teach us all about end-time prophesy, and how it’s already beginning to take place.
As of 2019, church dropouts have risen to 64%, and it’s estimated to be even higher today. It’s very common for people to abandon their faith in order to avoid persecution. In this sermon, Pastor Matt Shackleford dives into 2nd Thessalonians 2:13-17 to show us how to avoid becoming part of that statistic.
God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Instead of being concerned about the future, why not spend more time looking back on what God has done in the past? In this sermon, Dr. Matthew Castro dives into Revelation 3:7-22 to show us the importance of Biblical history in the Christian life.
“If you miss this, you will miss the entire heart behind the 10 commandments.”
Do you understand what the 10 commandments are really about? In this sermon, Greg Sukert dives into Exodus 20:1-21 to show us what many people miss regarding the 10 commandments.
Even if you don't plan of sinning, your plans could be sinful if you don't recognize this one thing. In this sermon, Emeal (EZ) Zwayne dives into James 4:13-18 to show us what to beware of when making plans in life.
The return of Christ is coming, are we as believers ready for Him? How can we better prepare ourselves for that day? Paul writes in 2nd Thessalonians how we should be found on the day our Lord Jesus returns: Praying. In this sermon Pastor Matt wraps up with chapter 1 in our study of 2nd Thessalonians and helps give us a clear understanding of what a constantly praying church should look like.
The war in Ukraine. Mass shootings. Government overreach. Sexual anarchy. The list goes on of the many wild things taking place in today’s world; but fortunately, as Pastor Matt Shackelford shows in this sermon on 2 Thessalonians, the Bible has much to say for Christians living in these times.
Mother's day serves as a strong reminder to show our love for the women in our lives, but today's society makes it hard to understand what a woman truly is. In this sermon Pastor Matt takes a close look at Proverbs 31 to teach us what God says a woman is.
What is the hardest thing God could ever ask you to do? What are some hard things He’s asking you to do right now? In this sermon, Pastor Pat Nemmers dives into Genesis 22 to show us how our faith in God must be tested in order for it to be genuine.
Baptism is an ordinance of the church, and while it does not save you - it is an important part of our faith. Through Baptism, we publicly declare that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior.
Easter is a celebration of Jesus Christ's resurrection. Because Jesus was raised to life, we too can be raised to life in Christ. We no longer must suffer eternal death and separation from God, but can spend eternity with God in heaven.
In this sermon Pastor Matt begins our Easter mini-series. This sermon explores the truth that good works cannot earn us freedom from our sins, only by the work that Christ did on the cross can we as believers hope to receive the gift of everlasting life with our Father.
In this sermon Pastor Matt teaches from the book of James and explores the power of life our tongues can wield in Christ's name.
In this sermon Pastor Matt teaches from the book of James and explores the power of life our tongues can wield in Christ's name.
In this sermon Pastor Matt concludes our series on the defining moments that lead up to the beginning of Jesus' ministry. We will focus on 4 "Squad Goals" that we as believers should aim to achieve as we walk together in ministry and faith.
In this sermon Pastor Matt Castro shows us how God's perfect grace can change the lives of those who hear His gospel truth.
In this sermon Pastor Matt continues our study of Luke by examining Jesus response to the Pharisees' and Scribes' legalism of the law of man, and points us to the truth of God's Law.
In this sermon Pastor Matt continues our study of Luke 5 and teaches us how to avoid the mental traps of good works and checklists to earn our way into Heaven, and instead focus on the fact that Jesus has done all the work needed on the Cross.
In this sermon Pastor Matt continues our series of Defining Moments by looking at the story of Jesus calling Levi the tax collector to follow Him, and shows us how we should model our discipleship to be more like Levi was.
In this sermon Pastor Matt takes a look at the story of Jesus healing the paralytic in Luke 5, and shows us that just as Jesus healed this man, He can also heal us of our sins.
In this sermon Pastor Matt looks at the story of Jesus cleansing the leper in Luke 5, and shows us how that correlates to God sending His Son to cleanse us of sin through His work on the cross.
In this sermon Mark Spence joins us to close out Sanctity of Life month at Central with a powerful and direct message about how we as Christians should view abortion.
In this sermon Pastor Justin teaches from the book of Hebrews about having the faith and confidence in our confession of Christ Jesus and the perfect sacrifice He made on the cross.
In this sermon Pastor Matt begins our new teaching series titled "Defining Moments." This series is all about the big choices we face in our personal walk with Christ, and how God will help us make the right ones.
In this sermon Pastor Derek closes our Christmas series on preparing for Christ's return. "The King Is Coming" focuses on Jesus' second advent, when He comes to claim His people and conquer sin once and for all.
In this sermon Pastor John Andrew continues our Christmas series on preparing for Christ's return. "The King Is Coming" focuses on Jesus' second advent, when He comes to claim His people and conquer sin once and for all. Jesus will come again and He will restore us to right standing with God in those days, and with that promise we can find the strength in Him to endure what life has in store for us.
In this sermon Pastor Matt Castro continues in our Christmas series on preparing for Christ's return. "The King Is Coming" focuses on Jesus' second advent, when He comes to claim His people and conquer sin once and for all. We as His people must prepare ourselves for His glorious return by examining our hearts and ensuring we as Christians are matured in the Spirit.
In this sermon Pastor Greg starts off our Christmas series with a slightly different message for the holidays. "The King Is Coming" is a sermon series on the second advent of Christ, when he comes not as a baby but as our conquering King and Lord.
In this sermon, Pastor Matt concludes his teaching series titled "Greater Than" where we focused on what God has planned for us as believers by putting our own plans aside and following what He calls us to.
In this sermon, Pastor Matt continues his teaching series titled "Greater Than" where we'll focus on what God has planned for us as believers by putting our own plans aside and following what He calls us to.
In this sermon, Pastor Matt continues his teaching series titled "Greater Than" where we'll focus on what God has planned for us as believers by putting our own plans aside and following what He calls us to.
In this sermon, Pastor Matt continues his teaching series titled "Greater Than" where we'll focus on what God has planned for us as believers by putting our own plans aside and following what He calls us to.
In this sermon, Pastor Matt continues his teaching series titled "Greater Than" where we'll focus on what God has planned for us as believers by putting our own plans aside and following what He calls us to.
In this sermon, Pastor Matt continues his teaching series titled "Greater Than" where we'll focus on what God has planned for us as believers by putting our own plans aside and following what He calls us to.
In this sermon, Pastor Matt continues his teaching series titled "Greater Than" where we'll focus on what God has planned for us as believers by putting our own plans aside and following what He calls us to.
In this sermon, Pastor Matt begins a new teaching series titled "Greater Than" where we'll focus on what God has planned for us as believers by putting our own plans aside and following what He calls us to.
We've all tried to fill our lives with meaning and purpose on our own; from buying the nicest clothes, to the latest devices, dating, traveling; but none of it satisfies for long. Why? In this sermon Pastor Justin explores what it takes for us to be truly satisfied in our lives by showing us how God intended for us to live.
In this sermon Pastor Greg takes a look at God's response to idols in our lives, and how He proves Himself as the true and living God.
In this sermon Pastor Matt addresses a tragedy in our community and shows us how even in the most gruesome of trials God is still Lord over our lives and will carry us through according to His word.
In this sermon we at central want to honor our local police and government officials for their service to our community just as Paul commanded the Romans to honor Niro and his officials. No one comes to authority without God's permission, and we as a church should respect that God-given position and those in it.
In this sermon our guest speaker Costi Hinn teaches us several ways to see God's truth in our lives as Christians during trials and suffering.
In this sermon Pastor Matt continues his teaching series titled "The Laws of Multiplication" which is all about multiplying disciples of Christ and preparing them for ministry in the church.
In this sermon Pastor Matt continues his teaching series titled "The Laws of Multiplication" which is all about multiplying disciples of Christ and preparing them for ministry in the church.
In this sermon Pastor Matt continues his teaching series titled "The Laws of Multiplication" which is all about multiplying disciples of Christ and preparing them for ministry in the church. How should we handle the rejection and persecution we face as Christians? By getting angry and posting about it on social media? By complaining to our family and friends? Pastor Matt shows us that even Jesus faced rejection during ministry, and yet he still loved those who did not love him.
In this sermon Pastor Matt continues his teaching series titled "The Laws of Multiplication" which is all about multiplying disciples of Christ and preparing them for ministry in the church. This second sermon is all about being Biblically sound in faith and in ministry, and rooting ourselves firmly in the teachings God has laid out for us as believers. We as Christians need to study God's word everyday to prepare our hearts and minds to share His love and grace in everything we do.
In this sermon Pastor Matt begins a new teaching series titled "The Laws of Multiplication" which is all about multiplying disciples of Christ and preparing them for ministry in the church. This first sermon is all about how the Holy Spirit helps and guides us through the multiplication process and is the source of not only our ministry, but Jesus' ministry here on earth.
In today's sermon Pastor Greg concludes our series entitled "Put Me in Coach" with a message of compassion and love toward others; even those who persecute us.
In this sermon Pastor Matt continues his series entitled "Put Me in Coach" by looking at how we as Christians need to be sincere in our love for God's people.
In this sermon Pastor Matt shows us that even when on the cross Jesus was the perfect example of how a Christian should act under persecution
In this sermon Pastor Matt continues his teaching series entitled "Put Me in Coach" which is all about not being spectators but team players in God's plan for our lives and the lives of those around us.
In this sermon Pastor Derek shows us the importance of abiding in Jesus to produce the fruits of our faith, and how those fruits help raise up the next generation of believers to do the same.
In this sermon Pastor Justin talks about the value of family shown in the bible and how God wants us to lead in our homes as well as our communities.
In this sermon Pastor Matt begins a teaching series all about serving God and his ministry, and what it takes for us to go from being spectators to servants in God's plan for our lives.
In this sermon Pastor John Andrew shows us just how great the need to reach those who are unreached by the gospel truly is and what we as a church are called to do by God's word.
In this last sermon from the Counselor's Couch, we take a look at the question of why suffering exists.
In this sermon Pastor Matt concludes his teaching series entitled "The Counselor's Couch"
In this sermon Pastor Matt continues his teaching series entitled "The Counselor's Couch"
In this sermon Pastor Matt begins the second section of his series entitled "The Counselor's Couch" as he takes a biblical look at depression and how God helps us overcome it.
In this sermon Pastor Matt continues his sermon series entitled "The Counselor's Couch"
In this sermon Pastor Matt continues his teaching series entitled "The Counselor's Couch"
In this sermon Pastor Matt shows us the Hope of Easter and how the death and resurrection of Christ Jesus destroys all of our doubts and insecurities.
In this sermon Pastor Matt concludes his series on temptation entitled "Fatal Attractions"
In this sermon Pastor Matt continues his teaching series in Luke entitled Fatal Attractions
Have you ever played the game Telephone? A group of people stand in a line and pass a message down, then you compare the original message and what was received at the other end; usually it's nothing like the original message. How'd the message become so distorted and how can we avoid that in the future? In this sermon Greg Sukert shows us how to avoid distorting God's message by prioritizing the things of our heavenly father instead of his messengers and the things of this world.
In Mark 9, we see the transfiguration of Jesus. In this passage, Jesus is described as radiantly glowing. His beauty and majesty is beyond compare. As we look at the temptations in our lives, we must come to the realization that to overcome our fatal attractiosn, we must be attracted to something even greater.
What do you do when a pipe starts leaking? What about a fire starting in the kitchen trash? Do you ignore them because they're small? No, you'd take action to fix the problem before it gets worse; so why don't we treat sin this way? In this sermon, Pastor Matt starts his series titled Fatal Attractions on an extreme note by showing us that no matter the size of the sin, we should take extreme actions to follow after God and not the temptation.
In this sermon Pastor Matt concludes his teaching series entitled Welcome to Strongsville in Luke chapter 3.
What's the difference between religion and a relationship? The bible tells us that good deeds won't earn salvation, yet so many of us fall into ruts of trying to earn our way into heaven through our own strength. In this sermon, Pastor Matt continues his study of Luke 3 and examines how John the Baptist called God's people to repent.
January at Central is Sanctity of Life month, and as it comes to a close we invited Mark Spence to deliver a message about how we as Christians should respond to the topic of abortion and to show us the Biblical evidence that even in the womb we are made in the image of God our father.
Muscular Christian Living requires us to have a strong voice to carry God's stronger message. In this sermon Pastor Matt teaches us how John the Baptist used God's strength to empower the message of repentance and forgiveness God has for His people.
Beefing up our spiritual muscles takes = setting our priority. In today's sermon we see how a 12-year-old Jesus prioritized his relationship with God and sets an example for us to do the same.
In this sermon Pastor Matt begins a new teaching series entitled "Welcome to Strongsville"
In this sermon Pastor Matt teaches from the book of James.
We all make plans that sometimes can't or don't happen; family vacations, holiday celebrations or even just lunch with a friend. It can be frustrating, right? But there's a plan in place that cannot be changed or canceled: God's plan for us as Christians.
In this sermon Pastor Matt concludes his Christmas series entitled "A Christmas Playlist"
In this sermon Pastor Matt continues his Christmas series entitled "A Christmas Playlist"
In this sermon Pastor Matt continues his Christmas series entitled "A Christmas Playlist"
In this sermon Pastor John Andrew teaches us about the thankfulness God so desires from 1st Thessalonians 5:18
In this sermon Pastor Matt continues his series in the book of Titus titled "Living the Good Life."
In this sermon Pastor Matt continues his study in the book of Titus.
What motivates you to pursue a Christ-like life? How can you as a believer keep that fire inside to follow after our Lord? Titus 2:10-15 gives us an idea of how to live a life motivated by God to accomplish the good works for His Glory.
In this sermon Pastor Matt resumes his study of Titus, picking up at the beginning of chapter 2
In this sermon our special guest speaker Emeal Zwayne teaches us about what it means to be a creation of God and our call to evangelize as His people.
In this sermon Pastor Matt continues his study series in Titus. What do you do when faced with false teachings? How can you tell the truth from the lies? Paul warns Titus about these very things in his letter and instructs him on how to lead in his ministry and those he shepherds to the truth through God's word.
In this sermon Pastor Matt continues his series in Titus titled "Living The Good Life" as we look at the qualities God calls for elders and leaders of His church to have.
In this sermon Pastor Matt begins a new teaching series in the book of Titus titled "Living The Good Life"
In this sermon Pastor Matt revisits 2nd Timothy chapter 2 to remind us of our risen Christ as we celebrate his death and resurrection with our Easter 2.0 service
In this sermon Pastor Matt concludes his sermon series in 2nd Timothy titled "Finish Strong" by looking at how we as a church are to work as a team
In this sermon Pastor John Andrew teaches us what it truly means to live out the Great Commission by understanding Jesus' words to his disciples
In this sermon Pastor Matt resumes his teaching series in 2nd Timothy titled "Finish Strong"
In this sermon, Pastor Matt looks at Romans 8 and how the Holy Spirit can help us overcome our struggles with sin.
In this sermon Pastor Matt continues his series "Finish Strong" in the book of 2nd Timothy.
In this sermon Pastor Matt continues his series "Finish Strong" in the book of 2nd Timothy.
In this sermon Pastor Matt continues his series "Finish Strong" in the book of 2nd Timothy.
In this sermon Pastor Matt continues his series "Finish Strong" in the book of 2nd Timothy.
In this sermon Pastor Matt begins a new series titled "Finish Strong" in the book of 2nd Timothy.
In this sermon, Pastor John Andrew closes out our series "Drop your Grudge" by looking at what happens when you hold onto unforgiveness.
In this sermon Pastor Matt continues his series titled "Drop Your Grudge" in 1 Corinthians 13
In this sermon Pastor Matt continues his series titled "Drop Your Grudge" in the book of Philemon
In this sermon Pastor Matt continues his series titled "Drop Your Grudge" in the book of Philemon
In this sermon Pastor Matt begins a new series titled "Drop Your Grudge" in the book of Philemon
Have you ever played hide-n-seek with someone before? It's almost a universal rule when you're ready to start looking for the person hiding, you shout out, "Ready or not, here I come!"
Jesus tells us that one day he will return, and whether we're ready or not, we will all be judged. Unfortunately, to those who don't believe in the power of the cross, Jesus looks like foolishness. However, to those who do believe, the cross is the foundation for everything we do.
When life is unstable, God can provide stable ground for you to rest on. In ever-changing circumstances, God's character is unchanging.
Have recent events left you feeling frustrated? The book of Habakkuk starts off with a man frustrated and crying out to God. In this sermon, Pastor Matt looks at Habakkuk 1:1-11 and how to trust God when life is frustrating.
As we continue our teaching series, " Trust God, When You Don't Understand", we look at our contentment (or lack thereof) in Jesus Christ. In this sermon, Pastor Matt studies Phillipians 4:10-13 and at how we can be content when life is falling apart around us.
As we struggle this year with the anxiety and uncertainty of COVID-19, the Hope of Easter still exists. Because of Jesus' death and resurrection, we have a living hope that is not dismantled when hard times come. In this sermon, Pastor Matt looks at 1 Peter and the 3 ways that Jesus offers hope.
No other animal is mentioned in the Bible as sheep. In this sermon, Pastor Matt looks at Psalm 23, one of the most popular chapters in the Bible, and what it means for God to be our shepherd.
Our world doesn't make a lot of sense right now. In the midst of the coronavirus changing our lives, it's easy to fear. In this sermon, Pastor Matt reads through Psalm 91 and gives three reasons to trust God in a fearful world.
“We have never seen anything like this!” It was in this way that the people of Capernaum responded to an encounter that Jesus had with a man in great need. Powerless to help himself, this man found true and ultimate healing in Jesus alone. In this sermon, we will explore Mark 2:1-12 with the aim of recognizing our own neediness and seeing Jesus as the only one who can bring true healing. May we each go out into our communities amazed, glorifying God and exclaiming, “We have never seen anything like this!”
Life is hard! It’s a world of heavy hits that temps us to despair and give up on our ministry and our callings. In 2 Timothy 2:8-14, Pastor Matt is going to show you four powerful reminders that give us the grace and encouragement to endure and to Keep the Gospel Central!
Do you find that your relationship with the church is a lot like a dating relationship? Some people tend to "date their church" when they don't engage in the mission, neglect the community, and drift apart over time. In today's age we're missing that deep commitment to the mission and people of God.
In this sermon, Pastor Matt is going to show us three pictures of commitment, which will help us Keep the Gospel Central.
What will you leave behind when your life is over? Do you often think about the legacy you’re leaving behind? In 2 Timothy 2:1-2, Paul is writing Timothy with instructions to experience a four- generation legacy and shows us the intentional steps to experience a gospel legacy that spans generations to come.
What daily investments are you making? On what do you spend your time, money, and faculties? In the end, do you believe the reward will be worth the cost? We're in a sermon series entitled, "It's Always Too Soon to Quit." and Pastor Matt's sermon today is all about two "eternal investments" to keep us going.
These two investments found in 2 Timothy 2:13-18 teach us how not to waste our life and how to refocus towards God's Word and God's people. As you prepare for this passage today, ask the Lord for Grace to begin investing in the things that last.
So often, we fail to finish because we run away from those risky moments when we’re called to stand boldly for Jesus. It happens when we get the chance to share our faith, and we retreat from that uncomfortable conversation. It occurs when someone is ridiculing Jesus, and we stay quiet, not wanting to bear the shame. In this sermon, Pastor Matt talks about our security. In 2 Timothy 1:11-12 we will see that when we know how secure we are, we’ll take risks, endure shame, and finish our race strong. When you know you’re secure in Christ, you’ll know that its always too soon to quit.
We’re returning to 2 Timothy for the encouragement that “It’s Always Too Soon to Quit.” Paul is going to show us that crossing the finish line requires living an unashamed life. He’s going to explain that the expectations and opinions of people shouldn’t imprison or paralyze us. To keep going in a world of hard hits, we’ve got to live to please God and not man (Gal. 1:10; 2 Cor 5:9).
Have you ever felt that temptation to give up when life gets hard?
In this sermon, we started a new series entitled, "Its Always Too Soon To Quit!" It's a study through the book of 2 Timothy. In this short letter, Paul writes at the end of his life to encourage young Timothy to finish strong.
We're going to discover that one means of Grace God uses to help us keep going is a father's influence. It's the reminder that God uses His people to encourage and uplift His people.
In this special service, we are joined by Dan Werthman, Dr. Tim Gibson, and Philip DeCourcy as they encourage and challenge Pastor Matt Shackelford in his new ministry at Central.
In Joshua Chapter 1, we see a great example of God commissioning Joshua and His people into “Courageous Obedience” before they enter the new territory He has promised them. As we also move into a new year, new decade, new leadership, and new territory in the life of our church, obedience to God’s Word is required of all of us as well. When we respond as Joshua did, we will enjoy God’s promises that come with “Courageous Obedience!”
Resolutions. We make them, we break them. Few are ever kept. In this sermon we talked about the greatest resolution ever kept in Luke 9:51 and other passages.
In this sermon we explored Joshua 4:19-24. After having spent forty years wandering in the Sinai wilderness the Israelites finally came to the edge of the promised land. While their time in the wilderness had been marked by a lack of trust in the Lord's faithfulness to his promise, the Lord demonstrated once again that He was with them. This story calls us to remember that the Lord's hand is mighty and that we should be filled with awe upon beholding Him and His work.
Do you believe in the virgin birth of Jesus? In this sermon we looked at the virgin birth and its importance through the eyes of Joseph in Matthew 1:18-25.
In this sermon we look at 4 points of how God wants us to treat one another as we work together to glorify Him.
Do you believe in the virgin birth of Jesus? In this message, Dan Werthman looks at the virgin birth and its importance through the eyes of Mary in Luke 1:26-38.
Joe Caruso, one of the elders of Central, shares his story of how God led him to Central 15 years ago, and how God led Joe into a relationship with Christ.
Have the trials of life stolen your song? In Psalm 46 God shows us three reasons to sing again. All of these reasons are rooted in the character of God, who shows that He is more than enough for life's trials.
Communion is a sacrament of our faith. This Sunday, we celebrated communion with each other as Pastor Dan explained the importance of communion and how to partake of it.
In this sermon we'll look at how the "greatest commandment" (Mark 12:30-31) helps us examine our hearts in preparation for the Lord's Supper.
In our last sermon we looked at the "Greatest Commandment" in Mark 12:30, the heart of all God calls us to in His law. In this sermon we look at the "Second Greatest Commandment" in Mark 12:31, and how it flows from the first.
What is the "greatest commandment," the heart and essence of all God calls us to in His law? Jesus answers this in Mark 12:28-34 and seeks to turn our hearts toward this.
In this sermon we will look at the obedience of two men. One is more well known than the other, but both of them had an equally important role to play in God's divine plan. Their obedience resulted in the whole world being changed with the Gospel! In the same way, God wants to use us to change the world for Christ. Are you willing to be obedient to His call in your own life?
Can these dry bones live? In this sermon we look at Ezekiel 37:1-14 and how to navigate life's valleys with obedience to the Word.
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Pastor Paul Ndungu is our guest speaker for this sermon. He and his wife Milka evangelize, plant churches, disciple, train, and minister to the Maasai tribe and several other tribes in Kenya. Around 302 churches among the Maasai tribe are under his care. Central takes a short term mission trip to the area every year to work with Pastor Paul building churches and doing dental work. Paul has also helped develop an orphanage in Uganda. He is a living example of how God will use our obedience to advance His Kingdom in great and mighty ways.
Mark 12:18-27 - Do you believe in the Resurrection - not just the resurrection of Jesus, but your future resurrection? Do you live like you believe in the Resurrection?
In this sermon we look at what Jesus teaches about our relationship to our government and how that relates to our relationship with God in Mark 12:13-17.
In this sermon we look at Jesus' Parable of the Vineyard in Mark 12:1-12. Through this parable Jesus shows us: (1) God's purpose; (2) our pride; (3) God's patience; (4) God's punishment; and (5) God's provision.
This beautiful Psalm is a poetic celebration and response to God’s personal revelation both through His Creation and through His Word. The Psalm can be viewed simply in three parts. The first section celebrates God’s revelation in and through His creation. We start by celebrating about what we know of God through the universe around us (1-6). Then we learn of the nature and benefits of God’s special revelation in His Word. (7-11). The final section is very personal. It expresses appropriate personal words of response to the Lord.
In Acts 1:6-12, we witness the final moments that the disciples spent with Jesus before his ascension. As the disciples ask about the restoration of the kingdom to Israel, Jesus redirects their attention to three things: 1. The sovereignty of the Father. 2. The power of the Holy Spirit. and 3. The call to be a witness. In this sermon, as we come to Jesus with questions of our own, it is my prayer that we would listen to what He has to say and that we would walk in obedience.
What 'authority' do you recognize in your life? Do you struggle with authority? Jesus addresses the important question of the ultimate authority in life in our text for this sermon, Mark 11:27-33.
In this sermon we look at the “mountain of unforgiveness” in Mark 11:25-26. How is unforgiveness an obstacle to our prayers?
Our text in this sermon, Mark 11:22-26, is often misunderstood, misused, and even abused by Christians! How does what Jesus says here about prayer relate to what He has just done in the Temple and said about it? What does the kind of belief and prayer He talks about here look like in out lives?
The last earthly miracle of Jesus before His crucifixion was the cursing of the fig tree in Mark 11:12-14. It is the only one of his miracles that was destructive. What was Jesus' purpose in this often-misunderstood miracle? What is the truth that He teaches us through it?
Peter shares a lot about Christian life and what it should look like. In 1 Peter, he discusses our progression from new believers to what will happen as we mature in Christ. He is direct in the challenges we will face and the difficulties we will have to overcome. He concludes this letter in 1 Peter 5 by addressing the conduct of the church. In this sermon, Heath Hudspeth will dig into 1 Peter 5:1-11 and look at what Peter shared through the Holy Spirit on how the leaders and the congregation should respond as they follow the Holy Spirit and draw closer to Christ?
When Jesus cleansed the temple in Mark 11:15-18, on first glance, it would appear that He was just angry from what he saw and determined to end the sinful practices going on there. However, as we explore this passage we will see that Jesus goes much deeper than this when He explains His actions to the people. What He says not only affected the people of that day, but also has a profound impact on us today!
In this sermon, we look at Jesus entering Jerusalem and the Temple in Mark 11:1-11. What does He show us about Himself and His purpose here? How do we (like the crowds) so easily miss it?
What is “mercy”? Today we’ll look at the power of the prayer, “Lord have mercy!” in Mark 10:46-52.
How should the church be led? What is the model of leadership for church leaders? What a relevant question as we are searching for our next Lead Teaching Pastor and seeking to select new elders! This morning we'll look at the Kingdom model of leadership that Jesus teaches in Mark 10:32-45.
Would you follow Jesus if it meant you would lose your job, or your house, or even being alienated by your family? Today we’ll look at what Jesus says about this in Mark 10:28-31.
How does our wealth impact our ability to follow Jesus and enter the Kingdom of Heaven? Today we'll look at what Jesus has to say about this in Mark 10:17-31.
This week we will study Mark 10:13-16. In this passage, Jesus uses children to exemplify what it means to receive the kingdom of God. As distressed parents bring their ailing children to Jesus, the disciples rebuked them. At this, Jesus turns to the disciples with indignation and rebuked them, warning them that if they do not become like children they will not enter the kingdom of God. My prayer for this morning is that we continue to learn what it means to truly live by faith.
Last Sunday we looked at how Jesus began to address the subject of divorce by pointing back to God's ideal for marriage in Genesis 1:27 and 2:24. Today we look at what Jesus taught about what happens when we fall short of that ideal.
Mark 10 reveals that the topic of divorce was as controversial in Jesus’ day as it is today. In the first of a two-part series on Mark 10:1-12, we’ll look today at what Jesus teaches about the true design and purpose of marriage.
Today we look at what Jesus taught in Mark 9:38-50 about what the relationships between Christians should look like, especially in times of growing opposition and persecution.
In our humanity we all want to be great at something, just like the disciples in Mark 9:30-37. However, Jesus teaches the disciples what true greatness is all about. His definition looks very different than the world's definition of greatness. Which definition are we embracing in our lives?
"I do believe! Help my unbelief!" We can all identify with the father's cry to Jesus in Mark 9:24. This morning we look at what Jesus has to teach us about faith and prayer in our times of greatest need.
Of all the resurrection appearances of Jesus, His appearance to the two disciples on the road to Emmaus in Luke 24:13-32 is the most puzzling. Why did they not recognize Him? Why did He not immediately reveal Himself to them?
Today is Palm Sunday, the beginning of what is commonly referred to as "Passion Week," the week of suffering Jesus Christ endured leading to His crucifixion. How did Jesus prepare His disciples for what would happen this week? He did so through the Transfiguration, which is our text today (Mark 9:1-12).
Have you ever wondered what it truly means to follow Jesus? This morning we will examine Mark 8:31-39, wherein Jesus answers this question. Rather than spend their lives in pursuit of their own pleasure or will, Jesus challenges his disciples to deny themselves, take up their cross and to follow him. This is what it means to truly follow Jesus.
Mark 8:22-26 is the only recorded healing miracle where healing was not instantaneous and took place in two stages. Why did Jesus heal the blind man in this way, and what is its relevance to us today?
Why did Mark include two almost identical accounts of Jesus miraculously feeding people (6:30-44 and 8:1-9) in his gospel? This morning we'll look at the response to these miracles by the disciples, by the Pharisees, and by us.
Is Jesus rude to the Syrophonecian woman in Mark 7:24-30? What does Jesus' encounter with this woman teach us about how we come to Jesus? What does it teach us about how we view people who "aren't like us"?
Today we look at Mark 7:14-23 and what Jesus has to say about whether we are or can be “pure” and “good.”
What is "tradition," and when is tradition helpful and hurtful to our lives, our relationships, and our church? Why is it so hard to change our traditions? How can our traditions hold us back from following Jesus? This week we'll look at these questions as we study Mark 7:1-13.
How do we find ourselves like the disciples in Mark 6:45-52, rowing furiously against the wind and getting nowhere? Where is Jesus in these times, and what does He want to do in our lives?
This week's passage in Mark 6:30-44 gives us a clear picture of Jesus' compassionate heart towards those who are spiritually lost and hungry. We'll also see how Jesus uses us to minister to others when we're overwhelmed and have nothing to offer.
Last fall, our church family nominated five men who they believed fulfilled the biblical qualifications of eldership (Titus 1:5-9, 1 Timothy 3:1-7, 1 Peter 5:1-4). Today, we gather together to support them as they are ordained, and in turn they promise to shepherd and care for us.
While modern life does not have us encounter shepherds very often, it is still a powerful image of what our elders and pastors are called to do. They are called to oversee our physical and spiritual well being, they are to be examples of what it means to follow Jesus, and they are to help us stay on the correct path.
Pray for these men as they fulfill the calling God has placed on their lives.
In Mark 6:1-13, two different groups of people are given a great opportunity to follow Jesus. One group failed to take advantage of their opportunity, while the other group embraced it. Today we will take a look at what we can learn from these two groups to make sure we don't miss Jesus in our own lives.
What is 'desperate faith', and why does Jesus respond to it? We'll see this in Jesus' interactions with two very different people in Mark 5:21-43.
This week we look at Jesus' encounter with a man possessed with many demons in Mark 5:1-20. We'll see how we're up against supernatural powers that seek to defeat, deface, deform, and ultimately destroy life. Most significantly, we'll see the ultimate authority and supreme power Jesus has to rescue us from these powers.
This morning we'll see how Jesus teaches us that the opposite of faith is not doubt, but fear! What is fear? What is faith in the face of fear? We'll look at these questions in our study of Mark 4:35-41.
What is your responsibility in receiving the ‘seed’ of gospel truth? What is God’s responsibility in this? This morning we’ll look at how Jesus addresses this in two more parables involving seeds (Mark 4:26-34).
We in the Student Ministry have the opportunity every day to see in our students the potential and direction of the church. Many of these youth are inflamed with a love for God and a tender heart for their peers, and we frequently find ourselves learning from them as often as they learn from us. Today, our students have the opportunity to display the love of Christ to the larger church body, to you. In this period of our church’s transition, as we consider the future of the life of Central Church, to see the next generation take ownership--leading us in worship and prayer to the throne of God--is a beautiful sight.
Why is it that some people see the ‘Christ’ in
Christmas, while others don’t? In this sermon, Pastor Dan looks at what Jesus says about this in His parables of the lamp and the measures in Mark 4:21-25.
Christmas is a time of the year when many hear the good news of Jesus Christ who don't normally hear it. Why do some respond in faith while others do not? Why do some only seem to respond in faith, but later seem to "fall away"? In this sermon, Dan Werthman will look at what Jesus taught about this in Mark 4:1-20.
Why did Jesus teach in parables? What do we do with His parables? Why
doesn’t He just come out and teach plainly? Today we’ll look at these questions in Mark 4:1-12.
In Mark 3:31-34, we read about Jesus' family. His mother is well known but his brothers to a lesser degree. In our message today we will look into Jesus' family, both biological and spiritual, and delve into what Jesus meant when he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers."
As we continue our study in Mark, we see in 3:20-30 that Jesus had many critics. Some of his greatest critics were the Jewish religious leaders who accuse him of being possessed by Satan in this passage. In response to them, he gives important words of wisdom and warning that we can apply to our lives today.
This morning in Mark 3:7-19, we will see Jesus withdraw to the Sea of Galilee, followed by a large crowd from every corner of the region. Then, pulling aside his disciples, he names them apostles, marking a transition in their servanthood, as they move from "learner" to "messenger.
In this sermon, based out of Mark 3:1- 6, we look at what Jesus teaches us about the difference between being a rule-follower and a follower of the One who rules.
Today we look at the growing accusations that Jesus was a "Sabbath-breaker" in Mark 2:23-28. What is the Sabbath and what was its purpose? Are followers of Jesus today required to keep the Sabbath?
This week we look at Mark 2:18-22. What does Jesus tell us about Himself and His relationship with us through the images of the bridegroom, the unshrunk cloth, and the new wine?
Today is Missions Emphasis Sunday! This week is about learning of opportunities to serve and then actually taking advantage of those opportunities. In Luke 17, Jesus gives us a picture of a true servant. This passage gives us a great example of what a life of service looks like!
Last Sunday we saw Jesus claim the authority to forgive sins in Mark 2:1-12. Today in Mark 2:13-17 we look at who are the sinners that Jesus actually forgives.
This morning we are looking at Jesus through the lens of what we see of him healing a paralyzed man and reading the minds of the scribes in Mark 2:1-12.
This week we will continue our study in the Gospel of Mark. Through this study, our desire is to be re-awakened to the majesty of the person and work of Jesus! Just as those that encountered him in the gospel stories were amazed, we ought to be amazed by Jesus! In Mark 1:35-45, we will see Jesus praying, preaching and healing throughout all of Galilee, as he continues to proclaim the coming of the Kingdom of God.
What does it mean that Jesus is king? How was that demonstrated in how He taught, healed, and freed people from demonic possession? This week we’ll look at those questions and what they mean for us today in Mark 1:21-34.
The Gospel of Mark introduces two terms that are not commonly understood by your culture: "Gospel" and "Kingdom." We'll look today at what those mean in Mark 1:14-20 and what this means for our lives today.
Why was Jesus baptized? Why did he undergo the period of temptation in the desert? We'll continue to be "amazed by Jesus" as Pastor Dan looks at these questions in Mark 1:9-13.
When is the last time that you were amazed by Jesus? The Gospel of Mark gives account after account of people who were "amazed" by Jesus as they witnessed his ministry. In this sermon, Pastor Dan Werthman begins a new preaching series through the Gospel of Mark that could be called, "Amazed by Jesus." And we'll begin to answer the question: Where should that amazement lead us?
As we pursue Christ, the enemy is always working to rob us of our passion for the Lord. When he succeeds, it leaves us spiritually dry and ineffective. The way Isaac responds in a difficult situation in Genesis 26 gives us a great “spiritual blueprint” on how to “Re-Dig the Wells” of our life.
What do you treasure? How can that be seen in your life? In this sermon, Dan Werthman looks at Jesus' "Treasure Principle" in Matthew 6:19-21.
In this sermon, Pastor Dan Werthman finishes his demonstration of how to share the gospel with others.
As we prepare for the Backpack Outreach, we’ll continue our demonstration of presenting the gospel on a napkin.
We conclude our series on Reconciliation today with a look at the Parable of the Two Sons (Luke 15:11) and what Jesus teaches us there about genuine repentance.
In this sermon, we look at what the Apostle Paul taught us about this act of corporate worship in 1 Corinthians 11:17-34. Why is the Lord's Supper a corporate event rather than an individual act? Why is it important to "recognize the body" as we come to the Lord's Table?
Have you ever been overwhelmed by the difficulty of many of Jesus' commands to us? How can we obey Him when what He says often is contrary to what we're feeling? In this sermon, Pastor Dan Werthman looks at how Jesus addresses this question in Luke 17:3-10, with one of the Bible's most challenging commands.
A "trajectory" is the path, progression, or line of development that something follows over time. As you think about your life up to this point, what has been your spiritual trajectory?
This morning, we will explore the call to make disciples through the “Parable of the Talents.” As Jesus made disciples, he taught them to make other disciples. Discipleship was Jesus’ strategic plan for the spread of the Gospel to the ends of the earth. Through this parable, Jesus illustrates the great importance of obeying this call.
Today we continue in our June series on the profile of spiritual maturity that we look for in our spiritual leaders, especially our elders and pastors. This profile also reveals what Jesus calls all of us to grow in as we follow Him and cooperate with the Holy Spirit's work of sanctification. The biblical texts for this series are: 1 Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:5-9, 1 Peter 5:1-4, and Acts 20:17-35.
With this sermon, Dan Werthman begins a short series on the marks of spiritual maturity. We especially desire for our leaders to model these marks, and so this series applies directly to our process of selecting new elders, which begins this month. Dan will be explaining more about our elder selection process, and how you can participate as a member of Central Church.
This is the second message in an ongoing series this summer on growing a culture of peacemaking in our lives, relationships, families, and church. Pastor Dan Werthman's message looks at what Jesus teaches in Matthew 7:1-5 about where making peace begins.
Far too many of us as believers believe in a God that we do not trust. Today, Dr. Justin Mullins joins us as he teaches on what it means to have complete Trust in the Lord and how we work towards trusting God.
This is the first message in a series on growing a culture of peacemaking in our lives, relationships, families, and church. This message looks at what Jesus teaches in Luke 23:34 about where forgiveness begins. If you'd like to see this sermon's notes, please visit centralchurch.com/sermons, navigate to this message, and download the notes.
In Luke 10 Jesus sends out believers to every place he was about to go. Today, we will look at how He sent them and the results that came from their obedience. This is an important passage to learn from because Jesus is sending us out as well. As we enter into a season of sending people out, it is essential that we understand and act on the Mission of the Church that is laid out in Luke 10.
What does it mean to “judge” someone? Is it every appropriate to judge? This week we look at what God says about judging through the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 4:1-5.
This morning we will consider how God looks at Andrew Brunson’s situation as well as similar situations of other Christians who face persecution for their Christian faith.
Pastor Dan teaches from 1 Corinthians 3 and how it helps us think properly about Christian teachers.
Easter is the day we celebrate the hope we have in Jesus' resurrection. Through Jesus' resurrection we know that we also will partake in being resurrected.
What does it mean to be a “fleshly” or “carnal” Christian? This week we’ll look at what Paul teaches about this and how it impacts a church in 1 Corinthians 3:1-4.
Dan Werthman teaches from 1 Corinthians 2:6-16 to see what the difference between a “natural person” and a “spiritual person” is, and why this makes a difference in our relationships.
In the midst of chaos and on the way to the cross, Jesus prayed for his disciples: ‘That they may be one.’ And the book of Acts presents us with a perfect picture of Christian unity. In this message, John Andrew will examine the nature of unity within the body of believers.
As we continue in 1st Corinthians we see differences between the wisdom of God and what the world values.
A house divided cannot stand. Neither can a church. In this sermon, Pastor Dan looks at 1 Corinthians 1:10 to see how divisions start in the church, and how to overcome them.
You’ve probably heard the expression that “relationships are messy.” When we bring the messiness of relationships and the reality of our sin nature into the community of the church, it’s no wonder that church is often “messy.” But the Bible points us beyond the messiness of the church to see its beauty. We begin to see how today in 1 Corinthians 1:1-9.
What is baptism? Why do we believe that it is so important? Today, Dan Werthman teaches on the importance of baptism.
When you reflect on who Jesus is, how often do you think about Him as King? Luke Jackson leads us through what God’s Word says about His Kingship.
A pastor once told the story of a little boy who had a pack of Smarties candy. Upon the pastor expressing his love for Smarties, the boy made sure to always share the first piece of candy with the pastor whenever the boy received a new pack. In our lives, it's an amazing example of how we should be generous with God's blessings.
As Christians, our lives are watched. How we treat others is a huge part of our testimony. Dr. Ernie Frey shares about the privilege we have of forgiving those who have wronged us.
Resolutions are difficult to follow through with, especially when it comes to our spiritual health. As 2018 begins, Pastor Dan encourages us to stay strong to our commitment to read the Bible and lists some of his favorite Bible reading plans.
On Christmas Eve, we did the final sermon in our “Gospel In The Carols” series, looking at the Christmas Carols that draw deeply from the Bible to magnify the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This week we look at the Biblical roots and Gospel focus of “Silent Night."
In this sermon, we will hear about the most amazing announcement in all of history. Gabriel told Mary that her baby boy would be the Son of God and King of Israel. This Christmas season let us celebrate Jesus as God’s Son and our King!
Bethlehem was not an important town 2000 years ago. It was not a center of culture or commerce; but it was foretold to be the birthplace of one who would rule over Israel. This week, Dan Werthman looks at the Christmas carol "O Little Town of Bethlehem".
Did you know the comma in the carol "Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen" matters? As part of our "The Gospel in the Carols" teaching series, Pastor Dan expounds on the message in this classic carol.
We all love Christmas carols, and the best Christmas carols are really Christian hymns that draw deeply from the Bible and magnify aspects of the Christmas story to share the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This week we look at the Biblical roots and the Gospel focus of O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.
Pastor Dave shares his last message at Central Church as he follows God's calling to Texas. This message reflects on Matthew 5 and the importance of loving others.
Pastor Dan closes our series on Nehemiah this morning looking at the subject of ‘spiritual relapses’ in chapter 13.
We continue to look at what 'revival' is, and what it could look like in our lives, our relationships, and our church. This week in Nehemiah 10 we will look at how revival leads to recommitment.
In Nehemiah 9 we see God stirring His people for revival. What is revival, and what would it look like in your life, your relationships, and our church? What role does confession play in revival?
The basic litmus test for Christians is whether or not we have spread out and made disciples of all people. Not just people across the ocean, but the people in our neighborhood and jobs. Luke Jackson talks about where, how, why God inspires us to go.
In Nehemiah 8, we see how God prepares His people for revival by increasing our hunger for His Word.
How do we think about evil and tragedy? This morning we look at what Jesus had to say about the problem of evil and suffering.
In Nehemiah 6 we look at the most common threats we face when we begin to rebuild our spiritual lives, our relationships, and our church. Nehemiah shows us how to respond to those threats and points us to Jesus Christ.
Do you feel guilty for being wealthy or would you feel guilty if you were wealthy? We see in Nehemiah how wealth was used to both further rebuilding the wall and to hinder the rebuilding of the wall.
By taking communion, Christians join together in remembrance of Jesus Christ's sacrifice for us. In this service, Pastor Dan looks at the importance of communion and we celebrate this church tradition.
This week in Romans 3 we will see how God initiates salvation for mankind. We will answer the age old question, "How can a person be right with God?"
In Nehemiah chapter 4 we look at the opposition to rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem. We learn from Nehemiah how we can face and respond to opposition we encounter as we try to build a closer walk with Christ, a strong marriage, a loving family, good friendships, and a healthy church.
Nehemiah 3 can be a little intimidating at first glance. Over thirty verses of names and lists. Dan Werthman looks at the people involved in rebuilding Jerusalem's wall, and how all of them were bought into something greater than themselves. As a church, how can we look past our preferences and look to build God's kingdom?
How do we deal with people who seem to be obstacles to rebuilding our personal lives, marriages, families, friendships, and church? This week in Nehemiah 2:9-20 we’ll continue to look at how God works in the hearts of people as we move into the future.
How do we deal with people who seem to be obstacles to rebuilding our personal lives, marriages, families, friendships, and church? This week in Nehemiah 2:1-8 we’ll look at how God works in the hearts of people as we pray.
Where does the vision to rebuild come from? In the second half of Nehemiah 1, we see an extremely desperate Nehemiah call out to God. Through his desperation, we see that Nehemiah seeks God's forgiveness.
Dan Werthman begins a new teaching series on the book of Nehemiah. In our lives and in our church we often feel as if there can be no recovery from a destructive past. However, Nehemiah shows us that as long as we follow God's will, we can recover - no matter how destructive our past may have been.
In John 2 we see the first miracle that Jesus performed - turning water into wine. When Mary saw that there was no more wine at the wedding she was attending, a seriously embarrassing situation for the host of the celebration, she told the servants to do whatever Jesus told them. In our lives, we should follow the example Mary set when encountered with a problem. Invite Jesus into your life and do whatever He tells you.
When you look at the news you often hear all the bad things happening. Did you know that every day thousands upon thousands are hearing the gospel and accepting Christ as their Savior. While times may seem bleak, Jesus tells us that the gates of hell will not prevail against a unified Church.
We often wrap our identity in our jobs, possessions, family, or any other number of things. While there is no problem associating yourself with any of these things, they do not define us. Galatians tells us that we are all "one in Christ Jesus."
In today’s world, there is a lot of knowledge and “worldly wisdom” influencing our lives. However, what we truly need to live a life that glorifies Christ is the Wisdom of God. In this sermon, Luke Jackson looks at James 1:5-8 and teaches how to access God’s Wisdom for our lives.
When the Israelites were wandering the desert, all of their needs were taken care of by God. Sometimes in our wanderings, we can forget that true meaning and true life come from only one place -- God.
Honor your Father and Mother, so that it might go well for you. Today's guest speaker Woody Woodard talks about one of the most famous ten commandments of all time.
In Roman times, victorious commanders were allowed to triumphantly march their soldiers through the city as a way to honor their armies and as a display of military might. In 2 Corinithians, Paul reminds us that as followers of Christ, we are a part of God's triumphant procession.
40 days after Easter, the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples. In this sermon, David Olford discusses what it means to have the Holy Spirit.
In this series, we have been challenged by God's word to WALK like Jesus in order to avoid going in the wrong direction, to make sure LOVE is our way of life, and to OVERCOME this world by God's power. In this message from 1 John 2:18-27, we will learn how God has instructed followers of Christ to remain in HIm.
There is no doubt that we live in a crazy world! But we must not lose heart - the Good News is that Jesus has overcome the world. This truth means that we too can overcome. In this message from 1 John 2:12-17, we will learn how we can overcome this world, through the power of God.
The Bible tells us over and over again that we are loved by God. Guest speaker Greg Speck teaches from Zephaniah 3:17 and talks about the love that God has for us.
This sermon begins our new teaching series, This Way, a 4 week study of 1 John 2. Pastor David LeBlanc looks at verses 1 John 2:1-6 and teaches about the importance of walking the way that Jesus walked.
There is no place, person, power, or situation that God can not use. Dr. Sandy Willson joins us this week to teach about the demon possessed man from Mark 5. What seems to be a hopeless situation to us, Jesus uses to fulfill God's mission.
Jesus death, burial, and resurrection is the most important event in all Christianity. David LeBlanc teaches on what Jesus' resurrection reveals to us.
We were never guaranteed easy lives, particularly as followers of Christ. However, we follow a God who leads us through the storms of our lives. Dr. Sandy Willson speaks on Mark 4, where the disciples feared for their lives as a storm raged through the Sea of Galilee.
Our actions and attitude are often a reflection of what we place importance on. Dr. Ernie Frey shows us what a person and a church captivated by Christ looks like.
Dr. Sandy Willson teaches about how Jesus calls us to Himself. We are called by name to follow Him.
Communion is a shared experience, where we are invited to sit at the table with God. Dr. David Olford explains why communion is important for Christ followers and how it brings us closer to God.
It's always important that we keep the main thing, the main thing. However, focusing on Christ can often be difficult when so many decisions, stressors, and activities lie ahead of us.
Pastor Rick shares his story of God's grace in his life, and how God has led him through 23 years of ministry.
Greg Speck finishes out Encounter Weekend, our student conference, with a reminder to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with God.