Central Church Sermons

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’ inChristmas, 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? Whydoesn’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.