In this episode of the Central Church Podcast, Pastor Tony reflects on Matthew chapter 6, focusing on the power of prayer and the Lord's Prayer as a way to connect with God as a loving Father. He shares personal stories and emphasizes the importance of intentionality in our prayer lives.Chapters:00:00 - Introduction05:30 - God as a loving Father12:45 - Childhood memories18:00 - Complexities of prayer25:10 - Intentional prayer32:15 - The Lord's Prayer39:30 - Regular prayer practice45:00 - Prayer plan steps55:20 - Closing prayerFor more information and resources, visit centralchurch.cc or email hello@centralchurch.cc. See you next Sunday!
In this episode of the Central Church Podcast, Pastor Chris discusses the theme of love during Advent, highlighting its true nature as an action rooted in sacrifice and presence from the Gospel of John. He shares insights on the Christmas narrative and the importance of waiting this season.
Chapters
00:00 - Introduction to Love in the Advent Season
12:34 - The Significance of Waiting in Advent
20:17 - True Love: Sacrificial and Present
For more info, visit centralchurch.cc or email hello@centralchurch.cc.
In this episode of the Central Church Podcast, Pastor Tony discusses John 1:14, emphasizing Jesus as the source of true joy in darkness. He explores the importance of recognizing pain to embrace joy and encourages listeners to turn to God during difficult times. The episode concludes with a communion exercise to exchange burdens for the joy of Christ.
Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction to Joy in Sorrow
15:45 - The Nature of Light and Life
30:12 - Choosing Joy Amid Circumstances
45:00 - Turning to God in Pain
58:20 - Communion and Reflection
For more about our church, visit centralchurch.cc or contact us at hello@centralchurch.cc.
In this episode of the Central Church Podcast, Pastor Hannah discusses the theme of 'peace' during Advent, drawing from Mary's journey to motherhood amidst chaos. She emphasizes that true peace comes from the presence of Jesus, even in turmoil.
Chapters
00:00 - Introduction
02:45 - Advent Theme
10:30 - Holiday Chaos
17:15 - Relating to Mary
23:50 - The Prince of Peace
29:12 - Peace as a Gift
35:10 - Our Identity in Christ
48:00 - Closing Thoughts
For more details, visit centralchurch.cc or email hello@centralchurch.cc.
In this episode of the Central Church Podcast, Pastor Chris explores the annunciation of Jesus' birth to Mary in the Gospel of Luke. He discusses hope and transformation, encouraging listeners to reflect on their own expectations during Advent.
Chapters
00:07 - Introduction
02:15 - The Announcement to Mary
15:45 - Darkness to Light
22:30 - Reflections on Hope
38:50 - Closing Thoughts
For more information, visit centralchurch.cc or email hello@centralchurch.cc. We hope to see you next Sunday!
In this episode of the Central Church Podcast, Pastor Chris concludes the series on James, focusing on the question, "What are you counting on?" He contrasts self-serving religion with transformative faith, urging us to reflect on our reliance on material wealth versus God’s promises.
Chris highlights the role of community and prayer during hardships, inviting genuine faith and introspection.
Chapters
00:01 - Series recap
07:45 - Faith vs. self-serving religion
15:32 - Dangers of material reliance
22:18 - Hope in the Lord's return
30:01 - Prayer in suffering
37:15 - Final reflections
For more information, visit centralchurch.cc or email hello@centralchurch.cc. Join us next Sunday for more insights.
In this episode of the Central Church Podcast, Pastor Hannah examines James chapter 4, focusing on how internal conflict and pride disrupt our relationships. She challenges listeners to recognize the roots of their disputes in selfish desires and emphasizes the importance of humility and a genuine relationship with God.
Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction to Conflict and Desire
10:15 - The Role of Pride
24:45 - Spiritual Infidelity
33:20 - God’s Grace
45:00 - Drawing Near to God
54:30 - Closing Thoughts
For more information, visit centralchurch.cc or email hello@centralchurch.cc. Join us next Sunday!
In this episode of the Central Church Podcast, Pastor Chris kicks off a new series on the book of James, emphasizing its relevance to modern challenges. He encourages us to see trials as growth opportunities and discusses the importance of being “quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger.”
The episode also contrasts genuine faith with transactional religion and highlights the call to care for the vulnerable. Join us as we reflect on embodying active compassion in our lives.
Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction to the Book of James
15:12 - Embracing Trials for Growth
30:00 - Quick to Listen, Slow to Speak, Slow to Anger
39:12 - The Call to Transformative Faith
For more information, visit us at centralchurch.cc or email hello@centralchurch.cc.
In this week's episode of the Central Church Podcast, Pastor Hannah discusses Matthew 5:13-16, focusing on our identity as the "salt of the earth" and "light of the world." She shares a touching story about her daughter, Thea, to illustrate our call to shine Jesus’ love.
Chapters:
00:00 - Our Identity in Christ
05:30 - The Importance of Light
15:45 - Jesus’ Command to Love
22:10 - The Life of St. Therese
30:00 - Love as a Disciple's Mark
45:00 - Conclusion and Prayer Invitation
For more info, visit centralchurch.cc or email hello@centralchurch.cc. See you next Sunday!
In this episode of the Central Church Podcast, we explore Matthew 5, where Jesus refers to us as the "salt of the earth" and the "light of the world." Pastor Chris highlights the significance of every profession and encourages us to express our faith through our work.
Chapters:
00:07 - Introduction and Scripture Reading
23:45 - The Importance of Every Profession
29:52 - Work as Worship
35:28 - Reflection and Prayer
Chris shares personal insights, inviting listeners to consider how they can bring light to their workplaces.
For more, visit centralchurch.cc or email hello@centralchurch.cc. Join us next week as we continue our journey of faith in everyday life.
In this episode of the Central Church Podcast, Pastor Tony discusses "Salt and Light" from Matthew 5:13-16, highlighting believers' role in reflecting God's love and grace in their communities. He emphasizes the importance of being salt and light in everyday life and concludes with a call to communion.
Chapters
00:07 - Introduction to Salt and Light
15:32 - Misconceptions About God
29:12 - The Metaphor of Salt
41:18 - Embracing Our Purpose
55:55 - The Metaphor of Light
1:05:50 - Culmination with Communion
For more, visit centralchurch.cc or email hello@centralchurch.cc. Join us next time!
In this episode of the Central Church Podcast, Hannah explores the Beatitudes in Matthew 5, emphasizing the call to be peacemakers.
Chapters
00:00 - Introduction
05:45 - Meaning of "Makarios"
10:22 - Biblical Peace
18:15 - Peacemaking Call
25:30 - Practical Steps
33:50 - Oscar Romero
42:10 - Christ-Centered Peacemaking
50:55 - Communion
Learn more at centralchurch.cc or connect at hello@centralchurch.cc.
In this episode of the Central Church Podcast, Pastor Chris reflects on Matthew 5:1-12, focusing on “Blessed are the pure in heart.” He emphasizes the need for a heart devoted to God amidst competing desires and distractions, and encouraging self-examination of our true longings for God and ends with a prayer for renewal.Chapters00:00 - Introduction05:15 - Personal Reflections10:40 - Understanding Purity22:50 - Competing Desires34:15 - Approaching God50:30 - Closing PrayerFor more, visit centralchurch.cc or email hello@centralchurch.cc.
In this episode of the Central Church Podcast, Pastor Chris reflects on Matthew 5:7—“Blessed are the merciful.” He shares a personal story about mercy, explains the Greek word "Elios," and highlights the importance of experiencing God's love to extend mercy to others.
Chapters
00:00 - Introduction & Personal Story
12:34 - Understanding "Elios"
26:10 - Experiencing Mercy
38:45 - Barriers to Mercy
50:32 - Giving and Receiving Mercy
1:02:10 - Prayer and Reflection
In this week’s episode of the Central Church Podcast, “Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness,” Pastor Tony unpacks the fourth beatitude (Matthew 5:6), showing how Jesus redefines righteousness—not as religious duty, but as genuine relationships and justice for the marginalized.
Chapters
00:07 - Introduction to the beatitudes
15:23 - Righteousness vs. God’s justice
25:12 - Insights from Isaiah 58
36:54 - Righteousness in our lives
Tony encourages listeners to seek true satisfaction through spiritual hunger and by engaging in community care.
For more, visit centralchurch.cc or email hello@centralchurch.cc.
In this episode of the Central Church Podcast, Pastor Hannah discusses the beatitude "Blessed are the meek" (Matthew 5:5). In it, she compares the values of the Kingdom that Jesus is introducing to the values we tend to live by in our everyday lives.
Chapters
00:07 - Introduction to the Beatitudes
10:15 - Competition vs. Cooperation
28:30 - Defining Meekness
35:00 - Meekness in Jesus’ Life
45:20 - Inheriting the Earth
52:15 - Communion and Closing Thoughts
For more about Central Church, visit centralchurch.cc or email hello@centralchurch.cc.
In this episode of the Central Church Podcast, Pastor Chris reflects on the Beatitude "Blessed are those who mourn." He encourages us that if we are experiencing grief, we can find comfort in God's presence through our pain, because he's right there suffering in some way along with us.Chapters00:07 - Introduction to the Beatitudes10:22 - The Meaning of Mourning20:45 - Cultural Responses to Grief35:12 - Future Hope and Present Promise50:22 - Personal Story: Drew’s Journey1:02:15 - Call to Action: Embracing CompassionFor more info, visit centralchurch.cc or email hello@centralchurch.cc.
In this episode, we begin "How to Be Blessed," focusing on the Beatitudes in Matthew 5. Pastor Chris discusses what Jesus means when He says: "Blessed are the poor in spirit," highlighting spiritual poverty and dependence on God, and teaching us to understand just how much we need Him.Chapters00:00 - Introduction05:00 - Reading Matthew 5:1-1210:45 - Meaning of "Poor in Spirit"19:12 - Personal Story40:16 - The Upside-Down Kingdom47:50 - Present Promise56:20 - Ending ChallengeFor more, visit centralchurch.cc or contact us at hello@centralchurch.cc. See you at church next week!
In this episode of the Central Church Podcast, we conclude the "Parables" series with Luke chapter 12. Pastor Chris explores a parable addressing greed and true value in life, urging us to prioritize our relationship with God over material possessions.
Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction
05:00 - Reading from Luke 12:13-21
15:30 - The Nature of Greed
25:40 - Recognizing God's Provisions
35:10 - Eternal Investments
For more about our church, visit centralchurch.cc or email hello@centralchurch.cc.
In this week's episode of the Central Church Podcast, Pastor Tony shares insights from the parables in Matthew, specifically focusing on the vineyard workers. He reflects on God's goodness amidst life's challenges and how the parable confronts our views on fairness and reward.
Chapters
00:10 - Introduction and personal story
15:22 - The parable of the vineyard workers
28:45 - Fairness vs. generosity in God’s kingdom
35:10 - Eternal life and grace
Tony emphasizes that eternal life is a gracious gift, encouraging listeners to rethink their notions of merit and embrace the abundance that Jesus offers.
For more resources and to connect, visit centralchurch.cc or email hello@centralchurch.cc.