Central Christian Church

Relational conflicts reveal our own sinful cravings. (James 4:1-2)

We can trust God because He trusts us! Most of us never go out to our gatherings with the intent to share the gospel of Christ. And yet it's the one thing Jesus commissioned every single one of his followers to do. (Matt. 28:16-20; 1 Peter 3:13-15; 1)

Ability becomes a liability when we trust in the ability instead of trusting in God. (Exodus 2-4; Acts 2:22; Rom. 8:37; 2 Cor. 12:9-10)

How do we foster practical, spiritual discipleship and change in our own lives? 7 observations gained by observing medical training given to a family undergoing major changes. 1 Cor 12:25-27; James 1:22 & 25; Mark 8:34-35; Heb 12:5-11; Matt 28:19-20

Worship is more than just getting goose bumps. It is about knowing God, discovering His will for your life, and living it out everyday. (Isaiah 6)

You reap what you sow. We may be saved by grace but can still reap the consequences of sin. By applying Godly wisdom Christ can clean up our lives. (Galatians 6:7-9 & Prov. 17:10)

Modeling the life of Christ means living in harmony by being compassionate and forgiving. Eph 4:29-32, Phil 2:4-6 and Col 3:11-16.

Satan's goal is to convince us that God doesn't have our best interest at heart.

Wisdom; according to Solomon it is the most valuable thing a man can possess. Where does it come from? How do we get it? And where does it reside?

These two men can be seen in terms of a comparison, a contrast, leading us to a clear conclusion. The only time you would discover there was a difference between these two men and the lives, homes, or ministries they erected was during the storm. Only the storm reveals the nature of your founda tion. If your foundation is sure, then it will be the application, and not merely the information, of divine truth that will hold you steady. (Matthew 7:24-27)

Informed Christians have nothing to fear from The Da Vinci Code’s many bogus and easily refutable claims. Rather, we should regard its popularity as an opportunity to study our Faith and proclaim it to others. So listen well, love much and be ready to lead them to the true Jesus. Only He can satisfy their longing and unlock the real Code to life’s meaning. (Matthew 16:13-18; Psalm 11:3-4)

Are family bloodlines thicker than baptismal water? Does obedience to Jesus supersede all other relationships? If the church takes seriously Jesus’ ideal of what the family is, one of its tasks is to create and nurture families that make a place for all those who want a relationship with God as Father and with one another. Mark 3:24, 32-35

Hank looks at “the Five Levels of Communication” so we can evaluate the level of our relationships, and the uniqueness of friendship as described by C. S. Lewis, to help us see the wonder of the fact that we can say, “I am a friend of God.” Jesus chose us and calls us “friend.” John 15:12-17; 21:15-17

“If there were a lifeboat adrift at sea, and in the lifeboat were a male lawyer, a female doctor, a crippled child, a stay-at-home mom, and a garbage man, and one person had to be thrown overboard to save the others, which person would you choose?” Without God we are, by default, in the lifeboat. An understanding of Christianity as an identity in the lifeboat by which we compare ourselves to others is entirely inappropriate. The faith is larger than the lifeboat. You might say the faith is outside of it. Jesus would indicate the greatest thing you and I can do to display we know Him is to love our brothers and sisters unconditionally, to love our neighbors as ourselves, and to love our enemies.

Joy is like a muscle, and the more you exercise it, the stronger it grows. Though we face “trials of many kinds,” still they have in common that all may be counted as pure joy. (James 1:2-4)

It was in the toughest acts of faith that these men and women came the closest to God and found life's deepest meaning. It was not the provision of comfort or happiness that led them to a deeper knowledge of God - it was often the lack of it.

God's will is done in the little things of life, daily and locally. God commands us to do his will in ordinary circumstances, which is the setting where most of life is lived anyway. Matt. 13:1-12; 25:14-29

Do you know how to forgive others? Are you as generous in spirit towards others as God has been towards you? Matthew 18:21-25

Show we the register of your checkbook and you’ve shown me what matters most. Show me your appointment book and you’ve shown me who matters most. Relationships grow in proportion to the amount of time you spend on them. Mark 3:7-19

Dealing with failure - There are no blowouts in the Christian life, only slow leaks. In a nutshell: Be unwilling to be stopped by your failures and be willing to learn from them. Mark 14:26-42; John 21; 2 Cor. 7-10