Central Church NYC

Sorrow is a tricky emotion. Too often it feels like our options are to be completely overwhelmed by sorrow, or to shut it out completely. But in Jesus’ life, he showed us that there is a place for healthy sorrow, so long as it has the correct object and doesn’t lose sight of the truth. Listen to this sermon as we consider how fallenness justifies sorrow, but the hope of Christ has the last word.  ________ Sign up for Central’s newsletters here. Visit us on our website to learn more. Follow us on Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook.

Of all the emotions Jesus could have felt toward the sinful people around him, compassion makes the least sense. But time and time again in the Gospels, we see that Jesus looked upon those around him with compassion. He saw the needs of the people, and he was so moved in his gut that it spurred him on to action — even the ultimate action of giving his life on the cross. Listen to this sermon as we explore the implications of understanding the compassion of Christ.  ________ Sign up for Central’s newsletters here. Visit us on our website to learn more. Follow us on Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook.

A Service of Witness to The Resurrection

Lament is rooted in longing. We all know what it feels like to have deep longings go unfulfilled, but Jesus knew what it felt like too. In his life, he longed for Jerusalem to receive him as King, and every day now, he longs to be in relationship with us. His lament over our sin drove him to the cross; this Lent, we have the opportunity to let our lament over our sin drive us to him. Watch this sermon as Rev. Andrew Smith considers how Jesus exemplifies holy lament. ________ Sign up for Central’s newsletters here. Visit us on our website to learn more. Follow us on Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook.

What difference does anything in this life make if we’re all just going to die? Is there really any meaning to life? These are the questions Ecclesiastes asks, but they are also the questions that in the end Ecclesiastes finally does answer. So does that meaning exist, and if so, where do we find it? Listen to this sermon as we examine the fear of the Lord as the joy-filled, life-changing sense of awe that provides meaning and fullness of life. ________ Sign up for Central’s newsletters here. Visit us on our website to learn more. Follow us on Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook.

The seemingly inescapable problem of death hangs over us all. No matter who we are, no matter how we live, the same thing is going to happen to all of us in the end. So of what value is anything in this life? Listen to this sermon as we consider how Jesus’ act of going to the cross opens up a way, through death, for us to find true value and enjoyment in life. ________ Sign up for Central’s newsletters here. Visit us on our website to learn more. Follow us on Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook.

The Bible never tells us we shouldn’t have wealth. The Bible never even tells us we shouldn't enjoy wealth. But in Ecclesiastes (among other places), the Bible does tell us we shouldn’t love wealth. Because wealth offers all kinds of problems, and in the end wealth offers us a false promise. Thankfully, the Bible also offers an antidote to the problems of wealth. Listen to this sermon as guest preacher Rev. Dr. Scott Redd explores how earthly wealth pales in comparison to the wealth of Jesus that truly satisfies. ________ Sign up for Central’s newsletters here. Visit us on our website to learn more. Follow us on Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook.

Whether you profess faith in God or not, suffering is a challenge. It’s a challenge to endure, and it’s a challenge to watch other people endure. The problem of suffering — and of the justice that often seems so elusive — was a challenge for the author of Ecclesiastes as well. But this problem isn’t without answer. Listen to this sermon as we consider the ultimate resolution to suffering and injustice.

Central Church hosted its second annual Vision Night to remember our past, celebrate our present, and anticipate our future.

It may be identity, it may be security, it may be celebrity, or it may be one of any number of other enticing outcomes. Everyone looks to achievement to meet a deep need. But all of those attempts will fail because we're asking our achievements to provide something for us that they never can. Listen to this sermon as we consider how success will only satisfy when viewed in light of the one ultimate, final, promised achievement. ________ Sign up for Central’s newsletters here. Visit us on our website to learn more. Follow us on Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook.