Central Church NYC

The Christian life requires something of us. We do have to invest time, energy, and effort into living according to God’s Word. But in the end, even when we are faithless, he is faithful. Even when we fail, his promises remain true. Listen to this sermon as we consider how the gospel and only the gospel ignites our worship, so that we might find our deepest joy and delight in Jesus.  ________ Sign up for Central’s newsletters here. Visit us on our website to learn more. Follow us on Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook.

Just like the Church today, the New Testament Church was made up of sinful people who couldn’t escape conflict and controversy. The apostle Paul sought to address these issues, but he also didn’t write the Church off as a lost cause because of them. Listen to this sermon as we consider how Paul’s encouragement for the early Church to multiply their ministry can be applied to us today.  ________ Sign up for Central’s newsletters here. Visit us on our website to learn more. Follow us on Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook.

The biblical concept of the day of the Lord — Jesus’ second coming — is defined by judgment, justice, and even wrath. And on top of that, we are told no one knows the hour or the day it will happen. So how is there any hope in that? The hope lies in the reality that God’s judgment, justice, and wrath are in opposition to sin, evil, and injustice — against which God has already issued the ultimate blow. Listen to this sermon as we consider the encouragement that comes from anticipating God’s promised consummation of his Kingdom.  ________ Sign up for Central’s newsletters here. Visit us on our website to learn more. Follow us on Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook.

Even for Christians, death is a difficult subject. But for those who have no hope beyond this life, facing death personally or through the loss of a loved one can feel devastating and even crippling. Which is why it was so challenging for the new believers in Thessalonica to shift their perspective on death. Listen to this sermon as we hear how the apostle Paul instructs the early Church believers — and us — to take heart in the hope of the resurrection.  ________ Sign up for Central’s newsletters here. Visit us on our website to learn more. Follow us on Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook.

When the early Church embraced the gospel and the good news that Jesus would one day come again to bring redemption to the world, they struggled to see why their work on earth mattered. In the apostle Paul’s addressing of their questions, he helps us see that there is inherent dignity in our work, and also that the way in which we work can be a means of giving glory to God. Listen to this sermon as we consider how the gospel inspires our work. _______ Sign up for Central’s newsletters here. Visit us on our website to learn more. Follow us on Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook.

The early Church believers in Thessalonica wrestled with many of the same questions we ask God today, so when they faced confusion over how to honor God with their bodies, Paul’s instruction to them delivers truth to us as well. The biblical sexual ethic may have a restrictive, negative, and life-denying reputation, but it actually frees us unto a holiness already secured for us in Jesus. Listen to this sermon as we explore the life-giving effects of being wholly devoted to God. ________ Sign up for Central’s newsletters here. Visit us on our website to learn more. Follow us on Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook.

The book of 1 Thessalonians — and likewise many books of the New Testament — are actually letters, written by the apostle Paul to the early Church believers whom he loved with an inspirational love. In addition to instruction and guidance, we see in his words an outpouring of passionate care and concern worth embodying. Listen to this sermon as we consider the intense, exemplary love of Paul — and more importantly, the Good News out of which it was born. ________ Sign up for Central’s newsletters here. Visit us on our website to learn more. Follow us on Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook.

The history of God’s people is one of abundant blessing but not without exile, persecution, and hardship. At every point throughout the biblical narrative, God’s people have found themselves in need of comfort. And in those moments, the almighty, all powerful creator of the universe has gently embraced his children and held them in his loving arms with a comfort that believers even today can, in turn, extend to a world in need. Listen to this sermon as guest preacher N.T. Wright leads us in considering the depth and breadth of God’s comfort. ________ Sign up for Central’s newsletters here. Visit us on our website to learn more. Follow us on Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook.

“Mission” in the Christian context is commonly perceived as a unique and extreme calling for a select group of people. But in fact, all Christians are called to participate in God’s mission, and thankfully the Bible — and the life of Jesus — provides us with all the guidance we need to do it. Listen to this sermon as we consider the who, what, why, and how of God’s mission.  ________ Sign up for Central’s newsletters here. Visit us on our website to learn more. Follow us on Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook.

Faith can prove most challenging when we face circumstances that leave little rationale for hope. But in those instances, it is actually our faith itself that helps us to discern God’s activity, confront our doubts, and become more dependent upon him. Watch this sermon from guest preacher Rev. Michael Davis as we consider the many functions of faith — and the one who gives it to us. ________ Sign up for Central’s newsletters here. Visit us on our website to learn more. Follow us on Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook.