Central BCS - Sermons

This sermon teaches that 2 Chronicles 7:14 is first a call for God’s own people—not a nation—to experience revival through humble repentance, prayer, seeking God’s face, and turning from hidden, “respectable” sins so that their integrity matches their confession. It emphasizes that true cultural change begins with the church returning to God through Jesus, who perfectly fulfills the covenant and now reshapes our identity, integrity, and impact as we live as a faithful, repentant people in a broken world.

The sermon shows how the “boring” genealogies in 1 Chronicles actually trace God’s unbroken promise through deeply broken people, shattered hopes, and messy family stories, proving that He never abandons His covenant. It then points to Jesus as the true Son of David, Judah, and Jabez—the One who takes our pain and curse on Himself—so that God can restore our broken hearts and lives and bring us home into His family.

This sermon warns from 2 Kings 17 that Israel’s long pattern of idolatry and stubborn rebellion leads to exile, and it calls hearers to examine their own hearts for similar patterns of sin, vanity, and misplaced worship. It then urges families and generations to actively pursue God together—praying, repenting, and modeling a life of faithful discipleship so that children and grandchildren walk with the Lord rather than following the ways of the surrounding culture.

The sermon portrays idolatry as a powerful “gravitational pull” that draws our hearts away from God, using Elijah’s confrontation with the prophets of Baal in 1 Kings 18 to expose how we create, feed, and even “bleed” for our modern idols of power, control, comfort, and pleasure. It then calls believers to embrace their true identity in Christ by trusting God’s promises, depending on His power in prayer, and experiencing His manifest presence—ultimately pointing to Jesus as the one who takes the fire of God’s judgment in our place.

This Easter sermon traces the story of God’s presence from Eden to the temple to the cross, showing how Jesus becomes the true and final temple, sacrifice, and high priest who tears the veil and makes a way back into God’s presence. It calls hearers to stop trying to reach God by their own efforts and instead respond to the risen Christ in repentance and faith, receiving forgiveness, freedom from the curse of sin, and the hope of new life.

In this Palm Sunday sermon from Romans 10:13, Mitchell Johnson shows how the God who saves us also sends us, calling every believer—ordinary as we are—into His mission so that “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” He unpacks four practical rhythms—presence, prayer, pursuit, and proclamation—helping us see our everyday relationships as the very places God intends to use us to carry the gospel to others.

This sermon uses the calling of Samuel in 1 Samuel 3 to show that God gives His people a special mission in specific moments, shaping their mindset (faithful, available, teachable), their message, and their mission. It calls the congregation to respond to God’s voice with courageous, committed obedience—whether that means joining the Harvest Church plant, inviting others to Easter, or taking other steps of faith in everyday life.

This sermon shows how God meets people in the mess of their lives—like Ruth, Naomi, and modern believers—and uses those hardships as a mirror to reveal their hearts and as material for His redemptive work. It then points to Jesus as the greater kinsman redeemer, who is worthy, wealthy, and willing to redeem sinners and turn their mess into His message and mission.

This sermon shows how Judges 2 exposes the downward spiral of sin as Israel repeatedly forgets the Lord, tolerates idols, and cycles through rebellion, judgment, rescue, and relapse. It then points to Jesus as the greater, eternal Deliverer who alone can break this cycle by giving His people new hearts and saving them completely and forever.

This sermon explores Joshua 5–6 to show how God’s command to destroy Jericho confronts our sin, preserves the line of the Messiah, and previews God’s final judgment, while highlighting His justice, patience, and faithfulness. It calls listeners to respond like Rahab rather than Jericho’s rebels—surrendering to Jesus, waging war against personal sin, and urgently sharing the gospel with others.

This sermon teaches that Deuteronomy 6 shows how loving God with all our heart, soul, and might is the central “key to the test” that shapes every part of life, especially in how we trust and obey Him amid both abundance and adversity. It then points to Jesus as the only one who perfectly fulfills this command, whose obedience, death, and resurrection provide the righteousness and rescue we cannot achieve on our own, inviting us to respond by trusting Him and ordering our lives around love for God.

This sermon explains how God fights for His people in their faithful obedience and against them in their sinful rebellion, using the story of the bronze serpent in Numbers 21 to reveal the deadly “poison” of sin in the human heart. It then shows how this points to Jesus being lifted up on the cross as the true and greater source of healing and eternal life for all who look to Him in faith.

Pastor Phillip explains that God’s law in Leviticus 19 functions as a map, mirror, and model—it shows God’s holy destination, exposes our sin, and outlines how His set-apart people are to live. He shows that the law ultimately points to Jesus Christ, who fulfills it on our behalf, freeing us to live in holiness and love for God and neighbor rather than trying to earn God’s favor by our own efforts.

This sermon shows how the Day of Atonement in Leviticus 16 answers the question, “How can sinful people live in the presence of a holy God?”. It explains that every part of that day points to Jesus as our great High Priest and final sacrifice, who takes away our sin and restores us to God.

Pastor Phillip preaches from Exodus 14, showing how God delivers His people from fear and slavery through a mediator, a miracle, and His own sovereign fight on their behalf. He connects the Exodus to the gospel of Jesus, calling believers to trust God’s grace by faith, confront their deepest fears and idols, and live as a people freed to engage in the spiritual battle for God’s kingdom.

This sermon explores the significance of the blood of the Lamb, drawing powerful parallels between the first Passover in Exodus 12 and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The congregation is invited to embrace the freedom, salvation, and hope offered through Christ's sacrifice, and to celebrate how God's faithfulness continues from the Old Testament to today.

In this sermon, Pastor Phillip continues our Year in The Bible series by exploring how the shape and sign of God's covenant with Abraham reveals God's vision for our lives.

This sermon explores the human struggle with sin as described in Genesis 3, highlighting the ongoing cycle of doubt, deception, disobedience, and the resulting curse in our lives. Pastor Phillip encourages listeners to find lasting victory not through their own effort, but by embracing the hope and cure for sin found in Jesus Christ.

This sermon emphasizes that true faith is built on obedience to God’s Word, not merely hearing it. The congregation is called to actively live out their faith by serving others, sharing the gospel, and letting God’s Word transform their lives.

In this sermon, Tim Skaggs reminds the congregation that Jesus is the Great Shepherd who lovingly walks with His people through every season of life, including death, faithfully providing, protecting, and guiding them. He emphasizes that trusting in Jesus brings assurance, peace, and the promise of dwelling with God forever.

This sermon teaches that true and lasting joy is found not in fleeting worldly pleasures but in trusting God as our ultimate refuge, as shown in Psalm 16. Through the resurrection of Jesus, we are invited to experience the fullness of joy both now and in the life to come.

In this sermon, the congregation is invited to experience the hope and peace of Advent by recognizing Jesus as the greater King, perfect Priest, and victorious Warrior foretold in Psalm 110. True peace can always be found in Jesus.

This sermon proclaims that true hope is found not in our circumstances, but in the unshakable reign of Jesus, God’s anointed King, as revealed in Psalm 2. Listeners are invited to take refuge in Christ this Advent season, trusting in His mercy and sovereign rule over every aspect of life.

In this sermon, Nathan confronts King David with his hidden sin, leading David to conviction, confession, and repentance before God. The message emphasizes that while sin brings consequences, God offers mercy and restoration to those who genuinely turn back to Him.

Pastor Phillip Bethancourt challenges listeners to consider how King David's failure in 2 Samuel 11 reveals that everyone faces choices between committing and crucifying sin, controlling or confessing it, and covering or confronting it. He encourages the congregation to find hope and forgiveness in Jesus, who comes for broken sinners and offers the true path to freedom.

This sermon explores how David’s unexpected kindness to Mephibosheth illustrates God’s profound acceptance and adoption of us through Jesus Christ. It demonstrates that, no matter our condition, God approaches us with steadfast love and invites us to a place at His table.

This sermon explores King David's pursuit of God's presence by bringing the ark back to Jerusalem and highlights the need to follow God's design with reverence and awe. It draws a parallel between David's experience and the Christian invitation to seek God's presence through Jesus, experiencing his joy, grace, and transformative power.

In this sermon, Daniel Patterson explains how God’s covenant promise to David in 2 Samuel 7—of a perpetual dynasty, kingdom, and throne—is fulfilled through Jesus and extends to all believers as members of God’s true house. He urges the audience to find hope and purpose in becoming God’s spiritual dwelling, assuring them that His promises are actively at work in their lives.

In this sermon, the congregation is encouraged to trust God's purpose, presence, and plan during troubling times, just as David does when he spares Saul in the cave. The message highlights that true forgiveness and faith are possible when we rely on God's strength and example, ultimately pointing to the forgiveness offered in Christ.

This sermon explores how, when life caves in, we face the choice to depend on ourselves or trust in God’s provision, protection, and plan, as seen in the story of David. It emphasizes that God meets us in our lowest moments, ultimately pointing to Jesus as the faithful provider and deliverer for all who turn to Him.

This sermon emphasizes that God strengthens us through faithful friendships, as seen in the relationship between David and Jonathan, and sustains us even when we face toxic people like Saul. It encourages us to seek deep, Christ-centered relationships and to remember that Jesus offers us ultimate friendship and grace.

This sermon teaches that overcoming fear is not about finding greater courage within ourselves, but about trusting in Jesus, the greater champion who fights on our behalf. By looking to Christ’s victory, we are empowered to face life’s challenges with faith rather than fear.

In this sermon, Pastor Phillip explains how God often works in unexpected moments and chooses unlikely people, like David, to fulfill His unstoppable mission. The message points to Jesus as the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promise, inviting all to trust Him for hope and transformation.

In this sermon, Dr. Shane Mikeska urges believers to boldly proclaim the gospel in a culture filled with idols and spiritual indifference, following Paul’s example in Athens. He emphasizes the importance of contextualizing the message, patiently engaging with others, and calling people to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.

This sermon celebrates Central Church’s 100th anniversary by calling the congregation to make Jesus their focus and foundation, reflecting on God’s faithfulness through the generations. It challenges members to renew their commitment to Christ and the church’s mission as they step into the next century.

Drawing from Acts 5 and the church’s own history, this sermon urges believers to go, stand, and speak for the gospel, engaging in missions both locally and globally.

This sermon calls the church to embody humble service and radical generosity, following the example of the early church in Acts 4 by uniting in purpose and giving sacrificially for the sake of the gospel.

This sermon calls the church to grow as deep disciples by devoting themselves to learning and as an authentic family by living in genuine community, care, and commitment.

Week 1 of "The Central Wheel" series. This sermon emphasizes that the church gathers as committed worshipers and grows as eager apprentices of Jesus, rooted in the gospel and empowered by the Holy Spirit.

This sermon emphasizes that true faith is not about performing religious acts, but about surrendering to Christ, building one's life on His teachings, and experiencing a transformative relationship with Him.

In this sermon, Patrick McGinty explains that Jesus calls believers to walk the narrow path of discipleship, marked by humility, discernment, and dependence on God, rather than choosing the wide and easy road that leads to destruction.

This sermon explores Jesus' teachings on overcoming anxiety by rethinking fears, remembering God's provision, and reshaping focus on His kingdom. It encourages believers to trust in God's care, seek His righteousness first, and find peace by shifting perspective from personal worries to divine provision.

Jesus teaches that how we handle money reveals our heart and impacts our eternal joy. In this sermon, Executive Pastor Daniel Patterson calls believers to be generous, viewing giving as an investment in heavenly rewards rather than earthly wealth.

In this sermon, Director of Groups and Engagement Cash Fields explores the spiritual discipline of fasting, explaining it as a way to focus entirely on God by abstaining from food and redirecting one's hunger and attention to spiritual needs.

In this sermon, Pastor Phillip explores the Lord's Prayer, teaching that prayer is the path to experiencing the good life through authentic, urgent, and specific communication with God.

In this sermon, Associate Pastor of Congregational Care, Tim Skaggs, emphasizes that true righteousness involves doing good works in secret, with a heart oriented towards God, not towards receiving praise from others.

In this sermon, Executive Pastor Daniel Patterson explores Jesus' teachings in the Sermon on the Mount, focusing on the importance of inner righteousness over outward appearances. This message emphasizes that true faith requires consistency, love, and integrity in all aspects of life.

In this sermon, Pastor Phillip explains Jesus's teachings on sexual faithfulness and covenant marriage, challenging believers to fight against sexual temptation and prioritize marital commitment.

In this sermon, Senior Director for Discipleship & Administration, Sean Gould calls Christians to actively pursue reconciliation in relationships, prioritizing peace and forgiveness as a reflection of the gospel, and to quickly address conflicts before they escalate.

Pastor Phillip Bethancourt explains that Jesus is the fulfillment of God's Word, coming not to abolish the law but to complete it perfectly.