City Central Church Podcast

Contagious Joy – Humility Exalted A Walk through the Book of Philippians (week 6) Sermon Summary Philippians 2:4,5-8 (ESV) 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Pastor Chris led us through the theology of humility, as expressed in the humble nature of Jesus Christ. This is the second part of the message on humility that he spoke on last week. Being humble, like Jesus, invokes the favor of God. Humility leads to joy, fulfillment, peace, reconciliation, contentment, thankfulness, and a soft-heart toward God. Authentic Believers Know and Follow these 3 Truths aboutJesus 1. In humility, Jesus ca

Contagious Joy – Joy in Humility A Walk through the Book of Philippians (week 5) Sermon Summary Philippians 2:1–4 (ESV) 1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.   As we move into chapter two of the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Philippian Church, Pastor Chris highlights an essential message for Jesus’ disciples to live-out: a lifestyle of Humility. The paradox is that greatness comes through genuine humility. Our culture makes “tooting your own horn” an acceptable activity. Acommon practice of secular society is to promote pride, to engage in self-promotion, the fruit of selfish-ambition. Pride was the first sin, committed

Contagious Joy – Finding Life in Death A Walk through the Book of Philippians (week 4) Sermon Summary Philippians 1:18–21 (ESV) Yes, and I will rejoice,19 for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, 20 as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.    This week, Pastor Chris challenged us to adopt an eternal perspective on life. He unpacked how the Apostle Paul lived with joy by understanding how to live in Christ for now and eternity. First, we must believe that Jesus brought us life through His death (Hebrews 12:2). Then, we can know that death was defeated and holds nothing over us. Released from the fear of death, allows us to live a life of abundance!  1 Corinthians 15:26 (ESV) 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death. It was never God’s design for

Contagious Joy – Having Joy in Suffering A Walk through the Book of Philippians (week 3) Sermon Summary Philippians 1:12–14 (ESV) 12 I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, 13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. 14And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.” In our third week exploring biblical joy, Pastor Chrisdelves into suffering. He explains that the key to enduring it is understanding how we find godly purpose in suffering. “What is the purpose of suffering?” Chris points to the Apostle Paul’s admission that he has endured great suffering: 12 I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel…” Philippians 1:12 (ESV) So, what happened to Paul? “24 Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. 25 Three

Contagious Joy – A Walk through the Book of Philippians(week 2) Sermon Summary Philippians 1:2–6 (ESV) ”2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”   Pastor Chris shares the true, and lasting, antidote to loneliness. First, he shared some statistics which demonstrate that loneliness is as destructive as the spread of an epidemic. Suicide is the ultimate expression of loneliness and is the second leading cause of death for 15 to 24-year olds. Those who don’t take their life suddenly may destroy it slowly through drugs, drinking,crime, etc. Loneliness entered the world through sin and leaves a wake of devastation. Today, we try to find fulfillment through digital connections. Ch

Contagious Joy – A Walk through the Book of Philippians Sermon Summary Philippians 1:1–2 (ESV) 1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Pastor Chris opened this new series on the book of Philippians with the theme of Contagious Joy. Central to the message is understanding what pure joy is, where it comes from, and how we can live in it daily. By way of contrast, Chris alerted us to the constant tug of our society, which seeks to replace joy with happiness. He shared a revealing quote from an investment banker: “We must shift America from a needs to a desires culture…People must be trained to desire, to want new things, even before the old have been entirely consumed. We must shape a new mentality. Men’s desires must overshadow their needs.” – Paul Mazur of Lehman Brothers  This mentality of materialism has been part of the human condition since the

History of City Central – Our Story, God’s Story Sermon Summary Psalm 77:11 (ESV) 11 I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old.   As we break our Awaken Fast today, Pastor Chris led us in a 20-year anniversary week celebration of the wonders of God’s work in our midst! He recounted with joy the history of our shared foundation from unassuming places like Spanaway and PLU. One fact is certain in this journey and continues: We are the people of God designed to share the good news of God to our neighbors and the nations!  Our church history and mission can be summed up in a single gospel passage. Luke, one of the twelve disciples, gives the account of Jesus opening the Old Testament scroll on the Sabbath and reading the words of Isaiah, then to the surprise of his hearers declaring that he was the fulfillment of this scripture: Luke 4:18–19 (ESV) 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim li

Awaken Fast – Finishing Strong Sanctity of Human Life Sunday On this annual remembrance day in support of the pro-life movement, a volunteer for CareNet, and member of City Central, Natalie shared with us how God sanctifies every stage of life. This overtly Christian Ministry desires to see women in crisis pregnancy circumstances get completely free help with health testing and one-on-one counseling. Once a woman decides to have her baby, she gets access to parenting classes and practical assistance by way of the Baby Boutique where she can get diapers, high chairs, car seats, formula, etc. Additionally, Healing Tides is a holistic ministry of CareNet providing peer support for women who’ve already had an abortion and are seeking healing. Learn more about this commemorative day and the ministry of CareNet at https://carenetps.org/sohls/ Sermon Summary Romans 12:1-2 “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is

Awaken Fast (part 2) Sermon Summary Matthew 6:1–4 (ESV) 1 “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. 2 “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.   Pastor Chris acknowledged that we can struggle with following the disciplines of the Lord because we develop a closed heart. It’s natural for us to make fasting, or tithing, or prayer simply an obligation – this is legalism and it comes from an unopened heart – like a flower bud not yet in bloom. Jesus taught us how to live meaningful, thriving lives, open hearted, when he gave the Sermon on the Moun

Awaken Fast Sermon Summary Luke 5:33–35 (ESV) 33 And they said to him, “The disciples of John fast often and offer prayers, and so do the disciples of the Pharisees, but yours eat and drink.” 34 And Jesus said to them, “Can you make wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? 35 The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in those days.”   Pastor Chris prepared us for the annual, all-church fast which runs Jan. 6th through the 26th. Since fasting and prayer go hand in hand, he invited Delaney McCall, Prayer Coordinator, to help us focus on the ways to pray as we fast. First, Chris reminded us of the biblical importance of fasting and prayer: Ten Thoughts on Fasting Fasting is a voluntary absence from food for the purpose of dedicating yourself to prayer. Fasting changes us, not God. Fasting is an invitation and grace.  When facing impossible circumstances (Nehemiah 1:4). To change the destiny of a people, a city, a nation (Nehemiah 9:1). To hear from Go

Crossing Over   Joshua 1:1–9 (ESV) 1 After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, 2 “Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the people of Israel. 3 Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, just as I promised to Moses. 4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun shall be your territory. 5 No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you. 6 Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it

Wise Men Still Seek Him   Matthew 2:10–11 (ESV) 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.   This Sunday, Pastor Chris encouraged us with the story of the Wise Men and their response to the birth of Jesus. These were men of high standing and great reputation who traveled a thousand miles from Persia. Their intention was to seek the Messiah in order to worship Him. In response, they fell down and worshipped the King. In contrast, the religious were half a day’s travel away and did not come. They were looking for a different kind of Messiah and wanted Jesus on their terms.    Discussion questions: What do you make of the gifts the wise men brought to Jesus? (They brought gold in reference to His royalty, frankincense for His divinity, and myrrh for His humanity.) What does their response teac

Sermon Summary 26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” 29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be.30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” 34 And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” 35 And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore

Sermon Summary Luke 2:8–18 (ESV) 8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” 15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and

Sermon Summary Matthew 1:21 (ESV) 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” In this week’s message, Pastor Chris asked, “Where are you looking for Joy, this Christmas?” He challenged us to discern the difference between the secular and sacred Christmas celebrations around us. He inspired us with the idea of believers discovering deeper meaning in the birth of Christ, and those searching for truth responding to the message of the nativity. Are we simply enamored with the baby Jesus the way we fawn over a newborn? Or, are we astounded and humbled that God came in the flesh as an infant to live a sinless life, embody the good news, die a torturous death, and rise from the dead, so that we might have a restored relationship with our Father in Heaven?! That is the audacity of the message of Bethlehem’s holy child! The consumerism of Christmas has a strong agenda, pulling people away from its true meaning. Getting wrapped up in the material gifts can br

Sermon Summary 2 Corinthians 5:6–7 (ESV) 6 So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight. Pastor Chris shared a message that has been in his spirit, and on his heart, for about 8 months – By Faith. We are to live “by faith” according to God’s Word. Our sight is limited to contained reality. When we exert human effort to accomplish works for ourselves, even for the church or the kingdom, we become exhausted with anxiousness, striving, and worry. Our Lord and Father invites us to trust Him to shed stress, worry and fatigue of doing and thinking of all the possible outcomes ourselves. Rather, we are to point our feet in the direction of faith (not feelings) and begin taking a step. Faithfulness will challenge us to give up control, comfort, and self-reliance. These are smokescreens of the enemy. Chris emphatically challenged us to surrender our own ideas, initiatives, and imperatives and anticipate that God will rep

Orphan Sunday Sermon Summary Guest Speaker: Darrin Miller, Youth for Christ Pastor Chris introduced our guest speaker who shared the challenge and joy of meeting the need for Foster Care in our community. Guest speaker, Darrin Miller shared his family’s journey. Just 9-years ago, the Millers said, “Yes!” to foster care and then adoption. Darrin challenged us to examine our hearts in light of God’s Father Heart as expressed in His Word. He asked us the overarching question, “How should we live out God’s mission in the way of City Central:  “We Adore God, Become like Jesus, and Contend for the Kingdom.”His answer: becoming like Jesus is to know the Father’s love for the fatherless. 2 You yourselves are our letter of recommendation, written on our[a] hearts, to be known and read by all. 3 And you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. 2 Cor. 3:2-3 (ESV) God manifests His love throu

Ephesians: True Identity – Battle for Our Identity Sermon Summary Ephesians 6:10–24 (ESV) 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 prayi