Central Church Sermons

In a world of influencers promising happiness, Jesus offers genuine satisfaction through three essential elements. In this sermon from Luke 20 & 21, Pastor Matt Shackelford shares where true satisfaction comes from. First, we must recognize Jesus as the incarnational Son—fully God and fully man—which gives purpose to our worship and meaning to our service. Second, we need to follow Him as our transformational Savior, allowing Him to change us from the inside out rather than focusing on appearances like the scribes did. Finally, we must finance His sacrificial story by investing our resources in God's kingdom, going 'all in' like the widow who gave everything she had. True satisfaction comes only when we fill the hole in our heart with Jesus alone.

True lasting peace can only be found through a relationship with Jesus Christ, the King of Peace. His humble entrance into Jerusalem on a donkey symbolized His approachability and desire for personal connection. Finding peace requires recognizing life isn't about us, understanding our greater purpose, and fully submitting to Jesus as King. In this sermon on Luke 19, Pastor Matt teaches how you can have peace with God.

Guest speaker Dr. Bruce A. Ware teaches on Isaiah 6. 

The eternal destinations of heaven and hell are determined by where we place our trust and what we truly desire in life. While some trust in their wealth and earthly kingdoms, true believers place their complete trust in God. Death comes to everyone regardless of status, but it's not the end - it leads either to eternal comfort or torment. Hell is a real place of conscious suffering, permanent separation from God, and eternal regret. The only escape is through genuine repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, turning from self-reliance to complete dependence on God.

 Finding joy in seeking those who are spiritually lost - exploring Jesus's heart for reaching others through powerful parables in Luke 15. Discover the transformative patterns of loss, searching, and celebration that reveal God's deep love for every individual. Learn practical ways to build meaningful relationships with non-believers and share your faith effectively. In this sermon, Eric Jones II shares why every Christian should strive to share Jesus Christ with those who are lost. 

In this insightful exploration of Luke 13:1-9, Pastor Matt Shackelford shows how to navigate life's inevitable tragedies by focusing on transformation. Jesus addresses the unavoidable nature of suffering in a fallen world, using the examples of the Galileans killed by Pilate and the tower in Siloam. Learn how to prioritize your spiritual life, respond to tragedy, and allow God to shape you through trials.

Many of us hold a familiar image of Jesus: the Prince of Peace, or the newborn in a manger. But passages like Luke 12:49-58 challenge us to see another side—one that calls us to a choice and warns of consequences. When Jesus says, "I came to cast fire on the earth," it may feel unsettling, even unexpected. In this powerful sermon, Pastor Matt Shackelford dives into the urgency behind Jesus' words and why He calls us to make a decision that can't be delayed. Learn why Jesus warns us against missing our opportunity to follow Him and how His words are a call to real transformation.

Thieves are only effective when you don't know they're coming. In the same way that we would protect our house if we knew it was in danger, Jesus tells us to be vigilant for His return. In Luke 12:35-48, Jesus teaches that we must be prepared and guard our hearts and minds. In today's sermon, Pastor Matt teaches three ways we can stand guard for the return of Christ. 

Chances are that you or someone you know struggle with anxiety. It's one of the most common issues of our generation. In this sermon, Pastor Todd Parr looks at Luke 12:23-34 and what the Bible says about anxiety. Through this sermon, you'll learn four ways that you can help fight against letting anxiety rule over your life.

One of our greatest mistakes is relying on ourselves. Whether it's for our physical needs or our spiritual, we often forget that God is ultimately in control. In this sermon from Luke 12, Pastor Matt Shackelford teaches on the parable of the rich fool and how shares how we can avoid the avoid the deadly results of greed. 

Whether it's a haunted house or a horror movie, we love the adrenaline we get from a good scare. In Luke 12, Jesus tells his disciples that all too often, we fear the wrong things. Those who can harm us are not the ultimate thing we should fear, but the one who can condemn us to hell. In this sermon, Pastor Matt Shackelford shares what it means to have a healthy fear of God.