Central Community Church | Sermon Audio

Nehemiah 2:1-20 We all want God to do something meaningful with our lives and the waiting is often the most difficult part. But what are you doing during the “in-between” time? Do you sit back after you pray for it once? Or do you constantly bring your requests before God trusting in faith that He will answer in His timing? Frequent prayer will prepare you for that moment when God answers because prayer doesn’t change God, it changes you.

Nehemiah 2 We all want God to do something meaningful with our lives and the waiting is often the most difficult part. But what are you doing during the “in-between” time? Do you sit back after you pray for it once? Or do you constantly bring your requests before God trusting in faith that He will answer in His timing? Frequent prayer will prepare you for that moment when God answers because prayer doesn’t change God, it changes you.

Nehemiah 2:1-20 Have you ever sensed God leading you to do something that terrified you because it was so much bigger than you? Nehemiah did, and his response is both inspiring and instructive. Fuelled by earnest prayer, Nehemiah stepped out in bold faith, followed God’s promptings and encountered great success because God’s hand was on him.

Hebrews 10:23-25 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Nehemiah 1 In Nehemiah 1 we see that renewal starts with a broken heart, prayer, and faithful obedience. As we walk through this story, we’re reminded that God is still in the business of rebuilding what’s broken, both in the world and in us.

Nehemiah 1 Nehemiah feels tremendous compassion to the difficult reality of the Israelites living in the undefended city of Jerusalem. His initial response is the foundation of his leadership skills; he responds in prayer that births a plan of action.

Nehemiah 1 The world is sick. We all experience it in different ways - broken families, life-threatening sicknesses, poverty and addiction. What is the good God of the Bible doing about all of this? In Nehemiah 1, we get the next scene in the Big Story of the Bible - a story which shows how God is slowly and lovingly healing the world through his chosen people. And because of what his son, Jesus, has done, you can also be healed, forgiven, and become part of this story.

1 Corinthians 12:1-11 The church is many things...but one of the most important is that it is filled with the Holy Spirit enabling God's people to serve Him and bring the Gospel to the world!

Ezra 9 There is great power in repentance as we turn from our sin and turn to Christ. This text presents us with a beautiful demonstration of repentance from the priest Ezra, who repents not even for his own sin, but for the sin of the people! This text graciously communicates that real repentance can lead to revival only because of the steadfast love of God.

Ezra 9 Sin is the insidious enemy of the believer. It is readily embraced, and often subtly engaged. Too often believers treat sin as a mere inconvenience, or trivial matter. This passage challenges us to deal swiftly, and seriously with sin. The Godly Reaction to Sin is to Recognize it from Scripture, to mourn over it, and to confess it without excuse to the God of Mercy!

Ezra 9 We all love stories of integrity and courage—of men and women who stood for the truth and were willing to die rather than deny the Lord. Deep down, we wish we had that kind of faithfulness—the strength to remain true to the end.

Ezra 3 The nation of Israel has endured decades in exile but are now given the opportunity to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple. God’s sovereign will sees this story from Ezra as another beautiful chapter in His story of redemption.

1 Corinthians 1:1-3

Ezra 3 Have you ever found yourself wondering, “Is this it?”—when the monotony of life, the busyness of work and family, or even the abundance of leisure leaves you feeling restless and empty? Is life really just about going through the motions? Some of you have walked with Christ for years, and you can't help but notice how much things have changed—and not for the better. Maybe you catch yourself reminiscing about the good old days when church felt more vibrant, more alive, and the world didn’t seem so upside down. But before this turns into a lament, I have good news: today we’re going to explore The Path to Renewal. We’ll see how God works even in seasons of despair, fatigue, monotony, and fear. And we’ll discover how He brings revival that rekindles our passion and restores our purpose.

Ephesians 6:10-24 As Paul concludes his letter to the Ephesian church, he calls them to do one final thing: stand firm. After showing the beauty of the gospel and how we are to apply it into our lives, Paul calls the church to withstand the spiritual warfare in the strength of God, praying at all times and encouraging one another.

Ephesians 6:10-24 In this closing passage of Ephesians, Paul uses the imagery of armour to describe how we as Christians are protected as we engage in spiritual warfare. In doing so, Paul calls us to stand firm in the strength of the Lord and encourage one another in the process.

Ephesians 6:10-20 We are all living in a war zone and the only way we can win this battle is with God's help. Prayer is a vital weapon in our Spiritual Battle and can mean the difference between victory and defeat.

Ephesians 6:5-9 God created us to work and reflect his glory in how we do that. While sin gets in the way and we live in a fallen world, through Jesus we have the ability to reflect God’s glory in how we work. All our work should reflect the goodness of God’s grace in our lives.

Ephesians 6:5-9 While we may no longer live in a context where slavery exists like it did in the first century, Paul’s words to bondservants and masters have significant application for us today in the area of work and the value we attribute to others. Finally, this passage calls us to recognize that we are to be slaves of Christ. Such a designation is a joyous honour in light of the price he paid for us.

Ephesians 6:5-9

Ephesians 6:1-4 The relationship between parents and children is a reflection of our relationship with our Heavenly Father. How do we reflect that relationship in our families for God's glory and what do we do when we fail?

Ephesians 6:1-4 God’s desire for the family is to be a reflection of His love and a place for spiritual growth and joy. In this passage, the Apostle Paul outlines the responsibility of children to parents and parents to their children.

Ephesians 6:1-4 God’s desire for the family is to be a reflection of His love and a place for spiritual growth and joy. In this passage, the Apostle Paul outlines the responsibility of children to parents and parents to their children.

Ephesians 5:22-33 Marriage was created by God to show us a picture of the love of Jesus for the church. Husbands and wives are each called to put on display the relationship between Christ and the church and together they show the full picture of God’s glory.

Ephesians 5:22-33 Marriage is a gift designed by God given to husbands and wives to display the beautiful relationship between Christ and His bride, the church. Ephesians 5:22-33 is the Bible’s most classic marriage passage, but it is also an incredibly challenging one as it presents a high, countercultural calling for both husbands and wives as they seek to glorify God in their marriage.

Ephesians 5:22-33 What does worship look like in the context of marriage? God challenges both men and women to a higher standard; one that could impact the lives of more than just a husband and wife.

Ephesians 5:22-33 God made marriage and marriage isn’t easy. 1 sinner + 1 sinner in holy matrimony will always be fraught with challenges. But don’t get disillusioned! Marriage is one of the greatest means God uses to grow and change (sanctify) His people and is one of the most compelling pictures of the gospel for Christians to display to the world.

In Ephesians 5:15-21, we explore Paul’s call to live wisely in a world full of distractions and temptation. Being filled with the Spirit empowers us to worship God genuinely and to submit to one another in love. This gospel-centered life reflects the wisdom and grace of Christ at work in us.

Ephesians 5:15-21 Throughout the book of Ephesians Paul uses the language of “walk” eight times to describe how Christians ought to go about their daily life and faith. In Ephesians 5:15-21 Paul exhorts his readers for the eighth and final time to walk by the Spirit with Spirit filled lives.

Ephesians 5:15-21 What should we do with our time? No one can make more time or save it for later, and the Bible calls us to think carefully about how we use it. We are called to use our time wisely, being filled with the Spirit to worship God.

Ephesians 5:15-21 Six million Canadians (roughly 20% of the adult population) binge drink at least once a month and meet the clinical criteria for Alcohol Use Disorder in their lifetime. Many Canadians turn to alcohol to self-medicate and be uninhibited, others turn to different vices. Christians are called to forsake these idols and “be filled with the Spirit”. It might strike us as odd that our text tells us not to get drunk on wine but be filled with the Spirit. The pairing doesn’t make senses unless there’s a similarity between them, yet the warning and command don’t make sense unless there’s a major distinction between them as well. This sermon explores what it means to be filled with the Spirit and the wisdom, submission, joy, and thankfulness that come from being filled with the Spirit.

Acts 2:1-17, Ezekiel 36:25-27 We need the power of the Holy Spirit at work in and through us.

Ezekiel 36:25-27 One day the disciples are hiding in fear. The next they are declaring the wonders of God to thousands. The giving of the Spirit at Pentecost changed everything for followers of Christ. Through a prophecy in Ezekiel 36 we discover that the Spirit empowers believers for more than the exercise of spiritual gifts. The Spirit empowers Christians to live in God’s ways and share the good news of Jesus all for the glory of God’s holy name.

Ezekiel 36:25-27 One day the disciples are hiding in fear. The next they are declaring the wonders of God to thousands. The giving of the Spirit at Pentecost changed everything for followers of Christ. Through a prophecy in Ezekiel 36 we discover that the Spirit empowers believers for more than the exercise of spiritual gifts. The Spirit empowers Christians to live in God’s ways and share the good news of Jesus all for the glory of God’s holy name.

Ezekiel 36:25-27 We celebrate and remember what Jesus did at Pentecost two thousand years ago, when He sent His Holy Spirit and the church began with great power and love for the Lord, love for the lost, and love for the return of our Saviour. This morning, we are going to learn incredible things about what God has done for you, how He has equipped you, the blessings you have at hand, and the task that He has given you, for which you cannot fail!

Acts 1:6-11 The Ascension of Jesus often seems more like a piece of trivia than a cause for celebration, but as we look into what the Bible teaches us, we see that the Ascension is not only necessary but wonderful! The ascension shows us that Jesus sits on the throne of heaven, he rules over this world, and we have the privilege of being his heralds.

John 15:5 shows us how true fruitfulness and joy don’t come from our own effort or strength, but from staying connected to Christ, who is the true vine. Jesus invites us to stop trying to make it through life on our own and instead rest in His presence, and in the finished work of the cross.

Acts 1:1 - 11 What was it that caused the early church to grow so quickly? How can we learn from them in order to be witnesses to our own generation of God's great love!

Acts 2:6-11 We get Christmas: Jesus came to save us. We get Good Friday: Jesus died in our place to pay the penalty for our sins. We get Easter: Jesus defeated death when He rose from the grave. We even get Pentecost: Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to empower His people for the mission He entrusted us with. But the ascension? We, like the disciples standing there staring into the sky, wonder if Jesus ascending was the best plan. This sermon explores how the ascension is the glorious application of the finished work of Jesus.

Acts 4:31-37 The picture of the early church gives us a beautiful view of how the church works together for good. Through the preaching of the gospel, we see the powerful impact that the grace of God makes on our church and those around us. As we imitate God’s grace, we are freed to be generous to those around us.

Acts 4:32-37 Jesus radically changes the affections of believers, including shifting our approach to our finances toward gospel-oriented, Spirit-filled generosity.

2 Corinthians 9:7 Many churches and Christians around the world govern their giving around the principle of tithing. However, the commands to tithe are found in the Old Testament. Should Christians living under the new covenant still govern their giving through tithing today?

Psalm 23:1-6 In a world marked by rejection, anxiety, loneliness, and the ache of not belonging, Psalm 23 offers a timeless reminder: we are not alone, We belong — to the Shepherd.

Ephesians 5:1-14 If you could sum up the entire purpose of the Christian life into four words, what would they be? While our answers may vary, Paul submits, in the first half of Ephesians 5, that those four words should be this: “Imitate God, reflect Jesus.”

Ephesians 5:1-14 God's challenge to us today exceeds all others in scripture as we're called to imitate God. But how can we do that? Is this the impossible challenge?