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Why is it so difficult to open our mouths and talk about Jesus? We often wait for the perfect opportunity, the right person, or a friendly audience before sharing our faith. But in Acts 8, Philip shows us a different way. When God gives him an opportunity, Philip simply obeys, approaches the Ethiopian eunuch, opens his mouth, and tells him the good news about Jesus. In this message from Acts 8:26–40, Pastor Greg Sukert continues the Open Season series by showing us that God doesn't just redeem our souls, He redeems our mouths. God calls every follower of Jesus to be a witness, trusting that He is already pursuing people, preparing hearts behind the scenes, and working through our obedience. We don't have to know how someone will respond. We don't have to wait until we've built the perfect relationship. And we don't have to manufacture opportunities ourselves. We simply need to trust God, be prepared, and open our mouths when He gives us the opportunity. God opens your eyes so you would open your mouth. Scripture: Acts 8:26–40 Series: Open Season If this message encouraged you, subscribe for more verse-by-verse Bible teaching from Central Church.

How can we prevent small problems from becoming major ministry failures? In Acts 8:9–25, the early church encounters several potential problems as the gospel spreads through Samaria. Simon Magus professes belief but reveals serious problems in his heart, the Samaritans' reception of the Holy Spirit raises important questions, and the apostles must respond quickly and boldly. In this message from the Open Season series, Pastor Matt Shackelford shows us that ministry failures are often prevented by rejecting ministry passivity. Through Philip, Peter, John, and Simon, we see the importance of preaching carefully, moving quickly to prevent division, boldly confronting sinful hearts, and humbly moving forward when failures still happen. We can't prevent every failure. People will disappoint us, ministry will get messy, and sometimes we won't get to see how the story ends. But rather than becoming passive or discouraged, God calls us to remain faithful, deal honestly with heart issues, and keep moving forward. Scripture: Acts 8:9–25 Series: Open Season If this message encouraged you, subscribe for more verse-by-verse Bible teaching from Central Church.

What if the setback you desperately want to escape is actually setting you up for something God wants to do? In Acts 8:4–8, Philip finds himself scattered from Jerusalem because of persecution. He ends up in Samaria—a place a Jewish believer normally wouldn't want to go, among people his culture had taught him to avoid. But Philip doesn't waste the setback. He recognizes that God has placed him there for a purpose. In this message from the Open Season series, Pastor Matt Shackelford shows how God can use the hard places of our lives to open unexpected doors for ministry. Philip embraces where God has placed him, shares Christ with people different from himself, serves in ways that make the gospel visible, and discovers the joy that can come when ordinary Christians live on mission. Your diagnosis, difficult job, broken relationship, unexpected move, or painful season may put you somewhere you never wanted to be. But God is bigger than your hard thing. With eyes of faith, we can begin asking a different question: How does God want to use this? Scripture: Acts 8:4–8 Series: Open Season If this message encouraged you, subscribe for more verse-by-verse Bible teaching from Central Church.

What is God doing in the painful seasons of your life? When hardship comes, it's easy to panic, become bitter, or assume something has gone wrong. But what if the pain you're experiencing is actually being used by God as part of a much greater plan? In this message from Acts 8:1–4, Pastor Matt Shackelford begins the Open Season series by looking at what happened immediately after the death of Stephen. The church was grieving and facing intense persecution from Saul, yet God used their suffering to scatter believers throughout Judea and Samaria, taking the gospel places it had never gone before. We'll see why following Jesus doesn't guarantee a life without pain, how God can use opposition to move us toward His purposes, why we must endure when attacks become personal, and how to stay focused on our calling instead of becoming a victim of our circumstances. When you're experiencing great pain, look for the greater plan. Your setback may become a stage for God's glory. Scripture: Acts 8:1–4 Series: Open Season If this message encouraged you, subscribe for more verse-by-verse Bible teaching from Central Church.

How do you respond when someone hurts you? Our natural reaction to conflict is often to run away, fight back, hold a grudge, or become bitter. But when Stephen faced rejection, hatred, and ultimately death, his response looked remarkably different. He looked like Jesus. In this final message from Acts 7, Pastor Matt Shackelford concludes the Dwell series by examining Stephen’s response when the pressure was at its highest. Rather than retaliating against his enemies, Stephen spoke truth, remained at peace, loved those who hated him, and even prayed for their forgiveness. Through Stephen’s example, we see what can happen when a life is filled with the Holy Spirit and focused on Christ. You’ll discover how to confront sin without becoming hateful, why the gospel is the only solution for a hardened heart, how preparation produces peace when pressure comes, and how forgiven people can forgive even those who have deeply hurt them. When the pressure is on, the question isn’t simply what will you do—it’s will you act like Jesus? Scripture: Acts 7:51–60 Series: Dwell If this message encouraged you, subscribe for more verse-by-verse Bible teaching from Central Church.

Is your view of God too small? We often put God into boxes. We limit His presence to a church building, His will to our plans, His calling to what feels comfortable, and His power to what we think is possible. But God refuses to fit inside the boxes we build for Him. In this message from Acts 7:44–50, Pastor Matt Shackelford continues the Dwell series by examining Stephen's teaching about the tabernacle, the temple, and the God who cannot be contained by either. Stephen reminds us that God's presence has always been bigger than a building, a method, or our personal preferences. We'll discover why we must accept God's invitation on His terms, loosen our grip on our preferences, and begin looking for God's work beyond the walls of the church. God made us in His image, but too often we try to return the favor by remaking Him in ours. It's time to break the box and see God for who He truly is. Scripture: Acts 7:44–50 Series: Dwell If this message encouraged you, subscribe for more verse-by-verse Bible teaching from Central Church.

Why does God make us wait? Whether you're waiting for healing, direction, a relationship, or God to answer your prayers, waiting can feel frustrating and even confusing. But throughout Scripture, we see that God never wastes a waiting season. In this message from Acts 7, Pastor Matt Shackelford continues the Dwell series by examining the life of Moses. Before God used Moses to deliver Israel, He first prepared him through years of waiting in the wilderness. The same God who worked in Moses' waiting room is still at work in ours. You'll discover:  Why God often works while we wait  What Moses' life teaches us about trusting God's timing  How waiting prepares us for God's purposes  Why God's presence matters more than immediate answers  How Jesus meets us in seasons of uncertainty  What it means to trust God when life feels delayed Your waiting season isn't a detour. It may be the very place where God is preparing you for what's next. Scripture: Acts 7:17–43 Series: Dwell  If this message encouraged you, subscribe for more verse-by-verse Bible teaching from Central Church.

Why does God make us wait? Whether you're waiting for healing, direction, a relationship, or God to answer your prayers, waiting can feel frustrating and even confusing. But throughout Scripture, we see that God never wastes a waiting season. In this message from Acts 7, Pastor Matt Shackelford continues the Dwell series by examining the life of Moses. Before God used Moses to deliver Israel, He first prepared him through years of waiting in the wilderness. The same God who worked in Moses' waiting room is still at work in ours. You'll discover:  Why God often works while we wait  What Moses' life teaches us about trusting God's timing  How waiting prepares us for God's purposes  Why God's presence matters more than immediate answers  How Jesus meets us in seasons of uncertainty  What it means to trust God when life feels delayed Your waiting season isn't a detour. It may be the very place where God is preparing you for what's next. Scripture: Acts 7:17–43 Series: Dwell If this message encouraged you, subscribe for more biblical teaching each week from Central Church.

What do you do when life feels like you've been thrown into a pit? Whether it's betrayal, loss, disappointment, or suffering, every believer eventually walks through seasons they never would have chosen. The good news is that God doesn't wait for you to climb out before He comes near. In this message from Acts 7, Pastor Matt Shackelford continues the Dwell series by looking at the life of Joseph. Through betrayal, slavery, false accusations, and imprisonment, Joseph experienced God's faithful presence every step of the journey. You'll discover:  Why every Christian experiences "pit" moments  How Joseph's story points us to Jesus  Why God's presence matters more than your circumstances  How suffering can become part of God's greater purpose  What God is producing in you through difficult seasons  Why your deepest pit is never beyond God's reach No matter what pit you find yourself in today, God has not abandoned you. His presence reaches farther than your pain. Scripture: Acts 7:9-16 Series: Dwell If this message encouraged you, subscribe for more verse-by-verse Bible teaching from Central Church.

Have you ever felt like God was far away? Whether you're walking through suffering, uncertainty, or simply feel spiritually dry, it's easy to wonder where God is. But throughout Scripture, we see the opposite of what we often assume: God is the One who moves toward us. In this message from Acts 7, Pastor Matt Shackelford begins the Dwell series by exploring Stephen's sermon and the story of Abraham. Long before Abraham sought God, God sought Abraham. The same God who called Abraham still pursues people today through Jesus Christ. You'll discover:  Why God's presence isn't limited by a place  How Abraham's story points to God's pursuit of His people  Why God always makes the first move  What it means to live by faith instead of sight  How Stephen's message points us to Jesus  Why you can trust God even when His plan isn't fully visible  How Jesus makes it possible for us to dwell in God's presence forever No matter how far away you may feel, God's presence goes farther. Scripture: Acts 7:1-8 Series: Dwell If this message encouraged you, subscribe for more biblical teaching each week from Central Church.

What is God doing in Israel today? Pastor Steven Khoury shares firsthand stories from Jerusalem and Bethlehem, offering a powerful look at how God is working through the local church in the midst of conflict, persecution, and uncertainty. Through personal testimony, biblical truth, and real-life ministry experiences, you'll be reminded that God is still accomplishing His purposes and that every believer has a role to play in His mission. You'll discover:  Why your life has purpose regardless of your age  What ministry looks like in Jerusalem and Bethlehem today  Stories of faith in the midst of persecution  How God is opening doors for the Gospel in Israel  Why Christians should pray for the church in the Holy Land  How you can partner in advancing the Kingdom God isn't finished with His people and He isn't finished with you. Guest Speaker: Pastor Steven Khoury

Have you ever wondered what should actually change after someone becomes a Christian? In this powerful overview of Romans 12, guest pastor Tim Gibson explains that the Christian life isn't driven by guilt or religious performance. It's driven by the overwhelming mercy of God. Because we've received mercy, everything changes. Our worship changes. Our minds change. Our relationships change. Our love for others changes. The mercy of God transforms every part of life. You'll discover:  Why Romans 12 is the blueprint for the Christian life  The difference between God's mercy and God's grace  What it means to become a living sacrifice  How God transforms the way you think  Why spiritual gifts exist to serve others  How mercy changes the way we love, forgive, and respond to difficult people  Why Christians overcome evil with good If you've experienced God's mercy, your life should never be the same. Scripture: Romans 12

What do you do when the people who are supposed to represent Jesus are the ones who hurt you? Church hurt is real. Whether it's betrayal, gossip, abuse of authority, or disappointment, many people have walked away from church because of painful experiences. But does the failure of Christians mean Christ has failed? In this message from Colossians 3, Pastor Greg Sukert explores the difference between legitimate church hurt and rejecting biblical truth, while pointing us to the only perfect Head of the Church: Jesus Christ. Rather than importing the ways of the world into the church, Scripture calls believers to put on Christ, put sin to death, and become people marked by humility, forgiveness, and love. You'll discover:  Why church hurt happens  The difference between biblical conviction and genuine church abuse  Why Jesus is never the one who fails us  How Christians are called to respond when they hurt one another  What it means to put off the old self and put on Christ  Why forgiveness and repentance are essential for a healthy church No church is perfect because no church is made up of perfect people. But there is a perfect Savior, and His love is what makes healing possible. Scripture: Colossians 3:1-17 If this message encouraged you, subscribe for more biblical teaching and share it with someone who has been wrestling with church hurt.

Why does every success, every accomplishment, and every pleasure eventually leave us wanting more? In this sermon from John 6, Pastor Justin points us to Jesus' incredible declaration: "I am the Bread of Life." While the world promises satisfaction through success, relationships, possessions, or experiences, Jesus reveals that true fulfillment is found only in Him. Whether you're searching for purpose, struggling through disappointment, or simply feeling like something is missing, this message will remind you that only Christ can truly satisfy the deepest hunger of your soul. You'll Discover:  Why nothing in this world can fully satisfy you  What Jesus meant when He said, "I am the Bread of Life"  The difference between knowing about Jesus and believing in Him  Why salvation brings lasting security and eternal hope  How to find true satisfaction in Christ every day The satisfaction you've been searching for isn't found in what this world offers. It's found in a relationship with Jesus Christ. Scripture: John 6:35-40

What if the key to understanding God's love is realizing you've been adopted into His family? In this powerful Father's Day message, Pastor Greg Sukert walks through Ephesians 1 and reveals the breathtaking reality of spiritual adoption. No matter your past, your family background, or your current circumstances, God offers redemption, inheritance, and security through Jesus Christ. Drawing from his own personal journey through infertility and adoption, Pastor Greg shows how the doctrine of adoption transforms the way we view suffering, identity, and our relationship with God. You'll Discover:  Why adoption is at the heart of the Gospel  What Ephesians 1 teaches about God's love for His children  How God redeems us from spiritual orphanhood  The inheritance every believer receives in Christ  Why your identity is secure in God's family  How the Father's love sustains us through life's hardest seasons No matter what you're facing today, you are not undesired by God. Through Christ, you can become a son or daughter of the Most High God. Scripture: Ephesians 1:1-14