City Central Church Podcast

City Central Church is a community of believers in Tacoma, WA seeking the presence and power of God. We contend to restore people to God’s original design and ignite passion for the person and works of Jesus Christ through prayer, restoration and missions to see sustained revival in our cities, nation and world. Visit us at citycentral.org

Faithful Till The End 07/20/2026

Faithful Till The End This week, City Central Elder Darrin Miller continued our Revelation series by exploring Jesus' letter to the church in Smyrna—a church marked by poverty, persecution, and suffering, yet one that received no rebuke from Jesus, only His encouragement to remain faithful until the end. Through His words, Jesus reminds us that He sees our struggles, has already conquered death, and calls us to live with an eternal perspective rather than being shaped by the values of this world. As we study this passage, we'll discover that true faithfulness isn't measured by comfort or success, but by steadfast trust in Christ, whose promise of eternal life gives us courage to persevere through every trial. /episode/index/show/citycentral/id/42155565

First Things First 07/12/2026

First Things First This week, Pastor Chris continued our series on the seven churches of Revelation by examining Jesus' letter to the church in Ephesus. Through their example, we are reminded that Jesus deserves the first place in our hearts and that loving Him above all else is the foundation of the Christian life. While Jesus commends the church in Ephesus for its faithful service, perseverance, and commitment to sound doctrine, He also rebukes them for abandoning their first love and calls them to remember, repent, and return to the devotion they once had. The message challenges Christians to examine their priorities, guard against spiritual compromise, and cultivate a growing, wholehearted love for Jesus above everything else. /episode/index/show/citycentral/id/42050705

The Seven Churches of Revelation 07/05/2026

The Seven Churches of Revelation This week, Pastor Chris began a new sermon series entitled The Seven, exploring the seven churches of Revelation. The messages to these churches reveal that this book is first and foremost a revelation of Jesus Christ—His glory, His authority, and His heart for His people. As the risen King who is coming again, Jesus walks among His churches, calling them to hear His voice, remain faithful, reject compromise, and prepare for His return. Through these seven churches, we are challenged to ask not only what Jesus said to them, but what the Holy Spirit is saying to His church—and to each of us—today. /episode/index/show/citycentral/id/41968435

Living a Life of Honor 06/29/2026

Living a Life of Honor This week, Pastor Chris finished our Driven by Eternity series with a powerful message on living a life of honor—a heart attitude that recognizes the value God places on people and brings glory to Him. In 1 Thessalonians 5, Paul teaches that living a life of honor means honoring spiritual leaders, caring for others, embracing the work of the Holy Spirit with biblical discernment, and above all honoring God in every area of life. When we cultivate a culture of honor, we strengthen the church, reflect the character of Christ, and become faithful witnesses to the world. /episode/index/show/citycentral/id/41886925

Living Prepared 06/21/2026

Living Prepared This week, Pastor Chris continued in our Driven by Eternity series with a message from 1 Thessalonians 5. The apostle Paul calls believers to live prepared for the return of Christ, recognizing that the Day of the Lord will come suddenly, unexpectedly, and with unavoidable judgment. Rather than speculating about dates and times, Christians are to live with expectancy, walk as children of light, remain spiritually awake and sober, and stand firm in faith, love, and the hope of salvation. Because Christ has secured our salvation through His death and resurrection, we are also called to encourage and build one another up as we await His glorious return. /episode/index/show/citycentral/id/41717230

Confident Expectation 06/14/2026

Confident Expectation This week, Pastor Chris continued in our Driven by Eternity series with a message of hope. In a world marked by loss, uncertainty, and grief, believers are called to live with a confident expectation rooted in the promises of God. In 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18, Paul reminds us that our hope is grounded in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, giving us assurance even in the face of death. Because Christ will return and gather His people to Himself forever, we can grieve with hope, stand firm in faith, and encourage one another with the certainty of His coming. /episode/index/show/citycentral/id/41641155

Pleasing God 06/07/2026

Pleasing God This week, Pastor Chris continued in our Driven by Eternity series with a message from 1 Thessalonians 4. Because God has graciously saved and redeemed us through Jesus Christ, He calls us to live lives that please Him in holiness, love, and integrity. Paul reminds believers that pleasing God involves pursuing sexual purity, loving others more deeply, and faithfully fulfilling everyday responsibilities in a way that honors Christ. As we walk in the power of the Holy Spirit and look forward to Christ’s return, our lives should reflect God’s purpose for us as His people, zealous for good works and devoted to His glory. /episode/index/show/citycentral/id/41566180

Strength for the Journey 05/31/2026

Strength for the Journey This week, Pastor Chris continued on our Driven by Eternity series with a message from 1 Thessalonians 3. In a world marked by hardship, temptation, and uncertainty, God calls His people to strengthen one another through encouragement. This message explores how believers can support the afflicted, help the tempted remain faithful, stand firm in the face of trials, and grow in Christlike love. As we journey together, encouragement becomes a vital source of courage, perseverance, and spiritual maturity until Christ returns. /episode/index/show/citycentral/id/41485050

Authenticity in a Hostile World 05/26/2026

Authenticity in a Hostile World This week, Pastor Chris continued in our sermon series Driven by Eternity with a message on authentic faith. In a world filled with pressure, opposition, and imitation, God calls believers to live with authentic faith that is real, rooted, and enduring. Through Paul’s words in 1 Thessalonians, this sermon reveals that authentic faith is grounded in God’s Word, tested through hardship and persecution, and strengthened to overcome every spiritual obstacle through the power of Christ. When believers truly receive and live out God’s truth, they are transformed from the inside out, becoming people of perseverance, joy, and lasting impact in a hostile world. /episode/index/show/citycentral/id/41428465

Ministry That Pleases God 05/17/2026

Ministry That Pleases God This week, Pastor Chris continued in our sermon series with a message on how ministry that pleases God is not built on popularity or personal gain, but on lives surrendered to Christ with courage, purity, love, sacrifice, and a desire to see others grow spiritually. Drawing from Paul’s example in 1 Thessalonians, this message reminds believers that true ministry requires bold faith, genuine integrity, compassionate care, and a willingness to pour ourselves out for the sake of the gospel. As God’s chosen people and royal priesthood, we are called to faithfully serve Him in a way that reflects His character and leads others to walk worthy of His kingdom and glory. /episode/index/show/citycentral/id/41324905

Beauty for Ashes 05/11/2026

Beauty for Ashes This Mother’s Day, we had the privilege of hearing from a dear friend of City Central, Shirlee Lamoureux. Through her powerful testimony, we see how there are moments in life when pain feels overwhelming. Some wounds are deep, formed in childhood, through abuse, rejection, abandonment, or loss. Yet even in those places, God sees, knows and heals. God is a Redeemer. He is the One who takes brokenness and brings healing, who takes sorrow and gives joy, who takes ashes and creates beauty. /episode/index/show/citycentral/id/41252245

Leadership Appreciation Sunday 05/04/2026

Leadership Appreciation Sunday This week, Jena Hippe brought an encouraging word as we celebrated the joy of giving our lives away in service to the church. Ephesians 2:10 to remind us that we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ for a purposeful life of good works prepared in advance. It contrasts two paths: a “small heart” that seeks comfort, avoids hardship, and results in minimal spiritual impact, and a “ministering heart” that embraces others, walks with God through difficulty, and participates in His redemptive work. Ultimately, it calls believers to pursue a life of deep fellowship with Christ that produces lasting joy and meaningful impact in the world. /episode/index/show/citycentral/id/41148980

Healthy Church Part 2 04/27/2026

Healthy Church Part 2 This week, Pastor Chris continued in our Driven by Eternity series with a message from 1 Thessalonians describing the marks of a healthy church, beginning with the foundational truth that we are chosen by God and empowered by the gospel through the Holy Spirit. Such a church reflects Christ by imitating His example, enduring hardship with joy, and demonstrating genuine transformation in both character and conduct. Ultimately, a healthy church lives under Christ’s lordship and eagerly awaits His return, anchoring its hope in His saving work and promised future. /episode/index/show/citycentral/id/41038580

Healthy Church 04/19/2026

Healthy Church This week, Pastor Chris began our new sermon series, Driven by Eternity, with a message on how a healthy church is shaped by the certainty of Christ’s return—living with watchful hope rather than speculation and ordering its life around obedience to Him. Marked by grace and peace, a healthy church becomes a praying and thankful community whose faith is active, whose love is visible, and whose hope endures even in a troubled world. Anchored in the promise that Jesus will come again, such a church pursues holiness, proclaims the gospel with urgency, and lives in joyful anticipation of redemption. /episode/index/show/citycentral/id/40928735

None Too Far 04/13/2026

None Too Far This week, City Central Elder Darrin Miller shared a powerful message on how Jesus reveals that God desires mercy over judgment—calling not those who think they are righteous, but sinners who recognize their need for Him. Through the story of Zacchaeus, we see that no one is too far gone—Jesus sees us, calls us by name, and invites us into repentance and restoration. This message challenges us to stop focusing on others’ sin, recognize our own need for grace, and respond to Jesus with humility, surrender, and love. /episode/index/show/citycentral/id/40862640

One Touch Changes Everything 04/05/2026

One Touch Changes Everything It’s Easter Sunday! Pastor Chris shared a powerful message about stepping out of the crowd to encounter Jesus personally. Life is often marked by pain, struggle, and seasons where nothing seems to get better, as seen in the woman who suffered for twelve years. But Easter reminds us that through Jesus’ death and resurrection, sin is defeated, death is conquered, and even the hardest situations are not beyond His power—so one touch of faith can change everything. In that moment, she was not only healed but also seen, known, and loved, revealing the heart of the gospel: that Jesus meets us in our brokenness and brings restoration and new life. /episode/index/show/citycentral/id/40738595

The God of "Far More Abundantly" 03/30/2026

The God of "Far More Abundantly" This week, Pastor Chris highlights how God works “far more abundantly” than we can imagine, calling believers to surrender fully and draw strength from His Spirit within. Rooted and grounded in Christ’s immeasurable love, we are invited to experience a relationship that transforms us and enables us to grasp the vastness of His grace. Ultimately, it points to a God who exceeds every expectation, working powerfully in us for His glory across all generations. /episode/index/show/citycentral/id/40674555

Personal Benefits of Walking by Faith 03/23/2026

Personal Benefits of Walking by Faith This week, Pastor Chris taught us that walking by faith is an intimate trust in a powerful yet deeply personal God who leads with love, even when the path ahead is unclear. Using the example of Abraham, this sermon highlights how faith strengthens believers to trust God fully, make sacrifices, choose eternal priorities, and remain patient, persistent, and joyful in the waiting. Ultimately, a life of faith produces lasting spiritual fruit, shaping us into generous, wise stewards who reflect God’s glory and become a blessing to others. /episode/index/show/citycentral/id/40594530

Looking Forward 03/15/2026

Looking Forward This week, Pastor Chris challenged us to step out of comfort and live by faith, just as Abraham did when he followed God without knowing where the journey would lead. By trusting God’s promises, Abraham crossed the lines of the unknown, the impossible, the future, and the pull of the world, demonstrating a life anchored in hope beyond present circumstances. His example calls us to fix our hearts on God’s eternal promises, courageously pursuing a heavenly homeland rather than settling for the temporary security of this world. /episode/index/show/citycentral/id/40490295

Building Together 03/09/2026

Building Together This week, Pastor Chris taught from Nehemiah, encouraging us to see that God’s work of rebuilding begins when a burden for brokenness moves His people to prayer and action. After hearing about the ruined condition of Jerusalem, Nehemiah carefully assessed the situation, received God’s vision for restoration, and invited others to join the work. Together, ordinary people with different roles and gifts united to rebuild the wall, reminding us that God accomplishes great things when His people commit themselves to a shared mission. /episode/index/show/citycentral/id/40372160

Generational Generosity 03/02/2026

Generational Generosity This week, Pastor Chris continued our Greater Things series with a powerful teaching about generosity that leaves a legacy. Generational Generosity is the call to faithfully pass on a legacy of worship, obedience, and wholehearted giving from one generation to the next. Rooted in God’s enduring goodness and modeled by leaders like David, it begins with God’s vision, flows from willing hearts, and recognizes that everything we have ultimately belongs to Him. When leaders go first and God’s people give joyfully and obediently, they leave behind not just resources, but a lasting, godly legacy for their children. /episode/index/show/citycentral/id/40285985

The Grace of Giving 02/23/2026

The Grace of Giving This week, City Central elder Eric Jones invited the church into “The Grace of Giving,” showing that true generosity is not driven by wealth but by worship. Drawing from 2 Corinthians 8 and the example of the Macedonian church, he explains how God’s grace (charis) transforms crushing pressure and deep poverty into joyful, willing generosity rooted in surrender to Christ. Ultimately, the Lord calls the church to see giving not as obligation but as a Spirit-empowered privilege—an overflow of the gospel that tangibly serves others and reflects the self-giving heart of Jesus. /episode/index/show/citycentral/id/40206040

Pray Like Jesus 02/15/2026

Pray Like Jesus This week, Pastor Chris taught us to pray by first approaching God as “Our Father,” cultivating a deep, loving relationship with Him and reflecting that love toward others. We honor His holy name and seek His kingdom and will above our own, depending on Him daily for provision, strength, and spiritual victory. As recipients of His grace, we forgive from the heart and engage in spiritual warfare, living as faithful witnesses of His present and coming kingdom. /episode/index/show/citycentral/id/40117925

Prayer That Endures 02/09/2026

Prayer That Endures This Sunday, Pastor Chris delivered a powerful message reminding us that enduring prayer is a steadfast, watchful, and thankful pursuit that keeps God’s people rooted in dependence on Him through every season of life. Scripture shows us that persistent prayer shapes our faith, resists discouragement, advances God’s mission, and aligns our hearts with His will—even when answers are delayed. As we pray regularly, pray missionally, and live intentionally, enduring prayer becomes both our lifeline to God and our witness to the world. /episode/index/show/citycentral/id/40047325

Life Group Sunday 02/02/2026

Life Group Sunday Today was Life Group Sunday, and Casey Mock our Community Life Director taught us about moving from right belief to right practice—living out the truth that God is El Roi, the God who sees. Scripture shows us that God not only sees us personally, but places us intentionally in the Body of Christ, where every part matters and no one is meant to walk alone. Life Groups are how we live this out: a place to be seen, fully known, and truly loved as we follow Jesus together. /episode/index/show/citycentral/id/39966485

Prayer That Strengthens 01/26/2026

Prayer That Strengthens This week, Pastor Chris continued teaching us about prayer with a message about prayer being the God-given means by which His limitless power strengthens our inner lives, drawing us into the fullness of Christ’s love and presence. Rooted in Ephesians 3, this sermon calls us to a deeper prayer life—one that boldly calls on God, prays according to His will with confidence, and cultivates a faithful secret place with Him. As we do, the Spirit strengthens us from within, enlarges our understanding of Christ’s love, and works far more abundantly than all we could ask or imagine. /episode/index/show/citycentral/id/39887570

Never Stand Down 01/21/2026

Never Stand Down This week, we had the privilege of hearing a powerful message from a dear friend of City Central, Pastor Charlie Sweet as he reminded us to never stand down when God leads us into wilderness seasons. Through Elijah and Hagar, we see that God may allow the brook to dry up or the desert to surround us, yet He is still present, sustaining, and shaping purpose in the silence. What feels like loss or delay is often God’s way of awakening faith, revealing His care, and preparing us for greater glory. /episode/index/show/citycentral/id/39806860

Abundance Through Prayer 01/11/2026

Abundance Through Prayer This week, Pastor Chris taught on how prayer opens the door to spiritual abundance by connecting God’s heavenly purposes with earthly realities. Drawing from Scripture, it shows that prayer is both an intimate act of trust and fellowship with God and a powerful partnership through which the Holy Spirit releases God’s will, power, and blessing in our lives. Ultimately, we are called as believers to pursue a vibrant prayer life that invites heaven to intervene on earth, producing transformation, provision, and renewal. /episode/index/show/citycentral/id/39691170

The Power of Fasting 01/04/2026

The Power of Fasting This week, Pastor Chris launched the 2026 Greater Things Fast with a compelling teaching on the power of fasting. In John 14, Jesus promises that those who believe in Him will do greater works through the power of the Holy Spirit, and we explored fasting as one of the God-given ways we are invited into that deeper, Spirit-led life. Rooted in Scripture, fasting is presented as a grace-filled practice that humbles us, realigns our desires with God, and awakens our hunger for righteousness. As we fast and pray, we make space for God to speak, to break strongholds, and to empower us to walk more fully in His will and power. /episode/index/show/citycentral/id/39608285

The Call of Faithfulness 12/28/2025

The Call of Faithfulness This Sunday, we had our Legacy Youth Takeover service! Youth Pastor Stephanie Kram shared a wonderful and thought-provoking message about the blessings and call we have as Jesus followers to live faithfully in everything we do. /episode/index/show/citycentral/id/39549040

City Central Church Podcast

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