In this message, "The Mind of Peace", we explore Paul's eight filters for Christian thinking—whatever is true, honourable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent and praiseworthy—and consider how these qualities shape our hearts, our habits and our relationship with God.

Most importantly, we see that each of these qualities is perfectly embodied in Jesus Himself. The goal of the Christian life is not merely better thinking, but a renewed mind that is increasingly occupied with Christ.

As we learn to think on these things, we discover not only the peace of God, but the presence of the God of peace.

Scripture: Philippians 4:8–9

To find out more about Christ Central Church, please visit www.christcentralchurch.org.uk.

Key takeaways from this message include:

• Understanding Anxiety: Defining what it means to be "anxious for nothing" and how scripture encourages us to bring our burdens directly to God.
• The Power of Prayer: How raw, honest, and persistent prayer serves as an antidote to stress.
• The Peace of God (Shalom): A deep dive into the biblical concept of peace—not just an absence of conflict, but a holistic wholeness that guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Whether you are currently feeling the weight of the world or simply want to deepen your trust in God’s promises, this message offers practical, spiritual steps to finding a peace that surpasses all understanding.

We pray this sermon encourages your faith and helps you grow closer to Jesus. If you enjoyed this message, don't forget to subscribe to our channel and share it with a friend!

Key Highlights & Topics:

• The Source of Joy: An examination of how Jesus serves as the foundation of Christian joy, enabling us to rejoice regardless of what we face.
• Overcoming Anxiety: A discussion on how anxiety acts as a thief of joy and why placing our faith in God’s plan is essential for peace.
• Serving Others: The importance of being a community that loves and serves one another, reflecting the fruits of the Spirit.
• Taking Care of Yourself: Using the example of the prophet Elijah to understand the need for rest and self-care in order to continue serving effectively.
• The Hope of Christ's Return: Focusing on the promise of the Day of Christ as our ultimate hope and source of restoration.

Connect with Us: If you are new to Christ Central Church, we would love to connect with you. Visit our website at https://www.christcentralchurch.org.uk/ to learn more, share a prayer request, or support our ministry through online giving.

Key Topics Discussed:

• The Meaning of Unity: Moving beyond organisational or denominational labels, we examine how true Christian unity is rooted in the Holy Spirit and the lordship of Jesus Christ.
• The Warfare of Unity: Unity is not a passive state but an active, intentional weapon. We discuss how choosing grace, forgiveness, and forbearance acts as a powerful witness of God’s manifold wisdom to the world and the spiritual realms.
• The Anointing of Unity: Referencing Psalm 133, we look at the blessing that occurs when believers dwell in harmony - an anointing that mirrors the refreshing dew of Hermon.

Key Takeaway: Unity is not about agreeing on every minor detail, but about being a community devoted to Christ, taking up the cross daily, and reflecting God's love in a divided world. By laying aside personal ambitions and pride, we allow the gospel to shine through our relationships, serving as healers in a fractured society.

Join us as we challenge one another to live out this counter-cultural call to love and prefer our brothers and sisters, just as Christ has loved us.

In this message from Philippians 3:17–21, we explore the difference between two ways of living: one shaped by the cross of Christ, and one shaped by the desires of this world. The Apostle Paul calls us to be intentional about who we follow and learn from, reminding us that the Christian life is not just taught—it’s caught.

We’re challenged to examine what is truly driving our lives. Are we being shaped by comfort, success, and approval, or by surrender, humility, and obedience to Christ? Paul warns that there are many who appear close to faith but ultimately live as “enemies of the cross”—avoiding the cost of discipleship while still wanting its benefits.

But for those in Christ, there is a greater reality: our citizenship is in heaven. We are not defined by this world, and we are not living for this moment. Instead, we are waiting for a Saviour—the Lord Jesus Christ—who will return and transform us by His power.

This future hope reshapes how we live today. It gives purpose in suffering, clarity in decision-making, and confidence in the promises of God.

So the question is: are we living for this world, or for the King who is coming?

Key Highlights from the Sermon:

• Knowing Christ: Barry explores how intimacy with God shifts our focus from worldly achievements—such as wisdom, strength, or riches—to a deep, personal relationship with Jesus, which is the foundation of true eternal life.
• The Nature of Calling: Often, we compare our lives to dramatic testimonies of global missions, wondering if our local context matters. Barry reassures the congregation that if you are a follower of Jesus, you have been appointed to bear fruit right where you are.
• Progressive Obedience: Drawing from the lives of Joseph and Abraham, the sermon highlights how callings are revealed progressively. We don’t need the full map to start; we only need to take the first step in obedience.
• Irrevocable Gifts: Barry emphasizes that God’s gifts and callings are irrevocable. Unlike human opportunities with expiration dates, God equips us with everything we need to succeed in our role within the Kingdom.
• Pressing On: Reflection on Philippians 3:13-14, encouraging us to forget what lies behind and strain toward the future, trusting that God has not given up on us, even in the midst of trauma, illness, or distress.

Join us as we are reminded that our call is not just a job, but a lifelong journey of following Jesus, serving Him with our gifts, and pressing on toward the prize of our upward call in Christ Jesus.

This sermon unpacks what it truly means to place our confidence in Christ alone—not in our background, achievements, morality, or religious performance. Paul’s testimony challenges us to re-evaluate where we find our identity and righteousness, and invites us into something far greater: a personal, transforming relationship with Jesus.

Key Themes:

• The danger of misplaced confidence (in the flesh)
• Paul’s radical re-evaluation of his former life and status
• What it means to “count everything as loss”
• Righteousness through faith vs self-righteousness
• The surpassing worth of knowing Christ personally

Key Passage: Philippians 3:1–9 (ESV)

Drawing from Philippians 2:14-18 and the sobering example of the Israelites in Exodus 16, we're reminded that an entire generation died in the wilderness not because of their enemies, but because of their complaining hearts. The Israelites had been miraculously delivered from slavery, yet they grumbled about water, food, and every hardship they faced. Their ingratitude became a barrier between them and God's promises. For us today, this means examining our own hearts: Do we grumble about our jobs, our families, our circumstances? Or do we recognize these as gifts from God? The antidote is clear and beautifully simple: gratitude.

When we choose thanksgiving over complaining, we position ourselves to shine as stars in a dark world. We're called to be lights, not because of our own brilliance, but because Christ, the true Light of the World, lives in us. This isn't about perfecting our circumstances, it's about transforming our attitudes. When we hold fast to truth and refuse to grumble, we become beacons of hope in a crooked and twisted generation, pointing others to the One who is worthy of all praise.

In this episode, Chris Smith preaches on the resurrection as part of our Easter Sunday Service.