International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church Text: Hebrews 11:32-12:4; Psalm 46 Did you know that there are an estimated 200 million Christians who live in places where they can be persecuted for their faith in Jesus? For the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church, the Cape Elizabeth Church of the Nazarene…
Zacchaeus Texts: Luke 19:1-10; Hebrews 12:1-2; Luke 18:15-17, 35-43 In looking at the familiar story of Zacchaeus, Pastor Jon looks at the the lessons we can learn when we consider how we are like Zacchaeus, and the ways in which we might be like the crowds of Jesus’ followers.
God, Have Mercy on Me, a Sinner Text: Luke 18:9-14; Luke 6:36-37 Once again, Jesus takes our understanding of the Kingdom of God and turns it upside down. By looking at the Pharisee and the Tax Collector, Jesus helps us to understand the value of our own righteousness as compared to the value of God’s…
The Parable of the Persistent Widow Texts: Luke 17:20-35; Luke 18:1-8; Jeremiah 31:33-34; Luke 11:5-13 Pastor Jon takes a fresh look at the “Parable of the Persistent Widow and the Unjust Judge” by looking first at the larger context in which the parable is placed within the Gospel of Luke. Despite the bad news that…
“Where are the Other Nine?” Text: Luke 17:11-19 The miracle of the 10 lepers helps us to understand the difference between being cured and being made whole. Pastor Jon looks at many of the lessons found in this miracle, encouraging us to leave behind the lesser things in order to follow after Jesus and seek…
“The Wrong Side of the Tracks” Text: Luke 16:19-31 The parable of “The Rich Man and Lazarus” reminds us of the difference between the “haves” and the “have-nots.” Pastor Jon shares a number of lessons from this parable, encouraging us to care for the poor and needy among us, and to share the Good News…
“People vs. Possessions” Text: Luke 16:1-15 Pastor Jon offers some thoughts based upon the parable of the shrewd (and dishonest) manager. While the particular parable presents some interpretive difficulties, there are lessons that can be applied to our lives based upon this interesting story.
“The Greatest Homecoming” Texts: Luke 15:11-32; Luke 15:1-2; II Corinthians 5:18-20 As part of the Cape Elizabeth Church of the Nazarenes’s Fortieth Anniversary Homecoming Celebration, Pastor Jon Twitchell shares some thoughts from one of the richest of Jesus’ parables. In looking at the Prodigal Son, we see a call for us to forsake the ways…
“Freedom to Do Right” Text: Luke 13:10-17; Hebrews 12:14, 18-24; Galatians 5:1, 13-25 Pastor Jon looks at the relationship between grace and the law, and the freedom that we have in Christ. This is not a freedom to “do what we want, any old time,” but freedom to do God’s will and to live according…
“Not Peace, but Division” Text: Luke 12:49-53; Matthew 10:32-39; Hebrews 11:35-38 Jesus says that He came to earth, not to bring peace, but division. Pastor Jon explores this hard saying of Jesus, and challenges us to put our relationship with Jesus before every other relationship. The message concludes with a look at those who put…