Transitions 5: From Death to Life Text: Ezekiel 37:1-14; John 11:1-7, 38-44; Romans 8:6-11 Ezekiel’s vision of the valley of dry bones helps us to understand the power of God’s Spirit. We are reminded that there are no situations that are beyond all hope, and Christians are invited to see the potential of God’s work…

Transitions 4: From Darkness to Light Text: Ephesians 5:8-14 Chaplain Mike Griggs (USCG) offered this morning’s message about the ways in which we are to be shaped by God’s light in our lives. Punctuated by the words of ʺLet the Lower Lights be Burning,ʺ he looked at three key points: destiny, direction, determination. As we…

Transitions 3: From Despair to Hope Text: Exodus 17:1-7; John 4:1-24; Romans 5:1-11 Water is an essential component of human life… and Living Water is an essential component of our spiritual lives. Pastor Jon looks at two familiar scripture lessons about water, exploring the transition from despair to hope. As God’s love is poured into…

Transitions 2: “From Law to Grace” – March 16, 2014 Text: Genesis 12:1-4a; John 3:1-17; Romans 4:1-17 In studying Romans 4, we discover that it’s not so much about doing away with the law, but the realization that trying to keep the law does not provide salvation. Pastor Jon explores the interplay between grace and…

Transitions 1: From Sin to Righteousness Text: Genesis 2:15-17, 3:1-7; Matthew 4:1-11; Romans 5:12-19 As we enter into the Lenten season, we begin a series on the transitions brought about in our lives because of the person and work of Jesus. This week, we focus on how sin entered the world through Adam, but righteousness…

“When Heaven Meets Earth” Text: Matthew 17:1-9 Transfiguration Sunday invites us to consider our mountaintop experiences. Pastor Jon takes two common lessons that are traditionally connected with the Transfiguration, and turns them ever so slightly to help us discover some new lessons we may not have previously considered. As you reflect on your own mountaintop…

“Building God’s Temple” Text: I Corinthians 3:10-23 On this special Sunday, the Cape Elizabeth Church of the Nazarene honors Pastor Emeritus Roland Stanford and his wife Phyllis. As we continue our study in First Corinthians, we discover some key points about what it means to build God’s Temple – the Church. We recognize that we…

“Under Construction” Text: I Corinthians 3:1-9 Paul continues his letter to the new believers in Corinth, encouraging them to move on from “drinking milk” to “solid food.” Just as a baby must learn to feed themselves, mature Christians should not be content with being spoonfed, but instead have learned to feed themselves. We not only…

“Eyes, Ears, Hearts, and Minds” Text: I Corinthians 2:1-16 After emphasizing the core essentials of the Gospel, Paul invites the maturing believer to deepen their faith, to be filled with the Spirit, and to have the mind of Christ. In so doing, our eyes, ears, hearts, and minds are opened, as the mysteries of God…

“A Foolish Message” – February 2, 2014 Text: I Corinthians 1:18-31 God doesn’t often choose the eloquent, the influential, or the wealthy. Instead, he chooses the nobodies, the meek, the poor. At the core of the Gospel is a message that seems foolish to the world: that God would take on human flesh and bones,…