 Weekly sermons by Pastor Jon Twitchell at the Cape Elizabeth Church of the NazarenePrimary Format :
Language :
Also Listed as:
City :
State/Province :
Country :
Region :
User Tags:
User Votes:
 RSS Feed
Website
People found this Podcast
Searching for:
View this Podcast on a Google Map. 
 Text Only listing of Sermons by Rev. Jonathan Twitchell Podcasts
 Methings.com listings of Sermons by Rev. Jonathan Twitchell Podcasts
If you like this podcast, you might also like:
|
Paul (#1): Never the Same Again - June 26, 2011 "Paul (#1): Never the Same Again"
Text: Acts 9:1-19a
We begin a new journey, studying the life of Paul as recorded in the book of Acts. We begin with a look at Paul's conversion experience, and reminder that Christ and the Church are so inseparable that to persecute one is to persecute the other. Paul's life reminds us that God can save anyone. As we embark on this journey with Paul, we are reminded that an encounter with Jesus is life-changing, and that we can never be the same again. ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website
Discovering Jesus in the Church - June 12, 2011"Discovering Jesus in the church"
Text: Acts 2:1-21
Pastor Jon concludes our Easter series on "Discovering Jesus" with this Pentecost message. As God's Spirit came down over the Church, we are reminded of similar events in the Old Testament: creation, the giving of the law, and the dedication of the temple. In the Church, God reveals the "new thing" that He is doing, as the Church is the visible expression of the Body of Christ for the world today. It is through the work of the Church ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website
Discovering Jesus in Scripture - June 5, 2011"Discovering Jesus in Scripture"
Text: Luke 24:44-53
On Ascension Sunday, we are reminded that Jesus showed the disciples that He is revealed in Scripture: the Law, the Prophets, and the Psalms (writings). Pastor Jon talks about a proper understanding of scripture, and how we are to read all of scripture through the lens of the person and work of Jesus. All of scripture is useful because it reveals Jesus to us, And when we keep our primary attention on the most important parts of the st ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website
Discovering the Father through the Son - May 29, 2011"Discovering the Father through the Son"
Text: John 14:1-14
As Christians, we don't worship a nebulous, nameless God... the god that is often invoked by our pledge, on our money, or during a civic prayer. We worship the Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We don't have to guess what God is like, because the Father is made known to us through the Son--the exact representation of God's glory. Pastor Jon continues our Easter series, looking at what it means to discover God and to make ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website
Discovering Jesus in the Flock - May 22, 2011"Discovering Jesus in the Flock"
Text: John 10:1-12
Continuing in our series this Easter season, Pastor Jon looks at this familiar passage from John, considering that we also discover Jesus in community, and that the Good Shepherd desires to bring the sheep into the fold. As we live in relationship with one another, we discover Christ at work in us. We are His people. We are the sheep of His pasture
Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website
Discovering Jesus on the Road - May 15, 2011"Discovering Jesus on the Road"
Text: Luke 24:13-35
If we look closely at the disciples on the road to Emmaus, we may recognize ourselves on the road--unable to recognize the answers that are before our own eyes. Through this account, Luke reminds us that we can discover Jesus in the ordinariness of life... on the road... in our doubts... in our disappointments... in our questions... and in the breaking of bread.
Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website
Seeing is Believing - May 8, 2011"Seeing is Believing"
Text: John 20:19-31
Pastor Jon explores the familiar story of "Doubting" Thomas against the backdrop of the commonly-stated belief, "seeing is believing." Our faith is not simply an examination of the evidence provided, neither is it merely mental assent to a series of doctrines or propositional statements. Ultimately faith requires that we believe, in order that we might "see with the eyes of our heart."
Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website
Annual Meeting: All Things New - May 1, 2011"Annual Meeting: All Things New"
Texts: Various, including: Ephesians 5;, Isaiah 6:1-3, 9:2, 26:19, 43:16-21; Revelation 21:1-5
Together, we celebrate the God who is making all things new, breathing new life into this congregation, and building His Kingdom. As Pastor Jon looks back over the past year, he highlights several victories, and considers the ways that God may be preparing us for even greater things in the year to come.
Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website
Easter: Jesus Calls You by Name - April 24, 2011"Easter: Jesus Calls You by Name"
Text: John 20:1-18
On this Easter Sunday, Pastor Jon talks about the importance of our names... and how God knows us and calls us by name. It was when Jesus called Mary's name in the garden that she recognized him. How will you respond when he calls you by name?
Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website
Palm Sunday: Ride on to Die - April 17, 2011"Palm Sunday: Ride on to Die"
Text: Matthew 21:1-11 and Psalm 24
After setting the stage for the Triumphal Entry, Pastor Jon stops to explore what Matthew might have meant when he said, "the city asked 'who is this?'" One possibility is that Matthew was offering a liturgical comment, identifying that the priests may have been reciting Psalm 24 as Jesus entered the city. What does it mean for us to hear, "Lift up your heads, o ye gates, that the King of Glory may come in"?
Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website
Life Transformations 4: The Resurrection and the Life - April 10, 2011"Life Transformations 4: The Resurrection and the Life"
Text: John 11:1-45
As we conclude our mini-series on Life Transformations, Pastor Jon looks at the graveclothes of Lazarus as a metaphor for the things in this world that keep us captive--whether destructive forces and addictions... or the good things that keep us from the best things that God has for us. Just as Lazarus finds freedom through the voice of Jesus and the community around him, we find freedom through the sanctifying wo ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website
Life Transformations 3: Invisible People - April 3, 2011"Life Transformations 3: Invisible People"
Text: John 9
In this passage, Jesus sees a man who has been mostly invisible his entire life. Failed by the people who ought to know him best, this man responds to God's transforming grace--finding not only physical sight, but the salvation that is found in Christ. His firm and bold witness inspires us to tell our story in simple yet concrete ways.
Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website
Life Transformations 2: Living Water - March 27, 2011"Life Transformations 2: Living Water"
Text: John 4:1-42
Jesus breaks all societal norms when his afternoon is seemingly interrupted by an encounter with a woman at the well. What divine appointments might God bring your way this week? How can offer living water to the people on the fringes?
Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website
Life Transformations 1: Born Again - March 20, 2011"Life Transformations 1: Born Again"
Text: John 3:1-21
In this first of four sermons on transformation, Pastor Jon offers some comparisons between Nicodemus and the "rich young ruler." As we continue our journey through the season of Lent, we're called to consider if we are holding onto our carefully constructed life. Many things can take the rightful place of God in our lives... status, reputation, money, etc. Jesus' call to be "born again," may also be a call to give up some of those ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website
Sermon on the Mount 8: Rock of Ages - March 13, 2011"Rock of Ages"
Text: Matthew 7:15-29
In this concluding study on the Sermon on the Mount, Pastor Jon quickly recaps our Ash Wednesday service (recording not available), and then looks at Jesus' conclusion to the Sermon. Jesus Himself places great importance on these teachings, suggesting that if we hear the Sermon but don't allow it to shape us, then we are like a foolish man who builds his house on the sand. Pastor Jon suggests that, "We don’t get to wait until the storm hits to deci ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website
Sermon on the Mount 7: The Narrow Road - March 6, 2011"The Narrow Road"
Text: Matthew 7:1-14
This portion of the Sermon on the Mount reminds us that it's easy to choose the path that leads to destruction. With many narratives competing for our attention, it's vital that we learn to detect the counterfeit narratives. That's why we practice retelling the Grand Narrative, affirming our faith in Christ, and gathering around the Table.
Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website
Sermon on the Mount 6: Seeking First the Kingdom - February 20, 2011"Seeking First the Kingdom"
Text: Matthew 6:25-34
We continue our journey through the Sermon on the Mount with another look at "Kingdom Economics." Pastor Jon provides some images to help us consider the ways that the Kingdom of God is vastly different from the kingdoms of this world... and how the narrative of our US culture is not the narrative that Kingdom-subjects are called to live.
Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website
Sermon on the Mount 5: Who is Your Master? - February 13, 2011"Who is Your Master?"
Text: Matthew 6:19-24
The last few sections of the Sermon on the Mount have been about "Kingdom Politics," and now we turn our attention to "Kingdom Economics." After considering what it means to have a good eye, to only serve one master, and to store up treasures that will not rot, Pastor Jon asks us to consider the ways we've been living into the kingdom of our culture, instead of the Kingdom of God.
Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website
Sermon on the Mount 4: Who is Your Enemy? - February 6, 2011"Who is Your Enemy?"
Text: Matthew 5:38-48
"Turn the other cheek, go the extra mile, give the shirt off your back." As they've been adapted by our culture, these phrases have lost much of their first-century cultural context. Pastor Jon explores the subversive nature of Jesus' style of resisting the kingdoms of darkness, suggesting that we need to reevaluate our understanding of who the Enemy really is.
Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website
Sermon on the Mount 3: Surpassing Righteousness - January 30, 2011"Surpassing Righteousness"
Text: Matthew 5:21-37
In this section, we find some of the most difficult words of Jesus contained in the Sermon on the Mount. After offering three different methods of interpreting the text, Pastor Jon calls us to give thanks to God for His grace, which enables us to have a righteousness that surpasses that of the pharisees--His righteousness.
Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website
Sermon on the Mount 2: How's Your Flavor? - January 23, 2011"How's Your Flavor?"
Text: Matthew 5:13-20
After describing the different Jewish sects of Jesus' day, Pastor Jon takes a look at this section of the Sermon on the Mount through the eyes of the Zealots, Pharisees, Sadducees, and Essenes. As we listen to these words of Jesus, we hear Him calling us to engage our world as salt and light.
Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website
Sermon on the Mount 1: A Living Blessing - January 16, 2010"A Living Blessing"
Text: Matthew 5:1-12
Jesus begins His portrait of the Kingdom of God with a series of blessings, reminding us that God is on the side of the meek, the poor in spirit, and the peacemakers. As subjects of this Kingdom, we're called to be the conduits of these blessings to the world around us. The Beatitudes don't simply end with us, but are a call for us to be the living blessing to those who need to see the Kingdom of God revealed in their lives.
Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website
Sermon on the Mount Prequel: A Subject in the Kingdom of God - January 9, 2011"A Subject in the Kingdom of God"
Text: Matthew 4:12-25
As we enter into the New Year, Pastor Jon urges us to consider the ways that the Kingdom of God is revealed among us. Matthew 4 provides the context for Jesus' best known sermon, "The Sermon on the Mount." During this season after Epiphany, we'll take a look at this sermon, and how it calls us to live as Subjects of the Kingdom of God.
Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website
Where are We Going? - December 5, 2010"Where are We Going?"
Text: Romans 15:1-13, Isaiah 11:1-10
Pastor Jon takes a second look at Advent as a road trip. Last week we considered the question, "How much longer?" This week we ask, "Where are we going?" Isaiah paints a picture of the destination in his description of the Peaceable Kingdom. Paul offers some suggestions for how we ought to prepare, and the gifts for the journey that God gives us: endurance, encouragement (hope), and peace (reconciliation).
Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website
Are We Almost There Yet? - November 28, 2010"Are We Almost There Yet?"
Text: Romans 13:8-14, Romans 12:1-2, Matthew 24:36-44
On this first Sunday of Advent, we are challenged to consider the time--that the return of Christ is imminent. Indeed, it is closer now then when we first believed. The question that is before us is not when Christ will return, but how we ought to live in the in-between-time. The Season of Advent reminds us that our moments today are part of the flow of God's interaction with all of history--past, present, ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website
The Twelve Prophets #15: Zechariah and the City without Walls - November 7, 2010"The Twelve Prophets #15: Zechariah and the City without Walls"
Text: Zechariah 2:1-13
Zechariah uses construction and building imagery to help the returning exiles understand their God-given purpose and ultimate destination. In chapter 2, he paints a picture of an ever-expanding city without walls. Pastor Jon suggests that in this city, it's not up to us to determine who's in and who's out, but rather it is up to our God who is a consuming fire. The message concludes with a call to foc ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website
The Twelve Prophets #14: Haggai and a Dream Deferred - October 31, 2010"The Twelve Prophets #14: Haggai and a Dream Deferred"
Text: Haggai 1:1-2:9
As the exiles beginning to return from captivity, the initial enthusiasm for rebuilding the temple eventually wanes. Haggai attempts to remind the Jews of God's dreams for them, inspiring them to return to work on the temple. Pastor Jon examines this passage, asking us to consider the God-given dreams that we've neglected and allowed to get dusty on the top shelf of our lives.
Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website
The Twelve Prophets #13: Habakkuk and Theodicy - October 10, 2010"The Twelve Prophets #13: Habakkuk and Theodicy"
Text: Habakkuk 1:1-2:4
(Note: Unfortunately, Sermon #12 on Nahum was not recorded, and so is not included in our podcast)
Pastor Jon continues our journey through the Minor Prophets, this week looking at Habakkuk. While we do not always understand the apparent evil in the world around us, Habakkuk reminds us that God has a plan and a purpose. While He welcomes our honest questions, we can also be reminded that He walks with us t ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website
The Twelve Prophets #11: Zephaniah and the Remnant - September 26, 2010"The Twelve Prophets #11: Zephaniah and the Remnant"Text: Zephaniah 3:12-20In looking at the prophet Zephaniah, we must also explore the historical events of the day. Pastor Jon looks into the lives of Kings Manasseh, Amon, and Josiah, and the discovery of the scroll in the temple. Zephaniah offers strong condemnations and judgments, but a glimmer of hope is provided in the knowledge that there will be a remnant returning to Jerusalem. In exploring how they got into this pro ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website
The Twelve Prophets #10: Micah and Court - September 12, 2010"The Twelve Prophets #10: Micah and Court"Text: Micah 6:1-8 One of the most familiar passages of Micah (Micah 6:8) is part of an oracle that represents a trial--a court case between God and His people. Pastor Jon explores the format and content of the verses, and then offers some thoughts regarding justice, lovingkindness, and humility.
Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website
The Twelve Prophets #9: Micah and Peace - September 5, 2010"The Twelve Prophets #9: Micah and Peace"Text: Micah 4:1-5 We continue our study in the Minor Prophets, turning our attention toward the Southern Kingdom of Judah, with a look at the prophet Micah. Micah looks forward to the Peaceable Kingdom, when weapons will be refashioned as instruments of peace and agriculture. Pastor Jon reminds us that we are to be faithful and committed to God, regardless of how the "other nations" believe and worship.
Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website
The Twelve Prophets #8: Hosea and Taking God for Granted - August 29, 2010"The Twelve Prophets #8: Hosea and Taking God for Granted"Text: Hosea 5:15-6:6In our continued journey through the Minor Prophets, Pastor Jon suggests that the Israelites of Hosea 6 had adopted the dangerous practice of taking God (and His grace and forgiveness) for granted. The prevalent belief appears to be that they could live however they wanted... knowing that God would be faithful and forgive them. Instead, God compares them to the morning mist and the early dew, which q ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website
The Twelve Prophets #7: Hosea and Faithfulness - August 22, 2010"The Twelve Prophets #7: Hosea and Faithfulness"Text: Hosea 1-3Continuing on our journey through the Twelve (Minor) Prophets, Pastor Jon looks at Hosea and his relationship with Gomer as a picture of God's chesed (lovingkindness or extreme faithfulness). Though she did nothing to deserve it, Hosea chose her... and though she did everything to deserve condemnation, he redeemed her and renewed the covenant with her. This "Second Greatest Love Story Ever Told" gives us a clear pict ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website
The Twelve Prophets #6: Amos and Complacency - August 15, 2010"The Twelve Prophets #6: Amos and Complacency"Text: Amos 6:1-7This sermon takes a second look at the book of Amos, this time exploring the spiritual complacency that came from the wealth and luxury experienced by the Northern Kingdom of Israel. This spiritual complacency occurs when we center our lives around the things of this world, and relegate the Kingdom of God to the outside.
Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website
The Twelve Prophets #5: Amos and Justice - August 8, 2010"The Twelve Prophets #5: Amos and Justice"Text: Amos 5:18-27It was the best of times... Under Jeroboam the Second, the Northern Kingdom of Israel had experienced unprecedented growth, security, and wealth. As we learn from studying the prophet Amos, this caused the people to become spiritually complacent, perpetuating injustices against the poor and innocent. Amos says, "Woe to you who long for the day of the Lord," indicating that the people of Israel were on the wrong side of ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website
The Twelve Prophets #4: Joel and the Locusts - August 1, 2010"The Twelve Prophets #4: Joel and the Locusts"Text: Joel 2:1-32Joel uses a locust swarm to warn the people of a great judgment that will come if they do not repent. And this must be a true repentance of the heart, not simply being sorry because they got caught. Pastor Jon continues our 16-week journey through The Twelve Prophets, commonly called The Minor Prophets.
Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website
The Twelve Prophets #3: Obadiah - July 25, 2010"The Twelve Prophets #3: Obadiah"Text: ObadiahObadiah, the shortest book in the Old Testament, contains a prophetic oracle against the nation of Edom. Pastor Jon loffers some thoughts on how Christians today ought to be careful of falling into the same sins committed by the people of Edom.
Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website
The Twelve Prophets #2: Jonah and the Great City - July 18, 2010"The Twelve Prophets #2: Jonah and the Great City"Text: Jonah 3 & 4Pastor Jon continues our survey through Jonah by looking at the way the narrator repeats the word 'great.' Jonah is called to do the work of God in the Great City of Ninevah, and yet is angry when his ministry is successful. As he gets angry about the growing vine, we are reminded that our problems and concerns often seem great to us, but may not be as great as what God intends to accomplish.
Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website
The Twelve Prophets #1: Jonah Gets Down - July 11, 2010"The Twelve Prophets #1: Jonah Gets Down"Text: Jonah 1 & 2Today we embark on a 16 week journey through The Twelve Prophets (commonly referred to as The Minor Prophets). Pastor Jon looks at the first part of the book of Jonah as an image of our tendency to run from God, instead of going to the places that He calls us to. And yet, even when we get to the bottom of the deepest pit, we are reminded that God's arm is long enough and His love is strong enough to bring us back up.
... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website
Galatians #6: Parting Words - July 4, 2010"Galatians #6: Parting Words"Text: Galatians 6This completes our six week series in the book of Galatians. Pastor Jon takes a look at some of Paul's practical comments, and then considers what it means for Paul to say, "I bear on my body the marks of Jesus." What might it mean for us to say that today?
Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website
Galatians #5: The Fruit of the Spirit - June 27, 2010"Galatians #5: The Fruit of the Spirit"Text: Galatians 5:13-25Pastor Jon takes a look at this familiar passage from Galatians, exploring what it means to live according to the Spirit instead of according to the law. Paul teaches that the Spirit at work within us will bear fruit in keeping with the Spirit. We are free from the law because we are free to do good. The Spirit changes our "want to" so that we naturally bear fruit.
Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website
Galatians #4: One of These Things - June 20, 2010"Galatians #4: One of These Things"Text: Galatians 3:26-4:7Paul challenges our natural inclination to sort and categorize people based on race, economic status, or gender. Indeed, the ground is level at the foot of the cross, and all people are welcome into the family of God as dearly loved children, co-heirs of the Kingdom of God.
Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website
Galatians #3: Hypocrisy and Integrity - June 13, 2010"Galatians #3: Hypocrisy and Integrity"Text: Galatians 2:11-21This is the third of six sermons on the book of Galatians. Pastor Jon suggests that one of the biggest criticisms facing the church is that of hypocrisy--a charge that goes back to the earliest days of the church. The antidote is integrity, living the same way everywhere we go, even when nobody is looking. In this portion of our text, Paul tells how he confronted Peter because of his hypocrisy in regards to keeping the Old Tes ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website
Galatians #2: Anchored in Jesus - June 6, 2010"Galatians #2: Anchored in Jesus"Text: Galatians 1:10-24How do you face criticism and false accusations? Paul faced his accusers confidently, offering them evidence of his good fruits, references from other believers, and the story of his calling. Ultimately, he could face down the false accusations because he knew who he was in Jesus.
Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website
Galatians #1: Christianity Plus - May 30, 2010"Galatians #1: Christianity Plus"Text: Galatians 1:1-12Pastor Jon begins a 6 week series on the book of Galatians with an overview of the letter to the Gentile believers in Galatia. Paul challenges those who are teaching adherence to the law, and encourages the believers to place their faith in Christ alone. C. S. Lewis might refer to this as "Mere Christianity," and what the Judaizers were teaching as "Christianity Plus."
Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website
Are You Really Listening? - November 8, 2009"Are You Really Listening?"Pastor Jon combines several texts of scripture to illustrate the words of James 1:22 (Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourself, do what it says.) From the Israelites in the wilderness to the disciples' treatment of children, we explore the human propensity to look like we're listening--without really being transformed by what we have heard.
Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website
To the Other Side of the Tracks - October 25, 2009"To the Other Side of the Tracks"Text: Mark 6-8Pastor Jon retells Mark 6-8 in broad sweeping strokes, paying particular attention to the geographical movement that Jesus makes. Based on some material by Ray Vanderlaan, this sermon explores the message that Jesus lived out--that the Highway of Holiness was to take the Gospel to the margins and fringes, that because of Jesus, the outsiders were to become insiders, and welcome to the table.
Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website
Made Clean from the Inside Out - October 11, 2009"Made Clean from the Inside Out"Text: Mark 7:1-23Pastor Jon looks at some of the traditions of the Pharisees to help us better understand Jesus' call in Mark 7. As we seek being cleaned from the inside out, we also recognize that it's not about changing people on the outside--but introducing them to the God who can change them on the inside.
Listen | Listen in your iPhone | Download | View full cache | Visit Website
Recognizing Jesus - October 4, 2009"Recognizing Jesus"Text: Mark 6:30-56Our text from Mark 6 shows sequences of events where people either recognized, or failed to recognize, Jesus. We are reminded that Jesus is Jesus--both when things are going well and there's plenty of food, and when the storms are raging. Our inability to recognize Jesus doesn't change His ability to see us and recognize us. Pastor Jon concludes with a challenge that we are to be the representation of Christ to the world around us... that we might be ... Listen | Listen in your iPhone | |