A Citizen of the Kingdom of God - June 18, 2006

A Citizen of the Kingdom of God

Text: I Samuel 8:1-20

We consider the nature of citizenships and kingdoms as we look at the Israelites' request for a king to rule over them. As we consider the systems of human government, we are challenged to orient our lives around the spiritual realities of the Kingdom of God. We are primarily to be citizens of God's Kingdom, before being citizens of the kingdoms of this world.

I Serve at the Pleasure of God Almighty - June 11, 2006

I Serve at the Pleasure of God Almighty

Texts: I Samuel 3:1-20; II Corinthians 4:5-12

Have you ever wondered what it must be like for a Presidential appointee to receive a phone call asking them to serve "at the Pleasure of the President of the United States." This sermon explores the call that the young boy Samuel received in the middle of the night asking him to serve "at the Pleasure of God Almighty." How do you respond to God's call on your life?

Pentecost - Crash Helmets & Life Jackets - June 4, 2006

Pentecost - Crash Helmets & Life Jackets

Text: Acts 2:1-41

Pentecost Sunday provides an opportunity to consider the great power of the Holy Spirit available to the Church. Unfortunately, we are often ill-equipped to tap into God's power, and would be surprised if we encountered the sort of transformational worship that took place on that first Christian Pentecost. Theologian Annie Dillard suggests that our ushers should distribute crash helmets and life jackets in case the Almighty chose to show up at church.

A Faithful and True Witness - May 28, 2006

A Faithful and True Witness

Texts: Acts 1:1-11; I John 5:9-13

With present-day discussion about "The DaVinci Code" and the "Gospel of Judas," the Church is challenged to consider why it places its faith in the message revealed through the current scriptural Canon. As we consider the witness of those early Apostles, our faith is strengthened by the realization that they were willing to suffer and die because of the message that they testified about. Are we prepared to be that faithful and true witness in our world today?

Faith is the Victory - May 21, 2006

Faith is the Victory


Texts: John 15:9-17; I John 5:1-5

The mission of the church is not to be a safe place for the saved and the sanctified, but to take the message of hope and holiness to the world around us. We're not the church primarily when we're gathered within these four walls, we're the church primarily when we're away from these four walls engaging our world as conduits of the "wonderful, matchless grace of Jesus." We're called to love others. How do you know that you are loving others? By loving God. Both our love for God and our love for others are derived from God's love for us.

With this backdrop, Pastor Jon looks at the potential reasons why the Church in North America is failing to grow at the same pace of churches around the world. Is it possible that we are no longer finding lost people because we believe that lost people don't want to be found? Is it possible that we know the reasons they would reject Christ better than they know those reasons? Do we lack the victory that Jesus promised because our faith needs to be strenghtened?

Abiding in Him - May 14, 2006

Abiding in Him


Text: John 15:1-8; I John 4:7-21

On Mother's Day, we are reminded that the most basic and fundamental characteristic of God's nature is love. Not only does "love" describe who God is, but we also realize that God defines our understanding of "love." The call of Scripture is for us to abide in God so that He abides in us. Instead of settling for being "saved from Hell," we are to be in an intimate relationship with our Creator. Perhaps this intimacy is best pictured by the intimate abiding of a mother and unborn child. How do you know you love God? When you produce fruit and love others.

The Reality of Present Risenness - April 30, 2006

The Reality of Present Risenness

Text: I John 3:1-8

What difference does Easter really make? Does the reality of the resurrection affect the way in which we live our lives? Easter is not simply an historical event, but has very real ramifications for our lives today. Not only did Jesus walk from an empty tomb, but He is alive and active today. we must be continually aware of what Brennan Manning calls "Present Risenness."

Special - Welcome to the Podcast - April 23, 2006

Special - Welcome to the Podcast

A special message from Pastor Jon Twitchell directly to listeners of our sermon podcast. We're very glad that you're listening, and we'd love to hear from you. You can email Pastor Jon at pastorjon@capenazarene.org.

Easter - Rejoice! The Song is Alive! - April 16, 2006

Easter Sunday - Rejoice! The Song is Alive

Texts: Isaiah 53:6; Acts 3:15; Luke 7:18-23; Luke 15:1-7; John 9; John 11:1-44

As the continuation of the message begun on Good Friday, we can rejoice today for the Song is alive. For even though we killed the Author of Life, God is more powerful than darkness, life is stronger than death, God's song is stronger than the silence. The lost are found, the blind see, the dead live again. What shall our response be to this proclamation of the Gospel? What song shall we now sing? To whom shall we sing our song? Let us echo the words of Casting Crowns--indeed, "let my lifesong sing to You!"

Good Friday - Killing the Song - April 14, 2006

Good Friday - Killing the Song

Texts: John 1; John 18-19; Philippians 2:1-8; Acts 3

The creation of Narnia from Lewis's "The Magician's Nephew" formed the backdrop for an evening of dramatic readings which culminated in this message about killing the author of life. For three horrible days, the Light of the World was snuffed out, the author of the song had been silenced. Instead of singing the song of the Creator, we chose instead to sing our own song. Let us never forget that it was as though our sins and disobedience nailed Him to that tree.

The Quest - It's Not About You - April 9, 2006

The Quest - The Life You've Longed For: It's Not About You

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Texts: Mark 1:14-20; I Corinthians 1:20-31

Jesus took ordinary people and asked them to do extraordinary tasks. On this quest, we learn that our participation in the Kingdom of God isn't really about us--it's about Him. Will you choose to follow Him with all of your heart, regardless of the cost? Henri Nouwen says, "There is no middle ground here. Jesus went to Jerusalem to put people in a situation where they had to say yes or no."

The Quest - Christlike Character - April 2, 2006

The Quest - Christlike Character

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Texts: Romans 12:1-2

God desires to form Christlike character within us. If we are a broken pot, it is not simply enough for Him to rescue the pieces of the pot from being thrown out--instead, He loves us so much that He desires to pick up the pieces, put them back together again, clean the inside of the pot, fill it up with His Spirit, for the purpose of restoring the Image of God within us. We are called to be transformed--allowing the Character of Christ to shine through us.

The Quest - You Can Receive Power - March 26

The Quest - You Can Receive Power

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Texts: Acts 1:8; 2 Timothy 1:7, 14

Our fifth session on our Quest, guided by Frank Moore's book "The Power to be Free," causes us to consider the ways in which we are empowered by God to do His work. As we are dependant upon His power and allow His power to flow through us, we find ourselves caught up in His Kingdom work. This power gives us strength, it works on our behalf, and it is at work within us.

The Quest - You Can Experience Purity - March 19, 2006

The Quest - You Can Experience Purity

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Texts: Matthew 5:8; Psalm 51; Philippians 2:1-8; James 4:8

Scripture teaches that the goal of the Christian is to have a pure heart. Is it possible to experience this kind of purity in the world around us? What does a pure heart look like? Soren Kierkegaard suggests that heart purity is "to will one thing." James suggests that we must be single-minded in all we do. Heart purity begins when we follow Jesus as our example and seek only to do the Father's will.

The Quest - You Can Accept Love - March 12, 2006

The Quest - You Can Accept Love

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Texts: John 3:16; Luke 15; Matthew 13:45-46

This third session on our Quest highlights the way in which God's Spirit transforms us through His love.Luis Palau, (the "Latin Billy Graham") is famous for saying "God loves you, loves you, loves you." However, this truth doesn't simply mean that we can live however we like--God loves us so much that He desires to transform us more and more into His image. Not only does God love us, He loves others through us.

The Quest - You Have a Guide - March 5, 2006

The Quest - You Have a Guide

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Text: John 16:12-15

This second sermon on "The Quest" (based on Frank Moore's book The Power to be Free) looks at the ways in which the Holy Spirit acts as our guide. With a multitude of guides and teachers offering their thoughts to us, we must remember that the Holy Spirit is the best guide for us to follow--the best teacher for us to learn from. We can always find people who want to tell us what we should do--but we should be a student of the Holy Spirit.

The Quest - How Do I Live the Life I've Longed For? - February 26, 2006

The Quest - How Do I Live the Life I've Longed For?

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Text: II Kings 2:1-12; John 14:1-6, 15-18

Have you ever had a task for which you need outside assistance? Jesus left his disciples with two great tasks--the Great Commandments and the Great Commission. While the tasks seem impossible for us to complete on our own, Jesus left us with Great Promises of outside help--the Holy Spirit. This sermon begins our study through "The Quest," based on Frank Moore's book The Power to be Free.

Following Instructions - February 19, 2006

Following Instructions

Text: II Kings 5:1-17

The story of Naaman's leprosy reminds us of the importance of following the instructions that God gives us, regardless of how simple or foolish they may appear. Instead of following the instructions that are given to us, we often are tempted to try to figure things on our own. When we are broken, it is necessary to consult the instructions, to learn how God might provide us with healing. It is precisely God's grace alone which heal us, not only our bodies, but our spirits as well. It is our faith and obedience which opens us to God's healing power to be at work in our lives.

One With Authority - January 29, 2006

One With Authority

Text: Mark 1:21-28

What does it mean to say that Jesus "taught as One with Authority"? In our pluralistic culture, the role of authorityhas been diminished--instead of trusting those in positions of influence, we are tempted to only trust ourselves. At the same time, we long for a culture which shares a common moral authority where "right" is always "right" and "north" is always "north." Our best self-improvements leave us with a sense of emptiness and failure, and so we must reorient our compass to follow the "One with Authority."

Follow How Far - January 22, 2006

Follow How Far?

Text: Psalm 62: 5-8; Jonah 3:1-5, 10; 1 Corinthians 7:17-23; Mark 1:14-20

At the heart of the message of Christianity is the doctrine that we can have a personal relationship with God Almighty. And yet, it's important for us to remember that we are on a Great Adventure with a Great Commander! As we hear the Gospel lesson about the calling of the disciples we are challenged to consider how far we are willing to follow our Leader.

A New Wardrobe - January 1, 2006

A New Wardrobe

Text: Revelation 21:1-6a, Isaiah 43

TLC's "What Not to Wear" provides the backdrop for this New Year's sermon about our God who is making all things new. As we prepare to throw away our old wardrobe, we know that God is always doing a new thing and desires to clothe us with His robes. What "New Thing" does God want for you this year?