Cape Elizabeth Church of the Nazarene - Weekly Sermon Podcast

“Reading Anew: Staying Connected”
Text: Judges 11
We conclude our “Reading Anew” series by reading Judges 11, which has the tragic sacrifice of Jephthah’s daughter following his success over the Ammonites. The story reminds us how important it is for us as the church to stay connected to one another. It is how we remember our identity as the people of God.

“Reading Anew: Worthy or Unworthy?
Text: 1 Corinthians 11:17-34
Paul addresses the church in Corinth about divisions and selfishness among them; specifically regarding the Lord’s Supper. To eat or drink unworthily is to do so to the exclusion of others. We should recognize that the grace of God invites all to come to the table with repentance and to receive it with openness to what God will do to change us.

“Reading Anew: Trusting the Holy Spirit”
Text: Luke 12:1-12
Today’s passage often carries a heading of “The Unpardonable Sin” in our bibles and has Jesus giving a stern warning to the Pharisees about why they should fear God. Jesus also reminds us that God cares about each one of us and that we should be part of His work, inviting one another to fully embrace what the Holy Spirit wants to do in and among us.

“Reading Anew: Breaking the Bow”
Text: Hosea 1:1-11
Sometimes illustrations have a way of taking over the message and this week’s passage, Hosea’s illustration of marriage often becomes the focus of the text. Instead, the message is about Israel’s unfaithfulness and forsaking of God even through actions that were said to be God ordained like the massacre at Jezreel. This passage invites us to read Scripture, ask questions, and reflect about how we are called to be something more; to be neighbors and to love one another.

“Reading Anew: Finding Their Voice”
Text: 1 Timothy 2:1-15
Today we begin a new series called “Reading Anew” where we look at passages which can be hard for us to read or think about. This week, we read Paul’s words in 1 Timothy on the behavior of men and women in the early church. Pastor Tim asserts that while Paul’s words initially seem to support centuries-old stereotypes, he is actually challenging everyone to live beyond those stereotypes.

“Summer in Romans: Love No Matter What”
Text: Romans 13:1-10
As we end our summer in Romans, Paul reminds the church of the words of Jesus. The call to love our neighbor comes from the highest authority and where we can extend grace and mercy to others, we show that God is greater than any other power in this world.

Text: Romans 12:1-13
Paul tells us in Romans 12 that we are all part of one body in Christ, and that we need each other and must love one another. We are each gifted for the work of the Gospel.

Text: Romans 11:33-36
Paul’s Doxology in Romans 11 quotes from both Isaiah and Job. With this context, it reminds us of the awesome majesty of God but also compels us to live in the expectation of His mercy, not judgment. We can approach our sin or the sin of others with an invitation to live faithfully to what God has in store.

Text: Romans 11:13-32
In Romans 11, Paul speaks to those outside the Jewish faith who joined the early Church and dismisses the notion that they are superior or treated differently by God. God’s character is to offer holiness, grace, and salvation to all who accept Him.

“Summer in Romans: God of Wonder, Part 2”
Text: Romans 9:14-21, 10:11-13, 11:1-10
Pastor Amanda Lawton returns to share Paul’s message to the church in Rome in chapters 9-11. In His infinite wisdom, God has shown His creation mercy and has given all a chance to make the choice to worship Him above all else regardless of background.