Cape Elizabeth Church of the Nazarene - Weekly Sermon Podcast

“Redemption Story: Now Our Story”
Text: Ruth 4:1-17
We wrap up our study of Ruth by looking at the fourth and final chapter. This story shows us a vision of what it might look like as we live into and walk the path that God has for us. It shows us that when be believe that the situations that surround us are too difficult to overcome and there is no hope of redemption, there is still a God who sees us and is interested in walking with us as well as redeeming us.

“Redemption Story: Surprised by Grace”
Text: Ruth 2:1-13
We continue our series on the book of Ruth by studying chapter 2, where Ruth first meets Boaz. Hearing of Ruth’s faithfulness to Naomi, Boaz extends grace to her in the grain fields. Like Boaz, we have the opportunity to lavish “hesed” — grace and loving kindness — to a world that desperately needs it; a world that would be surprised by this grace. As people of God, let us be faithful to the God who still enters our life, lives and walks among us through the valleys and high points, and helps to show us how to live gracefully and faithfully with our neighbors.

“Redemption Story: Identification & Committment”
Text: Ruth 1:1-22
Today we begin a multi-week study of the book of Ruth. It’s a story of redemption, a story of deliverance, and a story of finding one’s place in the grace of God. This week we are going to learn about identification and commitment – about knowing who we are.

“The Kingdom: Ready to Feast”
Text: Matthew 22:1-14
This week, we study the Parable of the Wedding Banquet. God invites all to His celebration by name, and when we respond faithfully to that invitation, we become His servants. As servants, we become those are called to go out and invite anyone else to come and share in the celebration as well. As the church, we are the bridegroom called to love and serve our Christ in celebrating a hope for a new world.

“The Kingdom: In God the Son”
Text: Matthew 21:33-46
This morning we study the parable of the landowner and the vineyard. His tenants did not give the landowner the produce and instead killed his servants and even his son. The parable was a warning to the chief priests and Pharisees and a reminder to us that we are called to produce spiritual fruit – not to hoard it and keep it for ourselves, but to allow it to be used however God wants to use it.

People of Grace: “Loving Accountability in Action”
Text: Acts 4:23-31
We conclude our series on being a people of grace; learning what it means for God to love and be gracious to us, and how we reciprocate and live into that grace.  In this week’s scripture passage, instead of praying for the destruction of their enemies, the believers pray for healing.  A great temptation after initially receiving God’s changing power is to become judgmental.  This is why we need each other in discipleship; to support each other in the hard times so that we don’t succumb to easy ways of this world but instead look upon those around us with love, grace, and encouragement.

This sermon series is inspired by “A People of Grace” by Sam Barber, available from the Foundry Publishing.

“People of Grace: Participating in God’s Mission
Text: Romans 8:18-30
We continue our “People of Grace” series by reading encouraging words Paul wrote to the early Church in Rome. Paul takes a moment to compare the early Church’s sufferings to those of Christ and reminds us that whatever me might struggle with now, nothing compares to the glory that lies ahead for those who believe.

This sermon series is inspired by “A People of Grace” by Sam Barber, available from the Foundry Publishing.

People of Grace: “Why is Discipleship So Difficult?” – September 17, 2023
Text: Acts 2:42-47
We live in a very busy and stressful world; one where there is always something pulling us one way or the other. It can be difficult to fully commit to discipleship in these moments, both individually and as a group. This week’s scripture passage, occurring shortly after Pentecost, paints an ideal picture about what it means to be the Church. Through the scriptures, we find that there is still a God who is with us and compels us in life’s difficult moments. Through the breaking of bread together, we find that the journey we are on – life – is one in which we are not alone. Coming to the table together, we care for one another and remind ourselves that the grace of God is the greatest food for our souls.

This sermon series is inspired by “A People of Grace” by Sam Barber, available from the Foundry Publishing.

“People of Grace: What is a Disciple?”
Text: Matthew 4:18-22
This week, we look at the calling of Jesus’ first disciples. The invitation to follow Jesus is a personal one, with the disciples being mentioned by name in the scripture for one of the only times. This passage shows us that God reaches out and calls His people in whatever walk of life they are in to follow after His Son, Jesus Christ, and this invitation continues today.

This sermon series is inspired by “A People of Grace” by Sam Barber, available from the Foundry Publishing.

“People of Grace: God’s Mission – My Purpose”
Text: John 4:27-38
In the Gospels, the disciples are often shown as trying to safeguard Jesus from those who they might think are unworthy or slowing Him down. This passage, which follows Jesus’s encounter with the woman at the well, is a notable exception where the text specifically states that they did not question Jesus why He talked with her. It’s precisely when grace is extended – and not judgement – that she is able to find her voice and be given both a mission and a purpose in life. In our life and in our faith, it is easy to extend limitations of grace to people. However, if God has reached us, claimed us, and invited us to drink God’s living water that flows through Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit, then we are called to enter into His plan and purpose. As we follow God, we become amazed by where His love will take us.

This sermon series is inspired by “A People of Grace” by Sam Barber, available from the Foundry Publishing.