Listen – Cape Elizabeth Church of the Nazarene

E100 #21: "Where They Need No Sun" Text: Revelation 21-22 At the conclusion of our five-month journey through E100, Pastor Jon considers the themes of light and darkness.  Sometimes we need to turn to the end of the Story to be reminded of its grand and glorious conclusion!  And in the in-between-time, we are reminded that we are the light of the world.

E100 #20: "FaithDeeds - October 21, 2012" Text: James 2:14-26 During our Faith Promise for Missions Convention, Pastor Jon takes a closer look at this passage from the book of James.  Our actions, our words, our deeds, and even our financial decisions are a reflection of our faith in Christ, and the ways in which we have been transformed by the character and nature of the heart of God.

E100 #19: "Rightly Dividing the Word" Text: 2 Timothy 2:15 The apostle Paul's encouraging letters to Timothy, a young church leader in Ephesus, have instructed local pastors for centuries; however, the advice to Timothy contains a wealth of information for Jesus' followers who desire to share God's good news.  Those who are chosen to lead our churches are not the only ones who minister in our communities.  When we believe in the universal love of God we can become the shadow of Jesus on the dusty roads of our villages.

E100 #18: "The Fruit of the Spirit" Text: Galatians 5:16-26 In light of the multiple directives in scripture to "produce fruit," Pastor Jon looks at this familiar passage from Galatians.  Paul instructs us, not to keep score and a list of dos and don'ts, but to live by the Spirit and keep in step with the Spirit.  If we are rooted in God's Word, drinking deeply from the Living Water, and abiding in Christ, then we can be confident that the Spirit will produce fruit within us.

E100 #17: "Running on Fumes" Text: Acts 9:1-19 The story of Paul is exhausting!  We struggle to keep up with the passion and determination of this Apostle.  And yet, we recognize that Paul did not accomplish all of that by his own strength and ability, but because of a constant reliance upon the power and presence of the Holy Spirit.

E100 #16: "Homecoming - Koinonia" Text: Acts 2:42-47 On this Homecoming Sunday and 45th Anniversary Celebration, Pastor Jon helps us to consider how the local church should be shaped in the Image of the Triune God.  Since the early church, communities of Christians have been defined by Koinonia - Communion by Intimate Participation.  We conclude our service by welcoming 6 new members to our congregation.

E100 #15: "You Are What You Eat" Text: Luke 22:7-34 Our text today highlights the dichotomy between the Kingdom Narrative and the narratives of this world.  While the disciples are attracted to money, power and greatness; Jesus demonstrates a Kingdom built on poverty, brokenness and servanthood.  As we gather around the Table, we are formed and shaped by the grace that we find there.

E100 #14: "Miracles 101: Ephphatha" Text: Mark 7:32-37 The miracles of Jesus are examples of God's spiritual intervention in our lives. Although we may not hear or see what happened, we are still changed. Pastor Gloria highlights Gospel stories of individuals whose response to unexpected release demonstrated their belief about the Source of their miraculous provision.

E100 #13: "Who Is My Neighbor?" Text: Luke 10:25-37 The Good Samaritan gives us a concrete example of how we ought to reflect the character and nature of God.  After looking at a couple of lessons from the parable itself, Pastor Jon takes a closer look at the context of the parable, suggesting that the Bible often calls us to specific behaviors, regardless of the behavior of others.

E100 #12: "Stepping Down into Darkness" Text: John 1:1-18 By celebrating Christmas in August, we hope to get a fresh reading of the Christmas texts, hearing again what it meant for Jesus to empty Himself and step down into our darkness.  The Incarnation provides us with a model of how we ought to live, walking through dark valleys, moving into the neighborhood, and embodying the Kingdom of God to all we meet.

E100 #11: "Broken Cisterns" Text: Jeremiah 2:1-12; 31:31-34 After providing an overview of Jeremiah's life, Pastor Jon explores the words of Jeremiah, which reveal to us the character and nature of the heart of God.  God continues to remember His people, even though they have forgotten Him and traded the Glory of the Living God for gods made of wood and stone.  Instead of drinking deeply at the springs of living water, they have built broken cisterns that cannot hold water.

E100 #10: "Mindful of our Frame" Text: Psalm 103 Bonhoeffer reminds us that there is no forgiveness without repentance.  This morning a closer look at Psalm 103 reminds us that God is a god of both justice and mercy, and that confession is telling God the truth that He already knows.

E100 #9: "When the Brook Dries Up" Text: I Kings 17:1-16 Alluding to the business parable, "Who Moved My Cheese?" Pastor Jon takes a look at how we deal with change in our lives.  When everything seems to be going smootly, we find it easy to trust God. But when the brook dries up, we are tempted to be angry, or live in denial, or be paralyzed by fear.  Instead, like Elijah, we must listen to the voice of God and trust that He can redeem the situation.

E100 #8: "Be Not Conformed" Text: I Samuel 8:1-20 As we continue our journey through scripture, we consider what it means for the Israelites to have wanted to "be like other nations," and to have a king.  As we consider the implications for us today, we recognize that not only are we tempted to be like the world around us, but that our churches are tempted to try to imitate other churches, and we are often tempted to try to be like other Christians.  Instead, God calls us to fulfill our unique and special role within the Kingdom of God.

E100 #7: "Our Kinsman Redeemer" Text: Ruth 1-4 Pastor Jon offers a brief devotional on the book of Ruth, highlighting that we care for widows, orphans and outsiders because we are all widows, orphans and outsiders.  It is only because of our Kinsman Redeemer that we can consider ourselves part of the Family of God.