Sermons on Jonathan:

We Need A Hero?

Contributed by Jonathan Twitchell on Jul 25, 2006

This sermon takes a look at the David & Goliath narrative with a contemporary eye to the Zorro and Superman movies.

It’s funny that as we grow up we sometimes develop tastes that we never had as a child. For instance, I never liked salad as a child, but developed a taste for Caesar Salad as an adult. While I still don’t like broccoli, somewhere along the way I developed a deep enjoyment of good coffee. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:1-49

Denomination: Nazarene

Killing The Author Of Life

Contributed by Jonathan Twitchell on Jul 25, 2006

What does it mean to suggest that we "killed the author of life"? Readings from C.S. Lewis and John 1 complemented this sermon.

NOTE: The context of this sermon was a "Good Friday" service. The service began with a reading from C.S. Lewis’ "The Magician’s Nephew" in which Aslan ’sang’ Narnia into being. The prologue from John was also read. After some music, the crucifixion narrative was read, and then this sermon was ...read more

Scripture: Acts 3:11-26

Denomination: Nazarene

A Matter Of Life And Death

Contributed by Jonathan Twitchell on Jul 26, 2006

The "sanctity of life" often describes our stance on the beginning and the end of life--but what about the time in between?

For the last few weeks we’ve been following the accounts of the period of time between the Judges and the early Kings of Israel. These accounts are found in the books of First and Second Samuel—and primarily detail the life of Samuel, the rise and fall of King Saul, and the choice of his ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 1:1-27

Denomination: Nazarene

Upside-Down, Backwards, And Inside-Out

Contributed by Jonathan Twitchell on Jul 26, 2006

Utilizing 2 Samuel 5:1-10; 2 Corinthians 12:2-10; and Mark 6:1-13, this sermon highlights how the Gospel often seems Upside-down and backwards--but really it is our perspective which needs adjusting.

When I was a camp counselor during the summers of my High School and College years, I looked forward to the many theme days that we would have throughout the summer. We’d have international food days—complete with French Toast, Tacos, and Hungarian Goulash (that you’d eat with your fingers), or ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 5:1-10

Denomination: Nazarene

Article #5 - Sin, Original And Personal Series

Contributed by Jonathan Twitchell on Dec 7, 2006

The fifth in a sixteen-sermon series on the Nazarene Articles of Faith. This sermon explores the doctrine of sin and the way in which we can have an "Independance Day" in our lives.

Article of Faith #5 - Sin, Original and Personal Date: Sunday, July 4, 2004 Author: Rev. Jonathan K. Twitchell Before we begin our study today, I’d like to take a moment of pastoral privilege. A couple of weeks ago you took some time to recognize some special occasions in my life; my birthday, ...read more

Denomination: Nazarene

Article #6 - The Atonement Series

Contributed by Jonathan Twitchell on Dec 7, 2006

The sixth in a sixteen-part series on the Nazarene Articles of Faith. In order to understand The Atonement, we must also understand the difference between God’s Mercy and His Grace

Experts can’t agree if the following is a true story or if it should be written down next to the tale of George Washington and the Cherry Tree. While there is no concrete evidence of its truth, there is enough anecdotal evidence that the story has been in existence long enough to quite possibly be ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:6-21

Denomination: Nazarene

Article #7 - Prevenient Grace Series

Contributed by Jonathan Twitchell on Dec 7, 2006

Seventh in a sixteen-part series on the Nazarene Articles of Faith, this sermon deals with the Wesleyan Doctrine of Prevenient (or Preventing) Grace.

Article of Faith #7 - Prevenient Grace Date: Sunday, July 11, 2004 Author: Rev. Jonathan K. Twitchell It’s not a simple matter to adjust the Constitution of an entire denomination. We don’t expect that our Articles of Faith could be easily adjusted to fit the changing times. Since God is ...read more

Scripture: Acts 10:1-7

Denomination: Nazarene

When All Hell Breaks Loose - Help Is On The Way

Contributed by Jonathan Twitchell on Dec 7, 2006

This sermon was preached on Advent 1C, and highlights the hope we have in the promise of Christ’s Second Coming. The sermon concluded with a service of prayer and anointing.

Happy New Year! Yes…Happy New Year! Today marks the beginning of the New Year in the Christian Calendar. No, this is not the calendar year, neither is it the beginning of the church statistical and budget year—but the beginning of the Christian Worship Year. Today is the First Sunday of Advent, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 21:25-36

Denomination: Nazarene

Salvation Full And Free

Contributed by Jonathan Twitchell on Dec 7, 2006

As a priest in the order of Melchizedek, Jesus came to offer salvation full and free.

These past several weeks have taken us on a journey through portions of Job, Mark chapter 10, and the book of Hebrews. Through looking at the combinations of those Scripture passages, we’ve been reminded that Jesus is our Great High Priest, and that He journeys with us on the path to glory—which ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 7:1-28

Denomination: Nazarene

In Covenant With God

Contributed by Jonathan Twitchell on Dec 7, 2006

Pastor Jon continues his study through Hebrews, looking at ways in which the New Covenant in Jesus fulfills the Old Covenant.

If you were with us last week, you remember hearing about how Abram (later called Abraham) chased after the kings and their armies after they defeated Sodom and captured Lot. Lot was blessed by the King of Salem—Melchizedek. We learned that Melchizedek was superior to Abram because the blessing ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 9:1-15

Denomination: Nazarene

The Requirements Of The New Covenant

Contributed by Jonathan Twitchell on Dec 7, 2006

The author of Hebrews has made the case that the New Covenant is superior to (and fulfills) the Old Covenant. What then are the requirements of this new covenant?

Before we continue our study of Hebrews this morning, I want to take a moment to comment on our Gospel lesson found in Mark chapter 12. I love that short little story about the widow who placed her two coins in the offering. I love the way that Jesus so graciously commends this woman—not because ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:11-24

Denomination: Nazarene

Running The Marathon Of Faith

Contributed by Jonathan Twitchell on Dec 7, 2006

The "Holiday Marathon" provides a backdrop for understanding the sort of "Marathon of Faith" which we are called to run.

Yesterday we made the colossal mistake of attempting to run errands in the mall and surrounding areas. Oh, I know better than to go to the mall between Thanksgiving and Christmas, but yesterday was still the Saturday before Thanksgiving. And…on top of that…there’s an extra week between ...read more

Denomination: Nazarene

Complete Surrender To Christ The King

Contributed by Jonathan Twitchell on Dec 7, 2006

The story of Eric Liddell (Chariots of Fire) forms the backdrop for this sermon on Christ the King Sunday. Are we willing to surrender all of our commitments and allegiences to Christ the King?

1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy ...read more

Scripture: John 18:28-40

Denomination: Nazarene

Article #8 - Repentance Series

Contributed by Jonathan Twitchell on Dec 7, 2006

The eighth in a sixteen-part series on the Nazarene Articles of Faith, this sermon looks at the conversion of Saul/Paul as an example of true repentance.

Article of Faith #8 - Repentance Date: Sunday, July 18, 2004 Author: Rev. Jonathan K. Twitchell It’s an ongoing battle at the Twitchell household. We have a great number of beautiful songbirds that come to our birdfeeders in the front yard: goldfinches, house finches, red-winged blackbirds, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 26:1-23

Denomination: Nazarene

Article #10 - Entire Sanctification Series

Contributed by Jonathan Twitchell on Dec 7, 2006

Tenth in a sixteen-part series, this sermon looks at the distinctions between Salvation, Sanctification, and Glorification

Article of Faith #10 - Entire Sanctification Date: Sunday, August 8, 2004 Author: Rev. Jonathan K. Twitchell Four-hundred-and-fifty years before Christ walked the earth there lived a philosopher by the name of Zeno. Zeno was best known for his mathematical paradoxes…situations that appear to be ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:10-15

Denomination: Nazarene