Sermons on Jonathan:

When The Devil Knocks, Keep Pressing On Series

Contributed by Jonathan Powell on Nov 7, 2006

No matter the opposition in life, keep pressing on to the High calling of Christ Jesus! - Sermon 5 in Under Construction series

When the Devil Knocks, Keep Pressing On! Nehemiah 6:1-19 Construction Series # Nehemiah is the perfect Old Testament example of the Energizer bunny, he keeps going and going and going, despite all types of different distractions. Some from inside sources, some from outside sources. However, he ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 6:1-19

Denomination: Baptist

The Legend Of The Little Drummer Boy

Contributed by Jonathan Twitchell on Nov 7, 2006

This fictional narrative imagines what that first Christmas might actually have looked like through the eyes of the Little Drummer Boy.

The following is a work of fiction. Please feel free to use it in a spoken inspirational context (i.e., as a Reading or Meditation presented orally at Christmastime.) Please do not reproduce or republish by email or on the web without the author’s permission. (c) 2003 J. K. Twitchell The ...read more

Scripture: Luke 21:1-4, Luke 21:1

Denomination: Nazarene

Article #4 - The Holy Scriptures Series

Contributed by Jonathan Twitchell on Nov 7, 2006

Fourth in a series on the Nazarene Articles of Faith, this sermon looks at the how the Wesleyan Quadrilateral helps us to interpret Scripture.

Today, we come to look at the Article of Faith regarding Holy Scripture. Scripture has been important throughout human history, as it is the story which reveals God and His interactions with His creation. Scripture tells us of God’s Story, showing us His plan and His will. While it is not a ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:1-4

Denomination: Nazarene

The Exact Representation Of God's Being

Contributed by Jonathan Twitchell on Oct 26, 2006

The author of Hebrews states that Jesus is the radiance of God’s glory, and the exact representation of His being. In a world where God’s message is so often drowned out by the noise around us, it is good to be reminded that God continues to speak to His

If you ever happen to listen to Positive 89.3 on Saturday nights, you know that Joe Polek and I often enjoy sharing humorous stories from the news between the songs that we play. If you listened last night, you would have heard us talking about a variety of mistranslations with humorous results. ...read more

Denomination: Nazarene

What's Your Perspective?

Contributed by Jonathan Twitchell on Oct 26, 2006

Contrasting Job with the Rich Young Ruler forces us to consider the priorities in our own life. Our ability to face the inevitable losses and tragedy in life is determined by our perspective on life. By setting our sights on things above, we are better

Whenever the phone rings at 2 o’clock in the morning, you hope that it’s a wrong number, that nothing’s really wrong, and that you can go back to sleep. Middle-of-the-night phone calls are rarely good, as the caller must think it’s pretty important in order to wake you from your sleep. Melody’s a ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 4:12-16

Denomination: Nazarene

Of Campaigns And Callings

Contributed by Jonathan Twitchell on Oct 26, 2006

Twenty-first political campaigns in the United States seem to be a far cry from the intentions of the founding fathers of our country. And yet, the aspirations for titles and positions go back in history. Every organization with people seems to have a pol

It’s that time of year again… the air is cool and crisp, the days are getting shorter, the leaves are beginning to fall, and the television is full of pithy little advertising spots exhorting why I should choose one candidate over another. I think I’ve figured out how to identify a negative ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 5:1-10

Denomination: Nazarene

Finding Jesus Through Suffering

Contributed by Jonathan Twitchell on Oct 26, 2006

The Problem of Evil asks "How can evil co-exist in a universe with an all-good, all-powerful God?" Pastor Jon looks at this difficult problem, drawing from the doctrine of free will, the tarnishing of creation at the fall of man, and the simple fact that

Last week we spoke of the difference between campaigns and callings—highlighting that Jesus did not campaign for his position as the Great High Priest, but was called to that position like the priests of old. He fulfilled his calling and was obedient to his Father, even though that calling led Him ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:35-38

Denomination: Nazarene

Article #1 - The Triune God Series

Contributed by Jonathan Twitchell on Oct 26, 2006

The first in a 16 sermon series on the Nazarene Articles of Faith. This sermon explores several scriptures related to the doctrine of the Holy Trinity.

Article of Faith #1 - The Triune God Date: Sunday, June 6, 2004 Author: Rev. Jonathan K. Twitchell Today, the first Sunday after Pentecost, is known as Trinity Sunday. Trinity Sunday is a day in the Christian calendar which is set aside for us to reflect upon the Nature of the Triune ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:19-20

Denomination: Nazarene

Article #2 - Jesus Christ Series

Contributed by Jonathan Twitchell on Oct 26, 2006

The second in a sixteen-sermon series on the Nazarene Articles of Faith. This sermon explores the incarnation and our understanding of the Divine-Human nature of Jesus.

Article of Faith #2 - Jesus Christ Date: Sunday, June 13, 2004 Author: Rev. Jonathan K. Twitchell Despite the somewhat bizarre weather we’ve had of late, it appears as though Summer is finally on its way. Friday was my last day of volunteering in the school lunchroom until next fall, as the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-20

Denomination: Nazarene

Article #3 - The Holy Spirit Series

Contributed by Jonathan Twitchell on Oct 26, 2006

This third sermon on the Nazarene Articles of Faith explores scriptures related to the Holy Spirit.

Article of Faith #3 - The Holy Spirit Date: Sunday, June 20, 2004 Author: Rev. Jonathan K. Twitchell Today, we continue our study on the Articles of Faith of the Church of the Nazarene, helping us to more fully understand the teachings of the Bible in matters of faith and doctrine. It is my ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:1-11

Denomination: Nazarene

Temptation Series

Contributed by Jonathan Powell on May 15, 2007

The beginning of a seven part series on Living the Christian Life - based out of the book of James.

Living the Christian Life Temptation!!!! James 1:1-20 I hate temptation. I hate it when it comes my way. It may be temptation to blow up on someone. It may temptation of saying something that I should not say, doing something that I should not do. However, temptation comes my way, every day ...read more

Scripture: James 1:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

Just Do It! Series

Contributed by Jonathan Powell on May 15, 2007

Sermon two in a series of seven sermons based on Living the Christian Life - out of James

Living the Christian Life Just Do It!!! James 1:21-27 The Nike corporation, back in the late 1980s and early 1990s lived off of a slogan which featured Michael Jordan which said, “Just Do It!” This slogan was used to promote any item with Jordan’s like ness on. The reason for this slogan was ...read more

Scripture: James 1:21-27

Denomination: Baptist

It's All About Faith Series

Contributed by Jonathan Powell on May 15, 2007

Sermon three in a series of seven sermons based on Living the Christian Life - out of James

Living the Christian Life It’s all About Faith James 2:1-26 It’s a term that we hear all of the time, “You’ve gotta have faith.” Really church, what is faith? We’ve all heard the Hebrews 11:1 definition, “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen”. How do we ...read more

Scripture: James 2:1-26

Denomination: Baptist

The Tongue Series

Contributed by Jonathan Powell on May 15, 2007

Sermon 4 in a serie sof 7 sermons based on Living the Christian Life - out of James

Living the Christian Life The Worst Part of Us – The Tongue James 3:1-18 As I look back over the past 31 years, I focus on my mistakes in life. Mistakes in relationships present and past. Almost all of the time, mistakes that I have made have been caused by one thing – something that I had said. ...read more

Scripture: James 3:1-18

Denomination: Baptist

Draw Me Near, Lord! Series

Contributed by Jonathan Powell on May 15, 2007

Sermon 5 in a series of 7 on Living the Christian Life - out of James

Living the Christian Life Draw Me Near Lord! James 4:1-17 When everything is going bad in life, there is only one place to turn for guidance. One place to turn for help, help that will last for an eternity. It is not a temporary fix to a permanent problem. However, it is a permanent fix, to a ...read more

Scripture: James 4:1-17

Denomination: Baptist