Litchfield Church of the Nazarene Podcast

Welcome to Episode 14 of The Sermon—a message for every overthinker, late-night worrier, and to-do list maker. In this week’s teaching from Matthew 6:25–34, Pastor Sarah Lowenberg shares Lessons from the Wildflowers, a beautifully honest and encouraging look at Jesus’ call to stop worrying and start trusting. Through humor, vulnerability, and relatable stories (yes, even a mental grocery list mid-prayer), Pastor Sarah reminds us th...

In Episode 13 of The Sermon, Pastor Michael Lowenberg invites us to take a closer look at two things we might not often connect: treasures and eyeballs. Based on Matthew 6:19–24, this message explores what we treasure, what we chase, and what that reveals about the condition of our hearts. Are we storing up the kind of rewards that fade with time—or the kind that shape our soul for eternity?

With clarity, humor, and real-life refle...

In Episode 12 of The Sermon, Pastor Sarah Lowenberg walks us through one of the most overlooked and misunderstood spiritual practices—fasting. Based on Matthew 6:16–18, this message unpacks Jesus’ words, “When you fast,” and explores the difference between man-centered, God-centered, and Christ-centered fasting. With humor, honesty (including a Baconator confession), and biblical depth, Pastor Sarah challenges us to look beyond rel...

In Episode 11 of The Sermon, Pastor Sarah Lowenberg takes us to the heart of prayer through Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 6:5–15. With warmth, clarity, and practical insight, she unpacks what it really means to talk with God, not perform for others. Whether you're a lifelong believer or just beginning your journey, this message invites you to rediscover prayer not as a religious duty, but as a lifeline of honest connection with a lovi...

In Episode 10 of The Sermon, Pastor Michael Lowenberg reflects on Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:1–4, where we’re invited to consider not just what we give, but why we give. Is our generosity rooted in a desire to honor God—or are we hoping someone takes notice? Through honest storytelling (including a fiery “Wing-a-thon” tale) and grounded teaching, Pastor Michael explores how giving becomes meaningful when it's done quietly, sincerely...

In Episode 9 of The Sermon, Pastor Michael Lowenberg tackles Jesus’ most counter-intuitive command yet: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matt. 5:43–48). Drawing us past the comfortable limits of “love your neighbor,” Michael shows how Jesus calls us to see every person—even those who’ve hurt us—as made in God’s image and worthy of our prayers and compassion. He unpacks the cultural backdrop of “hate your en...

In this special Easter Sunday message, Pastor Michael Lowenberg turns to Paul’s powerful words in 1 Corinthians 15:1–8, 12–20 to remind us why the resurrection isn’t just another holiday story, it’s the event that rewrote history and offers us new life today. With warmth and a touch of humor (and yes, even special “resurrection socks”), Michael unpacks three timeless truths: the gospel’s unshakable facts, the necessity of Christ’s ...

Step into the heart of Palm Sunday with Pastor Michael Lowenberg as he unpacks the powerful prophecy of Zechariah 9:9-13 in "The Promised King of Palm Sunday." In this message, Pastor Michael masterfully connects ancient promises to the vibrant reality of Jesus' humble entrance into Jerusalem. Discover how the imagery of torn palm branches, a lowly donkey, and prophetic words of peace and restoration all point to the Messiah—not as...

Ever feel that little thrill at the thought of getting even when life hands you a slap—literally or figuratively? In Episode 8 of The Sermon, Pastor Sarah Lowenberg invites us to rethink our instinct for payback with a fresh, transformational twist straight from Matthew 5:38-42. Instead of an eye for an eye, she explains how Jesus challenges us to turn the other cheek, go the extra mile, and respond to life’s wrongs with unexpected...

In Episode 7 of The Sermon, Pastor Michael Lowenberg challenges us to examine the integrity of our speech and commitments in light of Jesus' teaching in Matthew 5:33-37. He unpacks the deeper meaning behind oaths and vows—urging us that our "yes" should mean yes, our "no" mean no, and that even admitting "I don't know" can be a sign of true honesty. Through personal anecdotes and practical examples, Pastor Michael reminds us that e...

In Episode 6 of The Sermon series, Pastor Sarah Lowenberg tackles one of the most challenging and personal teachings from the Sermon on the Mount. Focusing on Matthew 5:27-32, she explores Jesus’ words on adultery, lust, and divorce. With honesty and compassion, Pastor Sarah addresses the emotional weight of these topics and the call to radical faithfulness. This message reminds us that while we live in a broken world, God’s grace ...

In this episode of The Sermon, Pastor Sarah Lowenberg unpacks the challenging words of Jesus from Matthew 5:21-26. Diving into the heart of anger, reconciliation, and how our words reflect our inner condition, she challenges us to go beyond surface-level obedience. How do we navigate conflict with a spirit of humility and seek true reconciliation? Join us as we explore the transformative call to make peace, not just with our action...

In Episode 4 of "The Sermon" series, Pastor Sarah Lowenberg unpacks Matthew 5:17-20, where Jesus declares that He came not to abolish the law, but to fulfill it. With relatable stories and heartfelt insights, Pastor Sarah challenges us to move beyond external rule-following and embrace the transformative righteousness that Jesus calls us to. How can we live lives that reflect the heart of God? And what does it mean for our faith wh...

In this compelling episode of The Sermon, Pastor Michael Lowenberg dives into Matthew 5:11-16, uncovering the surprising blessing hidden within persecution and the transformative calling to be salt and light. Drawing from a heart-wrenching story of Christians martyred in the Democratic Republic of Congo, he reveals how following Jesus comes with a cost—insults, slander, and even suffering—yet equips us to se...

In this compelling episode of The Sermon, Pastor Sarah Lowenberg unpacks the Beatitudes from Matthew 5:1-10, offering a fresh perspective on Jesus’ timeless words. Far from a simple list of virtues, she reveals how these "Blessed are..." statements serve as a powerful tool for self-examination, a practical guide for progressing in faith, and a window into worshiping God more deeply. With vivid illustrations—...

Welcome to The Sermon, a deep dive into Jesus’ most famous teaching—the Sermon on the Mount. In this first episode, Pastor Micael Lowenberg explores Matthew 5:1-3, where Jesus declares, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

What does it truly mean to be “poor in spirit”? In a world that values self-sufficiency, Jesus turns everything upside down, revealing that real blessing is found not in having...

Imagine Jesus standing before you, inviting you with the simple words, 'Follow me.' What would that mean for your life today? In this episode, Pastor Sarah Lowenberg dives into Matthew 4:18-25, exploring the implications of Jesus's call to the first disciples, and how it applies to us now. Discover what it truly means to follow Jesus, be transformed by Him, and engage in His mission of 'fishing for people.' Whether you're a long-ti...

Ever wonder how the grandest transformations start from the tiniest steps? Join Pastor Michael Lowenberg as he unpacks the profound lessons from Matthew 4:12-17 in this episode. Fresh from a vacation filled with unique experiences—like camel riding while whale watching—Mike brings us back to Jesus' seemingly mundane move to Capernaum, highlighting how small, often overlooked actions can set the stage for monumental change. Explore ...