Litchfield Church of the Nazarene Podcast

What does it really mean to follow Jesus—not just admire Him, but actually go where He leads? In this episode of Kingdom Authority, Pastor Michael Lowenberg opens up Matthew 8:14–22 with a message that’s both healing and unsettling. We begin with a moment of mercy as Jesus restores Peter’s mother-in-law with a simple touch. But what follows is a shift in tone—a challenge to comfort, convenience, a...

In this episode of Kingdom Authority, Pastor Sarah Lowenberg invites us into one of the most astonishing interactions in the Gospels—where faith, humility, and authority intersect in a way that even amazes Jesus. Teaching from Matthew 8:5–13, Pastor Sarah walks us through the story of the Roman centurion who approaches Jesus not with entitlement, but with reverent confidence. He doesn’t ask Jesus...

Welcome to a new series at Litchfield Church of the Nazarene: Kingdom Authority. In this first episode, Pastor Michael Lowenberg leads us from the heights of the Sermon on the Mount into the living, breathing authority of Jesus in action. Teaching from Matthew 8:1–4, Pastor Michael invites us to slow down and truly see what happens when Jesus meets a man with leprosy—a man considered untouchable,...

In the final episode of The Sermon series, Pastor Sarah Lowenberg brings us to the end of Jesus’ message on the mount with a clear and compelling call: don’t just admire the blueprint—start building. Drawing from Matthew 7:24–29, Pastor Sarah explores Jesus’ final parable of two builders: one wise, one foolish; one built on rock, the other on sand. This isn’t a lesson in construction—it's a call t...

In Episode 17 of The Sermon, Pastor Michael Lowenberg walks us through Jesus’ striking conclusion in Matthew 7:13–23, where we’re invited to examine the path we’re walking, the voices we’re listening to, and whether our faith is rooted in performance or in obedience to the will of God. Is your faith a wide, easy road of good intentions and casual belief—or a narrow path of intentional trust and di...

In Episode 16 of The Sermon, Pastor Sarah Lowenberg takes us deep into Matthew 7:7–12 and the vulnerable reality of prayer that feels unanswered. What do we do when we ask and there’s silence, when we seek and find only shadows, when we knock and the door stays closed? With authenticity and grace, Pastor Sarah shares personal stories of faith in the waiting—through childhood cancer, infertility, a...

Welcome to Episode 15 of The Sermon, a teaching series from the Sermon on the Mount. In this message, Pastor Michael Lowenberg leads us into one of Jesus’ most pointed and often misunderstood teachings in Matthew 7:1–6. “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.” With humor, honesty, and spiritual depth, Pastor Michael unpacks the heart behind this command—not as a call to abandon discernment, but...

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-...

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...

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 Sar...

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 lifeli...

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 meaningfu...

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...

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 unshakabl...

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 restorat...

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 respo...

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 example...

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 l...

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 m...

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...

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 equi...

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 ill...

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...

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 f...

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 st...