We've talked about the promise of the future, the promise of "over/under-responding," and the promise of a God who will fill our lives. We're concluding with a promise for unpacking our baggage, moving on from hurt, and discovering a key to fresh beginnings. We all carry wounds that can sometimes sabotage our relationships. Join us to learn how to …

Modern dating can be… challenging. But if you’re dating, you want to get it right. So what can help? Ancient Scripture actually offers a lot of wisdom for modern issues. It turns out we’re all operating under a few myths that make dating even harder than it has to be. Listen to this sermon and learn how to navigate modern dating with fewer regrets.…

"Let's figure it out." There's a better way to navigate conflict—and this weekend we're talking about a single promise you can make to yourself and to each other. This promise will help you cool down your most heated conflicts and untangle your most complicated relationship traps. Jesus didn't say this promise would be easy... but it does work. And…

Promises, promises! We’re kicking off a new series this weekend, focusing on 4 keys to building fulfilling relationships. Marriage can be challenging, but it’s worth it, and these 4 promises will help you create the relationship you’re hoping for. Let’s begin by exploring the power of a promise—how can a promise make a difference? And what exactly …

I always feel bad for Superman… so much strength and yet, a simple rock of kryptonite nearly would ruin him! Kryptonite, a fictitious rock has become the cultural metaphor we all know, and probably need. What’s your kryptonite? Gideon is about to find out, and it’s a familiar story that doesn’t end well. The Bible has its own word for kryptonite (H…

Every hero has a superpower, which is what makes them, well, "Super." Perhaps you played a game as a child, "If you could have one superpower, what would it be?" Maybe you imagined flying, controlling the weather, or possessing that "man of steel" strength. You get the idea. In real life, there's an often overlooked superpower, and I bet you know p…

Oxford University Press declared it the word of the year… and it’s not even a word, not really. Rizz … yep, that’s it—Rizz! If you’re unsure what I am talking about, find your closest Gen Z friend and catch up. Rizz is the colloquial next-gen term for Charisma (but don’t try this out in public). If you’re over 30, or any age, ...it’s hard to pull o…

Who was your favorite superhero as a child? And what were their superpowers? Every hero has unique abilities that make them extraordinary. While Superman might not be walking through your door, you are. What the world needs now isn't a superhero, but it might be for someone reading this. There's an ancient book of heroes, often overlooked (I'll exp…

Last Sunday, many of us gathered at the beach after church to celebrate the baptism of 58 people as they publicly proclaimed their faith in Jesus! It was a beautiful day filled with cheering, tears of joy, and laughter. With over 100 people there to celebrate with us, it was truly a community event. "Community" is a word we use a lot at church—most…

The Road Trip concludes this weekend. Paul's journey reaches its finale, and it won't surprise you that he finished well. Paul leaves us with an inspiring final act and two powerful lessons on living and finishing well. We’ve finished up at the ocean, celebrating with a crowd of people declaring their faith in Christ through baptism. Thank you to t…

Yep, it’s that time of year—back to school! So, we’re throwing a party to celebrate, and we’ve got something for everyone: a special gift to support the teachers in our community, a digital guide for parents, a gift and a bounce house for the kids, and smoothies on the patio for everyone! This is the perfect weekend to invite a friend! We’ve discus…

From a dusty road to Damascus and a providential encounter—Paul has been on a journey, a road trip. Make no mistake, this is a planned trip, but Paul was not the master planner—God was! Three epic journeys would serve as the map, but behind it all, God was at work to change the world. And we see it happening as Paul’s journey moves toward its final…

Paul, one of history's most influential figures, embarked on three epic journeys, spreading the story and example of Jesus across numerous cities. Over years of travel, he sowed seeds of faith that blossomed into vibrant communities. The power lay not in Paul, but in the message of Jesus. This weekend, we explore three ways to plant those same seed…

We admit it--we may bit addicted to the Olympics. We watched a badminton gold medal match between Denmark and Thailand! The modern Olympics began in 1896, but what makes the Olympic Games truly fascinating is their ancient origins. They originally ran for over 1,000 years (796 BC - 393 AD) and were even part of Paul’s story. In the next chapter of …

It's Intern Sunday at Cape Cod Church! Our summer interns take the stage to share what they've learned; lead us in worship; and premier some special projects. With our young leaders at the helm, we continue our 'Road Trip' series! We've followed the Apostle Paul through a lot already: diverse cities, intense opposition, and hard conversations. We v…

We've been following Paul's journey, and this week we find him at a pivotal moment: in the middle of a fight, middle-aged, and mid-journey. A lot has changed for him: new friends, a revamped work strategy, and a broadened perspective. There's a lot we can learn from a man in the middle–both good and bad. Some of the lessons may just surprise you! F…

People are fickle; one day they're with you, the next day the crowd has moved on. Or worse, moved against you. The inevitable result is conflict. Conflict begins within us but doesn't always stay there, and perhaps it shouldn't. Paul's story is a lesson in crowds and conflict. He teaches us what to watch for, what to fight for, and how to do it Jes…

Our "Road Trip" through Paul's life has just begun, but the tension is real and rising. If you typically feel that pain, resistance, and struggle are signs of failure—a warning to turn back or to change course—you may miss out on some of life's richest rewards. God often sees a hero where we see a zero. Our indicators for failure are not His indica…

"Life is a highway," they say. (Yes, Lyrics is back for summer 2024.) Life is a journey, and we’re all heading somewhere. That journey can sometimes feel random, or even worse. Is God at work in your story? Does He have a plan for your road, a destination, a calling for your life? Paul’s epic road trip is about to begin, and it offers answers to al…

No one likes packing for a road trip. We may look forward to the trip, but packing is part of the process, not the joy. Getting the packing list right can make all the difference in a trip. Paul is beginning one of the great journeys in history, but he has some packing to do—a season of preparation. Along the way, we will find the kind of people we…

Summer, road trips, and biographies – three of our favorite things that make a perfect combination. This summer, we're embarking on a road trip through the life of one of history's most influential figures: Paul. He was also known as Saul, or simply "The Apostle." Let's begin with the two events that transformed his life. Instead of stale stories f…

We’re almost done with the valley series, and we want to end with a reminder of how beautiful valleys can be. This may sound impossible or even offensive, depending on how deep your current valley is. But it’s true: as painful as the valley can be, it’s also a place of beauty. We often recognize this in hindsight. However, you don’t have to wait. Y…

We've been in the valley, the ‘Valley of Vision.’ Now, we're discovering a paradox: it's in the hard, hemmed-in places that we gain a clear view of how God works. But how do we hone our vision? In this sermon, we explore how to clearly discern God in the valley and find peace. It’s a path of paradox, but it’s a path accessible to both you and me. F…

Remember when you were little? Do you recall what you were afraid of? When did that change? When did you exchange one set of fears for another? Oh yes, that’s what we did—we exchanged old ones for new ones. Our point is that old fears lost their power over us. They may even seem silly now. Valley Vision is a new way of looking at valleys, and it’s …

How do you handle valleys? You know what we mean: how do you deal with hard times and hurt? How is it working for you? We don't mean strategically, like "Are you winning?" How is your soul, your joy, in the valley? A surprising amount of the Bible is devoted to addressing anxiety and how to overcome it. This reflects an ancient yet modern problem: …

Each of us comes out of the womb trying to make sense of the world around us. The sights, sounds, and sensations—what do they mean, and what do we do with that information? To whom or where do we go to receive guidance? And when our role is to be the guide, how do we encourage another person to develop an 'ear to hear' what the LORD is saying? This…

Nothing beats a good recommendation from a local. Best Mother’s Day brunch? Favorite ice cream stand, top hike with your dog? The hidden gem that most people aren’t aware of, but should be? (This last one is a personal favorite.) This is how good news spreads... and it’s also how the story of Jesus has been shared around the world. I know there may…

I’ve been a pastor for over 30 years now, so it won’t surprise you that I’ve heard a few stinging criticisms of Christianity. You know why they’re stinging... because they're true, at least to some extent. That's the part that really hurts. What do we do with the baggage of Christianity, the stuff done in the name of Jesus throughout history, and y…

“Jesus is a well-loved teacher,” that’s hardly a controversial statement. “Jesus is “The Only Way” - these are outrageous words. In a pluralistic and even secular society, exclusive claims are the most egregious. You may even cringe when you hear it said aloud. As we continue with the series ‘Jesus Among the Gods’, we’ll explore how the exclusive c…

According to ChatGTP, Jesus is the most famous person in the world. But He’s also the most controversial. We may agree that He’s a big deal, but exactly what His deal is… not so much. As we kick off our series, we’ll look at Jesus among the gods: How does Jesus compare to other religious icons, and is he an exclusive kind of guy? We’ll talk about t…

The Secret Life of Confident People… a finale! Paul has made his case, laid out a theology, encouraged us with strong and memorable promises, and filled us with lasting security. That seems to be part of the goal—an enduring confidence not shaken by circumstances, not subject to the whims of our emotions, grounded in the most unshakable truth of al…

How do we follow Easter? We do so by celebrating faith and the story of Jesus at work in people’s lives, and we call it baptism—this is going to be good! As we continue the series, “Secret Life of Confident People,” we will be back in Romans 8, answering the question, “How do we stand tall when it seems like the people around us have rocks?” You se…

As we celebrate Easter, we remember the most discussed moment in all of human history, and we will do it with a few thousand of our friends and neighbors on Cape Cod. In fact, over 2 billion people worldwide will join the celebration! Why? Well, to start with, it’s true, it happened. And… it’s for you… and it changes destinies. That’s worth celebra…

Holy Week begins here... Palm Sunday. We have matched our journey through Romans 8 with this moment in mind. There is a lesson here in the lead-up: a lesson about waiting, a lesson about crying, and an unexpected source of comfort. Sometimes, perhaps many times, pain is so complex and so deep that we don’t know the way out we want or what to ask fo…

“I thought when I became a Christian, life would get better.” “I’ve tried to pray, but I get nothing.” “Where is God? Why me?” Life is hard. Sometimes, it feels unexpectedly hard or even unfair. So, what’s the point of being a Christian? As we continue our series, “Secret Life of Confident People,” we explore the topic of faltering confidence. Thos…

And that's a wrap for the Thrive Conference 2024! It was a weekend we'll never forget! People from 40 churches and groups all across Cape Cod came together to listen, learn, and see what good things God might want us to do next. We had a lot of fun and learned a lot about how to make our churches and communities better. With the help of the Holy Sp…

The peace and confidence you’re looking for is right in Romans 8. But let’s not fool ourselves–it’s also elusive. It’s not easy to develop something invisible. Mental fortitude, the presence of the Spirit, a deep inner peace—we see their effects, so we know they’re powerful. But how to get them? Sometimes, it can feel like grasping at a vapor! As w…

What would a confident life look like for you? A bit less anxiousness? A new way of talking? Some swagger or maybe just a calm smile? Confidence doesn’t come in just one size, but we all long for a bit of it. The central chapter of what some call Paul’s most significant book, Romans 8, is the story of the secret life of confident people. This is no…

Regardless of our diverse backgrounds and the unique paths we’ve walked, there’s one universal truth: we all have a story. Our narratives differ from the movies we watch or the books we read. Unlike those scripted tales, our stories unfold in the middle pages, where our choices shape the direction they take. The Bible speaks directly to those who i…

Rest...why is it so hard? Rest isn’t physical. It’s not physical first. It’s spiritual, then emotional, then maybe physical. But you knew that or have at least experienced it. Since the beginning, we were made for rest, so why is it so hard? As we wrap up our series, “Since the Beginning,” we celebrate rest and explore a road map to restoration and…

Since the beginning… that’s where we find answers. We don’t need anyone to tell us it’s bad out there. We get that it’s painfully obvious. What we want and what we need is a guide to find beauty, and we want to know that beauty wins. The first pages of the Bible introduce us to the bad, and they remind us how we crave justice...and then? As we cont…

Sexuality, Marriage, and Friendship. Since the beginning, these have been God’s good gifts to us—gifts for our flourishing, to help us live full lives. As we continue our series, “Since the Beginning,” we will go back to the beginning to unfold God’s beauty and design in these gifts. And we will finish with Jesus and His invitation to you, to me, t…

A newborn baby’s smile… an untouched landscape or a clear night sky… even that new car smell. Each reminds us of something new and unspoiled—the way it was meant to be. If we want to know who we are and are meant to be, we will need to go back to the beginning. That’s where we’ll find the story of our identity, insight into our potential, and maybe…

It began 30 years ago with a question...“If you were looking for a church, what would you look for?” Here’s one thing I would look for… a church I could invest in. No one wants to spin their wheels or waste their time. We want to make a difference in the world. As we continue our “Church Home” series, we explore God’s vision for the church—a commun…

“If you were looking for a church, what would you look for?” This is one of the very first questions our launch survey asked our neighbors 31 years ago, at the outset of Cape Cod Church. We got lots of answers, and they all helped us know people better. As we continue our series, “Church Home,” we’ll flip the script and talk about the four things t…

“Church.” It’s a loaded word, isn’t it? One that may bring warm thoughts to some, ‘meh’ thoughts to others, and even angry thoughts to a few. But what, exactly, is church for? What’s its purpose? And why is it so important? As we kick off a new series, “Church Home,” we’ll explore those questions together because I guess you come to church for a fe…

It's Christmas—a time to gather together and remember the moment the world changed. As we continue our series, "The Big Reveal," we light a candle in the midst of darkness as a reminder of all that Jesus means. We sing songs that celebrate a moment as true today as it was then and read the story upon which all our hopes hang. First time listening t…

A lowly manger: the centerpiece of Christmas tradition and the picture of humility. Right? Well, yes. But perhaps there’s more than meets the eye. As we continue our series, “The Big Reveal,” we look at a curious detail in the Christmas story: a feeding trough for a bassinet. Why does it feature so prominently in tradition? The answer may surprise …

It’s a “Family Christmas Weekend” at Cape Cod Church, and we’re bringing the whole family together! In the middle of all the ice skating, hot chocolate, and elf waffles, we’re going to share the Christmas Story as told by some of our kids. And we’re going to discuss two questions you can ask your family this coming Christmas that may help us all di…

It's that time of year—break out the Christmas lights, untangle, hang, and plug them in. Then, step back; there's something beautiful about this scene. The Christmas story is described as the "Big Reveal," like light shining in the dark. There's a lot of darkness in our world, making the light of Christmas more welcoming than ever. As we kick off a…