“The people of God are called to be a people who rejoice. We rejoice because Christ’s first Advent means Immanuel, God with us, but also because at his second Advent we will rest in safety, forever; our souls will not be left among the dead, but will be raised to everlasting life; and he will … Continue reading Joy →…

In his son, Jesus Christ, God has withheld no spiritual blessing. Everything pronounced over Israel in Aaron’s blessing at the foot of Mt. Sinai can be found fully in him alone. Speaker: Sean Scribner Series: Christmas Gifts Scripture: Numbers 6:22-27Oleh Elizabeth City Evangelical Methodist Church

The God of surprises calls his people from every generation to make their home in the center of his will, to be about his missional work in whatever “cities” they find themselves in, and to put their hope in the future he has in store for them. Speaker: Sean Scribner Series: Christmas Gifts Scripture: Jeremiah 29:4-14…

The call to the faithful on Christ the King Sunday is to relent in whatever pride, stubbornness, or focus on the things of the world we might have, and to lift our eyes to heaven, that we might behold with the eyes of faith the Most High God and see reality as it really is. … Continue reading The Most High God →…

The church awaits the return of Jesus to establish his kingdom upon the earth in a final, climactic way. But it is not idle in its waiting. Rather, it remains busy, putting to work what has been entrusted to it, in order to see hearts transformed and the kingdom established. Speaker: Sean Scribner Series: The Christian … Continue reading Faithful P…

Speaker: Richard Meservey Series: The Christian Citizen Scripture: Romans 13Oleh Elizabeth City Evangelical Methodist Church

Speaker: Richard Meservey Series: The Christian Citizen Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-16Oleh Elizabeth City Evangelical Methodist Church

God is not just concerned with what Christians will do at the ballot box, but who Christians will be. Not one human heart has ever been transformed by the outcome of an election. Heart transformation only comes about by the grace of God at work through the Spirit filled and sanctified church. We will never … Continue reading Blessing That Leads to …

The church is the physical embodiment of Jesus Christ in the world by the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit. Peter refers to its individual members as “temporary residents and foreigners” who are in the world, but not of the world. As such, they are called to not only live by, but embody, the values … Continue reading Embodying Kingdom Values →…

The reaction of the church in Acts to the growing tension and hostility it faced in the public sphere was to pray. Their prayer centered on the sovereign God of providence, superintending his world. It acknowledged not only who he is but that they too had a part to play. Their prayer desired before and … Continue reading Trusting the God of Provide…

Speaker: Rev. Troy Gentry Scripture: Isaiah 6Oleh Elizabeth City Evangelical Methodist Church

Speaker: Richard Meservey Series: Won’t You Be My Neighbor? Scripture: I John 3:18Oleh Elizabeth City Evangelical Methodist Church

New life in Jesus changes all of our relationships. He reconciles sinners back to the Father, incorporates them into the community of faith, then equips and sends them to be his witnesses in the world. Speaker: Sean Scribner Series: Won’t You Be My Neighbor? Scripture: Acts 9:10-19Oleh Elizabeth City Evangelical Methodist Church

The account of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch reinforces the truth that deep intimacy with Jesus, coupled with radical yieldedness to his will, always results in eternity-impacting encounters. Speaker: Sean Scribner Series: Won’t You Be My Neighbor? Scripture: Acts 8:26-40Oleh Elizabeth City Evangelical Methodist Church

The unprecedented circumstances surrounding the inclusion of the Samaritans into the Christian church demanded the exceptional methods of Acts 8:17. Perhaps it was the only way the two sides of the Samaritan curtain could have ever found both Christ and each other. Who is your Samaria? Who does God want you to be reconciled to? … Continue reading T…

Sermon #2 of the series, “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” from John 4:1-26. Speaker: Robert Jackson Series: Won’t You Be My Neighbor? Scripture: John 4:1-26Oleh Elizabeth City Evangelical Methodist Church

What is the one essential thing that matters most when it comes to this business of eternal life? It is to trust, to follow, and to be with Jesus. He has done for us what no one else can do. By his work on the cross, he releases us from the curse of the law, … Continue reading The Good Samaritan →Oleh Elizabeth City Evangelical Methodist Church

Those who await the return of Christ must never give up nor give in. We must seek first the Kingdom of God, pursue holiness, be about the Father’s business, and make wise, eternal investments with every moment of life. Speaker: Sean Scribner Series: Roots Scripture: Matthew 25:1-13Oleh Elizabeth City Evangelical Methodist Church

The wedding feast that God has prepared for his son at the end of time is open to all who will come, but only if they come in the right manner. Speaker: Sean Scribner Series: Roots Scripture: Matthew 22:1-14Oleh Elizabeth City Evangelical Methodist Church

We live in an evil, broken world—full of hardship, suffering, and injustice. But the Scriptures call those who belong to God to live (and pray) in faith—faith that says even though God may not do what is right in the timing or manner we demand, he will certainly do it in the end! Speaker: Sean … Continue reading The Parable of the Persistent Widow …

Jesus taught that one’s eternal fate is fixed at the point of death, and that fate is determined by choices made in this present life. How are you using every moment today in preparation for the future? God helps those who repent and call upon the name of the Lord to be saved. Speaker: Sean … Continue reading The Rich Man and Lazarus →…

God is not the grouchy old man who offers salvation purely out of pity for the misery of man’s lostness. He is also not the benevolent benefactor, whose charity is impersonally extended to those in need from a distance. He is a Father who has sent his Son and Spirit to rescue and to save … Continue reading The Lost and Found →…

The teachings of Jesus come with a challenge: Will you listen and do what he says, or not. The difference between those answers is the difference between being wise and being foolish, between blessing and catastrophe, between life and death. Speaker: Sean Scribner Series: Roots Scripture: Matthew 7:24-27…

Jesus used parables to communicate the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven, which gave his listeners the opportunity to choose whether to draw nearer to him or withdraw further from him. The question is not whether truth is being revealed, but whether hearts are open to receiving it. Jesus didn’t come to offer a religious … Continue reading The Para…

Speaker: Jeff Wortman Series: Between a Rock and a Hard Place Scripture: Psalm 34Oleh Elizabeth City Evangelical Methodist Church

Speaker: Richard Meservey Series: Between a Rock and a Hard Place Scripture: Psalm 137Oleh Elizabeth City Evangelical Methodist Church

Speaker: Jeff Wortman Series: Between a Rock and a Hard Place Scripture: Psalms 42-43Oleh Elizabeth City Evangelical Methodist Church

Speaker: Richard Meservey Series: Between a Rock and a Hard Place Scripture: Psalm 1Oleh Elizabeth City Evangelical Methodist Church

This is the Gospel of Jesus Christ: That Christ died according to the Scriptures for sinners—even sinners like you and me; that Christ is risen from the dead—that he has forever broken the power of sin and death, that his victorious life can be yours today; that Christ will come again to finish what he … Continue reading The Sunday of All Sundays →…

The work of Jesus provides both restoration for past failures and power for future boldness. The work of the disciple is not to try harder or dig deeper, but to surrender over in watchful prayer to the will and work of God. Speaker: Sean Scribner Series: Upside Down Kingdom Scripture: Matthew 26:69-75…

God is in control of human history. He calls men and women to look to Jesus, the author and finisher of faith, for salvation. Jesus invites us to join him in his commitment to the will and word of God. Speaker: Sean Scribner Series: Upside Down Kingdom Scripture: Matthew 26:47-56Oleh Elizabeth City Evangelical Methodist Church

Jesus shows us what true humanity looks like. He freely said “yes” to God’s divine “no,” and the result of that decision changed everything. He invites all people, not just to accept his atoning sacrifice, but to make his own God-united humanity our own, that by his work in our hearts we would “measure up … Continue reading The Divine “No” →…

Speaker: Karl Bowden Series: Upside Down Kingdom Scripture: Matthew 26:17-30Oleh Elizabeth City Evangelical Methodist Church

Speaker: Richard Meservey Series: Upside Down Kingdom Scripture: Matthew 21:12-17Oleh Elizabeth City Evangelical Methodist Church

Jesus’ purpose in Jerusalem did not meet anyone’s expectations or demands, so within just a matter of days the very voices that praised him fell silent and the ones shaken by his arrival called for his execution. What is our response to his arrival, presence, and self-revelation in our own lives? Speaker: Sean Scribner Series: Upside … Continue rea…

A Messiah from Nazareth would be nothing less than a national embarrassment to his people. But Matthew is not embarrassed about it at all. He wants us to see this clearly. Jesus didn’t come from where anyone expected him to come. He didn’t come in the way anyone expected him to come. He may not … Continue reading The Embarrassing Messiah →…

Despite the tragedy we see in the world around us, we can be certain that God is at work to bring renewal and restoration. That work is always centered on his Son, Jesus Christ, who is the faithful deliverer that leads his people into the deep, covenantal love of the Father; whose sonship is both … Continue reading Deliverer and Delivered →…

The wise men didn’t see it all, but they saw enough. While everyone else was “deeply disturbed” by the news of the messiah’s birth, the wise men seek him, rejoice upon finding him, worship him, and offer him their treasures. Speaker: Sean Scribner Series: Treasures Scripture: Matthew 2:9-12Oleh Elizabeth City Evangelical Methodist Church

The arrival of the Messiah resulted in the formation of two camps: one full of praise and welcome, the other full of hatred and opposition. You and I have the opportunity to pick which camp we belong to, but choose wisely! Though receiving Jesus is risky and at time uncomfortable and requires you to surrender … Continue reading Herod the Not So Gre…

The wisdom of the magi was not in their expertise in astrology, philosophy, or the magical arts, but in their awareness of, faith in, and obedience to the truth of the Scriptures. They didn’t follow a star; they followed the word of God. Their journey was not to a place, but to a person. Their … Continue reading Wise Men →…

A message for Covenant Renewal Sunday. Speaker: Sean Scribner Scripture: Isaiah 65:17Oleh Elizabeth City Evangelical Methodist Church

Speaker: Richard Meservey Scripture: 2 Kings 5:1-27Oleh Elizabeth City Evangelical Methodist Church

Jesus Christ, the Son of Mary, the babe of Christmas, is the Stone upon which you can build your life; the Son who offers peace between God and man; the Light that reveals and transforms our darkness; and the King of kings and Lord of all lords—the very promise and power and presence of God. … Continue reading The Reign of God →…

How does God shine light into darkness? How does he bring hope to despair? How is his grace made available to man? It is all offered exclusively in “the child who is born to us, the Son who is given to us.” God has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in Christ. Speaker: Sean Scribner … Continue reading The Light of God →…

The greatest gift of all time presents the greatest crisis of all time: Will you, or will you not, receive him? Many will not, and for them there will only ever be trouble and anguish and dark despair. But for those that do—who set him apart in their hearts and build their lives upon the … Continue reading The Crisis of God →…

The sign of God at Christmas means that Yahweh himself delivers and saves. It means that he keeps his promises and is true to his word. To the hard-hearted, the coming of Immanuel portends certain doom. But to the faithful, who welcome and receive him in their weakness and finitude, the coming of Immanuel signifies … Continue reading The Sign of Go…

Where do you turn when the going gets tough? Turn to Jesus Christ, the one who suffered for you. He has entered into the depths of the human condition, conquered our greatest enemies, and freely shares the plunders of his grace. Speaker: Sean Scribner Series: Choices Scripture: I Samuel 30Oleh Elizabeth City Evangelical Methodist Church

Who better to turn to when times are dark than the one who alone has the power to transform darkness into light! Jesus Christ offers what you and I need most: Not information or knowledge of the future, or the means to control nature or fate, but intimacy and fellowship and communion with the living … Continue reading Into the Darkness →…

Speaker: Karl Bowden Series: Choices Scripture: I Samuel 24 and Psalm 57Oleh Elizabeth City Evangelical Methodist Church

The story of David and Goliath teaches us that having God and his word at the center of your life changes the calculus entirely. What matters is not having instruments of human power by your side, but the one true God of Israel who saves. In his eyes, the real heroes who make a difference … Continue reading For the Glory of God Alone →…