“Upside Down Kingdom” is a Lenten sermon series that focuses on the key events of Passion Week from the perspective of the Gospel of Matthew. Together we will unpack the significance of these events in light of Matthew’s emphasis on the Kingdom of God’s arrival in Christ. It is a kingdom unlike anything in this world, in both its character and in its establishment, and at its center is Israel’s rejected Messiah to whom has been granted “all authority in heaven and on earth” (Matthew 28:18).

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Elizabeth City EMC Podcast

The Triumphal Approach

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  The Triumphal Approach

  Feb 18, 2024 • 42:46

  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…

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  Cleansing the Temple

  Feb 25, 2024 • 41:47

  Speaker: Richard Meservey Series: Upside Down Kingdom Scripture: Matthew 21:12-17

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  A Supper Like No Other

  Mar 3, 2024 • 35:42

  Speaker: Karl Bowden Series: Upside Down Kingdom Scripture: Matthew 26:17-30

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  The Divine "No"

  Mar 10, 2024 • 1:01:31

  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…

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  Life by the Sword

  Mar 17, 2024 • 43:07

  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 26:47-56

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  Peter's Bold Rejection

  Mar 24, 2024 • 57:05

  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…

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  The Sunday of All Sundays

  Mar 31, 2024 • 37:18

  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…

“Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.” (Matthew 2:2, NLT)

Epiphany is a Christian feast commemorating the visit of wise men to the Christ child (Matthew 2), pointing to the fulfillment of biblical prophecy and the messiah’s physical manifestation to the Gentiles. But what do we really know about the wise men who visited Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus? History is replete with all manor of traditions, some with merit, others without. At the very least, we know this: The magi were men who knew and believed the word of God, sought after and recognized the messiah, and presented themselves to God. As such, their example has much to offer those today who would seek how to live out a wise life.

Treasures is a sermon series that dives into the lessons contained in Matthew 2. The wise men had gifts to offer the newborn king who had come to offer treasures of his own.

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Treasures

Wise Men

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  Wise Men

  Jan 14, 2024 • 40:07

  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,…

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  Herod the Not So Great

  Jan 21, 2024 • 43:19

  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…

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  The Worthy Child

  Jan 28, 2024 • 39:31

  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 2:9-12

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  Deliverer and Delivered

  Feb 4, 2024 • 42:24

  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…

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  The Embarrassing Messiah

  Feb 11, 2024 • 42:14

  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…

“The Lord himself will give you the sign.” (Isaiah 7:17, NLT)

In the time of Isaiah, the people of God were in need of hope for better things to come. Fortunately for them, and for all the world, God had a plan in mind to rescue not only his people, but all who call upon the name of the Lord. To all peoples in darkness came a promise of a great Light coming.

Signs of the Season is an Advent sermon series that considers some of the key promises made by the prophet Isaiah concerning the coming of Immanuel, the hope of all the nations, and the signs associated with his arrival and work.

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Signs of the Season

The Sign of God

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  The Sign of God

  Dec 3, 2023 • 43:13

  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,…

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  The Crisis of God

  Dec 10, 2023 • 34:46

  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…

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  The Light of God

  Dec 17, 2023 • 41:06

  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…

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  The Reign of God

  Dec 24, 2023 • 36:28

  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…