Sunday Sermons: Recent Episodes
Evergreen Church | Tulsa, OK
Catch all of the latest messages from Evergreen Church in Tulsa, OK.
Evergreen Church: Knowing God, Sharing Life, Changing the World.
Viewing himself almost as a father to his church family, Paul speaks intimately about how a godly man approaches the purpose of his life—to bring his family and others to maturity in following Jesus Christ. Godly fathers do more than bring home a paycheck…they minister the gospel to their family in preparation for eternity.
Spiritual Maturity in the Christian walk is both important and expected. This is not for the reason of reputation or legalism, but to draw closer to God, the Father each day. Every follower of Christ has to make their own decision to pursue spiritual maturity. The shared life of a church family strengthens one’s maturity, but only when the foundation is set in Christ Jesus.
Since creation, the earth has been the battleground between God and Satan. God calls mankind to respond to His Word, and Satan tries to lure them to follow lies. Today, the church is the key player in this ongoing battle of truth vs. deception. Godliness is the mysterious behavior that validates truth.
How could a nation with all the advantages of the Old Testament covenant fail to recognize the Messiah and then reject the grace of God? Is their failure complete? Will the promised plan of God be frustrated? Israel’s spiritual status has been a mystery, but the truth is now unveiled. Something extraordinary is on the horizon!
Mystery continues to be unveiled as Paul, in an intensely personal testimony, outlines the magnificent scope of the redemptive plan of God for all creation. Gifted with the responsibility of this revelation, Paul points to the amazing privilege and extraordinary joy associated with being a servant of the gospel. Evergreen must dare to grasp these supernatural truths.
The life of Evergreen is sustained by the mighty Head of the church, the risen Lord Jesus Christ. His energy and continuing work is centered on the church in every generation in anticipation of an eternal wedding. Human marriage is a meaningful glimpse into the mystery of Christ’s love for the church. Shouldn’t we love the church enthusiastically as well?
After a brief greeting, Paul immediately soars into a great paean of praise—one long sentence, impossible to fully analyze, in which each successive thought crowds in on the one before. As he contemplates the position and possessions of every believer, he reveals the point of the church’s existence: restoration of Creation’s purpose..
After describing the Kingdom of God and its many facets, Matthew relates an incident of rejection in the ministry of Jesus. The mystery here is the determination to be offended by Jesus despite the clear acknowledgement of His wisdom and power. Turns out, unbelief is not from lack of information, but rather refusal of accountability.
The Kingdom of God is broader than any individual church, but the marks of the Kingdom ought to be reflected in the visible traits of the local church. The mystery of God’s Kingdom on earth is revealed openly in the church. As Jesus here illustrates the Kingdom, we must ask: Do these characteristics describe Evergreen?
Why does evil exist? Why does God allow evil to continue? Is evil evidence for atheism? What is the future of evil? What is our role in the battle? These questions are among the most difficult issues of life. Jesus answers this human dilemma with His divine perspective.
The habitation of the gods has been a fascination in almost every culture throughout human history. The prophet Isaiah stands tall with a revelation that would have stunned his hearers and all who had come before him—God lives in a most extraordinary place. He dwells among humble men who honor His Word.
The Servant has already been presented as the ideal prophet conscious of a worldwide mission from God. His complete dedication and trust gives assurance of His final success. But until now, Isaiah has hidden the news that the Servant’s activity would be interrupted by death. A dreadful puzzle this—why must the Servant suffer, bleed, and die alone?!
The Servant’s mission appears, at first glance, to lack any real hope of success. He was charged to reach the entire world; he was overwhelmingly rejected by men; he suffered horribly and finally died. Yet the nations will be stunned and kings will be speechless at His ultimate accomplishments. God will reward the Servant with eternal honor and glory!
Our perspective changes when we learn to set our eyes on Jesus and to learn who He is according to Scripture. The challenge is to keep our focus on Him in a generation that is fighting a never-ending battle against distractions. If we lose sight of our Savior, we will grow discouraged and lose heart. But to find peace in the battle, we must fix our eyes on the King and relentlessly pursue His presence.
Many Christians struggle to find meaningful change in their lives. They work themselves to the bone but never seem to achieve the rest or “easy yoke” that Jesus promised. What if God intended for our lives to look differently than we think? What if He has given us the answer to our problems but we have believed a lie? If we are to truly live the crucified life, maybe it is simpler than we thought.
Ultimately, prayer is motivated by a yearning for eternity, a pull toward a time when God will make all things right and righteous. As this longing for another place moves in us from subconscious to awareness, prayer has greater power since it increasingly aligns with God’s eternal will and purpose.
Prayer is often an exercise in talking ABOUT God or even talking AT God. Especially in times of stress or suffering, we often think that events are based on our assumptions about the way life works; and things would change if we could only get God to listen to our thoughts on the matter. Yet, when God truly enters the conversation, silence is our primary response.
The cry for spiritual revival in any generation is more than merely a call for God to make society better. Rather, it is a plea for God to intervene dramatically in the decline of a nation, and to do so by raising up and re-invigorating His own people first. Praying for revival is dangerous; but not praying for revival is disastrous.
There are two lives that all humans live- There is the life they live in public to convince themselves and others that they are good and right, and there is the life they live in private that accuses them in their hearts of their shame and guilt. The enemy of God's children tells them with each passing moment that they are a fraud and guilty of all things. The message of the Gospel is that God can also see that private guilt, and He still wants to save and use us.
We live in a generation driven to remove all vestiges of God and faith from the public square. The Bible is ignored. The Constitution is twisted beyond its meaning. One offended person can block any religious exercise or censor public prayer. Christians wring their hands and worry for the future. But is this our only recourse? Can we do nothing else? What if we were desperate enough to pray as Moses prayed?
Our generation lives “on the run.” Jacob lived like that. He was literally born “on the run,” trying to outfox everyone around him. He ran from his brother Esau. He ran from his father-in-law Laban. He was really running from himself. Yet a day came when he ran out of resources and ran into God. At that moment, everything in Jacob’s life changed.
Jesus’ final point challenges disciples to live well in the middle of the “real” world. Isolation is not an option for us. Therefore, He finishes with a consideration of relationships. In other words, what does the world see in us? His closing words invite us to grasp the inevitable result of responding to or refusing His call to discipleship. Will we follow Him?
Christianity makes little sense when considered from the perspective of this world. Like an optical illusion, the benefit of a godly life is seen only when one relocates to a new vantage point. This God-perspective inevitably compels believers toward a change in priorities, a radical realignment of life.
Following a definition of true happiness and a call to influence and duty, the sermon continues with an explanation of conduct appropriate among Kingdom people. Jesus teaches it is not enough to avoid sinful behavior if we also fail to deal with the heart. Likewise, positive behavior must flow from a right heart, a correct motive. Jesus-followers display a radical commitment to a higher standard for life.
The Sermon on the Mount presents the profile of an authentic follower of Christ. This description is not offered as a sort of ethical creed for society at large. Rather, these ideals can only be lived out in an obedience based on a personal relationship with Jesus. These principles challenge us, but they are not beyond reach as we walk in the power of the Spirit within us.
As the early Church grew in numbers and influence, persecution increased. Stephen is the first recorded Christian martyr, and his testimony provides a model for serious Christian commitment in every generation. His powerful prayer compels us to take seriously our status as outsiders in this world.
Robert Louis Stevenson once wrote, “Life does not consist of having a good hand at cards, but of learning how to play a poor hand well.” The ancient Chronicler would have agreed, adding that in the game of life an essential part of learning how to play is learning how to pray. The presence of God overcomes the liabilities of the past and the uncertainty of the future.
An absolutely essential verse, here is Paul’s confession of the power of the cross in his own life. It stood between him and his past. His self-life was nailed there, and this new life was no longer derived from vain struggles to be religious, but from the indwelling and overflowing life of Jesus. 2024 is, for Evergreen, the Year of the Crucified Life!
Contending for the Faith is not the most pleasant of spiritual duties, but it is action required of particular generations of Jesus-followers at moments of intense spiritual warfare. Jude writes at just such an historical moment. His words are disturbingly relevant for believers today.
The story of Christmas didn’t begin in the manger in Bethlehem. It actually began long ago in the plan of God before creation. The entire sacrificial system of the Old Testament was a huge canvas that pictures man’s need for an innocent substitute to die in his place. Jesus is the eternal Lamb of God, sufficient to provide for our redemption. Merry Christmas!
Christmas reminds us that God’s baby is the answer to the problems of our day. Isaiah predicted a coming, mysterious Someone who would be the ultimate solution to all man’s fearful battles. That coming Someone would be the Son of God, Immanuel, “God with us.”
From newborn King to homeless fugitive, the story of Jesus rapidly changes circumstances. Left unchanged, however, are the plans of God and the faithfulness of Joseph. The authentic Christian life displays “a long obedience in the same direction.”
On the surface, Mary’s song does not seem to be a revolutionary composition. Yet it has been described as “the most revolutionary document in the world.” Mary sings of revolution as quiet as it is certain, as inward as it is radical, as spiritual as it is durable. Her Christmas transformation can be ours as well.
Nehemiah now joins Ezra in leading the people of God toward restoration; and his account of revival connected to the Word of God is a recipe for facing the cultural challenges of the church in our own generation. A church moves from maintenance ministry to spiritual victory when God’s Word inspires certain transformations among the saints.
The final events of Ezra are sad, but hopeful. Despite the lessons of the exile, God’s people failed to give attention to the most basic requirements of His expectations. What can be done to recover? Then and now, the answer is the same…conviction and repentance.
When we read the narratives of Luke 18 in context we find that there is an intentional teaching point throughout the string of stories. Are we putting our faith in our abilities, our faithfulness, or in Christ, the Son of God?
The proper strategy for facing challenges is different for believers than for the world. Rather than being left to our own abilities, our victories result from a commitment that shapes all of life around the reality of the Sovereign God. Preparation BEFORE battle is the key!
For most Americans, life is busy. But life is different for the children of God. While our lives look similar to our secular counterparts, God has invited us to experience supernatural moments as He empowers us to share the good news of the gospel. But if we are not careful, we will miss it and find ourselves being lovingly corrected by our Master.
Sixty years passed from the stirring preaching of Haggai and Zechariah until the arrival of the second wave of returnees. The Temple is now built, but the people desperately need encouragement. Enter Ezra—a scribe descended from Aaron, he arrives to nurture the community in the ways and Word of God. Likewise, we must see the spiritual realities behind our circumstances.
After sixteen depressing years with no expectation that life would ever get better, God offers Judah a fresh start. The first post-exilic prophet, Haggai, calls the people to stop and consider their lives so that the future is not limited by the realities of the past. If life has stopped paying dividends for you, consider investing your life in the work of God.
The intention of the Jews to rebuild their Temple and the city of Jerusalem quickly became known and it inspired heated animosity from the surrounding peoples. Opposition to God’s people succeeded for a time, but history ultimately unfolds according to divine plan. It is faith in the certainty of God’s purpose that sustains His people in hostile times.
Ezra tells the story of the work, led by Zerubbabel, to rebuild the house of God. The project would take decades to complete, marked by both highs and lows. Only careful attention to the Word of God and the intentional practice of praise would bring them through. This survival strategy for God’s people remains unchanged even today.
It is easy today—far too easy—to settle into a comfortable, routine Christianity, where our souls no longer thirst for God “in a dry and weary land where there is no water” (Ps. 63:1). Hearts grow dull and our vision of God is gradually blurred. What we need (and what our culture needs) is personal, church, and national spiritual renewal. Where to begin?
It is easy to waste life on small plans—to blunder through our days without direction, busy yet getting nowhere. A person without purpose makes no progress in life, even when circumstances seem favorable. They simply put in time. Jesus-followers are called to a noble life, a godly life, a life that highlights the glory of Christ.
Paul’s discussion of the final doom of the man of lawlessness leads naturally to consideration of the destiny of Christian believers (very different from that crowd of nonsensical thinkers discussed earlier). His pastoral affection for his people comes through loud and clear as he speaks intimately to this family of faith.
God never gives specific dates for Jesus’ return; but Paul, inspired by the Spirit, is allowed to offer us a panoramic glimpse of God’s victory and evil’s doom. The value of the doctrine of the Second Coming is in the guarantee that history is going somewhere, thus inspiring courage, perseverance, and hope. Believers daily devote themselves to righteousness in anticipation of that day when His glory is made evident.
Salvation brings us a hope for the future as we look forward to an eternity with Christ. What should we do until then? The hope that salvation brings us should result in a desire for daily transformation. The desire for holy living does not come from a desire to be perfect by the world's standards, but rather, a desire to be made righteous as the Holy Spirit transforms our lives to be more like Christ every day.
Pastor AJ Gonzalez brings us a word on the unfading hope upon which followers of Jesus can confidently rely. Do you know this hope? Do you know Jesus? We encourage you to consider your situation as you listen.
In his first letter to this church, Paul expressed unrestrained enthusiasm for church life in Thessalonica. A second letter follows quickly after the first one because a problem surfaces regarding daily work ethic of some in light of the coming return of Jesus. Paul begins this new letter with a reminder of his pride in them and his specific prayers offered for them regularly.
Evergreen, like every church, is a complex community involving a great variety of personalities. There are leaders and followers, those weak in faith and those strong, optimists and pessimists, the cynical and the gullible. Yet, encouraged by our common hope in the return of Jesus, Evergreen believers breathe an atmosphere of love and service together.
The rapture stirs debate among theologians about sequences and events, but Christ’s return is as certain as God Himself. Jesus will come. He will rule. He will be glorified. Knowing this should produce two things in the believer: a life lived in obedience to God and courage in the world.
C.S. Lewis once remarked, “It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this.” The return of Jesus energizes believers for consistency and endurance.
Too often today, Christian faith is held as a purely intellectual pursuit. We believe certain things and remain content to give mental assent to the idea of being a disciple without ever practicing the tangible life of a Jesus-follower. Paul will not allow that as a viable option. The life of Christ in us is practical, visible, and influential by action and not just word.
At a time of national emergency a wicked king had an encounter with God. The story of Ahaz, the 11th king of Judah is a cautionary tale for the people of God who are tempted to follow the conventions of the world. When his adversaries came knocking at the door, his pagan faith was tested by God. In the process, God revealed the condition of his heart, showed him who he was, and who was really at fault for his situation.
In the next two chapters, Paul appeals to two related motivations for believers to live up to the high ethical standards of God’s Kingdom. The first motivation is internal—to please God. The second is external—to live in a way that earns the respect of those outside the gospel. These compelling motives strengthen our determination in the pursuit of Christlikeness.
How do you build a great church? How do you recognize one? What traits does it display? Paul knew the answers to these questions and he often pointed to the church at Thessalonica as an example of a great church. Not defined by size or programs, a great church demonstrates faith in ways which bring God pleasure.
Unfortunately, today’s debate over gender assignments within church life often leaves the pages of Scripture and engages the battle on the field of contemporary confusions like radical feminism and toxic masculinity. When scriptural exegesis provides clarity, however, only the commitment to biblical authority remains in question. What does God’s Word say?
Often overlooked as a mere extra character in the Christmas story, Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus, provides an impressive example of obedience for all fathers in every generation. A father’s faithful obedience is costly, but it impacts the entire world.
The most overwhelming enemy of Israel since Pharaoh has taken the field: a giant named Goliath. But the God of Israel never misses a chance to deliver his people and glorify His name. Will you choose to follow God in the light of His deliverance or be overwhelmed by the darkness?
As Paul attempts to strike a death blow to the rivalries and sectarian spirit in the Corinthian church, he uses the human body to illustrate God’s ideal for each local Body of Christ…each part fulfilling an assigned role as designed, each member operating in love and giftedness toward the rest.
The glory of Israel had departed, but God still had plans for Samuel and for His people. This episode from Old Testament history has clear application to the churches of America today: God reveals Himself to desperate people.
In the continual advance of His Kingdom, God never leaves a generation without a witness. He replaces heroes with new heroes drawn from the ranks of the ordinary. He expects people with godly ambition and single-mindedness to raise up their replacements. The awareness of the legacy we have received compels us to prepare the way for those who come after us.
Great men generally come from great parents, especially great mothers. Before God blesses a nation, He often blesses a family. Our role as parents relates vitally to the survival of our nation and the impact of our church.
With his earthly life almost complete, John speaks of another remarkable encounter with Jesus. Inspiration for faithfulness comes from an accurate vision of Jesus as He is. Heavenly realities begin to replace earthly counterfeits. This understanding is key to life as a Jesus-follower.
Jesus now settles the matter of Peter’s denial with a resurrection interview. This piercing conversation removes the last traces of Peter’s self-confidence and secures a trustworthy leader for the coming church. Likewise, in a postscript, John settles his own standing as well. The call of Christ always follows examination by Christ.
This passage is the longest account of any appearance of the risen Lord in Galilee. The disciples, still uncertain about the implications of His resurrection for their future, have been instructed to carry out His mission. But how? When? Where? With what resources? Much remains for them before gaining the confidence eventually displayed at Pentecost.
Morning revelations now give way to evening revelations. What a day it had been, that first Easter—consternation among the Lord’s enemies and appearances to His friends! He was seen by Mary Magdalene and other women, two disciples traveling to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-36), and privately to Peter (Luke 24:34). Now, it only remains for the rest of the Twelve to see.
Burial is not the end of this drama. The tomb is only a punctuation mark in a story that began before the foundation of the world. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the proof that satisfies human intellect and comforts human emotion. Easter is always the answer!
Cicero called crucifixion, “the cruelest and foulest of punishments.” The physical agony of the cross combined with shame and mockery to make one’s final hours unbearable. John’s account is recorded matter-of-factly; yet it is replete with pathos and humanity amidst the evil.
As the nighttime trials of Jesus transition into day, the wicked machinations of His godless enemies become more blatant and despicable. No moment in human history can compare to when God Incarnate is declared “Guilty!” by evil men and their complicit lackeys. All creation certainly looked on that day in utter horror and righteous anger.
The arrest took place in the dead of night, cowardly in its execution. The Jewish trials were sham affairs meant to cover a previously determined verdict with a façade of legality. Roman confirmation of guilt involved a gutless politician taking the path of least inconvenience. In each encounter, Jesus was confident, unintimidated and in command.
Now we move into the unfolding drama of the passion of Jesus Christ, beginning with His nighttime arrest. Peter continues to act as representative of the band of disciples, although not with the best results. What do these encounters teach us about the spiritual battle that inevitably confronts all true Jesus-followers?
“One day as I was reading the second chapter of 1 John, I realized that my personal life’s objective regarding holiness was less than that of John’s. He was saying, ‘Make it your aim not to sin.’ I realized that deep within my heart my real aim was not to sin ‘very much.’ Can you imagine a soldier going into battle with the aim of ‘not getting hit very much?’”
(Jerry Bridges, The Pursuit of Holiness, 1978)
As Jesus transitions from instruction to intercession, He reminds the disciples again who He is (the Son from the Father) and who they are (followers in need of peace and courage). His teaching is complete for now, and the greatest prayer in the Bible is about to begin.
Having completed His teaching about the Holy Spirit, Jesus returns to the subject of His departure. Imagine the difficulty of comprehending this statement from the other side of the cross—they could not fathom what He meant. But soon enough, immediate sorrow is transformed into permanent joy!
As the moment of His departure approaches, Jesus spends more time teaching about the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is our Helper (John 14:15-17) and our Interpreter (John 14:25-31); but now Jesus unveils even more of the Spirit’s work around us and through us. Through Him, the Christian life is possible and our impact in the world is made tangible.
Moving from the image of vine and branches, Jesus now encourages His followers with reminders of all that they have in Him and preparations for the troubles that relationship will produce for them in the world. The contrast is unmistakable; so why would we ever choose the wrong object of our deepest affections?
More than at any other time in history, our generation is searching for influence. The temptation that the people of God face today is to see our relationship with others the way the world does. But God’s wisdom is always contrary to the world’s perspective. The challenge for us is to cultivate a heart that is tuned to hear the voice of God and walk in obedience to it.
Paul completes his survey of the Christian life by exploring the everyday implications of the Spirit-filled life for human relationships; and then he turns to that same life played out in the invisible realm. The clear implication is that spiritual warfare is not to be seen as some esoteric or unusual feature of Christianity, but rather, the common concern of followers.
Ephesians pulsates with a double desire: that believers have a fuller comprehension of what God in Christ is doing in them and for them, and that their lives measure up to His work of grace. The theology of salvation now becomes intensely practical as Paul offers detailed instruction about becoming “imitators of God.”
Flowing out of the grand discussion of God’s purposes in chapter one, Paul now reviews the spiritual history and future of every believer. He describes how new life in Jesus is possible because Jesus provides a way into the unapproachable presence of God. These chapters comprise the Bible’s finest description of who we are as the people of God.
Ephesians is the pinnacle of the Apostle Paul’s writing career. It is a letter for all times and peoples. Ephesians serves as an explanation of God’s purpose for the entire universe, especially the people of God known as the Church. It is also the perfect manual for 2023—Evergreen’s Year of Advance.
With the solitude of the upper room now over and the agony ahead, Jesus talked as He walked. The next conversations are crucial to the life and activity of a Jesus-follower. The intensity of the moment lends incredible weight to these revelations and instructions for His disciples then, and no less for us now.
Here in the Upper Room, Jesus now begins to explain the gift and ministry of the Holy Spirit. As He prepares the disciples for His absence, He explains why the loss of His visible presence is a good thing for them (and for us). His Spirit will not only be with them, but in them!
The opening words of Jesus’ final evening with His friends give us both the clearest description of heaven found in the New Testament AND an incredible invitation to live this earthly life as a personal representative of Jesus Christ Himself! Future and present…the Christian life in a nutshell.
At an insignificant location, one of the most significant events of the Gospels occurs. Peter leads the way by proclaiming who Jesus really is, and the nascent church receives her authority to impact the world. Evergreen stands on this confession and this authority as we advance boldly into the future before us.
The most familiar Bible stories often hold the most profound lessons. In the Christmas story, deep truths may be re-discovered by meditating on characters very different from us: angels and shepherds. Apart from gifts and food, can you recall why Christmas is such a big deal?
Eight hundred years before Jesus was born, Isaiah saw God’s promise to mankind. To a troubled world, the promise of Christmas is perfect peace forever. Christmas is not an end in itself; it is a declaration of future hope, a declaration renewed every Christmas.
This week we hear from guest preacher and Evergreen Church member, Bob Yandian. He brings us a message on the two thieves who were crucified with Christ. We pray God speaks to you as you listen.
With only serious followers remaining, Jesus begins a private time of instruction unparalleled by any other teacher in history. Immediately, He takes us from the heights of His glory to the depth of our inconsistencies. But we don’t despair…ultimately His life is our life.
Peter betrays Jesus and finds forgiveness and restoration. Judas betrays Jesus and then commits suicide. What was the difference? The difference is found in each man’s relationship to Christ. A disciple betrays the Master when he chooses to stay on the fringe of the Kingdom.
In the closing hours of His life, Jesus stressed that His followers do not merely know God, but they live out the practical implications of that relationship. In truth, few people care that we know; they need to know that we care.
Because we are a people of another land, our actions in this world must always be driven by our citizenship in and loyalty to another place. Christian giving makes no earthly sense until it is understood as a practice with eternal impact. As such, our new construction says something about us and about God far beyond the dollars and cents involved.
Jesus often used light and darkness imagery to illustrate His relationship to men and to describe their relationship to the world. We live today in a spiritual “murky time” and Jesus has a word of gospel warning for our generation.
People today seem to be searching for a roadmap to lead them through these days of global crisis and uncertainty. They turn to political pundits, social media influencers, cultural prognosticators, and medical “experts.” The Bible, however, gives life direction to believers in very simple terms: lift up Christ and let Him draw others into the Kingdom.
The word king actually means “one who is able.” Reluctant to accept the title before now, Jesus arrives at Jerusalem and finally receives this accolade in its fullest sense—He is the Eternal King, the promised Messiah, the One Who comes in the name of the Lord. This Sunday morning entry is recognized as “triumphal,” even today, only with eyes of faith.
Readers often assume that the events of Holy Week leading to Easter begin with the triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. In fact, the week’s highlights begin with an odd gift to Jesus made by a woman the day before. She gave an extraordinary gift of value because she saw the hidden significance of the moment. Giving is always about the invisible.
Lazarus is alive! Celebration certainly ensues…among some. However, others are only hardened in their hatred and opposition toward Jesus. These two responses have always been side by side. The supernatural activity of Jesus confronts every person with a crisis of decision.
Now Jesus meets the sisters in their grief and misunderstanding. His patience is on display, but His power even more so. Doubt is generally not fatal, but faith must finally win the day. Death is no ultimate challenge to The One Who is Life Himself!
“When days are weary, The long nights dreary, I know my Saviour cares.” These words reflect the simple faith of the hymn writer. Does Jesus really care? John 11 presents the seventh and greatest sign-miracle of Jesus, the resurrection of Lazarus. Jesus displays His care by showing us a glimpse of divine timing and revealing the glory of God.
Jesus is in Jerusalem for the Feast of Dedication (Hanukkah) and finds Himself once again assaulted by skeptics, miracle seekers, and opponents. He lays out a review of the overwhelming evidence for His identity. Yet it’s only outside the city among the rural folk that He gets a fair evaluation and a following from those who believe.
Jesus now transitions His emphasis from one’s ability to see spiritually to the necessity to hear spiritually. These images are best understood against the backdrop of Ezekiel 34 and Zechariah 11:17. The relationship shared between Jesus and His people stands unparalleled in human experience.
Life experiences, both good and bad, set the stage for the unique story of grace in every believer. To understand the meaning behind the events of our lives, it is necessary to grow in comprehension of Jesus and His grace toward us. Telling your story means sharing life.
The Christian life is dangerous and hard. It should not surprise us that God’s children are growing more uncomfortable as the return of Jesus comes closer. But how do we thrive in the midst of these challenges? Paul’s letter to the Romans teaches us that there is a divine plan for us and God longs to share it with us. As we face the growing reality that this world is not our home, it is important for us to embrace the perspective of heaven to see what our Father has planned for us.
Ezekiel 40-48 present details of the millennial temple (40-42), priesthood/sacrifices (43-46), and land divisions (47-48) during the millennium anticipating eternity. The temple of these chapters is the fourth and final temple planned in the economy of God. It portrays a glad vision of a day when justice and righteousness will be on display to the whole world.
Ezekiel 38-39 are composed as a series of seven oracles against Gog, the enemy of Israel. They speak of an invasion during a period when Israel is living in peace and security in the Promised Land. Like Egypt of old, Magog is an evil army overwhelmed by God for His Glory.
Are we, as believers, actively honoring the Lord’s Name by obeying His Word, or are we following in the steps of Israel—using religious activity to take the place of obedient holiness? God’s intention for Kingdom people is global impact. Disobedience short-circuits that plan. Discipline follows. Repentance produces revival. Kingdom living can change a generation.
Ezekiel now depicts the tragic and total disintegration of every area of leadership that should have provided moral and spiritual guidance to Judah. The failure of the leaders made judgment inevitable. Five specific segments of society are examined and charged with delinquency. These verses apply to every nation as it stands accountable to Almighty God.
Tucked neatly into a series of judgment messages is an invitation to choose life rather than death. Portions of this chapter are often misunderstood to teach an impermanent salvation. Context shows this idea is not the lesson at hand; but rather, the opportunity to avoid coming judgment is in the hands of individuals each responsible for their own standing before God.
After an extended vision about the pollution of the Temple, Ezekiel now receives a glimpse into the greatest disaster an Israelite could imagine—God’s departure from His people! From Eden forward, the Bible’s consistent message is that God and human sin are incompatible. Precisely for this reason, the gospel of Jesus Christ inspires awe and amazement!
After receiving a vision of the Lord’s majesty, Ezekiel is commissioned as a prophet to the people of Judah in exile in Babylon. The task is extraordinarily difficult; but the available resources of God are always enough to accomplish the mission. The prophet’s timeless motivations call out to Evergreen in the present generation.
We process everything based on our fallen and broken world perspective. We constantly evaluate it from a myopic viewpoint. As we seek to transition into an eternal kingdom that is foreign to our present existence, we struggle to grasp our limitations and many times fail to remember that proper focus only comes from one place.
The first wave of exiles have been transplanted from Judah to Babylon. Jerusalem and the Temple are about to be destroyed. Where is God? How could He allow pagans to occupy the land of promise? Is He absent? How can people of faith survive in a pagan culture dominated by unbelievers? This question, even today, remains uncomfortably relevant.
Part of the Psalms of Ascent, these verses were sung by ancient pilgrims on their way to worship in Jerusalem. This section centers on the life of a husband and father within his family and as a responsible participant in the public life of the nation. Father’s Day calls men to more than grilled meats and televised ballgames. God Himself calls men to holy leadership.
Any organization, institution, or business justifies its continued existence only when it carries out the purpose for which it was founded. The church is a collection of redeemed saints who are meant to help every other person in the world become more like Jesus. But we do not attempt the impossible alone!
A common question today is, “If God knows everything, what’s the point of praying?” Prayer does so much more than offer the details of our lives to God as requests. It is intimately and powerfully related to maintaining the Faith in difficult generations. Remember, the model prayer prays about Kingdom matters before it ever addresses daily needs.
Fellowship is a word often relegated to social events and Sunday School parties. Biblically, however, fellowship means the life we share with other believers by our common bond in Jesus. This aspect of Christianity appeals powerfully to an isolated and fractured culture.
Finances tend to be a private matter for many people. Sadly, even among Christians, the subject of money often causes offense. Refusing to ignore the topic, Paul provides a rationale for giving based on the straightforward reality that God instructs His people to be givers. Simply put, Christian giving is the grace-filled use of material resources to share life.
These days, “religion” is a bad word. It has been used as a rallying cry for war and discrimination. It’s associated with ignorance and legalistic hypocrisy. Even Christians are suspicious of the very concept. But it’s right here in the book of James…what can it mean?
Mother’s Day is an annual celebration set apart to esteem Mom with funny memories, maybe breakfast in bed, and gifts purchased by kids with Dad’s money. This tribute emphasizes the sweetness of mothering, but seldom acknowledges the difficulties of this heaven-assigned task. To strengthen appreciation for Mom, consider some models of motherhood in God’s Word.
C.S. Lewis once commented to an American friend, “How little people know who think that holiness is dull. When one meets the real thing…it is irresistible. If even 10% of the world’s population had it, would not the whole world be converted and happy before a year’s end?”
Light was the first thing God created (Genesis 1:3, 4); but more importantly, light is a characteristic of God Himself (1 John 1:5). Resuming again His debate with the religious authorities, Jesus now makes another breathtaking claim…He is not merely a reflection of the light of God. He is the divine luminary providing light to the whole world!
Easter is regularly understood as a day of remembering; but it is also meant to be a day of anticipation. The first Easter was a taste, a sampling, of what waits in store for authentic followers of Jesus. Today, let Evergreen recall the emotions of that first Easter; and let us also imagine the emotions of the coming day of His return!
The story of the woman caught in adultery is a magnificent example of Jesus contending with His critics while also dealing graciously with someone in need. It is a story in which anyone burdened by sin and guilt can find consolation and yet recognize that moral standards are not diminished in the touch of mercy.
Six months have passed since chapter six. Jesus continues to teach and do miracles throughout Galilee and in Syrophoenicia (Caesarea-Philippi/Mt. Hermon). The next confrontation in Jerusalem looms on the horizon as His journey to the cross gains intensity. Like our own day, there are many opinions across the land…but just one Truth.
From its beginning, a critical part of Christianity has been the gathering of people worshipping together. This vital source of shared life originally occurred “house to house.” However, the term “house church” often produces misunderstanding today. The closest equivalent to an ancient house church is a contemporary church like Evergreen.
The invitation to spiritual life has been offered, explained, and now rejected. The multitude misunderstood; the religious authorities were actively hostile. But the worst result was desertion by many who were already attached to Jesus at some level. For the first time, He distinguishes between superficial believers and true followers…a distinction still evident.
The day before, the crowds had been ready to proclaim Jesus as political Messiah, a King out from among them. Now, they turn the familiar facts of His home against Him. In their fickleness and murmuring, John sees the mark of their forefathers grumbling in the wilderness against Moses. Determined unbelief is satisfied with any objection.
Despite eating until they were full the day before, the crowd wakes up hungry the next morning and seeks out Jesus to provide another meal. This search produces not a meal, but a pointed explanation by Jesus of everything they missed in the earlier “sign.” With great patience, Jesus offers them one more chance to consider the true Bread of Life.
Both publicly among the crowds and privately with the disciples, Jesus’ presence made everything better. Whatever the challenge, He focuses our attention, teaches us to trust, demonstrates practical compassion, and offers peace in especially stressful moments. His instruction to us to abide (rest) in Him is, really, the sweetest invitation of life.
A testimonial to oneself is no testimonial at all. No one can witness his own signature. So Jesus now extends His defense by summoning witnesses to testify that He is equal to God and the promised Messiah—witnesses His Jewish critics should have accepted as trustworthy. Even today, the rejection of Jesus is not based on lack of “proof,” but rejection of truth.
Just like our physical body, the church body must be fully functioning to work properly and to avoid serious consequences. Paul has spent the first three chapters of Ephesians setting forth the honors, blessings, and privileges of being a child of God. In Chapter 4, Paul now describes the responsibilities of such a title. To be a child of God is to recognize your place in the Body of Christ, His Church, and to desire unity in the body to help it function properly and, more importantly, bring forth glory to God.
Listen in as Pastor Philip Jackson walks us through what the Bible says to parents and those affected by friends and family members who have walked away from the faith.
The heart of Christianity is the affirmation that Jesus is both divine and human, both Son of God and Son of Man. In the argument that ensues in John 5, Jesus makes exactly such claims. The Pharisees accurately understand and consider these claims to be blasphemy. Jesus offers a powerful defense, impossible to refute. Nevertheless, He had to die…
Book V opens with a series of poems that affirms that God hears the cries of His people and will respond to their needs by establishing a Kingdom of justice. The King will defeat all enemies. The days of evil are numbered already. This hope is expressed in the Hallel songs (Pss. 113-118) and the Songs of Ascent (Pss. 120-136). Between these collections is Psalm 119, a Hebrew alphabet mnemonic song offering tribute to God’s word to His people.
(Book V conclusion—Psalm 150:6)
Book II opens with two poems united in the hope of God’s close presence, a return to the atmosphere of the Temple. This is the language of anticipation for the messianic Kingdom. This division closes with a description of the future reign of the messianic King over the entire world. Echoes can be found of the prophets—Isaiah 11, 45, 60; Zechariah 9. This is the fulfillment of the promise so long ago made to Abraham—Genesis 12:3, 22:17-18.
(Book II conclusion—Psalm 72:18-19. Book III conclusion—Psalm 89:52. Book IV conclusion—Psalm 106:48.)
The twin themes of Psalms 1-2 emerge now with intentional clarity. Primarily consisting of songs attributed to David, Book I outlines the rise of David from shepherd boy to king and then points to the greater Son of David promised to Israel in the future. The declaration of these truths can be seen in nature, but seldom are recognized; so God has given a more personal revelation in His Law.
(Book I conclusion—Psalm 41:13.)
Psalms is a collection of songs and poetry reflecting the experiences of men grappling with both a good and gracious God and the struggles and evils of human life. The book can be broadly divided into praises and laments. More than any other biblical book, Psalms articulates our own struggles of faith. It voices the highs and lows of our own soul when we are unable to find words to express our heart’s cry.
Jesus has so far presented Himself as Messiah to representatives of Israel in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and Galilee, with a mixed reception. John now turns to the conflict that begins in Jerusalem and does not end until the blind nation has put her Messiah to death—what is the purpose of the Sabbath?
Fresh from the spiritual awakening in Sychar among the Samaritans, Jesus returns to Cana of Galilee where He previously changed water to wine. Amid the expectation for more impressive wonders, He chooses here to act in hidden ways in order to downplay amazement and increase real faith. He still does.
Today’s culture esteems experts and values specialization. Yet people desire authenticity, not statistics. They want to know the story behind our lives. Jesus was adept at meeting individuals where they were emotionally and spiritually. He models evangelistic concern and persuasive encounter in daily conversation.
We live in a day of physical and spiritual fatigue…pandemic disease, cultural hostility, attacks on family life, corporate and political corruption, to name only a few causes. How can we endure? How can we be strong enough to face the challenges ahead? The answer for God’s people is the same as it has always been…“wait for the LORD.” What does this mean?
The gifts have been opened, the lights turned off, the decorations stored away. What now of Christmas? Is it a holiday to be enjoyed in passing and then left alone for another year? Or…is everything different somehow because of that special day? What comes after?
Following His interview with Nicodemus, Jesus leaves Jerusalem and declares the coming of His Kingdom to the people by affirming the Old Covenant as displayed in the ministry of John the Baptizer. The transition to the New Covenant is completed as the Baptist testifies to Jesus and the Apostle announces the terms of salvation.
As we celebrate his role as a pastor at Evergreen, Emilio Lartigue brings us a word from the Prophet Jeremiah.
Max Barnett fills our pulpit this day to share from his own life the importance of the Word of God.
The centerpiece of the gospel, John 3:16 is the high-water mark of God’s love for sinners shown at the cross. How poignantly it states that eternal life is not earned by begging, crying, praying, working, or joining! Salvation comes as a free gift when we believe what God has done in Christ Jesus.
The Church in twenty-first century America consists of a smorgasbord of entertainment options, self-help programming, and motivational speakers. Desiring to be like the “cool kids,” the Church has jettisoned Truth and replaced it with moral relativism and pop psychology. Today, as always, Jesus wants His Church back!
A non-negotiable part of God’s redemptive purpose is His determination to transform people into obvious representations of Jesus. But what does it mean to “be like Jesus?” We could make a long list of character qualities; but the longer the list, the less we grasp the goal. God offers us a simpler definition of Christlikeness.
Hope requires optimism, and Jesus was a radically optimistic leader. His passion for His followers and for their intended future made Him a wonderful person to be around. Never discouraged by their shortcomings, He lived each day in the promise of God’s plan for His people. This indefatigable attitude extends to the people of Evergreen even today.
John the Baptist is suddenly interjected into the gospel narrative as an example of one who follows God without reservation. He lives out his assigned mission. He points to Jesus in every aspect of life. The author, John, presents the baptizer, John, as the first example of one who believes in Jesus and lives daily by truth.
The entire Bible follows a single storyline: God is actively redeeming His chosen people and His precious creation in order to accomplish His original intention for humanity. The crux of this story is seen in one remarkable plot twist—God became man and lived among us!
As we begin our journey through John’s Gospel, we first need to examine the man, John, the disciple Jesus loved. His unique contribution, throughout a longer life than any of the original twelve, was to urge the church toward practical love as an expression of Christ life.
The ungoverned life is one wasted on small purposes—blundering through our days without direction, busy yet getting nowhere. Individual government is a biblical call to noble living, adopting the high standard of godliness in order to glorify Jesus Christ.
Just as the marriage union in the New Testament is intended to picture the marvelous relationship between Christ and His Church, so in the Old Testament God uses the ideal marriage bond to illustrate His desired fellowship with His people Israel. The way God describes a solid marriage is instructive, especially in today’s culture of “no fault” divorce.
Political parties differ over the desirable extent of the state’s role in the nation’s life, and whether taxation should increase or decrease. All agree, however, that the state should provide certain services which must be paid for, and this makes taxes necessary. What exactly is the biblical expectation?
Pastor Philip Jackson brings us a word from John 11 about how we respond to what God is doing in our lives.
Ordained by God, government is not inherently a bad thing. In fact, government is necessary to the orderly conduct of human society. The frustration with our current political climate should be balanced by a review of the original purpose assigned by God to civil government. In short, what is it that our politicians are supposed to be doing?
The opening seven verses of Romans 13 contain the clearest and most specific New Testament teaching on the Christian’s duty to the state. Christianity impacts every aspect of life—including politics. So, what does a Christian citizen look like in today’s world?
God’s plan of salvation calls for strong churches that proclaim and live the reality of the transforming gospel so that it is attractive to the lost. The Enemy attempts to infiltrate and damage churches with a variety of strategies. These “church killers” must be confronted and put away. Eternity is at stake in every generation.
Proper human relationships are vital to the unfolding of God's redemptive plan. Accordingly, God establishes human society with social order, divinely-ordained expectations for government, liberty of conscience, and, most fundamentally, a proper family structure. Baptist theology affirms biblical models in these most practical arenas of human interaction.
From the incarnation of the Messiah through the presence of Israel and the church throughout history, God's intention has always been to redeem both humanity and material creation from the damaging reign of sin and evil. All that God created has value and He will make all things right in His timing and according to His purposes.
The confession now turns to the human condition, the presence of sin, the need for salvation, and the practical expressions of God's people in every generation. Baptist thought is particularly distinctive when it comes to understanding the church and its practices.
"Baptists are amazing people. They have no creed, yet they enjoy a remarkable unity. Scattered throughout the earth, having different ethnic backgrounds, living under varied types of government, and faced with problems inherent in different social environments, they share a unity in diversity. This unity is a living faithand an abiding message." - Herschel H. Hobbs
Practical ministry is not merely a program element in a church or even just an aspect of the healthy Christian life. Touching the world in the name of Jesus is commanded by God and ministry is meant to make an impact for the Kingdom of God in every generation. Doing good works is not just what we do…it’s who we are!
Pastor Philip Jackson brings us a timely word from Deuteronomy about the importance of the Word of God.
Paul does not leave believers with a simple list of religious duties to perform. Rather, he calls us to a noble purpose, a higher life. He now explains the theological foundation and eternal motivation for living the Christian life and taking the gospel to the entire world. Authentic Jesus-followers are motivated by grace to do amazing things.
Having identified both elders (biblical leaders) and enemies (dangerous influencers), Paul now describes what ordinary church members ought to look like. Emphasizing life stages, he reveals how individual spiritual maturity is designed to have a positive impact on the entire family of faith. At Evergreen, it’s called “sharing life.”
Paul next explains why the selection of godly elders is so necessary for a healthy church—because there are always individuals with ungodly agendas who masquerade as devout believers. This challenge demands loving confrontation by the pastors as well as Spirit-filled discernment by the membership.
God’s standards for leadership in the church are high, an extremely crucial truth that many churches today ignore. This is the starting point for a God-honoring church; and it is the first priority for Paul in the manual of church life that he sends to his faithful son, Titus.
As Joshua’s leadership comes to an end, he turns the eyes of Israel to unfinished tasks. The call for God’s people is to settle always the question of spiritual loyalty and to finish well what you have begun with God. This attitude is especially crucial as a man leads his family.
As the division of the Promised Land unfolds, Caleb again enters the story as a prominent example of what God does with one man of singular commitment and vision for God’s glory. Who will be a Caleb for the people known as Evergreen?
The next chapters of Joshua present the most criticized writings in all the Bible. God’s use of nature as a tool of judgment and His call to completely annihilate the enemies of Israel are often claimed as proof that the God of the Old Testament is not worthy of worship. Simply put, the critics of God are wrong again.
The Lord who gives the Promised Land to His people, and Who just furnished a striking instance of this in the destruction of Jericho, demands of His people loyalty to the covenant He has with them. Holiness requires a radical response to the presence of sin in our lives.
The previous chapter outlines the final preparations for conquest: attention to the details of obedience, reminder of God’s great faithfulness, and renewed vision of supernatural assistance. The battle is now upon them and Israel must recognize here, before advancing, that all warfare is ultimately spiritual for God’s people. Do the churches in America today remember this truth?
God’s people often suffer from spiritual amnesia. The psalmist opined, “They forgot what He had done, the wondrous works He had shown them” (78:11). The inconvenience of the moment, the clamor of the urgent, and the concerns of the future all may contribute to this forgetfulness. God calls today to secure past memories in order to inspire future victories.
Every church today faces a choice—staying silent, politically correct, and uninfluential OR crossing over into conflict and opposition with the culture in order to extend the kingdom of Christ in the world. The first option offers aimless futility and requires nothing. The second option offers a purposeful future with eternal impact. This path requires three things.
Every great biblical adventure begins in a seemingly strange place: the place of personal consecration before God. Before cities are conquered or sacrifices are offered, God always requires the spiritual preparation of each believer. So it is with a people called Evergreen.
A survey of the Bible reveals extensive teachings about Satan, the enemy of God. As such, no believer should be ignorant about our spiritual adversary. Recognizing his masquerades and tactics is essential to the daily spiritual warfare of the Jesus life.
As we celebrate the Resurrection today almost 2000 years after the fact, there is a tremendous encouragement to be found from an ancient cry for Easter almost 2000 years before the fact. In the midst of troubles known by few men in history, Job affirms his core theology—“I know that my Redeemer lives!”
Peter now returns his attention to life together in the church. Here, he is writing to us personally, pastors and people. Before addressing warfare with Satan, Peter reminds us of our call to live in proper standing with one another according to God’s community plan.
When time is short, things get urgent. And simplified. As Jesus approached the cross, His focus and intensity increased. Suffering produces concentration. Peter brashly scolded Jesus and received the harshest rebuke in the NT (Mt. 16:23). Years later, Peter instructs believers how to possess Christ-like focus during persecution.
Peter continues to call believers to live the “Jesus life” in hard days—to strength, to resolve, to unwavering firmness like a soldier entering battle. Accordingly, he outlines four motivations for “swimming upstream” and three practical steps for “living the life.”
Peter now outlines an ideal picture of life inside church as well as strategies for believers who must live in the hostile world outside church. This timely and practical advice is given for “all of you.” The “Jesus life” lived well is a life of victory in every circumstance.
Marriage is one of the wonderful mysteries of the universe. God’s intention is to communicate His glory through this most intimate relationship. The secret for success in marriage is simply to make the other person more important than yourself. Supernatural joy is the result!
Peter writes with a sense of urgency here. It is vital that believers take very seriously their identity in Christ and intentionally demonstrate spiritual growth in the everyday roles of life. Why? We are being evaluated daily. We must live distinctively as “Jesus Life” people!
With three complementary illustrations, Peter now calls on each believer to take personal and continuing responsibility for spiritual growth. It is not enough to be converted and to only begin the Christian journey. Turning from sin to righteousness is a daily practice; and this new life has communal obligations that go with it.
Further motivation for the Christian life (beyond our fascination with salvation and our enthusiasm for the Jesus life) is found in our recognition of God’s discipline and an appreciation of the tremendous cost of our salvation. This new life is meant to be lived openly so others are attracted to Jesus.
John the Elder continues his correspondence with the churches he loved by encouraging them in truth and warning them against false teachers. His pastor’s heart is on display again as he provides insight into the lives of early believers and the challenges they faced—battles amazingly similar to the issues of own day.
Contemporary music, movies, and literature regularly paint truth as a flexible concept and love as a sentimental emotion. The combination of these misunderstandings leads to either a lack of certainty about reality or a false certainty that all my opinions are always correct. This cultural bias confuses our comprehension of the God Who is love.
Too many modern Christians have been misled to think that assurance of their salvation rests on a solid memory of a particular prayer often made years earlier. The Apostle John, in contrast, provides ample evidence of salvation in the daily lives of those who follow Jesus.
Always captivated by a “living hope,” Peter now transitions from lofty theological introduction to gentle pastoral direction about how to live the Christian life. He gives no complicated strategy or oppressive requirements. Peter simply describes the obvious traits of an authentic follower of Jesus.
John the Elder, the “disciple Jesus loved,” authored five books in the New Testament—the Gospel for salvation, the three letters for sanctification, and Revelation (Apocalypse) for glorification. These writings are not structures, like Paul, as eloquent doctrinal essays. Each was written, instead, with a pastoral tone—scattered in flow, more conversational. He begins here, in 1 John, with solid encouragement to a church assaulted by heresy.
The significance of the resurrection must not be limited to an annual single-day observance of Easter. The passion of Jesus revealed an eternal victory in a single historical moment. More than the starting point for our salvation, the resurrection is the foundation for the “living hope” that actually makes the Christian life possible, now and through eternity.
1 Peter is the perfect place for Evergreen to begin 2021. It is a letter designed to strengthen the local church living in an increasingly hostile environment; and to steel the resolve of the saints to stay the course to eternity. This basic confession sets the tone for the coming year.