Keep the Main Thing

Today’s podcast is part two of a three-part series Pastor Lee presented in January 1990. It is titled “United We Stand”. Pastor Lee based this series of sermons on Paul’s letter to the Corinthian church. Pastor Lee, using 1 Corinthians and other examples from the New Testament, shares that even the early church and its leaders faced conflicts. This sermon openly discusses a conflict that was going...

We’re moving on to the 1990s with a sermon from January 14, 1990. It is titled “Letter of Confirmation”. An inspirational message that was part one of a three-part series of sermons, based on I Corinthians. Using Paul’s letter to the Corinthian Church, Pastor Lee reminds us that life gets better with Jesus, but it does not necessarily become easier. He suggests that we focus on living better and n...

On “Christ the King Sunday” on November 26, 1989, Pastor Lee delivered a sermon titled, “Avoiding Customized Religion”. Pastor Lee begins by quoting a columnist from the St. Paul Pioneer Press, who, after the October 1989 earthquake in the Bay Area, wrote in his column that we are not in charge of this world. Believing we are in charge of this planet is more concerning than many other threats or c...

Pastor Lee has a get-rich-quick scheme he wants to offer all of us. No, not a risky investment. No, not a special stock pick. And certainly not a gambling tip. It’s a secret he knows. The secret to being rich is to be grateful. That the way to true riches is through a grateful heart.

“A Climate of Growing Faith”. October 1, 1989. Pastor Lee takes us into a discussion about faith. Pastor Lee points out that Jesus suggested faith, which can be as small as a mustard seed, is enough to “move mountains”. Pastor Lee brings home that a small faith is a mighty faith. Although a small faith is substantial enough to make a difference in this world, Pastor Lee encourages us to work at in...

Pastor Evenson brings us a sermon titled “Exclusive Rights”. It was first given on September 3, 1989. This is a great message on what it looks like to give Jesus exclusive rights to our lives, and a few of the fruits of that relationship, that we will enjoy by giving our whole selves to Christ. Pastor Lee tells us by allowing Jesus to have exclusive rights over our lives, He can transform us. In w...

The title of this message speaks for itself. It is called “Regrets Only”. Coming out of the Gospel Lesson found in Luke 13:22-30, Pastor Lee plays off of the often-used term we see on formal invitations, and reminds us that beyond all of the regrets we might have in life, none will compare to the regret we will have by turning down God’s invitation to be part of his family for eternity.

In podcast #56, Pastor Lee preaches from the Epistle Lesson found in Hebrews 12:1-13. He also references Hebrews 11 in what he calls the “Hall of Fame of believers”. Pastor Lee effectively uses ‘running’ as a metaphor throughout this message as he exhorts his parishioners to have the endurance to walk out their Christian faith every day, all day, until they are called home by the creator. This is...

In a sermon “Hope for the Best”. Pastor Leland Evenson helps us look at the distinction of two different perspectives of the phrase, “I’m hoping for the best”. He asks his audience, are people saying hope for the best with resignation – no anticipation or excitement? Or when you say hope for the best, are you saying it with anticipation. Using passages from Luke 12 and Hebrews 11, Pastor Lee shows...

We’re not sure what the title was for this sermon. The CD we recorded from had the title “Needed – Diving Appointment”. Regardless of whatever the title was, this is a great message for everyone. Taking the Gospel lesson from Luke, the story of Mary and Martha, Pastor Lee outlines his sermon using three words.  Distracted. Disconnected. Directed. Tune in to find out how.

Pastor Lee opens his message by reading a letter he received from a woman who had visited his church a few Sundays prior. He shares how this woman’s experience compels us to see – really see – the people God puts in our path. Then using the story of the good Samaritan, he walks us through three different views of life.

A message from Pastor Leland Evenson titled, “Avoiding Pitfalls of Discipleship”. First given on Sunday June 25, 1989. A sermon that was given shortly after Tiananmen Square protests and just before the Fourth of July holiday. Pastor Lee uses those two events to highlight the cost people are willing to pay for what they believe in. Using Luke 9:51-62, Pastor Lee outlines four pitfalls we can exper...

We’re looking in on Father’s Day 1989. Using Proverbs 23:24 as his backdrop, Pastor Lee begins his talk with the idea that the Christian home could be – using his quote – “on the endangered species list”. His ability to present observations of the world was one of his gifts. In this sermon, circa 1989, his look at parenting and what is needed still holds true today, 36 years later. Leveraging the...

This podcast marks the 50th podcast of Keep the Main Thing. We start this year off by bringing you a sermon from January 7, 1990. Pastor Lee uses the Old Testament lesson to outline all the ways that having a relationship with God can be a new adventure, leading to a richer, more meaningful life. Please enjoy , “So What’s New?”

Pastor Lee delivers a sermon titled, “Dealing With Disappointment”. Firstdelivered on Sunday, December 17, 1989. Pastor Lee preaches from the gospel lesson found in Matthew 11:2-11. This is an uplifting message from Pastor Lee. A great way to start out this new year, 2025!

It is the first Sunday in Advent in 1989. Pastor Lee reminds everyone that the world made a way for a newborn baby, who would be the Savior of the world, on that first Christmas day. We must be prepared to make a way for the second coming of the Christ our Savior. Here is “Are You Ready for This?”

Using Matthew Chapter 24 as the lesson, Pastor Lee encourages us to remember that it is all how we look at things that matters. How we see things will make a difference in our mood, our responses, and our overall well-being. Which is why Pastor Lee inspires us to look at all things, with the end in view.

Pastor Leland Evenson asks the question, are we heading towards a cemetery or towards a celebration? He says it all depends on whether you encounter Jesus, who can turn your mourning into dancing.

It’s Pentecost Sunday in 1989 when Pastor Lee delivered this sermon titled, The Prevailing Wind. Pastor Lee shares with us why the wind of the Holy Spirit is as critical today as it was for the disciples on the first Pentecost.

The title of Pastor Lee’s message is “The More We Get Together”. Pastor Lee shares with us that God’s favorite number is the number one. He suggests that unity among believers should be our highest calling. For the best Christian witness is showing the world a unified/loving church.

“Learning a Foreign Language”. It was first given on April 23, 1989. Pastor Lee takes a divisive situation head-on that was going on within his parish. He uses the Bible’s prominent lessons, to Love one another, as his basis for delivering this challenging message to a hurting congregation. Pastor Lee takes an interesting tact in addressing the issue that was causing the conflict. Instead of takin...

A sermon from Pastor Leland Evenson titled “Shepherd Security System”. From April 16, 1989. Pastor Lee’s talk is on 23rd Psalm. He describes Psalm 23 as “the best security system you can find”. Thanks to his upbringing on a farm, Pastor Lee effectively uses sheep as his real-life example, in illustrating how God is the ultimate good shepherd. He takes us through the Psalm, verse by verse. So get o...

We all know that life is full of surprises. Today’s sermon from Pastor Leland Evenson is titled, “The Surprise of Your Life”. Pastor Lee presents us with three types of surprises. Pastor Lee uses the story of the apostle Paul’s conversion found in Acts Chapter 9, as well as the story of when Jesus surprised the disciples, which is from John Chapter 21. This message has plenty of surprises for you....

Are you making music in your life because Jesus is at the center of your life? Or are you making a whole lot of noise because you have chosen to be at the center of your life? Perhaps you need a different approach. Podcast #40 sermon is titled, “A Different Approach”. It was first given on Palm Sunday 1989. Pastor Lee makes the comment that people go through life either getting consequences or get...

Pastor Leland Evenson’s sermon from February 26, 1989. Pastor Lee minces few words as he addresses the impact of satanic forces in our world and in our lives. He speaks right up about Satan. Using I Corinthians Chapter 10, he warns us and encourages us to not let Satan lure us into self-destruction. He reminds us that the Bible says, Satan is set on destroying us. And we need to take this seriousl...