Sunday Sermons | Evergreen Church

During days in prison, Paul often taught about and demonstrated prayer. Ephesians concludes with one of the broadest definitions of prayer in the Bible. Prayer for spiritual warfare has a wide scope, a focused passion, and specific objectives…all inspired by the Holy Spirit in the believer’s life.

One of the most repeated words from John 1 is testimony. It comes at least 5 times [testify - vs.7, 34, testified - vs.15, testimony - 19, 32]. Through the framework of testimony, the chapter could reflect a 3-part testimony about Jesus that could deepen both our worship and witness of Him.

Paul outlines in great detail the weapons of our unseen warfare because he understood that victory in war is achieved by warriors who are properly trained, sufficiently committed, and confident in their resources. Spiritual conflict demands that Jesus followers take up both armor and sword.

In the middle of extensive discussion about the everyday aspects of the faith life, Paul inserts an explanation of the principles of spiritual warfare. The clear implication is that spiritual warfare is not to be seen as some esoteric or unusual feature of Christianity; but rather, it is the common concern and occupation of every ordinary Christian.

The promises of God are not mere adornments for the life of faith, but the secure foundation stones upon which we walk our course of days. Claim the promises, live in them, and prove them daily to the glory of God. Our future stands on the promises of God!

These chapters are the most criticized writings in all the Bible. God’s use of nature as a tool of judgment and His call to completely exterminate 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.

These chapters outline the final preparations for and first steps into conquest: attention to obedience, reminders of God’s great faithfulness, and a 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 American churches today remember this biblical truth?

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.

Fear of an uncertain future is a dominant trait of contemporary culture. Responses range from nihilistic anarchists to doomsday preppers. Christian belief is displayed at its finest when Jesus followers live heartily in the present with a bold, confident expectation for the future.

On the eve of the public ministry of Jesus, John the Baptist declared the coming of the Kingdom of God. His preaching hinted at the reality of the Church, the divinely assembled and energized people of God. The Church stands as God’s redemptive army of saints.

As the days of conquest approach for Israel, Moses gives instructions to a new generation about to enter battle for the first time. His concern is not to have the largest army, but the most committed army. The key to success in war was not military might or superior troop numbers, but spiritual confidence in the Lord of Armies. So it is with Evergreen today!

Any 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.

We witness God's perfect timing as the Messiah is born in Bethlehem. Amid a Roman census, Mary and Joseph arrive in the city, unknowingly fulfilling ancient prophecies. In a humble stable, the Savior is born, bringing peace to a broken world. The shepherds, the first to hear the good news, remind us that the Messiah came for all, regardless of status. This Christmas, let us remember that God's tim...

As we approach Christmas, Pastor Philip Jackson looks at the wondrous things of our God leading up to the birth of Christ. What do the miracles in Luke 1 tell us about the nature of God's involvement in our lives. Does He still do miracles? Does He still care about what we are going through?

Twenty-five years of God’s power, changed lives, deep fellowship among the people of God, and influence with other churches…what more could possibly be ahead? The succinct answer to that question is simply this—global impact! Evergreen now aims to fulfill our longstanding motto: “Knowing God. Sharing Life. Changing the World.” This is our time!

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 New Testament (Matthew 16:23). Years later, Peter instructs believers how to possess that same Christ-like focus during persecutions.

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 five motivations for “swimming upstream.” He calls us to be satisfied with our distinctiveness in a world that demands conformity.

Peter now outlines an ideal picture of life inside church as well as strategies for believers who must live in the hostile world outside the church. This timely and practical advice is given for “all of you.” The “Jesus life” lived well is a life of victory in all circumstances.

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? Because 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.

The greatest tragedy, until the cross, played out in Genesis chapter 3. Everything God had made for us, and to be with us, was lost. But God, in the midst of the tragic loss and inevitable death, promised that He would make things right. He started making things right in that very same moment.

When Adam fell into sin, he sold every one of his descendants into slavery. Thankfully, Jesus Christ, the “second Adam”, never fell into sin. Instead, He fully endured temptation to the full extent, and prevailed as perfect. It is because He remained sinless that He is able to pay the price that we could never pay.

We often do not truly understand sin. Because we view sin as the grand total of negative actions we have committed in our life, we often think we do not need to be forgiven of much. The truth is we often live out our lack of trust in God’s proven character. Every time we fall for the lie that God is not who He says He is, we fall into sin.