Keep the Main Thing

The first of a four-part conversation with Pastor Jedidiah Scharmer from Resurrection Church. Jedidiah and Pastor Leland Evenson worked together right up to the end of Pastor Lee’s ministry. Pastor Jedidiah shares some memories and thoughts working with Pastor Lee.

Pastor Lee’s sermon titled, “Learning to Live in Debt” is not about financial planning. Rather it is about the debt we have to love one another as God loved us first. Using the Epistle lesson from that particular Sunday, Romans 13:1-10, Pastor Lee’s central focus is found in verse 8 where Paul urges the early Christians to “let no debt remain outstanding except the continuing debt to love one another. For he who loves his fellow man has fulfilled the law.”

Another timeless message from Pastor Leland Evenson first given on September 27, 1987.

Another sermon by Pastor Lee Evenson focused on loving, mentoring, parenting, and bringing up our young people. Per usual, his observations and instruction are timeless and still very potent and valuable for today’s world.

A sermon titled, “The Great Omission”. Yes, not “The Great Commission”. Given on June 14, 1987, this is one of many meditations that Pastor Leland Evenson gave on the importance of missions. Part of his ongoing vision and passion for world missions.

A Mother’s Day message from May 1987. A meaningful message for all parents, old and new. His timeless talk cites the challenges that many of the youth were coping with back in 1987. And those descriptions still hold true for today’s youth. It is another sermon with amazingly accurate insight, observations, and predictions. Echoing throughout his talk, one of his more famous adages, “life is good, but life is hard”. We hope you enjoy this Mother’s Day message from Pastor Lee, and that you will consider passing this along to younger parents who might appreciate and could benefit from this sermon.

A Palm Sunday sermon from 1987. Pastor Leland Evenson reminds us that allowing God to lead us and Lord over our lives is the way to a truly joyful and peaceful existence. He tells us that life works best when we are under the right authority, and not rebelling against it. He makes the comment that we were not created to be the king, yet we continue to try to rule our world. And there are many consequences when we strive to be ruler over our life and other lives.

There are many struggles trying to maintain our empire, and sooner or later find out the hard way that we are not in charge. When we allow there to be a regime change and let God be our King, we will experience an adventurous and fulfilling life.

A great message as we mark the day Jesus rode into Jerusalem.

This sermon is a sobering, and timeless discussion about sin. It is based on King David’s Psalm 51. Pastor Lee effectively again relates experiences from his time at the hospital with his wife, Merriam. Using germs as a metaphor for sin. Discussing how sin causes infection in our lives, as do germs. It is a pointed message that strikes at the heart of all of us. Yet of course he inspires us to remember that God’s grace is sufficient. Imploring us not to take God’s forgiveness for granted. Encouraging us to work at being better followers of Christ.

United We Demonstrate, Divided We Destroy. A Pastor Leland Evenson sermon delivered on January 25, 1987. He based this message on the letter Paul wrote to the Corinthian church – Corinthians 1:10-17. Pastor Lee implores us to set aside our selfishness and egos, which can destroy relationships and people. And look to Jesus who showed us how putting other people first leads to peace and unity. This sermon is a good example of Pastor Lee imploring us to, “keep the main thing, the main thing.” Encouraging us to put aside our selfishness and strive for unity. Unity with one another in Christ.

A sermon that we all need to hear. Rejection is part of everyone’s life. There is no one who is immune from rejection. One only has to read the news, or you can observe it in your own community, that rejection, self-hate, and self-pity are everywhere. Today’s message is based on the gospel lesson from the ninth chapter of the gospel of John.

Take a listen to “From Rejection to Reception”. It is an emotionally packed sermon that helps us remember that having the right perception of Jesus will help us handle rejection. With the right perception, we willingly move towards the loving reception we receive from our father in Heaven. For God is, of course, the right source for finding our true identity, recognizing our absolute genuine worth, and experiencing unconditional love.

An encouraging message for everyone from Pastor Lee Evenson on using our adversities and troubles for God’s purpose in our lives.

That our burdens can be bridges to help others who are going through difficult times. An inspiring talk based on Paul’s second letter to the Corinthian church.

A great reminder that life isn’t always perfect and ideal. That God allows trials to come into our lives not as a punishment but as preparation.