Sermons

WHAT MAKES A CHAMPION?

Date: October 17th, 2021

Speaker: Senior Pastor Therman E. Evans

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:25

Supporting Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9:24,26-27

Sermon Highlights:

Choice, Commitment, Confidence, Consistency, Control/Self Discipline
Control/Self discipline is one of God’s greatest gifts.
Control/Self discipline: 1) the ability to control my feelings. Feelings will not make me a champion. Feelings will keep me from practicing. I must control my feelings. 2) the ability to overcome my weaknesses. 3) the ability to pursue what I think is right, despite temptations to abandon it. 4) the ability to push toward, stay motivated, take action, regardless of my physical or emotional condition.
Control/Self discipline is one of the anchors of the fruit of the Spirit.
I’m running for the imperishable prize.
I’m in a fight for my life! I should be fighting like heaven!
Control the clap back! Don’t clap back! Lack of control/self discipline will get me in trouble.
Am I a Christian baby?

PRAYER OF GRATITUDE
God, Great God, Jehovah, thank you for this moment. Thank you for your grace and your renewing mercies. We are grateful for the proclamation of your word, and the perfection of your messenger, Pastor Evans. As we run for our lives in pursuit of an imperishable prize, help us to place our feelings at your feet and pick up our faith. Feelings may be fickle, but you God are the same, yesterday, today, and forever. We lift up holy hands in praise and worship, as we magnify your holy name. We love you, we honor you. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so! In Jesus’ name we pray, AMEN.

WHAT MAKES A CHAMPION?

Date: October 10th, 2021

Speaker: Senior Pastor Therman E. Evans

Scripture: Genesis 39:1-2a

Supporting Scripture: Hebrews 11:1, 13:8, Genesis 50:20, 1 Peter 2:9

Sermon Highlights:

Consistency: a steady, stable, standard, an important element of being a champion.
I expect God to be consistent. Am I consistent?
The life of Joseph is a study in consistency: 1) The preference of God, 2) The plot of his siblings. Jealousy + envy create conspiracy, 3) The plan of God to save his life, 4) Potiphar’s house, 5) Prison, 6) The palace, 7) The praise.
Joseph was consistent & consistently excellent.
God wants me to do well, to be healthy, healed & whole.
I am favored by God! God has something for me to do!
And the Lord was with Joseph : anointed, gifted, talented, favored, blessed, confident, competent, courageous, inspired, motivated.
Be consistent! Don’t let circumstances pull me down, derail me.
I can’t wait to be a champion to act, behave, walk, talk like a champion.
I am here to champion God’s work.
I will be more consistent with God’s help!

PRAYER OF GRATITUDE
Most Gracious and Loving God, thank you for this moment. Thank you for speaking directly to our hearts and our situations through your word, delivered so wonderfully by Pastor Evans. We are grateful for your blueprint on how to be a champion. Help us Lord to be consistent in our thoughts, our words, and our deeds. Make us into people who move by your spirit, not by our feelings. We decree and declared in Jesus’ name we are God’s champions, placed on this earth for such a time as this. As we constantly and consistently give your holy and righteous name all the glory, all the honor, and all the praise, continue to shape us into your image. We love you and place no other gods before you. In Jesus’ name we count these things already done. AMEN.

WHAT MAKES A CHAMPION? CONSISTENCY

Date: October 3rd, 2021

Speaker: Senior Pastor Therman E. Evans

Scripture: Hebrews 13:8

Supporting Scripture: James 1:8, Exodus 17:6, Numbers 20:8, Matthew 8:23-27, Matthew 14:.22

Sermon Highlights:

Champions make a choice, commit to that choice, and have confidence in that choice.
Consistency: 1) doing something the same way 2) compatible or congruent 3) steady, stable, or a standard.
Are you available, usable? Consistency makes availability real.
I must be consistent! Champions know they must be consistently improving, getting better.
Opposition never stays the same. I can’t be satisfied with staying where I am.
Don’t hit your rock, speak to your rock!
Jesus Christ IS right now! If Jesus did it before, Jesus can do it again!

PRAYER OF GRATITUDE:
God of Mercy, God of Light, thank you for this moment. We are always grateful that your promise is to never leave us where you found us. Thank you for calling us into our championship season. Even when we are inconsistent, you remain consistent, and your love and mercy endures forever. Bless your servant, Pastor Evans as he continues to preach a word in season. You are our God, and we hear and respond to your word. All honor and praise is due your holy and righteous name. Today we offer ourselves up to you. Use us for your glory. We thank you in advance that we are better Christ followers right now. It is in the name of your precious son Jesus we do pray, AMEN.

WHAT MAKES A CHAMPION?

Date: September 26th, 2021

Speaker: Senior Pastor Therman E. Evans

Scripture: Matthew 8:10

Supporting Scripture: Matthew 8:5-13, Mark 6:1-6, Proverbs 18:21, Philippians 2:9

Sermon Highlights:

I am a champion!
Great crisis produces great champions.
Champions emerge out of Exodus, enslavement, encounters with an enemy. Old Testament warfare is national, New Testament warfare is personal.
God needs someone to fight for the kingdom!
Speak the word Lord! There is power in the tongue of Jesus!
Jesus doesn’t have an appointment schedule or a to-do list.
Champions for God call on the name of Jesus. Jesus is one word, a complete thought.

PRAYER OF GRATITUDE: God of Potential, Possibility and Power, thank you for this moment. Thank you for being the God of the Old Testament, the New Testament, and today. May the faith present in the centurion be present in us. Bless Pastor Evans as he reminds us of your power and sovereignty. We are ever grateful that the greatness and goodness of God is always available, all we have to do is call on the name of Jesus. With just one word from you Lord, we know everything can change. God is able, and because of that, no matter the obstacles, we are more than conquerors. All our praise, all our worship, all our love, belongs to you God. In Jesus’ name we pray, AMEN.

WHAT MAKES A CHAMPION: CONFIDENCE

Date: September 19th, 2021

Speaker: Senior Pastor Therman E. Evans

Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:32

Supporting Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:1-58, Proverbs 18:16, 2 Kings 4:1-7, Acts 3:1-10

Sermon Highlights:

· God wants me to be a champion! God wants me to make a difference!
· God wants me to behave like I have confidence in God.
· Never minimize or underestimate what I can do, my talents/gifts.
· Faith + Confidence = God will deliver me!
· God can handle any problem I bring to Him.
· Am I manifesting the qualities of a champion?
· Never underestimate my capacity.
· Be confident in Christ! Big stuff is coming my way because of my confidence in God!

“Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.” – John Wooden

PRAYER OF GRATITUDE: God of every good and perfect gift, thank you for this moment. Thank you for providing for us and keeping us in your perfect will. We are grateful for every gift, talent, and ability you have given us. We confidently use those tools for the building of your kingdom. Help us to see ourselves and others through your eyes and spirit. Give us a vision of the greatness you have placed inside of us. May we say with confidence, no matter the situation, I have faith, God will deliver! We thank you in advance for all the big stuff coming our way because of our confidence in Christ. We love your word and pray you continue to bless your messenger, Pastor Evans. All praise, all honor, and all glory belong to the most high God. In Jesus’ name we pray, AMEN.

THE REQUIREMENTS TO BE A CHAMPION

Date: September 12th, 2021

Speaker: Senior Pastor Therman E. Evans

Scripture: Numbers 13:30

Supporting Scripture: Philippians 4:13, 2 Kings 6:8-22

Sermon Highlights:

I am a champion! I am God’s champion! I am here to “champion” something!
I am God’s idea!
I came here as a winner! I am here to make a difference!
Choice: I am here to win. Commitment: Champions are committed. Confidence: Champions are confident.
Don’t step back from what God has promised! Speak with confidence to whatever is in front of you.
God sees things as they are. We don’t see things as they are, we see things as we are. God open my eyes so I can see! Confidence in God helps me to see things as God sees them.
Sources of confidence: 1) Faith & belief in God 2) Education 3) Examples 4) Experience 5) Expertise/talent.
Confidence is faith/belief in God, internal assurance, nerve, boldness, bravery, backbone, grit, guts, heart, stomach, resoluteness, certainty, courage.
Hold on to my confidence!
“What lies behind us, and what lies before us are but tiny matters compared to what lies in us.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

PRAYER OF GRATITUDE: Creative Creator and source of all things, thank you for this moment. Thank you for this wonderful in-person worship experience. It was only your abundant grace and ever renewing mercy that made this day possible. Bless all who continue to BE the church, both inside and outside the building. Watch over Pastor Evans God. Increase his confidence and boldness and ours too. We are champions, here to make a difference, and be winners for your kingdom. We worship you Oh Lord, Lily of the Valley, Bright and Morning Star, equipped with the confident assurance that flows from our faith in you. We praise you and we love you. In Jesus’ name we pray, AMEN.

2 Timothy: 4:7

Date: September 5th, 2021

Speaker: Senior Pastor Therman E. Evans

Scripture: 2 Timothy: 4:7

Supporting Scripture: 2 Corinthians 11:24-28

Sermon Highlights:

· Fight, Finish, Faith: all critically important to anything I do.
· Fight the good fight!
· Be a finisher, it’s where the difference is made.
· It’s my race! The race goes to finishers. If I’m still here, the race is not finished.
· Keep the faith, it’s what the fight is all about.
· Opposition is always present. The fight is intended to move/drive me away from me faith.
· I want to be a champion!
· God will bring me through. God’s grace is sufficient.
· Keep the faith! Fight the good fight! Finish my race!

PRAYER OF GRATITUDE: Creator God, Loving, Compassionate and Perfect in all your ways, thank you for this moment. Thank you for your grace and your mercy, which keeps us in the fight. We are grateful for this word of education, encouragement, and inspiration from Pastor Evans. Bless him with whatever he needs to live at his highest and best. Thank you for keeping us while we fought this week. With minds fixed and focused on you, we declare and decree we will keep the faith. We will fight the good fight. We will finish our race, knowing we can do nothing apart from your grace, which is sufficient. Lord we give your name all the honor, and all the glory it is due. We open our mouths to praise you, and we lift our hands to worship you. Thank you for simply being God – sovereign Lord, over all, in all, and through all situations and circumstances. We love you forever, in Jesus ‘name we pray, AMEN.

WHAT MAKES A CHAMPION?

Date: August 22nd, 2021

Speaker: Senior Pastor Therman E. Evans

Scripture: Luke 14:34-35

Supporting Scripture: Luke 14:15-33, Matthew 5:13, Leviticus 2:13, 2 Chronicles 13:5, Numbers 18:19, Ezekiel 16:4, 43:24, 2 Kings 2:21

Sermon Highlights:

· Be committed to being a true Christian. Being a true Christian means prioritizing Jesus.
· Commitment accepts & means NO EXCUSES!
· Commitment means finishing what I start.
· Commitment is key. It is the currency that pays the cost of discipleship & achievement.
· I am salt! Salt is important! Salt is a sign of God’s covenant. Salt is God’s purifying agent.
· Commitment is to a Christian like grace is to Jesus, like harmony is to music like heat is to a fire.
· No commitment = no Christian.
· I have the opportunity to be a champion.
· Be committed! Stop making excuses!
· I am the salt of the earth. Hold on to your saltiness.
· I am a champion! I am a winner!

PRAYER OF GRATITUDE: Most Gracious and Giving God, thank you for this moment. Thank you for allowing us to see a brand new day. We are grateful for Pastor Evans’ commitment to your church, your word and your people. Bless him with an abundance of love, life, and health. God, we accept your invitation for each of us to be champions for you. Right now, we cast down all excuses and pick up our saltiness, a sign of your covenant and your purifying agency in this world. We praise and worship you God, we exalt your holy and righteous name. May our commitment to your kingdom never end. In Jesus’ name we pray, AMEN.

WHAT MAKES A CHAMPION

Date: August 15th, 2021

Speaker: Senior Pastor Therman E. Evans

Scripture: Psalm 37:5, Proverbs 16:3, Mark 12:30

Supporting Scripture: Genesis 12:1

Sermon Highlights:

· 1st principle is choice.
· 2nd principle is a commitment- I choose to be committed.
· Commitment: dedication, devotion, loyalty, faithfulness, being all in, determination, giving, forgiving, making things happen, perseverance, persistence.
· Am I committed to the choice I made?
· Why not win? Why not choose to be a champion?
· Interest vs Commitment: there’s a big difference. Interest/contribution is about convenience, commitment is regardless of the inconvenience.
· The only true test of serious commitment is results – actions, progress, improvement.
· Get away from what is easy, comfortable, familiar, ordinary, regular, routine.
· God wants champions! God put it in you!
· There are only 2 options when it comes to commitment: In or out!
· Don’t accept ordinary, less than your best.
· Commitment is what makes the difference.

PRAYER OF GRATITUDE: God of grace, God of mercy, thank you for this moment. Thank you for providing us with a choice. Today we choose you! Today we choose to be all in! Today we commit ourselves – mind, body, and spirit to being everything you desire us to be. God, you created us to be champions and winners, not losers and quitters. Continue to cause us to be uncomfortable as we seek to dig deep and rise up as champions. Call us out of comfortable places, out of the ordinary and routine. Where there is merely interest, guide us toward commitment. Bless our Pastor as he remains committed to the call and assignment you have given him. Lord, we love you, we praise you and we magnify your holy and righteous name. In Jesus’ name we pray, AMEN.