Evergreen Church - Bloomington Messages

This week we continue with Mark Chapter 10. For the last couple chapters, Jesus has been traveling with his disciples on their way to Jerusalem for the Passover and ultimately for the big confrontation with the powers that will culminate in his death as he unpacks for his followers what it means for him to be the Messiah. Last week we covered the transfiguration, a story about Jesus healing a demon-possessed boy and a number of teachings from Jesus about the nature of the upside-down value system of the Kingdom. This week Jesus takes his last few steps before his triumphant entry into Jerusalem as he confronts more misconceptions about him and his kingdom from the Pharisees, a rich man, and his followers.

Sermon in a sentence: "You don’t fight for victory—you fight from victory, because Jesus has already won."What’s one lie you’re ready to surrender to Jesus today so you can walk in His truth?

This week we continue with Mark Chapter 9. Last week we hit a major transition moment in the story as Jesus took his ministry which had been primarily focused on the region of Galilee and began make his way south towards Jerusalem. The focus had been really on who Jesus is and what he was doing and how people were responding to him, but as we transition in the story, so does our focus go from who he is to what it means for him to be the Messiah. This week Jesus pulls back the curtain further to his disciples on who he is and what it means to follow him. 

Sermon in a sentence: "Faith isn’t the absence of fear—it’s stepping through fear by trusting that God will show up."Action steps: • Prioritize Prayer• Practice, Practice, Practice!

God hard-wired us to have a compelling purpose and mission for our lives. This is why we are attracted to epic movies about great quests. This is also why we feel empty with endless daily routines that lead nowhere. To live well, we need a compelling purpose that is much bigger than ourselves. Please join us as we discover how God invites us into the greatest purpose in the universe. His mission will infuse meaning into every day of our lives.

Why do Christmas cards often say “Peace on Earth”? Our world is anything but peaceful. There’s conflict between people and between nations. There are heated discussions at the dinner table and war in the news. If Jesus came to bring peace, where is it? Is it really possible or realistic to have harmony in this world? Peace with others, or even ourselves? In this series, we’ll turn down the noise and remember what it means to have “Peace on Earth”.December 3, Pastor Brent Knox, live at Hometown-Bloomington; on video at Hometowns-New Hope & Lakeville.December 10, Pastor Deacon Ales live, at Hometown-New Hope; on video at Hometowns-Lakeville & Bloomington.December 17, Pastor Spencer Bernard live, at Hometown-Lakeville; on video at Hometowns-New Hope & Bloomington.

How can we continue going deeper in our awe of God, now that “40 Days of Awe” is over? To grow in any area of life, we develop new practices for growth and progress. Experiencing deeper faith is no different. Spiritual disciplines are age-old habits to strengthen and magnify our daily lives with Jesus. Enjoy your journey through "40-Days of Awe"? Let's go deeper still!

Faith isn’t just something we hold onto—it’s something we pass down, shaping the lives of those who come after us. Whether you're a mom, a mentor, a friend, or simply someone who wants to make a difference, your everyday faithfulness matters more than you know. Join us as we reflect on the power of small moments, quiet prayers, and faithful love that leaves an impact for generations to come.

This week we continue with Mark Chapter 8. To this point, Jesus has been traveling around the region of Galilee performing miracles, casting out demons, upsetting the status quo and teaching about the kingdom of God. Last week we read stories of Jesus pushing the boundaries when it comes to religious traditions and expanding the kingdom outside the bounds of the people of Israel. This week we get our first big narrative shift in the story as Jesus takes his ministry that has been focused on the region of Galilee and begins his journey south towards Jerusalem, but first we get a little déjà vu with a story that is eerily similar to one we read just two weeks ago.

It’s no secret that family life in America has become increasingly dysfunctional and we are paying a terrible price. Is there any hope? YES! God has timeless wisdom for today’s families. He cares for us and wants to bring a wonderful transformation to all hearts and homes. In this way, we can experience a wonderfully “uncommon” family life that the world notices. Let’s learn together God’s wisdom for our families.Watch the promo video above.

A therapist once said, “We are all carrying backpacks that we continually load up. We keep packing them full until one day they can’t zip and our stuff overflows all over the place.”Do you feel weighed down and spilling out? We all carry invisible emotional weights. Grief, anger, fear, regret, and more. Travel with us and learn how to finally lighten your load.

“I can give you more. More stuff, more power, status…and safety”. Money does talk, and it talks loud! But should we listen? Why not? Don’t we all want what money offers? Isn’t that the point of earning and saving more? Money talks, but so does our Lord. In this 4-part series, we’ll discover what God’s Word has to say about money.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:What are we doing out of a sense of obligation that’s actually draining the life out of our marriage?What limits do we need to embrace in our marriage?

Sermon in a sentence: "Your future is shaped by your choice today."Application: What one small choice is God asking you to make today? 

This week we continue with Mark Chapter 7. To this point, Jesus has been traveling around the region of Galilee performing miracles, casting out demons, upsetting the status quo and teaching about the kingdom of God. Last week we read about Jesus being rejected in his hometown, sending out the 12 apostles, John the Baptist’s death, the feeding of the 5,000 and Jesus walking on water. This week we read stories of Jesus pushing the boundaries when it comes to religious traditions and expanding the kingdom outside the bounds of the people of Israel.

Sermon in a sentence: "I am not who I was. I am who Jesus says I am."Application: What would change in your life if you truly believed you are already new in Christ?

This week we continue with Mark Chapter 6. To this point, Jesus has been traveling around the region of Galilee performing miracles, casting out demons, upsetting the status quo and teaching about the kingdom of God. Last week we read a few stories of Jesus helping people who were in hopeless situations. He cast out a legion of demons from a man living among the tombs away from society, he healed a woman with a seemingly incurable condition that kept her isolated from her community for twelve years and finally he raised a little girl from the dead. This week we’ve got a loaded chapter with a few stories of Jesus experiencing resistance to his ministry, interacting with his disciples and performing one of his most famous miracles.

Sermon in a sentence: "The tomb is empty, which means our hope is full."Application: If you have questions, don’t hide them—run with them to the empty tomb. Jesus welcomes the wondering.

Sermon in a sentence: "The tomb is empty, which means our hope is full."Application: Have you been rescued? Live with resurrected courage. If not, why wait?"

Sermon in a sentence: "The tomb is empty, which means our hope is full."SermApplication: Have you placed your faith in the One who conquered death?- If so, live with resurrected courage.- If not, the tomb still has your name on it.