Pastor Steven Earp shares from his heart each week at Elevate Church in Moore, OK.
Matthew 5:38-42, 43-45, 46-48 Philippians 2:5-11Realize that our enemies are still God’s precious creations.2. Remember that my natural state is selfish and sinful.3. Understand that the only way out is transformation in Christ Jesus.To be Christlike means to be selfless. To be selfish is to be godless.
Matthew 5:1-12, Romans 7:24-25, Philippians 2:5-11Meekness is the opposite of our natural desire for greatness.Meekness is not the same as weaknessMeekness only comes from being in JesusBig Idea: Meekness is supernatural strength under divine control, when our hearts are transformed by the Holy Spirit.
Acts 1:3, Matthew 5:1-3, 4, 5-12, Luke 2:34-35, Matthew 6:331. Grief can allow us to thank God for how much someone meant to us.2. Grief can lead us to talk to God in raw authenticity.3. Dark Days bring loneliness, but the darkness can give way to transformation.Big Idea: Let grief and loss remind us of our ultimate reality.What Not to Say to Grieving People:God wont give you more than you can handle.God is going to make something great come from this.God needed another angel.Find the silver lining.Let me tell you about MY struggle.I know EXACTLY how you feel.Tips of Loving Grieving People Well:Understand there is no normal way to grieve.Affirm their feelings and the situation.Don’t take things personally.Help them with practical things.Don’t let them be isolated.
Acts 1:3Matthew 5:1-2, 3–121. The Kingdom of God changes everything.2. The Kingdom of God pushes against our natural expectations.3. The Kingdom of God elevates those that the world dismisses.The only way to enter the Kingdom of God is to look to Jesus.
Isaiah 43:16-21 NIVRemember who God is and what he has done.Learn from the past, but never live in the past.Focus on the future.There is incredible hope in Jesus, now go live in that hope.
Jonah 11. God’s love for His creation is relentless. 2. It is impossible to outrun the love and sovereignty of God. 3. Our God is the God who provides. Are you willing to go and tell others about the relentless love of God?Are you trying to outrun the sovereignty of God? Is God the hero of your story?
John 3:16-17James 21. Religion for the sake of religion is worthless2. Christianity is about knowing Jesus, not just knowing about Him3. An authentic relationship with Jesus is shown through trustBig Idea: You don’t change for the love of God, but the love of God will change you
Luke 231. Anyone can follow Jesus, but only a few will.2. Following Jesus requires pushing against other influences.3. Following Jesus is possible only because of His sacrifice.Big Idea: Jesus calls you to follow Him, and help others do the same.
Luke 17:20-211.The Kingdom of God was Jesus’ primary message. 2. The Kingdom of God can overcome every problem and meet every need3. Jesus brought the Kingdom near, and we’re called to do the same. Big Idea: The blessings in this life are only a taste of the greatness to come.
Exodus 121. The lamb had to be perfect2. The lamb was sacrificed3. The lamb was shared
Ezra 7-9Realize that God calls you to be on missionUnderstand that if God called you to something He has also called othersUse the resources that God providesContinually return to the spiritual nature of our work.Stay faithful to God with your family and sex lifeAlways lead with a broken humble heartBig Idea: When you follow Jesus the future is always better than the past.
Haggai 1 Big Idea: Don't be a Greyhound be a LionPoint 1: Fear the Lord.Point 2: Trust in the Lord.Point 3: Forget your past and start now.
Ezra 4 and 61. Obstacles are a normal part of life2. Obstacles don’t look as bad when they are seen in perspective.3. No obstacle takes God by surprise.Big Idea: Faith in God’s promises will overcome any obstacle.
Ezra 31. For spiritual renewal, return to Jesus and forgiveness, the central message of Christianity.2. For spiritual renewal, return to living as though the Bible is true.3. For spiritual renewal, recommit your time, talents, and treasures to Jesus.Big Idea: Centering your life around Jesus Christ is the only thing that will ever fully satisfy.
Ezra 11. This world is not our home.2. God calls us to a higher purpose.3. Answering God’s call will be costlyBig Idea: Answering God’s call is the highest and best use of my life.
Matthew 9 1. Jesus Pursues unlikely people 2. Jesus goes to undesirable places 3. Jesus purifies the contaminated Big Idea: Jesus did not come to make bad people good, but to make dead people alive.
Deuteronomy 8 Big Idea: Only God can get you through the wilderness with your faith in tact.3 Principles on how to survive the wildernessThe wilderness of life shows us God’s provision.The wilderness is where God tests us.In the wilderness you can either grumble or learn to be humble.
2 Chronicles 20Big Idea: Pain can drive us into God’s presence.1. Realize we almost never grow without a life disruption. 2. When life is disrupted, call out to God. 3. While fasting, listen for the voice of God.
Isaiah 58:1-2, 6-9; Matthew 6:2, 5, 16To pursue God’s presence, you must also embrace God’s heart for the brokenPublic prayer should always be accompanied by private prayerHumility in life, in heart with prayer and fasting will always bring spiritual breakthrough.Big Idea: Sincere faith is more about what you do in private than what you do in public
Let go of yesterday’s fear. Worship Jesus today, no matter the circumstances you find yourself in.Refocus your future on glorifying God and making disciples.Big Idea: The resurrection of Jesus changes everything.
Matthew 2:1-4, Luke 2:8-20 1. The wise men experienced Christmas as authentic seekers.2. Herod experienced Christmas as a threat to his control.3. The angels experienced Christmas with an attitude of praise. 4. The shepherds experienced Christmas by sharing the message of Jesus.5. Mary experienced Christmas by fully submitting her life. Big Idea: How you experience Christmas is a great indicator of your spiritual life.
Luke 21. Jesus was the ultimate fulfillment of the Passover firstborn. 2. Only Jesus can fully satisfy our longings3. The birth of Jesus compels us to make a choiceBig Idea: The reason our hearts search for meaning is because God wants us to find Him
Luke 1Always expect God to work through ordinary people.Understand that the gospel changes everything.Learn from Mary how to respond to Jesus.Big Idea: Because God paid the ultimate price for me, there is no part of me that doesn’t belong to Him.
"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of God shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angels said to them, "Do not be afraid." (Luke 2:8-10)Fear dominates God’s story & fear dominates our God story as well"Fear of man will prove to be a snare;but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe." (Prov 29:25)When Out of Balance..Man Becomes My Functional GodWhen King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him..." (Matt. 2)1. The Gospel Humbles Me2. The Gospel Makes Me Pleasing to God3. The Gospel produces in me a desire to Elevate what God thinks of me over what man thinks of me. Matthew 3:16As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, "this is my son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."
Nehemiah 13:6-18 Big Idea: Character is doing what’s right no matter the results.1. Make the hard calls.2. Focus on the right priorities3. Be consistent.4. Never tire of presenting the basics5. Have high expectations when it matters
Nehemiah 10Being completely committed to Christ will impact my sexuality and my family. Being completely committed to Christ will affect my work and time.Being completely committed to Christ will strengthen my worship and finances.Big Idea: Christ won’t be just part of what you do, he wants to be at the center of who you are.
Nehemiah 9Look to God firstRealize that you’re never too far from God’s loveUnderstand that spiritual growth is a lifelong processCommit your life to him right nowBig Idea: It’s never too late for a new start with God
Nehemiah 8, Psalm 107:9Hunger leads to spiritual vigorGod’s Word is the center piece for spiritual renewalGod’s Word always challenges us to respondThose who hunger and thirst for Jesus will always be satisfied.
Nehemiah 4 James 1:19 Proverbs 17:28, 18:13 Big Idea: Good listening lets you lead strongly, honor God, and love others well. 1. The people said: We have lost our strength. We have lost our vision. We have lost our confidence. 2. Listen to the needs of people and make changes accordingly. 3. Remind everyone of the bigger deeper picture. 4. Remind people of God’s promises to give them courage.
Nehemiah 6:1-15, Matthew 26:39, Gal 6:9 Big Idea: Its always to soon to give up. Don’t let others knock you off course. Prove yourself with results not words. Don’t take the easy way out.
Nehemiah 51. Take time to think through it.2. Understand that people are not the problem.3. Address the problem directly.4. Offer realistic solutions.5. Set the right example6. Ask for a commitmentBig Idea: Healthy and effective problem solving honors God and helps others.
Guest Speaker today Pastor Rick ParkerJohn 15:1-8Your position for connection must be constant.Your cultivation for connection must be consistent.Your production from connection must come from the root.
Nehemiah 4:1-4, 6, 7-9, 10-13, 14Pray about it.Keep working.Keep your guard up.Stay close to the right people.Be ready but not on offense.Remember your reasons.Big Idea: Responding to criticism in a God honoring way allows me to grow.
Nehemiah 2:16-18, 3:3, 3:19-20, Big Idea: God gives us inspiration so we can inspire others.Inspire by sharing a compelling vision.Inspire by giving them ownership in the project.Inspire by recognizing them for a job well done.
Nehemiah 2, Mark 1:12-13Prepare your heart and mind while waiting.Big Idea: Preparation honors God, and the gifts He’s given me.Eight Steps while Preparing for a Fresh Vision!Ask the right questions.Read the right things.Talk to the right people.Watch the right trainings.Associate with the right people. Practice the right skills.Network with everyone who may be able to help.Share your vision with the right people.Prepare for lonely times.Prepare to be criticized by people that don’t get it.
Nehemiah 1:11Big Idea: Building a strong life starts with willingness.Be willing to become more than you are.Nehemiah 1:1-4Be willing to have a broken heartNehemiah 1:5-6Be willing to take responsibility.John 10:18Big Idea: Building a strong life starts with willingness.
Big Idea: Learning to love Jesus is the process of our disciplines turning into devotionLearning to love Jesus is the process of our disciplines turning into devotionDeuteronomy 7:7-8, Psalm 63:1-8 The Bible is a love story about God’s relentless pursuit of youTransformation comes when I am filled with an awareness of God’s love and presence.Devotion through contemplation is longing for Jesus, not for what Jesus can do for you
Pastor Steven explores how God can appear in our chaos
Acts 8:4-18 1. Everyday Christians Went around sharing about Jesus. 2. Christians shared the word and served people in need 3. Christians covenanted together in community 4. Racial reconciliation came as a result of the gospel being preached and lived out. Pursue Jesus and you may experience the supernatural. Pursue the supernatural and you might miss Jesus.
Romans 12:1-2, Ephesians 4:20-24, Psalm 49:1-4, Proverbs 1:5-7 1. When you grow spiritually you also grow mentally and intellectually.2. Words of wisdom are an active part of worship. 3. Loving God more always includes sharpening our minds.Big Idea: For a Christian, every time you understand something new about God, it will bring you closer to Him.
Title: Connecting with God by caring for others.Luke 10:25-371. Jesus is for the Outcast.2. A profound way to love God is to care for others.3. Caring for those in need is a beautiful picture of what Christ does for us.
© 2020-2025 Ivy Podcast Discovery LLC
