Lessons from My Mom (Jonathan Evans)

Even though even though there's oppositions even though it seems like things may not be working out you have one goal and Jonathan Evans says that gold is much bigger than surviving the crisis were God have an expectation and that is always remember to respect everything that you were here to serve the purposes of God celebrating 40 years of faithful. This is the alternative Dr. Tony author, speaker, senior pastor of Oakland Bible Fellowship Dallas, Texas, president of the over the last two years a lot has changed the way we live our day-to-day lives.

But today, Jonathan Evans reminds us that the most important things of all have a change Jonathan as the managing director of the urban alternative of former NFL fullback, a Dallas seminary grad and the son of Dr. Tony and Lois Evans. Let's join him as he addresses attendees at the National religious broadcasters convention in 2020. Just a short time after the loss of his mother just thinking about last year. Last year was interesting because last year was very high-end, very low all at the same time for our family.

Many of you know the story that were here this year without my mom that last year was the year that my dad was inducted into the NRB Hall of Fame that we were thinking throughout the week.

All the family was there. Me and my brother and my two sisters Crystal and Priscilla my brother Anthony and we were there and we were excited to come to NRB which we had been to in a while since we were kids we were excited about the opportunity to be at NRB in this time Tony heaven's was going into the NRB Hall of Fame. This time, we were excited. We came in I came through and that they gave me my bad. So I felt solidified because this time were here and we get to support my dad if he goes up on the stage and he gets inducted into the national religious broadcasters Hall of Fame. We are excited about this moment for him for the family for the life of the ministry of NRB have been there to help build Tony a ministry in the urban alternative come alongside Dr. Tony and Lois Evans as they come and do what God has called them to do for this generation. I mean, we couldn't be more excited and enthusiastic when we came into the doors.

We saw all of our friends that had come to support throughout the week.

It was very interesting because as me and Priscilla specifically would look at my dad would say dad. Are you excited or are you ready to go. Are you excited about the Civil War that you're about to get the lifetime achievement award were happy and he said I'm doing okay Dan what was going on here. You're about to be inducted into the NRB Hall of Fame but this is one of the top of the mountain tops.

This is this is this is not going through the Valley you're at, you got a grimace on your face what's really going on. Are you okay he said I'll be all right. The next day came around us were getting closer to Friday for him to go into the Hall of Fame and be enshrined and immortalized with the national religious broadcasters were excited former we say dad. Are you excited about today, it's Thursday. Tomorrow is your day said there when we get there. I said dad what's wrong are you okay will talk a little bit later me and Priscilla looked at each other. We didn't quite understand why he was so somber when we were at this level when he had made it to this level. Him and my mom getting ready to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. How could you be so somber. Friday rolled around and I knocked on his door and Priscilla was standing there in her pajamas and crystal came in Anthony Kaman. We ran through the hall like kids and knocked on the door and he came to the door and he just opened it to let us in and walked back to the bed and laid back down and we said dad it's Friday today are going to be inducted into the NRB Hall of Fame said I'm doing all right. We'll talk about it later we went to the banquet where he was going to be inducted in the entire time when he supposed to be on a mountaintop. He was obviously evidently to us. This is kids was just stuck in the valley and I rubbed his shoulder nested daddy can be okay is that I love you John-John just totally avoided the question that I love you today and they called his name in the they gave him the honor and he went up and gave what Tony ever would always do a powerful message and he took pictures halfway smiling just trying to get through it in medium for selling Crystal and Anthony kept checking on because he just wasn't right. Quite right there. We went to the green room and we checked on him again and said dad.

Come on now tell us what's going on here at the national religious broadcasters are always excited you're always enthusiastic just got inducted into the Hall of Fame. You have a grimace on your face.

Please let us know what's going on. He said meet me in my room in 10 minutes and I'll tell you what's going on.

And boy you talk about kids hearts beginning to beat fast and all of the geese on my arms took flight. So we got changed and we went to his room and we knocked on the door and he opened the door and he told us to come on in and he sat on a stool and we all sat on the couch that was in his room that night. Just a year ago.

This time he said kids. I know this was supposed to be an exciting time it is and I'm honored at the national religious broadcasters Association would seek to honor the work that has been done through the urban alternative and everything that is happening with me and your mom. But tonight we face the hardest time in our family's history as he said that a chill went up my spine. I looked at him intently, trying to discern what he was about to say and then he said were facing.

The hardest time. I said why dad he said, because your mom has just been diagnosed with a terminal form of cancer that the doctors just have no answer she's in stage IV, it has come all the way across her abdomen. There is nothing that we are able to do. I've talked to the best doctors I went high and I went low one went everywhere in between. And there's absolutely nothing that they can do about it. So if I've been somber all week because were facing. The hardest time we've ever faced in our family about a minute of silence as we sat there in shock, trying to digest being here just a year ago.

This time what we were facing as a family. In that moment that it seemed like with taking away all of the achievements everything that it that had happened up until that point, that moment was terrifying and devastating and after that minute went by, we heard a wailing going on across the room. As I look back at my father.

He got up and he could no longer contain it as he was crying. On the other side of the room.

Priscilla and Anthony stood up, ran over there and tried to come work him and rubbed on him and I sat there still would just trying to get gauge all of the information and process what I heard. My brother-in-law was in there. He turned his back and started at the height of what it seemed like we should've been celebrating. We were crying and devastation because we had just heard the hardest news that we had ever heard in our family's life. We didn't know how to take it we will all be just a year ago. This time, and all of the crying was going on in different sectors of the room. I remembered oh yeah my mom is sitting here let me see how she's doing and she said there comfortable and stoic and attempt Priscilla on the shoulder and my brother and my dad and I said mom are you okay and she said all of you come here and sit down. We all came and we set down around the couch where my dad had given us the information. My mom took the time to just stay here just for moment to let us process the news that we just heard the devastation that we just are trying to process at that moment that she said all of you come here and sit down. I have something to say we set down and then finally she begin to speak. She said you do know what this is.

Don't you it's called spiritual warfare.

You do know that we've had six, 5 to 6 deaths in the last two years at our family, that the enemy had been attacking that something have been coming up against our family.

We must be doing something right because the enemy is taking notice.

God is allowing these things to happen. He's allowing these things to be shaken up and when we face spiritual warfare, or when we face things that come against our family the Evans family will not talk our tales and run we prepare to attack.

I understand that you're sad to understand that this is a hard time understand that you had a different expectation. I understand that this wasn't what you were expecting to hear. I understand that this hurts, but you need to understand what this is so that you understand the posture that you need to have moving we will not talk our tales and run you will get ready to attack if you're called to preach he will preach if your call to write you will write if you're called to proclaim you will proclaim if you're called to lead a Bible study, you will lead it. Now I have every expectation that you will love me and care for me and pray for me and be there for me. I have every dictation that you will do that as my family. But God has an expectation and that is that you always remember through thick and through thin that you are here to serve the purposes of God.

I said mom. How can you be talking about ministry at a time like this and she said because that's why you're here, son. That's why you're here is the reason why you exist what you mean how can I be talking about ministry at a time like this son that's why you're here and everything from pain and anguish.

Everything from things that seem counterintuitive.

Everything from things that you didn't expect or opposition that comes up against you is all a distraction from the reason why you're here so you will stand up and hold your head up and be strong and you will continue the work of the ministry. I'm just wanting to tell you what my mom told me because everybody in this room is facing something or going through something where you need to hear word that says that you are here no matter what you're going through no matter what you face in your family and your ministry whether you have 1 million people on your program.

Whether you have one, you're here to serve the do not turn to the left or to the right, like God told Joshua you're here to serve the purposes of God. We are to close the promised land is right there, but mom was letting us know the reason why this is happening is because God is allowing us to be shaken because I how he wants to move for you cannot quit now cross the Jordan, the promised land is right will have more from Jonathan Evans in just a moment about the importance of focusing on tomorrow matter what were going through today. Stay with us.

God has an amazing plan for your child's life. There is no greater joy than helping them discover it.

Dr. Tony Evans kids guide series can help instilling kingdom principles in your child by teaching them how to build others up with her words understand God's attributes to his names and engage in spiritual warfare against the enemy written for kids ages eight through 12. These easy-to-read books are filled with biblical truth, aimed at guiding young readers into a deeper love for God and confidence in his faithfulness and because you can read them as a family. These guides are sure to encourage everyone in your home. Bless your child by helping them discover God's amazing plan for so they can unlock their potential for a lifetime of following Jesus. You can learn more about the complete line of goods book should Tony have in stock or in that's also where you can find a powerful new book from Dr. Evans and his four adult children Crystal Evans hurst, Priscilla Scheier, Anthony Evans and Jonathan Evans is called divine disruption and it's an open and honest narrative that can help you navigate your way through life's unexpected challenges pain and losses in spite of life's inevitable heartache and heard God offers grace and the chance for a deeper faith through your most trying times. Would like to send you a copy of divine disruption as a thank you gift when you make a contribution to help us keep this ministry outreach going and as an added tool to help assist you through difficult times will also include all seven full-length audio messages on CD or digital download from our current living with law series. Both of these resources are yours with our thanks when you make a donation online at 2011's.org or call our resource Center. They are night at one 800 832, 22, where a helpful team members are available to assist with your resource request that's 1-800-800-3222 while Jonathan will return with more of today's message right after this portion of the church where they believed Golgotha that the greatest person ever took place.

Tony having his travels to Israel to experience firsthand the places Jesus walked preach administered while on earth, you're invited to relive inspirational journey in upcoming big screen church is hearing God's living more than just a captivating travel. Evans discusses the biblical story will significance stop along the way and what it means for us today reminded of another name about the sacrificial life by November 15, 16 and 17 join Dr. Evans for a captivating journey with Jesus music Tony Evans.org sometimes some people simply need to be encouraged because it was just it was just a year ago this season. Word from my mother and even though last year with her last NRB physically she's giving another address today as I spoke her funeral with many of you may have seen this. It was put out on Facebook and other outlets was reminded about my playing career played in the NFL for five years you don't know me because I wouldn't that good but who cares I was there and every player that plays on Sunday they play on Sunday. Thinking about Monday. Every college football player that plays on Saturday they play on Saturday thinking about Sunday every high school football player. If you were to go to ask them what are you thinking about during the game on Friday. They would tell you I'm taking about Saturday why every time a player is playing the game there thinking about the next day because the next day is where you have to watch the film and be accountable of your previous performance. So I remember when I was playing I would make a good block and I would look good tomorrow or I miss something or someone doing something right. Nothing I have that my mom was letting us know that day you better stay focused, because one day there is going to come a day like when you were playing football Jonathan where you had to go when your coach would pull down the screen and he would turn on the overhead projector and pick up the red pointer and all he would wonders were you out there bearing the image of the uniform that I gave you based on the playbook that I wrote for you to execute you out there doing your own thing serving your own purpose, don't answer that because were about to watch it right now. 510, Paul says the exact same thing for we all will go before the judgment seat of Christ, we cannot lose focus, no matter what we face because were supposed to play today thinking about tomorrow whether it's for millions or for one, the focus is on Christ, that one day he pull down his cosmic screen turn on his Holy Ghost overhead projector and pick up the blood of Jesus, red pointer that he sent us all down in his only concern is not can it be about all of those things that worry us on a daily basis is not going to be about the opposition it's going to be. Did you serve the purposes of God, don't answer that.

It's going to watch it right now.

And sometimes in ministry we can get to a place for serving the ministry instead of a God who is over it were so concerned about the numbers and the feedback and how many listeners and these people over here what dog and pony show can I do to make sure we get the support that I need.

And God gave you the ministry certainly will support it serve his purposes. Growing up I had a dog named Solomon. It was a toy poodle not by my selection, I have two older sister. There was me, I would've gotten some little tougher, but that toy poodle at 11 years old.

I thought that you was a little bit afflicted in my mind because when I would come home from school. This dog would be running around in circles chasing his own tail and not be thinking to myself that this dog this dog not know that his mouth is on his face and his tail was on his rear. Anyone created to catch his own tail. He's running around in circles doing a lot of movement, but he had no progress at 12 years old I came home to some growling that was going on in the back room and all I heard was her so I said maybe we my sisters pulled a fast one and got another toy poodle. I went to the back room only to find out that the dog had caught his tail, but after 30 seconds, and me standing there watching him in shock.

The dog had to let go because he was too uncomfortable to stay in that position. Even though he had a moment of satisfaction because that's not what he was created for. We have to be careful in the Christian world because sometimes we can get so involved in what were doing that were not actually progressing were just running around or running around in circles trying to satisfy an intent that we were not created for and just having Jesus sign off on it. We have all of these radio programs always broadcast on the church's youth programs in all of these conferences and all of these special people and still have all this mess. There's got to be a dead monkey on the line somewhere that God's people are losing focus, my mom told me to tell you go back to being focused is the gospel of Jesus Christ serve the purposes of God be the impact to your generation.

Paul said in Philippians 300, not might regard myself as having taken hold of it, but I believe what's behind in our reach for what's ahead pressing on to the standard which I have already attained, we must press on. I know there is opposition in the last two years my dad's brother passed away two years ago just opposition in our family. Six months later he lost his niece, my cousin winter at 38 years old her heart to stop.

She fell down in her home with four girls and a husband who now live in Nashville few months later he lost his sister a few months later he lost his sister's husband a few months after that my little cousin Michael who is 28 years old, lost his wife at 30 found out that she had a tumor suddenly and then that the moment that she found out the next day she passed away few months after that to daddy my granddad my dad's dad was falling ill and then 90 years old.

He passed away this past November in a month later, Lois and it is painful sometimes it's hard sometimes that's why the Bible says in Galatians 6 not to not grow weary of doing good because even though it's hard. Even though there's oppositions even though you may not be noticed in the great hall even though it seems like things may not be working out you have one goal serve the purpose. Jonathan Evans will come back in a moment with a final comment to wrap up today's lesson the first of the message you been hearing today struck a chord in you and you like to learn more about how to deal with the heartache of life losses.

Be sure to take advantage of that special offer. I mentioned earlier, all seven messages from the current living with loss audio collection as well as the Evans families brand-new book divine disruption holding onto faith when life breaks your heart was in both of these resources to you is her way of saying thanks when you make a contribution to help us keep Tony's teaching coming your way. This special package will only be bundled together for a limited time so I encourage you to make the arrangements right away. Just visit Tony Evans.org to complete your request or call our resource Center any time of the day or night at 1-800-800-3222 that's 1-800-800-3222. Stay with us so many ways God has demonstrated his faithfulness to me into this ministry over these 40 years, and there were times when we just weren't sure we were going to make it.

We got down to our last paycheck. After that there was no money to pay anyone. I remember as having a special prayer time and asking God then out of nowhere a donors heart was touched they will notice that God placed it on the heart to send you this gift was able to sustain us until we were able to rebuild so I am not a doubt about the greatness of God and I'm certainly grateful for all the frenzies given been faithful to pray grateful for 40 years seen this kind hand will next time Dr. Evans will bring the first lesson series of messages on the power of the name used for Jesus in the Bible right now though Jonathan is back to conclude our message for today.

December 30 was the last time that I spent time with my mom and about a week before that she was living between heaven and earth and I knew it.

She said did you see my mom.

She was just sitting right here.

Did you see Mark do you see those colors unbelievable said no mom, we don't see him. We don't see your mom but I know you do. And one thing that got a she said the word Lord they're about to give me my Walmart enjoy that mom because you serve the purposes of God through the thick within no attention a lot of attention. Millions are one. You didn't lose focus so you enjoy your ward. My mom would want me to tell you there's an award lose focus serve the purpose of the alternative, Dr. Tony celebrating 40 years of faithfulness.

Thanks for the generous contribution