Evergreen Christian Community

/In the Chat:/ If you could be a United States Ambassador to any nation on earth, which one would you choose? 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 The Big Idea: To be effective ambassadors of Christ in the world we must recover and incarnate the core confessions of Christianity. Confessions are Confusing: ● They have been used as occasion for violence. ● They have been used to describe God as angry and hateful....

John 6:5-15 Big Idea: The limitless power of Jesus covers over our limited selves. John 6:53-58 So Jesus says: He is limitless and he requires limitless devotion. God’s limitless power, grace and love work in spite of our limited status. Jesus works his miracle through his disciples. His limitless power worked through limited individuals. In Jesus Christ, we find our potential. Jesus Christ fills...

Jim Ladd, May 9, 2021 Finding our place in the world In the Chat: What about the world drives you the most crazy these days? The Big Idea: We must rediscover our place in the world. Ephesians 1:3-10; 19-23 (MSG) “How blessed is God! And what a blessing he is! He’s the Father of our Master, Jesus Christ, and takes us to the high places of blessing in him. Long before he laid down earth’s foundation...

Andy Manley, May 2, 2021 /In the chat: After the NFL draft, how many people had compassion for you? / Big Idea: Compassion and justice is an overflow of our faith. John 20:14-15 Narcotizing Dysfunction - “…that as mass media inundates people on a particular issue, they become apathetic to it, substituting knowledge for action.” Genesis 2:8-9 Revelation - Garden Like City John 20:14-15 Luke 4:17-19...

In the Chat: Where are you when you feel most relaxed and rested? The Big Idea: Rest is an act of worship because it puts the universe back on God’s shoulders and makes room for healing. 1. SABBATH is a God strategy for growth. Genesis 2:1-3 Two key words: BLESSED - Barak - A life-giving ability to make more life - to procreate QADOSH - Holy - A serious word - usually used for God. The Principle o...

Joshua 9:3-6 Joshua 9:14-15 INQUIRE OF THE LORD even when it seems obvious. Bad choices can lead to UNNECESSARY BATTLES. Joshua 10:7-13 God is in the REDEEMING BUSINESS. GOD FIGHTS OUR BATTLES with all of heaven’s resources. God can turn our CURSES into BLESSINGS RESPONSE: Can you believe for God’s deliverance? IDENTIFY a situation where God’s intervention is needed.

In the chat: What was an activity you used to do with your grandparents? Big Idea: Being an image bearer calls us to value people and declare his greatness. Genesis‬ 1:26-27‬ NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬ We are “Imago Dei.” “There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal. Nations, cultures, arts, civilizations - these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat. But it is immort...

“Bold prayers honor God, and God honors bold prayers. God isn’t offended by your biggest dreams or boldest prayers. He is offended by anything less. If your prayers aren’t impossible for you, they are insulting to God.” Mark Batterson In the chat - What do you think of when you think of praying bold prayers? THREE OT EXAMPLES: 1) David and Goliath ● 1 Samuel 17:45-47 2) Elijah and prophets of Baal...

Genesis 2:8-9 Big Idea: God has created us to partner with Him in moving the world forward. Question in the chat: What was your first job? “Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.” -Westminster Catechism Genesis 1:26 Radah - To actively partner with God in taking the world somewhere. Genesis 2:10-12 “Human beings are responsible for art, science, medicine, education, the Sisti...

To enjoy the Way of Jesus, I must leave the old ways that I love. Luke 5:33-39 TWO TOPICS: 1. NEW WINE must be poured into NEW WINESKINS. 2. No one, after drinking the old, wants the new. 1. THE NEW WAY OF JESUS does not fit with or inside of the old way. 2. No one, after drinking the old, wants the new, “for the old is better.” a. “BETTER” = “easy and suits me” b. My yoke is “BETTER” - easy and s...

The Big Idea: The resurrection is the proof of the finished work of Jesus and the demonstration of the power He offers today. Ephesians 1:15-19 1. The RESURRECTION is the PROOF that Jesus is who He said He is. Acts 17: 24-31 2. The RESURRECTION is the FINAL SAY concerning our inheritance. Acts 13:32-33, 38-39 1 Corinthians 15:14-19 3. The RESURRECTION DEMONSTRATES THE POWER to live a new life. Eph...

Jim Ladd, April 2, 2021 Join us as we recognize the suffering and sacrifice that Jesus paid on our behalf on the day of his crucifixion, before we celebrate his ultimate victory over death this Sunday.

Tonight: How much of your walk with Jesus is entirely self-serving? Holy Week - How did Jesus spend the week after Palm Sunday? Monday: Jesus cursed the fruitless fig tree and cleansed the Temple. Tuesday: Jesus confronts the Pharisees. Matthew 23:23-28 Wednesday: Judas sells out Jesus. Thursday: Passover meal, washing feet, and Peter’s warning. Themes of the week: ● RELIGION is SELF-SERVING and i...

Matthew 11:12 Palm Sunday reveals the JESUS REVOLUTION. The Big Idea: Jesus is a revolutionary, leading an army of wounded healers. Good news for the desperate: Luke 4:14-20 If you are not DESPERATE then Jesus is of no value to you. 1 Corinthians 1:26-30 Jesus CALLS BEGGARS to HELP OTHER BEGGARS find bread. Luke 5:27-32 1 Corinthians 1:26-30 We Learn the REVOLUTIONARY STRATEGIES of Jesus. John 13:...

TENSION Non-essential: Definition: Not absolutely necessary. Big Idea: The desire of the enemy is for you to see yourself as non-essential. But Christ has made us into Conquerors and Co-Heirs of the Kingdom. TRUTH Who we are: Co-Heirs and Conquerors Co-Heirs Romans 8:14-17 We have inheritance rights with Jesus. We share in his glory AND suffering. Conquerors: Romans 8:31-32, 37-39 There is not ONE...

/In the Chat: Vote between: Home Improvement, Friends, Modern Family, This Is Us./ When a life is well lived with and for Jesus, it is a life that most people will not understand. Matthew 11:16-19 The Big Idea: We are God’s People, living in God’s Power, demonstrating God’s Love. 2 Peter 1:3-4 And do not forget that God LOVES using unqualified and disqualified people! Joel 2:28-32 gets FULFILLED i...

Luke 3:7-9 Do not confuse GOD’S PATIENCE with TOLERANCE. Genesis 15:12-16 God will let His people SUFFER to EXTEND GRACE TO PAGANS. We are HIS BODY. Burning Question: For America, is “the ax already at the root of the trees”? Leviticus 18:24-28 Luke 3:10-14 If it is, “what should we do then?” ● Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none. ● Anyone who has food should do the sa...

BIG IDEA: A life of meaning and purpose is more important than a life of comfort. /In the Chat: What was your dream job when you were growing up?/ Matthew 11:1-6 Matthew 3:4-8 Matthew 11:2-3 Matthew 11:4-5 Matthew 11:6 We’re not called to a position, we’re called to GOD’S VOICE. God doesn’t call us FROM SOMEWHERE, He calls us TO SOMEWHERE. “May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous,...

The Big Idea: God’s Word illuminates our path of life. Psalm 119: 105 Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. His WORD lights up our path. 2 Samuel 22:29 You, Lord, are my lamp; the Lord turns my darkness into light. Jesus is the LIGHT. John 8:12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have t...

/Chat: What is your favorite Rocky Film?/ Series Big Idea: Christianity has been neutered by becoming civilized. We have lost our identity, our mission, and our way. “Civilized” - polite; well-bred; refined; of or relating to civilized people: easy to manage or control. “But then the worst thing happened that could happen to any fighter, you got civilized.” - Mick to Rocky in Rocky III Matthew 11:...

Jesus never said, “If anyone wants to become my disciple, let them deny themselves, take up their cross, and lead a balanced life.” Proverbs 4:20-23 Augustine said that a well-ordered heart is to love: ● The right thing ● To the right degree ● In the right way ● With the right kind of love The Big Idea: Life Transformation is an inside job and flows from a whole heart. We need “VIM” -Dallas Willar...

Psalm 91 What is the bulletproof life? (v.1-2) How protection actually works: (v.3-13) Conquering Confusion: when bad things happen to good people. (v.14-15)

/Chat: “Tell us what your biggest food addiction is!”/ Matthew 6:1-4 The Big Idea: Real transformation will always include the death of an addiction to approval. Approval Addiction Symptoms: ● Getting hurt by what others say about us. ● Habitually comparing ourselves to others. ● A nagging sense that we are not important enough or special enough. ● Envy of others’ success. ● Trying to impress impo...

Psalm 81 V1-5 - We sing to our God!! V6-7 - I delivered you and included testing. V8-10 - This is what I ask (no other gods) - Trust me and my deliverance. V11-12 - A refusal to listen leads to a giving over to your own stubborn heart. V13-16 - The rewards of absolute trust and submission to God. Psalm 82 V1 - God renders judgement of the gods. V2-3 Why do you get this so backwards and focus so po...