Evergreen Christian Community

The Big Idea: That which we most deeply desire, we naturally sabotage. Genesis 3:1-13 The stories that we believe: • Made by God and for God - image-bearers • God is holding out on me • The forbidden fruit is the key to my fulfillment • I am not to blame (blame + guilt = shame) • I am damaged goods and worthless to God or anyone Three relationships essentials: 1. Relationship with God 2. Relations...

Big Idea: Followers of Jesus lead others to Jesus. 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 Matthew 4:18-21 Jesus is recruiting his team. Matthew 8:18-22 Matthew 28:19 Jesus has recruited you. How do you begin? Start with the basics: 1. GO: (God, Oikos) 2. Love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. -Figure out what your next step is. (Only you can do this) 3. Love your Oikos: 8-15 people in your traffic...

The Greatest Goal: Transformation (become like Jesus). The Big Idea: The fully-trained student will become like their teacher. Luke 6:39-40 2 Corinthians 3:18 The problem is not that we don’t want to change; the problem is that we don’t know how to change. Psalm 42:5,7 Proverbs 20:5 Proverbs 4:7 Spiritual formation is not a Christian thing - it is a human thing. Two myths: 1. All you have to do is...

The Big Idea: The fundamental privilege and priority in life is to live in the presence of God. John 14:16-20; 15:1-8 “I would do anything to have a body like that - except diet and exercise” -Jay Leno 1. Get Comfortable With Your Helper. Romans 8:5-11 2. Practice the Presence of God. “The time of business does not with me differ from the time of prayer; and in the noise and clatter of my kitchen,...

1 Corinthians 15:12-22 The word we need to discuss today, is SIN. We have replaced the word “sin” with the word "MISTAKE" Mistake = insufficient KNOWLEDGE. Sometimes we make mistakes ON PURPOSE. Sometimes we PREPLAN our mistakes. You can't CORRECT you. Sinner - Someone who knows better but DOES IT ANYWAY. Jesus' purpose in talking about sin was RESTORATION, not CONDEMNATION. Matthew 5:20-21, 27-28...

Big Idea: Our confidence in Jesus grows when we see his eternal plan and power. Matthew 21:1-9 Answering powerful life questions: • How do I know Jesus is the way to God? • How do I know that my forgiveness is real? • How do I know that God is aware of and cares about my current life? • How do I know that God has the power and desire to do anything about my current life? Two focal points: 1. The p...

The Big Idea: Faith leads us forward during a crisis. What is Faith? Hebrews 11:1-3 • Confident Hope • Assurance without Evidence Why is Faith Crucial? Hebrews 11:6 • It is the agency of your relationship with God. What is the Targeted Outcome of Faith? Hebrews 11:13-16 • “Looking for a country not their own” • Longing for a better home • What are the results of Faith? Hebrews 11:38-40 • Commendat...

The Big Idea: The Bible doesn’t call us to be Christians, but rather Disciples, or apprentices, of Jesus. -Mark 1:16-20 -Mark 2:13-14 -Mark 3:13-19 -Mark 8:34-37 The Three Levels of Jewish Education: 1. The House of the Book 2. House of Learning 3. Talmidim Three Goals- If You Made The Cut: 1. Be with your Rabbi 2. To become like your Rabbi 3. To do what your Rabbi did Three Goals As Apprentices o...

The Big Idea: The way you pray reveals the faith you possess. Exodus 17:8–16 Four Tips for Powerful Prayer: 1. What happens on the hill changes what happens in the valley. -Ephesians 6:12 -John 14:12-14 -Matthew 18:18 2. Relentless prayer ensures perpetual victory. -Hebrews 11:6 -Psalm 63:1-4 3. Powerful prayer requires partners. -Matthew 18:19-20 4. Praising God prepares you for the next battle....

Genesis 32:22-32 (p. 29) How To Wrestle With God and Prevail: Strip away every source you’ve trusted in for your Identity. Wrestle for as long as it takes. Confess the name you have embraced. Hear God give you a new name. Rev. 2:17 (p. 1063) Walk with a limp for the rest of your life.

The Big Idea: Life changes when we connect to the constant Presence of God. Genesis 28:10-22 (p. 24) You don't find God, He finds you. The first step in a relationship with God is a God-awareness. An altar is a commitment to the Presence of God. No place can contain the Presence of God. God is building a house. 1 Peter 2:1-9 (p. 1047)

The Big Idea: Encountering God brings transformation and inspires genuine worship. John 4:1-30 (p.914) Proper worship is initiated by God. Romans 12:1 (p.975) Proper worship requires brutal honesty. Proper worship produces a response.

Ephesians 6:1-20 (p. 1009) The Big Idea: You are called to win the battle over evil. Winning over evil begins with humility demonstrated in relationships. Our strength comes from the Lord. Our struggle is never with humans. We stand together by using our armor together. Prayer is the glue that holds it all together. James 4:7 (p. 1045)