Evergreen Christian Community

The Big Idea: God calls us to rest because it testifies to our faith in Him and releases blessings into our lives. Exodus 20:8-11 (p. 52) The fascinating thing about this commandment is that it is INVISIBLE. -Matthew 12:1-8 (p. 683) This commandment is a GIFT from God. -Mark 2:27 (p. 700) What Is This Commandment Really About? 1. It is not about RESTING from work, it’s about TRUSTING in God. -Exod...

The Big Idea: The relationship is weakened when you use the person’s name without dignity, even if they never know it. Exodus 20:7 (p. 52) Exodus 34:5-6 (p. 62) All through scripture, the name of God is equated with GOD HIMSELF. • Proverbs 18:10 (p. 450) • Psalm 20:7 (p. 381) • Romans 10:13 (p. 788) • John 1:12 (p. 739) We profane His name when we treat it as COMMON. • Ezekiel 36:16-38 (p. 601-602...

The Big Idea: Creating an image of the God you prefer to worship sabotages the relationship and keeps you from experiencing His true greatness. Exodus 20:3-5 (p.52) Three Reasons Not To Make An Image: 1. Your image DOESN’T EVEN COME CLOSE to who He is. 2. You will instinctively WORSHIP your image rather than GOD. John 9:1-3 (p.747) Exodus 20:6 (p.52) Deuteronomy. 7:9 (p.126) 3. Your image keeps yo...

The Big Idea: Healthy relationships thrive when they receive the appropriate level of priority in our lives. Exodus 34:28 Exodus 20:1-17 1. It’s not about RULES, but about RELATIONSHIP Exodus 20:1 You determine the DEPTH of your relationship with God. Exodus 20:18- 21 Psalm 103:7 2. WORSHIP God only. Isaiah 45:5 3. Your SPOUSE is your highest priority on earth. 4. The issue of priority will help y...

The Big Idea: Life-long growth requires both supernatural help from God and concentrated personal effort. 2 Peter 1:3-11 5 Myths About Spiritual Growth: 1. Spiritual growth is automatic over time • TRUTH: Spiritual growth requires tremendous EFFORT 2. Spiritual growth is not for everybody.  TRUTH: God’s POWER is available to everyone. 3. Spiritual growth is natural to some people and not to other...

THE BIG IDEA: We have peace because truly, accurately, and absolutely, God is in control - He is governing it all. Isaiah 9:1-7 (p.479) The message of Christmas is incredibly CONFRONTATIONAL. And it changes EVERYTHING! The key to peace is GOVERNANCE. Matthew 28:18 (p.698) 1 Corinthians 15:25 (p.801) Luke 1:32-33 (p.714) How do we find and rest In His peace? 1. Stop trying to GOVERN everything your...

BIG IDEA: The truth about joy is that you can have it in any circumstance. 1. Happiness is finite. 2. Joy is Infinite.   Luke 1:46-49 (p.715) Authentic joy is found in God’s presence.   Lasting joy is possible in every season when we follow God’s truths.   Anchored joy and peace are a result of trusting God. • II Corinthians 6:10 (p.805) 1. The advent gift of joy cannot be conquered! • Rev. 21 (p....

Mark 12:30-31 (p.709) Christmas is about GOD LOVING PEOPLE. Romans 5:8 (p.785) I John 4:7-16 (p.856) 1. Love is the CHARACTER of God. 2. Love is the CREATIVE FOCUS of God. JESUS is the manifestation of God’s creative focus to love us. 3. Love is the GUIDING SPIRIT.

Luke 2:22-38 1. Israel was clinging to their ancient hope for a DELIVERER. This was a promise God reinforced many times: • (The destruction of evil in) Genesis 3:15 • (God’s promise to Abraham in) Genesis 12:1-3 • (God’s promise to Moses in) Exodus 19:5-6 • (God’s promise to David in) 2 Samuel 7:13 • (God’s promise through His prophet in) Isaiah 49:6 2. HOPE arrived in the birth of Jesus. • Jesus...

The Big Idea: The Father’s grace calls all of His sons to come back home. Luke 15:11-32 (p.730) The Younger Son: • The son’s departure is not LOSTNESS, but REBELLION • Grace lets you go without seeking to CONTROL you • Grace welcomes the REBEL into relationship without demanding an EXPLANATION • Grace helps you realize you are not a PIG, but a HUMAN BEING and a SON. The Choice: DESTROY yourself or...

THE BIG IDEA: The power for continuity in your life comes from the awesome combination of Grace and Truth. Matthew 22:1-14 (p.691) The secret sauce of your freedom is GRACE AND TRUTH The key is to always remain WELL DRESSED Matthew 22:11-14 (p.691) Strategies for the Seasons of Life: We have AMAZING seasons and DIFFICULT seasons. Matthew 16:15-20 (p.687) Acts 12:5-10 (p.767) In the great seasons,...

The Big Idea: When God wants to restore your soul, and prepare a feast for you in the presence of your enemies. Luke 4:16-21 (p.718) Five foundational ministries of Jesus: - Salvation - Spirit Baptism - Healing - Deliverance - Restoring the Soul 1. Jesus Heals BROKEN HEARTS - 1 Samuel 15:26 (p.196) - 1 Samuel 19:9-10 (p.199) 7 Reactions to Rejection 1. Anger 2. Insecurity 3.Pride 4. Independence 5...

Finding Freedom 8 - How Change Actually Happens The Big Idea: Real change is possible and it always happens from the inside-out. Jeremiah 1:4-12 The path from prison to freedom is always the same: 1. VISION about what life could be like. 2. Someone has to do for me what I CANNOT DO ON MY OWN. 3. I have to make a DECISION that I intent to do something. 4. I have to START DOING IT Galatians 5:1 1 Sa...

Finding Your Freedom- Freedom and Your Heart The Big Idea: Above all things, guard your heart for everything you do flows from it. Proverbs 4:23-27 Everything you do flows from your HEART. Matthew 15:8-11; 15-20 How to Guard Your Heart: Control your MOUTH Free from PERVERSITY- Free from CORRUPT TALK Proverbs 19:1 2. Control your EYES Look STRAIGHT AHEAD Keep your eyes directly BEFORE Luke 11:34 3....

Finding Your Freedom 6 - Fighting For Your Life The Big Idea: Defeating lust is a matter of life and death because it wages war against your soul. Proverbs 7:1-27 Three Words To Describe the Spirit of Lust: 1. DESIRE Luke 22:15 Galatians 5:16-17 Romans 6:19 Romans 8:5-6 Romans 13:14 2. DECEPTION Proverbs 6:23-32 Proverbs 27:20 Habakkuk 2:5 Ezekiel 16:28 3. DEATH James 1:14-15 Romans 8:12-13 What i...

The Big Idea: The lust of the eyes manifests itself through greed, unbelief, and fear. 1 John 2:15-17 The Lust of the Eyes Manifests Itself in Three Different Ways: 1. GREED Genesis 3:1-6 Genesis 2:9 Exodus 13:1 Exodus 23:19 There are only two things you can do with God’s TITHE - Bring it or steal it. Genesis 4:1-7 Leviticus 27:30 2. UNBELIEF Joshua 6:19 Joshua 7:11-12 Malachi 3:7-12 3. FEAR Luke...

Finding Freedom Week 3 - “Believers in Bondage” The Big Idea: Many Christians do not find freedom because they rationalize their bondage. Two Open Doors to Bondage: 1. Continual, HABITUAL SIN opens a door John 8:31 Romans 6:16-18 Romans 13:14 2. FRIENDSHIP with the WORLD opens a door James 4:1-6 1 John 2:15-17 Romans 8:5-8 WHAT IS THE ANSWER FOR ME? 1. Desperate pursuit of JESUS Mark 5:24-34 James...

Finding Freedom Week 2 - “Permission Granted” The Big Idea: Pride is the number one trap the enemy uses to gain access to God’s people. The number one open door to the enemy is PRIDE 1. Pride is trusting in YOUR OWN STRENGTH Luke 22:20-32 Matthew 16:21-23 Mk 14:27-31 John 13:1-17 1 Corinthians 10:12 2. Pride is trusting in YOUR OWN RIGHTEOUSNESS Job 1:6-12 Job 32:1-2 Job 33:8-9 Job 40:6-8 3. Pride...

Finding Freedom, Wee 1 “Under the Influence” The Big Idea: Those whom the Son makes free are free indeed. John 8:31-47 Two Certainties In Our Battle For Freedom: 1. The War has three fronts: the WORLD, the SELF and the DEVIL 2. Jesus wins the first battle for us. From then forward, we must PARTICIPATE WITH HIM in the fight. Most believers do not experience overwhelming freedom because they do not...

Your Next Move, 3 “No Greater Love” The Big Idea: The two keys to your personal fruitfulness are immersion in god’s word and the condition of your heart. Luke 8:4-9, 11-15 The catalyst for this final movement is SACRIFICIAL GIVING Three truths about your spiritual journey: 1. These are not necessarily CHRONOLOGICAL 2. You can move both DIRECTIONS 3. We all enter the kingdom as CHRIST-CENTERED. Luk...

Your Next Move - Week 2 "Alive and Active" The Big Idea: Reflection on Scripture is the most critical spiritual practice for every place on your spiritual journey. Getting to know the GROWING IN CHRIST group: • They have encountered evidence that God is MOVING • Now the awkward phase of RELATIONSHIP BUILDING • This was the LARGEST group in the survey - 38% • They are the most active PARTICIPANTS L...

The Big Idea: The Truth that draws people into a relationship with Jesus Christ is Grace. There are 4 kinds of people attending every church: • Exploring Christ • Growing in Christ • Close to Christ • Christ-centered Luke 8:4-9, 11-15 The Big Idea of the research results is that the key to spiritual movement is personal PARTICIPATION. The enemy and your flesh are always working against you. If you...

DEBATING ABOUT SUFFERING AND SOVEREIGNTY Matthew 11:2-6 Matthew 22:41-46 John the Baptist, in the midst of his suffering, asks Jesus who Christ is. Matthew 11:2-6 1. DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES cause doubt 2. The WORLDLY INFLUENCES cause doubt 3. The INCOMPLETE REVELATION causes doubt 4. The UNFULFILLED EXPECTATIONS cause doubt Jesus questions the Pharisees, “Whose son is Messiah? Matthew 22:41-46 THE...

The Big Idea: To maximize the power of marriage, I must understand and commit to God’s original intent. Matthew 19:3-12 THE HISTORY OF THE QUESTION: Deuteronomy 24:1 THE HEART OF GOD: • Marriage as Covenant • Marriage as Discipleship • Marriage as One Flesh • Marriage as a Picture of God THE REAL ISSUE (v8): Jeremiah 17:9 A hard heart is easy on self, hard on others, and hollow in holiness. THE WA...