Evergreen Christian Community

Lamentations 5 Big Idea: As anointed people, we still fall to the pitfalls of sin. 1. Anointed, and still afflicted Lamentations 4:20 Psalm 20:6 Psalm 28:8 1 John 2:20 Romans 8:11 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 2. History repeats, His story redeems Lamentations 5:19-22 Proverbs 26:11 Proverbs 16:6 3. Hidden hope John 10:28 John 5:24 2 Chronicles 7:14 Lamentations 3:22-26 Psalm 30:5 Response:  1. Live into...

BIG IDEA: No matter our circumstances, we can, in Christ, live with hope Lamentations 3:25-33, 40-42 1. God wants us to Live with Hope in Him  Psalm 130:1-2 Depths without hope can lead to despair Depths with Jesus can lead to hope 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 Life is: Never so good - it couldn’t be better Never so bad - it couldn’t be worse 3 Quick Steps to Help Nurture Hope • Reflect on the goodness...

Lamentations 3:22-26 Big Idea: Through honest lament and unwavering trust, we find hope in the midst of suffering. The pain and suffering of the individual does not go unnoticed by God. 1. Acknowledge Your Pain  Lamentations 3:1-3 Lamentations 3:17-18 2. Talk Yourself into It  Lamentations 3:21 Jeremiah 17:9-10 We move in the direction of our predominant thoughts. Lamentations 3:22-23 "Great is Yo...

Big Idea: God’s judgment of sin becomes the seedbed of our hope. Lamentations 2:10-19 1. Sin has consequences 2 Kings 21:1-2, 9 Romans 6:23 2. Do not be led astray Jeremiah 14:13-14 Galatians 5:19-21 3. Be broken for the broken Lamentations 2:11-13 4. Pour yourself out to God and change your mind Romans 7:21-25 Romans 8:1-2 Lamentations 3:22-26 Response • Confess your sin to God and resolve to wal...

Big Idea: Lament Introduces Purpose out of Pain. 1. WHAT’S HAPPENING? Lamentations 1:1-11 Hebrews 5:7 2. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?  Colossians 3:17 “We live in a world that is beyond our control, and life is in a constant flux of change. So we have a decision to make: keep trying to control a storm that is not going to go away or start learning how to live within the rain.” - Glenn Pemberton, Hurting w...

If you don’t first live in God’s revealed will, then you can't possibly hope to understand His concealed will. 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 Big Idea: God’s will cannot be discovered by seeking IT, it unfolds as you seek HIM. Fix Your Eyes Forward Galatians 5:1 Live for the name on the front "Play for the name on the front of the shirt and they will remember the name on the back." - Tony Adams Proverbs 3:...

Romans 11:33-36 Big Idea: We discern God’s will when we submit our whole being before Him as an offering.  Romans 12 Be a people of love and mercy Romans 12: • “Let love be genuine” (v 9) • “Contribute to the needs of the saints” (v 13) • “Bless those who persecute you” (v 14) • “Weep with those who weep” (v 15) • “Associate with the lowly” (v 16) • “Repay no one evil for evil” (v 17) • “Never ave...

John 20:1-18 Big Idea: Redemption began and is fulfilled in the Garden. John 20:30-31 Angels and the Entrance John 20:11-12 Genesis 3:23-24 John 20:1 "The tomb that sealed the body of Jesus became the womb of our salvation." -Max Lucado  Face-to-face with the Gardener John 20:15 Genesis 3:8-9 Genesis 2:22-23 "Easter tells us that every ending is a new beginning." - Anne Graham Lotz  Folded and Fin...

Big Idea: God’s great plan for salvation provokes a response in all of us. Triumphal Entry Matthew 21:1-11 The Temple Ezekiel 10:18-19 Ezekiel 43:1-5 Messiah from the line of David 1 Kings 1:32-35 2 Samuel 7:11-13 Zechariah 9:9 Palm Branches (Independence)  John 12:12-15 Hosanna (Save, we pray) Matthew 21:9 Psalm 118:22-26 Who are you becoming in this story?  Religious Leaders Matthew 23:1-7 “We t...

Philippians 4:4-13 Big Idea: Life carries worry, but Jesus carries peace.  1. Worry Won’t Win  Philippians 4:4-7 “You cannot stop the birds from flying over your head, but you can keep them from building a nest in your hair” - Martin Luther Jeremiah 23:23-24 Proverbs 4:23 Matthew 22:37-40 2. Invest in the Whatevers  Philippians 4:8-9 Psalm 139:23-24 Matthew 28:19-20 3. God Doesn’t Like Secrets  Ph...

Big Idea: We find joy in Christ as we grow in spiritual maturity Philippians 3:15-4:1 Growth in Christ is a natural part of our maturity Philippians 3:9-14 1 Corinthians 13:9–11 Our model at Evergreen for growth: • Powerful Worship Gatherings  • Purposeful Relationships • Spiritual Disciplines • Meaningful Service "I think if you had asked Jesus about His spiritual life, He would have looked at yo...

Philippians 3:1-14 Big Idea: In pursuit of Christ, abandon false confidence and press on toward the prize of knowing Jesus. 1. “Beware of Dog” Philippians 3:2 Romans 2:28-29 Reality with God is not a matter of outward conformity to religious rituals, but rather of obedience that results from God changing your heart. 2. Everything, to nothing, back to everything Philippians 3:8 Philippians 3:4-6  M...

Philippians 2:1-18 Big Idea: Joy is lived out as we imitate Christ How is joy lived out? 1 - Pursue unity in the Body  Strife - squelches the anointing Unity - promotes the anointing  Our behaviors are driven by our attitudes. 2 - Having the mindset of Christ  Philippians 2:10-11 3 - Do everything without grumbling Numbers 11:1 4 - Choose to rejoice Philippians 2:17-18 Response: • Make things righ...

“Reacting is an instinctive, emotional response to a situation. It's often impulsive and can be influenced by our past experiences or fears. On the other hand, responding is a thoughtful and deliberate action. It involves considering the situation, weighing the options, and making a conscious decision.” - Laura Noel Philippians 1:12-18 Big Idea: The Gospel turns victims into victors. • See Adversi...

Philippians 1:3-11 Big Idea: Joy is offered in the present, because of the righteousness of Jesus Christ.  1. Fellowship Over Friendship  2 Corinthians 6:14-16 2 Corinthians 12:9 James 1:2-3 2. Joining in Spreading the Gospel  Psalm 96:3 Mark 16:15 “Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.” -St. Francis Assisi Psalm 73:26 3. Through Daily Holy Spirit Influence  1 Thessalonians...

Acts 8:1-4 Galatians 1:13-14 Philippians 3:4-6 Big Idea: A relationship with Jesus is the greatest treasure you will ever find Acts 9:1-19 Religion is always inferior compared to a relationship with Jesus 2 Corinthians 2:4-7 Jesus is our treasure 2 Timothy 4:6-8 Response • Let go of the things that hold you back from pursuing Jesus • Seek Jesus as your greatest treasure Keep Your Eyes on Jesus Dev...

Acts 6:1-6 Acts 6:8-10 Acts 7:54-60 Big Idea: Keeping our Eyes on Jesus allows us to live a Spirit-filled life that is impossible on our own. • The Spirit’s filling makes the ordinary extraordinary Acts 7:54-56 Hebrews 12:2-3 • The Spirit’s filling makes a profound impact on those around you Acts 7:57-58 Acts 8:1 1 Timothy 1:13-14 "Our faithfulness is a living sermon, a testimony that speaks loude...

Luke 1:26-38 • Luke is setting an Old Testament theme in chapter one • Gabriel is a long-awaited messenger • No word from God will ever fail! • Mary is the Lord’s Servant Big Idea: Grace changes the focus from ourselves to Jesus God’s Gift is not given on our own merit  Ephesians 2:8 Understanding the cost of grace should move us to worship  Luke 1:46-55 God’s Grace invites us to participate in wh...

John 14:1-7 Big Idea: The Way is revealed to us as we keep our eyes on Jesus  1. Keeping your eyes on Jesus means curious questioning  “The reflective Christian is one who questions what she believes while continuing to believe what she is questioning” - Roger Olsen James 1:5-6 John 15:7   2. Keeping your eyes on Jesus means communicating with your ears open. Romans 10:17 Ephesians 5:15-17 3. Keep...

Hebrews 12:1-2 John 21:1-19 Big Idea: Keep your eyes on Jesus, the one who has redeemed you. Context  • Peter once again got out of the boat to meet Jesus • Peter’s denial is recorded in all four gospels (ouch).  • Jesus performed miracles, provided for his people, served, and restored.  • The three questions about Peter’s love for Jesus are certainly tied to Peter’s three denials. Jesus loves you...

Psalm 77:11-14 Big Idea: Remembering what God has done positions us for faith for the future. 1. Extravagant Blessing: The Lord has blessed us Joshua 4:1-7 We remember that God blesses people, He has blessed us, and we are able to pay that blessing forward. 2. Deliverance: The Lord has bought us, rescued us, and delivered us 1 Samuel 7:5-12 3. Testimony: The Power When We Share God’s Transformatio...

John 1:9-1 Isaiah 7:14 Big Idea: Emmanuel, God With Us, ultimately has come for our transformation. 1. Jesus is with you Emmanuel - “God with us” Matthew 1:20-23 We are never alone. We are never stranded. We are never abandoned. 2. Jesus understands Hebrews 4:14-16 Embrace God’s kindness. Receive His grace. God knows you…and still loves you. 3. Jesus Changes Everything John 1:12-13 Jesus came…to c...

Big Idea: Jesus is the hope of the world. Luke 2:4-7 Luke presents Jesus as the savior of the world. Jesus came for the oppressed and outcast. Luke 4:14-20 Response • Look: Look at the manger and see that Jesus came for the world • See: See that you are deserving of His love • Open: Open your heart to the hope of Jesus  • Share: Share the hope of Jesus with those around you DISCOVERY BIBLE STUDY ►...

“It is a remarkable fact that, among the variations in the order in which the Gospels appear in early lists and texts, the one constant factor is that Matthew always comes first.” - R. T.  France Matthew's gospel contains more references to the Old Testament than any other biography of Jesus with a laser-focus on one key theme: Jesus is King. Matthew 2:1-12 Big Idea: Knowing Jesus' Identity as Kin...

Mark 1:1-8 Big Idea: The Good news comes in the unlikeliest places. Good News Hebrew: Bisser [bi-sair]. Verb—good news Besorah. Noun—the good news given Greek: Euangelion— Eu (good) and angelion (news) Luke 2:8-14 1. Anticipation: The good news was predicted Malachi 3:1 Challenges without hope lead to despair.  Challenges with anticipation lead to joy. Isaiah 40:9-11 2. Desperation: The good news...