Evergreen Christian Community

The Big Idea: Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. But he who is in the world is greater than you. Matthew 6:5-15 (p. 831) James 1:2-18 (p. 1043) Where Temptation Comes From: - The governance of EVIL in this fallen world. Genesis 4:6-7 (p. 4) Ephesians 6:10-12 (p. 1008) - My own EVIL desires. The Truth About Our Lives: ● EVIL is too strong for us. ● We are too weak to OVERCOME ALONE. ● Our Heavenly Father will deliver us WHEN CALLED UPON. Walking The Deliverance Pathway with God: ● Adjust your ATTITUDE. 1 Corinthians 10:13 (p. 986) ● Destroy strongholds of LIES. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (p. 998) ● Learn the secret of CONTENTMENT. ● Confess and confront your own EVIL DESIRES. ● Engage the WORD of God through the WORD of God. ● Hebrews 4:15 (p. 1035)

The Big Idea: Make no attempt to hide from God, for your soul needs daily forgiveness like your body needs daily bread. Matthew 6:5-15 (p. 831) Understanding Forgiveness: 1. To forgive is to “STOP and LEAVE” 2. Debt = that which is OWED 3. Forgiveness is not about the wrongdoing itself, but about the GUILT of the wrongdoer. If Jesus purchased our forgiveness on the cross, once and for all, why are we instructed to ask for it on a daily basis? 1. CONFESSION is a powerful and liberating thing. - Proverbs 28:13 (p. 567) ‭‭- 1 John 1:8-10 (p. 1054) 2. We need to continually EXPERIENCE the finished work of Jesus. - 1 John 2:1-2 (p. 1054) John 13:8-11 (p. 926) You are clean in Christ; you just need your FEET WASHED - Mark 16:7 (p. 876) Forgiving others is a NATURAL TENDENCY for forgiven people. - Matthew 18:21-35 (p. 844) Two Reasons We Refuse to Forgive: 1. We are trapped in SHAME and BITTERNESS 2. We have an exaggerated sense of SELF WORTH - 1 Timothy 1:15 (p. 1023) - Romans 7:24-25 (p. 971) - Romans‬ ‭8

The Big Idea: The single greatest need in your daily life is more of Jesus. Matthew 6:5-15 John 6:25-59 Jesus taught us to pray this way for at least two reasons: 1. To help us govern the WORRIES of life through TRUST in our Father Philippians 4:6-7 1 Peter 5:7 We bring to God, not a spirit that DEMANDS OF HIM, but one that DEPENDS UPON HIM Exodus 16 We have to keep the MAGGOTS out of our MANNA 2. To remind us that our greatest daily need is MORE OF JESUS Whoever eats this bread will have an ETERNAL kind of life. God wants us to experience, and help others find, the JESUS kind of life.

The Big Idea: The primary obstacle to the kingdom of God in your life is you. Matthew 6:5-15 (p. 831) Prayer as an Act of Listening: - Prayer is not talking just to be heard BY God. - Prayer is talking enough to calibrate your head and heart so that you can hear FROM God. - Altar and Stewardship: Receiving FROM God so I can live FOR God. - This is an all-out war with SELF. Jesus and the Kingdom of God: ● Matthew 17:20 (p. 843) ● Matthew 13 (p. 838) ● Matthew 18 (p. 844 ● Mathew 19 (p. 845) ● Matthew 22 (p. 848) ● Matthew 25 (p. 852) Job 42:1-6 (p. 462) Matthew 18:4 (p. 844)

Big Idea: We honor the name of the Lord because He is Holy. Matthew 6:5-15 (p. 831) 1. God DECLARES His Name. Exodus 34:5 (p. 77) Amos 4:13 (p. 788) 2. God DEMONSTRATES His Holiness in creation. Psalm 19:1-4 (p. 471) Romans 1:20 (p. 966) 3. God DESERVES our HONOR and HUMILITY. Matthew 5:20 (p. 830) HUMILITY is at the core of authenticity. 4. God DESIRES His Name to be lifted up. Psalm 23:3 (p. 473) Philippians 2:6-11 (p. 1012)

The Big Idea: Your Heavenly Dad has all power and deeply loves His kids. Matthew 6:5-15 (p. 831) Four Things You Should Know Before You Pray: 1. Spiritual SHOWMANSHIP gains you no reward. 2. Private TRANSPARENCY gains immeasurable rewards. 3. ACTING drives a wedge between you and God. 4. It is not about YOU. It is about US. How To Talk To A Triune Being: - Our FATHER Galatians 4:4-7 (p. 1003) Romans 8:14-17 (p. 972) Romans 8:26-27 (p. 972) Exodus 20:19 (p. 65) - In HEAVEN. Matthew 21:21-22 (p. 847) Luke 18:7-8 (p. 901)

The Big Idea: As you steward worldly wealth, God entrusts you with true riches. Luke 16:1-15 (p. 899) I get to choose my role in life: DIGGER, BEGGAR, or STEWARD. The 10 Financial Commandments of Stewards: 1. You shalt PAY GOD first. 2. You shall PAY YOURSELF second. 3. You shall live ON LESS THAN YOU RECEIVE. 4. You shall pay off ALL CONSUMER DEBT. Romans 8:24 (p. 972) 5. You shall learn the secret of CONTENTMENT. 1 Timothy 6:6–8 (p. 1025) Colossians 3:5 (p. 1016) Exodus 20:17 (p. 65) 6. You shall set financial GOALS. 7. You shall educate yourself and be responsible for your DECISIONS. 8. You shall leave an INHERITANCE for your kid’s KIDS. 9. You shall be a BLESSING. 10. You shall seek first the greatest TREASURE. Matthew 13:44-46 (p. 840)

The Big Idea: When we practice the priorities of stewardship, the supernatural follows. Matthew 6:19-34 (p. 832) Three Economic Facts of Life: 1. Your views about WEALTH determine the condition of your HEART. Matthew 6:21 (p. 832) 2. You cannot serve both GOD and MONEY. 3. The most powerful economic decision you can ever make is to PUT GOD FIRST. Matthew 6:33 (p. 832) The Priorities of Stewards: 1. OBEDIENCE -Matt. 25:21 (p. 852) 2. GENEROSITY 3. MANAGEMENT 4. LEGACY -Proverbs 13:22 (p. 552)

The Big Idea: A steward is rewarded for using the Master’s resources and executing the Master’s will. Philippians 2:1-13 (p. 1012) The two tracks on which God’s economic train run are ALTAR and STEWARDSHIP. STEWARDSHIP: The disciplined lifestyle and focus of someone who has surrendered to the service of God. The Five Components of Stewardship: 1. MASTER- One who imparts the plans and purposes of our stewardship. 2. STEWARD - a person who manages another’s property or financial affairs; one who administers anything as an agent of another. To participate in God’s economy, we must win the MONEY war. Matthew 6:19-24 (p. 832) Luke 16:1-15 (p. 899) 3. RESOURCES - supply, support, or aide provided by the Master for the steward to readily draw upon. 4. EXPECTATION - Productivity is an expectation of the Master. 2 Corinthians 9:12-15 (p. 998) 5. REWARD - given to the Steward. Matthew 25:21 (p. 852) Luke 6:38 (p. 886)

The Big Idea: Ownership is an illusion. Psalm 24:1-10 (p. 473) 1. It ALL belongs to God. Psalm 50:10-15 (p. 488) 2. Your LIFE belongs to God. 1 Peter 1:17-23 (p. 1047) 3. We participate in the economy of God through a lifestyle of ALTAR and STEWARDSHIP. Romans 12:1-2 (p. 975) 4. The goal of God’s economy is BLESSING for EVERYONE. Genesis 12:1-3 (p. 9)