Evergreen Christian Community

Big Idea: We are the church and we are unstoppable. Matthew 16:13-19 (p. 842) The Truth About Us, The Church: 1. We are BUILT by Jesus. Ephesians 2:19-22 (p. 1007) 2. We are OWNED by Jesus. Ephesians 3:7-12 (p. 1007) 3. We are EQUIPPED by Jesus. Ephesians 4:11-16 (p. 1008) Hebrews 10:19-25 (p. 1039) 4. We are SENT by Jesus. 1 Corinthians 2:7-8 (p. 981)

Big Idea: God has given me everything I need to live a powerful life 2 Peter 1:3-11 AVERAGE is the enemy of GREAT. Romans 7:14-25 Transformative change occurs INTERNALLY. How Does God Continue His Work In Me? 1. Through an authentic FRIENDSHIP with God. Philippians 2:12-13 (p. 1012) 2. Through PARTICIPATING in God’s Nature. The ruined life is not be IMPROVED - it is to be REPLACED. Romans 8:1-17 3. Through Making EVERY EFFORT. Galatians 5:17

Big Idea: The good news is Jesus, who reconciles us to God and gives us new life. Colossians 1:13-23 (p. ) The Gospel is GOOD NEWS. The GOOD NEWS is JESUS. The Good News of Jesus: 1. The PRESSURE is off. 2. The GAME is On John 8:36 (p. ) 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 (p. ) 3. I Have ONE JOB. Hold on to the hope and never let go.

Big Idea: Jesus is a far greater King than you settle for. Psalm 2:1-12 (p. 463) The Truth About King Jesus: 1. We HAVE a True King. - Even if you reject that there is a True King, you will CREATE ONE and serve him. 2. We HATE the True King. - We scream at the King, “I am MY OWN! Take off the YOKE!” Romans 8:6-7 (p. 971) - We even use RELIGION to protect us from Jesus. 3. We NEED the True King. - There is no refuge FROM the King; only refuge IN the King. What it Really Means to Have Jesus as Your King: - OBEY - SUBMIT - RELY - EXPECT

The Big Idea: God’s deep desire for you is to love Him and to love whom he loves. The most simple answer to today’s question is “THE 10 COMMANDMENTS.” -Exodus 20:1-19 (P. 64) The commandments are not the pathway to FREEDOM from SLAVERY; they are the way FREE PEOPLE live. It has always been about FAITH. God wants me to be a BONDSLAVE. Jesus Simplifies and Clarifies God’s Requirements: Mark 12:30-31 (p. 871) -Love GOD and love WHO HE LOVES. Matthew 25:31-46 (p. 852) -So, what does God require of us? EVERYTHING!

The Big Idea: Man was, is, and always will be the center of God’s affection. Genesis 1:26-31 (p. 1) Genesis 2:7 (p. 2) Three Critical Facts About Man: 1. Man was the crown of CREATION. 2. Man is fundamentally BROKEN. The LIE  Genesis 3:4-5 (p. 3) The FALL  Genesis 3:6-13 (p. 3) The CURSE  Genesis 3:16-19 (p. 3) The CONSEQUENCE  Romans 3:11-12 (p. 968) Jeremiah 17:9 (p. 665) 3. Man can be fully REDEEMED and completely RESTORED to God. John 3:16-17 (p. 913) 1 John 3:1 (p. 913) 2 Corinthians 5:17 (p. 995) Isaiah 6 (p. 590)

The Big Idea: The most important thing about you is what you think about God. John 1:1-18 (p. 910) One thing we can all know for sure: When we see God unfiltered, we will certainly be SURPRISED. John 3:1-2 (p. 913 ) 1. He is the God who IS. Genesis 1:1 (p. 1) Exodus 3:13-17 (p. 3) 2. He is the God who REVEALS HIMSELF. Hebrews 1:1-3 (p. 1033) 3. He is the God who REDEEMS. John 3:14-19 (p. 913) Isaiah 1:18 (p. 586) Jesus Guides Our DISCOVERY of God. Matthew 6:9-14 (p. 831)

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (p. 998) Get your BATTLE PLAN right. The Big Idea: The key to winning is a well-executed battle plan. Your Battle Plan: 1. Control the HIGH GROUND. - 2 Corinthians 10:5 (p. 998) - Romans 12:1-2 (975) 2. Fight fire by being ON FIRE. - 2 Corinthians 10:3-4 (p. 998) - Ephesians 6:11 (p. 1009) Don’t try to live God’s way without God’s POWER. 3. Never GIVE UP. - James 1.12 (p. 1043) - Proverbs 24:6 (p. 563) - Revelation 12:11 (p. 1069) 4. Raise your VOICE. - Matthew 26:30 (p. 854) Worship doesn’t just win the battle, worship IS THE BATTLE.

1 Thessalonians 5:5–11 (p. 1020) The Big Idea: Fighting is a daily decision that must flow from your new identity. To Fight Well, You Must Know WHO YOU ARE. 1. Leverage the power of the PACK. The easiest way to change your life is to change your FRIENDS. 2. Be DRESSED FOR BATTLE every day. 3. Speak to others with ENTHUSIASM  Galatians 2:20 (p. 1002) Living a new life often means doing the opposite of what we FEEL. The Bible doesn’t tell us what to FEEL, it tells us what to DO.  Proverbs 16:32 (p. 556)  Proverbs 25:28 (p. 565)

James 3:1-12 (p. 1044) Matthew 15:10-11 (p. 841) The Big Idea: Your words tell the real story. If Jesus is Lord of your life then He needs to be Lord of your LIPS. 1. Your words impact OTHER PEOPLE. Ephesians 4:25-32 (p. 1008) Proverbs 18:21 (p. 557) Colossians 4:2-6 (p. 1017) 2. Your words impact the FUTURE. James 3:3-5 (p. 1044 ) 3. Your words impact YOU. Psalm 43:5 (p. 485) Psalm 95:2 (p. 514) Psalm 100:4 (p. 516 ) 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (p. 1020) Psalm 107:2 (p. 521)

2 Corinthians 10:3-6 (p. 998) The Big Idea: To fight for your life effectively, you must get your mind around the realities of war. We have 3 Enemies That Must Be Demolished or Destroyed: 1. STRONGHOLDS 2. ARGUMENTS 3. PRETENSIONS Nothing great has ever been done with half of someone’s HEART. Proverbs 23:7 (p. 562) You can change the way you FEEL by changing the way you THINK. Colossians 3:1–2 (p. 1016) Romans 12:2 (p. 975) Matthew 22:37 (p. 849) Positive thinking is not a replacement for God, it is a RESPONSE to Him. Philippians 4:8 (p. 1013) It’s impossible to WORSHIP and WORRY at the same time.

Series Big Idea: Because God’s greatest gift to you is His Presence, the sensible gift to give Him is yours. Romans 12:1-8 (p. 975) The Big Idea: THINK + FAITH = VISION The Journey of the Self ● Our natural impulse is an elevated sense of SELF-IMPORTANCE. ● Clarity comes from being GOD-LABELED rather than SELF-LABELED. ● Comparison is a FOOL’S GAME. ● Your best self is found and fulfilled in connection to the BODY OF CHRIST. ● God gave you GIFTS so you could GIVE THEM AWAY. ● So do that with ALL YOUR HEART. Take Your Next Step: Finish this sentence: As a response to this message from God’s Word, I am going to ____________________.

Series Big Idea Because God’s great Christmas gift to you was His Presence, the sensible gift to give Him is yours. Romans 12:1-3 Galatians 2:20 The Big Idea: Transformation is both a continual struggle and a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit. Verse 1 urgently calls for a DECISIVE commitment. Verse 2 reveals how to PRACTICE that commitment. Two Parts of Practicing our Commitment: 1. Do not CONFORM to the PATTERN of this world.  Galatians 1:4  Hebrews 6:5 James 1:27 2. Be TRANSFORMED by the RENEWAL of your MIND. We are talking about METAMORPHOSIS. Titus 3:3-7 “Spiritual Formation - the process of being conformed into the image of Christ for the sake of others.” - Robert Mulholland Romans 8:29 How do I know it’s happening? 1. I feel the pressure of the RIVER. 2. I am regularly confronted by the TRUTH. 3. I am able to discern God’s WILL.