Evergreen Christian Community

The Big Idea: Because God’s incredible Christmas Gift to you is His Presence, the sensible gift for you to give Him is yours. Romans 12:1-3 God is the RELENTLESS and SELFLESS Giver. We respond to God by, through, and because of His MERCY. In view of His gift to us, our gift to Him is our BODIES. ● James 1:26 ● James 2:14-19 We offer our gift ALIVE. And our gift is to be: 1. HOLY Galatians 2:20 2. PLEASING 1 Samuel 15:22 3. LOGICAL

Titus 3:3-8 (p. 1031) The Big Idea: Legalism is a fool’s game that no one can win. THE LIE OF LEGALISM: - You have to be GOOD to get to GOD. - You have to be FIXED to be FORGIVEN. Legalism says that TRANSFORMATION comes before RELATIONSHIP. Jesus says that RELATIONSHIP comes before TRANSFORMATION He SAVES us. We do NOTHING. Ephesians 2:8 (p. 1006) The Lure of Legalism: We come to Him through GRACE, then make it about WORKS. We reduce SPIRITUALITY to OUTWARD PRACTICES and norms. Spirituality is not about RELIGION, RITUALS, ROUTINES, or RITES. SPIRITUALITY is about RELATIONSHIP. What is Jesus after? AUTHENTIC Spirituality. - Matthew 5:17-20 (p. 830) - Philippians 2:12-13 (p. 1012) God is at work in you: - To DESIRE and to ACT - To BE and to DO

The Big Idea: Pretending you are someone you aren’t is toxic to everyone, including you. Matthew 7:3-5 (p. 832) Matthew 23:5-7; 11-15; 23-28 (p. 849) Hypocrite - “MASK WEARER” Hypocrite - One who lays aside their true IDENTITY for a false one. The worst kind of hypocrites not only exaggerate their own GOODNESS, but also others’ FAILURES. What Hypocrisy is Not: - It is not when somebody fails your expectations of PERFECTION. - It is not catching someone who says they follow Jesus SINNING. Let’s clean it up: - The opposite of hypocrisy is not PERFECTION. - The opposite of hypocrisy is AUTHENTICITY. Two Big Ideas With Christian Living: 1. Those who authentically follow Christ are marked by honest TRANSPARENCY, not controlled APPEARANCE. With Jesus, there are only two kinds of people: - Sinners who ADMIT IT - Sinners who DENY IT 2. Those who authentically follow Christ are marked by TRANSFORMATION, not PERFECTION. 1 Thessalonians 4:3 (p. 1019) Galatians 2:20 (p. 1002) Christians are not perfec

The Big Idea: God will judge you the way you judge others. Matthew 7:1-5 (p. 832) The message of Jesus is clear: “Whatever you do, don’t JUDGE people!” Judgmentalism is the practice of personal CONDEMNATION. We Are Judgmental When We: - Assume the worst construction of their MOTIVES. - Pour cold water on their DREAMS - Are ungenerous toward their MISTAKES The opposite of judgmentalism is not apathy, but the practice of GRACE and TRUTH. - John 1:14; 16-17 (p. 911) - John 8:1-11 (p. 919) The key is not to discern their MOTIVES- but yours. At ECC, no more games of HIDE and SEEK.

Please Welcome with us Scott Hanson from Live Dead! As we listen to him and his story, consider these thoughts about "Living Life on Mission" -How can you be more intentional with the daily rhythm of your life to serve your oikos? -Who in your oikos would be most impacted by your story? Why and have they heard it? -What are some barriers in your life that could be removed in order to serve your oikos more effectively? -Regarding your oikos, where may God be asking you to go this week that takes you out of your comfort zone? Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you there this week.

Big Idea: Join the Add:Venture 2 Corinthians 8:7 (p. 996) “Money is not intended to be a source of security- it is intended to be a source of blessing.”

Matthew 6:19-34 (p. 832) The Big Idea: Your focus will determine your path. The EYES are the most critical anatomical part of grace giving. Be Careful Little Eyes What You See: • What do your eyes see as your TREASURE BOX? • Where do your eyes look when you WORRY? • What MASTER does your eye look to for counsel? There is a relationship between who you serve and what you WORRY about. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (p. 998) Therefore, to excel in the grace of giving you must take your THOUGHTS captive. Embrace this fact of life: You cannot SERVE TWO MASTERS.

2 Corinthians 8:1-9 (p. 997) The Big Idea: God’s grace can take you and your giving further than you can even imagine. Matthew 6:21 (p. 832) Malachi 3:10-12 (p. 823) The tithe is the foundation of TRUST. The tithe is a test of God’s CHARACTER. The tithe is the secret sauce of FINANCIAL freedom. Not all giving requires GRACE. Among Christians, there are: • TAKERS • TIPPERS • TITHERS • GRACE GIVERS Grace In Full-Motion: • PROPORTIONAL giving • SACRIFICIAL giving • ENTHUSIASTIC giving Proverbs 11:24-25 (p. 550)

The Big Idea: The most powerful thing you can do with your mouth is confess. Psalm 32:1-11 (p. 477) Four Ingredients of a Blessed Life: 1. Your core BROKENNESS is forgiven. 2. Your past FAILURES are covered. 3. Your present STRUGGLES are not kept on a scoreboard. 4. Your way of life is FULL DISCLOSURE with God. Confession: to say what GOD SAYS. 1 John 1:6-10 (p. 1054) You can CLAIM or you can CONFESS. Silence is EXPENSIVE. Psalm 32: 3-4 (p. 477) Confession is the doorway to FREEDOM and JOY. Three Exercises For Your Mouth: 1. PRAY 2. REJOICE 3. SING

James 3:1-15 (p. 1044) The Big Idea: As goes the taming of the tongue, so goes all other spiritual progress. 4 Amazing Facts: 1. The tongue is DISPROPORTIONATELY powerful. James 1:26 (p. 1043) 2. The tongue is INHERENTLY evil. James 3:6 (p. 1044) James 3:8 (p. 1044) 3. The tongue is HUMANLY untamable. James 3:7-8 (p. 1044) Exodus 4:10-11 (p. 50) 4. The tongue is CONTRASTINGLY productive. James 3:9-12 (p. 1044) James 3:5-12 (p. 1044)

The Big Idea: The substance of my words reveals the nature of my heart. Proverbs 18:21 (p. 557) Matthew 12:33-37 (p. 838) THREE TRUTHS ABOUT MY WORDS: 1. My WORDS reveal ME. Psalm 141:3 (p. 537) Psalm 39:1 (p. 482) Proverbs 17:28 (p. 557) 2. My WORDS affect OTHERS. Proverbs 26:18-19 (p. 565) Luke 6:41-45 (p. 886) 3. My WORDS build MONUMENTS. 2 Timothy 1:3,5 (p. 1027)

The Big Idea: Your words have enormous influence over the outcomes of your life. Proverbs 18:20-21 (p. 557) Two Points: 1. Words connect us to God. John 1:1-5;14 (p. 911) Psalm 107:19-20 (p. 522) Romans 10:8-11; 13 (974) Matthew 12:31-37 (p. 838) 2. Words connect us to each other. Prov. 18:21-22 (p. 557) Ephesians 5:25-27 (p.1009)

The Big Idea: Walking with God is not only possible, it should be our expectation. 1 Samuel 10:6-9 (p. 236) In the Old Testament, life IN THE SPIRIT is a rare thing, but in the New Testament, it is a COMMON thing. - Acts 1:8 (p. 935) - Acts 2:16-21 (p. 936) Our ability to hear God is highly dependent on a CONVERSATIONAL relationship with God. - Proverbs 3:5-6 (p. 543) THREE COMMON MISTAKES: 1. The MESSAGE A MINUTE view. 2. The IT’S ALL IN THE BIBLE view. 3. The WHAT-EVER COMES view. THREE Lights That God Uses: 1. CIRCUMSTANCES 2. IMPRESSIONS OF THE SPIRIT 3. PASSAGES OF THE BIBLE John 10:14-28 (p. 922) Two great barriers for us: 1. The seeming unreality of the SPIRITUAL life. 2. The overwhelming reality of the VISIBLE world. Waiting on God: - ASSUME - PURSUE - DECIDE

2 Corinthians 6:14-18 (p. 996) The lie she believes before marriage and he believes after: - SPIRITUAL MISMATCHES do not matter. 4 Levels That Couples Relate to Each Other: 1. PHYSICAL 2. INTELLECTUAL 3. EMOTIONAL 4. SPIRITUAL Gut-Check Questions: 1. Can they describe a specific time or era where they accepted Christ’s gift of FORGIVENESS? 2. If they were put on trial for being a COMMITTED follower of Jesus, would there be enough evidence to convict them you? God wants to UNIFY, EMPOWER, and REVOLUTIONIZE your marriage. God wants to make a powerful ONENESS a gift to you. Response: - If you are the believer- PRAY. If you are an unbeliever (and are willing): 1. Start a LIST Do a serious INQUIRY 2. Get a MENTOR 3. Read the Book of JOHN 4. Try talking to God.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8a (pg. 988) Lie we believe before marriage: - There is ONLY ONE PERSON that is meant for me. Lie we believe after marriage: - I must have married the WRONG PERSON. Marriage is about DECISIONS and ACTIONS. 1 Corinthians 13 is not the love chapter it is the WORK chapter.

Ephesians 5:21-33 pg. 1009 Lie we believe before marriage: “I have to be married to be HAPPY and FULFILLED.” 1 Corinthians 7:7 (MSG) pg. 983 Lie we believe after marriage: “My husband or wife MUST MAKE ME happy and fulfilled.” - He needs RESPECT; she needs LOVE. 5 Ways to Love Your Wife: 1. Be CLOSE 2. Be OPEN 3. Be UNDERSTANDING 4. Be COMMITTED 5. Be CAPTIVATED 5 Ways to Respect Your Husband: Appreciate his desire to... 1. WORK and ACHIEVE. 2. SERVE and LEAD 3. ANALYZE and COUNSEL 4. Experience shoulder-to-shoulder FRIENDSHIP 5. Experience SEXUAL INTIMACY

The Big Idea: The Jesus makes us part of something far bigger than we realize. John 17:20-26 Jesus prays that we be ONE. What does that mean? - Same NATURE - INDISTINGUISHABLE from each other yet incredibly diverse How We Experience Oneness? - Common ROOT - Common FRUIT Who Is Eligible? - Anyone who has experienced FAILURE. Three Goals: 1. More people being born again than being born 2. The Church become the most valued organization in every city/town 3. True Community Transformation

The Big Idea: Jesus is praying for you. John 17:6-19 (p. 929) The Kind of People Who Change Their World: -Those who BELONG to Jesus. -Those OBEDIENT to God’s Word. -Those that have huge FAITH in God. How Jesus Prays for You (9-19) -That you be PROTECTED in the world -That you PREVAIL in the world -That you be ONE with other believers in the world -That you be HOLY in the world The world is changed when WHOLE people are HOLY to God and give their WHOLE HEARTS to serving the mission of Jesus. Romans 8:34-39 (p. 972)

Big Idea: Peace and joy come from keeping an eternal perspective. John 16:16-33 (p. 929) There are 2 sources of our anxiety/unrest: 1. Facing the UNKNOWN. 2. Facing things OUT OF OUR CONTROL. John 10:10 (p. 922) Isaiah 55:8 (p. 636) -The answer to our anxiety is a God INVASION. -Life in this world is like GIVING BIRTH. John 16:21-22 (p. 929) Why you can relax: 1. God is in the FUTURE. 2. God’s powerful presence is IN YOU. 3. Jesus has OVERCOME THE WORLD. 4. God is eager to ANSWER. Hebrews 11:13-16 (p. 1040)