Evergreen Christian Community

THE BIG IDEA: Intimacy is the powerful engine of our relationships and cheap substitutes destroy everyone. -Ephesians 5:21-33 (p. 813) -Genesis 2:24 (p. 2) -Matthew 5:27 (p. 678) -Matthew 15:19-20 (p. 686) The central issue is ONENESS - with God and with your spouse. -1 Corinthians 6:7-20 (p. 795) Your BODY is a big deal! You are not YOUR OWN - you were PURCHASED. God raised Jesus and He will DELIVER you, also! HOW TO MOVE FORWARD: -Pursue intimacy with GOD. -Pursue Intimacy with your SPOUSE. -Pursue recovery from ADULTERY.

The Big Idea: We violate the sixth commandment when we choose to carry darkness in our heart toward another person. Exodus 20:13 (p.13) Genesis 4:1-7 (p.3) 1 John 3:11-15 (p.856) Hebrews 11:4 (p. 843) Your WOUNDS provide an open door for evil and for God. The evil one desires to HAVE you, and WOUNDS are a very effective tool. The one thing no one can ever take from you is the power to CHOOSE. The way to anchor yourself and your choice is LOVE. LOVE is laying down your life for OFFENDERS. What does Jesus have to say on this subject? Matthew 5:21-26 (p. 678) -If you are ANGRY, you are subject to judgment. -Reconciliation is more important to God than WORSHIP. -Jesus’ advice: Settle the case quickly or it will NOT GO WELL FOR YOU. How do I move forward? -Receive GRACE. -Seek RECONCILIATION. -FORGIVE Luke 17:1-4 (p. 731)

The Big Idea: God calls me to honor authority figures in my life as an expression of my trust in Him, the ultimate authority. -Exodus 20:12 (p.52) -Hebrews 3:7-19 (p.839) 1. Honor develops our FAITH. -Mark 6:1-6 (p.703) We are a faithless generation. We are an honorless generation. 2. Honor opens doors to unique BLESSING. -Ephesians 6:1-3 (p.816) -Romans 13:1-2 (p.790) -Luke 2:52 (p.726) -Romans 1:30 (p.783) -2 Timothy 3:2 (p.833) -Proverbs 30:11-17 (p.459) 3. Honor is the “yellow-brick road” to your DESTINY. -Deuteronomy 5:16 (p.125) -Matthew 15:1-8 (p.686)

Due to Football Sunday, this week's special Sunday Gathering, there will not be teaching notes today. Instead we are joining together for a day of Christian football players sharing their stories that brought them to faith. Watch it live here!

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. -Exodus 16 (p. 49) -Deuteronomy 5 (p 125) 2. It is not about the DAY of the WEEK, but about the POSITION of the HEART. -Colossians 2:16-17 (p. 822) 3. The Sabbath is every MOMENT in JESUS. -Hebrews 4:1-11 (p. 839) There are consequences when we DON’T REST. The new Law has two rules- and both of them depend upon SABBATH. Rested, whole, healthy people make better RELATIONSHIPS.

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) We profane His name when we BEHAVE like UNBELIEVERS.

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 you from seeing the GLORY OF GOD. Romans 9 (p.787) Hebrews 1:1-2 (p.838) Isaiah 44:6-20 (p.504) The Image problem affects many of our relationships: -Unrealistic Standards lead to Unmet Expectations

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 you ALIGN all of your relationships.

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 others.  TRUTH: The key is God’s NATURE, not ours. 4. Spiritual growth is an accomplishment. TRUTH: Spiritual growth is an ONGOING PROCESS. The question is not, “Have I ARRIVED?” The question is, “Am I GROWING?”

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 yourself. 2. Personally surrender to His GOVERNANCE. 3. Exercise appropriate levels of SELF-GOVERNANCE. 4. Trust the Righteousness and Justice of His GOVERNMENT.

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.872)   2. This is a faith thing! • I Peter 1:8-9 (p.850) • John 20:24-29 (p.757)

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 brings comfort through SALVATION. • Jesus brings us REDEMPTION. • Luke 2:33-38 3. We have HOPE because Jesus will ARRIVE AGAIN. • We live in the tension of the ALREADY but NOT YET. • Romans 8:22 • Jesus is COMING AGAIN and we eagerly wait for His RETURN. Acts 1:11 1 Corinthians 11:26 Hebrews 9:28

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 trust that the love you look for does exist - BACK HOME Deuteronomy 30:19 (p.142) • Grace even accepts your self-serving REPENTANCE. The Decision: Be a HIRED SERVANT or a forgiven SON. The Elder Son: The Choice: To TRUST or not TRUST in God’s all-forgiving love. • Both sons seek SELF-ACTUALIZATION • Both sons are USING the Father • TRUST and GRATITUDE are the disciplines for the return of the eldest son. • Jesus is the ELDER Son of the Father! • The Father welcomes you HOME

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, DISCOVER Jesus In the hard seasons, DECLARE Jesus Allow God to open the GATE in front of you

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. Being easily offended 6. Excessive shyness or loneliness 7. Control or manipulation 2. Jesus heals BRUISES - Matthew 18:32-34 (p.688) - 1 Corinthians 5:1-5 (p.795) - James 4:7 (p.849) - 2 Corinthians 2:10-11 (p.804) - 2 Corinthians 11:14 (p.808) - Psalm 23:1-6 (p.382)

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 Samuel 10:6-9 Isaiah 61:1-3 Jesus is not into BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION. Jesus is about SPIRITUAL FORMATION! “A Spirit-driven process of forming our inner world in such a way that it becomes like the inner being of Christ himself.” Spiritual formation is not a PASSIVE process. John 15:1-16 Galatians 5:22-26 How We Change: • VISION • INTENTION • STRATEGY

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. Control your FEET Give careful thought to your PATHS Hebrews 12:2-13 Be STEADFAST- Don’t DEVIATE Deuteronomy 28:14 Keep your FOOT from evil

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 is the Way Out? DELIVERANCE and DISCIPLESHIP Romans 12:1 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 1 Peter 2:11