Evergreen Christian Community

The Big Idea: The lust of the eyes manifests itself through greed, unbelief, and fear. 1 John 2:15-17 The Lust of the Eyes Manifests Itself in Three Different Ways: 1. GREED Genesis 3:1-6 Genesis 2:9 Exodus 13:1 Exodus 23:19 There are only two things you can do with God’s TITHE - Bring it or steal it. Genesis 4:1-7 Leviticus 27:30 2. UNBELIEF Joshua 6:19 Joshua 7:11-12 Malachi 3:7-12 3. FEAR Luke 22:3-5 John 12:1-6 Matthew 26:15 Matthew 27:3-6

Finding Freedom Week 3 - “Believers in Bondage” The Big Idea: Many Christians do not find freedom because they rationalize their bondage. Two Open Doors to Bondage: 1. Continual, HABITUAL SIN opens a door John 8:31 Romans 6:16-18 Romans 13:14 2. FRIENDSHIP with the WORLD opens a door James 4:1-6 1 John 2:15-17 Romans 8:5-8 WHAT IS THE ANSWER FOR ME? 1. Desperate pursuit of JESUS Mark 5:24-34 James 4:7-10 2. Remodel your BRAIN Romans 12:2 The secret to your freedom is CONTINUAL, HABITUAL FRIENDSHIP WITH GOD!

Finding Freedom Week 2 - “Permission Granted” The Big Idea: Pride is the number one trap the enemy uses to gain access to God’s people. The number one open door to the enemy is PRIDE 1. Pride is trusting in YOUR OWN STRENGTH Luke 22:20-32 Matthew 16:21-23 Mk 14:27-31 John 13:1-17 1 Corinthians 10:12 2. Pride is trusting in YOUR OWN RIGHTEOUSNESS Job 1:6-12 Job 32:1-2 Job 33:8-9 Job 40:6-8 3. Pride is trusting in YOUR OWN WISDOM 1 Kings 22:7-8, 15-23 What we know for sure is that God is IN CONTROL James 3:13-15 Would God ever grant permission for the enemy to sift you? YES Why? Always FOR YOUR GOOD Proverbs 16:18 1 Kings 22:34 Pride is a trap that the STRONG, the RIGHTEOUS and the WISE can fall into.

Finding Freedom, Wee 1 “Under the Influence” The Big Idea: Those whom the Son makes free are free indeed. John 8:31-47 Two Certainties In Our Battle For Freedom: 1. The War has three fronts: the WORLD, the SELF and the DEVIL 2. Jesus wins the first battle for us. From then forward, we must PARTICIPATE WITH HIM in the fight. Most believers do not experience overwhelming freedom because they do not believe they can be in BONDAGE. 2 Corinthians 2:11 There really are DEMONS. Matthew 8:16-17 Matthew 9 Matthew 17 Mark 3:14-15 Mark 6 Do we need deliverance or discipleship? YES! The enemy can work inside BELIEVERS John 10:1-10 Ephesians 6:10-14 Luke 21:19 Joel 2:9 Jesus really does CAST THE ENEMY OUT Luke 10:17-21 Mark 5:6

Your Next Move, 3 “No Greater Love” The Big Idea: The two keys to your personal fruitfulness are immersion in god’s word and the condition of your heart. Luke 8:4-9, 11-15 The catalyst for this final movement is SACRIFICIAL GIVING Three truths about your spiritual journey: 1. These are not necessarily CHRONOLOGICAL 2. You can move both DIRECTIONS 3. We all enter the kingdom as CHRIST-CENTERED. Luke 8:15 The engine that drives your growth is the CONDITION OF YOUR HEART Luke 8:10 Matthew 13:10-15 Isaiah 57:15 The dash board of your spiritual growth engine has only two metrics: 1. HUMILITY 2. HOLINESS The two practices that keep us weed-free and fruitful: 1. Daily immersion in spiritual PRACTICES 2. Intentional SERVING in the daily traffic pattern

Your Next Move - Week 2 "Alive and Active" The Big Idea: Reflection on Scripture is the most critical spiritual practice for every place on your spiritual journey. Getting to know the GROWING IN CHRIST group: • They have encountered evidence that God is MOVING • Now the awkward phase of RELATIONSHIP BUILDING • This was the LARGEST group in the survey - 38% • They are the most active PARTICIPANTS Luke 8:4-9, 11-15 The enemy’s goal is to keep their faith SHALLOW One Catalyst and Two Keys: • THE CATALYST: Deep belief in the AUTHORITY of the Bible. • THE KEYS: 1. Seek and expect great CHALLENGES Luke 14:26-27 2. Daily reflection on the SCRIPTURES and CONVERSATIONS with God Hebrews 4:9-16 Luke 24:32 2 Peter 3:16 Psalm 19:7-14 Psalm 119

The Big Idea: The Truth that draws people into a relationship with Jesus Christ is Grace. There are 4 kinds of people attending every church: • Exploring Christ • Growing in Christ • Close to Christ • Christ-centered Luke 8:4-9, 11-15 The Big Idea of the research results is that the key to spiritual movement is personal PARTICIPATION. The enemy and your flesh are always working against you. If you are EXPLORING CHRIST, the enemy’s strategy is to STEAL THE WORD before it can penetrate your heart. If you are GROWING IN CHRIST, the enemy’s strategy is to keep your faith SHALLOW If you are CLOSE TO CHRIST, the enemy’s strategy is to discourage you with DISAPPOINTMENT If you are CHRIST-CENTERED, the enemy’s strategy is “THE KITCHEN SINK.” HOW DO I MOVE FROM EXPLORING CHRIST TO GROWING IN CHRIST? • Remember - your soil is like the PATHWAY Proverbs 20:5 Jeremiah 17:9 Mark 8:17 Jeremiah 4:3 Hosea 10:12-14 WHAT IS THE CENTRAL AND POWERFUL KEYS TO MOVING FROM EXPLORING CHRIST to GROWING IN CHRIST

DEBATING ABOUT SUFFERING AND SOVEREIGNTY Matthew 11:2-6 Matthew 22:41-46 John the Baptist, in the midst of his suffering, asks Jesus who Christ is. Matthew 11:2-6 1. DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES cause doubt 2. The WORLDLY INFLUENCES cause doubt 3. The INCOMPLETE REVELATION causes doubt 4. The UNFULFILLED EXPECTATIONS cause doubt Jesus questions the Pharisees, “Whose son is Messiah? Matthew 22:41-46 THE HEART OF CHRISTIANITY IS THAT JESUS CHRIST IS THE GOD-MAN

The Big Idea: To maximize the power of marriage, I must understand and commit to God’s original intent. Matthew 19:3-12 THE HISTORY OF THE QUESTION: Deuteronomy 24:1 THE HEART OF GOD: • Marriage as Covenant • Marriage as Discipleship • Marriage as One Flesh • Marriage as a Picture of God THE REAL ISSUE (v8): Jeremiah 17:9 A hard heart is easy on self, hard on others, and hollow in holiness. THE WAY FORWARD: • Know God’s answer to the question • Reach resolution before God • Start where you are now

The Big Idea: No one can come to Jesus unless the Father draws them. John 6:41-59 43-44, “Stop grumbling among yourselves,” Jesus answered, “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day.” There Are Two Ways People Don’t Get It: 1. I don’t get it, but I WANT TO 2. I don’t get it and I don’t LIKE IT! What Does Jesus Mean? We would never seek for or CHOOSE God unless God first sought after and CHOSE us. John 15:16 Couple of Perplexing Issues: 1. Does this mean we don’t have any FREE WILL? • You will never have the desire to lose everything so you can gain Christ unless GOD DRAWS YOU. 2. Does this mean God is not choosing EVERYONE? John 3:16-17 Matthew 18:12-14 Romans 8:29 Here is the Huge Key: You are DRAWN, not DRIVEN. Deuteronomy 7:6 What Difference Does This Make? The Sovereign Rulership of God challenges our PRIDE and sense of SELF and comforts our FEARS and INSECURITIES.

Debating Jesus – About the Afterlife Mark 12:18-27 Two areas we error in: 1. We don’t know SCRIPTURAL truth. 2. We underestimate the POWER OF GOD. Big idea: We live differently, grieve differently, and hope differently because we serve the God of the living not the God of the dead. 1) We are ETERNAL created beings Ecclesiastes 12:7 Romans 6:23 1 Corinthians 15:21-22 2. We will all experience the Day of JUDGEMENT Romans 14:10-12 Revelation 21:11-13 * The Christian: What Degree of REWARD 2 Corinthians 5:9-10 * The non-Christian: What Degree of PUNISHMENT Romans 2:5-6 * The PERFECT judge will judge PERFECTLY 3. Jesus will lift the CURSE and make everything RIGHT Revelations 22:3 Romans 8:18-25 * No more reason to CRY Revelation 21:4-5

LOVING GOD Mark 12:28-34 (pg.709) The Big Idea: Love for God is the foundation of the Christian life and the characteristic of a true believer. 1. THE APPROACH Mark 12:28a “One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating, noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer…” 2. THE QUESTION Mark 12: 28b “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” 3. THE RESPONSE Mark 12:29-31 “Hear O Israel, The Lord our God, The Lord is one. Love the Lord with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.” 4. THE REACTION Mark 12: 34 “When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, You are not far from the kingdom of God”

The Big Idea: Jesus calls us to participate politically while working with Him to activate a completely different kind of revolution. Mark 12:12-17 The purpose of the question was to TRAP Jesus. They aren't trying to make Jesus unpopular - they are trying to get him EXECUTED as a revolutionary. The Wisdom of His Answer: Jesus calls us to refuse political SIMPLICITY, political COMPLACENCY and political PRIMACY. Jesus articulates the first theory of LIMITED government in the history of the world. Jesus won't let his people GIVE UP or see politics as the pathway to REVOLUTION. The Revolution to Which He Calls Us: V15 The King without a quarter revolutionizes the world through an UPSIDE-DOWN Kingdom Luke 6 The revolution leverages the 4 dominant values of man: POWER, SUCCESS, COMFORT and RECOGNITION The greatest thing you can do for your country is pray and live the LORD’S PRAYER. (Come, thy Kingdom; be done thy will, on earth as it is in heaven) 2 Chronicles 7:14

The Big Idea: My calling from God is lived out through who I am, whose I am, and how I love. 1 Peter 2:1-10 Jesus Introduced a New Model for Life with God: TEMPLE Model: Sacred places, Sacred texts, Sacred men, Sacred sacrifices. JESUS Model: New covenant. New command. New ethic. New movement. What Am I Called To Be? A person of the people of the PRESENCE of God; a member of God's FAMILY 2 Corinthians 2:14-16 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 What Am I Called To Do? I exist to declare the praises of my DELIVERER. V9 1. Rid myself of all: • MALICE • DECEIT • HYPOCRISY • ENVY • SLANDER 2. CRAVE spiritual nutrition (start something) 3. Offer spiritual SACRIFICES Romans 12:1-2 Hebrews 13:15 How Can I Be Empowered To Do This? 1. COME TO Him, the Living Stone 2. LEAN INTO the Spirit's Presence

The Big Idea: We are a people, a priesthood and a nation - declaring together the praises of our Deliverer. 1 Peter 2:1-10 (pg.850) The Call to a Living Community: 3 metaphors in these verses for the church CITIZENS in a nation We are a chosen people, royal priesthood, and holy nation 2. CHILDREN in a family. V2:17 We have the same blood line 3. STONES in a Temple A spiritual house V4-5 We are the house of the Spirit. At ECC: Life transformation BEGINS with encounters with God, is SHAPED by my community, is ESTABLISHED by spiritual disciplines, ENERGIZED through service, and REPRODUCED through authentic relationships. The Ethic for an Alien Community: To DECLARE THE PRAISES of him who called us out of darkness into His wonderful light. Where is the power for this kind of community? V4 1. Acknowledge you have a CORNERSTONE 2. See him as PRECIOUS. V6-7 3. ALIGN yourself with him

The Big Idea: Everybody serves something or someone. Choosing to serve God initiates a life of true freedom. • 1 Peter 2:13-17 • 1 Peter 4:1-5 • 1 Peter 5:1-11 What is Christian Freedom? We are free people because we are God's SLAVES. This makes no sense unless you buy two assumptions: 1. There is no such thing as negative FREEDOM. 2. Freedom is finding the LIBERATING restrictions. Which restrictions do I choose? • The ones that fit my DESIGN. Three Things Freedom Brings into Your Life: 1. Freedom from uncontrollable and enslaving EMOTIONS and DESIRES. (1 Peter 4:2-3) 2. Freedom from the fear of CIRCUMSTANCES. (1 Peter 5:6-7) 3. Freedom to SERVE people. Two Ways to Grow in Freedom: 1. Don't be afraid of making PROMISES. (1 Peter 5:5-7) 2. Look at Jesus Christ ON THE CROSS. (1 Peter 4:1-3)

Walking With Jesus Week 6: Our Path - The Cross of Suffering June 4, 2017 The Big Idea: Suffering is inevitable and provides enormous opportunities in our faith development. 1 Peter 1:6-9; 1 Peter 3:13-18 Two Facts of Life: 1. Suffering is INEVITABLE 2. Suffering is a pathway to BLESSING We suffer as EXILES We suffer as ones who need FAITH GROWTH We suffer as ones who follow the SUFFERING SAVIOR The Good Outcomes of Suffering: - Our faith is REFINED - Our faith is REVEALED - Our faith is REWARDED The Disciplines We Need During Suffering: Suffer GRIEF Do not FEAR what they FEAR Isaiah 8:12-15 FEAR Christ

Walking with Jesus, Week 5: Our Power - Spirit Filled Living May 28, 2017 Scripture references: 2 Peter: 1:3-11; Acts 2 & 4; James 1:12; Galatians 6:9; Colossians 1:11-12; John 13:35; Matthew 22:37-40; John 15:13; Romans 12:9-13 Big Idea: Without God’s power, it cannot be done; without my participation, it will not be done. Without God’s power, you cannot understand His goodness; without effort, you will not show it to others. • Out of goodness comes knowledge Without God’s power, you cannot achieve divine knowledge; without your effort, it will not make a difference in your faith. • Out of knowledge flows self-control Without God’s power, you cannot experience divine self-control; without your participation, you will not experience divine self-control. • Out of self-control flows perseverance Without God’s power, you cannot persevere; without your participation, you will not persevere. • Out of perseverance comes godliness Without God’s power, you cannot be godly; without your participation, you w

May 14, 2017 Walking With Jesus 3 - Our Call: Holy Living Jim Ladd The Big Idea: The call of God to you is to be holy. 1 Peter 1:13-21 What is Holiness? Holy” means “SET APART” The core of holiness is that I BELONG to God. How does Holiness grow in me? A Sharp MIND A Child-like OBEDIENCE A reverent FEAR A grateful HEART

Missionaries Jonathan & Vanessa Capone John 10: 7-16 SHEEP NOT OF THE PEN There are other sheep Scattered outside the present pen God’s commitment to the lost sheep They will come FEELINGS WHEN YOU MOVE OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE Moving from comfort to courage will... ... cause you to doubt your decision. ... cause you to doubt your abilities. ... cause you to look for the easy way out. ... cause you to feel weak in the knees. ... cause others to question you.