Evergreen Christian Community

The Adventure of a Lifetime, 2 "Oikos and Opportunity" December 4, 2016 Speaker - Jim Ladd The Big Idea: The Big Idea: God is asking you to change your world and us together to change the world. The secret sauce of Christianity is THE HOLY SPIRIT John 14; John 3:5-8; Acts 1:8; John 16:13; Luke 12:12 Consider all that God has given you: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ And now what you give God is your OBEDIENCE The Super Simple Plan of God: - Intimacy with GOD - a conviction that a relationship with Jesus is the most important thing in the world. - Intentionality with FAMILY - a commitment to serve and nurture the closest relationships God has entrusted to us. - Investment in OIKOS - a calling to use our lives and re

The Adventure of a Lifetime, 1 - The Invitation The Big Idea: The call of Jesus is a call to join Him in the adventure of a lifetime. The Call Is Simple: 1) FOLLOW ME 2) GO BACK and TELL John 14:6-14 If following Jesus is awesome, then it’s even more exciting in GROUPS. Matthew 16:18-19 Matthew 18:18-20 We, together, are the CALLED OUT ONES - the “ekklesia” We have the KEYS! The Church Challenge: - The Church is a CORPORATION. - The Church is a COMMUNITY. - The Church is a CAUSE. For 2,000 years the Church has existed for one reason: To TRANSFORM the world. Jesus is asking you to transform YOUR world and He is asking us to transform THE world. Are we the BURGER KING church or the HOME DEPOT church?

WE ARE CALLED TO BE THANKFUL Colossians 1:12-14 “Giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins”. Giving thanks to the Father: 1. Who has qualified us to share the inheritance. 2. Who has rescued us from the dominion of darkness. 3. Who has transferred us into the kingdom of His Son Jesus. Small Group Discussion Questions 1. What is your favorite Thanksgiving tradition? 2. What am I grateful for in my life? Why? 3. We often thank God for our jobs, homes and families. But who are you thankful for today? 4. How do I SHOW my gratitude? "Gratitude in Action!" 5. How do you show thanks to God? 6. In our culture many people believe they deserve this or that. As Christians, how can our attitude of thanksgiving, even in desperate circumstances, impact unbelievers?

Right on the Money, 4: Attitudes and Strategies The Big Idea: How you handle money is an outward indicator of an inward condition. Attitudes guide STRATEGY. 4 Attitudes That Drive Financial Strategy: 1. GRATITUDE Ephesians 1:1-14 Strategy: you RECEIVE and you WORSHIP in one motion. Malachi 3:10-12 The faithfulness with which you tithe is probably why you're BROKE. 2. DILIGENCE Proverbs 6:6-11 Strategy: you SAVE. Spending more money than you make isn't just FOOLISH, It's SINFUL. The amount you save is probably why you're STRESSED. 3. CONTENTMENT Philippians 4:11-13 Strategy: you spend less than 80% of what you receive. Proverbs 21:5 The amount you spend is probably why you rarely GIVE or SAVE. 4. GENEROSITY John 3:16 Strategy: You use your margin to ENCOURAGE others. The help you give others is probably why you're UNFULFILLED. A Strategic Formula For Money: 1. Stop arguing with God about the TITHE. 2. Identify how much you RECEIVE from the Lord. 3. Give God your FIRST F

Right on the Money, 3 “Money and the Blessing of God” November 6, 2016 Speaker - Jim Ladd The Big Idea: The greatest thing you can have in this life is the favor of God. Psalm 81:8-16 Hosea 4:16 How to Pursue the Blessing of God: 1. God blesses a PRIORITY correction Proverbs 3:7-26 Mammon Inc.: The Jesus Company: 1. EARN 1. RECEIVE 2. SPEND/PAY 2. TITHE 3. SAVE 3. SAVE 4. GIVE 4. SPEND/PAY 5. GIVE Money can reveal your STUBBORNNESS James 4:1-4 2. God blesses a deeper CONFIDENCE Galatians 6:7-10 The Law of the FARM never fails James 4:6-10 Proverbs 10:4-5 3. God blesses enthusiastic COOPERATION 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 The blessed life: Jeremiah 29:11-13 Romans: 8:28-39

Right on the Money - “The Purpose of Money” (Week 2) October 30, 2016 The Big Idea: Understanding the purpose of money brings clarity on how to use it well. Three Money Myths: 1. Pastors TALK TOO MUCH about it 2. 10% belongs to God 3. Financial blessing is a sign of God’s LOVE Money is a TOOL When God gives you more of it, He is not saying He loves you more. He is saying He wants to USE YOU more. Luke 12:41-48 Generosity is a TRIGGER Proverbs 11:25; Luke 16:1-13 The Purpose of Money: WORSHIP: God is HONORED PROVISION: I am BLESSED MISSION: People are TRANSFORMED When Money Is Used Well: 1. The Master is PLEASED 2. The worker becomes a TRUSTED PARTNER 3. We behave wisely because we know we will GIVE AN ACCOUNT 4. The worker will be given his own REWARD 5. We not only get to HEAVEN, but our TREASURE awaits us there Matthew 6:19-20 6. Our Master will not only call us home, He will call us IN. Matthew 25:21 Community Group Discussion Questions • Jim mad

Right on the Money, 1 “A Choice is required” Oct 23, 2016 Speaker - Jim Ladd The Big Idea: You cannot serve two masters. Luke 16:1-15; 1 Timothy 6:6-10; 17-19 Your Two Options: 1. Mammon, Inc. - Where you work for money Corporate Structure: MONEY YOU JESUS Corporate Value: GREED Corporate Mission: ACCUMULATE Mission Statement: He who DIES with the most TOYS wins 2. The Jesus Company - Where money works for you Corporate Structure: JESUS YOU OTHERS Corporate Value: GENEROSITY Corporate Mission: DISTRIBUTE Mission Statement: He who DIES with the most joy GIVES Which Company do I work for? _______% was given back to the Lord _______% was saved for emergencies, margin, and retirement _______% was spent on me and my family _______% was used making someone else’s world a better place Matthew 6:19-24 Values dictate STRATEGY Generosity is not what you DO, it’s WHO YOU ARE A CHOICE is required, so prepare to MAKE ONE Money does not CHANGE US.

It is not good TO BE ALONE WHY ARE WE SO LONELY? 1. Breakdown of FAMILIES. 2. Increased MOBILITY 3. Heavy WORKLOADS 4. Rise of SOCIAL MEDIA OVERCOMING THE LIES OF LONELINESS: 1. I am ALONE 2 Corinthians 1:3-11 2. No one UNDERSTANDS 2 Corinthians 1:5-6 3. God has LEFT ME Hebrews 12:1-3 4. I don’t have enough FAITH John 16:32-33 HOW DO WE LOVE THE LONELY? 1. Love with TOUCH. Matt 8:2-3 2. Love by LISTENING. Luke 24:17-19 3. Love with TIME. Luke 5:17-19, Luke 8:22-24, Luke 8:43, Mark 1:35-39 You can’t impact EVERYONE. But you can impact SOMEONE. Don’t you be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. Yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness. Isa 41:10

Message Notes: Poverty is RELATIVE Matthew 25:31-46 What you do for the LEAST OF THESE, you do for Jesus. 1 John 3:17-18 Proverbs 19:17 What is Poverty? Most Americans define poverty as a lack of something MATERIAL The truly poor define it as an IDENTITY The goal is to help them change, not just what they HAVE, but how they THINK The root of all poverty is BROKENNESS Luke 4:18-19 Jesus said TODAY this scripture is fulfilled We Are Called: 1. To SERVE others not to SAVE others 2. RELATE with people not RESCUE people 3. Reach OUT not reach DOWN

Big Idea: God calls His people to care for the orphan. There are more than 400,000 foster kids in the U.S. without homes There are 10,068 in Washington The Church is PLAN A James 1:27 God - A conviction that a relationship with Jesus is the most important thing in life. Family - A commitment to nurture and serve the most intimate relationships God has entrusted to us. Others - A calling to invest my life in the 8-15 God has supernaturally and strategically placed around me. Psalm 82:3-4 ; Psalm 68:5; Deuteronomy 14:28-29; Ephesians 1:5 2 Promises: 1. It won’t BE EASY 2. The CHILD is worth it People don’t just need a family - they need GOD’S FAMILY

How to Neighbor - RACISM September 18, 2016 Speaker - Jim Ladd Luke 10:29 Racism is not a SKIN issue, it's a SIN issue. James 2:9 How do we Neighbor those different from us? 1) Recognize any PREJUDICES. • Prejudice: (prejudging) preconceived opinion that is not based on reason or actual experience. 2) Seek to UNDERSTAND others. 3) Love those DIFFERENT from you. • Racism isn’t just the presence of HATRED - It’s the absence of LOVE. Galatians 3:28 Revelation 7: 9-10 Romans 10:12 COMMUNITY GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 1. Take some time to share with each other some of your prejudices you have. 2. How do the prejudices we have, potentially affect how we treat our neighbors or people in our community? 3. What is one practical step you can take this week, to begin to allow God to change your heart, mind, and attitude in that area?

Mark 4:35 Joshua 3:10 Mark 5:1-20 Mark 6 location: ISREAL Mark 8 location: DECAPOLIS Mark 6 initiator: DISCIPLES Mark 8:1-4 Mark 8 initiator: JESUS Mark 6 leftover: 12 baskets Mark 8 leftovers: 7 baskets Mark 15:30-31 Oikos is the primary reason 95% of all Christians actually are Christians. Mark 5:19 Luke 19:9 John 4:53 Mark 2:15 Acts 11:14 Mark 5:19 Community Group Discussion Questions 1. Who makes up your Oikos? 2. Who were you not considering in your Oikos, that you now should? 3. What are some practical ways, you can use the influence you have with your Oikos to point people to Jesus? 4. What is one practical step you can take this week, to invest in someone in your Oikos?

Peace by Piece, pt 4 September 4, 2016 Speaker - Jim Ladd Big Idea: The way you handle conflict speaks volumes about your commitment to Christ and to His Kingdom. John 13:34-35. Last Week’s Three Guiding Principles in Conflict: 1. Don’t SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF 2. Don’t SPREAD THE BIG STUFF 3. Don’t STOP IF YOU GET STIFFED Matthew 18:15-17 Guiding Principles of Conflict, #4-6: 4. Trust God with all your LOSSES. 1 Corinthians 6:1-11 5. Know when to WALK AWAY. Matthew 7:1-6 6. Guard YOUR HEART ABOVE ALL THINGS. Proverbs 4:23 How do I know if my heart is fully His?: - I refuse to condemn the person who is hurting me - I am humbled and broken when confronted about my own sin - I seek always to grow closer to Jesus and be conformed to His image - I stop ever seeking to justify myself and my behavior - I trust only, exclusively, and passionately in the accomplished work of Jesus for my salvation.

Peace by Piece, pt 3 August 28, 2016 Big Idea: True love moves in when failing love moves out. The number one predictor of divorce or broken relationships is poor CONFLICT RESOLUTION How God Makes People Whole: The WORD of God The SPIRIT of God The PEOPLE of God Proverbs 27:5-6; 17 How Do I Speak The Truth In Love? Don’t SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF Don’t SPREAD THE BIG STUFF Don’t stop if you GET STIFFED Colossians 3:12-14 2 Timothy 2:24-26 Ephesians 4:1-3 Eight Step Action Plan: PRAY - for humility and wisdom 1 Peter 5:5 PLAN - your words carefully Proverbs 20:18 CHOOSE - the right time and place Proverbs 16:21 ASSUME - nothing except that you lack information Proverbs 18:17 LISTEN - carefully Proverbs 18:13 SPEAK - only words that build up Ephesians 4:29 ASK - for feedback Proverbs 18:2 TRUST - God Romans 12:18 COMMUNITY GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 1. When you think of the last conflict you had, w

Peace by Piece, pt 2 August 21, 2016 Speaker - Daniel Sabo Big Idea:God has given us a way through conflict that offers healing to all, and glorifies Him in the process. Ask God & others for help with SELF-AWARENESS Proverbs 27:6 Address everyone INVOLVED ASAP Ephesians 4:29 Avoid “IF” “BUT” and “MAYBE” Ephesians 4:15; Matthew 5:37 APOLOGIZE James 5:16 Ask for FORGIVENESS Ephesians 4:32 Accept the CONSEQUENCES Galatians 6:7,8 Alter your BEHAVIOR James 1:22-25 ; Proverbs 24:16 COMMUNITY GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 1. What gets in the way of you resolving conflict with people? 2. Do you struggle to make the first step toward restoration? Why do you think that is? 3. Have you ever been forgiven, but still experienced consequences for your actions? Is that okay? 4. In your opinion, what is the different between apologizing and asking for forgiveness? 5. If there is someone you are needing to resolve conflict with, wha

Peace by Piece pt1 August 14, 2016 Speaker - Jim Ladd Big Idea: Conflict provides one of the greatest opportunities for Christians to reveal the heart of their Father. Conflict Provides a Win-Win-Win Opportunity: You get to GLORIFY God You get to SERVE someone well You get to GROW personally Ephesians 5:1-2 When God was offended, He moved TOWARD US Ephesians 4:1-3 The Slippery Slope Peace FAKING Peace MAKING Matthew 5:9 Peace TAKING Philippians 1:29-30 Hebrews 10:32-33 Romans 12:9-21 The Guiding Principle: Seek to DWELL and COMPLETE in times of conflict. John 1:14 James 2:22 COMMUNITY GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 1. How do you typically respond when you are faced with conflict? 2. Do you typically lean toward peace faking, peace making, or peace taking? 3. What gets in the way of remaining connected to others during conflict? 4. What prevents you from seeing conflict all the way through to complet

Great By Choice - Discipline August 7, 2016 Pastor Daniel Sabo Big Idea: Greatness is a matter of choice because the choices we make establish patterns. Patterns establish Habits and habits shape our destiny. Daniel chose discipline in his desiring the GOOD OF OTHERS Daniel chose discipline in his WORK Daniel chose discipline in his FAITH God has given us an EXTRAORDINARY Spirit COMMUNITY GROUP QUESTIONS 1. How could choosing discipline more in your life help you in your journey? 2. What gets in the way of you making disciplined decisions? 3. What are some practical disciplined choices you could make in your relationships? your work? 4. What is one step you can take this week, to choose discipline in your faith walk?

Great by Choice, 4: The Choice for Courage The Big Idea: Courage is not the absence of fear, but the decision to let faith conquer fear through obedience. Backstory on Deborah: Judges 4:4-5 (pg 167) She was a PROPHETESS She was a JUDGE She was WISE Judges 4:6-12 Notes from the Battlefield: 1. The ENEMY is real and intimidating 2. Fear will always search for SOLID FOOTING 3. The strategy for success is FAITHFUL OBEDIENCE ​4​. Being in God's Kingdom and in His FAVOR are distinctly different things COMMUNITY GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 1. How would you define courage? 2. If courage is something we choose, what is a situation you are facing now, where you need to choose to be courageous? 3. What are some of the things that get in the way of making courageous decisions? 4. What changes when we allow faith to fuel our courage, rather than our will? 5. What is a step you can take this week, to let your faith-led courage move you forward?

Great by Choice, part 3: The Choice for Integrity July 24, 2016 Pastor Jim Ladd The Big Idea: Integrity is fueled by an unshakeable trust in God. Genesis 39:6-12 Joseph's choice, and it was a great one, was INTEGRITY INTEGRATED faith results in a life of INTEGRITY Integrity isn't something you HAVE; it's something you CHOOSE Joseph's Five Keys For Making This Choice: 1. Choose the greater YES without compromise 2. Think about other PEOPLE Genesis 39:8-9; 40:1-6 3. Consider things that are WICKED as WICKED 4. Recognize God's PRESENCE 5. REMOVE yourself rapidly when necessary COMMUNITY GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 1. How would you define integrity? 2. What typically gets in the way of making choices with integrity? 3. How could a life of choosing integrity change your relationship with others? 4. How could a life of choosing integrity help you on your mission as a follower of Jesus? 5. What is a circumstance you are facing now that requires you to make a choice of integrity?