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...
Nov 12, 2017•46 min
Nov 05, 2017•43 min
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 FORMATIO...
Oct 29, 2017•41 min
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 De...
Oct 22, 2017•34 min
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...
Oct 15, 2017•38 min
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...
Oct 01, 2017•40 min
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 FRIENDSH...
Sep 24, 2017•42 min
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 CONTRO...
Sep 17, 2017•41 min
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 ...
Sep 10, 2017•43 min
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 ...
Sep 03, 2017•40 min
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 CA...
Aug 27, 2017•43 min
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....
Aug 13, 2017•45 min
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...
Aug 06, 2017•34 min
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 n...
Jul 30, 2017•41 min
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 Issu...
Jul 23, 2017•39 min
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 Corinth...
Jul 16, 2017•39 min
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 yo...
Jul 09, 2017•33 min
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. ...
Jul 02, 2017•37 min
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 DEL...
Jun 25, 2017•36 min
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 c...
Jun 18, 2017•26 min
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. Freed...
Jun 11, 2017•39 min
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 REWARDE...
Jun 04, 2017•34 min
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...
May 28, 2017•34 min
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
May 14, 2017•31 min
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....
May 07, 2017•41 min
Walking With Jesus Week 2 “Our Birth: Supernatural” Big Idea: The Big Idea: We have been given new birth into a living hope that grows us up and secures our inheritance. 1 Peter 1:3-12 What happened to you? You were given NEW BIRTH Being born again spiritually is about a new LIFE-SOURCE and a new IDENTITY 2 Peter 1:4 ; Titus 3:5 Where does it happen to you? It happens to you in your HOPE HOPE is a DESIRE and an EXPECTATION How does it grow in you? It grows through SUFFERING How do you know this ...
Apr 30, 2017•31 min
Walking With Jesus Week 1 - “Encountering the Risen Christ” April 23, 2017 Big Idea: A disruptive collision with the grace of God is what opens the door to the process of my restoration. Peter’s episodes with grace serve as a paradigm for us: Mark 14:27-31 Mark 16:1-8 Jesus already knows YOUR NEXT FAILURE. Jesus is focused on YOU, not your BEHAVIOR. John 21:1-17 Growth requires that you focus on JESUS, and HIS BEHAVIOR Jesus can trust you when you serve out of WEAKNESS rather than personal STREN...
Apr 23, 2017•32 min
Easter Sunday April 16, 2017 Knowing Jesus, 4 Big Idea: Because of the resurrection, your future is certain and unimaginably wonderful. Luke 24:13-49 Three things we can learn from the resurrection: 1. The Resurrection is a PARADIGM-SHATTERING historical event Luke 1:1-4 Luke compiles evidence that this was a BODILY resurrection. Historical facts always shatter false PARADIGMS. 2. The resurrection is the proof that your FORGIVENESS has been accomplished. 3. The Resurrection is the strongest mess...
Apr 16, 2017•29 min
Knowing Jesus 3 - Worship Big Idea: You can’t know and understand Jesus unless you know Him as King! Luke 19:28-40 Palm Sunday means, “Jesus is KING” 1. He is the TRUE King 2. He is the HUMBLE King Zechariah 9:9 Isaiah 11:6-9 3. How can you make Him YOUR King? WORSHIP Him OBEY Him EXPECT GREAT THINGS from Him.
Apr 09, 2017•35 min
Knowing Jesus, 2 “Life With A Mission” April 2, 2017 Big Idea: When your purpose and mission are clear, life is far less complicated. Luke 5:1-25 1. Jesus calls you on mission in your VOCATION Do your work WITH GOD Colossians 3:23 Keep RESULTS and PROFITS where they belong 2. Jesus calls you on mission to the FRINGES 3. Jesus calls you on mission among your PEOPLE Mark 9 When you know the WHY of your life, the WHAT and the HOW are far less con-fusing and far more fulfilling. We were made to GLOR...
Apr 02, 2017•30 min
