Evergreen Christian Community

The Process of Stewardship

The Big Idea: A steward is rewarded for using the Master’s resources and executing the Master’s will. Philippians 2:1-13 (p. 1012) The two tracks on which God’s economic train run are ALTAR and STEWARDSHIP. STEWARDSHIP: The disciplined lifestyle and focus of someone who has surrendered to the service of God. The Five Components of Stewardship: 1. MASTER- One who imparts the plans and purposes of our stewardship. 2. STEWARD - a person who manages another’s property or financial affairs; one who a...

Healing

Who is the Owner?

The Big Idea: Ownership is an illusion. Psalm 24:1-10 (p. 473) 1. It ALL belongs to God. Psalm 50:10-15 (p. 488) 2. Your LIFE belongs to God. 1 Peter 1:17-23 (p. 1047) 3. We participate in the economy of God through a lifestyle of ALTAR and STEWARDSHIP. Romans 12:1-2 (p. 975) 4. The goal of God’s economy is BLESSING for EVERYONE. Genesis 12:1-3 (p. 9)

Strength and Courage

Prayer & Worship 8/28

Glory of God

The Big Idea: The purpose of everything is the Glory of God Exodus 33:15-23 Exodus 34:5-7 Understanding The Glory of God: 1. What is the GLORY of God? Isaiah 6:1-5 We were spiritually DEAD and legally GUILTY- it is the glory of God to redeem this reality. 2. Why is it the GOAL of everything? Isaiah 43:1-7 Ephesians 1:11-12 Romans 9:22-26 3. What is MY ROLE in the glory of God? Hebrews 1:1-3 Corinthians 4:3-6 God is most glorified in us when we are most SATISFIED IN HIM....

The Private Altar

Christ Alone

The Big Idea: It is all about Jesus. Colossians 2:6-15 It is important to always calibrate the tension between PHILOSOPHY, TRADITION, and CHRIST. 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 Ephesians 2:1-10 Christ takes us from DEATH to LIFE and from POWERLESS to FULLY EMPOWERED Galatians 2:15-21 Ephesians 2:19-22 Colossians 3:1-4 Jesus has one request: “COME TO ME.” Matthew 11:28-30

Prayer & Worship 8/14

By Faith Alone

The Big Idea: Your relationship with God is being built on faith alone. Romans 4:1-8 Two Things To Know About Faith: 1. Faith is a GIFT from GOD 2. Faith is a REQUIREMENT to walk with God. James 2:21-24 Hebrews 11:6-31 The Four Expressions Abraham’s Faith: 1. A PILGRIM faith 2. A PATIENT faith 3. A POWERFUL faith 4. A PERSEVERING faith How Faith Grows: Faith comes from THE WORD OF GOD. - Romans 10:17 Faith is made complete by what you DO....

Altar & Stewardship

Grace Alone

Big Idea: We are free to live for God because of His grace alone. Ephesians 2:4-10 1. Your SALVATION is a gift of grace. John 3:16-18 We receive grace through FAITH. Romans 10:17 2. The playing field has been LEVELED. Philippians 2:12 Romans 12.1-2 3. God created you to do GOOD WORKS. Ephesians 2:10 1 John 4:19 James 2:14-18 You are the WORKMANSHIP of God. 1 Corinthians 15:9-11...

Remember God Loves You

The Word of God Alone

Big Idea- The Word of God is THE foundation of the Christian faith. 2 Peter 1:3-11 (p. 1051) Why You Need God’s Word in Your Life Today: The Word is AUTHORITATIVE. - Psalm 119 The Word READS YOU. - Hebrews 4:12 - The Word is WISDOM. - Matthew 7:24-27 - Psalm 19:7-13 The Word is your CONCEALED CARRY. - Matthew 4:1-10 - Ephesians 4:17 - 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Are You Afraid of God's Power?

Praising The God Who Unites Us

THE BIG IDEA: Unity empowers us and division destroys us. Psalm 133:1-3 • Unity is JOB ONE for followers of Jesus Proverbs 6:16-19 • Unity is like God’s ANOINTING Exodus 30:22-33 • It makes us HOLY • It gives us HEALING • Unity is the WATER that gives LIFE in every season • Unity is our most powerful WITNESS John 13:35. • It is not our job to be right - it’s our job to make the RELATIONSHIP right....

Going to your Secret Place

Praising the God Who Never Gives Up

The Big Idea: God is not fair and you should thank Him for that. Psalm 130:1-8 Introduction: Life is NOT FAIR. 1. The way He LISTENS. - Psalm 50:15 2. The way He FORGIVES. - Romans 3:23 - Romans 6:23 3. The way He HEALS. - Psalm 130:5-6 4. The way He EMPOWERS abundant redemption. - Joel 2:25

Teach Us How to Pray

Praising the God Who Guards Us

Psalm 127:1-2 (p. 533) Big Idea: God’s role is more important than all our efforts. The VANITY of human effort- It only matters if God is in it. Ecclesiastes 2:24-26 (p. 572) Trusting in God means ENTRUSTING to God. Psalm 20:7 (p. 472) The temptation is to be BUSY, and think it’s PRODUCTIVE. Psalm 127:2 (p. 533) Colossians 3:23 (p. 1017) Psalm 62:5 (p. 494)

Praising the God Who Helps Us

The Big Idea: When times are tough the most important decision to make is who to trust. Psalm 121 (p. 531) Where do you look when you are AFRAID? Three Reasons You Can Confidently Look to God: 1. He who keeps you stable NEVER SLEEPS 2. He is your ready SHELTER for every season. 3. He is the GUARDIAN for your SOUL.

Biblical Praise and Worship

God Specializes in Lost Causes

Inside Secrets to Powerful Repentance

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Father's Day Message

THE BIG IDEA: Your parenting assignment lasts a lifetime and is packed with potential, so never, never, never give up. Deuteronomy 6:1-9 (p. 155) Ephesians 6:1-8 (p. 1009) Colossians 3:20-24 (p. 1016) Proverbs 22:6 (p. 561) Jim’s Personal Call To Dads: - Don’t be PASSIVE. - FIGHT for them relentlessly. - STAY IN THE GAME to the end

The Language of Pain

The Big Idea: Pain is inherently productive, and you get to decide what it produces. James 1:1-18 (p. 1043) Seven Things God is Saying In Your Pain: 1. Let me grow you STRONG and MATURE. 2. Let me give you WISDOM. 3. Learn the secret of FOCUS. 4. Find confidence in your WEAKNESS. - 2 Corinthians 12:9 (p. 999) 5. Your CROWN is coming. 6. Defeat the temptation to BLAME ME. 7. Feel my PRESENCE in your pain, and walk with me to GOOD THINGS. Change your question from “WHY?” to “WHO?” When the Devil t...

Grace Abuse

The Language of Promptings

The Big Idea: Jesus offers a grand adventure to all who will follow Him. Isaiah 30:19-26 (p. 611) Don’t settle for a DEAL with your Pastor - go for the REAL DEAL. - John 3:5-8 (p. 913) - John 10:1-5 (p. 922) The adventure God is inviting you to is this: He PROMPTS, you FOLLOW. It is all about SURRENDER. God can change someone’s entire world in a single moment by PROMPTING someone. - Esther 6:1-3 Consider a new Rule of Life: The 10 Second Rule. A Few Principles to Keep in Mind: ● The promptings w...

Intercessory Prayer Life

God Speaks Through People

The Big Idea: God is always speaking and often it’s through other people. Exodus 18:7-10, 13-19, 23 (p. 63) 1. God speaks through OTHER PEOPLE in our lives. - Exodus 18:12 (p. 63) 2. We listen best when we are HUMBLE. - Proverbs 15:31-33 (p. 555) 3. God uses people to give us PERSPECTIVE and WISDOM. - Exodus 18:14 (p. 63) 4. God speaks through people TO CONFIRM what He is ALREADY DOING in our lives. - Exodus 18:23 (p. 63) - Proverbs 15:22 (p. 554)...