Hebrews 4:1-16 ● The Promise of HIS REST IS REAL. (v.1) ● FAITH AND OBEDIENCE are the two legs of relationship with God. (v.2,6) ● It takes GREAT EFFORT to enter GOD’S REST. (v.10-11) ● The WORD OF GOD is ESSENTIAL. (v.12-13) ● NOTHING is hidden from Him. ● We have a great HIGH PRIEST. ● Therefore - let us approach God’s throne of grace with CONFIDENCE!
What Child is This?, 1 - Jesus, The One and Only Jim Ladd, Dec 5, 2021 Luke 2:8-11 John 1:1-5; 9-18 The Big Idea: Until you know Jesus, you lack the resources and understanding needed to know anything. I bring you good news of great joy that shall be for all people!!! 1. Jesus IS THE BEGINNING - of everything. Colossians 1:15-20 2. Jesus wants to bring you LIFE and FIRE. 3. Darkness cannot UNDERSTAND or OVERCOME Jesus. 4. HE TAKES ALL WHO RECEIVE HIM back to God. Colossians 1:21-22 “So completel...
Acts 18:23-26 Acts 19:1-5 The Big Idea: Baptism is not a bath, but a burial and a new birth. John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance - to prepare people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus. Repentance: /metanoia/ - “to change one’s way of life as the result of a complete change of thought and attitude with regard to sin and righteousness” “to repent and to change one’s way” THE BAPTISM OF JOHN is a decision to CONFESS MY SIN AND REPENT - turn around and walk with God, by...
DEPRESSION throws us into REGRET and DESPAIR. ANXIETY throws us into PANIC and FEAR. Big Idea: In order to find peace in our life, we need to let go of all control and let Jesus do what He has to do. Matthew 14:22-33 “When we focus on the waves, we not only begin to be overtaken by them, but we actually get in the way of the miracle that Jesus wants us to do.” Philippians 4:4-9 God’s command: 1. REJOICE in HIM. 2. PRAY about EVERYTHING 3. FOCUS on all that is GOOD. John 14:27 PRAYER and GRATITUD...
2 CORINTHIANS 5:20-21 WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A CHRIST AMBASSADOR? 1. YOU ARE THE FACE = PEOPLE SEE IT. 2. YOU ARE THE VOICE = PEOPLE HEAR IT. 3. YOU ARE THE LIFE = PEOPLE EXPERIENCE IT. WHO NEEDS YOU TO BE A CHRIST AMBASSADOR?
Live out 1 Corinthians 11:1- 1 Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. “Follow me as I follow Christ.” Philippians 4:9 – “Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” What are both of these verses speaking to? DISCIPLESHIP! Discipleship is about LIFE ON LIFE! Organic not structured Practical not theoretical Everyday life not a weekly time slot Jesus MODELED this! Mark 3:14- He appointed twelve th...
Psalm 13:1-6 1. We tend to BLAME OTHERS for our problems. The Two Biggest Frustrations in the Christian Life: 1. God doesn’t act like we want Him to. 2. We don’t act like He wants us to. Matthew 6:1-6 Psalm 139:23-24 2. Inappropriate PRIORITIES snatch our focus away from God’s PRESENCE. “Prayer is an expression of who we are. We are a living incompleteness.” Thomas Merton “Prayer can either be the steering wheel or the spare tire.” Corrie Ten Boom 3. We feel like we don't BELONG in the same room...
2 Corinthians 4:7-18 Big Idea: In our suffering, we can find endurance by running into the arms of our Father. Guarantees in Life: 1. There is GOOD. 2. There is SUFFERING. 3. GOD IS SOVEREIGN over all. Our God is the GOOD SHEPHERD, caring for us every step of the way. 2 Corinthians 12:8-10 Deuteronomy 31:6 1 Peter 5:6-7 Remember: God will COMFORT YOU in your suffering. God will GROW YOU in your suffering. God will HEAL YOU from your suffering. Response: 1. Take your struggles to the Altar. 2. Li...
Andy Raatz, October 31, 2021 John 4:46-53 The Setting: An IMPOSSIBLE SITUATION without a possible solution. The Request: An impossible situation needs help from the only possible source—JESUS. The Answer: Man’s view of the impossible is not the same as God’s understanding of impossible. ● We can come to Jesus anytime. ● The first level of trust is the willingness to ask for help…for strength…for God to work. “As long as you are proud you cannot know God. A proud man is always looking down on thi...
GOD…THIS WOULDN’T BE TOUGH! GOD…THESE PEOPLE WE CARE ABOUT NEED YOUR HELP! IF I WERE YOU…I’D DO THIS IN A HEARTBEAT! Main Thought: A WAITING SEASON IS NOT A WASTED SEASON. John 11:1-4 John 11:17 John 11:20-22 WHEN WAITING ON GOD REMEMBER: 1) GOD’S DELAYS ARE NOT NECESSARILY GOD’S DENIALS. 2) IF GOD ALWAYS MET YOUR EXPECTATIONS, HE’D NEVER HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXCEED THEM. John 11:23-26 John 11:34-35 John 11:43-44 With God—Waiting Season Is Never A Wasted Season. “THE SCENE OF YOUR GREATEST DI...
Butterfly Effect: (in chaos theory) The phenomenon whereby a minute localized change in a complex system can have large effects elsewhere. Big Idea: God is not only Faithful in the fight you are in, He is equipping you for future battles. The Lord had been preparing David for the battle. 1 Samuel 17:34-36 1 Samuel 17:51 1 Samuel 21:8-9 How do we stay Faithful in the Fight? ● ENDURANCE through the trial. Romans 5:3-4 Ask the question: “God what are you preparing me for?” ● Give CREDIT where it’s ...
Dare- To challenge or provoke a person into a demonstration of courage. SURRENDER is the key to living the life God’s called us to live. Luke 9:57-62 The invitation Jesus makes to us is to follow him with ALL of our lives for the REST of our lives. The question we must ask is: Will we surrender our comfort? This raises another question: Will we surrender our security? The question for us is: Will we surrender our priorities? “We must know exactly when we say yes to God what is in that yes. Yes m...
Ken Rice, October 3, 2021 OneChild is an international child development organization helping to meet the physical and spiritual needs of children living in poverty. Through the work of local partners around the world, children receive food, education, medical aid, and hope in God! To learn more about this program, and ways you can get involved to help a child in need, visit evergreenpnw.com/onechild
Chat – Have you ever had what you would consider a God given dream or vision? Acts 10:1-8 My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working. John 5:17 God is ALWAYS AT WORK whether we see proof of it or not! God is always at work but WE AREN’T ALWAYS PAYING ATTENTION! Acts 10:9-33 “Oikos” - household/family God used angels and visions before this but what/who does he use now? PETER! Acts 10:34-48 Our INDISPUTABLE PROOF = ONGOING TRANSFORMATION of our lives. Acts of the Apost...
The Big Idea: Your greatest influence rises from the intersection of your pain and God’s power. 2 Corinthians 4:7-18 The Four Elements of My Story: 1. The DITCH Jesus found me in. 2. The FAITH of my fathers. 3. The BATTLES I currently face. 4. The HOPE I possess. The Gift We Give: HOSPITALITY Hospitality makes ANXIOUS DISCIPLES into POWERFUL WITNESSES. Hospitality requires CONCENTRATION. CONCENTRATION - the ability to pay attention to the other. “For the other person to open and talk requires a ...
Matthew 26:55-56 55 In that hour Jesus said to the crowd, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me. 56 But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted him and fled. John 19:25-26 25 Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw his m...
The Big Idea: The best thing you can do to spiritually help your Oikos is walk intimately with Jesus every single day. Deuteronomy 6:4-25 Four Strategic Principles for Sharing Your Faith: 2 Corinthians 4:7-12 1. Your struggles QUALIFY YOU MORE for your mission. 2 Corinth. 1:3-5 2. GOD’S COMFORT is not designed to flow to you, but through you. 2 Corinthinas 2:14-17 3. Your faith has an AROMA to everyone. “Share your faith, and if necessary use words.” - St. Francis of Assisi 2 Corinthians 5:17-21...
The Big Idea: Being a Christian is not a belief system, it is a transformational way of being you. Christianity is an “EXISTENTIAL” thing. We all know about “BORN AGAIN.” John 3:1-8 Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.” 3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one...
Mike Tyson - "Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.” Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Big Idea: Oikos cannot thrive where there is unresolved conflict. How important is conflict resolution to God? 1 John 4:20 “Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.” Matthew 5:23-24 “So if you are offeri...
Joshua 1:6-9 The Big Idea: God commands us to be strong. How in the heck do I “BE(COME) STRONG?” Three ways to Be Strong: 1. Repetition ● KEEP SPEAKING ALOUD THE WORD OF GOD. ● V.8 “Keep this Book of the Law always on your mouth; 2. Discipline ○ Obedience ○ Joshua 1: 7 Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 3. Nutrition ○ Meditate on it day and night. ○ You will meditate - God Ephesian...
Big idea: If you will not communicate well, you cannot Oikos well. YOU HAVE TWO JOBS: 1. LOVE GOD with all you’ve got. 2. LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR as yourself. The Monumental Question: Who is my neighbor? Luke 10:25-37 The first decision: Be a FIRST RESPONDER or be a CLAIMS ADJUSTER. ⇒ Who is at fault? ⇒ What caused the accident? ⇒ What is the extent of the damage? ⇒ Who has to pay? THE JESUS PATTERN OF BEING A NEIGHBOR: ● Step One: Protection and first aid. ● Step Two: Speak to the soul. ● Step Three...
Luke 10:38-42 The most valuable and limited resource in the world is TIME. Where you invest your TIME, you invest your VALUE. Big idea: In order to Oikos, you must surrender your time to Jesus. Luke 10:38-42: Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do yo...
The Big Idea: The formula is simple: walk really close to Jesus and supernaturally serve those He brings into your front row. Jeremiah 1:4-12 The Calling: Four Things That Were True About You Before You Were Born: 1. God KNEW you. 2. God FORMED you in the womb. 3. God SET YOU APART. 4. God APPOINTED you. Psalm 139:13-18 The Big But: Alas, Sovereign Lord, I am too _________. The Secret Weapon for Your Assignment: Jeremiah 1:9 Jeremiah 1:11-12 B.L.E.S.S. your front row as a lifestyle. Believe for ...
The Big Idea: Christians grieve with hope as we face a death that has lost its sting. 1 Thessalonians 4:13 - 5:11 WHAT IS OUR HOPE AND HOW DO WE GET IT? WE FIND BALANCE WITH TWO EXTREME TRUTHS: 1. Death is a terrible reality that is far outside of God’s design. 2. Death’s sting has been stolen and it now provides our pathway to greatness. John 11:35-38 - Jesus wept. THREE FAULTY PERSPECTIVES: 1. Grief is a lack of faith. 2. Death is the end and it’s all over. 3. Death is natural and a part of li...
Ephesians 4:1-16 The Big Idea: Christian hope makes COMMUNITY possible and grows deeper through community Let’s get this clear: How many churches are there in Olympia? ONE! 1. We are called to live a life worthy of COMMUNITY 2. Jesus gives the GRACE GIFTS we need to become ONE 3. The POWER of a JESUS COMMUNITY is found in the CONNECTION of its members • v16 - as each member does its part, joined and held together by ligaments - grows and builds itself up as each part does its work - each JOINT -...
Leif Holmes, August 4, 2021 IN CHAT – WHEN DO YOU FIND THE MOST FRUSTRATING TO HAVE TO WAIT? Isaiah 40:28-31 WAIT: actual Hebrew literally = (verb) meaning to twist, stretch, with added element = tension of enduring Romans 8:24-25 1 Peter 1:12 Command to wait is NOT PASSIVE, BUT ACTIVE! "But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength" RENEW = “exchange for something better”
2 Corinthians 8:8-11 Big Idea: The hope that we have in Jesus should change how we see everything, including money. 2 Corinthians 8:1-2 2 Corinthians 8:8 How we handle money shows something about our faith. ● Money shows where we’re placing our hope. ● James 2:17 ● James 2:18 1. Generosity leads to more joy ● 2 Corinthians 9:6 ● Proverbs 11:24 (Message Paraphrase) The world of the generous gets larger and larger; the world of the stingy gets smaller and smaller. 2. Our hope in Jesus should lead ...
Romans 14:1-3, 14-15:7 The Big Idea: Cultural diversity is both an obstacle to and an essential ingredient of Biblical clarity and Christian hope. Sometimes you are right and sometimes you are wrong. The problem is knowing in real time which one is true. 3 Guiding Realities for Community: 1. Most of our conflicts are CULTURAL more than THEOLOGICAL. 2. DIVERSITY WITH UNITY is a very real and constant CHALLENGE for all humans. 3. Because of our CULTURAL BLIND SPOTS, we cannot see the whole Truth w...
1 Corinthians 6:12-7:1; 7:27-31 THE BIG IDEA: Christian hope radically shapes our views and practice of sex, singleness, and marriage. 1. A Revolutionary View of Sex: Two Views About Sex: 1) I have the right to feed my appetites however I please. 2) Sex is dirty and bad. ● The key to the whole subject is DESIGN. (v13) ○ Sex is designed to do this: THE FULL GIVING OF ONESELF TO ANOTHER. ■ Not a defiling but necessary mode of PROCREATION. ■ Not just an appetite for self-gratification or satisfacti...
2 Corinthians 4:7-18; 12:7-10 The Big Idea: Suffering is not God’s plan, but it is God’s servant in advancing His Glory. 1. The Certainty of Suffering v16 “Therefore, we do not lose heart, though outwardly we are wasting away…” 2. The Power of Suffering My sufferings are not only not a denial of Jesus, but they are a confirmation of Him. SUFFERING HAS POWER IN TWO WAYS: 1. Relationally: “Death is at work in us but life is at work in you.” 2. Internally: Romans 5:3-5 “To love at all is to be vuln...
