Big Idea: Lament Introduces Purpose out of Pain. 1. WHAT’S HAPPENING? Lamentations 1:1-11 Hebrews 5:7 2. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?  Colossians 3:17 “We live in a world that is beyond our control, and life is in a constant flux of change. So we have a decision to make: keep trying to control a storm that is not going to go away or start learning how to live within the rain.” - Glenn Pemberton, Hurting with God James 1:2 Psalm 88:1-2 3. GOD PROMISES, AND GOD REDEEMS  Jeremiah 7:3-11 Jeremiah 6:10 Genesis 3:15 Response:  • There is participation in the pain. • Hold on to hope&nbs ..read more

If you don’t first live in God’s revealed will, then you can't possibly hope to understand His concealed will. 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 Big Idea: God’s will cannot be discovered by seeking IT, it unfolds as you seek HIM. Fix Your Eyes Forward Galatians 5:1 Live for the name on the front "Play for the name on the front of the shirt and they will remember the name on the back." - Tony Adams Proverbs 3:5-6 Proverbs 16:3 Be Reconciled Psalms 37:4 “Love God and do whatever you please: for the soul trained in love to God will do nothing to offend the One who is Beloved.”  - Augustine of Hip ..read more

If you don’t first live in God’s revealed will, then you can't possibly hope to understand His concealed will. 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 Big Idea: God’s will cannot be discovered by seeking IT, it unfolds as you seek HIM. Fix Your Eyes Forward Galatians 5:1 Live for the name on the front "Play for the name on the front of the shirt and they will remember the name on the back." - Tony Adams Proverbs 3:5-6 Proverbs 16:3 Be Reconciled Psalms 37:4 “Love God and do whatever you please: for the soul trained in love to God will do nothing to offend the One who is Beloved.”  - Augustine of Hip ..read more

Romans 11:33-36 Big Idea: We discern God’s will when we submit our whole being before Him as an offering.  Romans 12 Be a people of love and mercy Romans 12: • “Let love be genuine” (v 9) • “Contribute to the needs of the saints” (v 13) • “Bless those who persecute you” (v 14) • “Weep with those who weep” (v 15) • “Associate with the lowly” (v 16) • “Repay no one evil for evil” (v 17) • “Never avenge yourselves” (v 19) • “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink” (v 20) Give all of yourself to God 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Romans 6:13-14 Hebrews 1 ..read more

John 20:1-18 Big Idea: Redemption began and is fulfilled in the Garden. John 20:30-31 Angels and the Entrance John 20:11-12 Genesis 3:23-24 John 20:1 "The tomb that sealed the body of Jesus became the womb of our salvation." -Max Lucado  Face-to-face with the Gardener John 20:15 Genesis 3:8-9 Genesis 2:22-23 "Easter tells us that every ending is a new beginning." - Anne Graham Lotz  Folded and Finished John 20:6-7 Hebrews 1:8-12 "The story of Easter is the story of God’s wonderful window of divine surprise." - Philip Yancey  John 20:16-18 1 Corinthians 15:20-22 “The ..read more

Philippians 4:4-13 Big Idea: Life carries worry, but Jesus carries peace.  1. Worry Won’t Win  Philippians 4:4-7 “You cannot stop the birds from flying over your head, but you can keep them from building a nest in your hair” - Martin Luther Jeremiah 23:23-24 Proverbs 4:23 Matthew 22:37-40 2. Invest in the Whatevers  Philippians 4:8-9 Psalm 139:23-24 Matthew 28:19-20 3. God Doesn’t Like Secrets  Philippians 4:10-13 Matthew 19:26 Romans 8:31 2 Timothy 2:20-21 Response:  • Trust the Lord to grant peace in place of fear.  • Put the ‘whatevers’ to action ..read more

Big Idea: We find joy in Christ as we grow in spiritual maturity Philippians 3:15-4:1 Growth in Christ is a natural part of our maturity Philippians 3:9-14 1 Corinthians 13:9–11 Our model at Evergreen for growth: • Powerful Worship Gatherings  • Purposeful Relationships • Spiritual Disciplines • Meaningful Service "I think if you had asked Jesus about His spiritual life, He would have looked at you very confused. My guess is He would have asked, “What do you mean by my spiritual life? All of my life is spiritual.” Jesus didn’t buy into sacred/secular thinking. To Him, life is a seaml ..read more

Philippians 3:1-14 Big Idea: In pursuit of Christ, abandon false confidence and press on toward the prize of knowing Jesus. 1. “Beware of Dog” Philippians 3:2 Romans 2:28-29 Reality with God is not a matter of outward conformity to religious rituals, but rather of obedience that results from God changing your heart. 2. Everything, to nothing, back to everything Philippians 3:8 Philippians 3:4-6  Matthew 13:44-46 99% obedience is still disobedience. Christ calls us to give up EVERYTHING in pursuit of Him. Matthew 16:26 3. Pressing Toward the Goal Philippians 3:13-14 “The Christian ..read more

Philippians 2:1-18 Big Idea: Joy is lived out as we imitate Christ How is joy lived out? 1 - Pursue unity in the Body  Strife - squelches the anointing Unity - promotes the anointing  Our behaviors are driven by our attitudes. 2 - Having the mindset of Christ  Philippians 2:10-11 3 - Do everything without grumbling Numbers 11:1 4 - Choose to rejoice Philippians 2:17-18 Response: • Make things right  • Center your life on Christ  • Embrace & choose Joy DISCOVERY BIBLE STUDY ► Connection questions: 1. What are you thankful for? 2. What is a challeng ..read more

“Reacting is an instinctive, emotional response to a situation. It's often impulsive and can be influenced by our past experiences or fears. On the other hand, responding is a thoughtful and deliberate action. It involves considering the situation, weighing the options, and making a conscious decision.” - Laura Noel Philippians 1:12-18 Big Idea: The Gospel turns victims into victors. • See Adversity as Opportunity  Philippians 1:12-14 "Every experience God gives us, every person He puts into our lives, is the perfect preparation for the future that only He can see." - Corrie ten Boom ..read more