Element Christian Church of Santa Maria

Today in Ephesians we explore what it means to put off the old and put on the new. We put off our sin and put on Christ’s righteousness. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION 2024 WINTER MISSIONS UPDATE

In Ephesians 4 Paul will talk about the spiritual “people” gifts of Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors/Shepherds, and Teachers (APEST). Paul picks these gifts here (because there are more gifts in other books of the Bible) for a purpose, that purpose is to help us see Jesus better. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION 2024 WINTER MISSIONS UPDATE

Luke's Gospel highlights female disciples and gives us three names from among that group: Mary Magdalene, Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna. Mary Magdalene’s story is an Easter story. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HEREFIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION

As Paul starts this section of his letter, he moves his focus to our lives and the unity that Christians are supposed to have inside the church. We are to love one another as Christ has first loved us. Within the Church, we will have people of different political views, different tastes in music, differing parenting styles, different food choices, and different ways we enjoy connecting. In every local church there will be different personalities and people from different social statuses; the only way we will ever come together and have our differences be secondary is if (and when) we worship Jesus first. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION 2024 WINTER MISSIONS UPDATE

In the second half of Ephesians Chapter 3 Paul prays (again) for us to walk in power and love. Most of the first 3 chapters of Ephesians is about doctrine, but that doctrine is shown to us through Paul’s prayers. Paul continues to praise God and pray for this church. For Paul, prayer and action are not opposite ends of the scale of Christian activity, he saw much of his actions come directly out of his time in prayer. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION 2024 WINTER MISSIONS UPDATE

As Paul starts Ephesians 3, he stops his thoughts at verse 2 and explores a tangent until verse 14. This tangent reveals his own heart in the midst of hardship. Hardship is one of the ways that we experience the fullness of salvation coming together in the wonder of how He works amidst suffering. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION 2024 WINTER MISSIONS UPDATE

In today’s passage, Paul reminds us how salvation entails being brought into God’s family. We are to be unified in our love and worship of Him; only by getting our eyes off ourselves and on Jesus will we ever see true and lasting unity. It’s important to remember that our very security in God’s family is a result of the work of Jesus Himself. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION 2024 WINTER MISSIONS UPDATE

Today we are going to walk through one of the most profound things in the Bible, being saved by grace through faith…and then being sent out to be God’s workmanship in the world. Ephesians 2:1-3 shows us what we are saved from: our trespasses and sin. Ephesians 2:4-7 shows us what are saved through: God’s mercy and kindness (we go from spiritual death to life). Ephesians 2:8-10 shows us what we are saved for: a life of faith and good works. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION 2024 WINTER MISSIONS UPDATE

While Ephesians 1 sees salvation from God’s point of view, Chapter 2 examines salvation more from a human point of view. Chapter 3 will combine both perspectives so that the following chapters (4-6) are very practical in their theology. The truth is we cannot live practically unless we know what we believe; doctrine is important. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION 2024 WINTER MISSIONS UPDATE

Ephesians 1:3-14, in the Greek text, is one sentence and one prayer. Paul seems so excited about God that he doesn’t have time for punctuation! He starts and ends with “praise God,” and in the middle, he proclaims who God is and what He has done. Paul is trying to get us to see the magnificence of Jesus as the King over all things. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION

Ephesians 1:3-14, in the Greek text, is one sentence and one prayer. Paul seems so excited about God that he doesn’t have time for punctuation! He starts and ends with “praise God,” and in the middle, he proclaims who God is and what He has done. Paul is trying to get us to see the magnificence of Jesus as the King over all things. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION

When it comes to a book like Ephesians, our brains and rational leanings almost do us a disservice. We are in a world of deep theological truths, but can get distracted by certain words and phrases (e.g., election, predestination, etc.). WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION

Before Paul gets into his specific prayers for others, he establishes the appropriate context for all Christian prayer, reflection, and exhortation: The worship and adoration of the God who has lavished His love upon us. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION

“To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus,” is to whom the letter of Ephesians is addressed. The letter itself is written in a more formal way than some of Paul’s other writings, which tend to have a rapid-fire pace. Ephesians has a trajectory to it that shows us salvation from God’s point of view in Chapter One, salvation from a human point of view in Chapter Two, and how those both come together in Chapter Three. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION

Yes, it is 2024 and we are doing one last message in our Not So Little Women series by looking at a forgotten mother named Hannah. Hannah is the mother of the prophet, Samuel, who would go on to become the most known prophet in ancient Israel. Samuel will anoint Israel’s first king, Saul, and their greatest king, David. Aside from Samuel’s legacy, however, we see Hannah is an amazing woman who teaches us what true trust in God looks like. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HEREFALL/WINTER UPDATE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION

The Not So Little Women series focuses on stories of different women in the Bible. Today, we look at Martha, on of Jesus' disciples. Who was Martha? – She was a disciple of Jesus. Martha was from Bethany, a 2-mile walk from Jerusalem. She was the sister of Mary (of Bethany) and Lazarus. Martha was a ‘get things done’ person and likely had a gift for hospitality. What is her story? – While hosting Jesus at her home, Martha became frustrated with her sister ‘sitting at the feet of Jesus’ while she served Jesus. Jesus spoke truth in love to Martha - teaching her that women and men both can be His disciples, and that ‘being with’ Him supersedes ‘doing for’ Him. Much later, Martha proclaimed her belief in Jesus as Messiah, witnessed Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead, and served a meal in Jesus’ honor. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HEREFALL/WINTER UPDATE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION

Merry Christmas Eve. We tend to see Mary and Joseph as people who were overflowing with blessings because God had provided them with the miraculous birth of Jesus. Instead, the reality is that they had just as many questions as we would about a “virgin birth.” Mary and Joseph most likely lived with rumors and innuendos following them most of their life. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HEREFALL/WINTER UPDATE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION

We often prefer to learn lessons from people we like or have an affinity toward. We do not often think that we can learn lessons from those whose lives or choices are “questionable.” All too often, we want to write off the ugly parts of the Bible and only focus on the happy places…or reframe the narratives so people do not look as bad as they actually are. The Bible is not a book that shows us superhuman heroes; it shows us the failures of all humankind and how we, as modern readers, are complicit because we do the exact same things. The Bible’s thrust is to show us that it is only Jesus who can save us, because only He is truly good. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HEREFALL/WINTER UPDATE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION

We often prefer to learn lessons from people we like or have an affinity toward. We do not often think that we can learn lessons from those whose lives or choices are “questionable.” All too often, we want to write off the ugly parts of the Bible and only focus on the happy places…or reframe the narratives so people do not look as bad as they actually are. The Bible is not a book that shows us superhuman heroes; it shows us the failures of all humankind and how we, as modern readers, are complicit because we do the exact same things. The Bible’s thrust is to show us that it is only Jesus who can save us, because only He is truly good. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HEREFALL/WINTER UPDATE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION

Deborah was the only female judge in the Old Testament book of Judges. Her story is the dream we should have for all the children at Element: that they would grow up to know God, walk with God, lead others to know God, and to speak honestly and truthfully. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HEREFALL/WINTER UPDATE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION

Today in our Not So Little Women series, we look at a woman named Abigail who was married to a “worthless” man named Nabal. We meet a few men in this story, yet all of them look terrible and make bad decisions. The only time we see them come back from the brink is when Abigail speaks wisdom into their folly. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE FALL/WINTER UPDATE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION

When we see things that look sexist or misogynistic in the Bible, we must understand that those things came about because of the Fall. Rather than a reflection of God’s heart/character, such things reflect the damage of sin in our world and our own rebellion against God. Misogyny is a distortion of God’s original intent and design. Therefore, it’s important to understand God’s redemptive work, as opposed to blaming Him for the faults of sinful people. The book of Esther is meant to show God’s providential care of His people. Providence is “the foreseeing care and guidance of God over the creatures of the earth.” God is not specifically mentioned in Esther, and the absence of His mention is especially striking. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE FALL/WINTER UPDATE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION

Today in our Not So Little Women series, we are looking at Vashti, a Babylonian queen who was married to the Persian king, Xerxes. • Who is Vashti? Xerxes had many wives and concubines; God shows us what happened to Vashti, one of the relatively unknown wives. The Babylonian rabbis cast Vashti in a negative light, saying she was a “wicked Jew-hater.” The rabbis of Erez Israel (meaning from the land of Israel) portrayed her in a mostly positive manner. They describe Vashti as a “scion of a royal dynasty and deported herself with the proper honor and nobility.” • What happened? Almost all Jewish scholars agree that Vashti was commanded to come before King Xerxes and all of his inebriated officials wearing only her royal crown (naked). Xerxes treats Vashti like prioerty, not like a wife. Esther 1:12 But when the attendants delivered the king’s command, Queen Vashti refused to come. Vashti refuses to come and is most likely punished with death. The king’s ego suffers a blow, and he passes laws (while intoxicated) decreeing that all women must obey their husbands. • What do we learn from Vashti? Honor. She spoke and acted in accordance with her principles, and she lived and died for the sake of it. You see Vashti fulfill her role as a queen and member of the royal household until it violated honor. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE FALL/WINTER UPDATE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION

Today we’re looking at Jesus’ remarkable encounter with the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well in John 4. It’s the longest conversation recorded in the Bible that Jesus has with anyone—man or woman. He disrupts the status quo by speaking with her, crossing cultural and gender boundaries. In this encounter, we witness the boundless nature of God’s grace and love. Jesus challenges us to break down our own prejudices and expectations and to see the worth of every soul. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION

We are doing a series, called Not So Little Women, where we look at the stories of different women in the Bible. Today we look at an unlikely ancestor of Jesus, Rahab. Who was Rahab? – Rahab was a prostitute living in the city of Jericho when the Israelites were about to invade and conquer the land. • What is her story? – When Joshua sent two spies to scout out Jericho before attacking, Rahab hid the spies and helped them escape, lying to the authorities about their whereabouts. She made the spies promise to spare her and her family when the Israelites attacked. When Jericho was conquered, Rahab and her family were spared, as promised, and she was allowed to live among the Israelites from then on. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION

We are doing a series, called Not So Little Women, where we look at the stories of different women in the Bible. Today we look at a matriarch of Israel, Rebekah. • Who was Rebekah? – She was Isaac’s wife, the granddaughter of Abraham’s brother, and the mother of Jacob and Esau. • What is her story? – Through specific answers to prayer, God chose Rebekah for Isaac’s wife. Isaac prayed for Rebekah and she conceived twins, Jacob and Esau. Years later, Rebekah instructed Jacob, her favorite son, to deceive his father Isaac so he would receive Esau’s blessing. As a result, Esau planned to murder Jacob, Jacob was sent away for 20 years, and Rebekah never saw her beloved son again. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION

We are doing a series, called Not So Little Women, where we look at the stories of different women in the Bible. Today we look at an evil woman named Jezebel. • Who was Jezebel? – She was the daughter of Ethbaal, king of the Sidonians. She worshiped false gods and led Ahab in the same direction. • What is her story? – She was raised in a cult and then offered in marriage to King Ahab in Israel. As soon as she became queen, she persuaded her husband to promote the worship of various false gods—including Baal and Asherah—among the people of Israel. She orchestrated the murder of the priests of God and conspired to rule Israel through her offspring. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION

Through the end of the year we are doing a series on stories about women in the Bible. We want to see how God uses all of us for His glory and our good; today we spend time looking at Eve, “the mother of all the living”(Gen 3:20). WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION

When reading the scriptures, some people walk away feeling like women are shown to be less than men in their worth or calling. There is much division today about how gender, roles, and God’s calling all intersect. We can see that before the Fall, however, men and women were called to complement each other instead of be in competition with each other. Even in Christian circles, many have lost sight of what the Scriptures actually say about women. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION

This sermon marks the end of our 11-week series on forgiveness. Throughout this series, we have seen how forgiveness is a reflection of the gift God has given to us through Jesus— grace and mercy from the Cross in response to our sinful rebellion. This series ends on a practical note of what it means to extend forgiveness and pursue reconciliation with others, including when we have wronged others and when we are the one who has been wronged. It is important to understand that forgiveness is a commitment that precedes an emotional change—feelings like anger can be righteous and healthy as we understand the cost of wrongdoing against us. However, we are called to confront sin lovingly and work toward restoration with those who wrong us. Jesus calls us to overcome evil by not repaying evil with evil, blessing those who persecute us, forgiving without revenge, maintaining relationship (if possible/safe), meeting needs, and acting humbly. The ability to be humble comes directly from our understanding of the Cross, as we see how we are also sinners in need of forgiveness and reconciliation with God. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HEREDOWNLOAD READING PLAN HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION

When someone wrongs us, Jesus says we must “pay attention to ourselves” and be aware of our own tendency toward resentment and unforgiveness. The Gospel challenges us in that we must identify with the wrongdoer as a fellow sinner in need of grace. Forgiveness means we inwardly pay the debt of the wrongdoer ourselves instead of seeking revenge; this is a reflection of what Jesus has done for us through the cross. Complete, Biblical forgiveness is willing the good of the wrongdoer as we seek their restoration. One assumption that informs this is that evil is separate from the person who has committed evil. We see in Scripture how God works redemptively in places of evil and brokenness to bring about good. Reflecting on Christ’s sacrificial love humbles us out of pride, affirms us out of inferiority, and inspires us to forgive. When we understand the costliness of grace, it transforms our hearts to be more forgiving. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HEREDOWNLOAD READING PLAN HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION

This sermon focuses on understanding the difference between true guilt (for objectively wrong deeds) and false guilt (disproportionate feelings). Secular approaches to “self-forgiveness” fall short because they leave out our vertical relationship with God that was broken by sin. True repentance before God involves fully owning our sin without blame-shifting, self-pity, or self-flagellation. It requires confessing the wrong and forsaking it through changed attitudes and actions. Through repentance, we move from being weighed down by guilt to rejoicing in God’s forgiveness. Many struggle to forgive themselves, because they don’t grasp the depths of their own forgiveness in the Gospel. However, Scripture shows us that we can have humility about our sin and confidence in God’s grace. Understanding Christ’s substitutionary death for us empowers us to turn from sin and live in the forgiveness we’ve received. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HEREDOWNLOAD READING PLAN HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION

This week’s message focuses on the role of guilt/shame in understanding our need for forgiveness. Many today seek to avoid or dismiss the concept of guilt or shame, or even attempt to cover it through their own efforts. A Biblical worldview clearly names and describes the implications of the Fall—humankind’s rebellion against God and the unraveling of our world—and depicts how we are unable to rescue ourselves. As a result of this rupture, we are faced with shame and anxiety as we grapple with our own brokenness. However, the Gospel is truly good news, as it tells us Jesus doesn’t just make us righteous through His sacrifice, but is also working to bring restoration and shalom. Our forgiveness and reconciliation of one another can be seen as part of this restorative work. When we can humbly admit our need before God and receive His grace, we can more eagerly move toward each other in love. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HEREDOWNLOAD READING PLAN HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION

This week’s message on biblical forgiveness focuses on how forgiveness aims to restore community. God’s forgiveness of us individually is meant to be reflected in our own relationships with other broken people. Scripture calls us to rebuke those who sin against us, but also to forgive endlessly. This combines confronting wrongs while being willing to reconcile when the other party is willing. The Passover shows that all are guilty and substitution is the only way to satisfy justice and love—Jesus’ death is that substitution for us. Mark 11 and Luke 17 give a nuanced view - we can forgive inwardly even without the offender’s repentance, yet full reconciliation requires their repentance. These passages show how forgiveness entails an inward attitude and an outward action. Both are vital—inner forgiveness alone risks enabling harm, while outward forgiveness alone risks being transactional. Forgiveness promotes justice by confronting evil out of love, like Jesus’ command to love our enemies. This distinct love reflects God’s gracious love toward us. Restoring community requires learning to live in the grace we’ve received. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HEREDOWNLOAD READING PLAN HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION

This week’s message focuses on balancing justice and love when forgiving others. Scripture condemns seeking revenge, hating others, and bearing grudges against those who wrong us. Instead, it calls us to rebuke those who do wrong while also loving them. True forgiveness requires both justice and love - if we only forgive without confronting the wrongdoing, we enable further harm, but if we only seek justice without forgiving, we risk vengeance. The doctrine of substitutionary atonement shows God’s commitment to justice against sin, while also offering forgiveness through Christ’s sacrifice. This models how we should pursue justice and forgiveness. The cross inverts oppressive power dynamics. Out of love, we must help perpetrators see their wrongdoing while praying for their repentance and restoration. Forgiveness and justice together provide the chance for real repentance. Pursuing both is difficult but vital for living out biblical forgiveness. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HEREDOWNLOAD READING PLAN HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION

A reading of the white paper “Justice: The Foundation of a Christian Approach to Abuse”, written by Jacob and Rachael Denhollander. Read by Nicole Pruett WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HEREDOWNLOAD READING PLAN HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION

This week’s message explores how Christianity introduces an ethic that challenges our innate self-centeredness. Because of who Jesus is and how He has loved us, we are compelled to sacrificially love others. We go from self-regarding to self-giving as followers of Jesus. It’s understandable, then, that forgiveness would be especially difficult for a self-regarding people. Because we have been transformed by the grace of Jesus, however, we are empowered to forgive others and reflect the love of God. It is because of God that we can truly love others and even love forgiveness, even though it is costly. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HEREDOWNLOAD READING PLAN HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION

This week’s message explores how Christianity introduces an ethic that challenges our innate self-centeredness. Because of who Jesus is and how He has loved us, we are compelled to sacrificially love others. We go from self-regarding to self-giving as followers of Jesus. It’s understandable, then, that forgiveness would be especially difficult for a self-regarding people. Because we have been transformed by the grace of Jesus, however, we are empowered to forgive others and reflect the love of God. It is because of God that we can truly love others and even love forgiveness, even though it is costly. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HEREDOWNLOAD READING PLAN HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION

This week’s message explores different models/views on forgiveness that are popular today. Those that refuse to understand the costliness of grace (as shown by the Cross) distort the reality of what forgiveness entails. As opposed to forgiveness being blind, transactional, therapeutic, weaponized, or withheld, forgiveness is a reflection of God’s own forgiveness of us in Jesus. In Jesus, we see that forgiveness is costly, sacrificial, and restorative. The Gospel grants us both humility (because of how we have sinned against God) and assurance of His full forgiveness and restoration of us. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HEREDOWNLOAD READING PLAN HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION

In this week’s message, we explore the parable of the unforgiving servant in Matthew 18. We can learn a lot from this parable, as we see that we have been forgiven of an impossible debt by a generous King. We also see that King, God, desires for us to extend the same mercy He has shown us to others. Realizing the gravity of our own wrongs will destroy any sense of entitlement and humble our hearts. If we are unable to extend forgiveness to others, however, it reveals that we have not understood, or even worse, we have not been truly transformed by the grace and mercy God has shown us. In either case, we are not experiencing the full effect of the Gospel in our lives, and it is not being demonstrated to others. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HEREDOWNLOAD READING PLAN HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION

This message marks the first in a series of 11 messages on the topic of forgiveness inspired by Tim Keller’s book Forgive. As we progress through the series and come to understand what forgiveness looks like in our own lives, we have to start with a broader exploration of what forgiveness even is - renouncing revenge and being open to reconciliation. Many people, inside and outside the Church, have different opinions of what forgiveness is, but we must come to understand how it is portrayed in Scripture. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HEREDOWNLOAD READING PLAN HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION

If we look to use Galatians for its intended purpose, we can gain so much valuable understanding from it. The end of the letter is more than a wrap-up; it is a reiteration of the letter’s entire aim. Galatians 6:14 is one of the best verses in Galatians and most of the Bible, because it explains the meaning and the power of the cross. (NIV) “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” It seems that this WHOLE letter, the WHOLE last 26 weeks is a call to boast in the cross of Christ alone! We can only boast in the cross, however, if we truly understand what it means. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HEREDOWNLOAD READING PLAN HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION

Galatians 6:6-10 is technically part of Galatians 6:1-5; both passages are two parts of the same thought. Last week we talked about being nothing and something; the week before that, we spoke about burdens and loads. All these concepts are meant to go together—just as we, as parts of the same body of Christ, come together. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HEREDOWNLOAD READING PLAN HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION

As Paul does for most of the book of Galatians, he reiterates that our righteousness—our right relationship with God—comes only from Christ. It is important for us to understand who we are in Christ, because that will simultaneously bring us humility and boldness. Christianity has done great good in the world, and continues to do so, but it seems that the evil wrought by sinful people in the name of Christianity gets more press. Christians by and large are compassionate people, but we tend to fall just like everyone else. Unfortunately, when people see Christianity today, they don’t see the love and grace of Jesus— they see crusades, inquisitions, and hypocrisy. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HEREDOWNLOAD READING PLAN HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION

God sends His Spirit to dwell in us so that we are no longer orphans, but family; we become adopted children of God. We must continually return to the means by which we were saved—the Gospel. One of the greatest ways others can see the transformation of the Gospel in our lives is how we love one another. Gal 5:26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. This is how we are to live together as the family of God. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HEREDOWNLOAD READING PLAN HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION

Galatians 5:16-25 is one of the most well-known passages in Galatians as it talks about “the fruit of the Spirit.” Tim Keller wrote that he doesn’t think there is any better passage in all the Scriptures than Galatians 5 in showing us what spiritual life results in. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HEREDOWNLOAD READING PLAN HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION

Churches can be messy places because they are full of people. God knows His church is messed up because it is full of people, people He purchased with the blood of Jesus. Todd Wilson writes, “Clearly, God is convinced the church is a mess worth making!” WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HEREDOWNLOAD READING PLAN HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION

For thousands of years, fellowship with God had been established through observance of the Law, but the Law was always a time of winter—a time of waiting. There are different modes of travel that are appropriate during the winter season. If you try to use winter modes of travel (e.g., snowshoes, snowmobiles, etc.) during springtime (when everything has melted), you will get stuck and no longer be able to travel. Similarly, the false teachers in Galatia wanted the Galatians to use the Law in a season where it was no longer needed—through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus fulfilled the Law. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HEREDOWNLOAD READING PLAN HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION

For thousands of years, fellowship with God had been established through observance of the Law, but the Law was always a time of winter—a time of waiting. There are different modes of travel that are appropriate during the winter season. If you try to use winter modes of travel (e.g., snowshoes, snowmobiles, etc.) during springtime (when everything has melted), you will get stuck and no longer be able to travel. Similarly, the false teachers in Galatia wanted the Galatians to use the Law in a season where it was no longer needed—through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus fulfilled the Law. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HEREDOWNLOAD READING PLAN HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION

Galatians is a book written to churches where false teachers came in and began to contradict Paul’s original Christian message. • The false teachers were saying: “Believe in Jesus, obey the law, and as a result, you’ll be saved.” • Paul said: “Believe in Jesus, be saved, and as a result, you will want to obey God.” There is a huge difference between belief + obedience = salvation and belief + salvation = obedience. you. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HEREDOWNLOAD READING PLAN HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION

Galatians is a book about grace and how we so often misunderstand it. Today, Paul breaks his tone with the Galatians and reveals part of his heart, because it is necessary for him to emotionally convey what he is thinking and feeling. He starts with an appeal to friendship Gal 4:12Brothers, I entreat you, become as I am, for I also have become as you are…and will end with a desire to change his tone of the entire letter Gal 4:20 I wish I could be present with you now and change my tone, for I am perplexed about you. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HEREDOWNLOAD READING PLAN HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION

Today in Galatians, we see Paul change his tone as he stops talking about theology and speaks in a different way to his hearers. Paul has a “heart-to-heart” moment as he appeals to his friendship with the Galatians (even calling them “brothers”). Paul appeals to friendships family loyalty and a mutual bond established by their common experience of God’s great rescue. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HEREDOWNLOAD READING PLAN HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION

Paul’s admonition today in Galatians is to stop worshiping false gods (or “elementary principles of the world”). In our current mindset, it may be easy to think, “Of course we shouldn’t worship false gods.” All too often, however, we easily fall into the trap of doing so. False gods (or elementary principles) do not just include pagan rituals or Norse mythology; false gods include anything we focus on that leads us away from Jesus and the truth of the Gospel. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HEREDOWNLOAD READING PLAN HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION

At the end of 2022, Element went through a 13-week series on prayer. We said that, “Prayer is a continuing conversation that God has started through His Word and provided by His grace, which eventually becomes a full encounter with Him.” Prayer starts with God revealing Himself to us through His Spirit and His written word. In response, we can know Him and enjoy and experience relationship lived with Him. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HEREDOWNLOAD READING PLAN HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION

The Jewish people held Moses as the greatest messenger of God’s will and blessing because he brought the Law to the people. Paul will say something both amazing and offensive at the same time: Moses was a mediator Moses was a terrible mediator When Moses showed up (as a mediator), he made things worse, because the Law only revealed the depth of our sin; the Law was powerless to actually save us. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HEREDOWNLOAD READING PLAN HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION

In Galatians 3:6-14 Paul shows the disaster that can happen when people go down the path of religious law-keeping in order to find righteousness or acceptance before God. Paul has been on this journey before with many others, and he knows how to keep us on the path, as too often, we get lost seeking God’s acceptance of us. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE VIEW WINTER MISSION UPDATE HERE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HEREDOWNLOAD READING PLAN HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION

The Law of Moses, as found in the first five books of the Bible, has been a hotbed of debate ever since God gave it to us. There are those today who say that in order to be a Christian, you must also follow the law (just like they said to the Galatians). Paul has been arguing that we are saved by the mercy and grace of God through faith in what Christ did for us at the cross. False teachers said, “First, believe in Jesus Christ; second, obey God’s law; then, third, you’ll be saved.” Paul taught, however, “First, believe in Jesus Christ; second, you’re saved; and third, as a result, you will want to obey God.” WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE VIEW WINTER MISSION UPDATE HERE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HEREDOWNLOAD READING PLAN HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION

How we live the Christian life is a topic of endless books, seminars, camps, and conferences; in Galatians Paul speaks of living in the Spirit’s power. When he speaks of the Spirit’s power, he is referring to God the Holy Spirit and the restored relationship that is provided in Christ. When we understand the truth of the Gospel, we have a transformative and supernatural power to live for Christ in real ways. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE VIEW WINTER MISSION UPDATE HERE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HEREDOWNLOAD READING PLAN HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION

Up to this point in Galatians, Paul has been recounting his story of how and why he preaches grace and the Gospel. He has been giving a couple of stories about his life, his interactions with the church in Jerusalem, and his confrontation between Peter and himself. This confrontation was about the nature of the Gospel, the essence of the Christian faith, and what a Christian really is. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE VIEW WINTER MISSION UPDATE HERE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HEREDOWNLOAD READING PLAN HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION

In this long form bonus episode, Aaron and Michael interview Kevin, our new hire for High School and post graduation ministries. This get-to-know you episode is for you to hear Kevin’s journey getting here and his heart for ministry. CLICK HERE TO EMAIL KEVIN WATCH THIS WEEK'S SERVICE ON YOUTUBE

Truth is a big deal in our culture, but the truth we adhere to is often personal truth based on what we feel, and not on what is objectively true. Christianity believes there is absolute truth and it is found in Jesus. That claim has caused a lot of people to shy away from Christianity, because we are often taught that if someone claims they have absolute truth, it undermines others’ freedom. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE VIEW WINTER MISSION UPDATE HERE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HEREDOWNLOAD READING PLAN HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION

In this section of Galatians, there is an encounter that feels like one of the most awkward moments in the early church: Paul goes after Peter for separating himself from Gentiles he was eating with previously. After a group of Jewish men show up in Antioch, Peter reverts to the old ways of keeping distance from those who were not Jewish. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE WATCH THAILAND INFO MEETING DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HEREDOWNLOAD READING PLAN HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION

In an effort to bring unity, Paul speaks of his travels to Jerusalem and what the leaders there thought of his ministry (they validated it). He ends with this line: Gal 2:10 Only, they asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do. An issue at the beginning of Galatians 2 was whether the Gospel Paul preached among Gentiles was sufficient, or whether something needed to be added to it. While the church leaders in Jerusalem agreed with Paul about the sufficiency of the Gospel, they did make a request: They asked Paul to remember the poor! WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE WATCH THAILAND INFO MEETING DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HEREDOWNLOAD READING PLAN HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION

Paul has a passion for the Gospel. It is why he continues to tell his own story about what God did and continues to do. Sometimes it is easy to talk about the need for grace in our lives, but it is another thing to see or believe how much we really need that grace. Paul has been telling his story of coming to understand God’s grace in Galatians 1. He will do a 3-year time jump in chapter 1 by talking about how he first met Peter and James. Today he continues his telling of his story and will pick up approximately 14 years from where he was in the last chapter. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE WATCH THAILAND INFO MEETING DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HEREDOWNLOAD READING PLAN HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION

We all have a grid for how we view our life—the things that happen around us and the things that happen to us. At Element we are constantly trying to get people to see their lives through the larger narrative of God’s story. Very often, we tend to narrate life through the lens of our past. All of our joys, sorrows, ups, and downs filter through and inform how we interpret the world around us. If we place ourselves at the center of our story, then our vision will be skewed by life’s events. If our stories can be re-narrated with God at the center, everything we have ever gone through can have a new and different purpose—a redemptive purpose. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE WATCH THAILAND INFO MEETING DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HEREDOWNLOAD READING PLAN HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION

In week one we started by talking about what the Gospel is, who Paul was writing to, and Paul’s apostleship and authority. People have now arrived in the area of Galatia who are trying to tear Paul’s teaching down by saying he was a secondhand apostle and wasn’t actually sent by Jesus. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE DOWNLOAD READING PLAN HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION

In week one we started by talking about what the Gospel is, who Paul was writing to, and Paul’s apostleship and authority. People have now arrived in the area of Galatia who are trying to tear Paul’s teaching down by saying he was a secondhand apostle and wasn’t actually sent by Jesus. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE DOWNLOAD READING PLAN HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION

Galatians is a book about God’s grace as seen specifically in the Gospel. This book was the central theological work that brought about what we now call “The Reformation.” Martin Luther’s commentary on Galatians says, “…tyrants and enemies of ours may accuse and frighten us, but they dare not condemn us, for Christ, whom God the Father has raised from the dead is our righteousness and our victory.” Many people, when they start Galatians, skip the intro and jump to verse 6, but we must start at the beginning. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE DOWNLOAD READING PLAN HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION

Last week we looked at Paul's prayer in Ephesians 3. Today we want to flesh that out in how we truly view God. We want to become a people who know that the reason we pray is not to get things from God, but to know Him better. Prayer is often misunderstood because we think it is about getting from God rather than being with God; this is why Paul prays that we would be reminded who God is. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION

Statistics and surveys today tell us that most people in America (and around the world) say that they are spiritual but not "religious." They are not interested in what would be called "institutional religion." They also say they value "spirituality" and are "spiritual" themselves. It is important in this series to understand what "spiritual-ness" actually is and is not. Paul's prayer, which we look at this week, focuses on the point that we should expect and seek profound, life-changing spiritual experiences of the love and joy of God. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION

Daniel is one of the most famous Bible heroes of all time. He prays to God and recognizes where his country failed, but also where God showed Himself as faithful. The book of Daniel, historically speaking, is written while the nation of Israel is in captivity in the nation of Babylon. Daniel was probably, scholars say, somewhere in his middle school years when he went to Babylon and yet you see a strong commitment to God in Daniel's life. How does Daniel pray? WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION

During the last few weeks of this series on prayer, we want to look at examples of how people prayed in the Scriptures so that we can have insight into what real prayer looks like. Today we look at a prayer by Heman that is dark; as a matter of fact, the last word in the Psalm is darkness. There is a reason we want to study a dark prayer like this. Growth, for us, happens most often in the darkest times when we are faced with the question: "Where are we looking for salvation?" When times are dark, we must pray in the midst of it and pray through it, this will allow our prayers to be honest and real. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION

This week we begin to make a transition from talking about what prayer is, to how certain people in the Bible prayed. We have walked through unanswered prayers, real prayer, the "Lord's Prayer," ceaseless prayer, and what "praying in the Spirit" means. Now we want to see how some people in the Bible actually prayed and what their examples can show us. The Bible says real spirituality is not just believing in God or even talking to God; real spirituality is responding to a living God who speaks, has spoken, and acts in the world. God has come to reveal Himself in real ways. Real "spirituality" is knowing the God who comes and shows Himself to us through His word. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION

Praying in the Spirit can sound other-worldly and spooky, but that is what the Scriptures tell us to do. The Greek word for "pray in" means "by means of," "with the help of," "in the sphere of," and "in connection to." Praying in the Spirit does not refer simply to the words we are saying, but it refers to how we are praying. Praying in the Spirit is praying according to the Holy Spirit's leading. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION

People everywhere have at least some difficulty knowing how to pray. We tend to default to the way we have heard others pray. Because we've heard people being "eloquent" as they pray, we think God wants us to step up our vocabulary to a higher level, so we try to learn the new spiritual dialect, but God wants to have a relationship with us as we are. Today and this week we are going to take a look at a METHOD of prayer that became popular several years ago, called the ACTS Method. It is meant to help us guide our prayer time and bring some balance to it at the same time. DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION

People everywhere have at least some difficulty knowing how to pray. We tend to default to the way we have heard others pray. Because we've heard people being "eloquent" as they pray, we think God wants us to step up our vocabulary to a higher level, so we try to learn the new spiritual dialect, but God wants to have a relationship with us as we are. Today and this week we are going to take a look at a METHOD of prayer that became popular several years ago, called the ACTS Method. It is meant to help us guide our prayer time and bring some balance to it at the same time. DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION

It is interesting that Jesus' disciples never asked Him to teach them how to prophesy or preach, but they did ask Him to teach them how to pray. Most often, Jesus taught others how to pray by simply praying. He would pray where the disciples could see and hear Him, but He also went off to pray by Himself (sometimes at the most inconvenient times) and the disciples had to take care of themselves. That alone time was important for Jesus in how He modeled a life with God in front of the disciples. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION

Some people pray and are constantly wondering if God hears them. If and when we do pray, we usually expect God to interact with us in a way that we find acceptable. When He doesn't, we may think there is something wrong with the relationship or with God Himself. We are told that God is like a Father, which is wonderful, but some people view that relationship as one where God must always give us the answers we are seeking. Prayer, for some people, simply becomes a way to avoid the anxiety and responsibility of making a choice. As a Father, God knows that there are many times we will grow more when we have to think about what truly glorifies Him, asking others for wise counsel, and choosing to take responsibility. As a good parent, God is wise and will make sure that His children learn to choose the correct course, because there is no other way to grow character. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION

Unanswered prayers can be challenging for us on an individual level. They can be especially challenging in a group/community setting, where different opinions/interpretations of why they've gone unanswered come to the forefront. This sermon challenges the misconceptions we often have and shows us how we can offer Gospel encouragement to one another in the midst of our waiting-when we've yet to see/hear an answer from God or when He doesn't respond in the way we would like. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION

In order for us to have a deep relationship with God, we must know and trust who He is in His person. Too often, we make up who we want God to be and then worship that image as God. Rather than living in the truth that we are made in His image, we try to remake God in our image and that never goes well. One of our biggest obstacles to prayer is that often we are praying for what we want rather than what God wants for us. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION

This week kicks off our sermon series dedicated specifically to prayer. There are many ideas about what prayer is or isn't throughout the world, and prayer can seem overwhelming or intimidating to a lot of people. However, the Christian faith is centered on a personal God revealed in Jesus Christ, and we are allowed to approach Him anytime and in full honesty through prayer! Prayer is not about our work, vocabulary, or righteousness; rather, it is about God's work in our hearts. As with any relationship, communication is central. By knowing who Jesus is and experiencing His grace, we are drawn into prayer with Him. It is also through prayer that we continually encounter Him and grow in faith and maturity. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION WATCH THIS WEEK’S TALKING ELEMENT EPISODE

Christie and Aaron sit down and discuss why she began journaling and how it has helped. Offers some simple ways to begin journaling for others. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE WATCH THIS WEEK’S TALKING ELEMENT EPISODE

Church discipline sounds controlling; yet Jesus teaches us that in love and grace confrontation may need to happen. Why should one Christian confront another? WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION WATCH THIS WEEK’S TALKING ELEMENT EPISODE

Aaron and Russ Sharer sit down to discuss 1 John 3:9, and how this series (Never Read A Bible Verse *without context) has helped Russ. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE WATCH THIS WEEK’S TALKING ELEMENT EPISODE

Matt 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations… God has called His people to be on mission for Him in the world, but what does that mean? Kevin DeYoung says, “The mission of the church is the task given by God for the people of God to accomplish in the world.” We make disciples by bearing witness to Jesus and what He is doing as the Son of God. • Mission is not just for other people that aren’t us. • Mission is how all of us are called to live. • Mission is not an intangible goal; it is normal life lived in new ways. Many people feel that the term “mission” is so far above them. For some, mission is only feeding the homeless, painting a house, or taking someone a meal; mission can be those things, but mission is simpler and deeper than that at the same time. The mission that we are on is to make disciples. It is us being able to understand the Gospel in tangible ways so that we come alongside each other in order to help one another live each moment in Christ. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION

Starting with Jesus and going down the line, the Bible is mostly about people whose faith in God not only does not prevent their suffering but very often causes their suffering. No one consoles someone else in the Bible with, "God won't give you more than you can handle." WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION

Anxiety is real and can have a myriad of causes; if you struggle with it, please understand that you are not alone. The Greek word for anxious in Philippians 4:6 literally means to “have cares”; it has the connotation of letting your thoughts be overly focused on one thing. A lot of the advice in our world regarding anxiety is unhelpful, but Scripture offers much wisdom in how a healthy view of God can help us alleviate our own anxieties and worries. Rather than turning our gaze inward, our focus should be on God. In Matthew 6 (the Sermon on the Mount), Jesus teaches us a few lessons: 1) Anxiousness can come from a lack of faith—while our salvation is secured by trusting Jesus, our practical unbelief can contribute to worry. 2) Anxiousness can come from a confused priority—Jesus reminds us that all the things we need to exist will be given to us. 3) Anxiousness can come from a lack of focus—If you are constantly thinking about tomorrow, you will fail to live today as God intends you to….for His glory. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION

This week, we continue to explore how reading Scripture out of context can lead us to wrong or dangerous conclusions. The verse Steve covered (Philippians 4:13) has often been used to boost morale or celebrate human accomplishments, centering the focus on us and what we can do (with God’s help, of course). Essentially, it has been interpreted as a “Christian” version of, “You can do anything you put your mind to.” This can be problematic when things don’t go the way we want them to—does that mean we are in sin, don’t have enough faith, or that God is not as powerful as we thought? WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION

When Jesus dies for our sin and rises from the grave, He sends His Holy Spirit to be our advocate, our counselor. The Holy Spirit is not just limited now to prophets, the Spirit now dwells in those who have placed our faith in Jesus. In the New Testament we see Jesus’ followers start to change the world, men and women both. The first people Jesus revealed Himself to after the resurrection were women, which scholars today say is some of the best evidence for the resurrection. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION WATCH THIS WEEK’S TALKING ELEMENT EPISODE

Aaron sits down with Christina Sultan, the director of CareNet Pregnancy Center to discuss the Dobbs case, abortion, and what CareNet does and is doing. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE WATCH THIS WEEK’S TALKING ELEMENT EPISODE

When Jesus dies for our sin and rises from the grave, He sends His Holy Spirit to be our advocate, our counselor. The Holy Spirit is not just limited now to prophets, the Spirit now dwells in those who have placed our faith in Jesus. In the New Testament we see Jesus’ followers start to change the world, men and women both. The first people Jesus revealed Himself to after the resurrection were women, which scholars today say is some of the best evidence for the resurrection. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION WATCH THIS WEEK’S TALKING ELEMENT EPISODE

Aaron sits down with Christina Sultan, the director of CareNet Pregnancy Center to discuss the Dobbs case, abortion, and what CareNet does and is doing. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE WATCH THIS WEEK’S TALKING ELEMENT EPISODE

Aaron & Jason sit down to discuss Jason’s journey of life and mental health, as they *unqualifiedly* respond to the question, “How do you know how to read the Bible to help you through mental health when you feel like you don’t fit in this world and you don’t belong, and can’t just pull verses?” What does it mean? How can we learn and understand verses that are confusing? Do you have questions? Email questions@ourelement.org WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE WATCH This Episode of Talking Element

Genesis 1:27 “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them…” These words were unique in the ancient world, men do not bear or reflect the image of God any more than women. All humankind is made in God’s image. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION WATCH THIS WEEK’S TALKING ELEMENT EPISODE

The main story of the Bible says that we CAN’T save ourselves, that we can’t work for our salvation. So why does the Apostle Paul say, “as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling…”? Is this contradictory or could it be something else? Three principles to remember, to help us study our Bibles in context: 1. Remember The Big Picture 2. Remember The Way Words Work 3. Remember The Context WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION

Romans 13 leaves many Christians scratching their heads with questions. In Romans 13:1-7 we are told that there is no Authority appointed apart from GOD, that anyone who resists God’s appointed authority’s, resists GOD, and to be subject to those in authority because that pleases God. In submitting to that authority, we pay taxes, honor, and respect as if we are paying it to God Himself. The two overarching themes in Romans 13 are: 1. The only legitimate authority is God. 2. Human authority is only legitimate when appointed by God. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION

The idea that Jesus forbade His followers from judging is a myth. Sometimes refusing to make judgments or call sin "sin" can actually result in sin. Jesus didn’t simply say, “judge not,” he followed it by a clarification of what type of judgments to make, when to make them, and how to make them. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION Mission Newsletter

What is Heaven? One writer says that Heaven is, “The full manifestation of what it means to bow the knee to God in full submission to Him for eternity.” Heaven is true and real life with God, it is not about us. People today tend to define a “heaven” that is focused on ourselves and not a true Heaven that is focused upon Christ. But if Heaven wasn’t focused upon Christ, it would be Hell. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION

Aaron uses the internet to show some tools to help you study the Bible. What does it mean? How can we learn and understand verses that are confusing? Do you have questions? Email questions@ourelement.org WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE WATCH THIS WEEK’S TALKING ELEMENT EPISODE