Element Christian Church of Santa Maria

Philippians 4:1-3 serves as the culmination of Paul’s argument from the previous chapter. Throughout Philippians, Paul has emphasized the importance of phronesis - “a pattern of thinking, feeling, and acting” shaped by the Gospel. In these verses, Paul addresses a specific conflict between two women in the Philippian church, Euodia and Syntyche, urging them to “agree in the Lord” - to adopt the sa...

Today we will see how Paul addresses the way believers should handle disagreements within the church, emphasizing that mature Christians seek God’s guidance together through prayer when differences arise. Paul calls the Philippians to imitate his example and the examples of other faithful believers like Timothy and Epaphroditus, who embodied Christ-like humility and service. He warns against follo...

Philippians 3:12-16 explores Paul’s understanding of what truly matters in the Christian life. Paul teaches that we should not focus on externals (appearance, possessions, status, etc.) but on knowing Christ deeply. Paul openly shares his past - including his religious credentials and even his persecution of Christians - but views it through the lens of the Gospel. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DO...

In our confused and chaotic culture where truth seems relative and basic Christian beliefs are controversial, we need clarity. The answer to cultural confusion is found in one profound truth: Jesus Christ is Lord. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE

David Martyn Lloyd-Jones once said that Philippians 1:6 may very well be described as the fundamental (or key) verse to all of Paul’s letter to the church in Phillipi. He said it’s one of those “magnificent, fundamental, profound statements which lead us into the very depths of Christian doctrine and Christian theology.” In this verse we have a window into the Biblical teaching of salvation; the w...

Father’s Day can be hard for those who aren’t fathers or those who are single. This Father’s Day we are talking about singleness and how it can be a blessing and not a curse. Yes, marriage and fatherhood is beautiful, but singleness can be as well. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE

Paul makes a passionate declaration in Philippians 3:10-11 about knowing Christ and the power of His resurrection. The Christian doctrine of resurrection has two essential components: it is both a historical fact to be believed and a personal experience to be lived. When we separate these aspects, we end up with “form without power”—either intellectual orthodoxy without relationship, or vague spir...

In today’s verses Paul shows a dramatic shift in how he viewed his credentials and accomplishments. Paul lists his “resume” of religious qualifications (his pure Jewish lineage, strict Pharisaical adherence to the law, and zealous persecution of the church), but then declares all of these achievements as “rubbish.” Rubbish is a polite translation of a crude Greek term. Our most fundamental need is...

In Philippians 3:1-3, Paul continues his message about unity and humility in Christ while warning believers to “watch out” for those who would add requirements to salvation. Paul will speak about the issue of circumcision to address deeper questions of identity and belonging in God’s family. Paul says that there are schemes from people that want to detract us from the work of the Gospel. These peo...

Paul presents Timothy and Epaphroditus as living examples of the Christian humility he has been teaching. After discussing concepts like humility, unity, and pouring out our lives for Christ, Paul now provides concrete examples of what these principles look like in action. • Timothy demonstrates genuine concern for others’ welfare rather than self-interest. • Epaphroditus literally risked his life...

Mothers are a gift! Thank you, mothers, for the care and support you provide to your children. Your time, encouragement, wisdom, and prayer for your kids is a blessing – whether you receive a ‘thank you’ or not! May God give you peace and joy today. All of us, mothers particularly, have numerous expectations placed on us and some that we place on ourselves. These expectations develop from life exp...

Today we will focus on Paul’s words in Philippians 2:17-18, being “poured out like a drink offering,” as well as how we are to “shine like lights” in the world. Paul likens the darkness of the world to what we witness at night; we—with Christ in us—are to shine brightly amidst the brokenness all around us. When sailors were lost at sea, they used the stars to orient themselves and know their place...

If you were able to look through the last few weeks of Philippians, you would see this progression to where Paul lands today. He has spoken about Christ’s humility saving us, how we seek to restore relationship with one another, and now he says we can/should do that without grumbling or complaining. Paul tells us to live this way, because in so doing, we will shine as lights in the world. The NIV...

As usual, our Easter message will not be a typical Easter message. We are reflecting back to a series we did last year on the Parables of Jesus. Today you will see Jesus use two short parables to illustrate the immense value of the Kingdom of God. In the first, a man discovers a treasure hidden in a field, then joyfully sells everything he has to buy that field. In the second, a merchant finds a p...

In Philippians 2:12 Paul says a line that has caused much speculation today: “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” This line is in the midst of an entire letter that starts and ends elsewhere. Paul has already told us about how God’s family is meant to live with one another. Paul uses the word “therefore” to remind us that he is basing what he is saying on what he has already shar...

We live in an age of reality TV, YouTube ‘vloggers,’ and social media influencers who keep telling us about their “lives” or their “inmost thoughts,” but what you get is only what they want you see. In Philippians today, we get the ultimate revelation of Jesus. We not only get a picture of who Jesus is and what He did, but we get to see His heart as well. He was God, but He was also man. He became...

In Philippians chapter 1 we saw Paul detailing his hardship and how he continued to persevere…until verse 26 where Paul speaks about his struggle and how he defined life: for me to LIVE is Christ (meaning every breath he takes was because of God’s goodness)…and then he says TO DIE is gain (that if this fleshly existence ended, Jesus is still faithful and in control). In verse 26, Paul stops focusi...

Paul starts the first part of Philippians by talking about his emotions and struggles; he will then spin it back to talk about the Philippians’ struggle (which is actually the same struggle). Paul has idea stacked on idea stacked on idea that points to our life in Christ, our life with one another, and the Kingdom of God. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE

Paul has spoken to the Philippians about his suffering and hardship. We saw how Paul walked through and defined what real life truly is (Phil 1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain). Paul may only see a glimmer of what God is doing, but he also doesn’t expect to see the whole picture; he knows God is so much higher and greater than he could imagine. In the first 26 verses of Chapter...

Paul writes the letter to the Philippian church while chained to guards in Rome. He reminds the Philippians how to find joy even in difficult circumstances. He will demonstrate that with the right definition of life (“to live is Christ”), any circumstance can be transformed by God into something meaningful. Like an alchemist turning lead to gold, God uses our trials both for His glory and our spir...

From prison in Rome, Paul writes about how his imprisonment has actually served to advance the Gospel. Through being chained to rotating guards from the elite Praetorian Guard, Paul had unique opportunities to share Christ. Even when others began preaching Christ from wrong motives like envy and rivalry, Paul still rejoiced because Christ was being proclaimed. His response demonstrates putting the...

Paul has a profound confidence in God’s continuing work in believers’ lives. God’s grace isn’t just for salvation’s beginning, but it carries through to completion. Paul’s certainty rests not in human effort, but in God’s faithful character and promises. As one writer says, “Imperfect people who dare to believe in the grace and mercy of God are the very ones who have the credibility to say these t...

Today we will explore the theme of true Christian joy as revealed in Philippians. Paul demonstrates that authentic joy isn’t dependent on circumstances but flows from our relationship with Christ. Paul wrote to the Philippians with joy despite having experienced persecution and imprisonment in their city. Paul’s joy comes from understanding God’s grace and our position in Christ, not from our perf...

Today we will take another look at a new way of life “in Christ.” There is a transformative power that comes from God’s grace that results in peace in our lives. Paul’s greeting isn’t just a formal introduction but encapsulates the essence of the Christian experience. Grace is defined as favor granted to an undeserving person by an unobligated giver, while peace (shalom) represents complete harmon...

Servants is the word for slave, and saint means “set apart ones.” The introduction to Philippians leads us to ask what should a Christian life look like (or what is a Christian). Many answers to that question tend to be very self-centered or works centered. The true answer is that we are saved by the sheer grace of God, we are Servants and Saints. People will use this phrase, “A Christian is a sin...