Element Christian Church of Santa Maria

As we start this series looking at the letter to the Philippian church, we have to start with Paul’s first encounter with the city as found in Acts 16. Philippi was known as “The Little Rome” and was a privileged Roman colony that prided itself on Roman culture and customs. They stylized their city after Rome, followed all Roman decrees, and wanted to be Rome. Part of their special privileges was...

We know Christmas was last week, but we are still working through our series on “The Carols.” Today we will look at O Come, All Ye Faithful. In a world of uncertainty, Peter’s epistle reveals a profound message of joy rooted in Christ’s victory. Christians are “elect exiles” - chosen by God and living in a challenging world, yet called to rejoice with an “inexpressible joy” that transcends circums...

We know Christmas was last week, but we are still working through our series on “The Carols.” Today we will look at O Come, All Ye Faithful. In a world of uncertainty, Peter’s epistle reveals a profound message of joy rooted in Christ’s victory. Christians are “elect exiles” - chosen by God and living in a challenging world, yet called to rejoice with an “inexpressible joy” that transcends circums...

Merry Christmas Eve! Tonight we will explore the somewhat controversial significance of “The 12 Days of Christmas” carol. The song, which seems like a silly list of expensive gifts (totaling over $200,000 in 2023), may actually contain deep theological meaning. Though the song’s exact interpretations may vary, its purpose was to teach Christian faith fundamentals. Most importantly, it points to ho...

Today we will look at the theological depth of the Christmas carol “O Come O Come Emmanuel” through the lens of Matthew 1:22-23. We will focus on the understanding of “Immanuel” (God with us) and its significance in God’s redemptive plan. Jesus, being fully God and fully man, came to rescue us from sin and adopt us into God’s family. The incarnation shows us that we weren’t created to serve a dist...

Today we will look at the theological depth behind “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” and its scriptural foundations. The angels’ announcement to shepherds show God’s pattern of subverting power dynamics by revealing Himself to the broken and outcast. Through Christ’s birth, work, life, death, and resurrection God reconciles sinners to Himself, making us new creations. The good news is that God knew a...

Today we look at the connection between Psalm 98 and the Christmas carol “Joy to the World.” While originally written with Christ’s second coming in mind, this hymn captures the profound joy that comes from both Christ’s first arrival and anticipated return. Praise propels us toward mission, as our authentic joy becomes a witness to others. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES H...

In today’s parable, Jesus talks about wicked tenants, speaking to the deep-seated human tendency to reject God’s authority. The parable illustrates how we often act as if we’re the owners of our lives, rather than tenants entrusted with God’s gifts. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE

An important factor in the context of today’s parable was Jesus’ growing popularity and influence, which made certain religious leaders jealous. Jesus was invited to dinner at a religious leader’s home on the Sabbath and put to a test: a crippled man was brought to Jesus—would He heal him on the holy day of rest? Jesus heals the man (and before they can get too offended) launches into a parable ab...

Today’s parable throws many people off track. We tend to think that Jesus is saying one thing when He is really saying something else entirely. The important part of the parable of the “shrewd manager” can be easily misunderstood without the cultural context of who Jesus is talking to. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE

Abraham Heschel wrote, “The real issue with prayer is how one understands God.” It’s not about the words, the form, the structure, or the formula; people have a hard time with prayer because we fail to have a proper view of God. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE

Jesus tells a parable about an unjust judge and a persistent widow to teach His disciples about prayer and persistence. The judge, who neither fears God nor cares about people, repeatedly ignores a widow’s plea for justice. However, due to her relentless persistence, he eventually grants her request to avoid being bothered further. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE

Jesus tells a parable about two men who went to the temple to pray: a Pharisee and a tax collector. The Pharisee, considered righteous by society, prays confidently, thanking God that he’s not like other sinners. He lists his good deeds, such as fasting twice a week and tithing everything he gets. In contrast, the tax collector, despised by society, stands at a distance, not even lifting his eyes...

This sermon explores Jesus’ response to the Pharisees and scribes who criticized Him for eating with tax collectors and sinners. Jesus answers with three parables: the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin, and the Prodigal Son. The focus is primarily on the parable of the Prodigal Son. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE

Zacchaeus was despised by his community, yet Jesus sought him out and initiated relationship. This visible act of grace precedes any visible change in Zacchaeus’ behavior, highlighting a crucial aspect of the Gospel: God’s acceptance is not a reward for our righteousness, but the very power that enables our transformation. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE

Parables are (very broadly), “a fictitious narrative that would generally refer to something that might naturally occur, by which spiritual and moral matters might be conveyed.” There is no end to the speculation that centers on the parable that Jesus tells today. People get caught up in various theories, asking, “Is it really a parable or a true story? Is Jesus trying to tell us what the afterlif...

Jesus didn’t teach in parables because He couldn’t figure out a better way to preach. These narrative form illustrations and stories have been used by rabbis for ages. The Jews called storytelling used to illustrate a message AGGADAH; it was creating word pictures to bring a deeper understanding of God and the world. Aggadah, to the Hebrews, were known as parables to the Greeks. Even a short state...

As Paul brings his first letter to Timothy to a close, he reminds Timothy that this life will feel like—and is—a battle. We are not to run after our own glorification, but to flee those things and pursue righteousness. Paul wants Timothy to see the difference between a Gospel culture and a religious culture. While we have peace with God because of the Gospel, our lives are currently in the midst o...

Money (wealth) is one of the hardest things for most people to get their heads and hearts around. Greed is insidious, and we often don’t notice when it gains control over our lives. Jesus will even remind us to “watch out” in regard to money, because he knows of our blindness. 1 Tim 6:6-10 seems to address people who don’t have a lot of money yet want it, and 1 Tim 6:17-19 seems to be for people w...

Today Paul moves into how we live and honor one another in the body of Jesus. A proper doctrine—set of beliefs—honors those around us. Defining honor, in how Paul discusses, it would simply mean: ascribing worth through action. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE

When it comes to correct doctrine and Biblical reasoning, it is important to understand that we (humankind) brought sin into the world and through the Gospel, God—who made the world in the first place—is remaking it through Jesus. We are never called to abandon our humanity, but rather to celebrate its rescue, redemption, and remaking. Today we can easily forget humanity has brought a fallenness t...

1 Tim 3:16 is a short poem that is full of doctrine. It captures the richness of early Christianity in the way it challenged both the popular ‘mysteries’ and the rule of Caesar. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE

We believe that God has taught us through the Scriptures (continually), through His Spirit (presently), and that the proclamation of the Good News will go on for eternity. What we believe is important, because it will affect how we live every moment of our lives. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE

Paul writes what he does in 1 Timothy because he understands what the Bible says about sin and grace. Only the Gospel deals with us—as we are—and leads us to grace at the same time. Because of Jesus, we can acknowledge our sin and yet not be destroyed by it. Paul tells Timothy to continue to contend and celebrate the Gospel. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE

Doctrine is about what God has handed down to us—ultimately pointing to the good news of what Jesus did and is continuing to do. Proper doctrine will translate into how we live our lives, how we interact with others, how we worship God, and how we pray. Prayer is more than asking for things, but today we want to look at what we should be asking for: Healthy churches will pray for the advancement o...