Element Christian Church of Santa Maria

Today in Colossians we continue looking at a new understanding of what were called “household codes.” Household codes governed how people within a household would/should act and interact with one another. They laid out who had authority and what responsibilities each person in the household were (by law) committed to. Today we look at parents and children. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION 2026 JULY MISSIONS UPDATE

Today in Colossians we continue looking at a new understanding of what were called “household codes.” Household codes governed how people within a household would/should act and interact with one another. They laid out who had authority and what responsibilities each person in the household were (by law) committed to. Today we look at slaves and masters. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION 2026 JULY MISSIONS UPDATE

Today in Colossians we start looking at something that is very controversial in our world today but was very hopeful and freeing in Paul’s day: a new understanding of what were called “household codes.” Household codes governed how people within a household would/ should act and interact with one another—it was foundational for the broader community. The code laid out who had authority and what responsibilities each person in the household was (by law) committed to. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION 2026 JULY MISSIONS UPDATE

A few weeks ago we talked about 1. The Passive obedience of Jesus– which means that Jesus took our sin on Himself. 2. The Active obedience of Jesus – which means that Jesus earned our reward for us. In Christ, we receive sonship, adoption into family, and righteousness; all the things the Father gives us belong to Jesus. They cost Him His life, but He lovingly grants them to us. The active obedience of Christ means He earned our reward for us. He took our curse and He earned our blessing. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION 2026 JULY MISSIONS UPDATE

Today we are looking back at Colossians 1 to see the prayer that Paul prayed for the church in Colossae. There is a way we should pray for those who trust in Jesus that is different than how we pray for those who don’t believe. Our prayer for those who don’t know Jesus is that they would come to trust Him; our prayer for believers is about growth, knowledge, and a walk that honors God with all of our life. Paul not only tells the Colossians that he is praying for them, but also what he is praying for them. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION 2026 JULY MISSIONS UPDATE

Through much of the Fall, Element will be answering questions posed by those at Element. We do this to help us understand the Bible and Jesus better. Today we deal with the phrase, "God helps those who help themselves" which is probably the most often quoted phrase that is NOT found in the Bible, yet people think it is. We can chalk this up to “conventional wisdom.” Conventional wisdom is something that we put in the place of God’s wisdom because we tend to think we are smarter than God. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION 2026 SPRING MISSIONS UPDATE

God’s Love for Us — Verses 1–3 John 3:1 — “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.” John intentionally focuses our attention on the astounding nature of God’s fatherly love for us: steadfast, unconditional, and unearned. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION 2026 SPRING MISSIONS UPDATE

The last couple of weeks in Colossians, Paul has been telling us about the gifts God has given us and our potential for hurting ourselves with those good gifts. He will specifically talk about gifts dealing with our flesh (impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness) and gifts dealing with our speech (anger, wrath, malice, slander). Paul now says, Col 3:14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. N.T. Wright uses the metaphor of two towns to compare Col 3:5-9 and Col 3:12-17. If everyone behaved according to what’s described in each of those passages, which town would we rather live in? It’s a good question to reveal where our desires land. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION 2026 SPRING MISSIONS UPDATE

Repentance comes into our lives because we return home to God. It is a part of the cycle of growth we then start to live in, again, that comes as a result of walking with Jesus. Repentance can have a negative connotation for some people, but it is a beautiful gift that allows us to mature in our walk with Jesus. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION 2026 SPRING MISSIONS UPDATE

Colossians 3 starts with a proposition based on everything Paul has said so far. The first two chapters of Colossians are essentially: “This is who Jesus is and this is what He has done. Your only hope at being made right before the God of the universe is the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross.” In chapter 3, he narrows the scope by saying, “For those of you who have been raised with Christ …” literally means, “for those of you who believe that to be true.” He then gets into the moral/behavioral transformation of the believer. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION 2026 SPRING MISSIONS UPDATE

The beginning of Colossians 3 is what is known as a transitional text—it is bridging the previous section of Colossians to what comes next. The first part of Paul’s letter reiterates the Gospel message (over and over), he then speaks about the nature and character of God (over and over), and now he moves into application. Col 3:1 If then you have been raised with Christ… WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION 2026 SPRING MISSIONS UPDATE

When the Apostle Paul planted new churches, most of the time, they consisted of Jewish people who came to be a part of Jesus’ movement. When they became Christians, they were still Jews, but now believed Jesus was the promised Messiah. The whole culmination of Judaism WAS Jesus. Tensions arose when Jewish believers wanted gentile believers to become Jewish in identity through outward observance. This was essentially the law superseding grace. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION 2026 SPRING MISSIONS UPDATE

Matthew 15:21-28 (and its parallel in Mark 7:24-30) challenges us to see ourselves in the story, to approach Jesus with our lives and trust that He is good and strong and will bring us through even desperate situations. The passage begins with Jesus and the disciples seeking time away likely for rest and renewal. And a desperate mother finds them seeking the same - help, rest, and renewal for herself and her daughter. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION 2026 SPRING MISSIONS UPDATE

PSA refers to Penal Substitutionary Atonement and has to do with how and why Jesus’ death on the cross reconciles us to God. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION 2026 SPRING MISSIONS UPDATE

God’s salvation is a gift, and once we receive this salvation, we should begin to see everything in life as a gift—even our faith. This immense gratitude allows us to stop boasting and rest in who Christ is. Paul says we can experience a life of faith and rest in grace. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION 2026 SPRING MISSIONS UPDATE

Paul pushes very hard for us to identify our lives with who we are in Christ. Many times we think we identify with Christ, but our lives (and choices) tend to reveal a different narrative. Today we define ourselves by the job we have (or don’t have), the car we drive (or don’t drive), the house, family, health, etc…it is all about identity. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION 2026 SPRING MISSIONS UPDATE

When Paul tells the Colossian church that “Jesus is Lord,” it would have meant something significant to Hebrews and Greco-Romans. To the Hebrews, this would have conveyed that Jesus is fully God; to the Greco-Romans, this would have been politically subversive, emphasizing Jesus over Caesar. As disciples of Jesus today, we should continually seek to display Jesus as Lord in our own lives. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION 2026 SPRING MISSIONS UPDATE

There are many signs that surround Jesus’ crucifixion in Matthew 27:45-54, such as Jesus' cry of abandonment ("My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"), and three hours of supernatural darkness at midday as Jesus bears the weight of humanity's sin. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION 2026 SPRING MISSIONS UPDATE

The Gospel is the announcement of what Jesus did to save and restore us through His birth, life, death, and resurrection. Our salvation is found in no other place than the work of Christ on our behalf. There are many in the world throughout the ages that have turned the Gospel from good news to bad news by moving its focus away from Jesus and onto someone or something else. This is why it is important to guard the truthd of the Gospel. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION 2026 SPRING MISSIONS UPDATE

After finishing Chapter 1 of Colossians, today we take a side excursion to jump deeper into Paul’s understanding of discipleship. The Bible contains truths that, when lived out, can yield deeper fulfillment than we could have ever imagined. What we look at today will hopefully help us honestly figure out where we are on our discipleship journey and hopefully be excited for the next steps. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION 2025 FALL MISSIONS UPDATE

Paul sees his own sufferings as part of Jesus’ afflictions. He is drawing on this ancient Jewish belief that the great suffering we pass through leads us into the age to come. Jesus has already brought us to the Kingdom of God in our lives, but there is still a struggle in tension with the “present age.” There is still suffering to be undergone. This is not an addition to Jesus’ suffering; rather, it is how we live in light of what Jesus did—growing into maturity in Christ in all circumstances. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION 2025 FALL MISSIONS UPDATE

The suffering we see, or personally experience, in this world can lead to numerous questions about God and our lives. In Colossians 1:24-25, Paul makes a statement that some have taken out of context, where they believe our sufferings are added to the work of Jesus; that is blatantly false. Jesus’ work is complete, but that doesn’t mean all suffering is removed from the world. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION 2025 FALL MISSIONS UPDATE

When we come to the understanding of our reconciliation with God through the work of Jesus, it can be both exciting and painful. It is exciting because of God’s love and grace extended to us in Christ, but it can also be painful as we acknowledge the reason we needed that reconciliation—our sin. Paul believes that the purpose of God’s work is to reconcile the whole creation to Himself. In doing so, Paul will give words to our condition. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION 2025 FALL MISSIONS UPDATE

Over the last few weeks we have looked at what it means that Jesus is preeminent in all things—heaven, earth, and our lives. Today we will recap all of these ideas with one of the clearest descriptions of who Jesus is. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION 2025 FALL MISSIONS UPDATE

Today we are (continuing) to look at a section of the New Testament that has one of the highest views of Jesus (Christology). C.S. Lewis wrote, “I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept his claim to be God. That is the one thing we must not say.” Many people say they love the teachings of Jesus, but when you tell them the actual teachings of Jesus, they get confused or angry because Jesus’ own words can speak for themselves. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION 2025 FALL MISSIONS UPDATE

This is our second week looking specifically at what it means that Jesus is over all things (the Creator, the supreme, the highest). This is one of the main reasons that Paul writes the letter to the Colossian church the way that he does—to show the preeminence of Jesus. Colossian 1:15-20 teaches us that Jesus is God in one of the clearest manners, and that He is the firstborn over all creation. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION 2025 FALL MISSIONS UPDATE

We are going to take a few weeks to look at Colossians 1:15-20 as it is one of the highest Christological statements anywhere in the Bible. Yes, we celebrate Christmas, Easter, Good Friday, but sometimes forget how great Jesus is even in the midst of those holidays. Paul starts like this Col 1:15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION 2025 FALL MISSIONS UPDATE

In Colossians Paul will deal a lot with the issue of syncretism. Syncretism is where the church “synchronizes” with the world around it, sometimes so much so that it ceases to look like Jesus. Syncretism was becoming an issue in Colossae because they were beginning to combine Christianity with what was known as Gnosticism. Paul starts off redirecting them back to Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and God the Father Himself. He then tells them WHAT he is praying for them and WHY. Paul will offer a prayer for knowledge and for their local church to walk with Jesus in a way that is both powerful and thankful. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION 2025 FALL MISSIONS UPDATE

Paul’s address of concerns in the book of Colossians reveals a view of Jesus’ preeminence. In Colossians you see one of the highest portrayals of Christ. This high view of Jesus comes from what we call the Gospel. Gospel means a joyful announcement of something that is impacting those who hear it in a positive way. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION 2025 FALL MISSIONS UPDATE

Colossians is a letter written by the Apostle Paul to a church he had never visited. The church in Colossae was planted by a disciple of Paul named Epaphras. Paul is writing this letter to introduce himself and correct a problem(s) in the church at Colossae. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION 2025 FALL MISSIONS UPDATE

A special Sunday to get a glimpse of how the Gospel is being lived out in Thailand. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION 2025 FALL MISSIONS UPDATE

Jesus uses the “antithesis” statements in the Sermon on the Mount to highlight how the Jewish people were taking the Old Testament law out of context. The law had become a list of ways to show obedience, instead of having obedience from a heart’s disposition toward God. It is in this context Jesus calls believers “to be perfect like their heavenly Father is perfect.” Perfect is not in the literal sense here, rather the Greek word “teleios” which describes believers journeying to “maturity” and “completeness” in our walk with the Lord. Jesus’ purpose in calling believers to perfection is not to act “more” morally upright, it is to remind us to act in response from a heart that is saved by grace. We must remember that we have been adopted into God’s family through Christ’s work on the cross, that He merited for us what was impossible for us so that we can grow to resemble our Father more every day. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION 2025 FALL MISSIONS UPDATE

The popular phrase, "Love the sinner, hate the sin," while not found in Scripture, can be lived out in wisdom, but also prone to potential misuse. The Scriptures present sin (wandering off the path, broken, blemish, rebellion, owing a debt, going astray, lawlessness, impurity) as widespread, damaging, and deserving of serious struggle. Sin isn’t only future punishment, but is a present destructive power—separation from God and others. Christians should hate all sin, especially their own, asking God for conviction and pursuing confession, accountability, and forgiveness. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION 2025 FALL MISSIONS UPDATE

The entire Bible must be kept in mind when looking at passages in different books. There is an apparent contradiction (to some people) between 1 John 2:15 (and its command to not to love the world) and John 3:16, which says that God loved the world. The word "world" has two distinct meanings: the material universe (creation, humanity, nature) which Christians should love as God does, and "worldliness," a system of thinking that treats the material world as ultimate reality. Christians are called to love the world in the first sense by honoring human dignity (since all are made in God's image), caring for creation, reaching the lost with compassion, and living for God's glory, but to reject worldliness (the mindset that this life is all there is). WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION 2025 FALL MISSIONS UPDATE

There is so much confusion over Paul’s instructions about women in 1 Timothy 2:11-15. By examining the cultural and religious context of Ephesus, we can get a broader picture of what he had been trying to say. Culturally, Paul was addressing specific problems arising from the collision between Jewish synagogue practices, pagan Artemis worship, and early Christian communities. The passage about women being "saved through childbearing" is most likely a targeted response to former Artemis worshippers who needed proper theological education and assurance that Jesus, not Artemis (the goddess of midwifery), would protect them in childbirth. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION 2025 FALL MISSIONS UPDATE

Matthew 12:36-37 is often misunderstood out of context to mean that all of our sins ("every careless word") will be put on display for all to see on judgment day. This verse, in context, is spoken to self-righteous Pharisees who attributed Jesus' miracles to Satan…it was about their rejection of God's work—not a universal principle that our sins will be publicly displayed. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION 2025 FALL MISSIONS UPDATE

Many people who have looked at the parable of the Good Samaritan have misunderstood its central point. The story isn't primarily about identifying who qualifies as our "neighbor" that we should help, but rather about examining how we function as neighbors to others. When Jesus asks "Which of these three proved to be a neighbor?" He shifts the focus from defining limits on our love to challenging us to embody neighborly love without boundaries. Biblical mercy involves both compassion and action, rooted in God's mercy toward us while we were His enemies. Just as the Samaritan helped his ethnic enemy, Christians are called to show practical love even to those they might consider adversaries. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION 2025 FALL MISSIONS UPDATE

While divorce is painful and not God's original design, it is not an unforgivable sin. In Matthew 19 marriage is described as a covenant relationship where "two become one flesh" rather than a consumer relationship that can be easily terminated. God's purpose in marriage is not happiness but holiness – teaching us to love like Christ loves us, even when it's difficult. There is hope for those who have experienced divorce; God still offers grace and redemption. God can redeem even the most broken situations. God's love is unconditional and the cross provides both forgiveness for sins committed and healing for sins suffered. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION 2025 FALL MISSIONS UPDATE

Recently there are those who have argued that Jesus affirmed transgender identity using Matthew 19:12 (about eunuchs). In Matt 19:12 Jesus was discussing marriage and celibacy after teaching on divorce, not gender identity. Maximum glory comes from two distinct but equal genders working together, not from one gender or multiple genders. Like all things, we need both truth and compassion; we need to step away from harsh judgment and from uncritical acceptance. Letting feelings determine reality does not ultimately lead to the flourishing of life. As Christians, we must speak truth in love, support struggling individuals in community, and model healthy gender expression while recognizing that all people bear God's image and need His grace. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION 2025 FALL MISSIONS UPDATE

A message talking about homosexuality is something people need to hear, not hear about (if that makes sense). We need to emphasize compassion while maintaining truth. The Bible isn’t primarily about homosexuality, but about God’s redemptive story, starting with Genesis 1 and the creation narrative. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION 2025 FALL MISSIONS UPDATE

Hebrews 10:24-25 ("not neglecting to meet together"), was frequently cited during COVID to argue for in-person church attendance. However, this misses the deeper Biblical context. In the New Testament era, churches were small house gatherings where everyone knew each other intimately (which is different from today's mobile, anonymous church culture where people can attend services while remaining essentially unknown). The passage is primarily about living in authentic Christian community. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION 2025 FALL MISSIONS UPDATE

Two verses—John 1:12 and Revelation 3:20—are commonly used together to teach that salvation comes through asking Jesus into your heart. However, understanding these passages in context reveals a different message. John 1:12 defines "receiving" Jesus as believing in who He is—your Messiah, Savior, and Substitute—not a prayer formula. It's about trusting His work for you at Calvary. Revelation 3:20, written to the church at Laodicea, isn't a Gospel invitation at all. It's addressed to believers who have become self-sufficient and lukewarm, leaving Jesus on the outside of their lives. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION 2025 SUMMER MISSIONS UPDATE

In Luke 14:25-27, Jesus uses shocking language—calling His followers to "hate" their families—to emphasize that discipleship requires total allegiance to Him above all else. The Greek word translated "hate" (miseo) is comparative, meaning we're to love Christ more than even our closest relationships. Jesus isn't anti-family; He's calling us to properly order our loves. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION 2025 SUMMER MISSIONS UPDATE

Today we re-start a series addressing how Christians and non-Christians alike misinterpret Scripture by reading verses out of context. Many of our issues with the Bible stem from cultural misunderstanding rather than textual problems. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION 2025 SUMMER MISSIONS UPDATE

John 14:6, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" is often misunderstood about Jesus trying to keep people out of what they perceive to be heaven (our own personal pleasure factory). Instead, Jesus is trying to reframe our understanding of how we approach God from ritual and sacrifice to Jesus’ sacrifice for us. When Jesus claimed to BE these three things, He was making a revolutionary statement that relationship with God now comes through Him personally, not through law-keeping. Heaven isn't a "pleasure factory" but rather restored relationship with God, and while Jesus's exclusivity offends modern culture, it's actually inclusive - anyone can come to the Father through Christ, whereas previously only the high priest could enter God's direct presence. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION 2025 SUMMER MISSIONS UPDATE

Ending the book of Philippians, we should reflect on what we have learned over the last 34 weeks. For instance, we are to stand fast in one spirit, to strive together for the faith of the Gospel, to be of one mind, to shine as lights in the world, and to know we are a part of God’s grand symphony of grace. We’ve been encouraged to rejoice in the Lord, and to not place confidence in the flesh. Paul has urged us to follow his example of knowing Christ and the power of His resurrection. He has also reminded us that our true citizenship lies in heaven, and of the hope that results from that understanding. Paul exhorted us to stand fast in the Lord, to let Jesus guard our hearts, and to meditate on things that are worthy of praise. He taught us that Jesus, who began the work of salvation in us, would carry that work on to completion. We also learned of Christ’s great example of humility, where he humbled himself, took on flesh, and became a servant. Finally, we learned what true contentedness looks like and that true joy comes not from our circumstances, but from our relationship with Jesus and in the sustaining power of the Gospel. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION 2025 SUMMER MISSIONS UPDATE

Today we finish the book of Philippians and there are two main themes: God’s glory and Christian fellowship. Paul ends his letter with, “To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.” This closing emphasizes that God’s glory is the ultimate purpose of all things. He reminds us that God Himself is the most God-centered being in the universe. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION 2025 SUMMER MISSIONS UPDATE

In Philippians 4:14-19, we explore the fundamental difference between transactional accounting and Gospel accounting. Paul thanks the Philippians for their financial support during his imprisonment while introducing a radical perspective on why and how we give. Rather than viewing their gift as creating obligation or debt (as was customary in Greco-Roman culture), Paul frames their generosity as participation in God’s economy—a system that operates on grace rather than transaction. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION 2025 SUMMER MISSIONS UPDATE

Knowing Proper Ambition – Selfish ambition can be understood as a “motivation to elevate or to put one’s own interests before another’s.” Paul says, “In humility count others more significant than yourselves.” There is a good type of ambition and it is the motivation to see God’s glory shine and people come to know Him. It was ambition for God that led Paul to spread the Gospel to the ends of the earth. Romans 15:20 It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known… WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION 2025 SUMMER MISSIONS UPDATE

Paul writes that he has “learned” to be content whether in plenty or in need, with the source of his contentment being Christ who strengthens him. Our society often confuses wanting (which can be healthy) with coveting (which enslaves us). True contentment isn’t found in achieving our dreams or accumulating wealth, but in understanding our worth comes from God alone. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE FIND THIS WEEKS ANNOUNCEMENTS, SONG LIST, NOTES, AND MORE AT YOUVERSION 2025 SUMMER MISSIONS UPDATE