Element Christian Church

2025, like most years, hasn’t been easy. Yet God remains at work—we may have been “roughed up,” but in His hands, we are neither forgotten nor abandoned. Paul wrote Philippians while imprisoned in conditions of unspeakable horror: overcrowded prisons with suffocating air, sleepless nights in chains, underground chambers devoid of light, corroding iron shackles, and appalling filth. Yet Paul wasn’t deterred by these devastating circumstances. Instead, he found something far more devastating: the life he used to live before Christ. Paul demonstrates three key principles: what he left behind, what he pressed toward, and how we can follow his example. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE

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 same mind of Christ in their relationship. Paul doesn’t take sides, dismiss their concerns, or force an artificial friendship; rather, he calls them to view their disagreement through the lens of the Gospel. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE

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 following “enemies of the cross” - those who claim to be Christians but reject the Gospel’s true meaning, serving their own appetites, glorying in shameful things, and focusing solely on earthly matters. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE

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 DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE

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 whole doctrine of salvation kind of compressed into just one little verse. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE

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 spirituality without an historical foundation. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE

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 righteousness, but our righteousness becomes our most profound problem when we rely on it instead of Christ. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE

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 people are described as: • Dogs – This would refer to those of impure mind • Evildoers – This refers to workers of evil or those who labor for that purpose. • Mutilators of the flesh – These are people that Paul has talked about who push law and not grace as the prerequisite for being in God’s family. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE

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 in service to Paul and the Gospel. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE

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 experiences, from comparing ourselves to others, from all sorts of sources – and they create for us an ideal picture of what we think our lives should look like. For mothers this might include expectations of having well-behaved, well-mannered kids who are successful in their social, sport, academic, and other endeavors (and are always happy and healthy too). For others, our personal expectations may have to do with financial or relationship goals or career milestones or… the list goes on. Whatever they may be, the expectations we have for our personal lives can drive us away from the good life God has for us. WATCH F

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 in the world. In the same way, we, as God’s people, are to shine into this dark world. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE

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 translates this poetically with, “Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky…” WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE

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 pearl of great value and likewise sells all he has to acquire it. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE

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 shared about Jesus: Phil 2:1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ—it starts with Jesus! WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE

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 a servant and died on a cross. This text not only tells us about Him, but it tells us His mindset. (Phil 2:5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus…) I think God shows us what He does today in order to transform our mind and melt our hearts. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE

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 focusing on his own trials and starts to talk about the Philippians’ trials. It’s important to remember Paul’s letters did not originally have chapter or verse breaks. Chapter 2 is not a new thought; it is a continuation. Paul starts with the word “so” Phil 2:1-2 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE

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 1, Paul has been talking about his own struggle and feelings. Starting in verse 27, Paul turns the tables and says, “This is no longer about my suffering…it is about yours.” WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE