Element Christian Church

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

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 spiritual growth. Paul shows that true joy comes not from our circumstances, but from having Christ as our ultimate purpose and prize. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE

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 Gospel’s advance above personal comfort or recognition, showing how to find joy in Christ being made known regardless of circumstances. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE

There is a lot in today’s message as we explore Paul’s deep affection for the Philippian church and his prayer for their spiritual growth. There are three types of affection Paul demonstrates and four aspects of prayer for the church. Paul’s relationship with the Philippians exemplifies true gospel partnership, showing how Christian love combines deep affection with growing knowledge and wisdom. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE

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 things to others.” WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE

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 performance or circumstances. Joylessness in Christians has often damaged the perception of Christianity; we are called to display Christ’s joy as we partner together in the Gospel. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE

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 harmony with God, others, and creation. We can understand God’s grace by seeing both the depth of our sin and the height of God’s mercy. This dual vision creates a spiritual explosion in our lives, breaking down barriers of self-righteousness and enabling us to extend grace to others. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE

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 sinner saved by grace,” and while true, there isn’t a place in the Bible where we are told to first and foremost identify ourselves as a “sinner.” That is not our identity. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE

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 that they were exempt from paying the heavy taxes that citizens in other cities paid. They were also excused from certain military service while receiving military protection, since Philippi was an outpost for Roman soldiers and many retired there. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE

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 circumstances. God knows His people, sanctifies them through the Holy Spirit, redeems them through Jesus Christ, and provides an eternal inheritance. Unlike fleeting worldly happiness, this joy is anchored in Christ’s complete victory over sin and death. Believers are invited to place Jesus at the center of their worship, experiencing a joy that comes from God’s eternal grace. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE

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 circumstances. God knows His people, sanctifies them through the Holy Spirit, redeems them through Jesus Christ, and provides an eternal inheritance. Unlike fleeting worldly happiness, this joy is anchored in Christ’s complete victory over sin and death. Believers are invited to place Jesus at the center of their worship, experiencing a joy that comes from God’s eternal grace. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE

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 how God never forgets us, even when we forget Him. WATCH MESSAGE ON YOUTUBE

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 distant God but to walk with a loving Father. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE

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 all our failures yet chose, loved, and called us anyway, bringing true reconciliation and peace through Christ. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE

Today we look at the profound truth that Jesus is the eternal King who never ceases to reign by connecting verses in the book of Matthew to the carol “We Three Kings.” The story of the wisemen and Herod’s response to Jesus’ birth are two completely different responses to Christ’s kingship. True fulfillment comes only through submitting to Christ’s eternal kingship, not through pursuing temporary satisfaction to other “kings” of our lives (career, relationships, success). WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE

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 HERE

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 about a party and how people jockey for the best position rather than live in humility. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE

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