Element Christian Church of Santa Maria

We are not as good as we think we are…and when we believe the myth that we ARE “good people” it ruins the life Christ has for us to live. We must daily die to ourselves and our self gratification and justification and realize that even though we are worse than we believe, God is still better than we can imagine.

Paul wants Timothy to teach his people the difference between the doctrine of demons and the good doctrine of Jesus Christ. Apparently people in that time (like today) were confused about what the gospel really is.

The cultural attitude of America is changing. Just a few decades ago in America you could walk around and tell the essential Jesus story and most people would understand what you were saying. There was a consciousness that was aware of the basic story of the scripture, but that is not true today. America has changed its spirituality.

The shift is thinking has affected our education system and all forms of media. In the 1960s Bob Dillon wrote these lyrics, “Come mothers and fathers Throughout the land And don’t criticize What you can’t understand, Your sons and your daughters Are beyond your command Your old road is Rapidly agin’ Please get out of the new one If you can’t lend your hand … For the times they are a-changin’.

Today there is a radical change in the direction of western history and most of us were already born into it and do not notice. These changes create a sense of confusion that leads to a confusion about the gospel and what it really is. Many Americans, who call themselves Christians, are actually holding onto and preaching a false gospel with their lives and with their words.

One-ism and two-ism are terms coined by Dr Peter Jones, they are an easy way to remember what happens when our worldview shifts from a biblical worldview to anything else. It is a great and easy way to determine the truth of something you are looking at…

From an earthly perspective, things may seem to happen at random, but throughout the whole of Scripture, it is clear that God is in control of all of His creation and even the “random acts” of natural law. He is able to take the free will of both good and evil men, and the wicked intent of demons, and combine them all to accomplish His good and perfect will.

The Cinema. Today's modern day pulpit... telling today's story through the digital story form. We'll watch these popular movies and follow up with an expository exploration of the narrative themes and spiritual parallels of these movies.

God does have a plan for all of us, but it involves lots of freedom, and the details He will bring about all to His Glory. Our job is not so much to find something; it’s to become someone—a reflection of his image and character no matter where we find ourselves.

Andrew didn’t have all the answers, he simply loved Jesus. In John 6 he brings a little boy to Jesus and Jesus feeds 5000 people with this kids lunch. In John 12 Andrew brings some Greeks to Jesus because He knew when people came to Jesus, amazing things happened.

How do we judge? We Evaluate & Protect or Discern & Restore. If we refuse to judge, we miss out on truth. If we judge inappropriately, we pile extra judgment upon ourselves. Our ultimate purpose is never to condemn, that’s God’s prerogative. Our role is to evaluate and protect or to discern and restore.

While trials can be a great source of pain in our life, we should take heart because through trials and hardship, God shows His love in never leaving us. Through our hardship God continues to love and show His grace, and mercy. We need to be a people who aren’t blind to His goodness, but rejoice in Christ always.

Children are a great gift and great responsibility from God. We are called to be stewards of what God has given us. We are to raise our children to know about God and to understand His ways. But we have to remember that Proverbs isn’t a book of promises, and Pr. 22:6 does not mean Godly homes parents produce Godly kids.

The Cinema. Today's modern day pulpit... telling today's story through the digital story form. We'll watch these popular movies and follow up with an expository exploration of the narrative themes and spiritual parallels of these movies.