Element Christian Church of Santa Maria

She says “My beloved is mine, and I am his” - He gave himself first to me. She says “My beloved is mine”, which means he went first, and then she says “and I am his”. She gives her whole self to him because he went first; that is biblical marriage.

SOS 2:7: I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the gazelles or the does of the field, that you not stir up or awaken love until it pleases. - Don’t rush in; allow God His time to work...let dodh come when it should, after marriage when you have a lifetime to explore it in the safety and sanctity of that covenant.

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.

True friends help to reconcile their friends’ marriages, not encourage the fight that keeps them apart.

As a father, I will love my children no matter the circumstance. I will balance my toughness with my compassion. I will delight in them, creating a fun and happy home. I will be pure in heart and deed, and remain loyal to them. I will lead them as I teach, counsel, and pastor them about God and his gospel. I will actually be there, in their lives, and remain available to them emotionally and practically. I pledge to provide for their needs and protect them from the dangers in a fallen world. This I will do diligently and with humility, seeking an honest, transparent, and forgiving attitude with my children.

A very strong case from scripture can be made that human marriage is an earthly institution designed to teach us about our intended eternal destiny. We are made for union with God; we are made for love. We may corrupt the vehicle (marriage), even destroy its intrinsic value, and its eschatological worth, but that speaks of our sin, not of God’s intent.

Marriage is 2 people and Christ - it is mutual love and abandon to each other. Strength comes from this institution God created, and you can have strength. Surrender your pride; learn to grow into what the other needs because that is part of your responsibility in Christ. God’s desire is that you enjoy one another for a lifetime.

At Element, we believe the purpose of the book of the Song of Solomon is to show that the Bible does not see marriage as an inferior state or a concession to human weakness. Scripture does not see the normal physical love within a marriage relationship as impure. Marriage was instituted before the Fall, by God, with the command that the first couple become one flesh.

In Acts 2 the people were reminded that story of Sinai was still alive – God’s Spirit continues to move and we are to live on HIS MISSION.

As a believer you have the all embracing inner life of God

• There is no reason to fear, do not be troubled, do not be afraid

• You are to walk in Truth (John 17 Jesus says God’s word is truth)

• Spirit gives us strength to walk in God’s decrees