Element Church Podcast - Sermons: Recent Episodes
Element Church
Element is a church for the broken and hurting to connect with Jesus one step at a time. Tune in each week to hear messages delivered during Sunday morning services.
Thanks so much for tuning in as we take a look at the beginning our faith by studying the beginning of John’s biography of Jesus!
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Thanks for tuning in as we take a look at who we are, where we belong, and what that means moving forward. Knowing who you are changes everything so tune in as we teach through this series!
Support the show (https://elementchurchlaurel.com/give)
Thanks so much for tuning in as we take a look at the beginning our faith by studying the beginning of John’s biography of Jesus!
Support the show (https://elementchurchlaurel.com/give)
Thanks so much for tuning in as we take a look at the beginning our faith by studying the beginning of John’s biography of Jesus!
Support the show (https://elementchurchlaurel.com/give)
Thanks so much for tuning in as we take a look at the beginning our faith by studying the beginning of John’s biography of Jesus!
Support the show (https://elementchurchlaurel.com/give)
Thanks for tuning in as we take a look at who we are, where we belong, and what that means moving forward. Knowing who you are changes everything so tune in as we teach through this series!
Support the show (https://elementchurchlaurel.com/give)
Thanks so much for tuning in as we take a look at the beginning our faith by studying the beginning of John’s biography of Jesus!
Support the show (https://elementchurchlaurel.com/give)
Thanks so much for tuning in as we take a look at the beginning our faith by studying the beginning of John’s biography of Jesus!
Support the show (https://elementchurchlaurel.com/give)
Thanks so much for tuning in as we take a look at the beginning our faith by studying the beginning of John’s biography of Jesus!
Support the show (https://elementchurchlaurel.com/give)
As we kick off the year, we take at look at where Element is headed in 2020.
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This Christmas we celebrate the fact that hope has arrived. The angels announced it as “Good News” but many of us treat the message of Christ like it’s just good advice. Check out this message as we make sure we’re on the right track!
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This December, Element committed to 25 days of prayer. This week, we leveraged our time together to not only learn about prayer but to immediately apply what we learned by praying together.
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Regardless of your stage in life, you’ve had some crossroad moments where you’ve had to choose to go one direction or another. In this series, we’ll take a look at 4 crossroads we face in 2019 and make the decisions that will shape our next decade. The choice is yours. Which way will you go?
Support the show (https://elementchurchlaurel.com/give)
Regardless of your stage in life, you’ve had some crossroad moments where you’ve had to choose to go one direction or another. In this series, we’ll take a look at 4 crossroads we face in 2019 and make the decisions that will shape our next decade. The choice is yours. Which way will you go?
Support the show (https://elementchurchlaurel.com/give)
Regardless of your stage in life, you’ve had some crossroad moments where you’ve had to choose to go one direction or another. In this series, we’ll take a look at 4 crossroads we face in 2019 and make the decisions that will shape our next decade. The choice is yours. Which way will you go?
Support the show (https://elementchurchlaurel.com/give)
Regardless of your stage in life, you’ve had some crossroad moments where you’ve had to choose to go one direction or another. In this series, we’ll take a look at 4 crossroads we face in 2019 and make the decisions that will shape our next decade. The choice is yours. Which way will you go?
Support the show (https://elementchurchlaurel.com/give)
Regardless of your stage in life, you’ve had some crossroad moments where you’ve had to choose to go one direction or another. In this series, we’ll take a look at 4 crossroads we face in 2019 and make the decisions that will shape our next decade. The choice is yours. Which way will you go?
Support the show (https://elementchurchlaurel.com/give)
Self awareness is key to our relationships both with people and with God. In this series we’re taking a look at 9 different personalities with the hope of discovering who we are and finding where we belong.
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Self awareness is key to our relationships both with people and with God. In this series we’re taking a look at 9 different personalities with the hope of discovering who we are and finding where we belong.
Support the show (https://elementchurchlaurel.com/give)
Self awareness is key to our relationships both with people and with God. In this series we’re taking a look at 9 different personalities with the hope of discovering who we are and finding where we belong.
Support the show (https://elementchurchlaurel.com/give)
Self awareness is key to our relationships both with people and with God. In this series we’re taking a look at 9 different personalities with the hope of discovering who we are and finding where we belong.
Support the show (https://elementchurchlaurel.com/give)
Self awareness is key to our relationships both with people and with God. In this series we’re taking a look at 9 different personalities with the hope of discovering who we are and finding where we belong.
Support the show (https://elementchurchlaurel.com/give)
Self awareness is key to our relationships both with people and with God. In this series we’re taking a look at 9 different personalities with the hope of discovering who we are and finding where we belong.
Support the show (https://elementchurchlaurel.com/give)
Self awareness is key to our relationships both with people and with God. In this series we’re taking a look at 9 different personalities with the hope of discovering who we are and finding where we belong.
Support the show (https://elementchurchlaurel.com/give)
Self awareness is key to our relationships both with people and with God. In this series we’re taking a look at 9 different personalities with the hope of discovering who we are and finding where we belong.
Support the show (https://elementchurchlaurel.com/give)
Self awareness is key to our relationships both with people and with God. In this series we’re taking a look at 9 different personalities with the hope of discovering who we are and finding where we belong.
Support the show (https://elementchurchlaurel.com/give)
Not knowing the identity of something can be really costly but living out a false identity can cost you everything. In our True Identity series, we take a look at why Element exists and what defines us both as people and as a church.
Support the show (https://elementchurchlaurel.com/give)
Not knowing the identity of something can be really costly but living out a false identity can cost you everything. In our True Identity series, we take a look at why Element exists and what defines us both as people and as a church.
Support the show (https://elementchurchlaurel.com/give)
Not knowing the identity of something can be really costly but living out a false identity can cost you everything. In our True Identity series, we take a look at why Element exists and what defines us both as people and as a church.
Support the show (https://elementchurchlaurel.com/give)
Not knowing the identity of something can be really costly but living out a false identity can cost you everything. In our True Identity series, we take a look at why Element exists and what defines us both as people and as a church.
Support the show (https://elementchurchlaurel.com/give)
Not knowing the identity of something can be really costly but living out a false identity can cost you everything. In our True Identity series, we take a look at why Element exists and what defines us both as people and as a church.
Support the show (https://elementchurchlaurel.com/give)
Not knowing the identity of something can be really costly but living out a false identity can cost you everything. In our True Identity series, we take a look at why Element exists and what defines us both as people and as a church.
Support the show (https://elementchurchlaurel.com/give)
In this series, we’re taking a look at 4 qualities of a great leader and learning how to be a better leader ourselves because for most of us, great leaders are easy to see and difficult to be
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In this series, we’re taking a look at 4 qualities of a great leader and learning how to be a better leader ourselves because for most of us, great leaders are easy to see and difficult to be
Support the show (https://elementchurchlaurel.com/give)
In this series, we’re taking a look at 4 qualities of a great leader and learning how to be a better leader ourselves because for most of us, great leaders are easy to see and difficult to be
Support the show (https://elementchurchlaurel.com/give)
In this series, we’re taking a look at 4 qualities of a great leader and learning how to be a better leader ourselves because for most of us, great leaders are easy to see and difficult to be
Support the show (https://elementchurchlaurel.com/give)
Join us this week as we learn the last tool we need to navigate the darkness!
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In the 7th week of our “Navigating the Darkness” series, join us as Pastor Ryan discusses the importance of perspective. Even though it isn’t always comforting for God to be in control, we have to learn how to hold onto our beliefs whether times are good or bad. Finding perspective allows you to see more than your surroundings and finding it in faith lets you get ready to go.
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What can a dirty cup of coffee in a sketchy alleyway teach us about how to navigate some of the dark circumstances of our lives? In today’s message, we’ll see Jesus interacting with some religious teachers of his day, where he uses the imagery of cleaning the inside and outside of a cup to drive home the priority of personal integrity above religious appearances. The tool of the week is BOUNDARIES. We’ll learn how to set up some strategic boundaries to strengthen our personal integrity, resolve some problems, and avoid future disasters.
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Have you ever listened to someone and ended up in a place you never wanted to be? Join us this week as we continue our “Navigating the Darkness” series. In this message Pastor Ryan goes into detail about the value of wise counsel and 5 ways to distinguish a wise person from a foolish one.
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Carrying the weight of the darkness we find ourselves in is easier when we’re healthy, and it’s impossible to be healthy without first being honest. In week four of our “Navigating the Darkness” series, Pastor Ryan gives us the tool of self-assessment to help us find our way through troubling times. Join the Element community as we take Pastor Ryan’s challenge to be honest with ourselves and play the long game with our lives.
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Our relationships within a community make a big difference in how we navigate the darkness. Sometimes the only way out of the darkness is by going through it together. In today’s message we learn some fundamental aspects of being part of a community.
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Sometimes going through dark experiences makes it difficult for us to remember how to pray. Sometimes, it’s exactly those dark times when we most need to remember how to pray. Two things to remember about praying in the darkness: 1) praying in the dark is more likely to change you than it is to change your situation, and 2) praying in the dark is about inviting God into the darkness more than it is about expecting God to remove the darkness. By becoming more religious in our prayers, we became less real in our prayers.
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Darkness: A state of confusion, frustration, anger, and/or fear that comes as a result of either internal forces, external forces, or a combination of both. Sometimes we go through life encountering dangerous circumstances and we’re desperate for a guide to help us find our way out. In the dark moments of marriage, singleness, parenting, school, and waiting, we can find hope in the promises of Jesus to help us navigate the darkness.
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Christmas is the story of God with us, but Easter is the story of God for us. Join us this week as Pastor Ryan talks about grace and how what Jesus did on the cross is not just for humanity in general, but for each and every one of us on a deeply personal level.
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There are times in our lives where we need to remember that was is easiest isn’t always best for us. In today’s message we’ll take a look at a conversation in which Jesus explains the importance of how truth and grace work together to meet our spiritual needs.
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In the second week of our “Come and See” series, Pastor Ryan focuses on passages that illuminate the importance of finding God’s light in the darkest times. This message highlights the value of doing God’s work despite feeling unqualified for the task; it is our imperfections that empower us for sharing the gospel.
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Sharing your faith can be uncomfortable, but as Christians we are called to spread the news of Jesus to everyone we meet. For a follower of Jesus, this comes down to obedience and disobedience; either you obey God and share the gospel, or you disobey God by never outwardly inviting the people around you to Christ. Join us this week as Pastor Ryan walks us through the importance of a “Come and See” approach when it comes to inviting your friends to church.
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Whether you’ve been burned by a previous gift or are discouraged by the small impact you feel you have, generosity can be overwhelming. When done the right way for the right reasons, generosity can be restorative and life-giving for all parties involved. Join us this week as Pastor Ryan discusses minimizing the risk and maximizing the potential of being generous.
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It’s common for us to give out of guilt, but that isn’t what God wants for us. This week, Pastor Ryan talks about reversing guilt-based generosity in order to give with glad hearts. Join us for this message and hear about 4 steps towards glad-hearted generosity.
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Christianity exists as we know it today because of the generosity of the early church. Giving to people without an agenda is what sets Christians apart. We give authentically, we give regularly, and we give without any expectations. Join us in week one of Diversify as Pastor Ryan begins to explain how generosity and loving one another can change everything.
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Where are you irreplaceable? Someone else can do your job, but no one else can be the biological parent to your kids or the first partner to your spouse. Serving others is part of being a Christian, but we have to learn to respect the margins of our time, energy, and money. This week Pastor Ryan delves into 3 hesitations people have when it comes time to help others, and why good intentions simply are not enough. Most importantly, to wrap up our Home Improvement series, Pastor Ryan explains that you cannot sacrifice your family on the altar of your ministry.
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What are some of your boundaries? Who do you bring close, and what behaviors do you keep at a distance? We like boundaries. We like having doors on our houses. But sometimes, despite our doors and physical barriers, we make decisions to allow things into our lives that perhaps we shouldn’t. In today’s message we’ll take a look at how we can maintain some mental and emotional boundaries that will help us guard our sanity and our stability.
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“Because your children have worth but are sinners, you much teach your children you love them no matter what, and they must obey you no matter what.” – Carl Kuhl, Mosaic Christian Church
Nothing raises questions about how to be a good parent with quite the same intensity as installing a car seat for your brand new baby into your car. Today Pastor Carl Kuhl, from Mosaic Christian Church, shares a message with Element about parenting. You’ll find it real, honest, humorous, relatable, terrifying, and hopeful.
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There is no such thing as a perfect family, not even in the Bible, so how do we create a healthier and happier home? In today’s message, Pastor Ryan explains how the first step to a healthier home starts with you. Self-awareness is a critical part of life and a critical part of our relationship with God. Even though it’s challenging, in order for us to grow and to live healthier lives, we have to become aware of our faults. Through this awareness God can reveal himself in your life even more, and begin to make positive and meaningful changes in your home.
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What do we do when someone comes looking to us for advice? How do we use our influence to help those around us? What do we do when we seek the advice and influence of others? As we see in the Bible, to disciple someone is to influence them to perceive, process, and present themselves more like Jesus. In today’s message we’ll see examples of how Jesus spent his time and energy to be intentional about positively influencing those around him, even those who interrupted him.
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Some of the scariest times in life are when we don’t know everything, can’t do everything, and have messed up everything. Those are the times that we often feel most exposed and least willing to reach out to people around us. But what if those were exactly moments when we MOST need to reach out to those around us? In today’s message, we’ll look at how being vulnerable allows those around us to truly know us and love us.
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The beginning of the new year tends to be the time many of us resolve to become better versions of ourselves. As with most all good things, lifestyle transformation is a process that requires time and perseverance. This can be hard when the end is out of sight and all we can see is the adversity immediately in front of us. In today’s message, we’ll look at the life of Joseph and consider how we too can learn to trust the process in the midst of our problems.
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Two things servers need to know to increase their tips are to keep customers' cups full and don't interrupt their conversations. But what should one do with a customer who hides their drink at the far end of a booth? Sometimes we come to church wondering why we're not getting filled and satisfied. Could it be possible that a simple change we can make is to stop concealing our cups and put them out at the edge of the table where it's easier for them to be filled?
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The story of Jesus may seem as made up as Santa Claus, but Jesus came to Earth for a purpose. God sent his son to live a perfect life under imperfect circumstances to bring us close to Himself. Whether it’s financial instability, rocky relationships, grief, depression, or any other strain in life, you can find a new peace in your relationship with God.
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Family are like fish, you throw them out after 3 days. If you laughed at that, then unfortunately you can probably relate. As we look forward to family gatherings (either with delight or with dread), we want to keep in mind healthy ways to address conflict. The truth is, relationships often end in bitterness when we don’t deal with conflict. Unforgiveness and bitterness is not the best way to live, and Jesus invites us to live better than that. In today’s message we’ll look at one story Jesus tells about family conflict and drama and gain some ideas that will help us navigate the tension of this season.
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It’s the most wonderful time of the year – or is it? Whether there’s stress on your relationships, your job, or your holiday plans, the Christmas season isn’t always as happy as the internet says it is. This week Pastor Ryan gets real about one of the leading causes of death and invites us to seek help and feel hope.
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It’s the most wonderful time of the year – or is it? Whether there’s stress on your relationships, your job, or your holiday plans, the Christmas season isn’t always as happy as the internet says it is. This week Pastor Ryan opens our “Triggered” series with a look into the anxiety and the loneliness of the holiday season and how we can use our community to get us through.
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How does the strength of our community affect our own personal well-being and ability to make a difference in the world? In today’s message we’ll take a look at some situations where Jesus was not able to be effective in his hometown due to the dispersions cast by those in his community. We’ll also see some practical applications of how we can find encouragement through those whom have run similar races we may be running and are cheering us on.
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Our devices give us so many advantages, but they can also be barriers to actually building relationships within our communities. In today’s message we’ll take a look at an exchange between Moses and his father-in-law, Jethro. Jethro’s message to Moses was essentially to involve more people in his personal community to help carry the responsibilities of leading the nation of Israel. We’ll see what Moses does with this advice and we’ll consider how we can implement similar principles in our own lives.
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Your community can help raise you up or it can break you down, it all depends on who you surround yourself with. Throughout this series we will explore the importance of being vulnerable and building a core group to do life with. This week, join Pastor Ryan as he explores the stories of a man who had everything, a man who sacrificed everything for the Kingdom, and the importance of standing through the storms of life together.
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Jesus told his disciples he was retiring and being replaced by…the Spirit of God? As one might expect, instead of meeting this announcement with celebration, Jesus’ disciples responded with confusion and distress. Fortunately, Jesus also explained how this transition is actually better for us. Despite the fact that we sometimes feel silence from God, Jesus tells us that the Spirit is there to guide us in our relationship with God. In today’s message we’ll see the details of what Jesus was talking about and also learn some practical ways to cut through the silence.
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Life is busy – for everyone, all the time, life is busy. But it’s important to find time and space to be with God. This week, Pastor Ryan preaches about the story of the prophet Elijah and how God showed up in the midst of Elijah’s silence.
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If you have asked questions about whether or not God is listening, or where he is in your circumstances, or if he even cares, then you don't want to miss our new series, "Hide and Seek". Over the next few weeks we'll take a deep dive on communicating with God and learn some practical ways to improve our conversation with him.
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Have you ever been handed a tool but absolutely no instruction how to use it? If the Bible says that we are called to do great things but gives us no instruction on how to use that calling, then how are we supposed to live the life Jesus wants for us? In today’s message we’ll pick up some practical ways of learning to use the tools in our lives. But they won’t come easy. Ultimately, we have to own our growth and personally put the effort into bettering ourselves.
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No one has it all together. Everyone can have “a week” – a week where the highlight was the alarm going off early on Monday morning. Here at Element, we believe that you can belong before you believe and that everyone receives God’s grace.
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As Pastor Ryan continues to dive into our core values as a church, we confront the truth about dealing with difficult people. It’s easy for us to ask: “What Would Jesus Do?” but it’s much harder to accomplish the same feats. Instead, we have to ask: “What Did Jesus Tell Us To Do?”
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Authentic community sets the church apart. Here at Element, we believe that life is better together. Going through life alone is not what we are called to do as people who have been called by God to be set apart.
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Have you ever wondered what Element is really about? This week, Pastor Ryan kicks off a new series diving into our core values as a church. Over the next five weeks, join us as we clearly define who we are and what we’re about.
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As we wrap up our Reality Check series, Pastor Ryan addresses the practice of worship. What is worship to you? What sets your heart on fire or ignites your sense of wonder or draws your soul towards God? Tune in as Pastor Ryan dives into different parts of scripture to find different examples of worship and shows us how we can apply this teaching in our own lives.
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Have you ever wondered how a loving God can allow us to suffer deep pain? Have you ever asked yourself why God lets a place like Hell exist – and why he allows so many people to spend eternity there? This week, Pastor Ryan dives into the truth about Hell, and the fact that it is 100% preventable.
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This week we’re kicking off our Reality Check series with a video from Pastor Carl Kuhl at Mosaic Christian Church! Pastor Carl explores the paradox of grace and truth and how we can apply it in real life today.
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What would you do if you were 100% sure God was with you? As we close out our Courageous series, we look at Joshua as he stands up to disagreement and discouragement in the face of the unknown. In this message, Pastor Ryan explores how we can address our fears and embrace the opportunities God has for us on the other side of what scares us.
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What do we do when God speaks and the details don’t make sense? This week Pastor Ryan continues the story of Joshua and his trust in God – even when he doesn’t know the results, or what hangs in the balance of his decision to be courageous.
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What are you really afraid of? In this series, Pastor Ryan is going to break down the courage it takes to address our fears and embrace opportunity. This week we explore 3 ways to keep going through life when God is silent and how to deal with our fears on a real and practical level.
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We face battles every day. Whether it’s the struggle of being moral in an immoral world, being prepared to share the gospel, or just facing the constant negative chatter in our minds, each day brings a new fight. This week, Pastor Ryan walks us through the armor of God (or the armor of hockey) and gives us practical challenges to get us ready for the battles ahead.
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Can you submit to someone you don’t agree with (as long as that person is not causing you harm)? Whether it be a spouse, an employer, or some other kind of leader, what does it take to submit to their authority despite your differences? In today’s message we’ll take a look at a difficult idea, that “it’s not about me”. As we continue our series looking at the letter the apostle Paul wrote to the churches of Ephesus, we’ll see how he explains what it looks like to be a follower of Christ in the context of some different relationship situations. We’ll find value in shifting our mindset to respect and learn from people we disagree with, and ultimately how to live in abundance as we relate to others.
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Do you ever ignore annoying issues hoping they will miraculously fix themselves? How does that work out for you? What about with bigger issues? Sometimes the lack of motivation to make positive changes is related to a lack of understanding that there is a better way to live. In today’s message we’ll take a look at four practical steps we can take to take ownership of our faith and our lives and start to make some positive healthy changes.
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Have you ever tried to pour something out of an empty bottle? Have you ever BEEN that empty bottle, trying to pour yourself out on behalf of others but find the people around you just suck you dry? In today’s message we continue looking at Paul’s letter to the church at Ephesus and see how the words of encouragement he shared with them also apply to us. Ultimately we’ll see that as we draw nearer to God, his unlimited resources are available to satisfy our needs and empower us to do all that we’re called to do.
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Have you ever gone looking for something but along the way discovered you weren't even in the correct region to be looking for that thing? How is that similar to searching for hope? Do you sometimes find yourself looking for hope in all the wrong places?
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If you're a home-owner, do you find yourself looking for more DIY plumbing repair videos on the internet than you usually do? More generally, do you find yourself searching for information and advice most relevant to your immediate circumstances? In today's message we'll begin to take a look at a letter, written by a man named Paul to a church in the ancient city of Ephesus, which spells out some basics about living a life of faith in Jesus. Ultimately we'll learn some practical questions to help clear away spiritual obstacles, and also discover a simple idea about experiencing a relationship with God that goes beyond simply just knowing about Him.
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Join us this week as guest speaker, Joe Andrist, speaks on, "Spiritual Fitness." The gospel of Matthew illustrates the importance of putting God's priorities ahead of man's priorities and growing spiritually. Unfortunately, many people fail to exercise spiritually on a regular basis. Drawing on metaphors with physical fitness, Joe demonstrates spiritual exercises, challenges us to be honest, well-nourished, and precise with our goals, and ultimately, to take short, obedience steps of faith to achieve spiritual change.
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If the God of the Bible is supposed to be about grace and protection, how do we square that with the times in our lives when we face pain and suffering? If you’ve been with Element for a while, you know that we are big about helping hurting people find healing. Ultimately we’ll see that God is neither silent nor absent in the midst of our pain, and we’ll find hope by drawing near to Him as we navigate a broken and fallen world.
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Do you ever feel like you have gas in the tank and a powerful engine, but somehow still can’t get to where you want to go? Do you feel like you do all the right things to learn the knowledge and skills needed for life, but somehow there’s still a connection missing? In today’s message we’ll revisit some old messages and be reminded of a point Jesus made to his closest followers about staying connected to himself. We’ll rediscover some practical advice about connecting the information we have with the skills God has given us to make a difference in the world.
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Do you take reality seriously? If so, what kinds of doubts does reality cause you to face? In today's message we'll take a look at stories of two people who wrestled with doubt based on their own real life experiences. Ultimately we'll discover that, though our life circumstances cause us to face things we don't understand, we can bring our doubts to Jesus and find hope and practical ways of dealing with them.
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How do you balance things in life? Do you delicately stabilize things for a moment only to have something come out of nowhere and disrupt everything? Have you considered that maybe fulfilling our purpose is better than finding balance? In today's message, we'll be challenged to consider that maybe balance is the wrong objective. We'll discover practical, even easy, ways to develop healthier and more productive habits.
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Have you ever wondered how a good God can possibly exist when you or those you care about continue to experience pain? Do you find it impossible to think about comfort when the only thoughts filling your mind are about what you've lost? As we wrap up this series, we'll consider the idea that there may perhaps be a purpose to our pain. We'll look at some passages in the Bible where the author writes about God being able to do miracles and give us comfort, but then a little later we read about the adversity the author continues to endure. While this juxtaposition may be uncomfortable, we will find relief through a fellowship of suffering.
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What have you committed to "muscle memory"? We gain muscle memory by doing the same thing over and over again. Sometimes this can help us develop useful skills, but sometimes we can also develop harmful habits. In today's message we'll consider that the weight we carry due to wounds inflicted by others can cause us to develop a form muscle memory which prevents healing. We'll look at the writings of the Apostle Paul about why forgiveness is so essential to healing and gain new perspectives on what forgiveness is and how to do it.
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Do you feel experiences of hurt and pain are like weights holding you down? If you've carried that weight for a long time, do you identify with that pain? In today's message we'll reevaluate our relationships with our burdens and see what the Bible says about how Jesus welcomes us to find relief from them. Ultimately we'll learn some things about forgiveness and what influence that has on releasing us from some of the burdens we may have brought upon ourselves (next week we'll talk about the burdens brought upon us by others).
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If you sprain an ankle or break a finger, are you more likely to see a doctor or pretend the injury doesn't exist? What about when it comes to a broken relationship, addiction, or loss of a loved one? In today's message we'll take a look at the role of community in the healing process and we'll learn some practical ways to BE the church. Incidentally, we'll see that every time the Bible refers to the "church" it's referring to a group of believers that are trying to follow Jesus. Scripture tells us that the primary activity of the church is to one-another one another. For healing to happen, we have to care for one another.
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Have you ever made a decision that was supposed to be inconsequential but instead turned out to be monumental? Maybe a decision was made for you that moment changed everything! Sometimes those are changes for the better, but often those are changes that damage us. In today's message we begin a series looking at what to do when life hurts. We'll see that healing is possible and learn practical ways to take some first steps.
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Have you ever felt like your need for prayer has been based on what kind of week you’ve had? Maybe when you're feeling confident and successful you're more willing to go to God in prayer, but maybe in your darker moments you feel unworthy?Support the show (https://elementchurchlaurel.com/give)
What's your biggest pet peeve? What bothers you the most? Maybe bad drivers. Maybe shoppers that stop in the door way of busy stores to look for their cars from a distance. Maybe relationships when other people don't live life the way you would prefer. In today's message we'll see a prayer of unity that Jesus prays for us and learn some things about his intention for that unity. In a very vivid way, we'll see what happens when ME takes priority over WE. The result is not just disunity and brokenness, but it's that we can no longer fulfill our purpose. Ultimately we'll be challenged to become people who see the value of WE over ME.
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Do you ever wonder if Jesus really understands how you feel? If he was never married, how can he relate to having fights with his spouse? If he never had children, how can he relate to taking them to the doctor for vaccinations, and seeing the pain and fear and betrayal in the eyes of his child? In today's message we'll take a look at a moment in Jesus' life where the Bible records his most candid prayer for us. We'll him express fear and pain and anxiety and we'll see him turn that into anger against the evil that opposes him. Ultimately one thing we'll see in particular is the role emotion plays in Jesus' Garden prayer.
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What is the right way to eat a Cinnabon? What does that have to do with prayer? If you’ve never thought that there may be a right and wrong way to eat a Cinnabon, then you might also not consider that there may be a right or wrong way to pray. In today's message we'll see how Jesus responded to his disciples when they asked him to teach them how to pray. We'll learn some practical things to keep in mind, and also learn more about God along the way.
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Where does your family come from? What are some of the great, and not so great, stories from your family line? In today's message we wrap up the story of Ruth and Naomi and Boaz by looking at the line of their descendants, and Jesus himself is even part of that family. We'll see that the lineage of Jesus is packed with people with jacked-up lives, and God's grace is great enough to redeem them too. Ultimately we'll find hope for our own lives with the reminder that God's relationship with us starts with Him assigning us value and worth, as his image bearers, and that he wants something for us that is so much better than we can possibly understand. As we wrap up the story of Ruth, the end is STILL only just beginning!
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We continue the story of Ruth by studying a person she meets named Boaz. We take a look at his model of character, honor, and faith as we consider how to move forward in our relationships.
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Have you ever had an experience where you thought going to THAT place or with THAT person would give you a certain satisfaction, but it didn’t work out the way you expected? Did you set out full and hopeful but now find yourself now coming back empty and in despair? In today’s message we enter scene two of Naomi and Ruth’s desperate story as they begin to try and turn things around for themselves. We’ll see God begin to work His plans through the decisions of people as Naomi and Ruth make a plan for survival and then celebrate when God shows up and provides for them. We’ll face some practical questions for our own lives about how we can find hope and reasons to celebrate in the midst of our circumstances.
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When you think about the ways you have been loyal to others, do you feel like your loyalty has sometimes not been repaid in kind? Would you even say your loyalty has sometimes been repaid with adversity? In today's message we begin a series for singles looking at the lives of Ruth and Naomi. These are two women who found themselves in places they did not want to be and experiencing adversity they do not deserve. We'll ask some practical questions in our own lives that will give us some guidance about how to evaluate the people in our lives worth following, and ultimately find the strength and bravery to be honest about our wounds and begin to deal with them in healthy and healing ways.
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Whether you believe in Jesus or not, what are your initial feelings about sharing your faith? For many people the thought of sharing faith, or having faith shared with them, is uncomfortable and generates feelings of anxiety. Can you relate? In today's message we'll consider some ideas about what it means to fulfill the great commission and "go make disciples". We'll first take a look at the meaning of the word "disciple", then take a look at ourselves, then take a look at the invitation God gives to us to first experience the hope and grace and truth of His gospel in our own lives.
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Why is it that there can be so much confusion around discerning God's will? If He is a good and loving father who wants us to obey Him, why is it sometimes so hard to understand what it is He wants us to obey? In today's message we'll take a look and examples the Bible gives us about some ways God speaks to us, and ultimately learn some practical tips on how to process decisions we face by seeking wise council.
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What kinds of New Years resolutions do you make? How are you doing with them so far? If you made a resolution regarding your faith, how has that been going? Studies show that if you want to build a solid foundation of faith, the most significant thing you can to is read your Bible on a regular basis. But that can be problematic for many of us, because the Bible seems so unapproachable or we are too busy or it's to complicated to understand. In today's message, we'll see some ways we can remove some of those obstacles and enjoy the benefits of reading the Bible regularly. One great resource is a reading plan from The Bible Project called, "The Bible". You can find this reading plan on the YouVersion Bible app, or at the following link: bible.com/r/1Fk
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What is "Ground Zero"? Typically we use this term to describe a site of devastation or disaster, but it can also just simply be something's starting point. In today's message, we'll take a look at someone in the Bible, named Zacchaeus, who's life was characterized by rejection and brokenness and we'll see how Jesus enters into that life to redefine it with welcoming and completeness. Ultimately we'll learn that we are all just like Zacchaeus, that Jesus is here for us too, and all are welcome.
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How often do you pray R-rated prayers? If we want to have a relationship with God, and that relationship requires us to be vulnerable with Him, then is it okay to express some of our most unbecoming thoughts and experiences to Him? In today's message we'll learn some practical ways to refresh our intimacy with God. Ultimately, we'll learn that God doesn't want us to have faith that is empty, filtered, and calculated. That's why He moved first.
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During holiday seasons, do you typically find yourself surrounded by more people than normal? How would you describe the influences of those people? Healthy? Good? Annoying? Toxic? Sometimes, despite the best intentions, we find ourselves involved in relationships which negatively influence our lives. How do you avoid letting those people get to you? In today's message we'll see Jesus modeling a way for us to set up boundaries and guardrails in our own relationships. We'll be challenged to take a look at the people we have chosen to trust with our innermost vulnerabilities and reconsider what kind of access they should have to our hearts.
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The holiday season is upon us. Do you feel out of balance? In today's message, we'll take a look a moment in the life of Nehemiah. We'll see that he was surrounded by dangerous circumstances and annoying distractions and had to say "no" to some things in order to stay focused on the "great work" he was engaged in. We'll also learn some practical tips on how to prevent busyness this season.
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What does Christmas look like? Does it look like the hype of the perfect families portrayed in TV commercials? Or is there something else to it? In today's message, we'll consider some ideas that will challenge the way we approach the Christmas holiday. Ultimately we'll discover that our hope is not in the hype of the holidays but our hope is in something greater, and hope in that something greater does not involve a setback as we move into 2018.
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How many of us have things in our lives that are not the way they should be? How many of us desperately want those things to be made right? Today's message is all about restoration as we continue to look at the life of king David. In this message we'll hear the joy in David's heart as he responds to God restoring him. We'll discover that this same joy, hope, strength, and contentment can be experienced in our own lives as we learn to rely on God in the middle of our own challenges.
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If your life and circumstances have changed over time, do you remember the way you used to be? How did you get from the way you were to the way you are now? Today's message will give us some practical encouragement when we find ourselves stuck between a rock and a hard place. We'll hear another story about King David's past struggles and future ambitions, and find encouragement as he remembers how God has brought him so far.
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What do you do when you get caught or exposed doing something you're not supposed to? Do you continue to argue, or do you own up to your decisions and the consequences? In today's message, we'll see how King David handled a similar situation. Ultimately we'll learn that he didn't argue or try to justify his actions. Instead, he faced the mirror, took ownership of his decisions, and admitted "I'm the man!"
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How have you been reacting enjoying this series so far? Hopefully you've been finding encouragement as well as ideas for how to engage challenging circumstances. In today's message we'll hear some raw emotion from one of the Bible's most familiar characters. David was a man after God's own heart, and yet he still experienced a lot of adversity. From his story we'll learn that it's okay to not be okay, but it's not okay to stay that way, because Jesus wants something greater for each of us.
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Are there times in your life when you've had opportunities to make compromises to get ahead, but not making those compromises continues to hold you back? What are the consequences one way or another? In today's message we'll revisit some stories from the Old Testament about David, being chased around the country by king Saul, and the opportunities he had to make compromises. We'll see how he exercised patience, faith, and honor amid his desperate circumstances and find encouragement applying these qualities in our own lives.
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Do you have any relationship in life, either with people or things (maybe work), which you depend on for benefits and/or sustenance? Do those relationships also sometimes come with a lot of drama and trouble? In today's message we'll look at a character in a similar situation and consider some questions we can ask to help get us through tough times. Next time you find yourself between a rock and a hard place, ask yourself: "Based on my past experiences, my current circumstances, and my future hopes and dreams, what is the wise thing for me to do?"
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Do you feel trapped between difficult choices? Today we will be kicking off a new series titled, "Between a Rock and a Hard Place" where we will begin to discover what to do when life gives us trouble.
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What’s the stage or platform you’re living on? Is it your kids and comparing your family to others? Is it your likes on social media? Maybe work? Maybe the dance floor at the club? In today's message we'll take a look at ourselves and consider the platform we're living out our lives on. We'll consider that a life lived on a platform driven by performance leads to emptiness and loneliness. Ultimately we'll be challenged to consider the idea that God does not simply want to be entertained by us, but desires intimacy with us.
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Can the church make a difference in someone's life? What are the reasons we should be inviting others to church? In today's message, we'll take a look at the story of Saul and see how his story can be applied to our lives.
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Have you ever experienced a relationship where it feels like the other person, or people, are not pulling their weight? If life is supposed to be better together then why do so many relationships feel empty, lonely, and disappointing? Maybe it's a group project where you care more about it than your teammates. Maybe it's at work. Maybe it's at home. These are all very difficult scenarios to work through, but in today's message, we'll hear about the a way God created people to live in relationship with one another. In particular, we'll hear about how God has created everyone with different abilities, to contribute to one another and live in harmony.
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If everyone loves you, is it possible to still be lonely? In today's message, we'll take a look at the definition of the original word for "church" and see how that can inform our relationships with other people.
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What is one basic fact about growing people? They change! What is the center of the universe? Depends on what century you ask the question. In today's message, we'll consider these two themes as we again focus our attention on some things to remember. Today we'll notice four practical ways to grow in our relationships with God.
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When life gets busy or stressful, how do you remember the things that are most important and reset your focus? In today's message we'll see an old idea of remembering important life experiences applied in some familiar ways. Ultimately we'll be reminded of some of the great things God has already done in our lives, and that resetting our focus on Him can change our present circumstances.
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Do the supernatural events recorded in the Bible make it difficult to believe in Jesus? If so, you're in good company. As we'll see in today's message, all of Jesus' closest companions experienced some unbelievable things which sometimes confused and frightened them. Ultimately we can find comfort in trusting that, though we may struggle to clearly explain everything going on, God is still compassionate toward us and has our best interest in mind.
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We are all passionate about specific things, but have you ever been so focused on details that you miss the big picture? In today's message, we'll hear a story of a time when Jesus defied the customs of his day to bring hope to a group of people desperate for healing.
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Have you ever had family drama? Like the kind of drama where you celebrate holidays in two different households so that certain people don't have to be in the same room? How about a sharp disagreement between friends or neighbors? When the people around you and the people you care about don't seem capable of reconciliation, how do you speak into those tensions and bring some kind of unity, instead of division? In today's message we'll encounter the story of a family dispute that lasted over 1,000 years, and how Jesus entered into it to bring reconciliation and unity.
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In today's message we will see how Jesus went against cultral norms to reach people who other religious leaders ignored. How can we apply Jesus' message of truth and grace in our lives?
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How do we view Jesus? Who is Jesus? In today's message we begin a new series called The Defiant One where we will see how our perspective on who Jesus is shapes our perspective on life.
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Do you have moments in your life where you wondered whether or not you belonged, and how has that made a difference in your life? In today's message we're going to hear a story about Jesus addressing different groups of people where he makes clear that everyone has a place to belong. We'll also hear from three new guest speakers describing how Element has been a place of grace and truth, where they've had the freedom to not be okay while they figure out different areas of life.
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Being a follower isn't always a bad thing, so how being a good follower help us in our daily lives? In today's message we'll encounter a story of God leading his people through difficult times out of dangerous situations and learn some tips about how to be a great follower. We'll see how the things we remember influence our attitudes toward personal growth, and how refreshing our memories can help us deal with discouragement.
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What's your story? How is yours connected to others around you? In today's message we'll hear how Jesus engaged the stories of people around him to bring healing and light to places of hurt and darkness. From Jesus' example we'll see that love engages, and we'll be challenged to learn to understand--and care for--the people around us.
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Would you play soccer without a ball? Why or why not? Probably because it's fake, right? In our world today, authenticity is very compelling. We are drawn to it like never before, and appalled by insincerity like never before. In today's message we'll engage an altercation between the religious elites and the common people during Jesus' time on earth. Ultimately we'll see that action authenticates faith, and we'll be encouraged to take next steps to live authentically in our own lives.
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So far in this series we've explored ideas about trusting and following God when life is stressful and confusing, but what happens when life hurts or feels unfair? Sometimes the story of our lives is exactly opposite of what we would hope and expect, and those experiences challenge the idea that God is kind and just. In today's message we'll hear some very personal stories about enduring some of life's most difficult storms by chasing the "why".
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Have you ever started packed for a trip by first unpacking from the last one? Have you come back from a trip, procrastinated unpacking, and when the next one comes around you discover 31 pairs of socks you forgot you had…and all the associated fragrances? In today's message we'll connect with some funny and honest truths about what can happen when we're unwilling to deal with our baggage.
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What if faith were like… pie? What kind of perspective can we gain from looking at our life like that? In today's message we'll hear a personal story about transitioning from resentment and struggling with faith, to discovering peace. We'll see that taking God seriously adds structure to life, and structure allows something as fragile as pie to endure great pressure.
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Have you ever put someone on a pedestal, discovered something about them, and then wondered if you're following the right person? Everyone needs a role model to follow, someone who has traveled the road ahead of us and can provide good guidance. But it's important to make sure the people we follow are positive influences instead of negative ones. In today's message we'll hear some strong words from Paul, the author of the book of Philippians, to guide us as we decide whom to follow.
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What happens when a parent picks favorites, and then plays favorites? Evidence suggests that people get hurt. In a few weeks we'll take another look at this topic, but in today's message we'll hear about a family where just such a thing happened. This story will demonstrate some lessons about dealing with betrayal and help us take next steps in the area of forgiveness.
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How can the story of Jonah, a grumpy and disagreeable character, help me understand where God is in my storm? In today's message we'll discover some interesting new insights from this old and familiar tale, specifically giving us new perspective on how to pray.
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Can you relate to doing your best to make good decisions, but everything still seems to be going wrong? In today's message we'll take a look at a story of three characters who were trying to do what they believed to be right, but found themselves in a tense situation where things got, shall we say, heated. Though their obedience lead to a seemingly worse situation, we'll ultimately find strength remembering that faithful obedience is our responsibility while the outcome is God's.
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How do you decide what you're going to spend your time on? Do you always have too much time, always get everything done early, and never seem to be busy? In today's message we are cautioned and coached to make the most of our time and opportunities. We'll work through ideas about how to discern the will of God and ultimately live for our purposes.
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When life feels out of balance do we typically look for ways to cut our losses, or ways to be generous? We've been focusing on the idea that living with balance isn't the goal; living with purpose is. To help us with that idea, we'll visit some stories in the Bible where God called people to make life decisions with an open-handed mindset, and consider practical next steps for our own lives. We'll also hear about life-change happening in Laurel because the people of Element have been generous.
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Have you ever felt like life is out of balance? It seems like any time we pick up something new, or something changes, things go out of balance. In today's message we'll challenge the idea of "life balance" by considering that the goal of life isn't balance, it's purpose.
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How do you feel about some of your closest friends? Is there a lot of trust and certainty between you? Or are there aspects of betrayal as well? In today's message, we'll take a look at the relationship between Jesus and Peter. We'll meet Peter at a time of guilt and shame, having denied that he even knew one of his closest friends, and find hope in the way Jesus restores him.
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How do you respond to growth and change in yourself and others? Do you celebrate change or are threatened by it? In today's message we'll hear about an instance when Jesus healed a paralyzed man but the people around him responded negatively to the things he did. Ultimately we'll discover that God is not scared of our deficiencies nor defines us by our accomplishments.
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If you know bad decisions are harmful, what are some practical ways to avoid them? Just praying harder and "surrendering" isn't always helpful in deal with struggles, so is there any hope? In this message we'll not only discover tools to deal with struggles, but also be challenged to actively eliminate them.
Week 4 challenge:
- Journal your struggles and begin to inspect what leads to sin.
- Discuss your journal with someone you can trust.
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What does it mean to root in Jesus, and how do we do that? Why would we be willing to trust him with anything?! In today's message, we'll remember that growth is a process and discover hope in areas of our lives that we may see as dead. Ultimately we can learn to trust Jesus because he can bring the dead back to life. Sometimes, what we see as dead God sees as just sleeping.
Week 3 challenge:
- Re-read Philippians
- Circle what you should do
- Underline what to avoid
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Is there any kind of growth that occurs instantaneous? If so, is that natural? In today's message we'll take a look at some characters in the Bible who discovered growth is a process. As we engage with this message we'll find encouragement that growth is our own lives is also a process.
Week 2 challenge: Read the book of Philippians
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Have you ever been frustrated that you don't have it all together and you're not where you're supposed to be? What does that even mean and, more importantly, how you fix it? In today's message we'll encounter a message Jesus taught in the way that Jesus taught it. He used a object that everyone was familiar with to describe the process of growth: dirt.
Week 1 challenge: Read Psalm 139:23-24
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Today's message is a very special Q&A with Ryan and a panel of 3 couples talking about relationships. We've received a ton of questions about this topic that we're excited to talk about. If you're single, dating, newly married, married for a while, re-married, there's something for everyone. If you have questions that didn't get answered in this discussion, please feel free to reach out to us on social media.
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If relationships are the lifeblood of our lives, how do we do relationships better? In this message we'll take a look at a passage in the Bible that talks about becoming people of honor and what that has to do with improving the relationships in our lives.
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Matt Steen has been one of Element's overseers since before launch. In many ways, Element is what it is largely due to Matt's wisdom, guidance, and encouragement. In this episode, Ryan interviews Matt during the Sunday morning team meeting and Matt shares some very encouraging and helpful thoughts.
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If your heart follows your treasury, what does your calendar say? In today's message we'll consider an idea that the things we schedule in our calendars are a reflection of the things we prioritize in life. We'll be challenged to filter out things that are not helpful to prioritize pursuing healthy relationships.
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How would you describe the quality of the relationships in your life? Whether they're healthy or toxic, we all live in relationships and we could all do them better. In today's message we'll take a look at how clear communication is related to our integrity, and how good communication and integrity improve our relationships.
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Do you consider yourself to be a leader? Does that fill you with confidence, or dread? In today's message, we'll take a look at some ideas from the book of Acts exploring how becoming a leader might just be someone's next step.
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Can you relate to being scammed? Scams may feel like many things, including just plain distracting. In today's message, we'll take a look at a moment where Jesus walked into the temple in Jerusalem and witnesses extortionists taking advantage of faithful people. We'll see how his response to that scene redefines true worship and compassion. We'll also be challenged to do our best to invite our loved ones to church and clear away all distractions so they can freely bump into Jesus.
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What are some of the things you care about that you contribute time and money to? Are there things you invest in without knowing what the payoff will be? In today's message we'll look at some instructions Jesus gives us about being generous. We'll also take a moment to remember the sacrifices that have already made to take care of broken and hurting people long before they ever darkened our doors.
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How would you describe the people you surround yourself with? Based on the people in your life, how would you describe your connection to that community? In today's message we will contrast two characters of the Bible and how they related to the people in their community. We will examine the quality of their lives and consider the lessons we can apply to our own.
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How do we typically grow or improve anything? Isn't it usually by taking one step at a time? In today's message we'll consider the idea that the first step in growing our faith is to attend church. At Element we believe that life is best experienced living in community, and attending a Sunday morning worship experience is the first step to that.
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Merry Christmas! Hopefully you are enjoying the holiday with your loved ones! What is the purpose of Christmas? What is the purpose of Jesus? In today's message, we'll take a look at what the Bible says about the reason Jesus came to earth and what that means for our lives; both eternally as well as on a day-to-day basis.
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