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Element Christian Church

James: Part Nineteen: Speaking the Gospel

Locations & Times

4890 Bethany Ln, Santa Maria, CA 93455, USA

Sunday 9:00 AM

Sunday 10:45 AM

Welcome to Element

We strive to ensure the biggest thing people think when they hear about Element is Jesus! We are a Gospel centered community who finds our identity in Jesus.

New to Element? Need prayer? Just want to connect?

Click the link to fill out our Digital Connect Card so we can know you were here and send you a "Welcome" email.

https://ourelement.churchcenter.com/people/forms/295918

eKids! Volunteer Training

Sunday June 5th at 12:30p All current volunteers invited as well as people wanting to learn more. Food will be provided.

Show Up, Sign Up, SERVE!

Sunday, June 5th, we invite you to learn more about the areas we could use the most help at Element on Sunday mornings. We will have various representatives on hand to answer questions and let you know how to get involved. Various leaders will be on hand after each service to answer any questions you might have or help get you started!

Youth Trip to Ravine Waterpark

The Youth (Jr High AND High School) is going to The Ravine Waterpark, to enjoy some sunshine and over chlorinated water. If you are a fan of kicking back on the lazy river or are due for a nasal rinse from one of their wonderful slides join us. We will be meeting that Sunday Morning in the Element Barn parking lot and trying to leave by 9:30am. We plan on being back to Element by 5:00pm. Cost: Tickets are $35.99 Food and snacks will be provided. Let Cory know you are coming ASAP so he will have a seat for you. If you need help with the cost please talk to Cory or Christie.

Church Center - the app

Free in your phone's app store and a huge resource to stay in touch with Element! Download today!

All the things

We mention all sorts of links throughout service, this is a summary of all of them in one place! Find our YouTube, current sign ups, ways to connect and more!

https://linktr.ee/ourelement

James 5:19-20
Speaking the Gospel

James, throughout his letter, deals with confusion, discipline, the need for confession of sins, and he will end with a push to restore (bring back) those who have wandered. James never shies away from calling sin “sin,” or “wandering” sin, but he reminds us that God has a greater purpose in one another’s lives, a purpose beyond judgment. The New Testament tells us to weep over those who are wandering, pray for them, speak truth into their lives, and when necessary bring discipline.

James 5:19-20

2 Timothy 3:12-13

2 Peter 2:15

James 5:20

2 Corinthians 2:6-8

Proverbs 10:12

Galatians 6:1

1 John 5:16

2 Thessalonians 3:15

Matthew 18:15-17

Speaking truth to one another is never meant to be for the purposes of control or power, we speak truth because we love them in the name of Christ. James says that we will not survive as a body of people without Christians confessing their sins to each other. We will not be witnesses for Christ and loving each other if we do not step into each other’s lives in ways that are hard. We will not be those who bring one another back without real relationships with one another. A church must do this or we will never be the church God calls us to be.

Kent Hughes wrote, “To save another from spiritual death is indeed the greatest thing one human can do for another!” He is not saying we save people, it is Jesus who does that, but the point of the book of James pushes us to be Christ’s ambassadors. James’ call is for the church to consciously practice a ministry of reclamation. Hughes says this has 5 steps:

1) Love. The church must engage in love because love cares and maintains a relationship through which the grace of God moves.

2) Integrity. If we are to be used to help restore someone, we must possess what we wish them to have.

3) Prayer. We must pray for those who wander even while confronting them.

4) Confrontation. This comes out of love. Love doesn’t shy away when someone needs truth.

5) Discipline. This is the last resort but there are times we must do this for the sake of the wanderer and the life of the church.

How do we live as a Gospel centered people? We must know the Gospel. Jesus saves, not us, so we speak His message and call people to Him.

Community Discussion

Read James 5:19-20.

• How do you feel about the word “confrontation?”
• How do you feel when you hear the word “restoration?”
• What does “repentance” mean?

• How have you experienced wandering that is like drifting?
• When was the last time you have examined yourself and your faith?
• What things did you find?
• How can we experience being wrong without being crushed by that fact?

• How can a Gospel centered community practice the ministry of reclamation?
• What is the Biblical response to noticing we have wandered from Jesus? List them out and discuss them as a group.
• What kinds of issues do you anticipate as you engage with the culture around us?

• How can we or would we approach someone who has wandered and is in need of community (believer or non)?
• How would love, integrity, prayer, confrontation and discipline play a part?
• How can we encourage missional mindfulness and growing in sanctification at the same time?
• Practice sharing what the Gospel is in your group. How can that truth inspire and encourage you this week?

Online Giving

Give electronically of your tithes and offerings here:

http://www.ourelement.org/give