Element Christian Church
Forgive Week 4: An Other Regarding Ethic
Locations & Times
Element Christian Church
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.
Classics Connect Party This Friday
If you're 60+ and looking to make deeper connections, find ways to serve one another, have a community to help support you when you’re in need and more, join us in the Barn on Friday, August 11th at 6pm for a fun Connect Party!
Bring your favorite appetizer and dessert to share.
Bring your favorite appetizer and dessert to share.
Middle+ and Youth Parent Meeting and Pool Party
Attention all families with students moving up into 6th-9th grade this Fall! Both you and your child is invited to attend our annual Middles Parent Meeting + Student Game Event. We will keep your students busy while you hear about all the things we will be doing in Middles during the year. We will help you connect to other parents and to the ministry by providing ways to partner with us. And, we will give you a full run down on the dates for events coming up that we KNOW your kids will want to be involved with. You will not want to miss this meeting.
https://ourelement.churchcenter.com/people/forms/507274Want to be Baptized?
Our next Baptism celebration will be Sunday, September 10th! If you are interested in being baptized, please join us at our informational meeting Sunday, August 13th in the Lounge following each service. If you can't make that day, you can join us on Zoom, Wednesday August 16th at 6pm.
email Michelle.Gee@ourelement.org for more details.
email Michelle.Gee@ourelement.org for more details.
Summer Missions Update
https://www.ourelement.org/downloads/2023/2023_7_1_MissionsUpdate.pdfReplanted Conference
Foster, adoptive & kinship parents – You are not alone. The Replanted Conference provides a time away for caregivers to be refreshed, equipped, and inspired! Regardless of where you are in your adoption and foster care journey, we've created something special, just for you.
https://www.ourelement.org/replantedNew 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/295918Stay Connected - Download the Church Center App
https://ourelement.churchcenter.com/setupHelp Needed!!
Click the link below to see all the various areas you can serve at Element and sign up to help
https://ourelement.churchcenter.com/people/forms/395779This week's song list
Interested in looking for some of the songs we sang this week? Here's the titles and original artists:
Burning in my Soul - Matt Maher
Come as You Are - Crowder
You Never Let Go - Matt Redman - Bb
Way Maker - Leeland - E
Benediction
I will Follow - Chris Tomlin - G
Burning in my Soul - Matt Maher
Come as You Are - Crowder
You Never Let Go - Matt Redman - Bb
Way Maker - Leeland - E
Benediction
I will Follow - Chris Tomlin - G
Forgive: Week 4
An Other Regarding Ethic
This week’s message explores how Christianity introduces an ethic that challenges our innate self-centeredness. Because of who Jesus is and how He has loved us, we are compelled to sacrificially love others. We go from self-regarding to self-giving as followers of Jesus. It’s understandable, then, that forgiveness would be especially difficult for a self-regarding people. Because we have been transformed by the grace of Jesus, however, we are empowered to forgive others and reflect the love of God. It is because of God that we can truly love others and even love forgiveness, even though it is costly.
An Other Regarding Ethic
This week’s message explores how Christianity introduces an ethic that challenges our innate self-centeredness. Because of who Jesus is and how He has loved us, we are compelled to sacrificially love others. We go from self-regarding to self-giving as followers of Jesus. It’s understandable, then, that forgiveness would be especially difficult for a self-regarding people. Because we have been transformed by the grace of Jesus, however, we are empowered to forgive others and reflect the love of God. It is because of God that we can truly love others and even love forgiveness, even though it is costly.
Vertical
How has Jesus demonstrated regard for others?
How has Jesus transformed your view of yourself?
How has Jesus given you honor?
What does it mean to be pardoned by God?
Internal
Who is at the center of your decisions - God, yourself, or others?
What does Matthew 6:15 show us about our repentance?
What is the most difficult part for you when it comes to loving sacrificially?
How are joy and love, as fruits of the Spirit, related?
Horizontal
How are self-regarding forgiveness and other - regarding forgiveness different?
How does the cross transform your view of others?
How is God specifically leading you to love those in your life right now?
Action Steps
Spend time thanking God for His sacrificial, loving nature and reflecting on His love for you.
Ask the Holy Spirit to show you how you “wound others in passing”—in big and small ways.
Repent of the ways you live for yourself—what are some specific things you can do for others to reflect God’s love?
Review and work through this week’s additional resource: “How do you know if you need reconciliation?”
How has Jesus demonstrated regard for others?
How has Jesus transformed your view of yourself?
How has Jesus given you honor?
What does it mean to be pardoned by God?
Internal
Who is at the center of your decisions - God, yourself, or others?
What does Matthew 6:15 show us about our repentance?
What is the most difficult part for you when it comes to loving sacrificially?
How are joy and love, as fruits of the Spirit, related?
Horizontal
How are self-regarding forgiveness and other - regarding forgiveness different?
How does the cross transform your view of others?
How is God specifically leading you to love those in your life right now?
Action Steps
Spend time thanking God for His sacrificial, loving nature and reflecting on His love for you.
Ask the Holy Spirit to show you how you “wound others in passing”—in big and small ways.
Repent of the ways you live for yourself—what are some specific things you can do for others to reflect God’s love?
Review and work through this week’s additional resource: “How do you know if you need reconciliation?”