Element Christian Church
Philippians - Joy In All Seasons Week 4: What Kind of Joy
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.
The Hangout
The Hangout is a time for students in grades 6-12 to decompress after school in a fun environment. Join us every Tuesday from 3:30-5:30 in The Barn where you will find after school snacks, foosball, Gaga ball, basketball, video and arcade games and leaders who just want to have fun and connect.
High School Hangout
High School Hangout is a time for HIGH SCHOOL students to decompress after school in a fun environment (similar to the 'all youth' Hangouts on Tuesdays). Join us every 2nd Wednesday of the month from 3:30-5:30pm in the barn for after school snacks, games, friends, and leaders who are here to have fun and connect.
Alzheimer Awareness Presentation
On behalf of the Classics, Element's ministry for those 60+, ALL (regardless of ages) are invited to an upcoming presentation on the warning signs and early detection of Alzheimer's. We hope this event will be informative and beneficial to the community as we learn more about how to care for aging populations. The Alzheimer's Association will be presenting material and also offering a Q&A period following their presentation. Whatever your age, please feel free to join us in the Element sanctuary on Sunday, February 9th, from 1-3 PM...and feel free to spread the word, as this event is open to the public.
NEW Missions Update - Winter 2025
Our Fall issue of our quarterly Missions Update is now available
https://ourelement.org/downloads/2025/2025_1_26_MissionsUpdate.pdfSubscribe to Email Update
Get a recap of all the important dates and information we think you want to know every Wednesday.
https://ourelement.org/contact-us/Start serving at Element
If you are looking for a way to meet more people at Element or feel more connected, one of the easiest ways is to start serving. From once a month for 15 minutes, to helping in our classrooms for a longer time, we have needs to fit your gifts.
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https://ourelement.churchcenter.com/setupThis week's song list
Interested in looking for some of the songs we sang this week? Here's the titles and original artists:
Unstoppable God - Elevation Worship
Mighty Warrior - Elevation Worship
Christ is Risen - Phil Wickham
Goodness of God - Rhett Walker
Abandoned - Benjamin William Hastings
Lift Your Head Weary Sinner - Crowder
Unstoppable God - Elevation Worship
Mighty Warrior - Elevation Worship
Christ is Risen - Phil Wickham
Goodness of God - Rhett Walker
Abandoned - Benjamin William Hastings
Lift Your Head Weary Sinner - Crowder
Philippians - Joy In All Seasons
Week 4 - A New Way of Life Part 3: What Kind of Joy
Today we will explore the theme of true Christian joy as revealed in Philippians. Paul demonstrates that authentic joy isn’t dependent on circumstances but flows from our relationship with Christ. Paul wrote to the Philippians with joy despite having experienced persecution and imprisonment in their city. Paul’s joy comes from understanding God’s grace and our position in Christ, not from our performance or circumstances. Joylessness in Christians has often damaged the perception of Christianity; we are called to display Christ’s joy as we partner together in the Gospel.
Week 4 - A New Way of Life Part 3: What Kind of Joy
Today we will explore the theme of true Christian joy as revealed in Philippians. Paul demonstrates that authentic joy isn’t dependent on circumstances but flows from our relationship with Christ. Paul wrote to the Philippians with joy despite having experienced persecution and imprisonment in their city. Paul’s joy comes from understanding God’s grace and our position in Christ, not from our performance or circumstances. Joylessness in Christians has often damaged the perception of Christianity; we are called to display Christ’s joy as we partner together in the Gospel.
What Kind of Joy? John Piper gives this definition: “Christian joy is a good feeling in the soul, produced by the Holy Spirit, as he causes us to see the beauty of Christ in the word and in the world.”
In Galatians 5 Paul says that joy is a fruit that God’s Spirit brings into our lives, He does that by opening us to see the beauty of God’s love and our own salvation. Joy is delight in God for the intrinsic value of who He is. We are called to display and show the joy of Jesus so everyone would know that our God brings joy.
1. God is joyous and happy – Joy starts with God Himself. Nehemiah 8:10 “…the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Joy comes from God and is to make God’s people strong.
2. God made His people to enjoy Him and the life He gives them.
Pleasure comes from the right hand of God. Where is Jesus seated? The right hand of God! Joy only works well when it is God centered. Joy is a command. Frances de Sales says, “The evil one is pleased with sadness and melancholy because he himself is sad and melancholy, and will be so for all eternity. Hence, he desires that everyone should be like himself.”
3. Our sin is what causes us to trade joy for lesser things.
Because of our condition of sin we have a tendency to exchange God for any numbers of things. We settle for less than who God is, but it is God Himself who has purposed to save us; it pleases God to save us. Jesus comes, He died, He Rose, He gave us the gift of life…our righteousness comes from God.
4. We can have a life marked by freedom and joy because Jesus gives it to us.
Jesus dies for us in our place - the people He created He allowed to kill Him. How could God do that? For the joy set before Him (Hebrews 12:2)! Is the joy of Christ enough to endure our trials or hardships? There is no perfect life apart from Jesus. Freedom is not being our own god; freedom is found in waking with God. The goal of the Christian life is to enjoy God— not to not sin. Joy is not abuse or abstention. People who enjoy God are strong and satisfied in Him.
5. True joy points to God’s glory and His Kingdom
The law can’t change the heart, we know this by how many people fall into the sin they are condemning. Titus 1:15 To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted. All things are pure!
A joyless Christian life has done much harm to the perception of the Bible, of Christianity, and of the church. Imagine if the world looked and saw a joyful people who loved one another, laughed readily, and trusted Jesus even in the midst of hardship.
In Galatians 5 Paul says that joy is a fruit that God’s Spirit brings into our lives, He does that by opening us to see the beauty of God’s love and our own salvation. Joy is delight in God for the intrinsic value of who He is. We are called to display and show the joy of Jesus so everyone would know that our God brings joy.
1. God is joyous and happy – Joy starts with God Himself. Nehemiah 8:10 “…the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Joy comes from God and is to make God’s people strong.
2. God made His people to enjoy Him and the life He gives them.
Pleasure comes from the right hand of God. Where is Jesus seated? The right hand of God! Joy only works well when it is God centered. Joy is a command. Frances de Sales says, “The evil one is pleased with sadness and melancholy because he himself is sad and melancholy, and will be so for all eternity. Hence, he desires that everyone should be like himself.”
3. Our sin is what causes us to trade joy for lesser things.
Because of our condition of sin we have a tendency to exchange God for any numbers of things. We settle for less than who God is, but it is God Himself who has purposed to save us; it pleases God to save us. Jesus comes, He died, He Rose, He gave us the gift of life…our righteousness comes from God.
4. We can have a life marked by freedom and joy because Jesus gives it to us.
Jesus dies for us in our place - the people He created He allowed to kill Him. How could God do that? For the joy set before Him (Hebrews 12:2)! Is the joy of Christ enough to endure our trials or hardships? There is no perfect life apart from Jesus. Freedom is not being our own god; freedom is found in waking with God. The goal of the Christian life is to enjoy God— not to not sin. Joy is not abuse or abstention. People who enjoy God are strong and satisfied in Him.
5. True joy points to God’s glory and His Kingdom
The law can’t change the heart, we know this by how many people fall into the sin they are condemning. Titus 1:15 To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted. All things are pure!
A joyless Christian life has done much harm to the perception of the Bible, of Christianity, and of the church. Imagine if the world looked and saw a joyful people who loved one another, laughed readily, and trusted Jesus even in the midst of hardship.
CONVERSATION Guide:
Opening Questions:
• Share a moment from your past when you experienced unexpected joy.
• How are you defining joy because of that moment?
Discussion Questions:
• What stands out to you from today’s message about Biblical joy being different from worldly happiness? Does this change your perspective on joy?
• Paul found joy in remembering the Philippians despite his difficult experiences there. How have you seen God bring joy through challenging circumstances in your own life?
• What are some “lesser joys” that you find yourself tempted to pursue instead of finding satisfaction in Christ?
• What difference would it make in our witness to others if Christians were known more for their authentic joy than for what they stand against?
Personal Application:
• Share one way you’ve experienced God’s joy recently.
• Share one area where you’re struggling to find joy.
• Take time each day this coming week to thank God for specific evidences of His grace in your life.
• Identify one “lesser joy” you are pursuing and intentionally seek satisfaction in Christ instead.
Group Focus:
• Praise God and thank Him for being a God of joy who delights in blessing His children.
• Request help from God and one another to live as a joyful witness to God’s grace this week.
Opening Questions:
• Share a moment from your past when you experienced unexpected joy.
• How are you defining joy because of that moment?
Discussion Questions:
• What stands out to you from today’s message about Biblical joy being different from worldly happiness? Does this change your perspective on joy?
• Paul found joy in remembering the Philippians despite his difficult experiences there. How have you seen God bring joy through challenging circumstances in your own life?
• What are some “lesser joys” that you find yourself tempted to pursue instead of finding satisfaction in Christ?
• What difference would it make in our witness to others if Christians were known more for their authentic joy than for what they stand against?
Personal Application:
• Share one way you’ve experienced God’s joy recently.
• Share one area where you’re struggling to find joy.
• Take time each day this coming week to thank God for specific evidences of His grace in your life.
• Identify one “lesser joy” you are pursuing and intentionally seek satisfaction in Christ instead.
Group Focus:
• Praise God and thank Him for being a God of joy who delights in blessing His children.
• Request help from God and one another to live as a joyful witness to God’s grace this week.