Element Christian Church
Parables - Easter: Hidden Treasures
Locations & Times
Element Christian Church
4890 Bethany Ln, Santa Maria, CA 93455, USA
Saturday 6:00 PM
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 aim to glorify God by teaching and living out the Scriptures, transforming community into Gospel community, and planting churches.
Reaction Game Day
Reaction Students (current 6th-8th graders), bring a game and a friend for some fun on Spring Break!
We will have various games available, snacks to enjoy, and a Mario Kart tournament. Come out and have a great time with us! Help us plan by letting us know you're coming!
https://ourelement.churchcenter.com/people/forms/940846We will have various games available, snacks to enjoy, and a Mario Kart tournament. Come out and have a great time with us! Help us plan by letting us know you're coming!
Classics Superbloom Hike
Element's Classics (those 60+) are holding their next event on Thursday, 4/24th @ 9:30am. We will hike the Point Buchon Trail at the favorite Montana de Oro State Park known for its springtime wildflower super bloom. This trail accommodates all hiking levels as there are many trail variations. Full details at link below.
https://ourelement.churchcenter.com/people/forms/9360364th Friday Film and Fun
Let your eKids (grades 1-5) come hang out with us for the evening! Full details in link below.
https://ourelement.churchcenter.com/people/forms/844019The Weekender
The Weekender is where you can really go in depth on who we are at Element and what we believe. It is also a prerequisite for church membership. See all the details and reserve your spot at the link below.
https://ourelement.churchcenter.com/people/forms/854376Gospel Community Leadership Cohort
Are you interested in learning more about why Gospel Communities are so important to Element's life and ministry, or are you interested in even leading one yourself? Element's Gospel Community Leadership Development Cohort (GC/DC) is an immersive training experience that takes place over 6 sessions (plus a final celebration dinner). Deadline for registration is May 7th.
https://ourelement.churchcenter.com/people/forms/912013Missions 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.
https://ourelement.churchcenter.com/people/forms/395779Download the Church Center App
Stay in the loop with Element's calendar of events, group sign ups, online giving, and other links all in one app!
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:
Joy To Be - Citizens
This Is Amazing Grace - Bethel Music
Surrender - Ableton
Build My Life - Pat Barrett
Abandoned - Benjamin William Hastings
Forever Reign - Hillsong Worship
Joy To Be - Citizens
This Is Amazing Grace - Bethel Music
Surrender - Ableton
Build My Life - Pat Barrett
Abandoned - Benjamin William Hastings
Forever Reign - Hillsong Worship
Parables: Easter
Hidden Treasures
As usual, our Easter message will not be a typical Easter message. We are reflecting back to a series we did last year on the Parables of Jesus. Today you will see Jesus use two short parables to illustrate the immense value of the Kingdom of God. In the first, a man discovers a treasure hidden in a field, then joyfully sells everything he has to buy that field. In the second, a merchant finds a pearl of great value and likewise sells all he has to acquire it.
Hidden Treasures
As usual, our Easter message will not be a typical Easter message. We are reflecting back to a series we did last year on the Parables of Jesus. Today you will see Jesus use two short parables to illustrate the immense value of the Kingdom of God. In the first, a man discovers a treasure hidden in a field, then joyfully sells everything he has to buy that field. In the second, a merchant finds a pearl of great value and likewise sells all he has to acquire it.
These parables aren’t about business ethics, but about the nature of God’s Kingdom. They teach us four main points:
1. Our ambitions are too small
The Gospel is more wonderful than we realize, but it will push us to give up our small ambitions for God’s glorious plans.
2. Christianity means entering “the Kingdom of God”
It’s not just adopting a moral code or philosophy, but a complete change of dimension and essence. We move from self-sovereignty to God’s sovereignty.
3. The Gospel requires us to “sell everything”
While we’re saved by grace alone, true faith leads us to surrender everything to Christ as our King and Lord.
4. Unconditional surrender leads to unimaginable splendor.
Those who give up everything for Christ do so with joy, anticipating the glory to come.
The parables demonstrates that when we truly grasp the value of God’s Kingdom, we will joyfully give up everything else to obtain it (live in it). This isn’t about earning salvation, but about our response to God’s grace. Our main problem isn’t specific sins but our lack of love for Jesus.
1. Our ambitions are too small
The Gospel is more wonderful than we realize, but it will push us to give up our small ambitions for God’s glorious plans.
2. Christianity means entering “the Kingdom of God”
It’s not just adopting a moral code or philosophy, but a complete change of dimension and essence. We move from self-sovereignty to God’s sovereignty.
3. The Gospel requires us to “sell everything”
While we’re saved by grace alone, true faith leads us to surrender everything to Christ as our King and Lord.
4. Unconditional surrender leads to unimaginable splendor.
Those who give up everything for Christ do so with joy, anticipating the glory to come.
The parables demonstrates that when we truly grasp the value of God’s Kingdom, we will joyfully give up everything else to obtain it (live in it). This isn’t about earning salvation, but about our response to God’s grace. Our main problem isn’t specific sins but our lack of love for Jesus.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
What’s the most valuable thing you’ve ever found unexpectedly?
What the Text Says:
Read Matthew 13:44-46. How are the two parables similar? How
are they different?
Understanding:
How does the joy of the men in the parables relate to their willingness to sell everything?
Application:
In what ways might our ambitions be “too small” in light of the Gospel?
How have you experienced the tension between self-sovereignty and God’s sovereignty in your life?
Next Steps:
What might “selling everything” look like in your life right now?
Missional Living:
How might our joy in Christ impact those around us who don’t know Him?
How can we communicate the value of God’s Kingdom to others in our community?
Finally, what did this parable leave you to think about?
What’s the most valuable thing you’ve ever found unexpectedly?
What the Text Says:
Read Matthew 13:44-46. How are the two parables similar? How
are they different?
Understanding:
How does the joy of the men in the parables relate to their willingness to sell everything?
Application:
In what ways might our ambitions be “too small” in light of the Gospel?
How have you experienced the tension between self-sovereignty and God’s sovereignty in your life?
Next Steps:
What might “selling everything” look like in your life right now?
Missional Living:
How might our joy in Christ impact those around us who don’t know Him?
How can we communicate the value of God’s Kingdom to others in our community?
Finally, what did this parable leave you to think about?