Element Christian Church
Philippians - Joy In All Seasons Week 31: The Joy Of Contentment, Part 2
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 aim to glorify God by teaching and living out the Scriptures, transforming community into Gospel community, and planting churches.
TODAY Baptism Celebration and BBQ
Join us as we celebrate those making the decision to be Baptized on Sunday, August 31st at 1pm. After the baptisms take place, you are invited to stay for lunch and a pool party! Element will be providing BBQ, beans, bread, and salsa. We are asking you to help contribute to the meal by bringing the following items base on the first letter of your last name:
A-L: Dessert
M-Z: Side or Salad
A-L: Dessert
M-Z: Side or Salad
Baptism Stories
Learn more about our 6 baptism participants by reading their stories at the link below
https://ourelement.org/downloads/Baptism-Stories/2025_8_31_baptisms_stories_web.pdfMeet and Greet
If you are new or newer and maybe can’t make it to today’s baptisms but are still wanting to learn more about Element and how to get connected, we hold a Meet & Greet in our lounge on the last Sunday of each month. They are very brief and informal, but you’ll get a high level view of who Element is, various ministries we have, and meet some of our staff. If you have kids in our childcare, we’d love to meet them as well so feel free to pick them up from their class and bring them with you.
The Weekender
The Weekender is a 2 day course that we offer twice a year for those who are newer to Element, or the Christian faith, or who are wanting to become covenant members here. You will learn more about what it means to be a Christian, why we can trust the Scriptures, and out of that, why Element is structured the way that it is. More details can be found at the link below.
https://ourelement.churchcenter.com/people/forms/964307Box Car and Stick Horse Prep Day
With the parade for Los Alamos Days and our annual Drive-In Movie Night coming, we would love to have everyone get together to create our box cars, or horses that you want for the drive in and/ or parade. Element will have some boxes, paint, stickers, etc for you to come and build your mode of transportation! Join us from 12:30-2:30 on Sunday, September 14th! Bring your creative minds and your lunch!
Drive In Movie Night
Let's kick-off our Fall season with our Annual Family Drive-In Movie Night! Mark your calendars for Friday, September 19th @ 6:00 pm and invite your neighbors, work/personal friends, and/or other family members to come and enjoy The Minecraft Movie (movie may change)!
We will have a concession stand serving free popcorn & bottled water, plus we will have snacks, candy, and juice boxes for purchase. If you are bringing dinner for your family, please make sure it is nut-free. Doors open at 5:45 pm, and the movie will start promptly at 6:15 pm.
So, start being creative in making your family style car(s) for this FUN event for the whole family!
We will have a concession stand serving free popcorn & bottled water, plus we will have snacks, candy, and juice boxes for purchase. If you are bringing dinner for your family, please make sure it is nut-free. Doors open at 5:45 pm, and the movie will start promptly at 6:15 pm.
So, start being creative in making your family style car(s) for this FUN event for the whole family!
Download Missions Update
Download our Missions Update with corresponding links.
https://ourelement.org/downloads/2025/2025_7_24_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:
Forever Reign - Hillsong Worship
It Is Well With My Soul -
Altogether Good - Citizens
In Christ Alone - New City Church
Forever Reign - Hillsong Worship
It Is Well With My Soul -
Altogether Good - Citizens
In Christ Alone - New City Church
Philippians - Joy In All Seasons
Week 31: The Joy Of Contentment, Part 2
Knowing Proper Ambition – Selfish ambition can be understood as a “motivation to elevate or to put one’s own interests before another’s.” Paul says, “In humility count others more significant than yourselves.” There is a good type of ambition and it is the motivation to see God’s glory shine and people come to know Him. It was ambition for God that led Paul to spread the Gospel to the ends of the earth. Romans 15:20It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known…
Week 31: The Joy Of Contentment, Part 2
Knowing Proper Ambition – Selfish ambition can be understood as a “motivation to elevate or to put one’s own interests before another’s.” Paul says, “In humility count others more significant than yourselves.” There is a good type of ambition and it is the motivation to see God’s glory shine and people come to know Him. It was ambition for God that led Paul to spread the Gospel to the ends of the earth. Romans 15:20It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known…
What Ambition Looks Like – “…for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound.” “Abound” speaks to when everything is working correctly. “Brought low” refers to when we face personal failure. Paul says the phrase, “I have learned.” This did not come naturally to Paul; he had to “learn it.” Paul is saying that he has found in Christ both the resources to succeed and the resources to withstand disappointment. How we respond when our ambitions are disappointed reveals whether they are godly or selfish ones.
Rather than becoming bitter or giving up, Paul reveals the secret to contentment “in Christ” through four principles:
1. Paul had found his approval in Christ
Paul’s fulfillment came not from what he accomplished, but WHOSE he was. If he died in seeming failure, in prison, with a trashed reputation, or his work “unfinished,” he could be personally content. What we need, the satisfaction and identity our soul craves, is not found by achieving a certain position or making a certain amount of money; it is given as a gift in Christ because IN CHRIST we have the approval of the only One whose opinion really matters.
2. Paul knew what he deserved
One of the problems at the heart of discontentment is not getting what we think we deserve. Puritan Thomas Watson wrote, “If we have not what we desire, we have more than we deserve.” If we grasped what we really deserve, and were overwhelmed with how much grace was given us in the Gospel, it would change our disposition toward those who disappoint.
3. Paul trusted God’s control over all things
Paul had lived in prison and said, “I’ve learned to be anxious for nothing.” Paul had not given up; he had submitted to the will of God. He made his request known to God, he kept praying ambitious requests for those he loved, and then he’d rest in God’s loving sovereignty. Dave Harvey writes, “There is no peace in life until we’re convinced that our place is His choice.”
4. Paul knew God sometimes allows our suffering so that we can know Him more
Paul was decreasing, but He trusted that God was doing what God said He would do: constantly magnifying His name. We all dream about God bringing glory to His name through our successes, but what about through the places that we have failed or will fail?
True contentment doesn’t mean abandoning ambition, but instead redirecting it toward God’s purposes. Our deepest satisfaction is found in Christ regardless of circumstances.
Rather than becoming bitter or giving up, Paul reveals the secret to contentment “in Christ” through four principles:
1. Paul had found his approval in Christ
Paul’s fulfillment came not from what he accomplished, but WHOSE he was. If he died in seeming failure, in prison, with a trashed reputation, or his work “unfinished,” he could be personally content. What we need, the satisfaction and identity our soul craves, is not found by achieving a certain position or making a certain amount of money; it is given as a gift in Christ because IN CHRIST we have the approval of the only One whose opinion really matters.
2. Paul knew what he deserved
One of the problems at the heart of discontentment is not getting what we think we deserve. Puritan Thomas Watson wrote, “If we have not what we desire, we have more than we deserve.” If we grasped what we really deserve, and were overwhelmed with how much grace was given us in the Gospel, it would change our disposition toward those who disappoint.
3. Paul trusted God’s control over all things
Paul had lived in prison and said, “I’ve learned to be anxious for nothing.” Paul had not given up; he had submitted to the will of God. He made his request known to God, he kept praying ambitious requests for those he loved, and then he’d rest in God’s loving sovereignty. Dave Harvey writes, “There is no peace in life until we’re convinced that our place is His choice.”
4. Paul knew God sometimes allows our suffering so that we can know Him more
Paul was decreasing, but He trusted that God was doing what God said He would do: constantly magnifying His name. We all dream about God bringing glory to His name through our successes, but what about through the places that we have failed or will fail?
True contentment doesn’t mean abandoning ambition, but instead redirecting it toward God’s purposes. Our deepest satisfaction is found in Christ regardless of circumstances.
Opening Questions:
• What does “ambition” mean to you? Do you consider yourself an ambitious person?
• What would you consider to be your life’s ambition(s)?
Discussion Questions:
• Have you ever experienced disappointment that later revealed itself to be a blessing in disguise?
• What experiences in your life have taught you contentment? What areas do you still struggle?
• “What if what is best for the kingdom of God is not best for you personally?” How would you respond to this question? Can you think of Biblical examples of this principle?
• How does Philippians 4:13 (“I can do all things through him who strengthens me”) relate to contentment rather than achievement?
Personal Application:
Identify one area where you feel discontent or disappointed.
1. How might you find your approval in Christ rather than in this area?
2. How does understanding God’s grace change your perspective on what you “deserve”?
3. In what specific ways can you trust God’s control over this situation?
4. How might God be using this disappointment or difficulty to deepen your relationship with Him?
Group Focus:
• As a group, share stories of times when disappointment or failure ultimately led to spiritual growth or new opportunities.
Prayer Focus:
• Pray for the wisdom to discern between selfish and Godly ambition in your life.
• What does “ambition” mean to you? Do you consider yourself an ambitious person?
• What would you consider to be your life’s ambition(s)?
Discussion Questions:
• Have you ever experienced disappointment that later revealed itself to be a blessing in disguise?
• What experiences in your life have taught you contentment? What areas do you still struggle?
• “What if what is best for the kingdom of God is not best for you personally?” How would you respond to this question? Can you think of Biblical examples of this principle?
• How does Philippians 4:13 (“I can do all things through him who strengthens me”) relate to contentment rather than achievement?
Personal Application:
Identify one area where you feel discontent or disappointed.
1. How might you find your approval in Christ rather than in this area?
2. How does understanding God’s grace change your perspective on what you “deserve”?
3. In what specific ways can you trust God’s control over this situation?
4. How might God be using this disappointment or difficulty to deepen your relationship with Him?
Group Focus:
• As a group, share stories of times when disappointment or failure ultimately led to spiritual growth or new opportunities.
Prayer Focus:
• Pray for the wisdom to discern between selfish and Godly ambition in your life.