Element Church Podcast - Sermons

Can the church make a difference in someone's life?  What are the reasons we should be inviting others to church?  In today's message, we'll take a look at the story of Saul and see how his story can be applied to our lives.Support the show (https://elementchurchlaurel.com/give)

Have you ever experienced a relationship where it feels like the other person, or people, are not pulling their weight?  If life is supposed to be better together then why do so many relationships feel empty, lonely, and disappointing?  Maybe it's a group project where you care more about it than your teammates.  Maybe it's at work.  Maybe it's at home.  These are all very difficult scenarios to work through, but in today's message, we'll hear about the a way God created people to live in relationship with one another.  In particular, we'll hear about how God has created everyone with different abilities, to contribute to one another and live in harmony.Support the show (https://elementchurchlaurel.com/give)

If everyone loves you, is it possible to still be lonely?  In today's message, we'll take a look at the definition of the original word for "church" and see how that can inform our relationships with other people.Support the show (https://elementchurchlaurel.com/give)

What is one basic fact about growing people?  They change!  What is the center of the universe?  Depends on what century you ask the question.  In today's message, we'll consider these two themes as we again focus our attention on some things to remember.  Today we'll notice four practical ways to grow in our relationships with God.Support the show (https://elementchurchlaurel.com/give)

When life gets busy or stressful, how do you remember the things that are most important and reset your focus?  In today's message we'll see an old idea of remembering important life experiences applied in some familiar ways.  Ultimately we'll be reminded of some of the great things God has already done in our lives, and that resetting our focus on Him can change our present circumstances.Support the show (https://elementchurchlaurel.com/give)

Do the supernatural events recorded in the Bible make it difficult to believe in Jesus?  If so, you're in good company.  As we'll see in today's message, all of Jesus' closest companions experienced some unbelievable things which sometimes confused and frightened them.  Ultimately we can find comfort in trusting that, though we may struggle to clearly explain everything going on, God is still compassionate toward us and has our best interest in mind.Support the show (https://elementchurchlaurel.com/give)

We are all passionate about specific things, but have you ever been so focused on details that you miss the big picture? In today's message, we'll hear a story of a time when Jesus defied the customs of his day to bring hope to a group of people desperate for healing.Support the show (https://elementchurchlaurel.com/give)

Have you ever had family drama?  Like the kind of drama where you celebrate holidays in two different households so that certain people don't have to be in the same room?  How about a sharp disagreement between friends or neighbors?  When the people around you and the people you care about don't seem capable of reconciliation, how do you speak into those tensions and bring some kind of unity, instead of division?  In today's message we'll encounter the story of a family dispute that lasted over 1,000 years, and how Jesus entered into it to bring reconciliation and unity.Support the show (https://elementchurchlaurel.com/give)

In today's message we will see how Jesus went against cultral norms to reach people who other religious leaders ignored.  How can we apply Jesus' message of truth and grace in our lives?Support the show (https://elementchurchlaurel.com/give)

How do we view Jesus? Who is Jesus? In today's message we begin a new series called The Defiant One where we will see how our perspective on who Jesus is shapes our perspective on life.Support the show (https://elementchurchlaurel.com/give)

Do you have moments in your life where you wondered whether or not you belonged, and how has that made a difference in your life?  In today's message we're going to hear a story about Jesus addressing different groups of people where he makes clear that everyone has a place to belong.  We'll also hear from three new guest speakers describing how Element has been a place of grace and truth, where they've had the freedom to not be okay while they figure out different areas of life.Support the show (https://elementchurchlaurel.com/give)

Being a follower isn't always a bad thing, so how being a good follower help us in our daily lives?  In today's message we'll encounter a story of God leading his people through difficult times out of dangerous situations and learn some tips about how to be a great follower.  We'll see how the things we remember influence our attitudes toward personal growth, and how refreshing our memories can help us deal with discouragement.Support the show (https://elementchurchlaurel.com/give)

What's your story?  How is yours connected to others around you?  In today's message we'll hear how Jesus engaged the stories of people around him to bring healing and light to places of hurt and darkness.  From Jesus' example we'll see that love engages, and we'll be challenged to learn to understand--and care for--the people around us.Support the show (https://elementchurchlaurel.com/give)

Would you play soccer without a ball?  Why or why not?  Probably because it's fake, right?  In our world today, authenticity is very compelling.  We are drawn to it like never before, and appalled by insincerity like never before.  In today's message we'll engage an altercation between the religious elites and the common people during Jesus' time on earth.  Ultimately we'll see that action authenticates faith, and we'll be encouraged to take next steps to live authentically in our own lives.Support the show (https://elementchurchlaurel.com/give)

So far in this series we've explored ideas about trusting and following God when life is stressful and confusing, but what happens when life hurts or feels unfair?  Sometimes the story of our lives is exactly opposite of what we would hope and expect, and those experiences challenge the idea that God is kind and just.  In today's message we'll hear some very personal stories about enduring some of life's most difficult storms by chasing the "why".Support the show (https://elementchurchlaurel.com/give)

Have you ever started packed for a trip by first unpacking from the last one?  Have you come back from a trip, procrastinated unpacking, and when the next one comes around you discover 31 pairs of socks you forgot you had…and all the associated fragrances?  In today's message we'll connect with some funny and honest truths about what can happen when we're unwilling to deal with our baggage.Support the show (https://elementchurchlaurel.com/give)

What if faith were like… pie?  What kind of perspective can we gain from looking at our life like that?  In today's message we'll hear a personal story about transitioning from resentment and struggling with faith, to discovering peace.  We'll see that taking God seriously adds structure to life, and structure allows something as fragile as pie to endure great pressure.Support the show (https://elementchurchlaurel.com/give)

Have you ever put someone on a pedestal, discovered something about them, and then wondered if you're following the right person?  Everyone needs a role model to follow, someone who has traveled the road ahead of us and can provide good guidance.  But it's important to make sure the people we follow are positive influences instead of negative ones.  In today's message we'll hear some strong words from Paul, the author of the book of Philippians, to guide us as we decide whom to follow.Support the show (https://elementchurchlaurel.com/give)

What happens when a parent picks favorites, and then plays favorites?  Evidence suggests that people get hurt.  In a few weeks we'll take another look at this topic, but in today's message we'll hear about a family where just such a thing happened.  This story will demonstrate some lessons about dealing with betrayal and help us take next steps in the area of forgiveness.Support the show (https://elementchurchlaurel.com/give)

How can the story of Jonah, a grumpy and disagreeable character, help me understand where God is in my storm?  In today's message we'll discover some interesting new insights from this old and familiar tale, specifically giving us new perspective on how to pray.Support the show (https://elementchurchlaurel.com/give)