『Skycrest Community Church』のカバーアート

Skycrest Community Church

Skycrest Community Church

著者： Skycrest Community Church
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  • TWL - Ecclesiastes S6E1

    TWL - Ecclesiastes S6E1
    2025/09/11
    # Truth Worth Living: Embracing Ecclesiastes In today's session of Truth Worth Living, we delve into the profound and often misunderstood book of **Ecclesiastes**, a text that challenges our conventional pursuit of meaning and success. This session is part of our ongoing journey to understand God's word so we can live in His will. ## The Demotivational Parallel Pastor Chris begins by drawing a parallel between the satirical company Despair Inc. and the book of **Ecclesiastes**. Despair Inc. is known for its "demotivational" posters that cynically critique the motivational industry. These posters, with slogans like "None of us are as dumb as all of us" and "The purpose of your life is only to serve as a warning to others," humorously highlight the futility in certain pursuits. Similarly, **Ecclesiastes** is often seen as the "demotivational poster" of the Bible. It opens with stark declarations like **Ecclesiastes 1:2**: "Meaningless! Meaningless! says the Teacher. Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless." Such statements seem to contradict the uplifting messages we typically expect from scripture. ## The Search for Meaning The core message of **Ecclesiastes** is a profound critique of our attempts to find fulfillment through worldly achievements. The Teacher, traditionally believed to be Solomon, explores various avenues such as intellectual pursuits, wealth, luxury, and politics, only to conclude that all are ultimately futile in the face of death. In **Ecclesiastes 2**, the Teacher reflects on the toil and anxiety of human labor: "What do people get for all the toil and anxious striving with which they labor under the sun? All their days their work is grief and pain; even at night their minds do not rest. This too is meaningless." The book challenges the notion that success and accomplishments can provide lasting satisfaction. ## A Call to Fear God Despite its seemingly bleak outlook, **Ecclesiastes** offers a crucial lesson: the pursuit of worldly success is empty without a foundation in faith. The Teacher concludes his reflections in **Ecclesiastes 12:13-14**: "Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil." This conclusion shifts the focus from human endeavors to a divine perspective, emphasizing the importance of living a life centered on God's commandments. ## An Invitation to Reflect Pastor Chris encourages us to read **Ecclesiastes** before the next session. This book, though challenging, is essential for today's culture as it exposes the fallacy of finding meaning in success alone. Instead, it invites us to ground our lives in the eternal truths of God's word. By embracing the lessons of **Ecclesiastes**, we can navigate the complexities of life with a deeper understanding of what truly matters. Join us next time as we continue to explore these timeless truths and their relevance to our daily lives. --- **Join the Conversation:** Share your thoughts and reflections on **Ecclesiastes** in the comments or with your small group. Let's journey together in discovering truth worth living.
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    7 分
  • Our Mission Week 4

    Our Mission Week 4
    2025/09/09
    # Our Mission: Telling the Truth of God's Salvation In the fourth week of our mission series, we delve into the critical importance of truth-telling within the Christian faith. Using the story from **2 Kings 7** as a foundation, we explore how sharing the truth of God's salvation is not just a privilege but a duty. ## The Story of the Four Lepers The sermon recounts the story from **2 Kings 7:3-10**, where four lepers, outcasts from their community, stumble upon the abandoned camp of the Arameans. God had caused the Arameans to flee, leaving behind all their provisions. The lepers, initially keeping the discovery to themselves, eventually realize the importance of sharing this life-saving news with their city. - **2 Kings 7:3-4**: The lepers face a dire choice—stay and die, enter a besieged city and die, or surrender to the Arameans, who might spare them. - **2 Kings 7:5-8**: Upon discovering the deserted camp, they find food, clothing, and wealth, recognizing the abundance of God's provision. - **2 Kings 7:9**: They acknowledge their moral responsibility to share the good news, fearing the question, "Why didn't you tell us?" ## The Mission of Truth-Telling The story of the lepers is a powerful metaphor for the Christian mission. Just as the lepers found salvation and abundance, Christians have found salvation through Jesus Christ. The sermon emphasizes: - **Truth and Freedom**: Truth-telling is essential because it offers freedom to those who hear it. Without sharing the truth, people remain "trapped in the dark city," unaware of the salvation available to them. - **Mission of the Church**: The overarching mission is to make friends, meet needs, and make disciples. This involves sharing the truth of the human condition and the transformative hope found in Jesus Christ. - **Avoiding Regret**: By sharing the truth, believers avoid the regret of having someone ask, "Why didn't you tell me?" This question signifies a missed opportunity to guide someone to freedom. ## Application to Our Lives The sermon challenges us to reflect on our position in the story: 1. **Outside the City Gates**: Some may still be seeking answers from the world, unaware of the salvation offered through Christ. 2. **In the Camp**: Believers enjoying the blessings of salvation but keeping it to themselves. 3. **On the Road to the City**: Those who actively share the truth of God's salvation, fulfilling their mission. ## Conclusion The call to action is clear: we must not remain silent. The truth of God's salvation through Jesus Christ is a "day of good news" that we are compelled to share. By doing so, we not only fulfill our mission but also experience the joy and freedom of knowing we have done our part in God's plan. The sermon concludes with an invitation to reflect on where we stand in our journey of faith and encourages us to step boldly into the mission of truth-telling for the glory of God and the good of those we love.
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    34 分
  • Our Mission Week 2

    Our Mission Week 2
    2025/08/26
    # Our Mission: Meeting Needs with Wisdom and Generosity In the second week of our mission series, we explored the theme of meeting needs with wisdom and generosity. The sermon was anchored in the story of Jesus healing the paralyzed man at the Pool of Bethesda from **John 5:1-15**. This narrative provided a backdrop to discuss how we as a community can discern which needs to meet and how to do so in a way that aligns with God’s will. ## Key Themes ### 1. **Understanding Needs vs. Resources** One of the challenges highlighted is that needs often outpace available resources. This is akin to the eternal balance between questions and answers. There will always be more needs than what can be met, just as there are more questions than answers. Jesus himself acknowledged this reality in **Matthew 26:11** when he said, "The poor you will always have with you." This indicates the perpetual presence of need in our world. ### 2. **Determining Which Needs to Meet** The sermon emphasized the importance of discerning which needs to address. Not every need is meant to be met by us because need itself can be a catalyst for change. Jesus, although capable, did not heal every person he encountered. This selective approach is seen in **John 5:1-15**, where Jesus heals one man among many at Bethesda. This teaches us that sometimes, the presence of unmet needs can lead individuals to turn towards God, seeking hope and placing their faith in Jesus. ### 3. **The Role of Generosity** Generosity is a hallmark of God's children, as seen in **1 John 3:16-18**. Meeting needs should start within the family of believers, ensuring that our brothers and sisters in faith are cared for first. This practice reflects the love of Christ, who laid down his life for us. When we see a brother or sister in need and have the means to help, we should act with compassion and not merely with words. ### 4. **Practical Steps for Meeting Needs** - **Eagerly Practice Generosity:** Be actively looking for opportunities to give, as God loves a cheerful giver. - **Start with Family:** Prioritize meeting the needs of those within our church family, as instructed in **1 Timothy 5:3-4**. - **Evaluate Needs:** Discern whether meeting a specific need will empower or enable the person. This involves asking if the help provided will be a "hand up" rather than a "hand out." - **Support Those Who Cannot Help Themselves:** As **James 1:27** states, pure religion involves looking after orphans and widows in distress. - **Respond to God’s Prompting:** When God lays a need on your heart, act on it, trusting that He is inviting you to join Him in His work. ## Conclusion Meeting needs is a complex but vital aspect of our mission. As we strive to make friends and make disciples, we must approach this task with wisdom, ensuring that our efforts are fruitful and God-glorifying. Through our generosity, we not only meet immediate needs but also point others to Jesus, who meets our deepest need for forgiveness and reconciliation with God. Let us be faithful stewards of the resources God has entrusted to us, investing in His kingdom and expanding His glory on earth as it is in heaven.
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    44 分
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