You Belong Each year we look at three core statements for Beloved church. Belong, Be Known, and Be Loved. Today we look at Belonging. “But now in Christ Jesus, you who were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who made both groups one and tore down the dividing […]

1. Truth That Hurts Can HealEcclesiastes 12:11 describes wisdom as like “cattle prods” and “firmly embedded nails.” These aren’t soft images—they’re intentional tools meant to correct, guide, and anchor us. The truth of God’s Word isn’t always comfortable, but it’s always good. Just as a shepherd’s rod protects by keeping sheep from danger, the Word

1. Remember Your CreatorSolomon’s closing words in Ecclesiastes issue a clear—and urgent—challenge: “Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the difficult days come.” Youth and vitality are fleeting, and when the season of strength and clarity fades, regret often follows. The metaphors of aging—trembling arms, dimmed eyes, broken vessels—aren’t meant to depress

1. Embrace Uncertainty with GenerosityLife is full of uncertainty—storms come unexpectedly, trees fall where they will, and we cannot predict the future. But Ecclesiastes 11 calls us not to shrink back in fear or confusion. Instead, we’re urged to “send” and “give,” to live open-handedly and generously, even when we don’t know what’s coming. The

ECCLESIASTES 10 This Sunday’s sermon opened with a surprising image: a million-dollar bottle of perfume—lavish, beautiful, and memorable. But as Ecclesiastes 10:1 warns, even the most exquisite fragrance can be ruined by a single fly. In the same way, a little foolishness can unravel much hard-earned wisdom. The message is clear: wisdom is fragile. As

ECCLESIASTES 9 The beginning of chapter establishes a truth that may seem depressing. All of us will die. Whether we are good or evil, wise or unwise, we are all faced with our own mortality. Every culture in history has wrestled with the question of what happens after we die. We tend to shy away

ECCLESIASTES 8 The chapter starts with the question, “Who is like the wise person, and who knows the interpretation of a matter?” Wisdom is a subject of many of the Old Testament proverbs and books. A point is made that Solomon asked the Lord for wisdom. What is wisdom, in light of God? Godly wisdom

ECCLESIASTES 7:15-29 As we continue chapter 7 of Ecclesiastes, we run into some challenging ideas. In verse 15, the teacher says he has seen the righteous life cut short and the unrighteous live long, prosperous lives. It may not seem right, but we see it all the time. There is a reason that the phrase

  In yesterday’s sermon, we explored how pain often pushes us to escape, and how the “escape” routes we choose—whether productivity, entertainment, or nostalgia—can end up trapping us instead of freeing us. Where do you turn when life hurts?  Are your escapes actually giving you rest—or draining you further? “Better what the eyes see than

ECCLESIASTES 5 We were blessed to have Derrick Sekamalira, our partner from Kampala, Uganda, lead us in teaching Sunday. In Ecclesiastes 5 the teacher starts the chapter establishing the sovereignty and seriousness of God. He is the holy, powerful creator God, and our words before him should be careful and honest. If we vow something