SCC A NOTE FROM TODD... For the past several years Islam has been in the news. All of us are aware of the terror being wrought from radical Islam. Recently I was reading a discussion forum and there was a question posed about the God of the Bible being the same as the god of Islam. There seemed to be enough confusion on this that I wanted to address it with you, my Church family. Is Allah, the God of Islam, the same as the Yahweh, the God of the Bible? by Matt Slick No, the God of Islam is not the same as the God of Christianity. In Christianity God is a Trinity, but in Islam God is not a Trinity. It is not possible to have God be a Trinity and also not a Trinity at the same time. Furthermore, because Islam denies the Trinity (that there is one God who is comprised of three distinct persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), it means that Jesus is not the incarnation of the second person of the Trinity. Quran, 5:73 (Yusuf Ali), They do blaspheme who say: Allah is one of three in a Trinity: for there is no god except One Allah. If they desist not from their word (of blasphemy), verily a grievous penalty will befall the blasphemers among them. Furthermore, in Christianity the doctrine of the Trinity allows for the incarnation of the Word. John 1:1, 14 says that the Word which was God was with God and became flesh and dwelt among us and was crucified (Matt. 26:2; 27:38). This is denied in Islam, which says that Jesus is only a prophet and was not crucified. [Jesus] said, "Indeed, I am the servant of Allah. He has given me the Scripture and made me a prophet," (Quran 19:30). Continued on next page.. 12/24 @ 6:30 pm December s Preaching Theme:
Continued from first page... "And [for] their saying, "Indeed, we have killed the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, the messenger of Allah." And they did not kill him, nor did they crucify him; but [another] was made to resemble him to them. And indeed, those who differ over it are in doubt about it. They have no knowledge of it except the following of assumption. And they did not kill him, for certain," (Quran 4:157). So it is clear that the Quran clearly denies one of the essential Christian doctrines about God s nature. The God of Islam and the God of Christianity are not the same. Also, in Islam Jesus is not God in flesh (Surah 4:172; 5:73; 9:30), where in Christianity he is (John 1:1, 14; Col. 2:9). In Christianity Jesus was crucified, but in Islam he was not (Surah 4:158). This is another irreconcilable difference between Islam and Christianity regarding God and who Christ is. In addition, Islam says that the Helper (paraclete in Greek) is Muhammed, where the Bible says that the Helper is the Holy Spirit (John 14:26). So, the God of Islam and the God of Christianity are not the same thing. However, we also need to point out a gross error on the part of Roman Catholicism regarding this issue. The Catechism of the Catholic Church says in paragraph 841, The Church's relationship with the Muslims. 'The plan of salvation also includes those who acknowledge the Creator, in the first place amongst whom are the Muslims; these profess to hold the faith of Abraham, and together with us they adore the one, merciful God, mankind's judge on the last day.'" The Roman Catholic church is wrong. Muslims and Christians do not worship the same God". Jude 1:3 (NLT) 3 Dear friends, I had been eagerly planning to write to you about the salvation we all share. But now I find that I must write about something else, urging you to defend the faith that God has entrusted once for all time to his holy people. As Christians, we must stand up for the Truth and defend our faith just as Jude advises. Christianity is not compatible with Islam and allah is certainly not the same as YHWH. For more information regarding this and other important questions regarding Christianity, please visit www.carm.org which is a Christian apologetics web site. SCC will be hosting our annual Christmas Eve service on Wednesday, Dec. 24th at 6:30 PM. Doors open at 6:00. Come enjoy an hour of worship as we remember our King stepping out of eternity and into humanity so that we could be reconciled back to God! Our Christmas theme this year is: O Christmas Tree. We ll be looking at how the four ornaments (hope, grace, faith, and love) are so desperately needed in our lives today. Transforming Lives Together Todd Thomas, Lead Pastor
Outreach Ministries What a glorious day we enjoyed at our annual Fall Fest 2014! Sebastian Christian Church endeavors to be visible in the community with a heart of hospitality and love. One way that we do this is through our various outreach ministries and events. This year we surpassed our attendance planning and estimate we had over 400 guests on campus. Each guest encountered the love of Christ in the lives of all the volunteers that made this event happen. THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS! Each guest also received specific information on Sebastian Christian Church & its ministries and times to join us in worship. Please pray that God will use this planted seed to bring people into our community of faith and grow with us! Ladies!!!! The Women's Fellowship is inviting all ladies to our being catered on Saturday, December 13th at 10:30am. Cost per person will be $16.00, payable by check or cash. Payment can be made at the church office Monday through Thursday 9:30-12:00 noon or at the HUB desk before services. Please reserve your seat no later than November 30th. We look forward to you joining us for food, fun and fellowship as we celebrate the birth of Jesus. Salvation Army Christmas Kettles We will participating once again in ringing the bell to help raise funds for the needy in our community. Our day of service is Saturday, 12/20 from 10am to 8pm at the Publix at 510/512. Please sign up at the Hub! Service times are available in one hour increments.
Meet our new Children s Ministry Director: Christin Cole!! As many of you know, David Montgomery & his family have moved to South Carolina. We pray for an easy transition for all & look forward to hearing from them soon. I am so excited to take over as Children's Director, and have been working very closely with David to ensure the program continues to run. I have attended SCC since February 09. I have been involved with the children's ministry about the same length of time, as I have two children. Discovery Cove & KidCoast have been a success so far this school year! Our numbers have been a steady average, and each week the children are bringing new friends with them! If you have a heart for our children, please consider contacting me and coming to our Nursery & Children s Ministry Volunteer Meeting on 12/13 @4pm at SCC to discuss our vision for future programming and find out where you can help! We truly need AND appreciate you!! Email: Ccole@sebastianchristian.org 772-766-6382 Thanksgiving Offering! $9,259 was collected for this year s Offering. Thank you so much for your generosity!
Serving Schedules 8:45AM Worship - Nursery 12/7 Melissa Ferris 12/14 Becky Ehrlich 12/21 Judi McKallip 12/28 Maria Casserly 8:45AM Worship - 3, 4, 5 & K Class 12/7 Paula Essig 12/14 Jan Cernigliaro 12/21 Terri Messer 12/28 Marsha Peterson Sunday School - Nursery 12/7 Jan Cernigliaro 12/14 Terri Messer 12/21 Jacque Miller 12/28 Cathy Thomas 11AM Worship 3, 4, 5 & K Class 12/7 Sharie Buchanan 12/14 Cheryl Zelesky 12/21 Rae Ann Coughlin 12/28 Brandi Bramble 11AM Worship - Nursery 12/7 Connie Morgan 12/14 Tammy / Miranda 12/21 Jodee Caskey 12/28 Susie & Alley Duffany to SCC Please join us in welcoming Linda & Robert Colmerauer to the family here at SCC! Other Misc. Helps Communion 8:45 TBD 12:00 Camille W, Lee Paver Sanctuary Fellowship Bldg. Bruce Daily Lacy Rugar Edu. Bldg. J & Kay Evans Congratulations to Deb Chorma & Luis Sanchez!! We join together with you in the celebration of lives given to Christ!