September 14, 2025 Sunday (Respect for the Aged) Worship Service

Prelude
Call to Worship   Psalms 90:12
Hymn JBC # 80 Father, we love You
The Lord’s Prayer
Hymn JBC # 321 Years I spent in vanity and pride
Offering
Scripture  1 Peter 4:7~11
Prayer
Sermon “The end of all things is near”
Prayer
Hymn JBC # 336 When the trumpet of the Lord shall sound
Doxology JBC #$ 673
Benediction
Postlude
Welcome & Announcements

*Sermon script is not available today.

September 7, 2025 Sunday Worship Service

Prelude
Call to Worship 1 Chronicles 17:26～27
Hymn JBC # 4 Come, Chr4istians, join to sing
The Lord’s Prayer
Hymn JBC # 321 Years I spent in vanity and pride
The Prayer Time
Testimony
Offering
Scripture Ats 6:1～7
Prayer
Sermon “The Ministry of the Word”
Prayer
Hymn JBC # 506 ‘Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus
Doxology JBC #$ 673
Benediction
Postlude
Welcome & Announcements

Today's passage, Acts 6:1-7, contains much that challenges and instructs us as Christians and as the Christian church.
This passage clearly depicts the problems that arose within the early Christian church some 2,000 years ago.
The believers in the early Christian church were being persecuted by the Jewish authorities.
The twelve disciples of Christ, known as the apostles, beginning with Peter, began proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom of God and salvation in the name of Jesus Christ.
And the number of people who believed in them and became disciples of Christ grew.
In response, the Jewish priests, council members, and authorities tried to stop the apostles' missionary work. They imprisoned them, flogged them, and did everything they could to hinder their work.

Yet the apostles did not yield. In the passage immediately preceding today's passage, it is written that even after being flogged and forbidden to preach, the apostles rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name of Jesus (Acts 5:41).
For the sake of Jesus Christ, they rejoiced that being persecuted for doing God's work meant drawing a little closer to the Lord Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of mankind.
This is a way of life that goes contrary to what this world values. In this life of faith, you find joy in being with Christ even amidst hardship and suffering.
　It is also a way of life where, instead of hating or retaliating against those who persecuted them, they prayed even for their persecutors through Christ's love and mercy, desiring their salvation and continuing to proclaim the gospel.

Through the work of the apostles and other disciples, the number of disciples following Christ grew.
Today's passage describes how this increase in disciples led to a certain problem.
It says that as the number of disciples grew, problems arose not only from external persecution but also from within the church itself.
The Christian church is a gathering of people. Since no one is without sin, the church is also a gathering of sinful people.
Wherever people gather, problems, friction, and conflict inevitably arise. The Bible clearly states that this is unavoidable.
In today's passage, we encounter people referred to as “Hellenistic (*Greek-speaking) Jews” and “Hebraic (*Hebrew-speaking) Jews.”
Both were Jews, but the Greek-speaking Jews were those who had grown up outside Israel and had acquired Greek, the common language of the Mediterranean world at that time, as their mother tongue.

Historically, Israel had been ruled by the Assyrian Empire, the Babylonian Empire, and in Jesus' time, the Roman Empire. This led many Jews to leave Israel and live abroad (or be forced to live abroad).
Among those scattered and living in foreign lands, some returned to the homeland of their ancestors, Israel. These were the Greek-speaking Jews and the people mentioned in today's passage.
On the other hand, the Hebrew-speaking Jews were those born and raised in the land of Israel, whose mother tongue was Hebrew. One might say they were, in a sense, the “pure” Jews.
Though they were both Jews, differences in their primary language, as well as the cultures and environments in which they were raised, apparently led to various problems between them.
Today's passage depicts how the widows (women who had lost their husbands) among the Greek-speaking Jews were being disadvantaged in the daily distribution of food.
It seems likely that the Hebrew-speaking Jews held a position of greater privilege.

Though they were all Jews, their attention may have been focused on their differences—their distinct native languages, cultures, and backgrounds. This likely became the root of the problems.
　We too often find ourselves drawn to the differences between us, the parts that clash, rather than seeking common ground. This frequently leads to problems and friction with others.
　May we build better relationships by finding common ground and discovering each other's strengths (rather than focusing on differences and condemning them).
However, as depicted in today's passage, voicing complaints is not always a bad thing.

If someone feels dissatisfaction or grievance, or is actually suffering harm, bringing these things to light is necessary for resolving the problem.
If there are dissatisfactions or questions within the church, yet people are unable to voice them and the powerless must continue to endure, that is never a good thing.
　While mutual consideration and courtesy are always required, when problems exist, we should not hide them or pretend they don't exist. Instead, we should bring them to light, face them head-on, and aim for resolution. Thus we should strive to be a church that can pray together earnestly.
How did the disciples handle this problem? Let us hear the words spoken by the twelve disciples, the apostles.

Here are verses 2 and 3.
“It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. 3 Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them 4 and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.”

The twelve apostles first reflected on what duty they themselves should prioritize.
And they came to the conclusion that the duty they must prioritize, the duty entrusted to the apostles by God and the church, was the ministry of the word of God, the ministry of prayer and the Word.
　Distributing meals was also an important duty concerning the believers' lives. However, if the apostles devoted themselves to such duties and their most vital work—the ministry of prayer and the word—suffered as a result, it would not be good for the church as a whole.
God has given each of us different gifts. There is no superiority or inferiority among these gifts.

Both the ministry of prayer and the word, and the work of distributing food among the believers' gatherings, are precious works for the kingdom of God, as long as they are grounded in faith in Jesus Christ.
Let us all work to build up the Lord's church, recognizing and respecting the gifts given to one another, acknowledging that we cannot do everything alone, supporting each other, and allowing each other's gifts to be utilized.
　In verse 2, it says, “The twelve apostles gathered all the disciples together.” When all the disciples gathered, it was like holding a church assembly in our church today.
Because the matter concerned the whole church and was important, all the disciples were gathered, and a discussion involving everyone took place.
Our church is a Baptist church. In Baptist churches, we place great importance on deciding matters vital to the church through prayer and discussion involving all members.
If we wanted to decide quickly, or make a more effective decision, it might be faster to have just a few capable individuals, or those with specialized knowledge on the matter, decide alone.

Listening to everyone's opinions, discussing them, and reconciling differing views is a process requiring great patience and takes time.
However, through such methods, we ensure that each person's thoughts and feelings are respected as much as possible, and we discover God's will through this process.
The apostles told the gathered disciples, “Choose seven men among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom.”
The whole group agreed to this proposal, and the disciples themselves selected seven men who were full of faith and the Holy Spirit.

The apostles prayed and laid their hands on these seven men. They prayed that the chosen seven would be able to faithfully fulfill the task entrusted to them with sincere faith.
I believe it wasn't a case of simply choosing them and then leaving them to it. Rather, the apostles prayed for those chosen, continued to encourage them afterward, and kept praying for them.
When I (Sakai) was appointed pastor of Beppu International Baptist Church, during the installation service, the congregation laid their hands on me and prayed.
That prayer expressed everyone’s desire that the Holy Spirit's guidance would be richly given to me in my pastoral duties—the work of conveying God's Word entrusted to me by the congregation—and that I could devote myself fully to that work.
　Through today's passage, I vividly recall that moment when you all laid your hands on me and prayed.
I am reminded anew of the paramount importance of the pastor's primary duties: preaching the Word and prayer. I earnestly ask you all to pray that I may devote myself to proclaiming the Word.
　As I mentioned earlier, wherever people gather—even in the church, or rather, precisely because it is the church—problems will always arise. But the absence of problems is not what matters.
What matters is how we face those problems when they arise. It is vital that each member of the church, united in faith, can pray for one another, show mutual consideration, and confront those problems with love.

In today's passage, seven men full of wisdom and the Holy Spirit were chosen to ensure fairness in the distribution of food.
Were they somehow special people, different from us? No. God also richly gives the Holy Spirit and wisdom to us today.
If we ask God to give us the Holy Spirit and wisdom, He will surely grant them to us abundantly.
As disciples of Christ, each of us has a specific duty to fulfill. Let us continually ask Jesus to enable us to be faithful in that duty.
Prayer and the Word—these two are the most vital ministries not only for apostles, or in today's terms pastors and evangelists, but for every Christian and the Christian church.
Prayer is opening our hearts to converse spiritually with God, and the Word is the Bible and the message preached during worship services.
Prayer and the Word are our true spiritual nourishment, and serving through prayer and the Word is the precious duty entrusted solely to the Christian church.
Let us continue to be a Christian church that cherishes these treasures and gifts—prayer and the Word—which are uniquely given to the Christian church, and that devotes itself to this duty, serving the Word.

Sunday Worship Service August 31, 2025

Prelude
Call to Worship Ecclesiastes 3:14
Hymn JBC # 618 Living for Jesus
The Lord’s Prayer
Hymn JBC # 510 When we walk with the Lord
Offering
Scripture Acts 5:27～42
Prayer
Sermon “If it is from God”
Prayer
Hymn JBC # 520 My soul in sad exile
Doxology JBC # 672
Benediction
Postlude
Welcome & Announcements

　A Christian is one who follows Christ. Even if we cannot always live in accordance with Christ, a Christian is someone who has resolved to live in obedience to Christ, who is God.
We all live in obedience to something. Whether we are conscious of it or not, we live in obedience to some idea, our own experiences, our own hopes, or instructions and advice from others.
Christians certainly listen to their own thoughts and hopes, as well as advice from others.

However, Christians live with the teachings of Christ, who is God, and the words of the Bible as their most important guide and standard.
If their own guide or hope differs from what God says, Christians choose to live in obedience to God.
Christians should be resolved to do so. Yet this is not an easy thing.
In today's Scripture passage, Peter and the other disciples of Christ (the core members of the early church, called apostles) declare, “We must obey God rather than human beings” (verse 29).

　From their figures, together today let’s think about what it means to live obeying God, to live seeking God's will.
In the passage preceding today's reading (the scene we heard in last week's worship message), the apostles had been arrested and put in prison.
They had been given strict orders not to speak in the name of Jesus Christ, yet they continued to preach the gospel of Christ, which is why they were arrested.
But an angel of the Lord came and opened the prison doors, leading them out. At that moment, the angel of the Lord said to them:
“Go, stand in the temple courts,” he said, “and tell the people all about this new life.” (v.20)

Following that voice, the apostles were again teaching the people in the temple precincts (courts).
And they were arrested once more and brought before the Sanhedrin (the supreme court of Jewish society at that time)—this is today's Bible passage.
The Sanhedrin was arguably the highest authority and most powerful institution (organization) in Jewish society at that time.
The high priest said to the apostles:
28 “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.” (v.28)
Then Peter and the other apostles replied:
“We must obey God rather than human beings!
Even when questioned by the supreme court, which held considerable power and authority, and moreover by the high priest, the highest religious authority, Peter and the others were able to answer so boldly.

Was it their own strength that enabled Peter and the others to act so boldly? No, it was Jesus Christ, crucified (cross) and risen (resurrection).
Let us read verse 31. These are the words of Peter and the others.

31 God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins.

This person (him) is Jesus Christ. Why did Christ die on the cross and then rise again?
Peter says it was to make all Israel, and ultimately all people, aware of their sin, to repent to God, so that people might be forgiven and saved.
That conviction gave Peter the strength to speak boldly even before the high priest.
Those saved by Christ crucified and risen become people who strive to live accordingly, with the conviction that “we must obey God rather than human beings.”
Obeying God rather than human beings does not mean disregarding or ignoring people. It means fearing the Lord, God, above all people.
The Bible commands us: “We must fear God alone, the source of our life and the Creator of all things in this world.”
I believe that when we possess the proper fear of God, we gradually become able to live a life of obeying God rather than human beings.

And when we learn to fear and revere God, we can also respect others besides ourselves, treating them as precious beings.
And when what God points us toward differs from what people or the society around us point us toward, we pray that as Christians we may be able to obey God.
We pray that each believer, and the church itself, may continually ponder the meaning of “obeying God rather than human beings” and put it into practice.
In today's passage, the members of the Sanhedrin, upon hearing the apostles' words, were furious and sought to kill them (verse 33).

But at that moment, help for the apostles came from a truly unexpected source (person).
It was none other than one of the members of the Sanhedrin himself who stood up within the council and called for calm judgment from all the council members.
He was Gamaliel, a teacher of the law who was respected by the entire people and belonged to the Pharisee sect.
By all normal reasoning, he (Gamaliel) should have been on the side of the Sanhedrin members, in opposition to the apostles.
But unlike the high priest and the other Sanhedrin members, Gamaliel made a very fair and wise judgment, insisting, “consider carefully what you intend to do to these men (the apostles)”
Gamaliel reminded the council members of past events, urging them to learn from those lessons and make a calm judgment.

The first incident he mentioned was the uprising of a man named Theudas, who “claimed to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him.”
He stated that Theudas was killed, and all his followers were scattered.
The second incident was the rebellion led by a Galilean named Judas. In the end, he too was destroyed, and all who followed him were scattered.
Then Gamaliel told the members of the Sanhedrin, “Leave these men alone. Do nothing to them.”

Let us hear his words in verses 38–39.

38 Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”

I believe Gamaliel was a remarkable man to have been able to make such a judgment.
It is safe to say that it was God Himself who gave Gamaliel this wise judgment and these words.
I believe Gamaliel's words contain several important teachings from God to us. I will share two that struck me.
First, the most important thing is to approach everything with caution, seeking God's will through prayer, and never making hasty judgments or taking impulsive action.
This means not acting solely driven by a sense of urgency—“I must do something!”—or by one's own emotions (such as anger).
　The more important the matter, the more we should strive to make the best judgment possible—not through emotional decisions, but by praying, thinking, and seeking God's will.
The second is this: “For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men”

Gamaliel may have believed Peter's work was from God.
In any case, he reasoned: “If it is of human origin, it will collapse on its own. It will never succeed. But if it is from God, no one can destroy them, for God is with them.”
It is surprising that such words of wisdom, such a calm and faith-filled judgment, came from someone who was supposedly opposed to the apostles.
At this moment, I believe it is fair to say that Peter and the other apostles were aided by their enemies. This too is one of God's wondrous works.
In this way, God sometimes advances His own plan by using various people. God speaks through many different individuals.

Therefore, let us treasure listening to the voices and opinions of others—those who hold different thoughts and views from our own—and to each other's voices.
　Gamaliel's opinion was accepted, but before the apostles were released, they were flogged and again ordered not to speak in the name of Jesus.
Looking at verse 41, it says the disciples rejoiced that “they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name”.
And the passage ends with the description that they continued to proclaim the gospel about Jesus the Messiah (Savior) in the temple courts and from house to house.

The flogging must have been painful for them, and it must have been humiliating.
Yet, a joy surpassing the physical pain and humiliation was given to them. It was the joy of proclaiming the gospel of Christ.
For us today, who do not face such direct persecution, this passage may be difficult to grasp.
Yet even as modern believers, we may experience discomfort or unpleasant feelings—if not outright shame—when our Christian faith clashes with the prevailing trends and ideas of the society and world in which we live.
We pray for the society and world in which we live.

And we, saved by Christ, desire to value a faith-rooted way of life that cherishes what “comes from God” above the prevailing trends and common sense demanded by the world.
We today are alive because of the history of those early Christian believers—Peter and the other apostles—who, even amid persecution, continued proclaiming the gospel with God's help and the support of others.
Even when facing difficulties and hardships that come with having faith, even when we experience unpleasant feelings because of it, we desire to live out our faith with the hope and conviction that “if it is from God, you will not be able to stop.”

August 24, 2025 Sunday Worship Service

Prelude
Call to Worship Psalms 33:6
Hymn JBC # 495 Thy way, not mine, O Lord
The Lord’s Prayer
Hymn JBC# 510 When we walk with the Lord
The Lord’s Supper
Offering
Scripture Acts 5:12~26
Prayer
Sermon Tell the people all about this new life.”
Prayer
Hymn JBC # 134 Sing them over again to me
Doxology JBC # 672
Benediction
Postlude
Welcome & Announcements

Today's Bible passage begins with this sentence; “The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people.”
　The disciples who were called apostles, who played a central role among Christ's disciples, performed many signs and wonders.
These included healing people's illnesses and casting out demons from those who were demon possessed.
　Although the apostles performed such works, it was not their own power that made it possible.
It was the power of the Lord God.
And the fact that many signs and wonders were performed through the hands of the apostles was also evidence that God had answered their prayers.
They had prayed as follows in the passage preceding today's passage.

Acts 4:29～30
29 Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. 30 Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

　The apostles prayed that they would be able to boldly proclaim the word of God, even in the face of persecution from those who sought to hinder their evangelical work.
And even in difficult circumstances, they prayed that through the hand of God reaching out to them, and in the name of Jesus Christ, the sick would be healed and those in distress would be helped.
This was also the apostles' resolve: “May God's work be done. For this purpose, we dedicate ourselves and work as Your hands and feet.”
When we dedicate ourselves to God and pray, wishing “We will work for God,” God will surely answer our prayers.
Whether God hears our prayers depends on whether those who believe in Christ and pray make the decision to dedicate themselves to God.
Every time we dedicate ourselves and experience the faith that God's work is done through us, our faith is strengthened and grows.

We desire to accumulate such experiences of faith together, where we entrust ourselves to God, dedicate ourselves to Him, and see His work come to fruition.
In today's passage, it is also written that the apostles gathered together with one heart in Solomon’s Colonnade. Solomon's Colonnade was a long corridor outside the temple in Jerusalem.
Solomon's Colonnade was the place where Jesus once clearly told the Jews that he was the Messiah.
In John 10:22, it is written about the time when Jesus was walking in Solomon's Colonnade.

The Jews who were there gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.” (John 10:24)
Jesus answered: “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me, (John 10:25)
In today's passage, although Jesus was no longer physically present with the apostles, I imagine that they were recalling what Jesus had said to them in Solomon's Colonnade.
Jesus had declared in words that He was the Messiah (the Savior who redeems humanity from sin). That Jesus Christ is the Messiah was the very truth upon which the apostles stood.
Jesus also said, “There are those who do not believe, but the various works (deeds) that Jesus Himself performs will testify about Him.”
As the apostles recalled Jesus' those words and deeds, they likely hoped that God's glory would be revealed not only through their words but also through their actual works.

Their prayers and desires were heard by God. Through the various powerful works performed by the apostles, the kingdom of God was proclaimed to the people.
　In the passage from verse 15 onward, it is written, “People would carry the sick out into the streets and lay them there so that at least Peter's shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by.”
　　In verse 16, it is written that many sick people and those tormented by unclean spirits were brought to the apostles, and not one of them was left untreated.
　“Not one of them was left untreated” means that everyone received what they truly desired.
　From this, I was made to think that it would be wonderful if the current church could be a place where “everyone can receive what they truly desire.”
What is it that we truly desire?
　I believe that each of us carries an unfulfilled heart. We have a longing for something to fill that unfulfilled heart.

It is a spiritual thirst and a desire of the soul. We try to fill it with various things.
　However, the only One who can truly satisfy the thirst of our souls and spirits is the Lord God. Only the love of God revealed through Christ can fill our hearts.
In the church, I pray that each and every one of us who are connected to the church may be truly satisfied by God, who can truly satisfy our hearts and souls, and that we may all be healed without exception.
　May each one of us be filled with the love of God, which is not temporary, but permanent, certain, and true. I sincerely pray that the church will always be filled with such love from God.
　In the latter half of today's passage, it is written that jealousy arose among the high priest and his Sadducee toward the apostles. They arrested the apostles and put them in prison.
“Jealousy” is one of the most prominent characteristics of human sinfulness. The Bible states that it was the jealousy of the Jewish authorities that led to Jesus Christ being crucified.
　For the high priest and the Sadducees, who formed the main sect of Judaism, it was unbearable that the apostles were performing powerful works and were being praised by the people.

　The high priest and the Sadducees were supposed to be people who believe in God, convey God's will to the people, and encourage them to serve God.
If they had been truly faithful to their duties, there would have been no need for them to feel jealous of Christ's apostles, for God's work was being done through them.
However, rather than acknowledging the wonderful works being performed by the apostles, they felt jealous that the praise they believed they deserved was being directed toward the apostles, and this jealousy consumed their hearts.
And so they put the apostles in prison. But the Lord sent angels to rescue them.
　We too may find ourselves in crisis situations. But even when we think there is no hope, the Lord God will send us the help and helpers we need, according to His plan.
　After Jesus was crucified, died, and buried in the tomb, the women went to the tomb on the third day to anoint His body with spices. It was Easter morning.
　The entrance to the tomb was covered with a large stone, but the women hurried to the tomb without knowing who would roll the stone away. (Mark 16) However, when the women arrived at the tomb, the stone had already been rolled aside.
Just as the stone blocking the entrance to Christ's tomb—a major obstacle—had been moved, when we are confused and troubled, wondering, “What should we do?” God will surely provide help at that time.

　God will surely give us the help and guidance we need according to His plan, so let us trust in God and continue to move forward, even if only little by little, even in the midst of difficulties.
The angel of the Lord opened the door of the prison where the apostles were being held, led them out, and said to them,
Verse 20: “Go, stand in the temple courts,” he said, “and tell the people all about (the words of) this new life.”
(In the NIV version, it is written “all about this new life”, but in the original Greek version, it is written “all about the words of this new life.”)

　“Proclaim this word of life to all the people”—this is still the mission given to us as Christians today.
In the church, the word of God (the words of the Bible) is heard and shared. And the word of God is the word of life. For we humans are those who live by the word of God.
　The word of God is not merely a word that is “useful for living, so it is better to hear it than not to hear it.” The word of God is the word of life for us to live.
　　God has ordained that this word be preserved by those who believe in it, by the church, heard, and transmitted to the world.
　In today's passage, the Lord God sent an angel to assist the apostles, but it was not merely to save them at that time.
It was so that the word of life, that is, God's word, might be transmitted to many people and eventually to the whole world.
The work of hearing God's words, living by God's words, and spreading God's words to the world has been carried on continuously from the time of the first Christian church about 2,000 years ago to the present day.
　“To speak all the words of life”—this is not something that can be accomplished by a single Christian, a single church, or a single era.
However, with the goal of accomplishing this, Christians continue to speak God's words without any omission. Through such work, we come to live and be sustained by the word of God.
　God has given us His words of life through Jesus Christ.
　We can never hide or lock away God's words of life just somewhere.
　Let us listen to every word that Jesus Christ spoke throughout His life.
Let us be filled with God's words, share the overflowing grace with others, and proclaim it to the world.

Sunday Worship Service for those who have passed on

Prelude
Call to Worship 2 Peter 1:3
Hymn JBC #240 Jesus Christ is risen today
The Lord’s Prayer
Hymn JBC #510 When we walk the Lord
Offering
Remembering those who have passed on
Scripture Lamentations 3:22~33
Prayer
Sermon “The Lord’s great love never ceases”
Prayer
Hymn JBC # 601 Sing the wondrous love of Jesus
Doxology JBC # 672
Benediction
Postlude
Welcome & Announcements

　Today, we are offering Sunday worship as a memorial service for those who have passed on.
　In front of you are photographs of those who have passed away from our church. Earlier, I read out their names.
Those include members of our church, family members of church members, and even those who were not members of the church but with whose passing the church or pastor was involved, and for whom we held a funeral service at the church.
　Among those with whom I had direct contact, there were some who were aware that their death was approaching and were preparing for it.
　On the other hand, there were some who were unexpectedly called to heaven suddenly.
Death will inevitably come to us all. No one knows when or how death will come. Because we don't know it, death causes us anxiety.

And, losing a loved one brings us great sadness.
In addition to the sadness of losing a loved one, there are other painful events in our lives that cause us suffering, sadness, and sometimes even despair.
　How should we deal with such sadness, or even despair? Let us listen to a passage from the Old Testament book of ‘Lamentations’, which is today's Bible reading.
Lamentations conveys the words of lamentation (weeping) of Jeremiah, a prophet (a person who received words from God and conveyed them to the people).
Jeremiah's prophetic words are recorded in the Book of ‘Jeremiah’, which precedes Lamentations.

In this Lamentations, Jeremiah mourns a single death. It was the death of his own country. His country (the Kingdom of Judah) was destroyed by the neighboring empire (the Babylonian Empire).
Why was his country destroyed? I believe that Jeremiah felt great doubt, sorrow, and suffering about this.
The Book of Jeremiah begins with an account of how Jeremiah was first called by God and appointed as a prophet.

Let us read Jeremiah 1:4-5.

4 The word of the Lord came to me, saying,
5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
before you were born I set you apart;
I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”

This story takes place in what is now Israel, around the 7th to 6th centuries BC.
At that time, Israel was divided into Northern Israel and Southern Judah, and Northern Israel had already been destroyed by the Assyrian Empire.
Even when God told Jeremiah, “I chose you as a prophet before you were born,” Jeremiah hesitated to respond to God's call, saying, “I am only a young man. I do not know how to speak.”
However, God encouraged Jeremiah by saying, “Do not say that you are too young.”

God also said to Jeremiah, let me read from Jeremiah 1:9.
9 Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “I have put my words in your mouth.

God promised Jeremiah, “I will give you the words to speak to the people, so you need not worry.”
　And Jeremiah, as a prophet, continued to convey God's words to the people of Israel, calling on them to “believe in God, turn away from sin, and return to God.”
Was the prophet Jeremiah successful in his work as a prophet?
As I mentioned earlier, his country (the Kingdom of Judah) was eventually destroyed, the temple was demolished, and many of the Jewish people were taken captive to the Babylonian Empire, which had conquered them.
Witnessing the destruction of his country, Jeremiah must have felt disappointed, thinking that his work as a prophet had failed.
Jeremiah must have been in great pain and sorrow. His lamentations were recorded in the Book of Lamentations.

　I think everyone experiences sadness in their lives. I think everyone experiences suffering in their lives. There is no such thing as a life without sadness or suffering.
The cause of Jeremiah's sorrow and suffering was that “even though he worked hard to convey God's words to the people of his country (Israel), many people did not listen to his words, and in the end, the country was destroyed.”
Jeremiah seemed to have lost hope in himself. “Everything I've done has been in vain. Was there any meaning to my life and work?” he must have thought.
Jeremiah certainly reached his own limits.
　This can be understood from the first half of verse 18, which precedes today's passage.
So I say, “My splendor (*in Japanese “the power to live”) is gone

Jeremiah says, “My power to live is gone.” This means that it is no longer possible to live by his own strength.
　However, when Jeremiah realized that “it is enough, impossible, I can do nothing on my own,” an important truth was revealed to him.
That is the message of today's Bible passage: “The Lord's mercy never ceases,” (NIV: “the Lord’s great love we are not consumed”), and “The Lord's compassions never fail.”
　Jeremiah clearly recognized his own powerlessness, weakness, and helplessness, saying, “My splendor (strength) is gone.”
　However, the mercy (love) of the Lord God is unending and never ceases, and the compassion of the Lord God will never run out for us. This was clearly shown to Jeremiah when he realized his own powerlessness.
　The message conveyed throughout the Bible is that “even though the Israelites, God's chosen people, continued to disobey Him, God never gave up on His love for them.”

Jeremiah's words tell us that even though we continue to disobey God and are sinners, God will never completely abandon us.
　Even if it seems like the country has fallen and there is no hope left, and even if you feel like you cannot survive on your own, it is actually at times like these that a new beginning awaits.
　Christian churches hold weekly worship services. The focus of worship is Jesus Christ and the words of Jesus Christ, namely the words of the Bible.
　The words of the Bible convey to us the hope that “the Lord's love never ceases, it is new every morning,” just as it is written in today's passage.
If we open our hearts, humble ourselves before the Lord God (acknowledging our own powerlessness), and face God's Word, then each time we do so, the words of the Bible will come to us with new resonance and power.
On the cross, Jesus Christ gave His life for us, and even now He continues to say to us, “I love you. I will never give up on you.”

The Lord's endless mercy (love) and compassion are revealed to us through the words of the Bible. Therefore, we continue to listen to the words of the Bible and continue to worship centered on the words of the Bible.
　In the Bible, there is a story about Jesus Christ multiplying five loaves of bread and two fish through prayer and feeding thousands of people, leaving them all full. The great work of the miracle by Christ.
　In this way, Christ continues to satisfy our spiritual, mental, and emotional hunger and thirst through the power of His Word, giving us the strength to live.
　Even when our own strength fails us, when we surrender everything to God, we come to believe in the truth that “God's love never fails and never ceases.”
　We sincerely wish to give thanks for the endless love of God, which we can always receive through His Word and worship.

Let's read verses 27-28 of today's passage.

27 It is good for a man to bear the yoke
while he is young.
28 Let him sit alone in silence,
for the Lord has laid it on him.

　　A yoke is a tool placed around the necks of cows and horses for agricultural work (plowing fields). When yoked, cows and horses are unable to move freely.
　From this, we can see that the yoke is a metaphor for the burdens, hardships, and sufferings that we bear in our lives.
In everyone's life, there may be times when they are burdened with a heavy load, as if a yoke were placed around their neck. At such times, “let him sit alone in silence” does not mean “do nothing” or “just endure.”
It means, “Give up your own power and entrust yourself to the Lord. Return to God.”

Jesus Christ said the following.

28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28～30)

　　I think we all have to bear various kinds of “yokes” in our lives.
To us, Jesus says, “Come to me and take my (Christ's) yoke upon you, and you will find rest.”
　Why is Jesus' yoke “easy to bear”? It is because Jesus bears that yoke with us.
　Even the burdens we feel as if we are carrying it alone, in fact Jesus is with us and carries them with us.
Let us live our lives believing in Jesus Christ, who bears our burdens with us.
　The departed souls we remember today must have each had their own burdens, sorrows, and hardships in their lives.
　When you remember that suffering and sadness, some of your close friends and family members may still feel pain in their hearts and a wrenching pain in their chests.
However, we can believe that Jesus was with those who had passed away, sharing in their suffering and sorrow, and bearing their burdens with them.

And Jesus bears our burdens with us today too. Even if we cannot bear them on our own, we can live by entrusting them to Jesus, who bears them with us.
　Living involves pain and sadness.
However, the Bible tells us that sorrow eventually leads us to know God, whose love never ends, and guides us to God.
No matter how much sorrow or suffering we experience, nothing can prevent us from worshipping God, praying, and praising Him (praising God, not humans).
In today's worship service, as we remember those who have passed away, let us reaffirm our belief that we are being kept alive each morning by the Lord's mercy, love, and compassion, and let us rejoice and give thanks for this, and resolve to walk forward in the days ahead.

August 10, 2025 Sunday (Peace) Worship Service

Prelude
Call to Worship Psalm 36:9 (NIV)
Hymn JBC # 26 We praise You, O God, our Redeemer
The Lord’s Prayer
Hymn JBC #510 When we walk with the Lord
Offering
Scripture Isaiah 2:1～5
Prayer
Sermon “Let us walk in the light of the Lord”
Prayer
Hymn JBC # 330 Far away in the depths of my spirit tonight
Doxology JBC # 672
Benediction
Postlude
Welcome & Announcements

Today our service is dedicated to peace.
The last world war (World War Two) ended in August 1945 with Japan’s defeat, and for this reason our thoughts turn to peace particularly in August.
This year, 2025, marks the 80th year since the end of World War Two. However, even before then, since ancient times, there has always been war and conflict amongst mankind throughout history.
Even since the War there have been many conflicts and wars that have broken out throughout the world, and even now there are conflicts continuing in many regions.
This can make us want to give up on peace, wondering if peace can be achieved and if it’s even possible.
But today, looking at the words of the Bible that have been given to us, I would like us to turn out thoughts again to peace, and to consider together how the peace of God can be made a reality in our world, and in our immediate surroundings.

Today’s Bible passage is from the Old Testament book of Isaiah. Isaiah was a prophet in Old Testament times, and verse 1 in chapter 1 tells us that he was “Isaiah son of Amoz”.
　Isaiah was a prophet who was active in the southern kingdom of Judah, during the reigns of kings Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah (at that time Israel was divided into Israel to the north and Judah to the south).
This was in approximately the late 8th to early 7th centuries BC.
Prophets were people who bore the duty of receiving the word from God and sharing it with the people. There was not just one prophet, but many. Even during the same age, there were many who was chosen as prophets.
The word of God was not something that could be told through one single person.
God chose many people, and made it so that they used their various languages to spread the word of God in their different times and places.

Since I was appointed to work as the pastor here at Beppu International Baptist Church, I have taken on the responsibility where my main duty is to share the word of God through sermons.
There are many other people who have taken on the role of being pastors (within Japan and throughout the world), and there are many Christian churches.
Each church, each pastor, and each and every believer lives in the Word they have received and bears the duty of sharing the Word with others.
There is no one person, or one church, that is right and holds the truth.
If there are any pastors who say “Only what I say is the truth”, or any churches that say “Only what our church says is the truth”, please do not put your trust in those pastors or those churches.
So long as they are human, there is no way that any pastor or any church can be always and completely perfect.

　No person or church can ever be perfect. No one can claim that “I alone am right”. Remembering this is essential on the path to peace.
Even so, we shouldn’t give up and think “I’m an imperfect human anyways, I don’t know anything about God”.
We may be imperfect, but our father God is perfect, and He has revealed Himself to us through His son, Jesus Christ.
And now, we don’t need to doubt in that we have received the Bible, the Word of the only true and perfect God.
There may be times when we misunderstand the word of God, and do not take its meaning correctly.
But, we can rest assured knowing that we have the God of Jesus Christ, who is perfect in righteousness and in absolute truth.
Through His Word, God has made it so that we can be in touch with God’s message and God’s truth.

Christ is always and forever with us, and we always have the words of the Bible that reveal Jesus to us.
In light of this, let us continue to listen together to God’s message, to the voice of God that is always available to us through the Bible.
In verse 2 of today’s passage, it says “In the last days”.
The words of today’s passage are about a vision seen by the prophet Isaiah. This was a vision that Isaiah saw of what would happen in the future, after his time.
The “last days” are a very important matter for Christianity. This is the time when God’s Kingdom is made complete.
In the Bible, in Genesis chapter 1 verse 1 (at the very beginning of the Bible), it tells us that “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”

God first created the heavens, and created everything that’s in our world.
There are people who think that “There was no beginning, there is no end, the world exists by chance, humans are born by chance, and all we do is live and die.”
But the Bible clearly tells us that in the beginning God created the world. And even more than that, that God created this world with purpose and intent.
God created the world and saw that it was good. And God also appointed mankind as rulers over the good earth He had created (Genesis 1:28).
Ruling does not mean that we make use of nature and plants and animals as we please for only our own benefit and enjoyment.
Rather, it means we have been entrusted by God with the duty of being caretakers of this good world, maintaining harmony and peace in this world God created.
In order to fulfill this duty, we need to always heed the will and voice of our Creator God. This is the only way we are able to fulfill the role God has given us.

Let us humbly listen to the words of the Bible, the words of our Creator God who created us with a purpose, and make this our way of life.
The day will come when this world that was started by God’s creation will come to an end, the last days.
What will happen during the last days? Let’s look again at verses 2 and 3 of today’s passage.

2 In the last days
the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established
as the highest of the mountains;
it will be exalted above the hills,
and all nations will stream to it.
3 Many peoples will come and say,
“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
to the temple of the God of Jacob.
He will teach us his ways,
so that we may walk in his paths.”
The law will go out from Zion,
the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.

It says that “In the last days, the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and all nations will stream to it.”
This means that all nations and many peoples will move towards the same landmark, the mountain of the Lord’s temple.
It is written that “On the mountain of the Lord, the Lord will teach us His ways, so that we may walk in His paths”.
Perhaps the reason that our world is not at peace, or that peace has not been accomplished, is that nations and peoples are all heading in their own different directions.
Also, people claim that the path they are taking is right, that they are heading in the right direction, and judge one another, and I think this is why we have conflict surrounding us.

Are we able to come together and agree on what to do, and then walk that path together?
The path mentioned in Isaish’s vision, where it says, “He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths”, this path is Jesus Christ.
When all nations and all people walk the one true path that is Jesus Christ, that is when we will see the world in true peace.
Why is this so? Because when we walk the true path that is Jesus Christ, that is when the following words of the prophecy in today’s passage will come to pass.

Let’s look at verse 4.
4 He will judge between the nations
and will settle disputes for many peoples.
They will beat their swords into plowshares
and their spears into pruning hooks.
Nation will not take up sword against nation,
nor will they train for war anymore.

It says that the Lord will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. It will not be us humans who judge, but God himself who is the Lord and true judge.
Because God is the One, who knows perfectly what is good and evil, and this means that our Lord God will settle the disputes between us.
The passage says that we will listen to the Word of the Lord earnestly, we will follow the teachings of the Lord, and when we interact with others, it will be like in the words of verse 4. Let’s read the second half of that verse together.

　They will beat their swords into plowshares
and their spears into pruning hooks.
Nation will not take up sword against nation,
nor will they train for war anymore.

The same materials (such as iron or wood) that can be made into weapons such as swords and spears to hurt others, these same materials can be turned into tools to harvest food for everyone to live together.
How is it that will be able to remake swords into plowshares, and spears into pruning hooks?
To that end, we need remember what Jesus has already accomplished for us.
Christ took on the judgement (or punishment) that should have been ours, and went to the cross in our place.
In our place, our heavenly father God instead placed the judgement of the Cross on His only son Jesus Christ, who is perfectly without sin.
Jesus took all the hostility, hatred, jealousy, envy and contempt, everything that is in our hearts that is the cause of conflict between us as humans, He took all of that upon Himself on the cross.
In so doing, Jesus took upon Himself all evil, the very sinful nature we have as humans.
When we live in obedience to and heed Jesus’ words, when we remember what Jesus has done for us on the Cross, then we will surely be able to change our swords for plowshares, and our spears for pruning hooks.

This is because Jesus took everything on himself, the sinful nature of our hearts that oppose peace. This is the promise of the Bible.

Let’s look at the final words in today’s passage (the title of today’s message).

　Come, descendants of Jacob,
let us walk in the light of the Lord.

“The descendants of Jacob” (in the Japanese it says the “house of Jacob”) mean all the people of Israel, and also refers to all Christians today.
Let us not hide away in the darkness of our own sin, in the darkness of separation from God, but let us walk in the light of Jesus Christ, in the light of His Word.
This path is not one where people hurt each other, but one where people understand each other and help each other as we live together. It is the path of peace where we work together to gather the food we need and live together, the path that leads to the Kingdom of God.
And this is not a dream-like fantasy of a far-off future that will only happen well into the future.
Rather, we can be sure that this is something that is already happening now that Jesus Christ has come into the world once already to bring us salvation.
To close, I would like to read Psalm 36 verse 9.

For with you is the fountain of life;
in your light we see light.

Let us continue to walk together in the light of Christ.

Sunday Worship Service August 3, 2025

Prelude
Call to Worship Jeremiah 32:39
Hymn JBC# 27 Praise Him! praise Him! Jesus, Our blessed Redeemer!
The Lord’s Prayer
Hymn JBC # 510 When we walk with the Lord
The Prayer Time
Offering
Scripture Acts 4:32~5:11
Prayer
Sermon “One in heart and mind”
Prayer
Hymn JBC # 1234 Great is Thy faithfulness
Doxology JBC # 672
Benediction
Postlude
Welcome & Announcements


Today’s bible passage begins with the statement [All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions were their own, but they shared everything they had]
After Jesus Christ has resurrected from death and ascended to heaven, the early Christian believers who received the power of the Holy Spirit that is the Spirit of God, formed the flock of faith that way with one heart and mind.
What does it mean by [one heart and mind]?
It doesn’t mean that they shared the same opinion or perspective, or even their preferences agreed regarding anything.
Like us now, even the early Christians must have been a gathering of people with various opinions and different preferences, diverse perspectives and backgrounds.

　Our church (Beppu International Baptist Church) cherishes the fact [to rejoice in the richness found within diversity.] Particularly, people from various countries and regions gather at our church.
I hope that we will always keep in mind to recognize (find) the richness found in diversity where each one is different from one another, rejoice of that matter, and practice it in a faith-based way.
Although there are differences between us, we can agree through the same heart and mind, for there is One who makes that thing possible.
And that is Jesus Christ. Since He is with us, we are bonded together in unity of heart and mind through Christ.

Since we believe in the same God, Jesus Christ, and are guided by Him, we can say that we are one flock, a family of faith.
　It is not because there is a wonderful, attractive leader or because the church is vigorously engaged in various activities that we are united as one.
It is Jesus Christ who unites us.
The believers that have experienced spiritual rebirth through the resurrected Christ were made to be children of God, one family through Christ. In such sense, certainly [we are one in Christ (the Lord)]
It is written in today’s passage that the flock of believers of the early church [shared everything they had]
It is also written that no one among them claimed that any of their possessions was their own.
We at present consider that the individual’s owning of things or property is one important right.

However, although a Christian owns various things as personal, it is taught in the Word of God not to get strong attachment on them.
If we are over strongly attached on something like “this is mine”, we become disappointed or even feel enraged when we lose it.
However, the Christian receives the faith that [all things are given from God]
In another passage of the New Testament, in 1 Corinthians 4:7 is written as follows.
For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?
We are urged by this word to try not to think too strongly [This is mine. I got this through my effort]

The various things that are given to us, abundant spiritual gifts, and even the good fortunes of being blessed with talents or various opportunities (chance) and others are all given to us from the Lord God.
If we think that it’s our own, we become conceited and arrogant. I wish that we always continue to stand in faith that blessings are all given from God.
In today’s passage, chap. 4:34～35 is written as follows.

34 that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.

What could have made the believers at that time help each other so that not even one person be in need as that?
The One who made them as people that support each other as such was the resurrected Lord Jesus Christ that they testified (proclaimed) as well.
They must have had the firm belief that “they are also made to live by the resurrected Christ”.
Christ gave up His life on the cross before He resurrected. That literally means that on the cross, Christ had given everything to us human beings.
The gratefulness and joy that [Christ had given everything to us] was their motivating power.
The joy and thankfulness to have received a new life through Christ and all things has made their way of living to support one another.

With one in mind, they have made that desire come true where everyone be filled with the love of Christ, that not even one be in poverty, all people’s life be supported and that everyone be prosperous.
It’s a wonderful figure of a family of faith, and I am made to think of the desire also for us to build such a faith community.
However, it’s pictured in today’s passage a cold hard truth that the flock of the early Christian believers was never a perfect community in terms of faith.

Reading through the story about Ananias and Sapphira from chap. 5:1 is a dreadful passage.
How should we listen to God’s message from the event that happened to the man and wife Ananias and Sapphira who cheated the amount of their offering?
Amid the fact that “those who believed sold their own properties and distributed to one another as they needed”, the man and wife Ananias and Sapphira submitted it to the apostles while they told lies concerning its amount.
We need to know here that with regards to offering, it was based on the believers’ free-will (was not compulsory) even in today’s passage.

Let’s look at Peter’s words in chap.5:4.
Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal?
As we can see from Peter’s remark, no one was compelled to sacrifice or financial offering. It is because what God wants to the believer is a voluntary and joyful offering.
However, Ananias talks it over with his wife Sapphira, probably says [this is the amount sold for our land], and submitted a price that was different from selling the land. And it wasn’t the truth.
Why have Ananias and Sapphira told such a lie that was different from the truth? They might have had the feeling of being concerned about how others see them and wanted to take pride in themselves.

　Didn't they want to say, “We gave the total amount”?
　We are prompted to reflect on ourselves amid such figures as Ananias and Sapphira.
Don’t we tend to care about people’s appraisal, how people perceive us, how others evaluate even our own faith?
However, faith is not something that is to be shown. It’s not even something that is to be evaluated.
Faith depends on how much we can acknowledge the spiritual gift and grace that we received from God. And on how spontaneously we are responding to that blessing is important.

　If we say that we are not filled with God’s blessing, it is necessary that we reconnect with Jesus Christ who certainly fills us with grace and joy.
By honestly confronting our own heart (particularly the dark, sinful part within us) through God’s Word of the Bible, prayer, and personal fellowship with God, let us find again our self as one that is forgiven through Christ.
And let us be filled with the grace and joy of being forgiven by the Lord Christ.
Ananias and Sapphira were married man and wife. A man and wife can work for God by cooperating and in agreement through that intimate relationship.
However, just like today’s passage, we are taught that we can even deceive God through the intimacy (which should be a good thing) as man and wife.
Let us turn once again to Peter’s words in chap. 5:4.

　You have not lied just to human beings but to God.”
We don’t know whether Ananias and Sapphira were aware that they have “deceived God”. They probably must not have been aware to that extent until Peter pointed it out.
Maybe Ananias and Sapphira thought [this kind of matter should be allowed]
However, we should seriously take the message that what Ananias and Sapphira did (their way of life) in today’s passage is not deceiving man but have deceived God.
If we are dishonest towards people, that means we are also dishonest towards God and that is deceiving Him.
Don’t we think that little dishonesty can deceive people?

However, today’s passage tells us that if we think that our dishonesty can cheat even before God, it’s an extremely large critical problem.
If we deceive God (dishonest against God) who is the One that should never be deceived, we should seriously take (understand) the fact that it’s an issue that has to do with our life.
Why has God given us human beings freedom to this extent? Or should I say, even the “freedom to live deceiving God” (though hesitant to call it freedom) is given to us.
It’s to that extent that God desires to truly establish a personal relationship with us, live spontaneously and become one who joyfully dedicates himself voluntarily as a response to the love of God.
God created each one of us as such a person.
Each one of us is weak, greedy and dishonest man. I believe that such as we, are filled by the love of Christ, united in mind and heart, and by encouraging one another, we can grow little by little together to a sincere believer.
As we keep in mind the extremely strict message of today’s Bible passage, let us live justly embracing fear towards God who is the Ruler of life as we give thanks for the abundant spiritual gifts that are given to us from Him.