We decorated our church for Christmas on Nov. 24, 2013.
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
Christmas Schedule
Please note the BIBC Christmas schedule below. Please pray for the preparation
related to each event and that a large number of people will be able to share in the joy of Christmas.
-
12/13(Fri)・・・Friday Family Fellowship Christmas
-
12/14(Sat)・・・Ishigaki Ikiiki Salon Christmas
-
12/20(Fri)・・・Eisei-kai Mother and Children’s Home Christmas event
-
12/21 (Sat)・・・BIBC Children`s Christmas/Heiwaen orphanage Christmas event
-
12/22(Sun)・・・Christmas services at BIBC
-
12/24(Tues.)・・・Christmas Eve Candle Service
Saturday, October 12, 2013
A Special Guest Speaker: Kazuyuki Sasaki, the International Mission Volunteer in Rwanda
On 29th
Oct, we will have a special service for inviting special speaker Kazuyuki
Sasaki who is working as the International Mission Volunteer in Rwanda. And from
7p.m. 28th Oct, the activity briefing session of Mr.Sasaki will be
held at this church.
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Monday, September 2, 2013
The Special Evangelical Meeting II
The Special Evangelical Meeting II will be held on Sep 29. There will be a guest speaker, Pastor Takashi Kaneko from Koga Baptist church.
The Special Evangelical Meeting I "Church Concert"
The Special Evangelical Meeting I "Church Concert" will be held on Sep 8 at 7PM.
Sep 15 "Respect for the Elderly" Worship Service
On Sep 15, Sunday Worship Service "Respect for the Elderly" will dedicate for elder people.
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
A Memorial Worship Service
Next Sunday, August 12 is a memorial worship service for those who have ascended. While we are remembering the faith of brothers and sisters who have been ascended, we worship together the Lord of our eternal life. First and second Worship Services will be held as usual at 9:00am and 11:00am.
Sunday, August 4, 2013
Family Camp 2013
From Sunday, August 18 to Tuesday August 20, the Family Camp will be held at Totoro Forest Ume Camping Village in Saeki City. May the plan is well prepared, and may many participants are given. May the every person’s faith is deepen, and may the fellowship between us are blessed.
大きな地図で見る
大きな地図で見る
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
O Holy Night @Beppu Baptist Church in 2007
O Holy Night in English, Indonesian, Samoan, and Japanese.
performed by: Jun, Mark, Malolo and Jinggo
performed by: Jun, Mark, Malolo and Jinggo
Special Worship Service for Seminary Schools
Sunday, June 30, 2013
Special Worship Services for Seminary School
On June 30, it will be Special Worship Services for Seminary School. The first and second worship services will be held respectively. Lu San from Myanmar, a seminary student at Seinan Gakuin University will give the sermons.
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Daimyo Cross Garden
Pastor Yoshida, and a representative, Brother Sumida participated in the inauguration ceremony at Fukuoka International Church on June 23, 2013.
After the ceremony, they visited Daimyo Cross Gurden, a new church in Tenjin area of Fukuoka.
https://www.facebook.com/daimyocrossgarden
After the ceremony, they visited Daimyo Cross Gurden, a new church in Tenjin area of Fukuoka.
https://www.facebook.com/daimyocrossgarden
Sunday, June 23, 2013
Welcome Home
June 16, 2013 Sermon Summary
Luke 15:11-32
The prodigal son goes to a “distant land” (15:13). This “distance” is not just referring to physical distance but the “distance” of relationship. He had cut off his relationship with his father. ◆There was someone who said, “To cut off a relationship is to kill that person within you.” I see. People who have denied God’s existence are like the prodigal son. ◆However, humans become truly humans in God’s presence. As it says “God made man in his own image” (Genesis 1:27), humans cannot cut themselves off from God.◆In verse 17 it is written, “He came to his senses.” To “come to one’s senses” is to return to your true self. And our true self is when you is when you turn to face God the Father. This is repentance. ◆The reason Jesus came is to lead us humans back to God the Father. He is the way back.◆The reason we can return to God our Father and be held as “His child” is because of the sacrifice of Jesus’ life. The reason why we are greatly touched when we read this parable is because the one speaking is none other than Jesus himself.◆The gospel of the Bible is, “Everyone, welcome home in Jesus’ name!” Through Jesus, we can enter the kingdom. Through Jesus, we can become God’s children. That is the true blessing for us and allows us to be truly human.
Luke 15:11-32
The prodigal son goes to a “distant land” (15:13). This “distance” is not just referring to physical distance but the “distance” of relationship. He had cut off his relationship with his father. ◆There was someone who said, “To cut off a relationship is to kill that person within you.” I see. People who have denied God’s existence are like the prodigal son. ◆However, humans become truly humans in God’s presence. As it says “God made man in his own image” (Genesis 1:27), humans cannot cut themselves off from God.◆In verse 17 it is written, “He came to his senses.” To “come to one’s senses” is to return to your true self. And our true self is when you is when you turn to face God the Father. This is repentance. ◆The reason Jesus came is to lead us humans back to God the Father. He is the way back.◆The reason we can return to God our Father and be held as “His child” is because of the sacrifice of Jesus’ life. The reason why we are greatly touched when we read this parable is because the one speaking is none other than Jesus himself.◆The gospel of the Bible is, “Everyone, welcome home in Jesus’ name!” Through Jesus, we can enter the kingdom. Through Jesus, we can become God’s children. That is the true blessing for us and allows us to be truly human.
Sunday, June 16, 2013
As the Children of God
June 6, 2013 Sermon Summary
Mathew 5:9
Now, I want to focus on the
verse “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”◆When we confess and believe that Jesus Christ is the
Redeemer of our sins, we become children of God. Do you remember?That’s why we
have to be peacemakers because we are the children of God. Today, I believe
that we have special mission here at Beppu International Baptist Church.◆Currently, there are conflicts and terrors occurring
everywhere all around the world. There are many people who suffer from poverty.I
think it can be the first step to make peace, if, with merciful and meek hearts
we can build relationships together with people from other countries.Breaking
the walls, building bridges and peacemaking are indeed the things that the
world is looking for today. Here, we are like this, having a wonderful
relationship with each other. We have been given an environment where we can
send many people all over the world to spread the gospel from this church. ◆In The Tower of Babel, God judged humans’ pride and
haughtiness therefore God scattered people to different countries by confusing
their language. However, with gospel as the common “language”, God is using us
to make and realize peace. Are you following this calling, everyone? （Deacon Tetsuaki
Endo）
Sunday, June 9, 2013
Live Richly Toward God
June 2, 2013 Sermon Summary
Like 12:13-21
The event in these verses took place when Jesus was teaching the crowd like usual. Among the crowd, there was a man who was troubled over family inheritance so he asked Jesus to solve the problem for him.◆A quarrel similar to that appears in every generation. Sometimes, a quarrel can even lead to murders. I think possessions and wealth are such scary things because they can distort humans’ hearts. ◆Of course, I’m not saying that wealth and possessions are “evil” things. What’s important is how we utilize them. We must not sell our souls to wealth and possessions; we must not be controlled by them.◆That is a sound argument. Everyone here probably agrees to it, too. Still, wealth and possessions have the power of an evil desire, “greed”, which can suddenly enter our hearts and control us against our logic, without us even realizing it.◆This is not a problem of one man who is worried over family inheritance. This is a trap into which all humans can fall easily; this is our weakness. ◆“Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions”.――The point that Jesus focuses on in this parable is “death”. The problem does not lie in wealth. It is in “death” which inevitably comes to visit everyone, regardless of their wealth.◆When death comes, there are meaningless things that we must let go of. Or, to put it differently, there are things that cannot separate us from death even if we cling onto them.◆This parable is not meant to say that “No matter how hard you work to amass your fortune, you’re only human and you’re destined to die”. This parable is an invitation, asking us “How should you live so that you are rich in the presence of God?”
Like 12:13-21
The event in these verses took place when Jesus was teaching the crowd like usual. Among the crowd, there was a man who was troubled over family inheritance so he asked Jesus to solve the problem for him.◆A quarrel similar to that appears in every generation. Sometimes, a quarrel can even lead to murders. I think possessions and wealth are such scary things because they can distort humans’ hearts. ◆Of course, I’m not saying that wealth and possessions are “evil” things. What’s important is how we utilize them. We must not sell our souls to wealth and possessions; we must not be controlled by them.◆That is a sound argument. Everyone here probably agrees to it, too. Still, wealth and possessions have the power of an evil desire, “greed”, which can suddenly enter our hearts and control us against our logic, without us even realizing it.◆This is not a problem of one man who is worried over family inheritance. This is a trap into which all humans can fall easily; this is our weakness. ◆“Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions”.――The point that Jesus focuses on in this parable is “death”. The problem does not lie in wealth. It is in “death” which inevitably comes to visit everyone, regardless of their wealth.◆When death comes, there are meaningless things that we must let go of. Or, to put it differently, there are things that cannot separate us from death even if we cling onto them.◆This parable is not meant to say that “No matter how hard you work to amass your fortune, you’re only human and you’re destined to die”. This parable is an invitation, asking us “How should you live so that you are rich in the presence of God?”
Sunday, June 2, 2013
The Lost Sheep That Was Found
May 26, 2013 Sermon Summary
Luke 15:1-7
We had the Lord’s Supper today. When we had the Lord Supper, I believe no one thought,” Oh my, how come that person is also with us? I don’t like it. I wonder why the pastor treats that person in the same way he treats us.” However, in this scene, these exactly criticizing, complaining words came out. ◆Having meal together is the basic thing when we live with other people. Having meal together means that we accept each other as friends. In other words, Lord Jesus became friends with the tax collectors and the sinners. ◆However there were people who saw this and could not tolerate that. They absolutely couldn’t tolerate that Jesus became friends with the sinners. It’s because they had pride in their own righteousness and they thought “we are different from those people.” Jesus told this parable to destroy their arrogance. ◆Perhaps, when Jesus told this parable, the tax collectors and sinners, who became the reason of the criticism, were with him. For them, this parable was nothing more than a great joy (gospel/good news). For them, these words are words that they had never heard before, words that are full of love and mercy. ◆In this way, parables can be judgment or salvation depending on the standpoint of the listener. Now, when we listen to this parable, in which position do we stand? Is it the law teachers’ or the sinners’? ◆Let each and every one of us confirm our position and standpoint. If we can look at ourselves and everyone else around us as “the lost sheep that was found”, I believe that the Kingdom of God will come on earth.
Luke 15:1-7
We had the Lord’s Supper today. When we had the Lord Supper, I believe no one thought,” Oh my, how come that person is also with us? I don’t like it. I wonder why the pastor treats that person in the same way he treats us.” However, in this scene, these exactly criticizing, complaining words came out. ◆Having meal together is the basic thing when we live with other people. Having meal together means that we accept each other as friends. In other words, Lord Jesus became friends with the tax collectors and the sinners. ◆However there were people who saw this and could not tolerate that. They absolutely couldn’t tolerate that Jesus became friends with the sinners. It’s because they had pride in their own righteousness and they thought “we are different from those people.” Jesus told this parable to destroy their arrogance. ◆Perhaps, when Jesus told this parable, the tax collectors and sinners, who became the reason of the criticism, were with him. For them, this parable was nothing more than a great joy (gospel/good news). For them, these words are words that they had never heard before, words that are full of love and mercy. ◆In this way, parables can be judgment or salvation depending on the standpoint of the listener. Now, when we listen to this parable, in which position do we stand? Is it the law teachers’ or the sinners’? ◆Let each and every one of us confirm our position and standpoint. If we can look at ourselves and everyone else around us as “the lost sheep that was found”, I believe that the Kingdom of God will come on earth.
Sunday, May 26, 2013
Make Disciples of Jesus in All Nations
May 19, 2013 Sermon Summary
Matthew 28:18-20 Acts 2:1-11
he Holy Spirit rested “on each one of them” like “tongues of fire”. It’s very important to note that it says “on each one of them”.None of them was merely an onlooker. Since then, all of them became world missionaries. That’s the event of the Pentecost.◆I want to call your attention to the verse that says it “filled the whole house” (2:2). In the Bible, sometimes the word “house” (oikos) points to the “world” (kosmos).That the wind noise of the Holy Spirit “filled the whole house” (oikos) means that the entire world will be filled with the proclamation of the Word through the Holy Spirit, pointing to the joy of the Good News spreading to the whole world.◆Fortunately, in our church we have people from different parts of the world. And from this church, many people go out to every part of the world. What a promising potential to spread the Good News!◆To achieve this, we have to undergo a discipleship training. We have to learn earnestly about the Gospel, we have to prepare our testimonies, we have to acquire learn how to share the Word effectively to other people. ◆My prayer is that everyone in this church becomes a disciple of the Lord Jesus to proclaim the Good News.◆My prayer is that pastors, preachers and missionaries may rise from this church. That there may be among you people who carry on the work of evangelism in Japan. And not only in Japan, but in the whole world.
Matthew 28:18-20 Acts 2:1-11
he Holy Spirit rested “on each one of them” like “tongues of fire”. It’s very important to note that it says “on each one of them”.None of them was merely an onlooker. Since then, all of them became world missionaries. That’s the event of the Pentecost.◆I want to call your attention to the verse that says it “filled the whole house” (2:2). In the Bible, sometimes the word “house” (oikos) points to the “world” (kosmos).That the wind noise of the Holy Spirit “filled the whole house” (oikos) means that the entire world will be filled with the proclamation of the Word through the Holy Spirit, pointing to the joy of the Good News spreading to the whole world.◆Fortunately, in our church we have people from different parts of the world. And from this church, many people go out to every part of the world. What a promising potential to spread the Good News!◆To achieve this, we have to undergo a discipleship training. We have to learn earnestly about the Gospel, we have to prepare our testimonies, we have to acquire learn how to share the Word effectively to other people. ◆My prayer is that everyone in this church becomes a disciple of the Lord Jesus to proclaim the Good News.◆My prayer is that pastors, preachers and missionaries may rise from this church. That there may be among you people who carry on the work of evangelism in Japan. And not only in Japan, but in the whole world.
Sunday, May 19, 2013
With the Lord Jesus,the Great Shepherd
May 12, 2013 Sermon Summary
Hebrew 13:20-21
It has been 16 years since I have been called to be pastor but I feel great responsibility and fear up to this day. I feel there is much I am lacking in when I think about the responsibility of taking care of and shepherding the believers (sheep) of this church. ◆However, when I think of my smallness, I face the greatness of the Lord Jesus Christ. Our Lord Jesus Christ is the “Great Shepherd” of his people (the sheep).◆The Lord Jesus said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (John 10:10-11)◆The Lord Jesus, the “Great Shepherd,” did just this by giving up his life (dying on the cross) to save us (the sheep). By doing this, he made our covenant (promise of salvation) with God the Father an eternal one and not a temporary one.◆Is there anything “eternal” in this world? The answer is “no.” Our physical health, nations, the earth’s environment will all change.◆However, the covenant made by the “Great Shepherd” Jesus will always be anew, never to change. This is an unchanging truth. That is why we can have security when we walk with Him.◆We are greatly blessed if we can be assured of the “Great Shepherd” Jesus’ presence when listening to this “benediction.” This assurance will give us encouragement and peace whatever we face.
Hebrew 13:20-21
It has been 16 years since I have been called to be pastor but I feel great responsibility and fear up to this day. I feel there is much I am lacking in when I think about the responsibility of taking care of and shepherding the believers (sheep) of this church. ◆However, when I think of my smallness, I face the greatness of the Lord Jesus Christ. Our Lord Jesus Christ is the “Great Shepherd” of his people (the sheep).◆The Lord Jesus said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (John 10:10-11)◆The Lord Jesus, the “Great Shepherd,” did just this by giving up his life (dying on the cross) to save us (the sheep). By doing this, he made our covenant (promise of salvation) with God the Father an eternal one and not a temporary one.◆Is there anything “eternal” in this world? The answer is “no.” Our physical health, nations, the earth’s environment will all change.◆However, the covenant made by the “Great Shepherd” Jesus will always be anew, never to change. This is an unchanging truth. That is why we can have security when we walk with Him.◆We are greatly blessed if we can be assured of the “Great Shepherd” Jesus’ presence when listening to this “benediction.” This assurance will give us encouragement and peace whatever we face.
Pentecost Worship Service
Pentecost is one of the three major ceremonies of Christianity. Pentecost Special worship service will be held at our church on Sunday, May 19, 2013 from 11am.
We won't have the first 9am worship service on the day.
We won't have the first 9am worship service on the day.
Sunday, May 12, 2013
Be Strengthened by Grace
May 5, 2013 Sermon Summary
Hebrew 13:7-9
The strength of a believer is in their realization that God’s grace is the one that allows them to live.◆“Grace” is something that God one-sidedly gives to us. We can also call it “an unconditional love”. It is not a conditional love where God will love us back only if we love him first. Even way before we love him, God has always loved us. It’s not because of what “we did” but because God loves us unconditionally. And that is grace.◆All of us are not saved by our action, but by God’s grace. We mustn’t forget that. We must not be tricked into thinking that we can live in our own strength.◆he Lord says, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12: 9 NIV).◆Whenever you feel down and troubled by your own weaknesses, let’s remember that verse. And then ask God so that you may be strengthened by his grace.
Dear Lord, our God, you have opened the path of salvation for us sinners, by the death of Jesus Christ on the cross, we thank you and praise you from our hearts for that amazing grace.
We are weak and small. We are like a bowl with many faults, but please use us so that your grace may flow abundantly from us so the world can see.
Hebrew 13:7-9
The strength of a believer is in their realization that God’s grace is the one that allows them to live.◆“Grace” is something that God one-sidedly gives to us. We can also call it “an unconditional love”. It is not a conditional love where God will love us back only if we love him first. Even way before we love him, God has always loved us. It’s not because of what “we did” but because God loves us unconditionally. And that is grace.◆All of us are not saved by our action, but by God’s grace. We mustn’t forget that. We must not be tricked into thinking that we can live in our own strength.◆he Lord says, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12: 9 NIV).◆Whenever you feel down and troubled by your own weaknesses, let’s remember that verse. And then ask God so that you may be strengthened by his grace.
Dear Lord, our God, you have opened the path of salvation for us sinners, by the death of Jesus Christ on the cross, we thank you and praise you from our hearts for that amazing grace.
We are weak and small. We are like a bowl with many faults, but please use us so that your grace may flow abundantly from us so the world can see.
Monday, May 6, 2013
Prayer Requests
Earthquakes frequently occured around the world.The damage of the earthquake that occurred again in China Sichuan is serious. Let us pray for the people affected by the disaster. Also, we need to prepare for an emergency in a daily life. The "Tsunami Hazard Map" which Beppu created is put up for the entrance hall. Let's check your nearist evacuation place.
Sunday, May 5, 2013
Let‘s Pursue
April 28, 2013 Sermon Summary
Hebrew 12:14-15
Having “peace with all people” and living in “holiness” are the two things that Christians should “pursue”.◆To live in holiness, we don’t need to make any wall around us. Instead, having “God as Number One” in our hearts, we should become a testimony and spread this lifestyle to the people around us.◆Just as it’s written, “Pursue holiness, without which no one will see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14, NKJV), we must live putting God’s affairs first, and by so doing, people around us will come to know the Lord God.◆I believe that by living in holiness, in other words, by putting God as the God of our life, we can bring true peace into this world, into human relationships. And the opposite is true, too. There is no holiness in a life that does not pursue peace among people.
Lord God,We occasionally have to make decisions.We face troubles like choosing between God or man, the church or the neighborhood.And there is distress also in trying to have “peace with all people”.May we then become Your witnesses through our decisions and attitudes.Please use us as the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Amen.
Hebrew 12:14-15
Having “peace with all people” and living in “holiness” are the two things that Christians should “pursue”.◆To live in holiness, we don’t need to make any wall around us. Instead, having “God as Number One” in our hearts, we should become a testimony and spread this lifestyle to the people around us.◆Just as it’s written, “Pursue holiness, without which no one will see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14, NKJV), we must live putting God’s affairs first, and by so doing, people around us will come to know the Lord God.◆I believe that by living in holiness, in other words, by putting God as the God of our life, we can bring true peace into this world, into human relationships. And the opposite is true, too. There is no holiness in a life that does not pursue peace among people.
Lord God,We occasionally have to make decisions.We face troubles like choosing between God or man, the church or the neighborhood.And there is distress also in trying to have “peace with all people”.May we then become Your witnesses through our decisions and attitudes.Please use us as the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Amen.
Sunday, April 28, 2013
Run Through the Path Faith
April 21, 2013 Sermon Summary
Hebrew 12:1-3
The life of faith is often likened to track and field. There is a respective stage in life and sometimes there is hurdle that needs to be jumped over. And we have to do something to overcome it. ◆It is found in chapter 12 verse 1[As for us, we have this large crowd of witnesses around us] These [large crowd of witnesses] refer to the pioneers of faith that are written in chapter 11 of this book. They were people that came through each one’s life [by faith] And even now, they cheer us up by the roadside of our life’s path as they wave the banner saying [Hang in there! Go for it! Run through by faith!]. Let us picture such a scene in our mind. ◆We are impressed as we watch a runner running through 42.195 kilometers. As such, the figure of a believer that can run through surpassing even any hurdle by his faith in Jesus touches the people around.◆ Please give attention to verse 1 [let us run with determination the race that lies before us] It is not just a matter of [me] nor [you] but [us]. It concerns the church. By faith we run with Jesus but right there is our fellow Christian running along with us. It is not to compete with each other but to encourage one another. It is because we experience the same suffering that we are partners encouraging one another. In doing so, we exist to encourage each other that we may complete together the run of the life of faith. Let us run through together the road of faith.
Hebrew 12:1-3
The life of faith is often likened to track and field. There is a respective stage in life and sometimes there is hurdle that needs to be jumped over. And we have to do something to overcome it. ◆It is found in chapter 12 verse 1[As for us, we have this large crowd of witnesses around us] These [large crowd of witnesses] refer to the pioneers of faith that are written in chapter 11 of this book. They were people that came through each one’s life [by faith] And even now, they cheer us up by the roadside of our life’s path as they wave the banner saying [Hang in there! Go for it! Run through by faith!]. Let us picture such a scene in our mind. ◆We are impressed as we watch a runner running through 42.195 kilometers. As such, the figure of a believer that can run through surpassing even any hurdle by his faith in Jesus touches the people around.◆ Please give attention to verse 1 [let us run with determination the race that lies before us] It is not just a matter of [me] nor [you] but [us]. It concerns the church. By faith we run with Jesus but right there is our fellow Christian running along with us. It is not to compete with each other but to encourage one another. It is because we experience the same suffering that we are partners encouraging one another. In doing so, we exist to encourage each other that we may complete together the run of the life of faith. Let us run through together the road of faith.
Sunday, April 21, 2013
Remain and Live in Faith
April 14, 2013 Sunday’s Sermon Summary
Hebrew 10:32-11:1
Suffering is part of life in this world, even for Christians. This may include being spiritual battles such as being misunderstood by those around you. Or it may be other forms of suffering which humans experience on earth. This includes sickness and natural disasters. It includes accidents.It may be good to pass through life without encountering this but through these hardships we learn many things.◆As long as we are living in this world, there will be hardship. We experience physical and mental fatigue but this is different from the issue of our soul. The greatest problem we need to resolve is the salvation of the soul, the issue of eternal life, and salvation in this world.◆“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see” (11:1). “Faith” is not a method we use to reach a culmination of our human desires. “What we hope for” is the salvation of souls. The Great Priest Jesus is the eternal atonement of sin. And this leads to eternal life. “What we do not see” refers to the future return of Christ and the promise of the completion of God’s kingdom. ◆The important thing is to have trust in that person, Jesus Christ. That is true salvation. We should not ask in fear, “Is this really okay?” On the other hand, we should have assurance and faith saying, “It is okay! The Lord is with us.”
Hebrew 10:32-11:1
Suffering is part of life in this world, even for Christians. This may include being spiritual battles such as being misunderstood by those around you. Or it may be other forms of suffering which humans experience on earth. This includes sickness and natural disasters. It includes accidents.It may be good to pass through life without encountering this but through these hardships we learn many things.◆As long as we are living in this world, there will be hardship. We experience physical and mental fatigue but this is different from the issue of our soul. The greatest problem we need to resolve is the salvation of the soul, the issue of eternal life, and salvation in this world.◆“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see” (11:1). “Faith” is not a method we use to reach a culmination of our human desires. “What we hope for” is the salvation of souls. The Great Priest Jesus is the eternal atonement of sin. And this leads to eternal life. “What we do not see” refers to the future return of Christ and the promise of the completion of God’s kingdom. ◆The important thing is to have trust in that person, Jesus Christ. That is true salvation. We should not ask in fear, “Is this really okay?” On the other hand, we should have assurance and faith saying, “It is okay! The Lord is with us.”
Sunday, April 14, 2013
Center on Worship ~ Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart
April 7,2013 Sermon Summary
Hebrew 10:19-22
When I say “worship”, I think all of you will think of the “Sabbath Worship” which is held as we gather in this church. That, in a sense, is correct. There are two kinds of worships. The one we practice in our personal space (home, workplace, etc.) is called “Personal Worship” and the one held on a fixed day when people gather in a church is called “Public Worship”.◆Both are equally important for one’s religious life, but above all else, trying to always attend the “Public Worship” is a big training for every believer.◆The time and content of personal worship can be adjusted according to one’s schedule and convenience. “I woke up late today so I’m skipping the morning prayer. Tonight, I’ll do the night prayer as well as the morning prayer.” is a bit extreme for an example, but such thing is possible with personal worship.◆But we can’t do that with public worship. We can’t just adjust the public worship at our convenience, for example “Please start the worship today at 11:15.”, because public worship is not held in your own place but in a public place. You must adjust yourself with others, no, with the church, nope— with God. ◆"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness” (Matthew 6:33). We should, in every circumstance, try our hardest to live as people who choose God as our first priority. ◆The life of people who choose the First Priority to be their first priority will certainly enjoy abundant blessings from God. This is for real. This is the truth. ◆We must not give up meeting together, because we have to say goodbye to our “self-centeredness”. Consecrate Sundays by coming to church, protecting our time with God, attending the worship service with a sincere heart is the most basic of basics when we live a life that is God-centered.
Prayer Requests
Please pray for continued peace in the East Asia pacific region. Pray
that each country make an effort to engage in dialogue to avoid military
conflict.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)