Sunday Worship Service January 11, 2026
Prelude
Call to Worship Ezekiel 2:1
Hymn JBC # 16 To God be the glory
The Lord’s Prayer
Hymn JBC #493 God sent His Son
Offering
Scripture Acts 9:32~43
Prayer
Sermon “Get up”
Prayer
Hymn JBC# 134 Sing them over again to me
Doxology JBC # 671
Benediction
Today's Scripture passage is from Acts 9:32 through the end of this chapter (Chapter 9).
The first half of Chapter 9 depicts the dramatic transformation of Saul, who encountered the resurrected Jesus Christ and was fiercely persecuting Christians, into a passionate evangelist for Christ.
Saul (later called Paul) became a believer in Christ, and then, despite facing persecution and even the danger of losing his life, he was transformed into an evangelist who proclaimed Jesus Christ.
Through biblical figures like Saul, we are shown that people can be truly transformed by experiencing a genuine encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ.
Because by encountering the Lord Jesus Christ, believing in Christ as Lord, and welcoming Christ into the center of our lives, the power in Christ becomes ours as well.
Therefore, through the power of the resurrected Jesus Christ dwelling within us, we can receive the hope that people can be strengthened and transformed.
And through the examples of Christ's disciples and apostles, such as Saul and Peter, who appears in today's passage, we desire to grow in our conviction that the power of Christ, which worked through them, is also given to us today.
In today's passage, Peter, a disciple of Christ who was also called an apostle and held a leading position among the disciples, appears.
During Jesus' lifetime, Peter was one of His first disciples and could be considered His foremost disciple.
Today's Scripture passage recounts how Peter healed a man who had been ill for many years, and also tells of another occasion when he raised a dead person back to life.
Through this passage, let us listen together to God's message.
In today's first passage, verse 32, it is written, “Peter traveled about the country (traveled from place to place).” The city of Lydda, mentioned as “he went to visit the Lord’s people who lived in Lydda” was located about 40 kilometers from Jerusalem.
After (Peter, as well) meeting the risen Lord and being guided by the Holy Spirit, Peter did not remain in one place (Jerusalem) but went here and there, journeying to the “holy ones” (in English, “the Lord's people”) from his side.
“The holy ones” (in English, “the Lord's people”) does not mean people who are sinless, unblemished, and pure.
“Holy ones,” or “the Lord's people,” refers to Christians who believe in Christ as Lord.
Then, in what sense can Christians be called “holy ones”? It is because they have been made pure by Christ, and their sins have been forgiven by Christ.
It is not that we have been recognized by God as excellent through our own efforts or achievements. It is not that we became pure by our own power.
A Christian is one who, by God's mercy alone, has been chosen to be Christ's own, made a child of God, one who believes in this great grace and has simply been allowed to receive it.
Christians believe that God works within our hearts, that God chose us, that God called us, and that God sanctified us through Christ.
I believe that those who hold this conviction are inevitably compelled to be just humble before God and before others.
Remembering the grace by which we have been made Christ's own and God's own, we desire to be those who boast not in ourselves but always in the Lord God.
Peter met a man named Aeneas in Lydda who had been bedridden for eight years due to paralysis, a condition where, for some reason, the body becomes paralyzed and unable to move freely.
Peter said to Aeneas, ““Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and roll up your mat.”
Then Aeneas immediately got up. This is the first healing event performed by Peter that occurs in today's passage.
Peter told Aeneas, “Jesus Christ heals you.” The importance of these words cannot be overstated.
Peter did not say, “I heal you.” Peter said, “Jesus Christ heals you. So, Get up and roll up your mat.”
In another town called Joppa, Peter said to Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas (gazelle)) whom he met in the town “Tabitha, get up”, who had already died, and she was brought back to life.
“Tabitha, get up” as Peter said at that time carries the faith in Christ that “Jesus Christ will raise you to life.”
When we hear such stories, I think our interest and attention inevitably turn toward the miraculous healing of the sick or the reviving of those who had died.
The healing of Aenea's illness and the resurrection of Tabita, who was beloved by all, both are truly wonderful events.
It is only natural for those suffering from serious or painful illnesses to wish for healing. Likewise, when we ourselves, or our family or loved ones, are afflicted by illness and suffering, we pray to God for their recovery.
However, today's passage is not saying that if you believe in God, miracles like curing difficult illnesses or raising the dead will definitely happen.
If we say that visible, concrete miracles will always occur in response to our wishes and prayers, that would be placing ourselves in God's position.
So what message of faith can we hear in today's passage?
It is not I, a human being, who heals you (giving life and hope), but rather, “Jesus Christ heals you.” “Jesus Christ alone is the Healer and the source of life.”
And it is that faith is given to people, faith that trusts the Lord so completely, to the point where Peter could say to someone who had died, “Tabitha, get up,” and entrust everything to the Lord God.
Peter learned this attitude of faith entirely from the Lord Jesus. He learned many things directly from Jesus during His earthly ministry.
Peter's actions in today's passage reflect very well what he learned from Jesus and the image of Jesus that Peter actually saw.
In particular, Peter's behavior when Tabitha was raised from the dead closely mirrors Jesus' actions when He raised the daughter of Jairus, the synagogue ruler, from the dead as described in Mark 5:40.
Peter clearly remembered what Jesus had done at that time and can be said to have imitated His actions as faithfully as possible.
I believe there is meaning in starting with imitation. I think it is possible that imitation eventually grows into a faith that carries substance and meaning, one that is truly grounded.
For example, even something like praying, praying in public might be quite difficult at first. Even long-time Christians often hesitate when suddenly asked to pray in front of others.
At such times, it can be meaningful to start by imitating someone else's prayer, to simply recite prepared words, like a model prayer.
If you contemplate the meaning of that prayer, seek it earnestly, and pray sincerely, even if it begins as mere imitation, it is possible for it to be transformed into prayer accompanied by the substance of faith.
Let us actively emulate the attitudes of faith that we can learn from.
When Jesus raised Jairus' daughter from the dead, Jesus heard the news before reaching the synagogue official's house: “the daughter has passed away. There is no need for you to come any further.”
But Jesus said, “Do not be afraid. Just believe.” Saying this, Jesus did not stop heading toward Jairus's house, but entered the house.
Jesus sent everyone out of the house, then took the child by the hand and said, “Little girl, I tell you, get up!” And the child came back to life.
Peter recalled how Jesus had been at that time, thinking, “Even when the Lord heard the news that the girl had died, He never said, ‘It's over now; going there would be pointless.’”
That is why Peter too did not give up. Having personally witnessed the Lord's healing and even His power to raise the dead, he followed the Lord's example and never gave up.
Though Tabitha had died, this did not mean everything was over and all hope was shattered. The conviction that God's work would surely come to pass even from here was given to Peter even more strongly at that moment.
So Peter, as Jesus had done, sent everyone outside, and he knelt down and prayed.
“May God's work be done. May God's will be done,” Peter earnestly prayed, humbly offering his supplication to God.
Peter spoke the words, “Tabitha, get up,” almost identical to those Jesus Christ had spoken to Jairus's dead daughter. It was the faith to speak those words that had been given to Peter.
The faith that if it be the Lord's will, so it shall be was given to Peter. We desire not to be captivated by the superficial aspects of this miraculous event, but rather to fix our hearts on the greatness of the Lord God who bestowed such faith upon Peter.
As we continue to grow in our faith experience, as we continue to experience the grace of Jesus Christ, our trust in the Lord deepens.
The Lord God is faithful and always true; He is the One who keeps His promises. As we come to trust Him more and more, we increasingly rely on Him.
And many weary, wounded, and broken people come to church. Even among us today, there are surely those who are utterly exhausted and wounded.
Many people seek God's healing. I too seek God's healing. I also seek the strength to stand on my own.
At such times, we long to share this message with those who are weary and seek God's grace, power, and healing: “Jesus Christ heals you. Get up. (For Christ gives you the strength to stand up).”
Even when we think we are dead, it is never the end. God's work will surely come to pass. We can always receive from Jesus the hope that God's grace continues to be given to us.
We also desire to be a church where we can encourage one another with such words of faith.
Christ lifts us up day by day. Christ gives us life day by day, moving us forward step by step. Let us walk in faith each day, relying on Christ.
Saturday, January 3, 2026
Sunday Worship Service January 4, 2026
Prelude
Call to Worship Micah 6:8
Hymn JBC # 19 Love divine, all loves excelling
The Lord’s Prayer
Hymn JBC #493 God sent His Son
The Prayer Time
Offering
Scripture Acts 9:19b ~ 31
Prayer
Sermon “As a fellow believer”
Prayer
Hymn JBC# 262 Holy Spirit, breathe on me!
Doxology JBC # 671
Benediction
Since the beginning of last year (April 2025), we have been reading and listening to the Book of Acts from the New Testament as the Word of God in our worship messages.
During Advent and Christmas, we heard the Word in worship not from Acts, but from Bible passages related to Christmas.
Starting today, we will once again hear God's message in worship from the divine works in the Acts of the Apostles.
Saul (later called Paul) was a fierce persecutor of those who followed Christ.
In the passage preceding today's reading, as he was traveling from Jerusalem to the city of Damascus (to arrest and bring back anyone who believed in Christ), he encountered the risen Lord Jesus Christ.
Suddenly, a light from heaven flashed around him, and he was struck blind. Led by others, he was brought to a house in Damascus where he stayed.
There, a man named Ananias, instructed by the Lord (God), prayed for him. Saul's sight was restored, and he was baptized.
Saul, having his sight restored, ate and regained his strength. Today's passage continues that story.
After spending several days with the disciples in Damascus, Saul, according to verse 20 of today's passage, “At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God.”
This means that the very person who, just a few days or a week earlier, had been fiercely persecuting those who believed in Jesus Christ, immediately after becoming a believer himself (almost without delay), began telling people, “This man (Jesus Christ) is the Son of God.”
What Saul's example shows us is that any Christian, once they believe in Jesus Christ and become a Christian, can (even immediately) share the gospel of Jesus Christ with others.
Saul did not seem to think, “I've only just believed, so I should wait until I've strengthened my faith a bit more before starting to preach.”
We are shown that every Christian, having been baptized and made a child of God, can and should proclaim Christ like Saul from that very moment.
Some of you may have had a similar experience. After my baptism, I was asked to teach the elementary class at Sunday school the very next year.
I recall feeling hesitant, thinking, “I've only just been baptized. I don't really understand the Bible that well yet.” But I loved children, so I accepted the role of Sunday school teacher.
Looking back now, my faith and knowledge of the Bible at that time were very basic. Yet, the crucial thing is simply this: “Jesus is Lord,” “Jesus is Christ, the Savior.” That is all that matters.
If that essential core of faith is present, then whether one's faith is strong or weak, or whether one's knowledge of the Bible is abundant or lacking, I believe it makes little difference, at least in God's eyes.
Now, as a pastor, I have been entrusted with the duty of being the spiritual leader of the church. Compared to when I first came to faith, I have accumulated various spiritual experiences, and my knowledge of the Bible and what I learned in seminary may have increased.
Yet in the core truth—that the confession “Jesus is Lord” was given by the Holy Spirit, that I am guided and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, and that I am permitted to walk by faith each day—I remain unchanged from those early days.
And this remains unchanged for every other Christian as well. The presence or absence of some experience or knowledge is not a major issue.
Moreover, each of us has been given different gifts. Each has their own way of serving.
Not everyone needs to preach from the pulpit like a pastor or engage in pastoral work.
Through the gifts given to us, let us share with others, whenever we have the opportunity, about the God of Jesus Christ whom we believe in and share in our church.
We desire to become such Christians and such a Christian church that evangelizes (proclaims the gospel) in this way.
Saul had previously been a fierce persecutor of Christians. Therefore, his sudden change seemed to bewilder many people, especially the Jews who had previously persecuted Christians alongside him.
Eventually, they even came to want to kill Saul. However, Saul had disciples who helped him.
Verses 23-25 describe how the Jews tried to kill Saul, but he was rescued by his disciples and escaped by being lowered over the city wall at night.
Verses 30 and following also record how he was saved by the brothers when his life was threatened by Jews in Jerusalem.
Seeing how Saul was repeatedly saved by others in this way makes us realize that we too are surely protected and our lives preserved by many people in various situations.
And behind the protection of our lives, we are reminded that there is the protection and guidance of the Lord God. We want to thank God for the blessing of being kept alive and protected day by day.
After arriving in Jerusalem, Paul sought to join the fellowship of the disciples of the Jerusalem church.
Receiving faith in Christ means not living as a solitary believer, but becoming part of a community of other Christians, joining the flock of faith.
When a person believes in Christ and is baptized, it is both a confession of their decision to believe in the Lord God and live as a Christian, and it also signifies that person becoming a member of the church.
Looking back on myself, my faith in Christ has truly grown through connecting with the church of Christ who shares the same faith, within the fellowship and connection of faith with my faith family (brothers and sisters).
I pray that within the fellowship of faith in the church, each of our faiths may be nourished, and that through each of our acts of faith and service, our faith may continue to be nurtured.
In today's passage, Saul experiences the difficulty that the believers in Jerusalem are reluctant to trust him.
It was a man named Barnabas who came to help Saul. Barnabas explained to the disciples in Jerusalem how Saul had been transformed from his former self.
Barnabas explained how boldly Saul had preached in Jesus' name. “This man is truly different now, transformed,” Barnabas must have passionately argued on Saul's behalf to persuade the apostles in Jerusalem.
Through Barnabas's help like this, Saul was able to begin building a relationship as a fellow worker with the apostles in Jerusalem.
It can be said that without Barnabas's help, Saul wouldn’t have lived as an evangelist later. Though Saul would later become a great evangelist for Christ, the Bible tells us he was truly helped by many people.
As mentioned earlier, we are reminded that behind the work of the many people who helped Saul was the protection and guidance of the Lord God, and that this same protection and guidance is given to us today.
Returning to the beginning of today's passage, Saul immediately declared, “This man is the Son of God.” And according to Barnabas' words, Saul preached “in the name of Jesus.”
Saul did not speak about what had happened to him (at least not as the central point).
He may have spoken of what happened to him personally—that Christ appeared to him, the fierce persecutor of Christians, and proclaimed the gospel to him; how he lost his sight, and then, through Ananias' prayer, regained his sight and strength.
But the central message Saul proclaimed, the most vital thing, was not about himself, but that “this man (Jesus Christ) is God.”
We, as Christians today, and the Christian church, desire to continually proclaim this message: that this man (Jesus) is the Son of God, that He is God, that Jesus is the Christ, the Savior, and God Himself.
We do not speak about ourselves. Even when we speak of ourselves, it is to speak of God's grace—how the Lord God worked through us—and to speak of God's greatness.
Christians are permitted to speak of the grace of God received, the grace of Jesus Christ in whom we believe.
Therefore, our church also desires above all to be a church where only the grace of Christ is proclaimed: “God is alive. Jesus is the Christ. The Lord's word is wonderful.”
Let us read verse 31, the last verse of today's passage.
Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.
“The church enjoyed a time of peace” does not mean there were no problems among them at that time.
In fact, other passages in the Bible clearly state that various problems and conflicts arose among believers within the early church.
However, the believers in that church were united in their desire for “the peace of Christ” to be among them and in their reliance on the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God.
They valued reverence for the Lord (which involves the humble faith of acknowledging “I know nothing”) and received the Holy Spirit's comfort (in English, “encouragement”).
“To be continually empowered by the Holy Spirit” means believing in the presence of God's Spirit—the Holy Spirit—who invisibly yet surely protects and guides us, and relying upon that Holy Spirit.
In the church—a gathering of believers in the Lord God, a family of faith—it is vital that each of us rely on the Spirit of God, who works beyond our own thoughts, rather than being led by the abilities or experiences of any one exceptional person.
And this is our grace.
May our church, in this new year, always rely on and desire the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God.
Let us pray that we may seek the Holy Spirit's guidance with humility, without relying on our own strength or that of others, nor boasting in it.
May we be those who, constantly encouraged and comforted by the invisible Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit, walk the path of faith.
Prelude
Call to Worship Micah 6:8
Hymn JBC # 19 Love divine, all loves excelling
The Lord’s Prayer
Hymn JBC #493 God sent His Son
The Prayer Time
Offering
Scripture Acts 9:19b ~ 31
Prayer
Sermon “As a fellow believer”
Prayer
Hymn JBC# 262 Holy Spirit, breathe on me!
Doxology JBC # 671
Benediction
Since the beginning of last year (April 2025), we have been reading and listening to the Book of Acts from the New Testament as the Word of God in our worship messages.
During Advent and Christmas, we heard the Word in worship not from Acts, but from Bible passages related to Christmas.
Starting today, we will once again hear God's message in worship from the divine works in the Acts of the Apostles.
Saul (later called Paul) was a fierce persecutor of those who followed Christ.
In the passage preceding today's reading, as he was traveling from Jerusalem to the city of Damascus (to arrest and bring back anyone who believed in Christ), he encountered the risen Lord Jesus Christ.
Suddenly, a light from heaven flashed around him, and he was struck blind. Led by others, he was brought to a house in Damascus where he stayed.
There, a man named Ananias, instructed by the Lord (God), prayed for him. Saul's sight was restored, and he was baptized.
Saul, having his sight restored, ate and regained his strength. Today's passage continues that story.
After spending several days with the disciples in Damascus, Saul, according to verse 20 of today's passage, “At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God.”
This means that the very person who, just a few days or a week earlier, had been fiercely persecuting those who believed in Jesus Christ, immediately after becoming a believer himself (almost without delay), began telling people, “This man (Jesus Christ) is the Son of God.”
What Saul's example shows us is that any Christian, once they believe in Jesus Christ and become a Christian, can (even immediately) share the gospel of Jesus Christ with others.
Saul did not seem to think, “I've only just believed, so I should wait until I've strengthened my faith a bit more before starting to preach.”
We are shown that every Christian, having been baptized and made a child of God, can and should proclaim Christ like Saul from that very moment.
Some of you may have had a similar experience. After my baptism, I was asked to teach the elementary class at Sunday school the very next year.
I recall feeling hesitant, thinking, “I've only just been baptized. I don't really understand the Bible that well yet.” But I loved children, so I accepted the role of Sunday school teacher.
Looking back now, my faith and knowledge of the Bible at that time were very basic. Yet, the crucial thing is simply this: “Jesus is Lord,” “Jesus is Christ, the Savior.” That is all that matters.
If that essential core of faith is present, then whether one's faith is strong or weak, or whether one's knowledge of the Bible is abundant or lacking, I believe it makes little difference, at least in God's eyes.
Now, as a pastor, I have been entrusted with the duty of being the spiritual leader of the church. Compared to when I first came to faith, I have accumulated various spiritual experiences, and my knowledge of the Bible and what I learned in seminary may have increased.
Yet in the core truth—that the confession “Jesus is Lord” was given by the Holy Spirit, that I am guided and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, and that I am permitted to walk by faith each day—I remain unchanged from those early days.
And this remains unchanged for every other Christian as well. The presence or absence of some experience or knowledge is not a major issue.
Moreover, each of us has been given different gifts. Each has their own way of serving.
Not everyone needs to preach from the pulpit like a pastor or engage in pastoral work.
Through the gifts given to us, let us share with others, whenever we have the opportunity, about the God of Jesus Christ whom we believe in and share in our church.
We desire to become such Christians and such a Christian church that evangelizes (proclaims the gospel) in this way.
Saul had previously been a fierce persecutor of Christians. Therefore, his sudden change seemed to bewilder many people, especially the Jews who had previously persecuted Christians alongside him.
Eventually, they even came to want to kill Saul. However, Saul had disciples who helped him.
Verses 23-25 describe how the Jews tried to kill Saul, but he was rescued by his disciples and escaped by being lowered over the city wall at night.
Verses 30 and following also record how he was saved by the brothers when his life was threatened by Jews in Jerusalem.
Seeing how Saul was repeatedly saved by others in this way makes us realize that we too are surely protected and our lives preserved by many people in various situations.
And behind the protection of our lives, we are reminded that there is the protection and guidance of the Lord God. We want to thank God for the blessing of being kept alive and protected day by day.
After arriving in Jerusalem, Paul sought to join the fellowship of the disciples of the Jerusalem church.
Receiving faith in Christ means not living as a solitary believer, but becoming part of a community of other Christians, joining the flock of faith.
When a person believes in Christ and is baptized, it is both a confession of their decision to believe in the Lord God and live as a Christian, and it also signifies that person becoming a member of the church.
Looking back on myself, my faith in Christ has truly grown through connecting with the church of Christ who shares the same faith, within the fellowship and connection of faith with my faith family (brothers and sisters).
I pray that within the fellowship of faith in the church, each of our faiths may be nourished, and that through each of our acts of faith and service, our faith may continue to be nurtured.
In today's passage, Saul experiences the difficulty that the believers in Jerusalem are reluctant to trust him.
It was a man named Barnabas who came to help Saul. Barnabas explained to the disciples in Jerusalem how Saul had been transformed from his former self.
Barnabas explained how boldly Saul had preached in Jesus' name. “This man is truly different now, transformed,” Barnabas must have passionately argued on Saul's behalf to persuade the apostles in Jerusalem.
Through Barnabas's help like this, Saul was able to begin building a relationship as a fellow worker with the apostles in Jerusalem.
It can be said that without Barnabas's help, Saul wouldn’t have lived as an evangelist later. Though Saul would later become a great evangelist for Christ, the Bible tells us he was truly helped by many people.
As mentioned earlier, we are reminded that behind the work of the many people who helped Saul was the protection and guidance of the Lord God, and that this same protection and guidance is given to us today.
Returning to the beginning of today's passage, Saul immediately declared, “This man is the Son of God.” And according to Barnabas' words, Saul preached “in the name of Jesus.”
Saul did not speak about what had happened to him (at least not as the central point).
He may have spoken of what happened to him personally—that Christ appeared to him, the fierce persecutor of Christians, and proclaimed the gospel to him; how he lost his sight, and then, through Ananias' prayer, regained his sight and strength.
But the central message Saul proclaimed, the most vital thing, was not about himself, but that “this man (Jesus Christ) is God.”
We, as Christians today, and the Christian church, desire to continually proclaim this message: that this man (Jesus) is the Son of God, that He is God, that Jesus is the Christ, the Savior, and God Himself.
We do not speak about ourselves. Even when we speak of ourselves, it is to speak of God's grace—how the Lord God worked through us—and to speak of God's greatness.
Christians are permitted to speak of the grace of God received, the grace of Jesus Christ in whom we believe.
Therefore, our church also desires above all to be a church where only the grace of Christ is proclaimed: “God is alive. Jesus is the Christ. The Lord's word is wonderful.”
Let us read verse 31, the last verse of today's passage.
Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.
“The church enjoyed a time of peace” does not mean there were no problems among them at that time.
In fact, other passages in the Bible clearly state that various problems and conflicts arose among believers within the early church.
However, the believers in that church were united in their desire for “the peace of Christ” to be among them and in their reliance on the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God.
They valued reverence for the Lord (which involves the humble faith of acknowledging “I know nothing”) and received the Holy Spirit's comfort (in English, “encouragement”).
“To be continually empowered by the Holy Spirit” means believing in the presence of God's Spirit—the Holy Spirit—who invisibly yet surely protects and guides us, and relying upon that Holy Spirit.
In the church—a gathering of believers in the Lord God, a family of faith—it is vital that each of us rely on the Spirit of God, who works beyond our own thoughts, rather than being led by the abilities or experiences of any one exceptional person.
And this is our grace.
May our church, in this new year, always rely on and desire the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God.
Let us pray that we may seek the Holy Spirit's guidance with humility, without relying on our own strength or that of others, nor boasting in it.
May we be those who, constantly encouraged and comforted by the invisible Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit, walk the path of faith.
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