Sunday Worship Service November 2, 2025
Prelude
Call to Worship Psalm 96:3
Hymn JBC # 61 Morning has broken like the first morning
The Lord’s Prayer
Hymn JBC # 554 All the way my Saviour leads me
The Prayer Time
Offering
Scripture Acts 8:26~40
Prayer
Sermon “Do you understand what you are reading?”
Prayer
Hymn JBC # 510 When we walk with the Lord
Doxology JBC # 676
Benediction
Postlude
In today's Bible passage, the angel of the Lord appeared to Philip and said, “Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.”
Philip was a Christ preacher and he was one of the seven men chosen to oversee the “fair distribution of food,” an issue that had arisen within the Jerusalem church.
This was about 2000 years ago. It was after Jesus Christ had been crucified, died, risen, and ascended into heaven.
Jesus no longer lived on earth as a human being. He was no longer physically present with His disciples.
However, the disciples received the Holy Spirit—the Spirit of God, the Helper whom Jesus promised to send to them.
Through these disciples who received the Holy Spirit, the Gospel of God (the Gospel of Jesus Christ) began to be proclaimed to many people.
Even now, we in the Christian church and each individual Christian connected to the church continue this work as bearers of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
It is a great joy for us to believe in Christ, to be kept alive by the gospel of Christ, and to be able to serve in the work of proclaiming the gospel of Christ.
We are kept alive by the grace of Jesus Christ, crucified and risen.
Believing and rejoicing in this, we desire to serve joyfully in the work of sharing this good news with others.
As I mentioned at the beginning, in today's passage Philip hears the voice of the Lord's angel. The Lord's angel is a being who conveys God's message to people.
Believing in God is not merely acknowledging God's existence intellectually in one's mind.
Believing in God means following God's voice and walking the path God shows.
However, while Philip clearly heard the Lord's (angel's) voice, I believe it is not common for us today to hear God's voice clearly with our ears—though it is not entirely impossible.
Yet, when we pray seeking the path God shows us and look for answers within the words of Scripture, God conveys His voice to us.
Moreover, when we pray together with fellow believers, our spiritual family, seeking the path God shows us, the way forward may be revealed.
Therefore, being part of a community of faith is very important.
It is a great joy for us to be members of this community of faith, to be a spiritual family praying together, seeking the voice of God speaking to us.
We desire to love and cherish our church, which is such a community of faith.
The road shown to Philip in today's passage is described as “the road from Jerusalem down to Gaza,” and it is written that it was a “desert road.”
As you all know, the places named Jerusalem and Gaza are precisely where intense, tragic conflict and fighting are currently taking place.
We hear that many people are suffering there, and precious lives are being lost.
We pray without ceasing, hoping that the cycle of hatred and conflict will end, and that precious lives will be protected.
Philip was directed by the Lord to proceed along that “desert road” leading from Jerusalem to Gaza.
Since it was a desert road, it was likely a path few people desired to take—a lonely, deserted road (place).
Philip himself may have preferred not to go down such a desolate road. Yet he obeyed the voice of the Lord (God).
There may be times when the path we are called to walk—the path shown by God—leads us to a place that feels less than desirable or joyful to us.
Yet, if God has given us this direction, we desire to be believers who can move forward in that direction.
For beyond it may lie wonderful encounters and events prepared by God—far beyond what we could ever think or imagine.
What unfolds in today's passage was precisely such an encounter.
An Ethiopian eunuch appears—a high official (a person of high rank) of Queen Candace of Ethiopia who managed all her possessions.
A “eunuch” was typically a castrated man serving as a high official in the royal court of that time.
Since this man managed all the queen's property, he could be called the kingdom's treasurer. That was a position of considerable high rank.
Even such a man of high standing, and he was an Ethiopian—a foreigner and a Gentile from the Jewish perspective—had come to Jerusalem to worship the true God.
No matter how high his position, no matter how much social status or fame he possessed, this man had been given a heart that sought the true God.
This eunuch had finished his worship in Jerusalem and was returning home by chariot. And in his chariot, he was reading aloud from the Book of Isaiah (one of the books of the Old Testament).
According to verse 29, the Spirit said to Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.” When Philip ran up, he heard the eunuch reading aloud from the Book of Isaiah.
Philip then asked the eunuch, “Do you understand what you are reading?”
What Philip said could be interpreted as quite a rude remark.
It was essentially asking, “You seem very enthusiastic about reading the Scriptures, but do you actually understand what you're reading?”
However, from the eunuch's fervent reading of Isaiah, Philip could sense his earnest desire to seek God's word and his genuine longing to hear God's message from it.
So Philip intuitively sensed that “now is the time” and seized the opportunity to tell God's word (to share God's message) by asking, “Do you understand what you are reading?”
The eunuch replied, “How can I unless someone explains it to me?”
The eunuch's answer is remarkably honest. He confesses, “I cannot understand the meaning of what is written here (in the Scriptures) on my own.”
Admitting what we don't know is quite difficult for us. This is because we have pride.
Doesn't pride get in the way, preventing us from saying (or making us unwilling to say), “I can't do it,” or “I don't know”?
Yet in reality, we don't know many things—most things. It is crucial to humbly admit we don't know most important matters and seek instruction from others.
In this sense, Philip and the eunuch engage in a remarkably candid, open-hearted conversation (dialogue) in today's passage. Such dialogue is also vital for us.
We can read the words of the Bible alone.
Yet, at the same time, when we read the Bible together with other believers, teaching each other its contents and listening to others' understanding and interpretations, we can grasp the deep meaning of God's Word in Scripture—meaning we would never discover (or notice) reading alone.
As mature believers who delight in hearing and teaching the words of Scripture together, let each one of us grow within the church.
Philip explained the gospel about Jesus Christ to the eunuch, starting from the passage of Isaiah 53 he was reading.
That passage in Isaiah 53 reads as follows (today's verses 32-33):
“He was led like a sheep to the slaughter,
and as a lamb before its shearer is silent,
so he did not open his mouth.
33 In his humiliation he was deprived of justice.
Who can speak of his descendants?
For his life was taken from the earth.”
This passage from the Old Testament Book of Isaiah prophesies how Christ would bear the sins of humanity and be crucified—how Christ would accept this mission without resistance, remaining silent.
Philip explained to the eunuch that these prophetic words from Isaiah were fulfilled in Jesus Christ—that Christ truly came into the world, bore the sins of humanity, and died on the cross.
The words of Scripture throughout the Old and New Testaments point to Jesus Christ.
The messages proclaimed in church through the preacher (pastor) are also founded on the Bible, and their central theme is Jesus Christ.
My earnest desire as a preacher and evangelist is that through the weekly worship service and the biblical message shared there, each of you may encounter Jesus Christ anew.
When you leave the church after worship, I hope each and every one of you will think, “Through today's words of Scripture, I met Jesus.”
As Philip and the eunuch continued on their way, sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ, they came to a place where there was water (verse 36).
It is said that this was a “desert road,” meaning a location like a wilderness. Being a wilderness, water was likely extremely scarce there.
In a place where finding water would normally be difficult, Philip and the eunuch, who were sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ, came to a place where there was water.
Then the eunuch said,
“Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?”
The eunuch believed, “Now is the time,” and “I now understand what the Scriptures say. It is the grace of Christ.”
Moreover, there was water there. The eunuch was given the conviction: “Now is the time for me to believe in Christ and be baptized as a sign of that faith.”
This remarkable encounter between the two men, and the fact that they found water in a place where it is usually hard to find along the road they were traveling, both show that these were instances of God's (the Holy Spirit's) guidance.
It was the Holy Spirit, God's Spirit, who led Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch in today’ scene. Human encounters are truly mysterious events. We can believe that God's providence is at work there.
We gather weekly in church for worship. We always hear God's word together in this way.
I believe that even this seemingly ordinary event—our shared worship, too—is itself a miraculous act of grace, brought about by the guidance of God's Spirit.
Each time we acknowledge the immeasurable grace of God's Word, give thanks, hear His Word, and share it together—each time we worship—let us be granted a fresh encounter with Jesus.
And shall we resolve to believe in Christ and live anew?
Saturday, October 25, 2025
Sunday Worship Service October 26, 2025
Prelude
Call to Worship Psalm 40:5 (NIV)
Hymn JBC #650 Serve the Lord with gladness
The Lord’s Prayer
Hymn JBC # 146 Thou didst leave Thy throne
The Lord’s Supper
Offering
Scripture Acts 8:1~25
Prayer
Sermon “Mission in Samaria”
Prayer
Hymn JBC # 549 Come, ye disconsolate, where’er ye languish
Doxology JBC # 674
Benediction
Postlude
Welcome & Announcements
Today’s bible passage begins with the sentence [And Saul approved of their killing him]
The Stephen that was killed refers to Stephen who was told to be the first martyr in Christianity.
In the book of Acts chap. 7 prior to today’s passage was depicted a scene where Stephen was interrogated at the Jewish Supreme Court with the suspicion of blasphemy.
Stephen did not defend himself but by speaking the story of God that was conveyed in the bible, he confronted those that accused him and tried to proclaim the news about the True God.
Eventually, however, Stephen was killed through sentence of stoning by the people that were consumed by anger.
We heard in the worship message last week that Stephen’s last words were [Lord, do not hold this sin against them] (chap. 7: 60)
Saul who was written to have consented the killing of Stephen at that time was a zealous Jewish person. He detested and severely persecuted those who proclaimed and believed the man called Jesus Christ as the Savior and Lord.
Later, Saul is named Paul. Paul having encountered the resurrected Jesus Christ, was dramatically transformed, had a major transformation from Christ’s persecutor to becoming a zealous evangelist of Christ.
The bible clearly mentions that, that Paul consented to Stephen’s killing.
Through it, the bible teaches that no human being is perfectly pure, righteous and has never committed a sin.
Starting with Paul, the bible never depicts any human being a heroic figure.
The bible consistently tells the truth that all people have weakness, imperfections and bear a sin that he himself can never wash away.
To carry such weakness and imperfections that we bear, and to forgive our sins, one Man who is perfectly pure, Jesus Christ the Son of God came to the world.
And the bible tells that Jesus has completed our salvation on the cross.
Saul (Paul) was listening nearby as Stephen faced those that stoned him and cried with a loud voice, [Lord, do not hold this sin against them]
We can only imagine what thought was going through Saul’s mind as he listened to Stephen’s voice since it is not written in the bible.
Perhaps, Saul may have been touched by those Stephen’s words (cry). Or maybe, he was just stubbornly nurturing his hatred for Stephen.
Stephen’s cry [Lord, do not hold this sin against them] is also the words of cry that Jesus prays to the heavenly Father God about us even now.
Let us keep in mind and be grateful that Jesus prays for us and carries our sins, and once again be determined to continue listening to God’s Word and live in obedience to Him.
It is written in today’s passage (latter half of chap. 8:1) [On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria]
Was it due to Stephen’s punishment. A great persecution broke out in the church of Jerusalem (a gathering of Christ believers)
[All except the apostles] were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. I don’t know the reason why the apostles (central figures of Christ’s disciples) stayed in Jerusalem。
Jerusalem is the place where Jesus was crucified and killed, on top of that, it was the place where the resurrected Jesus appeared to the disciples.
Jerusalem was a place to be considered the central area of faith. Therefore, though many Christians were scattered to various places, the apostles being the core (leaders of faith) may have continued to stay at that central place of faith.
The apostles may have continued to stay in Jerusalem as a place where those who were scattered could eventually return.
Even our present church carries the role and responsibility as a central area of faith where we can come back.
It is not us that protect the church; it is God who protects and guides it.
As we hope relying on God, let us treasure the place of faith that is given to us, the church which is the place where the family of faith gather.
Reading from verse 4 onward, the people were scattered due to persecution, however, they walked around [ while proclaiming the gospel]
The people were scattered because of persecution, but as a result, that matter served as an opportunity to convey the gospel of Christ even to distant regions and nations.
According to verse 5, a man named Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed Christ.
The fact that Philip went to the city of Samaria, there proclaimed Christ, and as the crowd saw the signs he performed, they listened to him, was a surprising matter.
It’s because to the Jews, the region of Samaria was the former kingdom of North Israel, overthrown by the Assyrian Empire and a region of mixed heritage with the Gentiles that have migrated there.
To the Jews that value racial purity, the people of Samaria having mixed race with the Gentiles were object of contempt.
Triggered by persecution, the news about Jesus Christ being made known to the region where the people of Samaria who were at odds against the Jews lived was also one of God’s mysterious divine works.
In verse 9 onward, a man named Simon appears. This man was one who [proclaimed himself a great man, amazing the people of Samaria using sorcery]
I don’t know what this thing called “sorcery” was like.
In any case, that sorcery was like something that captivated the heart, astonished people, moreover, the people gave him (Simon) their attention.
To Simon, the fact that [he can perform sorcery] seemed to be a basis for him to think [I am a great man]
And the people were captivated by the amazing sorcery that he performed more than Simon’s personality himself or his inner being.
In other words, could it be that Simon was unable to build a deep personal feelings relationship with the people.
In that sense, I think we can say that Simon who could only connect with others through external condition called sorcery and knew his own value only through that matter was a pitiable person before God.
The people of Samaria believed Philip who proclaimed the gospel about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ.
If we look at verses 12～13、probably many people believed and were baptized.
And it is written that Simon also believed and was baptized, followed Philip everywhere and was astonished as he saw the signs and miracles (driving away evil spirit, healing diseases) done by Philip.
Let’s look at verse 14 onward.
When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that the people of Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to Samaria.
The apostles in Jerusalem sent the two, Peter and John to Samaria as representatives maybe to ascertain that even the people of Samaria believed God.
Peter and John came down to Samaria and prayed for the people that they “might receive the Holy Spirit”. (v.15)
Let me read verses 16～17.
16 because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
I’m not clearly sure about what it means by [the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus]
That is, so to speak, could it be that basing on a single piece of knowledge “the name of the Lord Jesus”, the people of Samaria were baptized depending on one’s thoughts, but still haven’t sincerely changed heart or repented to God by the leading of the Holy Spirit (God’s Spirit).
Therefore, desiring that they may have the faith to believe the Lord Jesus, faith to entrust oneself to the Holy Spirit (God’s Spirit) with sincere change of heart, Peter and John placed their hands on them and prayed.
As written (verse 17), then the people received the Holy Spirit.
Simon was watching that situation. And guess what, when he saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money and said [Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit]
Let’s look at Peter’s first words on that matter.
[May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!]
Simon thought he could buy the ability to give the Holy Spirit (the ability to astonish people) in exchange for what he has, so called money.
However, the gift that God gives is not something that is received in exchange for something we have.
God has already given us numerous wonderful gifts, all for free. To know God is for us to realize that matter.
What we have gained on our own, everything that we possess and others (even if we think so) are nothing at all.
Simon must have been completely consumed by the thought that “he can buy anything with money” or “he can only obtain something by offering up something he has as payment for it”.
I was made to think that even we now have the way of thinking as Simon.
God says (through Peter’s words) to such Simon and to us.
[The things that you have, what you have in your hands are all gifts, free gifts from Me, the Lord God], [You have nothing of your own, nothing you've earned yourselves.]
God says [Live believing God who gives all things, believe the leading of the Holy Spirit, be thankful and rely on Him]
The gospel of Jesus Christ is the message that God has paid all the price and sacrifice by Himself for our salvation.
Such message is that Jesus was crucified.
Let us acknowledge with the eyes of faith that we receive all things, the fact that we abundantly receive good things as gifts and let us walk the blessed days guided by the Holy Spirit.
Prelude
Call to Worship Psalm 40:5 (NIV)
Hymn JBC #650 Serve the Lord with gladness
The Lord’s Prayer
Hymn JBC # 146 Thou didst leave Thy throne
The Lord’s Supper
Offering
Scripture Acts 8:1~25
Prayer
Sermon “Mission in Samaria”
Prayer
Hymn JBC # 549 Come, ye disconsolate, where’er ye languish
Doxology JBC # 674
Benediction
Postlude
Welcome & Announcements
Today’s bible passage begins with the sentence [And Saul approved of their killing him]
The Stephen that was killed refers to Stephen who was told to be the first martyr in Christianity.
In the book of Acts chap. 7 prior to today’s passage was depicted a scene where Stephen was interrogated at the Jewish Supreme Court with the suspicion of blasphemy.
Stephen did not defend himself but by speaking the story of God that was conveyed in the bible, he confronted those that accused him and tried to proclaim the news about the True God.
Eventually, however, Stephen was killed through sentence of stoning by the people that were consumed by anger.
We heard in the worship message last week that Stephen’s last words were [Lord, do not hold this sin against them] (chap. 7: 60)
Saul who was written to have consented the killing of Stephen at that time was a zealous Jewish person. He detested and severely persecuted those who proclaimed and believed the man called Jesus Christ as the Savior and Lord.
Later, Saul is named Paul. Paul having encountered the resurrected Jesus Christ, was dramatically transformed, had a major transformation from Christ’s persecutor to becoming a zealous evangelist of Christ.
The bible clearly mentions that, that Paul consented to Stephen’s killing.
Through it, the bible teaches that no human being is perfectly pure, righteous and has never committed a sin.
Starting with Paul, the bible never depicts any human being a heroic figure.
The bible consistently tells the truth that all people have weakness, imperfections and bear a sin that he himself can never wash away.
To carry such weakness and imperfections that we bear, and to forgive our sins, one Man who is perfectly pure, Jesus Christ the Son of God came to the world.
And the bible tells that Jesus has completed our salvation on the cross.
Saul (Paul) was listening nearby as Stephen faced those that stoned him and cried with a loud voice, [Lord, do not hold this sin against them]
We can only imagine what thought was going through Saul’s mind as he listened to Stephen’s voice since it is not written in the bible.
Perhaps, Saul may have been touched by those Stephen’s words (cry). Or maybe, he was just stubbornly nurturing his hatred for Stephen.
Stephen’s cry [Lord, do not hold this sin against them] is also the words of cry that Jesus prays to the heavenly Father God about us even now.
Let us keep in mind and be grateful that Jesus prays for us and carries our sins, and once again be determined to continue listening to God’s Word and live in obedience to Him.
It is written in today’s passage (latter half of chap. 8:1) [On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria]
Was it due to Stephen’s punishment. A great persecution broke out in the church of Jerusalem (a gathering of Christ believers)
[All except the apostles] were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. I don’t know the reason why the apostles (central figures of Christ’s disciples) stayed in Jerusalem。
Jerusalem is the place where Jesus was crucified and killed, on top of that, it was the place where the resurrected Jesus appeared to the disciples.
Jerusalem was a place to be considered the central area of faith. Therefore, though many Christians were scattered to various places, the apostles being the core (leaders of faith) may have continued to stay at that central place of faith.
The apostles may have continued to stay in Jerusalem as a place where those who were scattered could eventually return.
Even our present church carries the role and responsibility as a central area of faith where we can come back.
It is not us that protect the church; it is God who protects and guides it.
As we hope relying on God, let us treasure the place of faith that is given to us, the church which is the place where the family of faith gather.
Reading from verse 4 onward, the people were scattered due to persecution, however, they walked around [ while proclaiming the gospel]
The people were scattered because of persecution, but as a result, that matter served as an opportunity to convey the gospel of Christ even to distant regions and nations.
According to verse 5, a man named Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed Christ.
The fact that Philip went to the city of Samaria, there proclaimed Christ, and as the crowd saw the signs he performed, they listened to him, was a surprising matter.
It’s because to the Jews, the region of Samaria was the former kingdom of North Israel, overthrown by the Assyrian Empire and a region of mixed heritage with the Gentiles that have migrated there.
To the Jews that value racial purity, the people of Samaria having mixed race with the Gentiles were object of contempt.
Triggered by persecution, the news about Jesus Christ being made known to the region where the people of Samaria who were at odds against the Jews lived was also one of God’s mysterious divine works.
In verse 9 onward, a man named Simon appears. This man was one who [proclaimed himself a great man, amazing the people of Samaria using sorcery]
I don’t know what this thing called “sorcery” was like.
In any case, that sorcery was like something that captivated the heart, astonished people, moreover, the people gave him (Simon) their attention.
To Simon, the fact that [he can perform sorcery] seemed to be a basis for him to think [I am a great man]
And the people were captivated by the amazing sorcery that he performed more than Simon’s personality himself or his inner being.
In other words, could it be that Simon was unable to build a deep personal feelings relationship with the people.
In that sense, I think we can say that Simon who could only connect with others through external condition called sorcery and knew his own value only through that matter was a pitiable person before God.
The people of Samaria believed Philip who proclaimed the gospel about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ.
If we look at verses 12～13、probably many people believed and were baptized.
And it is written that Simon also believed and was baptized, followed Philip everywhere and was astonished as he saw the signs and miracles (driving away evil spirit, healing diseases) done by Philip.
Let’s look at verse 14 onward.
When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that the people of Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to Samaria.
The apostles in Jerusalem sent the two, Peter and John to Samaria as representatives maybe to ascertain that even the people of Samaria believed God.
Peter and John came down to Samaria and prayed for the people that they “might receive the Holy Spirit”. (v.15)
Let me read verses 16～17.
16 because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
I’m not clearly sure about what it means by [the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus]
That is, so to speak, could it be that basing on a single piece of knowledge “the name of the Lord Jesus”, the people of Samaria were baptized depending on one’s thoughts, but still haven’t sincerely changed heart or repented to God by the leading of the Holy Spirit (God’s Spirit).
Therefore, desiring that they may have the faith to believe the Lord Jesus, faith to entrust oneself to the Holy Spirit (God’s Spirit) with sincere change of heart, Peter and John placed their hands on them and prayed.
As written (verse 17), then the people received the Holy Spirit.
Simon was watching that situation. And guess what, when he saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money and said [Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit]
Let’s look at Peter’s first words on that matter.
[May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!]
Simon thought he could buy the ability to give the Holy Spirit (the ability to astonish people) in exchange for what he has, so called money.
However, the gift that God gives is not something that is received in exchange for something we have.
God has already given us numerous wonderful gifts, all for free. To know God is for us to realize that matter.
What we have gained on our own, everything that we possess and others (even if we think so) are nothing at all.
Simon must have been completely consumed by the thought that “he can buy anything with money” or “he can only obtain something by offering up something he has as payment for it”.
I was made to think that even we now have the way of thinking as Simon.
God says (through Peter’s words) to such Simon and to us.
[The things that you have, what you have in your hands are all gifts, free gifts from Me, the Lord God], [You have nothing of your own, nothing you've earned yourselves.]
God says [Live believing God who gives all things, believe the leading of the Holy Spirit, be thankful and rely on Him]
The gospel of Jesus Christ is the message that God has paid all the price and sacrifice by Himself for our salvation.
Such message is that Jesus was crucified.
Let us acknowledge with the eyes of faith that we receive all things, the fact that we abundantly receive good things as gifts and let us walk the blessed days guided by the Holy Spirit.
Saturday, October 18, 2025
Sundy Worship Service October 19, 2025
Prelude
Call to Worship Psalm 31:5 (NIV)
Hymn JBC #327 Lead on, O King eternal
The Lord’s Prayer
Hymn JBC # 146 Thou didst leave Thy throne
Offering
Scripture Acts 7:51~60
Prayer
Sermon “Look up the Glory of God”
Prayer
Hymn JBC # 21 Worthy of worship
Doxology JBC # 674
Benediction
Postlude
Welcome & Announcements
Today's Scripture passage is the final section of the scene in Acts chapter 7 of the New Testament, where Stephen, a preacher of Christ, is accused before the Jewish Sanhedrin (high court) of “blaspheming God.”
Stephen is said to be the first Christian martyr—that is, the first person who believed in Christ, preached His teachings, and was persecuted and killed for it.
In today's passage, Stephen is martyred. Stoned by the people (the Jews), he died. We can say Stephen met a tragic end, suffering immense pain and agony.
In today's passage, let us hear God's message through the words Stephen spoke, the words he spoke just before his death, and his figure at that moment.
In the first verse of today's passage, verse 51, Stephen says to those accusing him (the members of the Sanhedrin), “You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised.”
He then continues, “You always resist the Holy Spirit!” The Holy Spirit is God's Spirit, used here as the same meaning as God Himself.
What does it mean to be “stiff-necked, with uncircumcised hearts and ears”?
Circumcision, the removal of the foreskin, held profound significance for the Israelites.
Circumcision was commanded by God to Abraham, who is called the “father of faith” for the Israelite people.
In Genesis chapter 17 of the Old Testament, it is written that Abraham received the commandment (order) concerning circumcision from God.
At that time, Abraham received the promise from God: “You will become the father of many nations. I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make you the father of many nations.” (Genesis 17:4-6)
This passage in Genesis depicts God establishing an eternal covenant with the people of Israel through Abraham.
At that time, God commanded Abraham to circumcise every male child (on the eighth day after birth) as a sign that the people of Israel were God's chosen, special people.
Circumcision was the visible sign that the Israelite nation was God's specially chosen people, and that the eternal covenant and blessings given through their forefather Abraham had been bestowed upon them.
But Stephen says: "You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You always resist the Holy Spirit!"
Stephen pointed out the essence of the faith of the members of the Sanhedrin (the priests and scribes).
Even though they diligently observed circumcision and other religious rituals and regulations in form, Stephen pointed out the state of their hearts.
Among the people of Israel, especially those in privileged positions like priests and scribes, there were likely those who took pride in being specially chosen simply because they were circumcised—that is, because they were Israelites (Jews).
They began to look down on other nations and Gentiles outside the Israelite people, or even fellow Israelites who, like them, could not strictly observe the religious rules.
However, circumcision and other religious rules must be accompanied by faith in God within the heart and by actually living according to God's teachings—faith in the heart.
The meaninglessness of circumcision performed merely as a formality had already been stated repeatedly, long before the New Testament era, during the Old Testament era (the time of the prophets).
In the Old Testament, Jeremiah 6:10, it is written as the word of God:
To whom can I speak and give warning?
Who will listen to me?
Their ears are closed (uncircumcised)
so they cannot hear.
The word of the Lord is offensive to them;
they find no pleasure in it.
Even if one appears to observe religious rules in name only, without opening one's heart and ears to the Lord God, without humbling oneself before Him, one cannot receive the Holy Spirit's guidance.
There are times when we do not know what God's will is, or how the Holy Spirit's guidance is given.
At such times, we may need to examine whether it is because of our own stubborn hearts, whether we ourselves have closed the ears of our hearts, preventing us from hearing the voice of the Holy Spirit.
We are stubborn people. We are those who only want to hear what we want to hear, see what we want to see, and believe only what we want to believe.
In such times, we desire to be those who humbly listen to the voice addressed to us: “You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised.”
And we desire to pray to God: that He would open our hearts, the eyes and ears of our hearts; that we would listen to His word, which is stern yet true; that we would recognize our own sin of turning away from God; and that He would turn us back to Himself.
Stephen tells the council members, “Just as your ancestors persecuted the prophets, you have killed the Saviour, (the Righteous One in verse 52).”
“You have a faith that is only skin deep, and in your hearts you always resist the Holy Spirit, who is God's Spirit. You have killed the true Savior.” Who could remain calm hearing such words?
The people who heard Stephen say this were filled with rage. It is written that they gnashed their teeth at him (verse 54). They were like wild beasts, ready to pounce on Stephen.
The anger of the people (the Jewish council members, the authorities) had reached its peak. How did Stephen respond to this?
Let us read verses 55-56.
55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”
Stephen's example teaches us that even in the face of terrifying human anger, hostility, malice, and even murderous intent, we can be filled with the Holy Spirit, who is God's Spirit.
And instead of responding to the hostility and anger directed at him with hostility and anger of his own, Stephen fixed his eyes on heaven.
Stephen looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus (Jesus Christ) standing at the right hand of God.
On this earth, people hurl malice at one another, hating and quarreling. Even when people and nations deeply wound one another, if we lift our eyes to heaven with the eyes of faith, we can see God's glory and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.
There is Jesus, who was crucified for us, who now sits at the right hand of God the Father in heaven, and who intercedes for us.
Those accusing Stephen shouted loudly, covering their ears (refusing to hear Stephen's voice), and rushed at him, dragging him out of the city.
Verse 58 states that a young man named Saul was there, and the people laid their clothes at his feet.
Saul later became Paul. Paul initially persecuted Christians fiercely, but after encountering the resurrected Jesus Christ, he was transformed into a passionate preacher of Christ.
The fact that Saul, who would later do great work for Christ, was present at Stephen's martyrdom and witnessed it, can be said to have profoundly influenced Saul's subsequent life (faith).
It can be said that Stephen, even as he died, left an invaluable legacy of faith to many people, including Saul (Paul).
Let us listen to the two statements Stephen made just before his death, as recorded in today's passage, while being stoned by the people.
“Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”
“Lord, do not hold this sin against them.”
Stephen was convinced to the very end that there was One who would receive his soul. That One is the Lord Jesus Christ.
No matter how dire, miserable, or painful his circumstances became, Stephen was certain that Jesus would never abandon him, but would love and receive him.
That assurance of faith is given to us today as well. If we open our hearts and ears and receive the Lord Jesus Christ, He will receive our souls just as He received Stephen's soul.
And so Stephen was able to say at the end, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” He could pray this way for the very people who accused him, who continued to stone him, and who killed him.
These were also the words spoken by Jesus from the cross. When Jesus was flogged, nailed to the cross, and hung there, He said the following:
“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34)
Jesus Christ, the Son of God, prayed to God the Father in heaven for us human beings, saying these words.
So why was Stephen, a mere human, able to pray like that? Why could Stephen pray at the very end, “Do not hold this sin against them”?
I believe it was because Stephen himself was certain that his sins had been forgiven through Jesus, and he was overflowing with gratitude for that.
The conviction that he had been forgiven of his sins through Christ, that he was therefore kept alive, and that he was deeply loved by God—this conviction enabled Stephen to pray for others in that way at the very end.
Such divine love, such power of forgiveness from Jesus, is also given to us.
Let us reflect on ourselves as believers living in the present, receiving the power of God's love and forgiveness conveyed to us through the life and words of Stephen, the first Christian martyr.
Prelude
Call to Worship Psalm 31:5 (NIV)
Hymn JBC #327 Lead on, O King eternal
The Lord’s Prayer
Hymn JBC # 146 Thou didst leave Thy throne
Offering
Scripture Acts 7:51~60
Prayer
Sermon “Look up the Glory of God”
Prayer
Hymn JBC # 21 Worthy of worship
Doxology JBC # 674
Benediction
Postlude
Welcome & Announcements
Today's Scripture passage is the final section of the scene in Acts chapter 7 of the New Testament, where Stephen, a preacher of Christ, is accused before the Jewish Sanhedrin (high court) of “blaspheming God.”
Stephen is said to be the first Christian martyr—that is, the first person who believed in Christ, preached His teachings, and was persecuted and killed for it.
In today's passage, Stephen is martyred. Stoned by the people (the Jews), he died. We can say Stephen met a tragic end, suffering immense pain and agony.
In today's passage, let us hear God's message through the words Stephen spoke, the words he spoke just before his death, and his figure at that moment.
In the first verse of today's passage, verse 51, Stephen says to those accusing him (the members of the Sanhedrin), “You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised.”
He then continues, “You always resist the Holy Spirit!” The Holy Spirit is God's Spirit, used here as the same meaning as God Himself.
What does it mean to be “stiff-necked, with uncircumcised hearts and ears”?
Circumcision, the removal of the foreskin, held profound significance for the Israelites.
Circumcision was commanded by God to Abraham, who is called the “father of faith” for the Israelite people.
In Genesis chapter 17 of the Old Testament, it is written that Abraham received the commandment (order) concerning circumcision from God.
At that time, Abraham received the promise from God: “You will become the father of many nations. I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make you the father of many nations.” (Genesis 17:4-6)
This passage in Genesis depicts God establishing an eternal covenant with the people of Israel through Abraham.
At that time, God commanded Abraham to circumcise every male child (on the eighth day after birth) as a sign that the people of Israel were God's chosen, special people.
Circumcision was the visible sign that the Israelite nation was God's specially chosen people, and that the eternal covenant and blessings given through their forefather Abraham had been bestowed upon them.
But Stephen says: "You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You always resist the Holy Spirit!"
Stephen pointed out the essence of the faith of the members of the Sanhedrin (the priests and scribes).
Even though they diligently observed circumcision and other religious rituals and regulations in form, Stephen pointed out the state of their hearts.
Among the people of Israel, especially those in privileged positions like priests and scribes, there were likely those who took pride in being specially chosen simply because they were circumcised—that is, because they were Israelites (Jews).
They began to look down on other nations and Gentiles outside the Israelite people, or even fellow Israelites who, like them, could not strictly observe the religious rules.
However, circumcision and other religious rules must be accompanied by faith in God within the heart and by actually living according to God's teachings—faith in the heart.
The meaninglessness of circumcision performed merely as a formality had already been stated repeatedly, long before the New Testament era, during the Old Testament era (the time of the prophets).
In the Old Testament, Jeremiah 6:10, it is written as the word of God:
To whom can I speak and give warning?
Who will listen to me?
Their ears are closed (uncircumcised)
so they cannot hear.
The word of the Lord is offensive to them;
they find no pleasure in it.
Even if one appears to observe religious rules in name only, without opening one's heart and ears to the Lord God, without humbling oneself before Him, one cannot receive the Holy Spirit's guidance.
There are times when we do not know what God's will is, or how the Holy Spirit's guidance is given.
At such times, we may need to examine whether it is because of our own stubborn hearts, whether we ourselves have closed the ears of our hearts, preventing us from hearing the voice of the Holy Spirit.
We are stubborn people. We are those who only want to hear what we want to hear, see what we want to see, and believe only what we want to believe.
In such times, we desire to be those who humbly listen to the voice addressed to us: “You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised.”
And we desire to pray to God: that He would open our hearts, the eyes and ears of our hearts; that we would listen to His word, which is stern yet true; that we would recognize our own sin of turning away from God; and that He would turn us back to Himself.
Stephen tells the council members, “Just as your ancestors persecuted the prophets, you have killed the Saviour, (the Righteous One in verse 52).”
“You have a faith that is only skin deep, and in your hearts you always resist the Holy Spirit, who is God's Spirit. You have killed the true Savior.” Who could remain calm hearing such words?
The people who heard Stephen say this were filled with rage. It is written that they gnashed their teeth at him (verse 54). They were like wild beasts, ready to pounce on Stephen.
The anger of the people (the Jewish council members, the authorities) had reached its peak. How did Stephen respond to this?
Let us read verses 55-56.
55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”
Stephen's example teaches us that even in the face of terrifying human anger, hostility, malice, and even murderous intent, we can be filled with the Holy Spirit, who is God's Spirit.
And instead of responding to the hostility and anger directed at him with hostility and anger of his own, Stephen fixed his eyes on heaven.
Stephen looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus (Jesus Christ) standing at the right hand of God.
On this earth, people hurl malice at one another, hating and quarreling. Even when people and nations deeply wound one another, if we lift our eyes to heaven with the eyes of faith, we can see God's glory and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.
There is Jesus, who was crucified for us, who now sits at the right hand of God the Father in heaven, and who intercedes for us.
Those accusing Stephen shouted loudly, covering their ears (refusing to hear Stephen's voice), and rushed at him, dragging him out of the city.
Verse 58 states that a young man named Saul was there, and the people laid their clothes at his feet.
Saul later became Paul. Paul initially persecuted Christians fiercely, but after encountering the resurrected Jesus Christ, he was transformed into a passionate preacher of Christ.
The fact that Saul, who would later do great work for Christ, was present at Stephen's martyrdom and witnessed it, can be said to have profoundly influenced Saul's subsequent life (faith).
It can be said that Stephen, even as he died, left an invaluable legacy of faith to many people, including Saul (Paul).
Let us listen to the two statements Stephen made just before his death, as recorded in today's passage, while being stoned by the people.
“Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”
“Lord, do not hold this sin against them.”
Stephen was convinced to the very end that there was One who would receive his soul. That One is the Lord Jesus Christ.
No matter how dire, miserable, or painful his circumstances became, Stephen was certain that Jesus would never abandon him, but would love and receive him.
That assurance of faith is given to us today as well. If we open our hearts and ears and receive the Lord Jesus Christ, He will receive our souls just as He received Stephen's soul.
And so Stephen was able to say at the end, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” He could pray this way for the very people who accused him, who continued to stone him, and who killed him.
These were also the words spoken by Jesus from the cross. When Jesus was flogged, nailed to the cross, and hung there, He said the following:
“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34)
Jesus Christ, the Son of God, prayed to God the Father in heaven for us human beings, saying these words.
So why was Stephen, a mere human, able to pray like that? Why could Stephen pray at the very end, “Do not hold this sin against them”?
I believe it was because Stephen himself was certain that his sins had been forgiven through Jesus, and he was overflowing with gratitude for that.
The conviction that he had been forgiven of his sins through Christ, that he was therefore kept alive, and that he was deeply loved by God—this conviction enabled Stephen to pray for others in that way at the very end.
Such divine love, such power of forgiveness from Jesus, is also given to us.
Let us reflect on ourselves as believers living in the present, receiving the power of God's love and forgiveness conveyed to us through the life and words of Stephen, the first Christian martyr.
Saturday, October 11, 2025
Sundy Worship Service October 12, 2025
Prelude
Call to Worship Leviticus 18:5
Hymn JBC # 268 There’s within my heart a melody
The Lord’s Prayer
Hymn JBC # 146 Thou didst leave Thy throne
Offering
Scripture Acts 7:37~50
Prayer
Sermon “Receiving Living Words to Pass on”
Prayer
Hymn JBC # 521 Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
Doxology JBC # 674
Benediction
Postlude
Welcome & Announcements
We continue reading the scene from Acts chapter 7 in the New Testament, where the evangelist Stephen is being interrogated before the Sanhedrin (the court) on charges of “blaspheming God.”
Stephen begins his discourse with Abraham, called the “father of faith” for the Jews, and proclaims how God chose the Israelite people and revealed His salvation through them.
In today's passage, Stephen continues his account concerning Moses, who delivered the Israelites from slavery in Egypt.
At the beginning of today's passage, Stephen quotes Moses as saying the following:
37 “This is the Moses who told the Israelites, ‘God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your own people.’
Through Moses, God told the people of Israel He will raise up a prophet like Moses for them.
This is God's promise recorded in Deuteronomy 18 of the Old Testament.
The phrase “a prophet like me” here also refers to the other Old Testament prophets who followed Moses.
However, now that Jesus Christ has already come into the world as a human being, died on the cross for the redemption of human sin, and was resurrected, Stephen here asserts that the prophet spoken of by Moses is Jesus Christ.
Through the Scriptures, we can believe that God had been continually revealing—from before the creation of the heavens and the earth, and also through Abraham and Moses—that Jesus Christ would come and speak God's word, and that Jesus Christ would come into the world and redeem humanity's sins.
Stephen quoted Moses' words because he desperately wanted to convey to the Jews accusing him that Christ is the Prophet spoken of by Moses, and He is the Savior.
Verse 38 from today’s passage states the following:
38 He was in the assembly in the wilderness, with the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our ancestors; and he received living words to pass on to us.
Here, “He” refers to Moses. Yet even here, through Moses, Jesus Christ who was to come and what Christ would do are prophesied.
That is, to receive the word of life and convey it to us. Prophets like Moses received God's word on behalf of the people and conveyed it to them.
In that sense, pastors today also have the role of prophets. But human prophets are not perfect. Human prophets make mistakes and sometimes speak incorrectly.
But Jesus Christ is the perfect prophet. He never erred; He was completely correct, conveying God's life-giving word to people. Jesus Christ Himself was the Word of life.
Word of life means the word that truly gives us life.
Words truly have power. Even words devised by humans can possess the power to greatly encourage or comfort people.
All the more so, God's word possesses such power that it can be called life itself. Thus, we live by God's word.
The most crucial aspect of Moses' work was receiving the words of life and conveying them to the people. Having received the words of life—that is, God's Word—from God, Moses conveyed them to the people of Israel.
The words of life, the words of the Bible, are passed on to others by those who receive them and believe.
The words of life that give us life are not something humans devised or created. Humans are incapable of such a thing. God's words of life are given to us as His gift.
And after this word of life was fully revealed to the world through Jesus Christ, it began to spread as it was passed from person to person.
Receiving and passing on the word of life—this is the mission of the church, those who believe in God, are forgiven of their sins by God, and are saved.
Let us be used as vessels for this purpose: to receive abundantly the life-giving word and pass it on to others
In verse 39, it is recorded that the ancestors (the Israelites in Moses' time) refused to obey Moses and said to Aaron, Moses' brother, as follows.
I will read verses 39-40.
39 “But our ancestors refused to obey him. Instead, they rejected him and in their hearts turned back to Egypt. 40 They told Aaron, ‘Make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who led us out of Egypt—we don’t know what has happened to him!
This story is based on the account found in Exodus chapter 32 of the Old Testament.
There, Moses had ascended Mount Sinai and received the Ten Commandments from God.
God commanded Moses to convey the commandments he had received to the people of Israel.
It is said Moses remained on Mount Sinai for forty days and forty nights at that time. And the Israelites grew increasingly impatient as Moses did not come down.
Having lost patience, the people pleaded with Aaron, Moses' brother, saying, “We don't know what has happened to Moses. Make us gods to go before us.”
Aaron then responded to the Israelites by fashioning a golden calf, which they worshipped as their god.
To us, it seems utterly foolish that the Israelites, unable to wait for Moses to come down from the mountain, turned to worship something that was not God—something made by human hands—engaging in idolatry.
Yet, are there not times when we too struggle to wait patiently, seeking God's will?
We too may find ourselves unable to wait, or so eager to solve a problem quickly or break through a situation that we hastily make our own judgment and easily decide, “This must be God's will.”
We humans find it difficult to wait. There are times when we struggle to be still and pray, to listen humbly to God's word, His guidance, and the opinions and advice of others.
We must remember that we are fully capable of committing the same mistake the Israelites made—worshipping things made by human hands as if they were God.
I pray that we are able to cultivate our faith daily, that we are able to remain calm and humble as we listen attentively to God and others, so that we avoid repeating such mistakes.
Let’s read verse 44.
44 “Our ancestors had the tabernacle of the covenant law with them in the wilderness. It had been made as God directed Moses, according to the pattern he had seen.
The Tabernacle of Testimony, or simply the Tabernacle, was a portable tent sanctuary erected for the Israelites to worship in during their journey through the wilderness.
God instructed Moses, Aaron, and the priests to construct the “Tabernacle” so that the Israelites could worship and hear God's word even while moving through the wilderness. He thus provided them with a place for worship.
Eventually, the Israelites settled in the land of Canaan, and David became king over all Israel.
David desired to build a temple for God—not a tent-like tabernacle, but a temple with a solid foundation and base—a place for worship.
By God's command, it was David's son, King Solomon, who actually completed the temple.
The completed temple surely served as a spiritual and faith-based anchor for the people of Israel. For us today, too, the church is a place of profound spiritual importance.
The church is where we gather and worship together.
Still, let us look closely at what Stephen has to say in today’s passage.
Let’s read verses 48-50.
48 “However, the Most High does not live in houses made by human hands. As the prophet says:
49 “‘Heaven is my throne,
and the earth is my footstool.
What kind of house will you build for me?
says the Lord.
Or where will my resting place be?
50 Has not my hand made all these things?’
The temple, or what we now call our church, becomes a special place when people moved by God gather there and offer worship in spirit and truth from their hearts.
Yet at the same time, we must always be careful not to become arrogant. Stephen warns us in today’s passage.
It is not we humans who build a dwelling place for God. That is something we could never do.
It is not we who create anything for God; rather, God prepares everything we need.
God creates everything necessary for us—physical space, the church, everything.
By God's permission, mercy, and grace, we are given a variety of things through which we can create even more.
However, we cannot create anything out of nothing, not a single thing.
Yet, if we are not careful, we can easily become proud of our own strength or even our faith as we boast that “We are doing all this for God.”
All good things are created and given by the God who created heaven and earth.
And that faith also gives us hope and peace, assuring us that God will surely provide us with all that is good and necessary, and that God sustains us with the word of life.
Let us live out our faith daily in humility and gratitude, remembering that every blessing, and the word of life that sustains us, is given to us from God
Prelude
Call to Worship Leviticus 18:5
Hymn JBC # 268 There’s within my heart a melody
The Lord’s Prayer
Hymn JBC # 146 Thou didst leave Thy throne
Offering
Scripture Acts 7:37~50
Prayer
Sermon “Receiving Living Words to Pass on”
Prayer
Hymn JBC # 521 Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
Doxology JBC # 674
Benediction
Postlude
Welcome & Announcements
We continue reading the scene from Acts chapter 7 in the New Testament, where the evangelist Stephen is being interrogated before the Sanhedrin (the court) on charges of “blaspheming God.”
Stephen begins his discourse with Abraham, called the “father of faith” for the Jews, and proclaims how God chose the Israelite people and revealed His salvation through them.
In today's passage, Stephen continues his account concerning Moses, who delivered the Israelites from slavery in Egypt.
At the beginning of today's passage, Stephen quotes Moses as saying the following:
37 “This is the Moses who told the Israelites, ‘God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your own people.’
Through Moses, God told the people of Israel He will raise up a prophet like Moses for them.
This is God's promise recorded in Deuteronomy 18 of the Old Testament.
The phrase “a prophet like me” here also refers to the other Old Testament prophets who followed Moses.
However, now that Jesus Christ has already come into the world as a human being, died on the cross for the redemption of human sin, and was resurrected, Stephen here asserts that the prophet spoken of by Moses is Jesus Christ.
Through the Scriptures, we can believe that God had been continually revealing—from before the creation of the heavens and the earth, and also through Abraham and Moses—that Jesus Christ would come and speak God's word, and that Jesus Christ would come into the world and redeem humanity's sins.
Stephen quoted Moses' words because he desperately wanted to convey to the Jews accusing him that Christ is the Prophet spoken of by Moses, and He is the Savior.
Verse 38 from today’s passage states the following:
38 He was in the assembly in the wilderness, with the angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our ancestors; and he received living words to pass on to us.
Here, “He” refers to Moses. Yet even here, through Moses, Jesus Christ who was to come and what Christ would do are prophesied.
That is, to receive the word of life and convey it to us. Prophets like Moses received God's word on behalf of the people and conveyed it to them.
In that sense, pastors today also have the role of prophets. But human prophets are not perfect. Human prophets make mistakes and sometimes speak incorrectly.
But Jesus Christ is the perfect prophet. He never erred; He was completely correct, conveying God's life-giving word to people. Jesus Christ Himself was the Word of life.
Word of life means the word that truly gives us life.
Words truly have power. Even words devised by humans can possess the power to greatly encourage or comfort people.
All the more so, God's word possesses such power that it can be called life itself. Thus, we live by God's word.
The most crucial aspect of Moses' work was receiving the words of life and conveying them to the people. Having received the words of life—that is, God's Word—from God, Moses conveyed them to the people of Israel.
The words of life, the words of the Bible, are passed on to others by those who receive them and believe.
The words of life that give us life are not something humans devised or created. Humans are incapable of such a thing. God's words of life are given to us as His gift.
And after this word of life was fully revealed to the world through Jesus Christ, it began to spread as it was passed from person to person.
Receiving and passing on the word of life—this is the mission of the church, those who believe in God, are forgiven of their sins by God, and are saved.
Let us be used as vessels for this purpose: to receive abundantly the life-giving word and pass it on to others
In verse 39, it is recorded that the ancestors (the Israelites in Moses' time) refused to obey Moses and said to Aaron, Moses' brother, as follows.
I will read verses 39-40.
39 “But our ancestors refused to obey him. Instead, they rejected him and in their hearts turned back to Egypt. 40 They told Aaron, ‘Make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who led us out of Egypt—we don’t know what has happened to him!
This story is based on the account found in Exodus chapter 32 of the Old Testament.
There, Moses had ascended Mount Sinai and received the Ten Commandments from God.
God commanded Moses to convey the commandments he had received to the people of Israel.
It is said Moses remained on Mount Sinai for forty days and forty nights at that time. And the Israelites grew increasingly impatient as Moses did not come down.
Having lost patience, the people pleaded with Aaron, Moses' brother, saying, “We don't know what has happened to Moses. Make us gods to go before us.”
Aaron then responded to the Israelites by fashioning a golden calf, which they worshipped as their god.
To us, it seems utterly foolish that the Israelites, unable to wait for Moses to come down from the mountain, turned to worship something that was not God—something made by human hands—engaging in idolatry.
Yet, are there not times when we too struggle to wait patiently, seeking God's will?
We too may find ourselves unable to wait, or so eager to solve a problem quickly or break through a situation that we hastily make our own judgment and easily decide, “This must be God's will.”
We humans find it difficult to wait. There are times when we struggle to be still and pray, to listen humbly to God's word, His guidance, and the opinions and advice of others.
We must remember that we are fully capable of committing the same mistake the Israelites made—worshipping things made by human hands as if they were God.
I pray that we are able to cultivate our faith daily, that we are able to remain calm and humble as we listen attentively to God and others, so that we avoid repeating such mistakes.
Let’s read verse 44.
44 “Our ancestors had the tabernacle of the covenant law with them in the wilderness. It had been made as God directed Moses, according to the pattern he had seen.
The Tabernacle of Testimony, or simply the Tabernacle, was a portable tent sanctuary erected for the Israelites to worship in during their journey through the wilderness.
God instructed Moses, Aaron, and the priests to construct the “Tabernacle” so that the Israelites could worship and hear God's word even while moving through the wilderness. He thus provided them with a place for worship.
Eventually, the Israelites settled in the land of Canaan, and David became king over all Israel.
David desired to build a temple for God—not a tent-like tabernacle, but a temple with a solid foundation and base—a place for worship.
By God's command, it was David's son, King Solomon, who actually completed the temple.
The completed temple surely served as a spiritual and faith-based anchor for the people of Israel. For us today, too, the church is a place of profound spiritual importance.
The church is where we gather and worship together.
Still, let us look closely at what Stephen has to say in today’s passage.
Let’s read verses 48-50.
48 “However, the Most High does not live in houses made by human hands. As the prophet says:
49 “‘Heaven is my throne,
and the earth is my footstool.
What kind of house will you build for me?
says the Lord.
Or where will my resting place be?
50 Has not my hand made all these things?’
The temple, or what we now call our church, becomes a special place when people moved by God gather there and offer worship in spirit and truth from their hearts.
Yet at the same time, we must always be careful not to become arrogant. Stephen warns us in today’s passage.
It is not we humans who build a dwelling place for God. That is something we could never do.
It is not we who create anything for God; rather, God prepares everything we need.
God creates everything necessary for us—physical space, the church, everything.
By God's permission, mercy, and grace, we are given a variety of things through which we can create even more.
However, we cannot create anything out of nothing, not a single thing.
Yet, if we are not careful, we can easily become proud of our own strength or even our faith as we boast that “We are doing all this for God.”
All good things are created and given by the God who created heaven and earth.
And that faith also gives us hope and peace, assuring us that God will surely provide us with all that is good and necessary, and that God sustains us with the word of life.
Let us live out our faith daily in humility and gratitude, remembering that every blessing, and the word of life that sustains us, is given to us from God
Saturday, October 4, 2025
October 5, 2025 Sunday Worship Service
Prelude
Call to Worship Psalms 32:8
Hymn JBC # 320 Shine and Live
The Lord’s Prayer
Hymn JBC # 1467 Thou didst leave Thy throne
The Prayer Time
Offering
Scripture Acts 7:17~36
Prayer
Sermon “I will send you to Egypt”
Prayer
Hymn JBC # 544 Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
Doxology JBC # 674
Benediction
Postlude
Welcome & Announcements
In today’s scripture passage, taken from Acts chapter 7 in the New Testament, we hear the words of the Christian evangelist Stephen as he preaches.
What Stephen is talking about here is the story of the figure (person) Moses, the story of Moses’ life.
Moses appears in the Old Testament book of Exodus, and is a very important figure in the story of the Israelites faith.
The Bible has two sections, the Old Testament and the New Testament, and together both the Old and New Testament form the Bible.
The Old Testament starts from Genesis, which tells the story of God’s creation of the universe. It goes on to share the history of God choosing the people of Israel and revealing Himself to them.
The Old Testament contains the words of many prophets, and through their words, we come to understand the kinds of words and commandments that God gave to the Israelites.
Jesus Christ does not appear directly in the Old Testament, since the time of the Old Testament was well before the time when Christ was born as a man.
Since Christianity believes in Jesus Christ as God, the focus of our faith is on reading the New Testament, where the writing centers on Christ’s life and words.
However, the Old Testament, which does not directly record about Christ, is also important to us as Christians as the word of God.
This is because the Old Testament, through the events of creation and choosing the people of Israel, tells of the plan for God sending the savior Christ into the world and His preparations towards that plan.
In Ephesians chapter 1 verse 4, it is written:
4 For he chose us in him (*Christ) before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.
From this verse, we understand that a common thread that runs through everything, even through the Old Testament, is God choosing us through Christ, loving us, and trying to make us holy in his sight.
Stephen was at the Sanhedrin being questioned, accused of “blaspheming against God”
For Stephen to be at that place and speaking of the Bible, sharing the plan of the true God and God’s truth with these people who were denouncing him, means he had a strong desire to do so.
This is because it is through the words of the Bible itself that God’s word is spoken with the greatest power and the greatest power to capture people’s hearts.
Amongst Stephen’s speech in today’s passage, the life of the figure of Moses and how God used him is condensed into a very short story.
Moses lived to 120 years old, and was the leader of the Israelites. That kind of life cannot be fully explained in such few words and detail.
However, even from such a shortened version, we learn how Moses was chosen by God and the kinds of works God had him carry out.
Rather than learning about Moses himself, instead we learn about the kinds of things God did through Moses
When Moses was born, the number of Israelites (they were also called the Hebrews) in Egypt was growing.
And the king of Egypt saw this as a threat.
In Exodus chapter 1 verses 8 to 10, it says:
8 Then a new king, to whom Joseph meant nothing, came to power in Egypt. 9 “Look,” he said to his people, “the Israelites have become far too numerous for us. 10 Come, we must deal shrewdly with them or they will become even more numerous and, if war breaks out, will join our enemies, fight against us and leave the country.”
Joseph was an Israelite who, with God’s support, did great works in Egypt, however the new king did not know of this, nor did he know the mighty works of the God that had been revealed through Jospeh.
For that king, the ever-increasing number of Israelites could only be seen as something to be feared.
This king who feared the growing numbers of the Israelites ordered midwives to kill any boys that were born to the Israelites.
Even in later times when Jesus was born, the New Testament records how when King Herod heard the news that the new King of the Jews had been born, he grew angry and ordered the deaths of all infant boys.
In this way the Bible (through the Old and New Testaments) show us just how cruel humans can be depending on the circumstances.
The Bible also shows us how the sinful nature of humanity has not changed at all over the ages.
As humans, we cannot overcome that sin or rid ourselves of sin by ourselves.
The only way we can be freed from sin is to be forgiven by the one who is above all others, that is our Lord and Creator God.
Jesus Christ came into this world as a man and died on the cross for us, so that we could be forgiven of the serious and deep-rooted sins we bear.
Because of this one fact, because Christ saved us from our sins through the cross, even amidst the harshness and sadness of reality and even with our sinful natures, we are able to live with hope.
No matter how times change and no matter how society changes, let us rejoice and give thanks for the unchanging love of God and his forgiveness of our sins, given to us through Christ.
In verse 22 of today’s passage, it says “Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in speech and action”.
But actually, when God called Moses to become the leader of the Israelites, he refused God’s call many times, saying “I am not a good speaker. No one will listen to me.”
“But from God’s perspective, through Moses’ education in Egypt, he had already been given all the gifts he needed to share the Word of God, gifts in speaking and to carry out wondrous deeds.
Through a twist of fate (God’s provision), Moses came to be raised in the household of the Egyptian royal family. There, he gained all the skills he would need to later become the great leader of the Israelites.
Like God provided Moses with all the education (through Egypt) that he would need to become a leader, even now God is also providing us in many different ways with good gifts, gifts that we may not even realize ourselves, and an abundance of talents.
Sometimes, these things are given to us through experiences that are unpleasant, difficult and painful for us.
And so, even in the midst of painful and challenging times, let us have faith and ask ourselves “What is God trying to teach me through this situation, what is God trying to give me?”
From verse 23 onwards, the passage talks about how Moses made up his mind to help his fellow Israelites.
Moses witnesses an Israelite being mistreated by an Egyptian. Moses then strikes down the Egyptian and kills him. In Chapter 2 of Exodus, it says:
25 Moses thought that his own people would realize that God was using him to rescue them, but they did not.
Moses thought that his brothers (his fellow Israelites) they would understand that God was trying to save them through him.
At that time Moses was still acting on his own sense of justice, still an immature person acting high-handedly and impulsively based on what he believed to be right.
He was not yet mature enough to be seen as a leader by those around him. After this, Moses fled to the land of Midian, where he spent the next 40 years.
It could be said that these 40 years in Midian was time spent preparing Moses for the role he would later fulfill as leader of the Israelites.
The gospels tell us that when Jesus had lived approximately 30 years as a man, he began his official ministry.
I think it is fair to say that even Jesus spent that time building up life and experience, preparing himself to begin his ministry work.
And when Jesus began his official ministry, at the beginning he spent 40 days in the desert being tempted. (Matthew 4, Luke 4)
It is not as though if we grow in our faith and prepare fully before we start then we will never have any troubles or suffering.
On the contrary, it could be said that the life of a believer is one of constant struggles.
However, suffering for the faith is a process where, through trials, we come to know our own weakness, recognize and face our sins, and to grow in faith knowing that God will be with us and we can find the strength in God to keep going.
So, if there is anyone here who is going through a trial at the moment, I sincerely hope that you will have faith that God’s provision and God’s presence will be with you, that you will trust and walk with Jesus, and that we would be able to support and pray for one another.
God called on Moses who had spent 40 years living in the land of Midian, sending him to Egypt.
Moses was called to use the path he had taken and everything he had experienced, and was sent by God to Egypt to save the Israelites from their slavery in Egypt.
Unlike once before when Moses self-righteously thought his fellow Israelites should understand that he was trying to save them, this time God clearly stated his calling to Moses.
We see this God’s words in verse 34 of today’s passage.
34 I have indeed seen the oppression of my people in Egypt. I have heard their groaning and have come down to set them free. Now come, I will send you back to Egypt.’
In today’s passage, while Stephen was telling the story of Moses, I am sure he would have felt that the Lord God who was with Moses, who gave Moses his calling, was also with Stephen himself.
And Stephen must also have felt a strong desire to somehow convey to his fellow Jews about the God’s grace had been fully revealed through Jesus Christ.
Let us believe ever more deeply in the works and love of God as expressed through Stephen’s sermon (or message), be strengthened by God, and continue walking each day in faith.
Let the steps we take each day, the path we are meant to walk from here on, be guided by the words of the Bible and by the Holy Spirit.
And shall we not also walk in the direction where God says to us “I am sending you”?
Prelude
Call to Worship Psalms 32:8
Hymn JBC # 320 Shine and Live
The Lord’s Prayer
Hymn JBC # 1467 Thou didst leave Thy throne
The Prayer Time
Offering
Scripture Acts 7:17~36
Prayer
Sermon “I will send you to Egypt”
Prayer
Hymn JBC # 544 Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
Doxology JBC # 674
Benediction
Postlude
Welcome & Announcements
In today’s scripture passage, taken from Acts chapter 7 in the New Testament, we hear the words of the Christian evangelist Stephen as he preaches.
What Stephen is talking about here is the story of the figure (person) Moses, the story of Moses’ life.
Moses appears in the Old Testament book of Exodus, and is a very important figure in the story of the Israelites faith.
The Bible has two sections, the Old Testament and the New Testament, and together both the Old and New Testament form the Bible.
The Old Testament starts from Genesis, which tells the story of God’s creation of the universe. It goes on to share the history of God choosing the people of Israel and revealing Himself to them.
The Old Testament contains the words of many prophets, and through their words, we come to understand the kinds of words and commandments that God gave to the Israelites.
Jesus Christ does not appear directly in the Old Testament, since the time of the Old Testament was well before the time when Christ was born as a man.
Since Christianity believes in Jesus Christ as God, the focus of our faith is on reading the New Testament, where the writing centers on Christ’s life and words.
However, the Old Testament, which does not directly record about Christ, is also important to us as Christians as the word of God.
This is because the Old Testament, through the events of creation and choosing the people of Israel, tells of the plan for God sending the savior Christ into the world and His preparations towards that plan.
In Ephesians chapter 1 verse 4, it is written:
4 For he chose us in him (*Christ) before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.
From this verse, we understand that a common thread that runs through everything, even through the Old Testament, is God choosing us through Christ, loving us, and trying to make us holy in his sight.
Stephen was at the Sanhedrin being questioned, accused of “blaspheming against God”
For Stephen to be at that place and speaking of the Bible, sharing the plan of the true God and God’s truth with these people who were denouncing him, means he had a strong desire to do so.
This is because it is through the words of the Bible itself that God’s word is spoken with the greatest power and the greatest power to capture people’s hearts.
Amongst Stephen’s speech in today’s passage, the life of the figure of Moses and how God used him is condensed into a very short story.
Moses lived to 120 years old, and was the leader of the Israelites. That kind of life cannot be fully explained in such few words and detail.
However, even from such a shortened version, we learn how Moses was chosen by God and the kinds of works God had him carry out.
Rather than learning about Moses himself, instead we learn about the kinds of things God did through Moses
When Moses was born, the number of Israelites (they were also called the Hebrews) in Egypt was growing.
And the king of Egypt saw this as a threat.
In Exodus chapter 1 verses 8 to 10, it says:
8 Then a new king, to whom Joseph meant nothing, came to power in Egypt. 9 “Look,” he said to his people, “the Israelites have become far too numerous for us. 10 Come, we must deal shrewdly with them or they will become even more numerous and, if war breaks out, will join our enemies, fight against us and leave the country.”
Joseph was an Israelite who, with God’s support, did great works in Egypt, however the new king did not know of this, nor did he know the mighty works of the God that had been revealed through Jospeh.
For that king, the ever-increasing number of Israelites could only be seen as something to be feared.
This king who feared the growing numbers of the Israelites ordered midwives to kill any boys that were born to the Israelites.
Even in later times when Jesus was born, the New Testament records how when King Herod heard the news that the new King of the Jews had been born, he grew angry and ordered the deaths of all infant boys.
In this way the Bible (through the Old and New Testaments) show us just how cruel humans can be depending on the circumstances.
The Bible also shows us how the sinful nature of humanity has not changed at all over the ages.
As humans, we cannot overcome that sin or rid ourselves of sin by ourselves.
The only way we can be freed from sin is to be forgiven by the one who is above all others, that is our Lord and Creator God.
Jesus Christ came into this world as a man and died on the cross for us, so that we could be forgiven of the serious and deep-rooted sins we bear.
Because of this one fact, because Christ saved us from our sins through the cross, even amidst the harshness and sadness of reality and even with our sinful natures, we are able to live with hope.
No matter how times change and no matter how society changes, let us rejoice and give thanks for the unchanging love of God and his forgiveness of our sins, given to us through Christ.
In verse 22 of today’s passage, it says “Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in speech and action”.
But actually, when God called Moses to become the leader of the Israelites, he refused God’s call many times, saying “I am not a good speaker. No one will listen to me.”
“But from God’s perspective, through Moses’ education in Egypt, he had already been given all the gifts he needed to share the Word of God, gifts in speaking and to carry out wondrous deeds.
Through a twist of fate (God’s provision), Moses came to be raised in the household of the Egyptian royal family. There, he gained all the skills he would need to later become the great leader of the Israelites.
Like God provided Moses with all the education (through Egypt) that he would need to become a leader, even now God is also providing us in many different ways with good gifts, gifts that we may not even realize ourselves, and an abundance of talents.
Sometimes, these things are given to us through experiences that are unpleasant, difficult and painful for us.
And so, even in the midst of painful and challenging times, let us have faith and ask ourselves “What is God trying to teach me through this situation, what is God trying to give me?”
From verse 23 onwards, the passage talks about how Moses made up his mind to help his fellow Israelites.
Moses witnesses an Israelite being mistreated by an Egyptian. Moses then strikes down the Egyptian and kills him. In Chapter 2 of Exodus, it says:
25 Moses thought that his own people would realize that God was using him to rescue them, but they did not.
Moses thought that his brothers (his fellow Israelites) they would understand that God was trying to save them through him.
At that time Moses was still acting on his own sense of justice, still an immature person acting high-handedly and impulsively based on what he believed to be right.
He was not yet mature enough to be seen as a leader by those around him. After this, Moses fled to the land of Midian, where he spent the next 40 years.
It could be said that these 40 years in Midian was time spent preparing Moses for the role he would later fulfill as leader of the Israelites.
The gospels tell us that when Jesus had lived approximately 30 years as a man, he began his official ministry.
I think it is fair to say that even Jesus spent that time building up life and experience, preparing himself to begin his ministry work.
And when Jesus began his official ministry, at the beginning he spent 40 days in the desert being tempted. (Matthew 4, Luke 4)
It is not as though if we grow in our faith and prepare fully before we start then we will never have any troubles or suffering.
On the contrary, it could be said that the life of a believer is one of constant struggles.
However, suffering for the faith is a process where, through trials, we come to know our own weakness, recognize and face our sins, and to grow in faith knowing that God will be with us and we can find the strength in God to keep going.
So, if there is anyone here who is going through a trial at the moment, I sincerely hope that you will have faith that God’s provision and God’s presence will be with you, that you will trust and walk with Jesus, and that we would be able to support and pray for one another.
God called on Moses who had spent 40 years living in the land of Midian, sending him to Egypt.
Moses was called to use the path he had taken and everything he had experienced, and was sent by God to Egypt to save the Israelites from their slavery in Egypt.
Unlike once before when Moses self-righteously thought his fellow Israelites should understand that he was trying to save them, this time God clearly stated his calling to Moses.
We see this God’s words in verse 34 of today’s passage.
34 I have indeed seen the oppression of my people in Egypt. I have heard their groaning and have come down to set them free. Now come, I will send you back to Egypt.’
In today’s passage, while Stephen was telling the story of Moses, I am sure he would have felt that the Lord God who was with Moses, who gave Moses his calling, was also with Stephen himself.
And Stephen must also have felt a strong desire to somehow convey to his fellow Jews about the God’s grace had been fully revealed through Jesus Christ.
Let us believe ever more deeply in the works and love of God as expressed through Stephen’s sermon (or message), be strengthened by God, and continue walking each day in faith.
Let the steps we take each day, the path we are meant to walk from here on, be guided by the words of the Bible and by the Holy Spirit.
And shall we not also walk in the direction where God says to us “I am sending you”?
Saturday, September 27, 2025
September 28, 2025 Sunday Worship Service
Prelude
Call to Worship Psalms 105:7
Hymn JBC # 507 He leadeth me! O blessed tho’t!
The Lord’s Prayer
Hymn JBC # 321 Years I spent in vanity and pride
The Lord’s Supper
Offering
Scripture Acts 7:1~16
Prayer
Sermon “Our Father Abraham”
Prayer
Hymn JBC # 255 Face to face with Christ, my Saviour
Doxology JBC #$ 673
Benediction
Postlude
Welcome & Announcements
Ancient people believed that the Earth was the center of the universe, and that other stars and objects in space revolved around us. This is known as the geocentric theory.
Thanks to the results of scientific research and discoveries, we no longer believe the geocentric theory. Instead, we believe the heliocentric theory (the idea that the earth revolves around the sun) to be true.
However, I believe our way of life still reflects belief in geocentric theory (that the world revolves around us) or that we believe it should be that way.
We normally view things that happen to ourselves from our own perspective. In other words, we judge our surroundings using ourselves as a standard based on what we desire (or what we believe to be right).
However, if we know (acknowledge) that we are not the center of the universe, I think the way we view what happens in the world around us, the people around us, and how we interact with people will change greatly.
If we are not the center of the universe or the things, then what is?
The Bible teaches that this world was created with a particular goal by the One.
If that is the case, then it is natural to think that God, the Creator of the world, is the center of the universe.
The Bible teaches that God, the Creator of the universe, was born as a man and came to this world. Jesus Christ is the man who God came as.
Since we had sinned and become separated from God (God’s purpose), Jesus Christ came to show us who God is (and what His purpose is).
Christ came to this world so that through Him we can know how deep God’s love is. To know God’s love is one of the major purposes of our life.
The Bible teaches us that the world is actually centered around God, and invites us to accept that God became man as Jesus Christ and that Jesus Christ is God and God is love.
When we learn to see the circumstances around us and the world not from our own perspective, but with God at the center, a change occurs.
This is that, no matter what type of situation, even if it is disadvantageous or dangerous, it can be used for a better (God’s) purpose.
Today’s Bible passage is in the beginning of Acts Chapter 7. Stephen is being tried by the Jewish high officials for believing in and evangelizing about Christ.
From today's passage, we are made to know the figure of a man who live in God's hope, even in situations that are critical and disadvantageous for them, and even when surrounded by many enemies.
Let’s listen to the words of God spoken through Stephen in today’s Bible passage.
The high priest asked Stephen if the charges against him were true. The Jews had charged Stephen with blaspheming God.
The Jews accused Stephen of blaspheming God, the great prophet Moses, and God’s holy place (the temple) and law (the words of Scripture).
However, these were false testimonies (lies). They were baseless accusations. The Jews merely hated Stephen, and so brought false charges against him in order to make him be found guilty.
To Stephen this was a dangerous situation. If he did not prove his innocence, his life was in danger.
However, when Stephen was asked if the charges against him were true, how did he respond? Stephen did not even to attempt to defend himself in the slightest.
Stephen merely thought of this dangerous situation as a perfect opportunity to share about God.
Stephen must have had conviction that God was with him. Therefore, (even more than his own desires) Stephen wanted to speak what God wanted him to speak.
To the high priest and others who brought charges against him, Stephen called out, “Brothers and fathers, listen to me!”
Rather than seeing those who brought charges against him as enemies, Stephen called them his brothers and fathers.
In Matthew 5:44 Jesus said, “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” I wonder we would assume if such a thing is even possible (surely it is impossible).
However, we can see a believer who truly lived out Jesus’ words in Stephen in today’s passage.
Stephen was able to call the very people who were after his own life, through faith in Jesus Christ, his brothers and fathers.
Stephen’s words and actions show that, through faith, other people, and even enemies can become family in God.
If you are suddenly told to love your enemies, you might be taken aback. However, it is well that we believe that believers who have actually lived these words out truly existed, and even now they exist.
I also believe that there are at least efforts we can make even now to become just a little more like these people.
Stephen begins by sharing about God’s story in Scripture, describing how God has continually chosen and saved Israel by talking about Abraham’s story in the Old Testament in ‘Genesis’.
The Lord’s first words (command) to Abraham, who was known as the father of the faith to the Jews, was to “leave his homeland and family and go to the place that He commanded”.
In Genesis 12, it is written that God appeared to Abraham and spoke to him as such.
The Lord had said to Abraham, “Go from your familiar country, your familiar people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.”
Life is certainly like going on a journey without being able to see what is ahead. There are times where you have to leave the places and family that you are accustomed to.
However, even if we do not know what will happen from now on or where we are headed, God who guides us is with us.
That is the promise God gave Abraham, as well as to those of us who believe in the same God.
As we read (or hear) the words of the Bible, pray, and open our hearts to God in faith, let us trust that God is with us and will show us where we need to go.
Verse 9 speaks about Abraham’s grandson, Joseph.
Many chapters in Genesis are about Joseph’s story.
Joseph was doted on (loved too much) by his father, Jacob, and because of this was shunned by his brothers (Joseph also did things himself that caused him to be shunned by his brothers). In verse 9, “the patriarchs” refers to Joseph’s brothers.
Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery in Egypt. Through this action of selling their brother into slavery, it is clear to see how much Joseph’s brothers hated him.
However, God never left Joseph, and he came to be used by the Pharaoh, king of Egypt, eventually rising to be the minister of all of the kingdom of Egypt.
Joseph’s story is clearly detailed in ‘Genesis’, so I encourage all of you to read it.
Joseph’s immaturity and arrogance in personality and action also played part in making his brothers jealous of him.
However, just as written in verse 9, God never left Joseph.
In the same way the God of the Bible, the Creator of heaven and Earth is a God who will never leave us or abandon us. Jesus Christ, our God, is God who is with us.
Because God is with us, even if we are in suffering, difficulties, or worry, we can live in peace.
The God who is with us is greater than any suffering, difficulty, or worry, so we can trust in Him, God who created the world and us with his purpose and we can be at peace.
Joseph is eventually reunited with his father Jacob and his brothers. His father, brothers and other family all come to live in Egypt from Canaan.
However, when his father Jacob dies, Joseph’s brothers were afraid. They were afraid that Joseph was still upset that they had sold him to slavery and was planning to get revenge on them.
However, this is what Joseph said to his fearful brothers.
Genesis 50:19～20
“Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? 20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.
If he were only thinking about himself, Joseph was in a place where he could take revenge on his brothers, and would even be justified in doing so.
However, more than thinking of himself, Joseph was able to see that what happened between him and his brothers, in God’s great plan, was for good, and even the evil things that people do can be changed for good.
Joseph realized that his brothers selling him into slavery, as well as his own actions that played part in causing that, were all used by God so that many people’s lives would be saved.
Joseph became able to see his own life, his brothers, and the world through God’s perspective, rather than his own self-centered one.
Jesus Christ came to the world to tell people about how God saves man (the gospel). However, people crucified Christ and killed him out of jealousy and resentment.
However, God can change even that human evil into something good. Christ’s cross saved us from our sin.
Stephen spoke of how God’s plan for salvation for man had begun long before they were born, tracing it back even to the time of Abraham, the father of their faith.
Even now we are in that plan of salvation.
There are times where we experience very painful and difficult things.
However, no matter what happens, the God of salvation is with us, and we can trust that He will continue to save us.
Even if you cannot believe it clearly now, times will surely come when you look back on those times through Jesus Christ, you will see that God is with us and is protecting us.
Let us give thanks and trust in God who gives us this protection and grace.
Prelude
Call to Worship Psalms 105:7
Hymn JBC # 507 He leadeth me! O blessed tho’t!
The Lord’s Prayer
Hymn JBC # 321 Years I spent in vanity and pride
The Lord’s Supper
Offering
Scripture Acts 7:1~16
Prayer
Sermon “Our Father Abraham”
Prayer
Hymn JBC # 255 Face to face with Christ, my Saviour
Doxology JBC #$ 673
Benediction
Postlude
Welcome & Announcements
Ancient people believed that the Earth was the center of the universe, and that other stars and objects in space revolved around us. This is known as the geocentric theory.
Thanks to the results of scientific research and discoveries, we no longer believe the geocentric theory. Instead, we believe the heliocentric theory (the idea that the earth revolves around the sun) to be true.
However, I believe our way of life still reflects belief in geocentric theory (that the world revolves around us) or that we believe it should be that way.
We normally view things that happen to ourselves from our own perspective. In other words, we judge our surroundings using ourselves as a standard based on what we desire (or what we believe to be right).
However, if we know (acknowledge) that we are not the center of the universe, I think the way we view what happens in the world around us, the people around us, and how we interact with people will change greatly.
If we are not the center of the universe or the things, then what is?
The Bible teaches that this world was created with a particular goal by the One.
If that is the case, then it is natural to think that God, the Creator of the world, is the center of the universe.
The Bible teaches that God, the Creator of the universe, was born as a man and came to this world. Jesus Christ is the man who God came as.
Since we had sinned and become separated from God (God’s purpose), Jesus Christ came to show us who God is (and what His purpose is).
Christ came to this world so that through Him we can know how deep God’s love is. To know God’s love is one of the major purposes of our life.
The Bible teaches us that the world is actually centered around God, and invites us to accept that God became man as Jesus Christ and that Jesus Christ is God and God is love.
When we learn to see the circumstances around us and the world not from our own perspective, but with God at the center, a change occurs.
This is that, no matter what type of situation, even if it is disadvantageous or dangerous, it can be used for a better (God’s) purpose.
Today’s Bible passage is in the beginning of Acts Chapter 7. Stephen is being tried by the Jewish high officials for believing in and evangelizing about Christ.
From today's passage, we are made to know the figure of a man who live in God's hope, even in situations that are critical and disadvantageous for them, and even when surrounded by many enemies.
Let’s listen to the words of God spoken through Stephen in today’s Bible passage.
The high priest asked Stephen if the charges against him were true. The Jews had charged Stephen with blaspheming God.
The Jews accused Stephen of blaspheming God, the great prophet Moses, and God’s holy place (the temple) and law (the words of Scripture).
However, these were false testimonies (lies). They were baseless accusations. The Jews merely hated Stephen, and so brought false charges against him in order to make him be found guilty.
To Stephen this was a dangerous situation. If he did not prove his innocence, his life was in danger.
However, when Stephen was asked if the charges against him were true, how did he respond? Stephen did not even to attempt to defend himself in the slightest.
Stephen merely thought of this dangerous situation as a perfect opportunity to share about God.
Stephen must have had conviction that God was with him. Therefore, (even more than his own desires) Stephen wanted to speak what God wanted him to speak.
To the high priest and others who brought charges against him, Stephen called out, “Brothers and fathers, listen to me!”
Rather than seeing those who brought charges against him as enemies, Stephen called them his brothers and fathers.
In Matthew 5:44 Jesus said, “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” I wonder we would assume if such a thing is even possible (surely it is impossible).
However, we can see a believer who truly lived out Jesus’ words in Stephen in today’s passage.
Stephen was able to call the very people who were after his own life, through faith in Jesus Christ, his brothers and fathers.
Stephen’s words and actions show that, through faith, other people, and even enemies can become family in God.
If you are suddenly told to love your enemies, you might be taken aback. However, it is well that we believe that believers who have actually lived these words out truly existed, and even now they exist.
I also believe that there are at least efforts we can make even now to become just a little more like these people.
Stephen begins by sharing about God’s story in Scripture, describing how God has continually chosen and saved Israel by talking about Abraham’s story in the Old Testament in ‘Genesis’.
The Lord’s first words (command) to Abraham, who was known as the father of the faith to the Jews, was to “leave his homeland and family and go to the place that He commanded”.
In Genesis 12, it is written that God appeared to Abraham and spoke to him as such.
The Lord had said to Abraham, “Go from your familiar country, your familiar people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.”
Life is certainly like going on a journey without being able to see what is ahead. There are times where you have to leave the places and family that you are accustomed to.
However, even if we do not know what will happen from now on or where we are headed, God who guides us is with us.
That is the promise God gave Abraham, as well as to those of us who believe in the same God.
As we read (or hear) the words of the Bible, pray, and open our hearts to God in faith, let us trust that God is with us and will show us where we need to go.
Verse 9 speaks about Abraham’s grandson, Joseph.
Many chapters in Genesis are about Joseph’s story.
Joseph was doted on (loved too much) by his father, Jacob, and because of this was shunned by his brothers (Joseph also did things himself that caused him to be shunned by his brothers). In verse 9, “the patriarchs” refers to Joseph’s brothers.
Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery in Egypt. Through this action of selling their brother into slavery, it is clear to see how much Joseph’s brothers hated him.
However, God never left Joseph, and he came to be used by the Pharaoh, king of Egypt, eventually rising to be the minister of all of the kingdom of Egypt.
Joseph’s story is clearly detailed in ‘Genesis’, so I encourage all of you to read it.
Joseph’s immaturity and arrogance in personality and action also played part in making his brothers jealous of him.
However, just as written in verse 9, God never left Joseph.
In the same way the God of the Bible, the Creator of heaven and Earth is a God who will never leave us or abandon us. Jesus Christ, our God, is God who is with us.
Because God is with us, even if we are in suffering, difficulties, or worry, we can live in peace.
The God who is with us is greater than any suffering, difficulty, or worry, so we can trust in Him, God who created the world and us with his purpose and we can be at peace.
Joseph is eventually reunited with his father Jacob and his brothers. His father, brothers and other family all come to live in Egypt from Canaan.
However, when his father Jacob dies, Joseph’s brothers were afraid. They were afraid that Joseph was still upset that they had sold him to slavery and was planning to get revenge on them.
However, this is what Joseph said to his fearful brothers.
Genesis 50:19～20
“Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? 20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.
If he were only thinking about himself, Joseph was in a place where he could take revenge on his brothers, and would even be justified in doing so.
However, more than thinking of himself, Joseph was able to see that what happened between him and his brothers, in God’s great plan, was for good, and even the evil things that people do can be changed for good.
Joseph realized that his brothers selling him into slavery, as well as his own actions that played part in causing that, were all used by God so that many people’s lives would be saved.
Joseph became able to see his own life, his brothers, and the world through God’s perspective, rather than his own self-centered one.
Jesus Christ came to the world to tell people about how God saves man (the gospel). However, people crucified Christ and killed him out of jealousy and resentment.
However, God can change even that human evil into something good. Christ’s cross saved us from our sin.
Stephen spoke of how God’s plan for salvation for man had begun long before they were born, tracing it back even to the time of Abraham, the father of their faith.
Even now we are in that plan of salvation.
There are times where we experience very painful and difficult things.
However, no matter what happens, the God of salvation is with us, and we can trust that He will continue to save us.
Even if you cannot believe it clearly now, times will surely come when you look back on those times through Jesus Christ, you will see that God is with us and is protecting us.
Let us give thanks and trust in God who gives us this protection and grace.
Saturday, September 20, 2025
September 21, 2025 Sunday Worship Service
Prelude
Call to Worship 1 Kings 10:8
Hymn JBC # 2 Come, Thou almighty King
Hymn JBC # 321 Years I spent in vanity and pride
Offering
Confession of Faith
Scripture Acts 6:8~15
Prayer
Sermon “The wisdom the Spirit gave”
Prayer
Hymn JBC # 262 Holy Spirit, breathe on me
Doxology JBC #$ 673
Benediction
Postlude
Welcome & Announcements
At the beginning of today’s passage (verse 8), it says: “Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people.”
In the verses just before today’s passage, seven men, including Stephen, were chosen from among the disciples of Christ for the task of “distribution of food.”
The apostles (who were leaders among the believers) laid hands on the seven and prayed for them.
That prayer was for God’s grace and power to be poured upon them (the seven men), and for God’s guidance in their work.
That prayer was answered. Stephen, filled with God’s grace and power, came to perform works and signs to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Stephen was one of those chosen for the task of food distribution.
Yet, in today’s passage, Stephen is portrayed not just in that service role, but as a preacher and evangelist, like the apostles, proclaiming the gospel.
Although he was chosen for the task of distributing food, his gifts and calling were not limited to that work.
Perhaps, while faithfully serving in food distribution, his other gift—proclaiming the Word—was gradually drawn out and put to use.
In any case, the work of evangelism, preaching about the kingdom of God and the gospel of Jesus Christ, was not limited only to leaders such as the apostles.
I believe that in the early church, each disciple was able to speak the Word according to his or her gift.
Last week, a member of our church (who is not the pastor) preached at the worship service.
In our church, we sometimes ask believers who have been trusted and commissioned by the church, even if they are not pastors, to give a message during worship services.
As Christians, whether we are full-time evangelists or not, each of us can preach God's word according to our individual gifts.
And so, we hope to be a church where the various gifts given to each individual can be brought to life and put to good use under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
But in today’s passage, there were people who opposed Stephen’s ministry.
They were Jews from Cyrene and Alexandria (cities in North Africa) belonging to the “Synagogue of the Freedmen” (Jews once enslaved by Rome but later freed), and others from Cilicia and Asia (today’s Turkey region).
Although Jews, they were originally from outside Israel—likely the “Greek-speaking Jews” mentioned previous passages.
Since they adhered strictly to Jewish teachings and customs, they argued against Stephen’s preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
But verse 10 says, “They could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke.”
Those who opposed Stephen probably tried to defeat him by reason and argument.
But words spoken with God’s wisdom and Spirit are stronger than any reasoning or debate—because God’s Word is truth.
Why is it that the words of Jesus in Scripture, and the Bible as a whole, move and touch our hearts so deeply?
Because the words of Scripture were written by people inspired by the Spirit of God, with His wisdom and Spirit—they are God’s true Word.
Not the result of human reasoning or debate, but God’s Word given through wisdom and Spirit—this Word has the power to stir and move our hearts.
It is on this true Word of Scripture that we must build our personal faith, and the faith of our church.
Those who opposed Stephen stirred up others, even the elders and teachers of the law, to seize him and bring him before the Sanhedrin (the Jewish council).
When we imagine that scene where people were agitated, we are reminded how easily people can be incited, how quickly our emotions and hearts can be manipulated.
We too are fully capable of becoming like those who were incited in today's passage and even persuaded to give false testimony.
This is because we are weak and sinful. We sometimes want to suppress those who disagree with us in their thoughts and standings, even by force.
So how can we avoid being deceived or manipulated into falsehood?
It is by always listening to God’s Word, being rooted in it, and remaining in His truth.
By soaking in the love and grace of Christ, being thankful for forgiveness of our sins, and remaining humble before God and people.
By always being connected to His words and never letting go of God’s hand that holds us through His Word.
As spiritual (faithful) habits: we should read the Bible (hearing God’s voice), join in worship (remaining as part of Christ’s body), and continue in prayer (speaking to God).
And as God’s family, we must also encourage and support one another, so that we do not fall under evil influences or be misled by lies/falsehood.
Even though we are weak, the strong and gracious God always teaches us through His Word. Let us walk in obedience to His Word.
In today’s passage, people accused Stephen, saying: “This fellow never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law,” and “This Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses handed down to us.”
But these were false testimonies. What Stephen was preaching was the truth of Lord Jesus Christ and the true love of God that Jesus preached.
Even when surrounded by malicious opposition, the passage ends with, “Stephen’s face was like the face of an angel.”
This shows that anyone who believes in Jesus Christ and has Christ dwells in them can radiate the Christ-like light.
If Christ is at the center of our lives, though we are imperfect, we can radiate the light of Christ, just like angels.
As it says in 2 Corinthians 3:18:
And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
It is through the Spirit of the Lord that we are enabled to reflect the light of Christ, the glory of God.
By believing in Christ and welcoming Him to dwell in us, we can shine His light and reflect His glory.
As God’s creation, what greater honor can there be than to reflect the glory of Christ and the glory of God?
Today, two people will confess their faith in Christ and receive baptism. This is a great joy for our church.
As we welcome our new family of faith, let us grow together as believers who put God’s Word into practice in both our lives and our words, and who shine the light of Christ into the world.
May Christ dwell in us, may His light shine through us, and may the world see that light.
Prelude
Call to Worship 1 Kings 10:8
Hymn JBC # 2 Come, Thou almighty King
Hymn JBC # 321 Years I spent in vanity and pride
Offering
Confession of Faith
Scripture Acts 6:8~15
Prayer
Sermon “The wisdom the Spirit gave”
Prayer
Hymn JBC # 262 Holy Spirit, breathe on me
Doxology JBC #$ 673
Benediction
Postlude
Welcome & Announcements
At the beginning of today’s passage (verse 8), it says: “Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people.”
In the verses just before today’s passage, seven men, including Stephen, were chosen from among the disciples of Christ for the task of “distribution of food.”
The apostles (who were leaders among the believers) laid hands on the seven and prayed for them.
That prayer was for God’s grace and power to be poured upon them (the seven men), and for God’s guidance in their work.
That prayer was answered. Stephen, filled with God’s grace and power, came to perform works and signs to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Stephen was one of those chosen for the task of food distribution.
Yet, in today’s passage, Stephen is portrayed not just in that service role, but as a preacher and evangelist, like the apostles, proclaiming the gospel.
Although he was chosen for the task of distributing food, his gifts and calling were not limited to that work.
Perhaps, while faithfully serving in food distribution, his other gift—proclaiming the Word—was gradually drawn out and put to use.
In any case, the work of evangelism, preaching about the kingdom of God and the gospel of Jesus Christ, was not limited only to leaders such as the apostles.
I believe that in the early church, each disciple was able to speak the Word according to his or her gift.
Last week, a member of our church (who is not the pastor) preached at the worship service.
In our church, we sometimes ask believers who have been trusted and commissioned by the church, even if they are not pastors, to give a message during worship services.
As Christians, whether we are full-time evangelists or not, each of us can preach God's word according to our individual gifts.
And so, we hope to be a church where the various gifts given to each individual can be brought to life and put to good use under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
But in today’s passage, there were people who opposed Stephen’s ministry.
They were Jews from Cyrene and Alexandria (cities in North Africa) belonging to the “Synagogue of the Freedmen” (Jews once enslaved by Rome but later freed), and others from Cilicia and Asia (today’s Turkey region).
Although Jews, they were originally from outside Israel—likely the “Greek-speaking Jews” mentioned previous passages.
Since they adhered strictly to Jewish teachings and customs, they argued against Stephen’s preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
But verse 10 says, “They could not stand up against the wisdom the Spirit gave him as he spoke.”
Those who opposed Stephen probably tried to defeat him by reason and argument.
But words spoken with God’s wisdom and Spirit are stronger than any reasoning or debate—because God’s Word is truth.
Why is it that the words of Jesus in Scripture, and the Bible as a whole, move and touch our hearts so deeply?
Because the words of Scripture were written by people inspired by the Spirit of God, with His wisdom and Spirit—they are God’s true Word.
Not the result of human reasoning or debate, but God’s Word given through wisdom and Spirit—this Word has the power to stir and move our hearts.
It is on this true Word of Scripture that we must build our personal faith, and the faith of our church.
Those who opposed Stephen stirred up others, even the elders and teachers of the law, to seize him and bring him before the Sanhedrin (the Jewish council).
When we imagine that scene where people were agitated, we are reminded how easily people can be incited, how quickly our emotions and hearts can be manipulated.
We too are fully capable of becoming like those who were incited in today's passage and even persuaded to give false testimony.
This is because we are weak and sinful. We sometimes want to suppress those who disagree with us in their thoughts and standings, even by force.
So how can we avoid being deceived or manipulated into falsehood?
It is by always listening to God’s Word, being rooted in it, and remaining in His truth.
By soaking in the love and grace of Christ, being thankful for forgiveness of our sins, and remaining humble before God and people.
By always being connected to His words and never letting go of God’s hand that holds us through His Word.
As spiritual (faithful) habits: we should read the Bible (hearing God’s voice), join in worship (remaining as part of Christ’s body), and continue in prayer (speaking to God).
And as God’s family, we must also encourage and support one another, so that we do not fall under evil influences or be misled by lies/falsehood.
Even though we are weak, the strong and gracious God always teaches us through His Word. Let us walk in obedience to His Word.
In today’s passage, people accused Stephen, saying: “This fellow never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law,” and “This Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses handed down to us.”
But these were false testimonies. What Stephen was preaching was the truth of Lord Jesus Christ and the true love of God that Jesus preached.
Even when surrounded by malicious opposition, the passage ends with, “Stephen’s face was like the face of an angel.”
This shows that anyone who believes in Jesus Christ and has Christ dwells in them can radiate the Christ-like light.
If Christ is at the center of our lives, though we are imperfect, we can radiate the light of Christ, just like angels.
As it says in 2 Corinthians 3:18:
And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
It is through the Spirit of the Lord that we are enabled to reflect the light of Christ, the glory of God.
By believing in Christ and welcoming Him to dwell in us, we can shine His light and reflect His glory.
As God’s creation, what greater honor can there be than to reflect the glory of Christ and the glory of God?
Today, two people will confess their faith in Christ and receive baptism. This is a great joy for our church.
As we welcome our new family of faith, let us grow together as believers who put God’s Word into practice in both our lives and our words, and who shine the light of Christ into the world.
May Christ dwell in us, may His light shine through us, and may the world see that light.
Friday, September 12, 2025
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.
Saturday, September 6, 2025
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.
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.
Saturday, August 30, 2025
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.”
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.”
Saturday, August 23, 2025
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.
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.
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