May 12, 2013 Sermon Summary
Hebrew 13:20-21
It has been 16 years since I have been called to be pastor but I feel great responsibility and fear up to this day. I feel there is much I am lacking in when I think about the responsibility of taking care of and shepherding the believers (sheep) of this church. ◆However, when I think of my smallness, I face the greatness of the Lord Jesus Christ. Our Lord Jesus Christ is the “Great Shepherd” of his people (the sheep).◆The Lord Jesus said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (John 10:10-11)◆The Lord Jesus, the “Great Shepherd,” did just this by giving up his life (dying on the cross) to save us (the sheep). By doing this, he made our covenant (promise of salvation) with God the Father an eternal one and not a temporary one.◆Is there anything “eternal” in this world? The answer is “no.” Our physical health, nations, the earth’s environment will all change.◆However, the covenant made by the “Great Shepherd” Jesus will always be anew, never to change. This is an unchanging truth. That is why we can have security when we walk with Him.◆We are greatly blessed if we can be assured of the “Great Shepherd” Jesus’ presence when listening to this “benediction.” This assurance will give us encouragement and peace whatever we face.
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Pentecost Worship Service
Pentecost is one of the three major ceremonies of Christianity. Pentecost Special worship service will be held at our church on Sunday, May 19, 2013 from 11am.
We won't have the first 9am worship service on the day.
We won't have the first 9am worship service on the day.
Sunday, May 12, 2013
Be Strengthened by Grace
May 5, 2013 Sermon Summary
Hebrew 13:7-9
The strength of a believer is in their realization that God’s grace is the one that allows them to live.◆“Grace” is something that God one-sidedly gives to us. We can also call it “an unconditional love”. It is not a conditional love where God will love us back only if we love him first. Even way before we love him, God has always loved us. It’s not because of what “we did” but because God loves us unconditionally. And that is grace.◆All of us are not saved by our action, but by God’s grace. We mustn’t forget that. We must not be tricked into thinking that we can live in our own strength.◆he Lord says, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12: 9 NIV).◆Whenever you feel down and troubled by your own weaknesses, let’s remember that verse. And then ask God so that you may be strengthened by his grace.
Dear Lord, our God, you have opened the path of salvation for us sinners, by the death of Jesus Christ on the cross, we thank you and praise you from our hearts for that amazing grace.
We are weak and small. We are like a bowl with many faults, but please use us so that your grace may flow abundantly from us so the world can see.
Hebrew 13:7-9
The strength of a believer is in their realization that God’s grace is the one that allows them to live.◆“Grace” is something that God one-sidedly gives to us. We can also call it “an unconditional love”. It is not a conditional love where God will love us back only if we love him first. Even way before we love him, God has always loved us. It’s not because of what “we did” but because God loves us unconditionally. And that is grace.◆All of us are not saved by our action, but by God’s grace. We mustn’t forget that. We must not be tricked into thinking that we can live in our own strength.◆he Lord says, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12: 9 NIV).◆Whenever you feel down and troubled by your own weaknesses, let’s remember that verse. And then ask God so that you may be strengthened by his grace.
Dear Lord, our God, you have opened the path of salvation for us sinners, by the death of Jesus Christ on the cross, we thank you and praise you from our hearts for that amazing grace.
We are weak and small. We are like a bowl with many faults, but please use us so that your grace may flow abundantly from us so the world can see.
Monday, May 6, 2013
Prayer Requests
Earthquakes frequently occured around the world.The damage of the earthquake that occurred again in China Sichuan is serious. Let us pray for the people affected by the disaster. Also, we need to prepare for an emergency in a daily life. The "Tsunami Hazard Map" which Beppu created is put up for the entrance hall. Let's check your nearist evacuation place.
Sunday, May 5, 2013
Let‘s Pursue
April 28, 2013 Sermon Summary
Hebrew 12:14-15
Having “peace with all people” and living in “holiness” are the two things that Christians should “pursue”.◆To live in holiness, we don’t need to make any wall around us. Instead, having “God as Number One” in our hearts, we should become a testimony and spread this lifestyle to the people around us.◆Just as it’s written, “Pursue holiness, without which no one will see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14, NKJV), we must live putting God’s affairs first, and by so doing, people around us will come to know the Lord God.◆I believe that by living in holiness, in other words, by putting God as the God of our life, we can bring true peace into this world, into human relationships. And the opposite is true, too. There is no holiness in a life that does not pursue peace among people.
Lord God,We occasionally have to make decisions.We face troubles like choosing between God or man, the church or the neighborhood.And there is distress also in trying to have “peace with all people”.May we then become Your witnesses through our decisions and attitudes.Please use us as the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Amen.
Hebrew 12:14-15
Having “peace with all people” and living in “holiness” are the two things that Christians should “pursue”.◆To live in holiness, we don’t need to make any wall around us. Instead, having “God as Number One” in our hearts, we should become a testimony and spread this lifestyle to the people around us.◆Just as it’s written, “Pursue holiness, without which no one will see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14, NKJV), we must live putting God’s affairs first, and by so doing, people around us will come to know the Lord God.◆I believe that by living in holiness, in other words, by putting God as the God of our life, we can bring true peace into this world, into human relationships. And the opposite is true, too. There is no holiness in a life that does not pursue peace among people.
Lord God,We occasionally have to make decisions.We face troubles like choosing between God or man, the church or the neighborhood.And there is distress also in trying to have “peace with all people”.May we then become Your witnesses through our decisions and attitudes.Please use us as the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Amen.
Sunday, April 28, 2013
Run Through the Path Faith
April 21, 2013 Sermon Summary
Hebrew 12:1-3
The life of faith is often likened to track and field. There is a respective stage in life and sometimes there is hurdle that needs to be jumped over. And we have to do something to overcome it. ◆It is found in chapter 12 verse 1[As for us, we have this large crowd of witnesses around us] These [large crowd of witnesses] refer to the pioneers of faith that are written in chapter 11 of this book. They were people that came through each one’s life [by faith] And even now, they cheer us up by the roadside of our life’s path as they wave the banner saying [Hang in there! Go for it! Run through by faith!]. Let us picture such a scene in our mind. ◆We are impressed as we watch a runner running through 42.195 kilometers. As such, the figure of a believer that can run through surpassing even any hurdle by his faith in Jesus touches the people around.◆ Please give attention to verse 1 [let us run with determination the race that lies before us] It is not just a matter of [me] nor [you] but [us]. It concerns the church. By faith we run with Jesus but right there is our fellow Christian running along with us. It is not to compete with each other but to encourage one another. It is because we experience the same suffering that we are partners encouraging one another. In doing so, we exist to encourage each other that we may complete together the run of the life of faith. Let us run through together the road of faith.
Hebrew 12:1-3
The life of faith is often likened to track and field. There is a respective stage in life and sometimes there is hurdle that needs to be jumped over. And we have to do something to overcome it. ◆It is found in chapter 12 verse 1[As for us, we have this large crowd of witnesses around us] These [large crowd of witnesses] refer to the pioneers of faith that are written in chapter 11 of this book. They were people that came through each one’s life [by faith] And even now, they cheer us up by the roadside of our life’s path as they wave the banner saying [Hang in there! Go for it! Run through by faith!]. Let us picture such a scene in our mind. ◆We are impressed as we watch a runner running through 42.195 kilometers. As such, the figure of a believer that can run through surpassing even any hurdle by his faith in Jesus touches the people around.◆ Please give attention to verse 1 [let us run with determination the race that lies before us] It is not just a matter of [me] nor [you] but [us]. It concerns the church. By faith we run with Jesus but right there is our fellow Christian running along with us. It is not to compete with each other but to encourage one another. It is because we experience the same suffering that we are partners encouraging one another. In doing so, we exist to encourage each other that we may complete together the run of the life of faith. Let us run through together the road of faith.
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