May 26, 2013 Sermon Summary
Luke 15:1-7
We had the Lord’s Supper today. When we had the Lord Supper, I believe no one thought,” Oh my, how come that person is also with us? I don’t like it. I wonder why the pastor treats that person in the same way he treats us.” However, in this scene, these exactly criticizing, complaining words came out. ◆Having meal together is the basic thing when we live with other people. Having meal together means that we accept each other as friends. In other words, Lord Jesus became friends with the tax collectors and the sinners. ◆However there were people who saw this and could not tolerate that. They absolutely couldn’t tolerate that Jesus became friends with the sinners. It’s because they had pride in their own righteousness and they thought “we are different from those people.” Jesus told this parable to destroy their arrogance. ◆Perhaps, when Jesus told this parable, the tax collectors and sinners, who became the reason of the criticism, were with him. For them, this parable was nothing more than a great joy (gospel/good news). For them, these words are words that they had never heard before, words that are full of love and mercy. ◆In this way, parables can be judgment or salvation depending on the standpoint of the listener. Now, when we listen to this parable, in which position do we stand? Is it the law teachers’ or the sinners’? ◆Let each and every one of us confirm our position and standpoint. If we can look at ourselves and everyone else around us as “the lost sheep that was found”, I believe that the Kingdom of God will come on earth.
Sunday, June 2, 2013
Sunday, May 26, 2013
Make Disciples of Jesus in All Nations
May 19, 2013 Sermon Summary
Matthew 28:18-20 Acts 2:1-11
he Holy Spirit rested “on each one of them” like “tongues of fire”. It’s very important to note that it says “on each one of them”.None of them was merely an onlooker. Since then, all of them became world missionaries. That’s the event of the Pentecost.◆I want to call your attention to the verse that says it “filled the whole house” (2:2). In the Bible, sometimes the word “house” (oikos) points to the “world” (kosmos).That the wind noise of the Holy Spirit “filled the whole house” (oikos) means that the entire world will be filled with the proclamation of the Word through the Holy Spirit, pointing to the joy of the Good News spreading to the whole world.◆Fortunately, in our church we have people from different parts of the world. And from this church, many people go out to every part of the world. What a promising potential to spread the Good News!◆To achieve this, we have to undergo a discipleship training. We have to learn earnestly about the Gospel, we have to prepare our testimonies, we have to acquire learn how to share the Word effectively to other people. ◆My prayer is that everyone in this church becomes a disciple of the Lord Jesus to proclaim the Good News.◆My prayer is that pastors, preachers and missionaries may rise from this church. That there may be among you people who carry on the work of evangelism in Japan. And not only in Japan, but in the whole world.
Matthew 28:18-20 Acts 2:1-11
he Holy Spirit rested “on each one of them” like “tongues of fire”. It’s very important to note that it says “on each one of them”.None of them was merely an onlooker. Since then, all of them became world missionaries. That’s the event of the Pentecost.◆I want to call your attention to the verse that says it “filled the whole house” (2:2). In the Bible, sometimes the word “house” (oikos) points to the “world” (kosmos).That the wind noise of the Holy Spirit “filled the whole house” (oikos) means that the entire world will be filled with the proclamation of the Word through the Holy Spirit, pointing to the joy of the Good News spreading to the whole world.◆Fortunately, in our church we have people from different parts of the world. And from this church, many people go out to every part of the world. What a promising potential to spread the Good News!◆To achieve this, we have to undergo a discipleship training. We have to learn earnestly about the Gospel, we have to prepare our testimonies, we have to acquire learn how to share the Word effectively to other people. ◆My prayer is that everyone in this church becomes a disciple of the Lord Jesus to proclaim the Good News.◆My prayer is that pastors, preachers and missionaries may rise from this church. That there may be among you people who carry on the work of evangelism in Japan. And not only in Japan, but in the whole world.
Sunday, May 19, 2013
With the Lord Jesus,the Great Shepherd
May 12, 2013 Sermon Summary
Hebrew 13:20-21
It has been 16 years since I have been called to be pastor but I feel great responsibility and fear up to this day. I feel there is much I am lacking in when I think about the responsibility of taking care of and shepherding the believers (sheep) of this church. ◆However, when I think of my smallness, I face the greatness of the Lord Jesus Christ. Our Lord Jesus Christ is the “Great Shepherd” of his people (the sheep).◆The Lord Jesus said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (John 10:10-11)◆The Lord Jesus, the “Great Shepherd,” did just this by giving up his life (dying on the cross) to save us (the sheep). By doing this, he made our covenant (promise of salvation) with God the Father an eternal one and not a temporary one.◆Is there anything “eternal” in this world? The answer is “no.” Our physical health, nations, the earth’s environment will all change.◆However, the covenant made by the “Great Shepherd” Jesus will always be anew, never to change. This is an unchanging truth. That is why we can have security when we walk with Him.◆We are greatly blessed if we can be assured of the “Great Shepherd” Jesus’ presence when listening to this “benediction.” This assurance will give us encouragement and peace whatever we face.
Hebrew 13:20-21
It has been 16 years since I have been called to be pastor but I feel great responsibility and fear up to this day. I feel there is much I am lacking in when I think about the responsibility of taking care of and shepherding the believers (sheep) of this church. ◆However, when I think of my smallness, I face the greatness of the Lord Jesus Christ. Our Lord Jesus Christ is the “Great Shepherd” of his people (the sheep).◆The Lord Jesus said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (John 10:10-11)◆The Lord Jesus, the “Great Shepherd,” did just this by giving up his life (dying on the cross) to save us (the sheep). By doing this, he made our covenant (promise of salvation) with God the Father an eternal one and not a temporary one.◆Is there anything “eternal” in this world? The answer is “no.” Our physical health, nations, the earth’s environment will all change.◆However, the covenant made by the “Great Shepherd” Jesus will always be anew, never to change. This is an unchanging truth. That is why we can have security when we walk with Him.◆We are greatly blessed if we can be assured of the “Great Shepherd” Jesus’ presence when listening to this “benediction.” This assurance will give us encouragement and peace whatever we face.
Pentecost Worship Service
Pentecost is one of the three major ceremonies of Christianity. Pentecost Special worship service will be held at our church on Sunday, May 19, 2013 from 11am.
We won't have the first 9am worship service on the day.
We won't have the first 9am worship service on the day.
Sunday, May 12, 2013
Be Strengthened by Grace
May 5, 2013 Sermon Summary
Hebrew 13:7-9
The strength of a believer is in their realization that God’s grace is the one that allows them to live.◆“Grace” is something that God one-sidedly gives to us. We can also call it “an unconditional love”. It is not a conditional love where God will love us back only if we love him first. Even way before we love him, God has always loved us. It’s not because of what “we did” but because God loves us unconditionally. And that is grace.◆All of us are not saved by our action, but by God’s grace. We mustn’t forget that. We must not be tricked into thinking that we can live in our own strength.◆he Lord says, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12: 9 NIV).◆Whenever you feel down and troubled by your own weaknesses, let’s remember that verse. And then ask God so that you may be strengthened by his grace.
Dear Lord, our God, you have opened the path of salvation for us sinners, by the death of Jesus Christ on the cross, we thank you and praise you from our hearts for that amazing grace.
We are weak and small. We are like a bowl with many faults, but please use us so that your grace may flow abundantly from us so the world can see.
Hebrew 13:7-9
The strength of a believer is in their realization that God’s grace is the one that allows them to live.◆“Grace” is something that God one-sidedly gives to us. We can also call it “an unconditional love”. It is not a conditional love where God will love us back only if we love him first. Even way before we love him, God has always loved us. It’s not because of what “we did” but because God loves us unconditionally. And that is grace.◆All of us are not saved by our action, but by God’s grace. We mustn’t forget that. We must not be tricked into thinking that we can live in our own strength.◆he Lord says, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12: 9 NIV).◆Whenever you feel down and troubled by your own weaknesses, let’s remember that verse. And then ask God so that you may be strengthened by his grace.
Dear Lord, our God, you have opened the path of salvation for us sinners, by the death of Jesus Christ on the cross, we thank you and praise you from our hearts for that amazing grace.
We are weak and small. We are like a bowl with many faults, but please use us so that your grace may flow abundantly from us so the world can see.
Monday, May 6, 2013
Prayer Requests
Earthquakes frequently occured around the world.The damage of the earthquake that occurred again in China Sichuan is serious. Let us pray for the people affected by the disaster. Also, we need to prepare for an emergency in a daily life. The "Tsunami Hazard Map" which Beppu created is put up for the entrance hall. Let's check your nearist evacuation place.
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