Sunday, February 25, 2024

“The Door Closed by the Lord”

Pastor Hiroyuki Anjiki

1. God’s command and Noah’s obedience

* Revelation 22:12 “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.” (NIV)

* Revelation 22:17 “The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let the one who hears say, ‘Come!’ Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.” (NIV)

2. God’s work and peoples’ responsibility

3. God’s timing and peoples’ wisdom

* Genesis 22:16 “shut” = put in prison

* 1 Peter 3:19 - 20 “After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits -- to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water.” (NIV)

* Proverbs 28:26 “Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe.” (NIV)

* Proverbs 11:2 “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.” (NIV)

* “The Bucket List” (movie)

* “100 Things to do Before You Die” (original book)

Thoughts to share at mini church:

1. What kinds of difficulties do you think Noah faced to obey God’s command?

2. Think about instances of testimony in your faith life regarding “God’s work and peoples’ responsibility.”

3. If you were to think of 10 things you wanted to do before you died, what kind of list would you make?

MCC20240225.mp3