Sunday, September 6, 2026
“The Faith of the Centurion”
Pastor Joey Anjiki

1. Seeking God and finding Him
* Harmony with the parallel passage in Luke
* Luke 7:4-5 “When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, “This man deserves to have you do this, because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.” (NIV)
* The centurion sought the true God and found Him
* Acts 17:26-27 “From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.” (NIV)
2. Reflecting God’s nature
* The centurion sought Jesus to heal his servant
* Ephesians 4:13 “until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” (NIV)
* A story from Kosuke Haga’s childhood
3. Trusting in Jesus’ Word
* Matthew 8:8 “…But just say the word, and my servant will be healed.” (NIV)
* The testimony of a healing in India

Thoughts to share at mini church:
1. Please pray for people whom for which you would like to meet Jesus.
2. Have you ever felt the love of Jesus through the love of someone?
3. Have you
ever experienced God speaking to you through His Word?

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Sunday, August 30, 2026
“The Reconciliation of Joseph & His Brothers”
Pastor Hiroyuki Anjiki

1. Joseph reveals his own identity
* Genesis 45:3 “because they were terrified” = “they were so shocked by what happened they were flustered” (different translation)
2. Joseph explains God’s plan
* Genesis 45:10 “the region of Goshen” A place located in the northeast of the delta region of the Nile River. A place good for keeping livestock, but not for pursuing agriculture
3. Joseph requests a message to be passed on to his father
* Genesis 45:12 “You can see for yourselves”

Thoughts to share at mini church:
1. Try to imagine how brothers felt when they found out who Joseph really was
2. Why didn’t Joseph hold a grudge against his brothers for what they did to him?
3. Why was Joseph able to say such a thing as he did in verse 12?
4. What kind of meaning does the fact of the “resurrection of Jesus Christ” have in your faith life?

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Sunday, August 23, 2026
“How to See the One Who is Invisible”
Pastor Kenichi Osumi

1. Preparing for the return of the Lord
2. An era obsessed with what is visible
* A conversation between psychiatrist Hideki Wada and artist Tadanori Yoko
* Some words from Pastor Akira Hattori
* The testimony of Pastor Tadashi Kosaka
3. Why can’t people see the One who is invisible?
* (1) Fear: Elisha’s servant
* (2) Desire: Balaam
* (3) Disappointment: Jacob
4. How to see the One who is invisible
* Matthew 5:8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” (NIV)
* Psalm 51:17 “My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.” (NIV)
* Hebrews 12:2 “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (NIV)

Thoughts to share at mini church:
1. Why do you think it is that we become obsessed with what we can see, and don’t make an effort to see?
2. What should we do to be able to see the One we can’t see?

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Sunday, August 16, 2026
“Judah Offers to Take
Benjamin’s Place”
Pastor Hiroyuki Anjiki

1. Joseph’s plot
* Genesis 44:2 “silver cup” Silver cups were used for divination. Stealing ritual items was a serious crime punishable by death.
* Genesis 44:14 “Judah and his brothers” Judah’s leadership
2. Judah’s intercession
* Genesis 44:16 “servants’ guilt”
* Genesis 44:18 “went up to him” A determined, deliberate attitude
3. The one who would come as a descendent of Judah
* 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 “By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.” (NIV)
* “foundation” = Jesus Christ
* “house” = action (gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, straw)

Thoughts to share at mini church:
1. Why did Joseph come up with such a plot?
2. How did Judah feel, who interceded?
3. Is your life built upon Jesus Christ? What kind of materials should we use to build a house on that foundation?

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Sunday, August 9, 2026
“Receiving Healing and Going Forth”
Pastor Joey Anjiki

1. Proof of the Messiah
* “Leprosy” “Serious skin disease”
*In those days, leprosy was determined to be an incurable disease in the Israelian society.
* In Leviticus 13:14, the procedure to be followed for someone healed from leprosy is described.
* Healing of leprosy was interpreted to be a miracle performed when the Messiah finally came.
2. Jesus healed not only the man’s disease, but his inner being as well
* The daily life that was taken away from people with leprosy
* Mark 1:41 “Jesus was indignant. He reached out his hand and touched the man. ‘I am willing,’ he said. ‘Be clean!’” (NIV)
*For the purpose of healing his inner being
* The healing and salvation of our souls that Jesus Christ gave us on the cross
* John 4:14 “but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (NIV)
3. Healing and going forth
* Mark 1:44 “See that you don’t tell this to anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.” (NIV)
* He received healing and when out into the society again.
* The testimony of Masahiro Nitta, a Tsuzuki Shamisen stringed instrument performer

Thoughts to share at mini church:
1. What was the healing of leprosy patients in those days thought to mean?
2. Why did Jesus touch him?
3. When you believed in Jesus Christ, did you experience the thirst in your heart being satisfied?

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Sunday, August 2, 2026
“Which Will You Choose: Part 2”
Pastor Joey Anjiki

1. Two types of confessions
* Matthew 7:21 (See above)
“A surface level confession like that of the Pharisees” verses “a confession from the heart”
* Matthew 7:22-23 (See above)
Miracles sometimes come from Satan and evil spirits as well
2. Two architects
* “on the rock” = The teaching of Jesus Christ (A person who has attained righteousness through faith)
“on the sand” = The teaching of the Pharisees (A person who seeks righteousness through works)
* The pitfall of salvation through works
The grace of salvation through faith
* Ephesians 2:8-9 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast.” (NIV)
* Sacsayhuamán ruins (Cusco, Peru)


Thoughts to share at mini church:
1. What do the two types of confessions warn us about?
2. What kind of faith is being contrasted in the example of the two architects?
3. When facing a difficulty, what do those two types of faith bring about in one’s heart?

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Sunday, July 26, 2026
“Faith to Accept God’s Word”
Pastor Kenichi Osumi

1. What is “big faith?”
* Similarities and differences with Matthew 8
* Luke 7:9 Praise by Jesus (See above)
“such” = tosotos = as large as this (that)
* Luke 7:7 (See above) Direct translation = “Please enable healing to happen”
* Matthew 8:8 “The centurion replied, ‘Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed.’” (NIV)
* Faith is a gift (something given) from God
* Matthew 14:28 “’Lord, if it’s you,’ Peter replied, ‘tell me to come to you on the water.’” (NIV)
2. Faith in authority
* Mathew 8:13 “Then Jesus said to the centurion, ‘Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would.’ And his servant was healed at that moment.” (NIV)
3. “Just say the word” type Christians
* Luke 7:7 “…But say the word…” = “Please just say (one) word” (Direct translation)
* Pastor Samuel Shaw (Banner Church, Taiwan)
* Pastor Yasuro Enomoto (Ashram movement)

Thoughts to share at mini church:
1. What kind of faith surprises the Lord?
2. What is expected of “Just say the word” type Christians?

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Sunday, July 19, 2026
“Which Will You Choose: Part 1”
Pastor Joey Anjiki

1. The wide gate and road and narrow gate and road
* Matthew 7:13-14 (See above)
“The wide gate and broad road leading to destruction” = the teaching of the Pharisees in those days
“The narrow gate and narrow road” = The path to righteousness through faith taught by Jesus
* Q. What is the teaching of the wide gate and broad road for us living in this generation?
A. Religious pluralism
* Acts 4:12 “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” (NIV)
2. The two trees
* Matthew 7:15 (See above)
“false prophets” = Pharisees and teachers of the law
* Matthew 7:16 (See above)
“fruit = result
* Q. What kind of fruit did the teaching of the Pharisees bring forth thereafter?
A. The fall of Jerusalem in 70AD
* The fruit brought forth from those connected to Jesus Christ
* False teachings (heretical groups and cults) of the present day
The Unification Church

Thoughts to share at mini church:
1. The broad road in the present day: What is the problem with religious pluralism?
2. Please pray for people who are involved in heretical groups and cults.

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Sunday, July 12, 2026
“The Brothers Heading for Egypt Again”
Pastor Hiroyuki Anjiki

1. Judah’s Persuasion
2. Joseph’s hospitality
3. Jacob’s decision

Thoughts to share at mini church:
1. How did Judah persuade his father Jacob?
2. How did Joseph react when he went to meet his brothers who returned?
3. What is it that you think Joseph really wanted to know?
4. How do you think Jacob felt when he sent Benjamin off?
5. How do you think Father God felt about sending his son?

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Sunday, July 5, 2026
“The Golden Rule: Do Unto Others”
Pastor Joey Anjiki

1. What is the golden rule?
* Meaning: A useful rule in any country throughout all generations which is commonly understood
* The golden rule up until then: “Don’t do to others what you wouldn’t want them to do to you.”
(The teaching of the Jewish rabbi Hillel, Confucius, Hinduism, and Muhammad)
* Matthew 7:12 “the Law and the Prophets” = the meaning of the Old Testament in its entirety
2. Jesus’ way of living (What the golden rule brought about)
* Jesus Christ broke with the conventional wisdom of Jewish society at the time, stood in solidarity with many socially marginalized people, listened to their hopes and aspirations, and reached out to them with love. Examples: Sick people, women, foreigners, persecuted people
* Where did Jesus Christ learn this kind of value?
* At the end of his life, Jesus provided the grace that mankind needed the most: the salvation of the cross
3. Become a person who is involved in the lives of others
* Mark 12:30-31 “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.’” (NIV)
* The Christians who showed the love of Jesus Christ and changed the Roman empire
* The testimony of Kazu Ozeki which became the inspiration for Rin Ichinose, the main character of “The Scent of the Wind”

Thoughts to share at mini church:
1. Why is it that Jesus was able to show a new golden rule?
2. Throughout history, what rights have those who demonstrated the love of Jesus Christ won?
3. Is there anyone whom you want to show the love of Jesus to?

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