Sunday, April 16, 2023

“On the Road to Emmaus”

Pastor Hiroyuki Anjiki

1. The disciples, whose eyes were obstructed

* John 19:25 “Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene” (NIV)

2. What obstructs the eyes of one’s heart

* (1) “Walking backwards”

Matthew 7:7-8 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” (NIV)

* (2) “Unproductive discussion”

* (3) “Dogmatism and prejudice”

Matthew 5:8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” (NIV)

3. The disciples, whose eyes were opened

* 1 Corinthians 15:55 “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” (NIV)

Thoughts to share at mini church:

1. What was the factor for changing the disciples who witnessed Jesus Christ’s death on the cross and were fearful and hid, to becoming people of faith fearless of being martyred?

2. What impact on your way of life does the fact that the resurrected Jesus Christ is always with you?

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Sunday, April 9, 2023

“Hope of Resurrection”

Pastor Joey Anjiki

1. The fear of death

* What can one do to be freed from that fear?

* Words from a hospice doctor

2. Death on the cross

* Mark 10:33-34 (See above)

* The meaning of death on the cross

* What our sin is

* Yehiel De-Nur, who stood on the witness stand on the day of Adolf Eichmann’s trial

3. Hope of resurrection

* Mark 10:34 (See above)

* The meaning of resurrection

* How to be saved

* An incident that occurred at a nativity play at a church in the U.S.

Thoughts to share at mini church:

1. What exactly is sin as the Bible describes it?

2. Do you think you have sinned?

3. What is necessary for a person to receive the salvation of the cross?

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Sunday, April 2, 2023

“What the Rich Young Man Was Unable to See”

Pastor Joey Anjiki

1. The limit of works

* Mark 10:21 (See above)

2. What blinds spiritual eyes

* Mark 10:23 (See above)

* Mark 10:25 (See above)

* Why is it difficult for people who are rich to enter the kingdom of God? Can success be obtained purely by one’s own effort?

* 1 Timothy 6:17-19 “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.” (NIV)

3. What God can do

* Mark 10:27 (See above)

* A statue of Christ in Europe

Thoughts to share at mini church:

1. What was Jesus hoping the young man to notice through his conversation with him?

2. Why was the young man unable to notice the truth about salvation?

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Sunday, March 26, 2023

“I Am Coming Soon”

Pastor Hiroyuki Anjiki

1. The urgency of the second coming (Rev. 22:7)

* Revelation 22:7 “soon” = tachéos = “suddenly” “at an unexpected time” “at an unforeseen time”

* Revelation 22:7 “keeps” = “mindful of and on the lookout for”

2. Worship by John (Rev. 22:8-9)

3. Proclaim the words of the prophecy of this scroll (Rev. 22:10)

* Daniel 12:4 “But you, Daniel, roll up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end. Many will go here and there to increase knowledge.” (NIV)

4. The certainty of rewards from Christ (Rev. 22:12)

5. The eternal Jesus Christ (Rev. 22:13-16)

* Revelation 22:15 “dogs” = People who can’t understand God’s holiness & oppose or blaspheme Him

* Revelation 22:16 “the Root and the Offspring of David” = Persons in the family lineage of David

* Revelation 22:16 “the bright Morning Star” (Numbers 24:17) Title of the Messiah

6. The invitation from the Spirit and the bride (Rev. 22:17)

* Revelation 22:15 “Come!” = a command to come

* 1 Timothy 2:4 “God, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” (NIV)

* 2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (NIV)

7. The final warning (Rev. 22:18-20)

* Revelation 22:15 “Come” = in Aramaic = Maranatha

Thoughts to share at mini church:

1. What is the message you have received from the book of Revelation?

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Sunday, March 19, 2023

“Childlike Faith”

Pastor Joey Anjiki

1. Genuinely accepted faith

* Why can’t salvation sometimes not be genuinely accepted?

* Matthew 7:9-11 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” (NIV)

* A poem of Jukichi Yagi, a Christian poet

2. Genuinely desiring faith

* Childlike prayer

* Mark 10:16 “And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.” (NIV)

3. Pure faith that attracts others

* The testimony of Domenico Fetti (1589 – 1624)

Thoughts to share at mini church:

1. Those who have yet to receive the salvation of the cross are encouraged to use childlike faith and receive it.

2. What kind of prayers have yours become?

3. Have you ever been attracted to someone’s pure faith?

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Sunday, March 12, 2023

“The Holy City, Jerusalem, Coming Down out of Heaven (Part 2)”

Pastor Hiroyuki Anjiki

1. The river of the water of life

* Revelation 22:1 “the throne” = singular form

2. The tree of life

* Genesis 2:9 “The LORD God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.” (NIV)

* Genesis 3:22 “And the LORD God said, ‘The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever.’” (NIV)

* Revelation 22:2 “the healing” = “provide service, facilitate, contribute to)

3. The inhabitants of the city

* Genesis 3:8 “Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden.” (NIV)

* Psalm 27:4 “One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.” (NIV)

4. The city to which night doesn’t come

“Going Home”

Words: Miss Mennel Music: English tune

We have no home but Heaven; a pilgrim’s garb we wear;

Our path is marked with changes, and strewed with many a care;

Surrounded with temptation, by varied ills oppressed,

Each day’s experience warns us that this is not our rest.

We have no home but Heaven; then wherefore seek one here?

Why murmur at privation? Or grieve when trouble’s near?

It is but for a season that we as strangers roam;

And strangers must not look for the comforts of a home.

We have no home but Heaven; we want no home beside;

Our God, our friend and father, our footsteps thither guide.

Unfold to us its glory; prepare us for its joy,

Its pure and perfect friendship, its angel-like employ.

We have no home but Heaven. How cheering is the thought!

How bright the expectations which God’s own Word has taught!

With eager hearts we hasten, the promised bliss to share;

We have no home but Heaven, oh, would that we were there!

Thoughts to share at mini church:

1. The “new city Jerusalem” (Revelation 21:11 – 22:5) has 7 external characteristics and 4 internal characteristics. Reconfirm the content of its description.

2. To you which characteristic is particularly appealing?

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Sunday, March 5, 2023

“The Holy City, Jerusalem, Coming Down out of Heaven (Part 1)”

Pastor Hiroyuki Anjiki

1. The 7 external characteristics of the new Jerusalem

(1) Revelation 21:11 The glory of God

(2) Revelation 21:12-13 The wall Revelation 21:17 144 cubits = Approx. 65m

(3) Revelation 21:14 The wall’s foundations

(4) Revelation 21:15-17 Immense area Revelation 21:16 12,000 stadia = Approx. 2,220km

(5) Revelation 21:18-21 The material of the city

(6) Revelation 21:22-27 Unnecessary things

(7) Revelation 21:27 Qualifications of those admitted

Thoughts to share at mini church:

1. How is “Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven” described?

2. Recommended reading: “The Lord of the Rings” by John Ronald Reuel Tolkien and “The Chronicles of Narnia” by C.S. Lewis

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Sunday, February 26, 2023

“The Blessings of Marriage”

Pastor Joey Anjiki

1. The view of marriage in the Jewish society at that time

* Deuteronomy 24:1 “If a man marries a woman who becomes displeasing to him because he finds something indecent about her, and he writes her a certificate of divorce, gives it to her and sends her from his house…” (NIV)

* The twisted view of marriage in the present day: “honor killing,” “sati”

2. The blessings of marriage

* Mark 10:8 “…the two will become one flesh…”

* The pain until becoming one

* Ephesians 5:31-32 “…the two will become one flesh.” This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church.” (NIV)

* One couple’s testimony

* Mark 10:9 “Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” (NIV)

3. Recovery from pain

* Matthew 19:9 “I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery.” (NIV) (Parallel passage)

* Why did Jesus permit divorce?

Thoughts to share at mini church:

1. Share about the challenges and blessings of marriage.

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Sunday, February 19, 2023

“Breaking Away From Sin”

Pastor Joey Anjiki

1. Things that cause one to stumble

* Mark 9:42 “little ones” = ???

* Cause for stumbling blocks = sin

* An episode of Gandhi

2. Removing stumbling blocks

* Sin comes with pleasure

* The nature of justifying sin

* Romans 6:15 “What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? By no means!” (NIV)

* Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us!” (NIV)

3. Walking as the salt of the earth

* Mark 9:49 “Everyone will be salted with fire.” (NIV)

* Leviticus 2:13 “Season all your grain offerings with salt. Do not leave the salt of the covenant of your God out of your grain offerings; add salt to all your offerings.” (NIV)

* What does it mean to go through fire? = involves pain, go through trials or difficulties

* The testimony of John Newton

Thoughts to share at mini church:

1. Why is it difficult to break away from sin?

2. Break away from sin and walk by relying on the Holy Spirit.

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Sunday, February 12, 2023

“A New Heaven & A New Earth”

Pastor Hiroyuki Anjiki

1. I saw “a new heaven and a new earth”

* Revelation 21:1 “first” = the first, the former

* Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” (NIV)

* Matthew 24:35 “ Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” (NIV)

* 2 Peter 3:10 “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.” (NIV)

* Revelation 21:1 “new” = “kainos” in Greek = quantitatively completely new

2. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem coming down out of heaven

3. I heard a loud voice from the throne

* Revelation 21:3 “loud voice” = the voice of an angel

* 1 Corinthians 13:12 “For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” (NIV)

4. I heard the voice of he who was seated on the throne

* Revelation 21:5 “he who was seating on the throne” = the Lord, Jesus Christ

* Revelation 21:5 “make new” = build anew

* Revelation 21:6 “It is done.” = non-negotiable decision (prophetic perfect form)

5. The two types of inheritance

* Hebrews 11:8-10 “By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.” (NIV)

Thoughts to share at mini church:

1. Reconfirm what John “saw” and “heard.”

2. What do you think about the goal of our lives?

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