Sunday, October 10, 2021

“Stretch Out Your Hand to Jesus”

Pastor Joey Anjiki

1. The Pharisees: “The tragedy of losing sight of the essence”

* Jehovah’s Witness’ blood transfusion problem

* Bible verse serving as the basis of prohibiting blood transfusions:

Leviticus 17:10-14 “I will set my face against any Israelite or any foreigner residing among them who eats blood, and I will cut them off from the people. For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life. Therefore, I say to the Israelites, ‘None of you may eat blood, nor may any foreigner residing among you eat blood.’ Any Israelite or any foreigner residing among you who hunts any animal or bird that may be eaten must drain out the blood and cover it with earth, because the life of every creature is its blood. That is why I have said to the Israelites, ‘You must not eat the blood of any creature, because the life of every creature is its blood; anyone who eats it must be cut off.’” (NIV)

2. Jesus: “Priority on mercy”

* Matthew 12:11-12 “He said to them, ‘If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out? How much more valuable is a person than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.’” (NIV)

* Elementary school incident

3. The man with the shriveled hand: “Entering into the rest of the Lord”

* Mark 3:5 “(Jesus) said to the man, ‘Stretch out your hand.’” (NIV)

* An incident in Gary Habermas’s life (American theologian)

Thoughts to share at mini church:

1. What did you learn from the image of Christ in today’s passage?

2. Do you stretch out your hand to the calling of Jesus?

3. Think about eternal rest.

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Sunday, October 3, 2021

“The Seven Sealed Scrolls and the Lamb”

Pastor Hiroyuki Anjiki

1. The seven scrolls sealed with seven seals

* Revelation 5:1 “right hand” = The hand that provides blessing (Genesis 48)

The hand that brings judgment (Exodus 15:6)

* Revelation 5:2 “a mighty angel” = Archangel Gabriel

2. The Lamb, looking as if it had been slain

* Revelation 5:5 “Lion of the tribe of Judah”

* Revelation 5:5 “Root of David” = sprout, bud

* Revelation 5:6 “Lamb, looking as if it had been slain”

3. Worship in Heaven

* Revelation 5:8 “four living creatures and twenty-four elders”

* Revelation 5:11 “many angels”

* Revelation 5:13 “every creature”

Thoughts to share at mini church:

1. Revelation chapter 5 contains a record of the three visions that John saw. What kind of message did John receive from these visions?

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Sunday, September 26, 2021

“The Lord of the Sabbath”

Pastor Joey Anjiki

Content

* Mark 2:23 “…as his disciples walked along, they began to pick some heads of grain” (NIV)

* Deuteronomy 23:25 “If you enter your neighbor’s grainfield, you may pick kernels with your hands...” (NIV)

* The Sabbath: A rule that was written in the law God gave to Moses which designated the sundown of every Friday to the sundown of every Saturday as a holy day to be spent without doing work.

* The disciple’s actions that violated the Oral Torah

(1) Picking heads of grain was a harvest violation

(2) Kneading by threshing was a threshing violation

(3) Breathing on something is a selection violation

(4) Easting wheat is a storage violation

* Jesus referred to what happened with the high priest Abiathar (Ahimelech) and David in a rebuttal (1 Samuel 21)

Application

1. A day to set work aside and turn one’s eyes to look at what God has provided

* Exodus 20:8-11 “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work… For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.” (NIV)

* Changes in households after the 9-11 synchronized terrorist attacks in the US in 2001

2. A day to remember being freed from slavery

* Deuteronomy 5:15 “Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the LORD your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore the LORD your God has commanded you to observe the Sabbath day.” (NIV)

3. A time to put concerns before God

* The research of Ernie Zelinski, a psychologist

* Genesis 1 “And there was evening, and there was morning”

* Psalm 127:2 “In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat - for he grants sleep to those he loves.” (NIV)

Thoughts to share at mini church:

1. What can we learn from the regulation about the Sabbath in the law?

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Sunday, September 19, 2021

“The Open Door and Thrones of Heaven”

Pastor Hiroyuki Anjiki

* Revelation 4:1 “After this” = “Meta tauta” in Greek = Used when changing the topic and moving to another

1. The door open in Heaven

* Revelation 4:1 “Behold” = “Edu” in Greek = Oh! I got it! I see., etc. Indicating when someone understands or becomes aware of something new to them

* Genesis 28:16-17 “When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, ‘Surely the LORD is in this place, and I was not aware of it.’ He was afraid and said, ‘How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven.’” (NIV)

* Acts 7:55-56 “But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. ‘Look,’ he said, ‘I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.’” (NIV)

2. The thrones of Heaven

* 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)

3. The 4 living creatures

* Revelation 4:7 “lion” = strength, “ox” = gentleness, “eagle” = nobility, “face like a man” = intelligence

4. The 24 elders

* Revelation 1:6 “…and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.” (NIV)

Thoughts to share at mini church:

1. When we return to Heaven, we will continue to offer our Lord, God unending praise. What is the reason for that praise?

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Sunday, September 12, 2021

“Throw Out Old Cloth & Wineskins”

Pastor Joey Anjiki

Content:

* The Mosaic Law dictated fasting 1 day a year

* At that time the Pharisees had a custom of fasting twice a week, on Mondays and Thursdays

* The rules which the Pharisees added on their own to the Mosaic Law were called the Oral Torah (Mishnah Law)

* Why didn’t Jesus or his disciples fast twice a week?

1. To break the Oral Torah (Mishnah Law) intentionally.

2. Because it was the time of the wedding

* Cloth example and wineskin example

Application:

* What are old values, old cloth and wineskins, that inhibit living with new values in Jesus Christ for us in this present day?

1. Materialism

* Research on happiness

* The testimony of Taichiro Morinaga, founder of “Morinaga & Co., Ltd.”

2. Love for Love’s Sake Principle

* Poem by Ayako Miura

“Even with my husband (wife), I'm still lonely this evening

Two or three scriptures approach my chest”

Thoughts to share at mini church:

1. What are old values (old cloths, wineskins) that you are still impacted by even after becoming a Christian?

2. Who is it that can completely satisfy the thirst in our lives?

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Sunday, September 5, 2021

“What Will Certainly Happen Upcoming”

Pastor Hiroyuki Anjiki

1. What is true hope?

* (1) The future (2) Good things (3) Will surely actualize

* 1 Thessalonians 4:17 “caught up” = “taken with” (John 6:15)

“To be taken away with by force, with or without consent”

2. Reasons the “rapture” will take place before the “Great Tribulation”

(1) The Great Tribulation is a time of “God’s wrath”

*Refer to 1 Thessalonians 1:10

(2) Based on God’s character, the “church” will not be left behind in the Great Tribulation

*Refer to Genesis 18 & Luke 17:28-29

(3) There is a “restraining” force

*Refer to 2 Thessalonians 2:3-7

*2 Thessalonians 2:3 “man of lawlessness” “man doomed to destruction” = Anti-Christ

*2 Thessalonians 2:6-7 “the one who now holds is back” = Holy Spirit

(4) The “apostasy (rebellion) will first occur”

*Greek = apostasia = apostasy, rebellion, departure

*Verb = aphestemy = go far away, depart, move

(5) Faith of the people of the early church

*Philippians 4:5 “The Lord is near”

*1 Corinthians 16:22 “Maranata” = “Come, Lord!”

3. The “rapture”

(1) No one knows what day or time

(2) It can occur anytime

(3) It will be before the Great Tribulation

Thoughts to share at mini church:

1. There are people who “prophesy” the day and time of the “rapture” and “second coming,” but what is it that they are mistaken about?

2. Are you ready for the “rapture”? There is only one thing to prepare you. What is it?

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Sunday, August 29, 2021

“Do Not Create Idols”

Pastor Kenichi Osumi

1. There are no idol gods

* 1 Corinthians 8:4 “So then, about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that ‘An idol is nothing at all in the world’ and that ‘There is no God but one.’” (NIV)

* 1 Corinthians 10:19-20 “Do I mean then that food sacrificed to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything? No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons.” (NIV)

2. People who create idols

* Exodus 32:1 “When the people saw that Moses was so long in coming down from the mountain, they gathered around Aaron and said, ‘Come, make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who brought us up out of Egypt, we don’t know what has happened to him.’” (NIV)

* An idol Americans have

3. Why are we not to create idols?

* Isaiah 44:9 “All who make idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless. Those who would speak up for them are blind; *hey are ignorant, to their own shame.” (NIV)

Footnote: “nothing” = “vague” or “obscure” referenced in Genesis 1:2 (chaos)

* Romans 1:21 “For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.” (NIV)

* “If it is permissible to use the word ‘god,’ I will boldly call my soul ‘god.’” (Takeo Arishima)

* Exodus 20:5 “You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me.” (NIV)

* Tecumseh's Curse

4. The God who changes curses into blessings

* Exodus 20:6 “…but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.” (NIV)

* Galatians 3:13 “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: ‘Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.’” (NIV)

Thoughts to share at mini church:

1. Why and in what situations do we create idols?

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Sunday, August 22, 2021

“Jesus’ Gaze”

Pastor Joey Anjiki

1. Looking at the internal thirst of someone

* Son of Alphaeus = Matthew

* Tax collectors = People hired by Rome whose job it was to collect taxes from fellow Jews. The tax collectors were deceptive and collected more taxes than required by the Roman government, pocketing the difference. They were considered to be sinners and not permitted to be in the Jewish community.

* What Jesus told Matthew: “Follow me”

* Prayer of Henri Nouwen (Catholic Priest)

2. Inviting sinners

* Matthew’s banquet = The invited guests were tax collectors and prostitutes

* Who were the Pharisees?

- A sect born of the Ezra Reformation after Babylonian captivity

- People who respected the Mosaic Law

* Mark 2:17 (See above)

* “Sister Act” (movie)

Thoughts to share at mini church:

1. What can we learn from the perspective that Jesus saw Matthew?

2. What kind of place do you think is a church?

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Sunday, August 15, 2021

“To the Church in Laodicea”

Pastor Hiroyuki Anjiki

1. The church in Laodicea

* Prosperous as a key point of transportation from ancient days

* Abundant industries (financial industry, textile industry, eye medicine)

* Colossians 2:1 “I want you to know how hard I am contending for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally.” (NIV)

* Colossians 4:15-16 “Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea.” (NIV)

2. Rebuke (verses 15-17)

* Hierapolis is located 10km north of Laodicea (natural hot spring)

* Colossae is located 16km east of Laodicea (cold fresh water)

* Proverbs 25:25 “Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land.” (NIV)

* “hot” in Greek = Zesto, meaning boiling-like heat

3. Praise (verse 18)

* Road to recovery

(1) “gold refined in the fire”

1 Peter 1:7 “These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” (NIV)

(2) “white clothes”

(3) “eye salve”

4. Reward (verses 19-21)

* Revelation 3:20 “eat” = Extravagant supper

Thoughts to share at mini church:

1. What can be done to not become a “lukewarm Christian”?

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Sunday, August 8, 2021

“Friends with Faith”

Pastor Joey Anjiki

Content:

* An investigation team from the Jerusalem Jewish parliament came to Capernaum.

* Paralysis = Believed to be the symptom of loss of the ability to move a portion or the entirety of the body as an aftereffect of cerebral hemorrhage

* Rabbi’s reasoning = Reasoning that there is A and B, and if difficult A is possible, then it is natural that easier B can be done

Application:

1. The importance of the friend of faith

4 friends that brought the paralyzed man to Jesus

* We are not strong enough to protect our faith alone

* Charcoal fire analogy

2. The place to go to together

* What is the biggest problem in life?

* Hebrews 9:27 “Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment…” (NIV)

* The most difficult problem of death has been resolved, so it is possible to stand up against any other kind of difficulty that occurs in life

* The secret story of the origin of Handel’s “The Messiah” (Hallelujah Chorus)

Thoughts to share at mini church:

1. Have you even experienced encouragement from friends with faith?

2. When you stand before God after dying, what will be said to you?

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