Sunday, August 1, 2021

“To the Church in Philadelphia”

Pastor Hiroyuki Anjiki

1. The church in Philadelphia

* “Philadelphia” was an inland town located 45km southeast of Sardis

* It had fertile land and wine was its special product

* There was a temple for “Dionysos (Bacchus),” the Greek god of wine

* It was destroyed in 37AD by a massive earthquake and reconstructed

2. The image of Christ

* Revelation 3:7 “holy (one)” = “complete one” “surpassing one”

* Revelation 3:7 “true (one)” = “pure one” “genuine one”

* Revelation 3:7 “who holds the key of David” = Revelation 1:18 “…I hold the keys of death and Hades.”

3. Praise

* Revelation 3:18 “have a little strength” = “only have a little strength”

4. Reward

* Revelation 3:10 “the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth” = “The Great Tribulation”

* Revelation 3:10 “the hour of trial” = “starting from the hour of trial” (another translation)

* Revelation 3:11 “I am coming soon” = “the rapture”

* Revelation 3:12 “pillar” = metaphor for “continuing to stand strong”

* Revelation 21:3-5 “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” (NIV)

Thoughts to share at mini church:

1. What kind of person do you think Christ is based on his image in Revelation 3:7?

2. What is the “Great Tribulation”? Where will you be when it takes place?

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Sunday, July 25, 2021

“Crossing Boundaries”

Pastor Joey Anjiki

Content:

* Leprosy: A specific type of skin disease with no cure

* In the 1,500 years from the time the law was given to Moses, no Jewish person was cured of leprosy

* The people at that time thought that when the Messiah appeared he would heal leprosy

Application:

1. Love that crosses boundaries

* The boundaries that Jesus crossed

(1) The boundary between healthy and sick people

(2) The boundary between men and women

(3) The boundary between races

(4) The boundary between people and God

Philippians 2:6-7 “Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.” (NIV)

(5) The boundary of sin between people and God

2 Corinthians 5:21 “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (NIV)

2. As someone who loves the people around them, crossing such borders

* 1 John 4:8-9 “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.” (NIV)

* An episode from Yasusuke Shiga’s youth

* 1 Corinthians 13:13 “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” (NIV)

Thoughts to share at mini church:

1. Reflect on the boundaries that Jesus crossed.

2. Have you ever known the love of Jesus Christ through the love of someone else?

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Sunday, July 18, 2021

“Rise Again”

Pastor Hisashi Ishitobi (Pastor of Rise OC Church, California, USA)

1. The message of prophet Micah

* “I” = Personified image of Israel

* “enemy” = Babylon that would attack later

* “pleads my case” = defend or plead for innocence

* The message of the savior Jesus Christ’s redemption on the cross

* Amazon Fresh Store example: When you leave the store, your entire purchase is already paid

2. The impact of COVID-19 on the world

* The testimony of Rise OC: Blessings received from the impact of COVID-19

* Even if one falls due to the difficulties of the world, he will surely rise again with the Lord

3. Rise again

* Even if you come to the end of your rope and collapse, you will surely rise again with the Lord (resurrected life)

Thoughts to share at mini church:

1. What are some blessings you have received from the impact of COVID-19?

2. Are you walking with the faith that you trust in the Lord’s light even in darkness and believe you will surely rise again with the Lord?

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Sunday, July 11, 2021

“To the Church in Sardis”

Pastor Hiroyuki Anjiki

1. The church in Sardis

* Sardis was an inland town located about 50km southeast of Thyatira. It was prosperous from long ago as a strong fortress city located at an elevation approximately 460m higher than the surrounding towns.

* Idol worship thrived and a Temple of Artemis was located there, as with in Ephesus.

2. Rebuke

* Revelation 3:1 “I know” = see through everything

3. Praise

* Luke 22:31-32 “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” (NIV)

* Concrete measures for recovery: (Revelation 3:3)

(1) “Remember”

(2) “Hold fast”

(3) “Repent”

4. Reward

* Revelation 3:5 “dressed in white” = Clothes of righteousness

* Revelation 3:5 “book of life”

- Psalm 69:28 “May they be blotted out of the book of life and not be listed with the righteous.” (NIV)

- Revelation 20:15 “Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.” (NIV)

Thoughts to share at mini church:

1. What were the problems with the church in Sardis?

2. What can we learn from the 3 concrete measures for recovery?

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Sunday, July 4, 2021

“To the Church in Thyatira”

Pastor Hiroyuki Anjiki

1. The church in Thyatira

* Acts 16:14 “One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message.” (NIV)

* Revelation 2:18 The image of Christ as judge

2. Praise

* Revelation 2:19 (See above)

3. Rebuke

* Revelation 2:20 “You are just letting that woman, that is Jezebel, to do as she pleases.” (direct translation)

* Revelation 2:21 “repent” = “doesn’t want to repent” (direct translation)

* Revelation 2:23 “strike dead” = by pests

4. Reward

* Revelation 2:26 “authority over the nations” = Promise to reign over the nations with the Lord in the millennium

* Revelation 2:28 “morning star” = “Christ” (Revelation 22:16)

* The conversion of Alfred North Whitehead (British philosopher and mathematician)

Thoughts to share at mini church:

1. What were the problems with the church in Thyatira?

2. What do you think are the lessons for the present-day church?

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Sunday, June 27, 2021

“Jesus Christ, the Healer”

Pastor Joey Anjiki

1. The origin of the devil

* Isaiah 14:12-15 “How you have fallen from heaven, morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations! You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphon. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’ But you are brought down to the realm of the dead, to the depths of the pit.” (NIV)

2. The miracles of Jesus Christ

* Were the accounts of healing added in a later era?

* The account of the Talmud which the Jewish Pharisees wrote

* Reports of miracles in developing countries

* The power of prayer: Double blind experiment at a hospital in San Francisco

* Matthew 10:1 “Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.” (NIV)

3. Complete healing: Hope for Heaven

* The reasons why Jesus Christ conducted healing:

(1) To prove that he was the Messiah

(2) To make people aware that the Kingdom of God is this kind of place

* Poem: “I’m Standing on the Beach Now”

* John 11:25 “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.’” (NIV)

Thoughts to share at mini church:

1. Why can the accounts of Jesus’ healings be said to be true?

2. Please pray for people who need healing.

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Sunday, June 20, 2021

“To the Church in Pergamum”

Pastor Hiroyuki Anjiki

1. The church in Pergamum

* A town on located on the top of a high 335m hill approx. 80km north of Smyrna

* Historian Aretasu: “There were a greater number of idols in Pergamum than the total number of idols in all of Asia.”

2. Praise

* Revelation 2:13 “Antipas” = The pastor of the Pergamum church

* Revelation 2:13 “was put to death in your city” = “was killed in a place you were watching” (direct translation)

3. Rebuke

* Revelation 2:14 “teaching of Balaam” = compromise for idol worship and promote sexual misconduct

* Revelation 2:15 “Nicolaitans” = Creating a ruling class in the church

* Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (NIV)

* Billy Graham: “But the Bible says!”

4. Reward

* Revelation 2:17 “give manna” = Intimate fellowship with God

“give a white stone” = Symbol of forgiving sins and inviting to a banquet

Thoughts to share at mini church:

1. What is a common point with the Pergamum church and the present Japanese church?

2. What should be learned from the image of the Pergamum church?

3. Do you let the “But the Bible says” phrase have final authority?

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Sunday, June 13, 2021

“Become a Disciple of Jesus”

Pastor Joey Anjiki

* The arrest of John the Baptist

* The message Jesus Christ spoke about:

Mark 1:14-20 “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” (NIV)

* The disciples’ calling

1. Giving your life to Christ

2. The foundation of faith

* The testimony of former Islamic fundamentalist terrorist Kamal Saleem

* A painting of the cross by Domenico Fetti (1589 - 1624)

“hoc passus sum pro te,quid fecisti pro me?”

“This is what I have done for you. What will you do for me?”

3. Fishers of men

* An image of the Galilean area at that time

* Evangelism work on Jones Street in Sydney, Australia

* 2 Corinthians 4:7 “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.” (NIV)

Thoughts to share at mini church:

1. Have you given your life to Christ?

2. Where is the foundation of faith in Jesus Christ?

3. What can you do as a fisher of men?

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Sunday, June 6, 2021

“To the Church in Smyrna”

Pastor Hiroyuki Anjiki

1. The Smyrna church

* It was located 55km north of Ephesus (present Izmir)

* It was in a town said to be beautiful and “the crown of Asia, the goddess of Asia, the glory of Asia”

* Revelation 2:9 “afflictions” = trample grapes in a barrel until they lose their shape

“poverty” = extreme poverty

* Persecution from the Roman empire and Jews

* Revelation 2:9 “synagogue of Satan” = Satan’s sanctuary

2. Encouragement

* Revelation 2:9 “I know” = have empathy, share

* Revelation 2:10 “Do not be afraid of” = stop being afraid of

* Revelation 2:10 “victor’s crown” = crown given to those martyred

* Revelation 2:10 “faithful” = faith, trust

3. Reward

* Revelation 2:11 “second death” = eternal destruction

* Pastor of Smyrna, Polypus’ martyr story

Thoughts to share at mini church:

1. How does the Bible answer the question “Why do unfortunate things happen even to those who believe in God?”

2. Why do you think many Christians have been martyred?

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Sunday, May 30, 2021

“Receive the Holy Spirit”

Pastor Kenichi Osumi

1. Resurrection = Center of Christianity

* 1 Corinthians 15:19 “If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.” (NIV)

* 1 Corinthians 15:40 “There are also heavenly bodies and there are earthly bodies; but the splendor of the heavenly bodies is one kind, and the splendor of the earthly bodies is another.” (NIV)

* 1 Corinthians 15:44 “It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.” (NIV)

2. “Peace be with you”

* John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (NIV)

* Galatians 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (NIV)

3. “Receive the Holy Spirit”

* John 20:21 “…As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” (NIV)

* Acts 2:2-3 “Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.” (NIV)

* Luke 24:49 “I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” (NIV)

* Luke 24:52-53 “Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.” (NIV)

* The words of Pastor Reiji Oyama

* Ephesians 5:18 “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.” (NIV) In the original language this is in present/continuing form

* John 20:23 “If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven…” (NIV)

Thoughts to share at mini church:

1. Why are we to be “filled with the Holy Spirit”?

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