Sunday, December 2, 2018

“The Parable of the Minas”

Luke 19:11-27

1. Utilize what has been entrusted to you

* Luke 19:13 “Put this money to work” = Utilize it

* Luke 19:16 “one mina” = Amount of approximately 100 days’ wages in those days

* Luke 19:23 “bank” = “money exchange business”

2. Being faithful with even a little

* O. Henry “1,000 dollars”

3. To everyone who has, more will be given

* The faith of Alfons Deeken

* The faith of Akiko Ueki

Thoughts to share at Mini Church:

1. What kinds of things have we been entrusted with from God that we are to “utilize?”

2. Why do you think it is important to be faithful with even little things?

3. What do you think is the meaning of “to everyone who has, more will be given?”

MCC English 20181204.mp3

Sunday, November 25, 2018

“Jesus, Who Searches for and Saves the Lost”

Luke 19:1-10

1. Zacchaeus before he met Jesus

* “Inferiority complex” Luke 19:3 “he was short”

* “Loneliness”

* Luke 19:5 “I must stay” = “It is necessary for me to stay” (direct translation)

2. Zacchaeus after he met Jesus

* Luke 19:6 “gladly” in Greek (Used 9 times in Luke’s gospel)

Expresses joy related to faith and salvation

Thoughts to share at Mini Church:

1. What kind of life do you think Zacchaeus had before meeting Jesus Christ?

2. How do you think Zacchaeus’ life changed after meeting Jesus Christ?

3. How has your life changed by believing in Jesus Christ?

MCC English 20181125.mp3

Sunday, November 18, 2018

“Not by the Law, But by an Encounter”

Luke 19:1-10

1. Zacchaeus, a sinner desiring salvation

* Zacchaeus (Hebrew) = Pure, correct

* Ex. The later years of Howard Hughes, a very rich man

* Leviticus 6:5 “…or whatever it was they swore falsely about. They must make restitution in full, add a fifth of the value to it and give it all to the owner on the day they present their guilt offering.” (NIV)

2. The difference with the young rich man

* Luke 18:21 “’All these I have kept since I was a boy,’ he said.” (NIV)

* Luke 18:11-12 “The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’” (NIV)

* Romans 5:6-8 “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (NIV)

Thoughts to share at Mini Church:

1. Is there any burden you should put before God? What is it?

2. The Bible states that when a person meets God their life can be changed. If you have had such an experience, please share.

MCC English 20181118.mp3

Sunday, November 11, 2018

“When Times Are Good and When Times Are Bad”

Ecclesiastes 7:13-18

1. Do not make presumptions

* Luke 68:25 “But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.” (NIV)

2. “Monophyletic” God

* Luke 13:2-3 “Jesus answered, ‘Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.’” (NIV)

* Dr. Harutsugu Yamaura

* Pastor Akira Sato

* Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (NIV)

3. Headwinds are favorable winds

* Ecclesiastes 7:14 “…when times are bad, consider this…” = Think about

* “Lucky Man” by Michael J. Fox

“contrary to the expected” = “deviate from the correct path/direction”

Thoughts to share at Mini Church:

1. Why do think there is no point in asking “Why”?

2. If you have ever experienced a headwind becoming a favorable wind, please share.

MCC English 20181111.mp3

Sunday, November 4, 2018

“What do you want me to do for you?”

Luke 18:35-43

1. The blind man of Jericho

* Luke 18:35 “as (Jesus) approached Jericho”

* Mark 10:46 “Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (which means ‘son of Timaeus’), was sitting by the roadside begging.” (NIV)

2. The request of the blind man

* Luke 18:38 “Jesus, Son of David”

The words of someone who understood the prophesy that the “Messiah (savior) would be

born of the descendants of King David”

* Luke 18:39 “all the more” = much more, increasing more and more

“shouted” = instinctively, screaming fit, an animal’s cry that can’t be expressed in words

3. The words of Jesus

* The Lord God has deep compassion

- Exodus 34:6 “And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, ‘The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.’” (NIV)

- Deuteronomy 4:31 “For the LORD your God is a merciful God; he will not abandon or destroy you or forget the covenant with your ancestors, which he confirmed to them by oath.” (NIV)

- 1 Chronicles 21:13 “David said to Gad, “I am in deep distress. Let me fall into the hands of the LORD, for his mercy is very great; but do not let me fall into human hands.” (NIV)

- Psalm 103:4-5 “…who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” (NIV)

- Psalm 119:156 “Your compassion, LORD, is great; preserve my life according to your laws Isaiah 63:9 In all their distress he too was distressed, and the angel of his presence saved them. In his love and mercy he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.” (NIV)

- Daniel 9:9 “The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him.” (NIV)

* Matthew 20:34 “Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him.” (NIV)

Thoughts to share at Mini Church:

1. What did you learn from the faith of the blind man of Jericho?

2. If Jesus asked you, “What do you want me to do for you?” how would you reply?

MCC English 20181104.mp3

Sunday, October 28, 2018

“The Foretelling of the Passion and Resurrection”

Luke 18:31-34

1. Jesus as the fulfillment of the prophesy

(1) He was born as a descendent of Abraham, Judah, and David (Genesis 22:18, 49:10, 1 Chronicles 17:14)

(2) He was born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2, Luke 2:6-7)

(3) He was born into a poor family (Isaiah 11:1-2, Luke 2:22-24)

(4) He healed people with all kinds of illnesses (Isaiah 35:5, Matthew 11:5, 4:23-24)

(5) All bones become out of joint (Psalm 22:14)

(6) His hands and feet were pierced (Psalm 22:16)

(7) Lots were drawn to divide his clothing (Psalm 22:18, John 19:23-24)

(8) He was killed with criminals and buried in a rich man’s tomb (Isaiah 53:9, Matthew 27:38, 27:57-80)

(9) He was resurrected from the dead (Isaiah 53:10, Luke 24:36-47)

(10) He is regarded as the savior worldwide (Isaiah 49:6)

2. Disciples who had a cover on their hearts

* Luke 18:34 “hidden” = To have a veil on

* The testimony of Emali Asgal (Former Iranian Islamic teacher)

Thoughts to share at Mini Church:

1. Why is it that even though some people hear the gospel of Jesus Christ they do not believe?

2. How is Jesus Christ unique compared with other people considered to be great men or saints?

3. Based on this what conclusion is appropriate as to who Jesus Christ is?

MCC English 20181028.mp3

Sunday, October 21, 2018

“What is Impossible With Man is Possible With God”

Luke 18:18-30

1. In order to inherit eternal life

Luke 18:18 “good” = This does not mean “morally right,” but rather “grant grace”

Luke 18:23 “sad” = “suffer,” “be in pain”

2. Why is it difficult?

* What is the snare of having much wealth?

(1)

(2)

(3)

* 1 Timothy 6:6-10 “6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” (NIV)

* Rockefeller’s conversion

* The testimony of a female Christian in China

Thoughts to share at Mini Church:

1. What do you think was the issue with the “certain ruler” who questioned Jesus?

2. What kind of traps are easy to fall into for people who have much wealth?

3. Please explain the meaning of Luke 18:30.

MCC English 20181021.mp3

Sunday, October 14, 2018

“Receive the Kingdom of God Like a Little Child”

Luke 18:15-17

“Hints to becoming happy that can be learned from children” (from the Huffington Post)

1. Live in the present

2. Have a believing heart

3. Be creative

4. Express your feelings honestly

5. Be full of curiosity

6. Don’t discriminate

7. Accept words of comfort

1. A heart that receives with thanks

2. A heart that obeys with understanding

* Hebrews 4:7 “…: ‘Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.” (NIV)

3. A heart that honestly calls out for help

* A poem by Jukichi Yagi

“Aa!

While walking around thoughtlessly in an open field

I decided to call you Aa

Not the name of my lover

Not the name of my mother

Not the name of anyone”

* Acts 2:21 “And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’” (NIV)

Thoughts to share at Mini Church:

1. What do you think is the difference between “childlike” and “childish”?

2. What can you learn from little children?

MCC English 20181014.mp3

Sunday, October 7, 2018

“Blessed Are Those Who Humble Themselves”

Luke 18:9-14

1. Two worshipers

* “Pharisee” = Jewish Pharisees were very religious people who generally maintained high standards both morally and logically

* “Tax collector” = People who worked for Rome to collect taxes from the people of Israel, and who also collected unfair taxes, so they were disliked by people, despised, and treated as “traitors”

2. The prayers of the two people

3. God’s evaluation of the two people

Thoughts to share at Mini Church:

1. How did the prayers of the “Pharisee” and “tax collector” differ? What can be learned from those prayers?

2. What was God’s evaluation of those two people? Why was his evaluation different?

3. What did you learn from the stance of the two worshippers?

MCC English 20181007.mp3

Sunday, September 30, 2018

“Never Ceasing Prayer”

Luke 18:1-8

1. Prayer method

* Luke 18:3 “kept coming” = repeatedly coming

* Luke 18:5 “attack me” = “hit me below my eyes” (direct translation)

2. The God who answers prayer

3. The basis of prayer

* Exodus 22:22-23 “Do not take advantage of the widow or the fatherless. If you do and they cry out to me, I will certainly hear their cry.” (NIV)

* Deuteronomy 10:17-18 “For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes. He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing.” (NIV)

* The faith of David Livingston

Matthew 28:18-20 “Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (NIV)

Thoughts to share at Mini Church:

1. What is the point of this parable?

2. What is the reason this widow’s prayer was answered?

3. Have any of your prayers been answered recently? Please share.

MCC English 20180930.mp3