Sunday, July 30, 2017

“From the Ear to the Heart”

Luke 8:4-15

1. A warning to the listeners

(1) “path” = hard heart

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

(2) “on rock” = shallow mind

• “on rock” = Matthew 13:5 “…where it did not have much soil.”

• Luke 8:13 “fall away” = to fall away from faith and become distanced from the living God

(3) “thorns” = A heart with many cares of the world

• Luke 8:14 “they do not mature” = end up incomplete and become frustrated along the way

• “life’s worries” = “cares of the world” (different translation)

(4) “good soil” = a heart with open ears

• James 1:2-4 “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (NIV)

• I Timothy 6:17-18 “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.” (NIV)

• 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)

• Luke 8:15 “But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.” (NIV)

• Psalm 1:2-3 “But whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither -- whatever they do prospers.” (NIV)

• James 5:7-8 “…See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.” (NIV)

2. Encouragement to people planting seeds

* Robert Moffat (missionary)

* David Livingstone (missionary)

* Walter Lambuth (missionary)

* 1 Corinthians 15:58 “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” (NIV)

Thoughts to share at Mini Church:

1. What kind of heart should we have when hearing the gospel?

2. When are you unable to obediently receive God’s Word?

3. What aspect of this parable provides encouragement to you?

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Sunday, July 23, 2017

“Resurrection Faith”

Ezekiel 47:9

1. Awareness test

* Unless you are careful, you may become distanced from resurrection faith without noticing

2. Vision gained from Ezekiel

* All things live in the river that gives life!

* Ezekiel 47:1 “…The water was coming down from under the south side of the temple, south of the altar.” (NIV)

* Ezekiel 47:8 “…When it empties into the sea, the salty water there becomes fresh.” (NIV)

“sea” = Dead Sea

* What hinders this vision:

*Dams and canals

*Swamps and marshes

* Ezekiel 47:11 “But the swamps and marshes will not become fresh; they will be left for salt.” (NIV)

* RIZE Church testimony

3. Returning to resurrection faith

* 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)

* Ezekiel 47:12 “Fruit trees of all kinds will grow on both banks of the river. Their leaves will not wither, nor will their fruit fail. Every month they will bear fruit, because the water from the sanctuary flows to them. Their fruit will serve for food and their leaves for healing.” (NIV)

Thoughts to share at Mini Church:

1. What caused you to meet the resurrected Christ?

2. Do you have any dams, canals, swamps, or marshes that you need to surrender to God today?

3. Putting your faith in God, what places will start overflowing?

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Sunday, July 16, 2017

“Serve Using What You Have”

Luke 8:1-3

1. Jesus’ gospel mission

* Luke 8:1 “proclaiming” = meaning the proclamation (notification) of a king or to declare something publically

2. Jesus’ female disciples

* Luke 8:3 “support them out of their own means” = serve using what one has (original text)

* 2 Peter 1:5-8 “For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (NIV) “possess” = “have”

3. History of Japanese women’s faith

* Gracia Hosokawa (1563-1600)

* Yaeko Yamamoto (1845-1932)

* Asako Hirooka (1849-1919)

* Ginko Ogino (1851-1913)

* Umeko Tsuda (1864-1929)

* Miki Sawada (1901-1980)

* Ayako Miura (1922-1999)

Thoughts to share at Mini Church:

1. What is the “gospel mission?”

2. Learn about the activities of women in the first generation church.

3. What are you using to serve the Lord?

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Sunday, July 9, 2017

“Those Forgiven for Much”

Luke 7:36-50

1. Dinner at Pharisee Simon’s house

* Luke 7:36 “reclined at the table” = to lie sprawled out under something

* Luke 7:37 “sinful life” = immoral

* Testimony of Shigetoshi Hatakeyama

2. The parable of two debtors

* “forgiven” = perfect tense

“loved” = past tense

In other words, before this woman “loved” Jesus, Jesus had already “forgiven” her.

* Luke 7:47 “many sins” = not the amount of sins, but the “awareness of sins”

* Conversion story of John Newton (1725 – 1807)

Lyricist of “Amazing Grace”

Thoughts to share at Mini Church:

1. Why did Simon invite Jesus to dinner?

2. What is the relationship between “being forgiven” and “being loved”?

3. What does “many sins” mean?

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Sunday, July 2, 2017

“Blessed Are Those Who Do Not Stumble on Account of Jesus”

Luke 7:18-35

1. John’s conviction

* Luke 7:19 Another translation: “You truly are the one who is to come. Should we expect someone else? No, it is not necessary.”

* John 1:29 “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!’” (NIV)

* Acts 13:25 “As John was completing his work, he said: ‘Who do you suppose I am? I am not the one you are looking for. But there is one coming after me whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.’” (NIV)

* The martyring of Smyrna’s bishop Polycarp

2. Jesus’ evaluation

* John 14:16-17 “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.’’” (NIV)

3. The crowd’s reaction

* The faith of Marion Jones (American track and field athlete)

Thoughts to share at Mini Church:

1. Based on John’s confession in Luke 19, what kind of faith can you tell he had?

2. Why are we greater than John the Baptist?

3. What is the biggest change that occurred in your life after placing faith in Jesus Christ?

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Sunday, June 25, 2017

“Jesus, the Author of Life”

Luke 7:11-17

1. Look at the reality of death

* Luke 7:12 “As he approached the town gate …”

* “A Snapshot Three Seconds Before Death”

* “Heart Sutra”

* Luke 7:13 “his heart went out to her” = Pain to the extent it twists one’s intestines

2. Look at Jesus Christ

* John 11:25-26 “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?’’” (NIV)

* Acts 3:14-15 “You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this.” (NIV)

“author of life” = “the guider to life”

* Tomihiro Hoshino

“When I thought life was most important

It was painful to be alive

When I learned there was something more important than life

It was enjoyable to be alive”

Thoughts to share at Mini Church:

1. Have you ever thought about your own death?

2. When you imagine it, how does it make you feel?

3. What kind of impact does your faith in Jesus Christ have on your death?

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Sunday, June 18, 2017

“Say the Word”

Luke 7:1-10

1. Selection conditions

* Genesis 12:3 “I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse…” (NIV)

2. Selection plan

* Acts 10:28 “He said to them: ‘You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile...’” (NIV)

* The faith of Essel Schimmel

3. Jesus who was surprised at the faith of a centurion

* Isaiah 43:1-5 “But now, this is what the Lord says — he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: ‘Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze... Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life. Do not be afraid, for I am with you...’” (NIV)

Thoughts to share at Mini Church:

1. What did the Lord God say he would do for those who bless Israel? Why will He do so?

2. Why was Jesus surprised at the faith of the centurion?

3. When did you make your faith work?

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Sunday, June 11, 2017

“Blessed are Those Who Hear and Put Into Practice”

Luke 6:39-49

1. Are you following the true teacher?

• Ryoun Kamegai’s “From Buddhism to Christ: A Record of Overflowing Grace”

2. Are you bearing good fruit?

• Galatians 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control...” (NIV)

• 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances...” (NIV)

3. Is your life built on a secure foundation?

• The faith of Sakie Yokota

Thoughts to share at Mini Church:

1. What is the difference between Jesus Christ and other saints and great people?

2. What do you think is the secret to bearing “good fruit?”

3. What is the foundation of your life? What do you think is different about a life founded on faith in Jesus Christ and a life founded on something else?

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Sunday, June 4, 2017

“Be Merciful”

Luke 6:27-38

1. Love your enemies

* NASA astronaut training

2. “The Golden Rule”

* Jukichi Yagi (Taisho Period Christian poet) (English translation)

“Since it’s just a short life

Make your best effort to have a beautiful heart

The source of all pain

Is loss of the intention to

Unconditionally and unlimitedly

Forgive others

I want to forgive as God does

If I warm up the hatred thrown at me by others in my chest

And it becomes like a flower

Then I want to give it to God

If you think of life as not being long

You will start to make a wholehearted effort

To believe in God

And love people”

3. Use a forgiveness, love, and mercy scale

Thoughts to share at Mini Church:

1. In what types of situations do you express negative emotions?

2. What is “The Golden Rule?” Why do you think it is called that?

3. In what manner do you think it is important that we have our hearts?

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Sunday, May 28, 2017

“Blessed People and Pitiful People”

Luke 6:20-26

1. Blessed people

* Luke 6:20 “poor” = a beggar

* Psalm 37:25 “I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsake or their children begging bread.” (NIV)

* Luke 6:20 “kingdom of God” = God’s rule

* Luke 18:29-30 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus said to them, “no one who has left home or wife or brothers or sisters or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God will fail to receive many times as much in this age, and in the age to come eternal life.” (NIV)

* Nikolaus Ludwig von Zinzendorf of Germany and one painting

“This is what I did for you. What can you do for me?”

2. Pitiful people

* Luke 6:25 “laugh” = to ridicule by looking down upon other’s misfortune

* Toyohiko Kagawa (1888-1960)

“The sun shines to every corner of the world,

But it is concealed by the black curtain of sin.

What takes this away is love and the cross.

Gratitude for Christmas of 1959, Toyohiko Kagawa”

Thoughts to share at Mini Church:

1. Why can it be said “Blessed are you who are poor”?

2. What is the “reward” God gives us? (Refer to Luke 18:29-30)

3. Why does it say “woe to you who are rich”?

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