Sermon Video Mini-Series | Corona and Christ

Corona Crisis Response | Matthew 14: 22- 36 | Pastor Joey Zorina |

In this episode of our mini-series we turn to Matthew 14: 22- 36 where we follow 3 main insights: a) The renewal of faith we all need. b) The fear that drowns our faith c) The sovereign hand that holds our faith.

Rom. 8: 31- 39 | Pastor Joey Zorina | The Love of Christ in Turbulent Times

In this episode of our minis-series we turn to Romans 8: 31-39 where we follow 3 main insights: a) The God who is for us b) The danger that threatens us c) The love of Christ that secures us.

Video Streamed on Sunday March 29th | Youtube

March 22 Sunday Sermon: Manuscript

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Sermon Manuscript

Note: Due to technical difficulty the sermon for March 22 was not recorded.

Theme: God’s Goodness in Uncertain Times (Romans 8: 26--30)

Intro. In light of the Covid-19 pandemic, we will continue with a mini-series from Romans 8: 26- 30. We’ll pick it up from vv. 31 to 39 next week. But today, here is a question for us: Where do we turn when a global crisis that is beyond our control hits us? How do we navigate through life in uncertain and changing times? Here in this passage, Paul writing from Corinth in the 50s AD, talks about the tension between our present suffering and the hope of future glory. So, from our text, here are 3 insights we’re going to follow together. a) The Spirit’s help in our weakness. b) The good that God works in our suffering. c) The future glory that awaits us in Christ.

a) The Spirit’s help in our weakness.

26. Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27. And He who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

Q. Are you aware of the Spirit’s work in your life? Most Christians are quite familiar with God the Father, God the Son, but know very little of the Holy Spirit. From v. 1 until v. 17 Paul had been talking about the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of Christians. So here in v. 26, he says again, “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness.” Paul does not mean that the Holy Spirit comes to help only when we don’t have strength. No. Christians can never live the Christian life on their own strength. And therefore they need the Spirit’s help all the time. That’s what the word weakness here means. Keep in mind, the Christians here lived in a culture where the Romans idolized strength and greatness. It was a society in which those who showed weakness were not respected. But the word weakness here means inability to restrain corrupt desires. Inability to bear trials and troubles. In other words, there is nothing Christians can do to add to their salvation, and there is nothing they can do to bear spiritual fruit on their own. And so Paul says, “the Spirit helps us in our weakness.” He helps carry a heavy load!

He wants the Roman church to know that the Spirit’s help is always present. Again, notice the weakness Paul is talking about here in v. 26. He says, “For we do not know what to pray for as we ought.” Have you ever suffered to a point that you don’t even know what you ought to pray? In times of tremendous suffering, Paul says, we do not know what to pray for as we ought. In this context, Paul is talking about how the whole creation has been suffering and groaning. In times of suffering, he says, it’s hard to pray. It’s hard to describe the pain in words, even to your friends or family members. Earlier in v. 22 Paul says the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. The image there is like a pregnant woman, laboring in childbirth pains! And in v. 23 he said, “we groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for...the redemption of our bodies.” There is a kind of suffering that is hard to express in human words, except by internal groaning. And many people feel it, we see it around us, and hear of it everyday in the news! And there is a kind of suffering that exposes more of our weakness. As C.S Lewis famously said: -

“We can ignore even pleasure. But pain insists upon being attended to. God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world”― (C.S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain).

See, pain reminds us that we are weak, that we are not in control. Pain shatters the illusion that we can be our own gods, ruling our own destinies. Suffering shatters our pride and awakens our desperate need for God! Pain insists that we listen to God’s voice!

V. 26. So Paul here says: the Spirit helps us in our weakness. He enters into our pain. He says, “the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” Here, the Spirit is groaning with us. He is closer than family members and closest friends in our suffering. He understands our deepest fears, frustrations and pains. In John 15: 26, the Holy Spirit is called The Helper. Someone who pleads our cause, an intercessor. And here He is pleading our case before God. He is interceding for us. He advocates for us. He comes to live inside the believer with strengthening grace. Your natural strengths can blind you to your need for reliance on the Spirit. See, if you want the Holy Spirit’s power, all you need is your weakness. Weakness shows your vulnerability. Weakness helps you realize how fragile, broken, and in need of help you are!

Notice again how Paul says: “For we do not know what to pray for as we ought.” BUT in v. 27, he says, “He who searches our hearts knows.” God searches our hearts like a searchlight. You can hide from others, but there is no hiding from God. You can hide your weakness and sins, but God searches our hearts. See, your weakness is not your enemy. It’s a channel for the Spirit’s strength. Often, in times of suffering, many people say: “What is God’s will for my life?” See, you may not know the will of God, or know how you ought to pray, but God knows the mind of the Spirit. He has sent His Spirit to help in your weakness. This is why (in v. 27) Paul says the Spirit intercedes for us according to God’s will. And so next we see:-

b) The good that God works in our suffering.

28. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose. 29. For those whom He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, in order that He might be the firstborn among many brothers.

Remember how Paul said: “the Spirit intercedes for us according to God’s will”? What is God’s will here? Here in v. 28, Paul says, “we KNOW.” There are many things we don’t know in this world of suffering, confusion and chaos. But one thing we know for sure! We know how all of our suffering and groaning is going to turn out. Paul says, “we KNOW that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.” All things are going to work for good, not worse!

But who is this promise for? Paul says this promise is, “for those who love God.” That’s the first commandment. What you love more than God, the God of the Universe, is an idol- a false god. Any created thing, including ideas, that you love more than God is an idol (says Roms. 1). In times of suffering, the idols of the heart are shown to be disappointing. This is what God wants you to see. He wants you to turn from things that your heart loves more than Him. Why? Because He has called you “according to His purpose.” And because there is nothing better than God Himself.

If you’re not a Christian, you may be wondering: If God is good then why is there so much suffering in the world ? The Buddhist and Hindu answer is karma. Karma is a principle of cause and effect. According to karma, you get what you deserve based on your deeds. This cycle repeats itself. But Christianity says: God gives you what you don’t deserve. He works all things for your good even in your suffering. So why is there so much suffering in the world with a good God? If “all things work together for good” why is there so much suffering in the world with a good God? See, just because we can’t think of any reason does not mean God does not have a reason. Right here, Paul says, “We KNOW” God has a reason! What we know is that suffering is not meaningless in Christianity. God, in His infinite wisdom, is working for our good. Paul says: We KNOW there is good that God is working in our suffering. There is grace for those who are called according to His purpose. See, all things that are not good at the moment- sickness, diseases, suffering, evil, they work together for good in the end. All of those things that are working against you now, God is working for your good. And this promise is for you- “for those who love God” and for those who are called.”

Now, what does it mean to be called? Paul says in v. 29, “For those whom He foreknew He also predestined.” That word foreknew means “to know before hand.” And predestined means “to choose beforehand.” Can you imagine? God knew you before the foundations of the world? He knew you, long before the ages began. He knows everything about you, your background, your history, your deepest longings, your deepest secrets, thoughts and sins. He knew you long before you were born. And He chose you, because He loves you! Paul says, in v. 29, “For those whom He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son.” See, God knew you, chose you and called you to be in His Son. So, what is the good that God is working for you? He is conforming you to the image of His Son. See, if you’re a Japanese, you’ll become a much better Japanese. You’ll get an upgrade. God will conform you into a beautiful image- into the image of His Son. He will make you new, and increasingly beautify you. Paul says, in the midst of all weakness and suffering God is working to beautify us- to look more and more like Christ. If you’re a Christian, be encouraged; your sanctification will be complete and perfect one day. Even though the image of God in us has been distorted by sin, God is calling us to Christ. That’s what Paul says here: “in order that He [Christ] might be the FIRSTBORN among the brothers.”

Do you see how the Spirit lifts up Christ (in v. 29)? Paul says, Jesus is, “the firstborn among many.” The O. T places great significance on the firstborn. It speaks of superiority in position, authority, preeminence, a special status; with double portions of inheritance. See, Jesus is “the firstborn of all creation” (in Col 1:15). He was not created by anyone, but He is the sovereign Lord over all creation. In Lk 2:7, Jesus in His incarnation is called the firstborn son of Mary. In Col. 1:18, Paul says Jesus “is the beginning [He has always been there! No one created Him. Everything else had a beginning. But Jesus didn’t! He simply is! He is THE BEGINNING] the firstborn from the dead, that in everything HE might be preeminent.” And in Rev. 1: 5, Jesus is “the firstborn of the dead, and THE Ruler of kings on earth.” Finally, He will be exalted as the Firstborn when God gathers all of us as His children to His eternal home. So, finally we see:

c) The future glory that awaits us in Christ.

30. And those whom He predestined He also called, and those whom He called He also justified, and those whom He justified He also glorified.

Notice carefully how Paul says: Those whom He predestined He also called. That’s called effectual calling. The reason we came to Christ was because God called us by His Spirit. Yes, you made many mini-decisions in your journey of coming to Christ. But it was not your decisions that brought you to Christ. It was God regenerating you, while you were dead in your tresspasses and sins. He called you from deadness to life in Christ. And Paul says: Those whom He called He also justified. And those whom He justified, finally He also glorified. Beautiful! The sequence is significant. Our salvation is a work of God’s sovereign grace. From the beginning to the end- in God’s plan of salvation, you were predestined, you were called, and you were justified. And then finally you are glorified with Christ! The word glorified there means: given the highest honor, clothed with splendor, not to be corrupted. To be transformed. To shine without fading! Look again: The implications are massive here. Jesus did not come to make sinners into moralistic people. He died and rose again to make new people, a glorified people, who are transformed into His likeness. Without sin, without sickness, diseases and limitations or weakness. He called you in weakness and one day you will achieve true greatness as you are glorified with Christ when He returns!

Notice how there is nothing that Christians contribute to their salvation here (in v. 30). It’s all a work of God’s sovereign grace! Christians are chosen, called and justified through the finished work of Jesus on the Cross. Do you see that word justified? That’s a legal term- a courtroom language! The theme of justification by faith is one of the main themes in Romans. Justified means to be declared righteous, not guilty! So, if we are not justified by our works, but by faith, what does that do to our hearts? There’s an implication here: If you want to know how secure you are in your justification, look at how you respond when corrected. If God justified us by faith alone, why are we still trying to justify ourselves when people confront our sins or correct us? Aha! There’s still self-righteousness that we think that is worth defending, isn’t it? There is an inner lawyer in my heart that I often call up when people confront me or try to correct me. When I do that I bring myself back into the courtroom! I’m still trying to defend my works-righteousness. If the court is adjourned and the judge has declared me not guilty, but righteous, why is my heart still trying to justify? See, it means my heart is not yet secure in my justification. It shows that my heart is not secure in the truth that I am justified by faith. So, if God is the One who justified us by faith, we, of all people, are to be the most humble! We would be free!

Look again here! What is God’s plan for us from the beginning of time? He predestined us. The God of the universe, long before the foundations of the world, predestined us. And He called us through the preaching of the Gospel. There is nothing we have done to deserve this. Jesus received the wrath of God we deserved in order that we might be justified by His work- not our works. There is nothing we have done to add to God’s sovereign plan. He called us by grace in His Son. And He justified us. He declared us righteous, not guilty, because Jesus took our guilt and condemnation (v. 1)!

So, if we really believe (functionally) that God is the one who justified us, we will feel less and less self-righteous. That’s sanctification! We will feel less and less defensive, when corrected, if Christ is our defense! Why? Because self-righteousness is not worth defending! It has been crucified with Christ! If God’s justifying grace is ravishing to you heart, you’ll feel less self-righteous! And you won’t look down your nose on others! How can you? Look at this verse again! (v. 30). If God is the One who justified us by faith, our works will not make us proud. Serving others will not make us proud! Ministry will not make us proud! Because this verse says there is nothing we bring to the table of grace. It’s all God’s sovereign grace working in us from the beginning to the end. Paul says we have received the call of God through His Son. God called weak people who cannot contribute anything to their redemption. Why is this such a great hope for us? Because if He has predestined us, everything is in His sovereign hands. If He has called us and justified us by His grace, not as a result of our works, He will see our salvation to the end. Our future is secure!

Why is this such a great comfort? Look again at the word “glorified!” It’s in the past tense! This is beyond all comparison! Paul said earlier, in v. 18, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” Our future glory has been secured by Jesus’ work on the Cross.

Do you remember how Paul said earlier, in v. 28, “all things work together for good for those who are called” ? See, this is the “good” that God is working in you to the end of your life, until Christ returns. Even though you are weak, struggling to pray, even though you’re still imperfect and sinful, even though you are groaning because of pain , frustrated and suffering, God is working it all together for your good. And this will lead to final glorification with Jesus (v. 30). He will glorify us with Christ when Christ returns. This is why Paul said earlier, in v. 17, that we’re “fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him.” No sufferings, no pain, no guilt, no evil, no virus, no sin, no depression, no death shall stand in the way of God’s plan to redeem and restore this entire creation. No longer will we “fall short of the glory of God” (as Rom. 3:23 says). God’s plan to save us began from eternity past to eternity in the future, and God will carry out this plan perfectly. He does this for our good and for His glory!

So, let’s rejoice! Let’s rejoice that our future is glorious and secure in Jesus! Rejoice and be glad! Let the nations be glad and sing for joy! Christians, of all people, are to be rejoicing for their future has been secured in the finished work of Jesus. And let’s share this great hope with others who are fearful, far from us, and weak like us, so that they too can become part of God’s plan of salvation.

| Pastor Joey Zorina | March 22 | Sunday | ©TheBridgeFellowshipTokyo |

Pastoral Letter To The Congregation | CoronaVirus

Note: Japanese text below. 日本語下に見てください。

Pastoral Letter 2020 .jpg

親愛なるBridge Family の皆さんへ

世界的にコロナウィルスによって多くの苦しみがもたらされています。今週、日本政府は大規模なイベントを延期したり、縮小するように国民に要請しました。全国の小中高、学校も臨時休校にするよう要請が出ました。最新情報を常に知ることは重要ですが、メディアの過剰な報道よって恐れや不安が取り除かれることもありません。私たちの教会は小規模なコミュニティなので、賛美、礼拝のために一緒に集まります。そして、私たちの心を、神さまに向け、神さまが全てを支配しておられることを思い起こしましょう。

予防、対策として

①入口にお手拭きを用意します。

②予防のため外ではマスクを着用してください。

③礼拝の間は、人と話す時に握手ではなく日本人スタイルでお辞儀をしましょう。

詩篇91編より、神さまの守りの約束のことばをシェアします。

「夜、脅かすものをも 昼、飛んで来る矢をも、恐れることはない。 暗黒の中を行く疫病も 真昼に襲う病魔も あなたの傍らに一千の人 あなたの右に一万の人が倒れるときすら あなたを襲うことはない。 あなたの目が、それを眺めるのみ。 神に逆らう者の受ける報いを見ているのみ。 あなたは主を避けどころとし いと高き神を宿るところとした。 あなたには災難もふりかかることがなく 天幕には疫病も触れることがない。 主はあなたのために、御使いに命じて あなたの道のどこにおいても守らせてくださる。」 ‭‭詩編‬ ‭91:5-11‬

罪(コロナウイルスよりもはるかに致命的なもの)は、何千年もの間、人類を殺してきました。だからこそ、救い主イエスさまが私たちを救いに来られたのです。イエスさまはいつの日か戻られ、全ての病、全ての苦しみを癒してくれます。それまでの間、主権者である神さまが許さない限り、悪が私たちに降りかかってくることはないという保証があります。そして、私たちには祈り、人をケアし、福音の明るい希望を伝え、私たちがどこにいても、傷ついた世界を慰めていく責任があります。 いと高き神、イエスさまは、私たちの心が住うところであり、避け所です。 正しい人は彼のもとへ駆け込み、そして守られます。

たくさんの愛と祈りを込めて

牧師 ジョーイ」

The Servant King Who Gave His All (マルコの福音書 12章38~44節)

(マルコの福音書 12章38~44節) 2019年9月29日

先週はある律法学者がイエスに、最も大切な律法について質問しましたね。その後イエスは「宮」で人々を 教え続けました。今日はイエスの「宮」での教えから学んでいきます。

1)宗教を見せびらかす人々(38~40節)

パリサイ人やサドカイ人と対立してのち、「誰もイエスにあえて尋ねる者がいなかった」(34節)とあ る。そしてイエスは引き続き「律法学者たちに気をつけなさい」と警告する。学者たちは「長い衣を着て歩 き回る」、つまり自分が宗教的に敬虔であることを見せびらかすのが好きだという。認められることに執着 し、外面を磨く。「広場で挨拶される」人から敬われるために生きている。だからイエスは、マタイ23章5 節で「彼らがしている行いはすべて人に見せるため」と言う。もし私たちが「すべて神の栄光のために」と 口で言いながら奉仕をしても、心の中をよく吟味する必要がある。

現代でも、外面を磨くことへの執着が文化になっている。誰もが人の賞賛を強く求めている。「会堂で上 席に、宴会で上座に」(39節)座ること自体が罪なのか?そうではない。しかし何かが(良いものでさ え)あなたの心の中で究極の価値となるなら、それは偶像である。30、31節でイエスは、最も重要な戒め は心、いのち、知性、力を尽くして「あなたの神、主を愛する」ことだと教えられた。律法学者たちは戒め をよく学んでいたが、力や高い立場を神よりも愛していた。もしあなたが職場で、神を愛するよりも、栄誉 や高い地位を愛しているなら、何かに失敗する時が来たら恥に打ちのめされてしまうだろう。

「やもめの家を食い尽くす」(40節)とは…。1世紀から、律法学者たちは熱心なユダヤ教徒にもてな しを受けていたが、中には、地位を濫用して貧しいやもめらから搾取する者もいた。今日も、労働者を不法 に酷使し、報酬を払わない企業もある。イエスは不正な学者たちに言及し、彼らが「見栄をはって長く祈 る」と指摘する。宮は「あらゆる民の祈りの家」(11章17節)であるはずなのに、他人に感心してもらう ための祈りとなっている。こういう人たちは「より厳しい罰を受ける」とイエスは言う。旧約聖書に、やも めを虐待する者は滅ぼされるとある(イザヤ10章1~4節)。いかなる不正も罰を免れないし、宗教学者た ちはより厳しい裁きを受けるというのである。しかしイエスの教えはそれだけではない。。。

2)自分を犠牲にして与える者(41~42節)

(註:宮の中には、異邦人の部屋、婦人たちの部屋があった。)イエスは11章の異邦人の部屋から、婦人 たちの部屋へと移られた。婦人たちの部屋の壁には、らっぱの形をした入れ物が13個、献金のために取り 付けられていた。

イエスは「献金箱の向かい側に座り」、人々が献金箱にお金を投げ入れる様子を「見ておられた」(41 節)。(英語では”watched”:観察するという語)。献金は、キリスト者が神に捧げる礼拝の、一つの形。 だから、その心がどこにあるかが非常に重要。律法学者たちは人々にどう見られるかを気にしていたが、神 にどう見られるかは頭になかった。しかしイエスは「見ておられ」、彼らが神を礼拝しているかどうかをご 存知だった。弟子たちには「人に見せるために人前で善行をしないように気をつけなさい。そうでないと、 天におられるあなたがたの父から報いを受けられません」(マタイ6章1節)と教えられている。献げもの をするとき、神のみがあなたの聴衆である。

「多くの金持ちがたくさん投げ入れていた」とある。エルサレムでは『過越しの祭り』の期間中であっ た。レプタ銅貨はパレスチナで最も小額の通貨で、2レプタあっても宮の建築費として献金箱に入れるか、 小さないけにえを買うお金にしかならなかった。

想像してみよう。たくさんの硬貨を献金箱に入れたら、ジャラジャラと大きな音がして、人々は誰がそん なにお金を入れたのかを見るために振り返るだろう。自分の富を見せびらかすのは容易い。一方このやもめ のコインは、「ティン」と小さな音を立てることしかできなかった。着ている物も金持ちの長い衣のように 立派ではなかっただろう。しかしこのやもめの心は神に向いていた。

ここで律法学者たちや、偉そうな金持ちを批判するのは簡単である。しかし私たち一人ひとりも、神の前 に自分の心を問うてみる必要がある。私は自分の賜物を、時間を、お金を、そしてエネルギーを、神に献げ ているか?と。最も大きな間違いは、神に属するものを、私たちが神にお返しせず、自分の利益のために用 いていることだからだ。17節でイエスが「カエサルのものはカエサルに、神のものは神に返しなさい」と 言われたのは、税金がカエサルに属するなら、礼拝と献げものは神に属するという意味であった。あなたは 神の「かたち」に造られた、だからあなたの人生と、あなたが持っているものは神に属する。あなたのすべ てが、神への献げものであってふさわしい。

神がくださった賜物、時間、エネルギーを、あなたは何のために使っているだろうか。あなたにいのちを くださった神に、あなたが持っているものを捧げない、それほどの間違いがあるだろうか。もし学者たちが 「より厳しい罰を受ける」のだとしたら、神に対していのちを捧げることを拒む者たちにも同じ罰があるこ とだろう。しかし、この罰の中に私たちはとどまる必要がない。私たちが捧げることができないものを、捧 げてくださった方がおられるからだ。

3)私たちのために、すべてを捧げられた方 (43~44節)

「あり余る中から投げ入れた」(44節)人々を褒めなかったイエス。裕福な有名人が多額の寄付をする 時、人々は彼らを褒め称える。なぜイエスは褒めなかったのか。犠牲を伴わない捧げものだったからだ。彼 らは何も失わなかった。なぜイエスはこのやもめを「だれよりも多く投げ入れた」(43節)と褒めたの か。貧しい中から、持っているすべてを捧げたから。彼女の礼拝は、失うものの大きい行為だった。しかし 彼女はすべてを捧げることで、自分の必要を満たしてくださる神に信頼を寄せた。

旧約聖書は、持ち物の10分の1を捧げるよう教えているが、彼女は10分の10を捧げた。なぜそのような ことができたのか。答えはただ一つ、彼女が神を愛し、自分を養ってくださる唯一の方として信頼していた から。もし私たちが本当に、自分のいのち、仕事、健康のすべてが神からのものと信じるなら、なぜ神に捧 げられないものがあるのだろうか。

金持ちに恵んでもらわなければ生活できなかった彼女が、献金を免除されることを求めなかった。自己憐 憫して「これしか持ってないなんて、不公平です」とは言わなかった。彼女の富は、彼女の持ち物ではな かった。彼女の富は、神の寛大さによって定義されていた。あの裕福な青年は、持ち物を貧しい人に分け与 えるように教えられて「悲しみながら立ち去った」(10章22節)。学者たちは自分たちの評判や富よりも 神を愛すことができず、貧しいやもめたちを愛することができなかったが、このやもめは自分のすべてを尽 くして神を愛した。この愛は、何かを私たちに思い出させないだろうか。イエスはご自分がメシアであるこ とを教えられたばかりだった(36節)。イエスがやもめの献金を褒められたのは、それがご自分がこれか ら十字架上で示される犠牲によく似た例であったからではないか。だいぶ後に、パウロはコリントの教会に 宛てて書いた手紙の中で、主の犠牲に言及している。

「あなたがたは、私たちの主イエス・キリストの恵みを知っています。すなわち、主は富んでおられたの に、あなたがたのために貧しくなられました。それは、あなたがたが、キリストの貧しさによって富む者と なるためです」(第二コリント8章9節)

「タイズ(10分の1献金)が旧約聖書のルールなら、新約以降の教会が捧げものを求められる理由はない だろう?」と言う人もいる。しかしむしろ「福音を理解した私たちが、旧約で求められたタイズよりも捧げ ない理由はないだろう?」と問うべきだ。マケドニアの教会は規定以上に捧げていた(第二コリント8章3 節)。どうしたら私たちは欲から解放され、神への捧げものとなって自由に生きることができるだろうか。 十字架ですべてを捧げられたイエス、私たちのために喜んで、貧しくなられたイエスに目を留めよう。貧し さの最たるものは、すべての祝福の源である神から切り離された状態。私たちは罪を犯し、その裁きを受け るにふさわしい者だが、キリストがそれを代わりに受けてくださった。すべての王の中でもっとも豊かであ られた王が、あなたが「富む者となるため」、その富を投げ出された。このキリストの恵みを今日味わって ください。それがあなたの心を溶かし、あなたを新しくするまで。毎日、毎時間、毎分、あなたが安息と、 平安と、喜びと、満足を経験するまで、あなたの心の中で欲望の鎖が壊れるまで、キリストの満ち溢れる恵 みを見つめてください。キリストこそが真の富です。

イエスは「会堂で上席に、宴会で上座に座る」ために来られなかった。最もさげすまれた場所を、十字架 を、選ばれた。そこで、私たちの罪のため、恥と貧しさとを味わわれた。律法学者たちと対照的に、イエス は弱い者、社会から追い出された者、やもめ、そして罪人たちに、ご自分のいのちを惜しみなく差し出され た。私たちが生きることのできない犠牲的な生き方を、イエスは示され、私たち全員が捧げるものをはるか に超えて、ご自分自身を捧げられた。「あなたがたは、私たちの主イエス・キリストの恵みを知っていま す」とパウロは言う。キリストにより、あなたがたは富んでいる。その恵みをよく見てください。

もしキリストの恵みと寛大さに圧倒されているならば、私たちも寛大で献身的な生き方をするようにな る。あなたのために血を流された寛大な救い主の姿を見るとき、あなたは自分の時間や賜物やエネルギーを 彼のために出し惜しむことはできないだろう。私たちの与えられているすべてを、キリストとその福音のた めに、共に捧げていきましょう。

The Gospel of Mark Series | Ch. 12: 38- 44 | Pastor Joey Zorina

In this episode we learn about how the gospel frees us from the grip of greed and motivates us to live sacrificially and generously. The gospel is the antidote to everything.

Gospel Priority: Seeking First The Kingdom.

Read Matthew 6: 24-34.  

Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6: 33).


In the everyday rhythms of this anxious and busy city how can we have peace?  

If we try to seek first the kingdom of God without His righteousness, we will be self-righteous and religious, but we will miss the true King and His kingdom.  

If we try to seek these additional things before the kingdom of God, they will become our kings and disappoint us with false promises.

If we try to build our mini-kingdoms by seeking the additional things, we will remain outside of His kingdom forever as outcasts!  

If we make these additional things into ultimate things, and try to build our own kingdom, they will leave us empty and crush us in the end.  These additional things that we seek apart from Him are the very source of our anxiety.

So how can we seek the Kingdom of God first and have peace?

  • Receive the greatest King who came to seek you first.  Receive the King of kings who gave up all His wealth to seek and save you from sins that are destroying you.

  • Receive the King who gave His all to save you from your kingdom that was enslaving you with anxiety.  

  • Receive the King who came to be the last even though He is the first, in order that you might be clothed with royal robe in His Kingdom.  

  • Receive His righteousness and renounce yours.  Let His righteousness be your security so that you can be free from the insecurity that these additional things bring.  Let His righteousness free you from a heart of contempt.

  • Rest in His righteousness by repenting of your self-righteousness.  

  • Receive His Kingdom and renounce your little kingdom.  Align everything you do with His kingdom in mind. Say no to former priorities that were preventing you from entering His Kingdom.  Say yes to the priorities that will help you seek His kingdom everyday.  Reimagine your life and job as participation of His kingdom advance.  Lastly, rest in His promise that “all these things will be added to you.”  

什一献金は今日でも必要でしょうか?

Is Tithing Required Today? (for English click here)

什一献金は今日でも必要でしょうか?

什一献金(収入の十分の一を献金すること)について反論や混乱を招いている主な原因としては、それが旧約聖書で定められていた事であるため、「新約聖書の時代の教会でも必要なことなのか」という疑問が湧いてきます。

実際、新約聖書のどこにも什一献金を捧げるべきだとは書いていません。教会によってはマラキ書3:10の聖書個所を乱用して、義務的に献金を行い見返りを期待するよう教えていますが、新約聖書の中では什一献金をするように命令している箇所はありません。

しかし、使徒パウロがコリントの教会に手紙を書いた時、彼は全く異なる方法でアプローチをしました。彼はコリントの教会に惜しみなく捧げるよう励ますため、マケドニアの教会の気前の良さを例に取りました。

パウロは彼らに(2コリント8:1)“マケドニアの諸教会に与えられた神の恵みについて”知ってほしかったのです。それらの教会は(2節)“苦しみゆえの激しい試練の中にあっても、彼らの満ちあふれる喜びは、その極度の貧しさにもかかわらず、あふれ出て、その惜しみなく施す富となった”のです。

彼らの体験した神の恵みがあふれ出て、彼らの貧しさにも関わらず、惜しみなく施す富となりました。彼らを惜しみなく施すよう突き動かしたのは、福音の恵みによる“満ちあふれる喜び”でした。言い換えれば、彼らは什一献金以上(旧約聖書で必要とされていた以上)に捧げていたのです。  

たくさんの恵みを受け取った新約聖書の信者たちとして、パウロは(3節)“彼らは自ら進んで、力に応じ、いや以上にささげ”  たと言いました。

彼らは什一献金以上に捧げました。そしてパウロは義務感や意思の力に訴えかけるのではなく(8節)“私は命令するのではありません”と続けました。その代りに、既に受け取っている福音の豊かさを思い出すように言いました(9節)“あなたがたは、私たちの主イエス・キリストの恵みを知っています。すなわち、主は富んでおられたのに、あなたがたのために貧しくなられました。それは、あなたがたが、キリストの貧しさによって富む者となるためです”。

ティム・ケラーは新約聖書のザアカイがイエスと出会った時の場面を思い返し、ザアカイが悔い改めた後についてこのように言いました。

“ザアカイは収入の50%を貧しい人々に捧げると約束した。それは律法で定められた10%を遥かに上回る額である。今日では、収入の10%を寄付するというと莫大な額のように思われるが、裕福な人々はそれ以上に捧げても快適な生活を送る事ができる。ザアカイは進み出た時にその事を知っていた。彼の心が変えられていたのだ。救いが律法によるものではなく恵みによるものだと分かっていたため、律法を満たすためだけに生きようとはしなかった。それ以上に進み出た・・・イエスは私たちを救うために、自身の命と血の‘十分の一’を捧げただろうか?それとも全てだっただろうか?・・・私たちは神が救いのために成された業を少ししか理解していない者達のように、収入のほんの一部を捧げるような者には決してなりたくない”(ティム・ケラー:偽りの神々)

シンプルな言葉で言うと、新約聖書の信者たちが旧約聖書の信者たちよりも多くの恵みを受け取っているなら、私達にはより自由に捧げる理由があります。

私たちが捧げる量は、無償の恵みという福音をどれだけ理解いているかを表します。または、自分自身のプライドのため(“私は定期的に什一献金を捧げている”)や恐れ(“もし捧げなければ面目が立たない”)によります。

しかし福音の中で、私たちはキリストにある神の恵みの動機づけられて捧げる事ができます“主は富んでおられたのに、あなたがたのために貧しくなられました。それは、あなたがたが、キリストの貧しさによって富む者となるためです”。

イエスは、私たちが永遠に富む者となるために貧しくなられました。神は私たちの心に福音の富を蓄えて下さったため、この地上の誰よりも与える事ができるのです。

パウロが(7節)“この恵みのわざにも富むようになってください。”と言っているのはこのためです。全てを私たちのために捧げて下さった裕福な王を驚き仰ぎつつ、私たちの恵みのわざにも富むようになりましょう。

牧師 Joey Zorina.

Is Tithing Required ?

One of the main objections or confusions regarding giving tithes today is that since tithe (10% of your income) was a requirement in the Old Testament, the question goes: “Why are New Testament churches requiring tithes today?” It is true that nowhere in the New Testament does it say that Christians must tithe. While some churches misuse the text in Malachi 3: 10 to motivate people into giving with great returns, nowhere is there a command to give tithes in the New Testament. However, when the apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians, he took a very different approach. To encourage the Corinthians to give generously to the Jerusalem church, Paul used the generosity of the Macedonians as an example to the Corinthians.

He wanted them to know (v. 1) “about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia.” Although these churches were (v. 2) “in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.” The grace of God they experienced overflowed in a wealth of generosity despite their extreme poverty (not prosperity). It was their “abundance of joy” in the gospel of grace that moved them to give generously. In other words, they gave more than tithes (which was an Old Testament requirement). As New Testament believers who have received so much grace, Paul said, (v. 3) “they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord.” They exceeded tithes.

And instead of appealing to their guilt, or manipulating them to give at the level of their will power, Paul said, (v. 8)  “I say this not as a command.” Rather, he pointed them to the riches of the gospel that they have already received: (v.9) “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you by His poverty might become rich.” 

In his reflection on the story of Zacchaeus’ encounter with Jesus in the New Testament, Tim Keller said that Zacchaeus, after having repented:

“promised to give away 50 percent of his income to the poor. This was far beyond the 10 percent giving that the Mosaic law required. Today, to give away even 10 percent of our income to charity seems an enormous sum, though wealthy people could do much more and still live comfortably. Zacchaeus knew that when he made this offer. His heart had been affected. Since he knew salvation was not through the law, but through grace, he did not aim to live by only fulfilling the letter of the law. He wanted to go beyond it........Did Jesus ‘tithe’ His life and blood to save us or did He give it all? ... We certainly wouldn’t want to be in a position of giving away less of our income than those who had so much less of an understanding of what God did to save them.“ (Tim Keller: Counterfeit Gods)

In simple words, if New Testament believers have received more grace than the Old Testament believers did, we have more reasons to give liberally. Our giving will always be in proportion to our understanding of the gospel of free grace. Our giving will either be motivated by self-congratulatory pride (“I give my tithes regularly”) or fear (“If I don’t give it will make me look bad”). But in the gospel, we can be motivated by the grace of God in Christ “that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you by His poverty might become rich.”  Jesus became poor in order that we might become rich eternally. God has deposited the riches of the gospel in our hearts and therefore we have more to give than anyone else living on the face of the earth.

This is why Paul says, “see that you excel in this act of grace also.” (v. 7). Let’s marvel at our rich King who gave His all for us, and let’s excel in this act of grace also.

Desiring God Through Prayer & Fasting

 “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (Matt. 4:4)

As we announced these past two weeks, we will seeking God through fasting and be praying on Sept. 14 & 28.   Below is a great quote on fasting to help you reflect and prepare for this Friday.

“As an act of faith, Christian fasting is an expression of dissatisfied contentment in the all-sufficiency of Christ.  It is an expression of secure Hunger for God....and happy longing for the all-satisfying fullness of Christ.  Christian fasting does not tremble in the hope of earning anything from Christ.  It looks away from itself to the final payment of Calvary for every blessing it will ever receive.  Christian fasting is not self-wrought discipline that tries to deserve more from God.  It is a hunger for God awakened by the taste of God
freely given in the gospel.” 
—  (John Piper)

If you're new to prayer and fasting, we recommend reading "A Hunger For God: Desiring God Through Fasting & Prayer" by John Piper. (Free PDF here:https://document.desiringgod.org/a-hunger-for-god-en.pdf )

We look forward to seeing you at 7:30 p.m.   https://www.facebook.com/events/2160319837536198/

Stay in Your Church!

“just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another”
— (John. 13:34).   

In the world, we can choose friends who are like us.  When we don’t like them anymore, we often unfriend them.  But Jesus taught His followers to more than "like one another."  Since sin entered the world through Adam, human relationships have not only become hard; but to love one another selflessly is impossible.  The good news is: Jesus came to fulfill the command to love perfectly.   

On the cross, Jesus did not die for lovable people because there are none.  In the greatest act of love in history, He gave His life for His unlovely enemies to make them lovely.   In the church, God chooses family members for us—-from all walks of life.   He chose sinners from different backgrounds with different personalities in order that we might love one another selflessly as He loved us.   As Scott Sauls said:  

“We didn’t choose one another, but we have been given to one another by our Father in heaven, who intends for us to stay together and not hit the eject button when things get difficult or irritating or boring.  And when we stay together, we are the better for it.”

 

Therefore, stay in your church for as long as you can and love others who are not like you.  The perfect church is imperfect because it is full of imperfect saints, forgiven by Christ and are learning to love-- forgiving and serving one another. 

The perfect church we all long for is yet to come when Christ returns.  Until then, look at the costly love poured out for you on the cross and embrace the call to costly love. 

Yours gratefully, 

Pastor Joey.