Following The Crucified Christ

Following The Crucified Christ | Luke 9: 18-27

Who is Jesus to you? This is the most important question anyone can ask. And this is the question Luke had been raising until now. Back in v.9, when king Herod was confused about Jesus he asked, ""John I beheaded, but who is this about whom I hear such things? And he sought to see Him." So the question today is not: Are you a Christian? The question is: Who is Jesus to you? Whose version of Jesus are you following? With that in mind, we'll see in our passage: a) Confessing the real Christ. b) Receiving the rejected Christ. c) Following the crucified Christ.

The Love That Conquers All

The Love That Conquers All (Romans 8: 31-39)

What is the one thing that never changes in the midst of changing circumstances? When difficulties come, it is easy to wonder if God has abandoned us. Yet, in v. 28, Paul had said that God works all things "together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose." And there in vv. 29-30, Paul shows that God has always been working for our good, starting before creation, which will continue on to the day of Christ's return. So, from this grand passage, we're going to see:-- a) The God who is for us. b) The trials that deepen us. c) The love that secures us.

Rest In The Gracious Son

Rest in The Gracious Son (Matthew 11: 25-30)

What has been weighing heavy on you? Where do you turn when you're internally exhausted? We live in a fast paced, overworked and distracted society that does not know true rest. But, what is it that prevents us from resting spiritually? Here, in v. 25, we see how God hides His salvation from the proud and reveals it to the humble. And Jesus goes on to reveal the deep relationship He has with the Father (in v. 27) and offers it to those who are weary. So, following in our passage, we'll see:- a) The gracious will of the Father. b) The relationship with the Father. c) The gracious invitation of the Son.

Renewed Submission To Leaders

Renewed Submission To Leaders | Hebrews 13:7-18

Which leaders are you following? The question is not which leaders are we following on social media. But which leaders are we following in a local church? Here, the author was writing to Jewish believers in a hostile Roman culture. In verse 1, he said that they were to continue in love (v. 1), show hospitality (v. 2) and to remember those in prison for Jesus' sake (v. 3). But, beginning in v. 7, he is going to show how the Gospel shapes how we relate to our church leaders. So, following in our passage, we'll see: a) Imitating leaders who speak God's word to us. b) Following Jesus who suffered rejection for us. c) Obeying leaders who watch over our souls.

Renewed Hope In Our Trials

Renewed Hope in Our Trials | 1 Peter 1:3-12

Where do you place your hope trials come your way? Where do you turn when your hopes are dashed? Writing from Rome (AD 63-64), Peter was encouraging believers scattered throughout Asia Minor. In v. 1, he calls them exiles (aliens, gaijins) in a foreign land. As long as we are in this world, we are exiles because this world is not our home. As we journey through this world, hardships and trials come in many forms. But, what is our ultimate hope as Christians? Peter here shows that our hope lies in the future glory God has secured for us. So, follow with me as we look at:- a) The hope to which we are born again. b) The various trials that test our faith. c) The joy that flows from our salvation.

The Gospel for Broken Bodies

The Gospel For Broken Bodies (2 Cor. 4:7-18)

How do you live the Christian life in the midst of hardships? How can we suffer well? The question is not if we will suffer in life. But, how can we suffer well? In a very polite society, we often smile outwardly with no one to share our burdens with. But here in our passage, Paul shares honestly about the sufferings he endured. He shows us the source of his strength and encouragement, and the great future that awaits believers. And so, follow with me as we look at:- a) The treasure in our broken bodies. b) The grace that extends to more people. c) The weight of glory that awaits us.

The Gospel in The City

The Gospel in The City | Matthew 9: 25-38

What are the things that break God's heart in this city? Back in v.1, Jesus had come into his own city--called Capernaum. Capenaum was an important trade route between Damascus and Egypt. And because the location had many visitors, the fame of Jesus spread far and wide through the traders who passed by Capernaum. So, as Jesus continued His journey throughout the cities, He was deeply moved by the sins and sufferings of the people. With that in mind, we'll see from our passage:-- a) The brokenness in our cities. b) The compassion of our Shepherd. c) The need for more laborers.

Regeneration: The Glory of Christ in The Gospel

The Glory of Christ in The Gospel | 2 Corinthians 4: 1-7

What has been discouraging you lately? It is easy to lose heart as we look at life's circumstances, isn't it? As Christians, we are a tiny minority in this nation. We are a small church in this city. The harvest is plentiful, the consumers are many, and the workers are few. And behind all this is an unseen enemy--whom Paul calls "the god of this age" (v.4). But, Paul here shows us how, despite all his sufferings as an apostle, he did not lose heart. So what kept Paul moving forward in the midst of hardships? What was it that Paul saw He wanted us to see? In our passage, we'll see:- a) The undeserved ministry we have received. b) The veil that blinds unbelieving minds. c) The glory that shines in the face of Christ.

Justification By Faith Alone

Justification By Faith Alone (Luke 18: 9-14)

When you get up in the morning and look in the mirror what do you see? While we might prefer to not look, it's more freeing to see what needs to be cleansed as we dress up. What do we see when we look in the mirror of God's Word? This famous parable is one of the most important parables in Luke's Gospel. Here, Jesus was already on His way to Jerusalem (ch. 17: 11). And in this great story, Jesus paints a vivid picture between religion and irreligion-and what it means to be justified before a holy God. So, from this parable we'll see that:- a) Justification is not based on religion. b) Justification is not based on irreligion. c) Justification is based on what Jesus has done.

Sanctification By Grace Alone

Sanctification By Grace Alone (Titus 2: 11-14)

How does Christian growth happen? Paul had written this letter to a young pastor, Titus, around mid-60s A.D. Paul had left Titus in Crete to make sure everything was in order while Paul returned to Achaia. Here, Paul writes that Christian growth happens by growing in our understanding of God's grace. He shows that God's grace not only saves us at the point of conversion, but grows us as Christians as we wait for Jesus' return. So, in our passage, we'll see: a) The grace of God that saves us. b). The grace of God that trains us. c) The grace of God that awaits us.

Regeneration | Made Alive

Regeneration | Made Alive (Ephesians 2: 1-10)

How many of you admire the beauty of Mt. Fuji?? Mt. Fuji has inspired many artists, painters, musicians and writers since ancient times. Many people climb to the top to see the beautiful Sunrise. But, at the bottom of Mt. Fuji is a famous suicide forest---a place of the dead. Here, Paul takes us down to the place of the dead and to the heights of heaven. Writing from prison in Rome (AD 62), he began this letter by celebrating the spiritual blessings believers have in Christ (in ch. 1). And now, he reminds us of the depths from which God has raised us up. So, in our passage, we'll see: a) The depths of our sins. b) The heights of God's grace. c) The result of saving grace.

Pressing on Toward The Upward Call

Pressing on Toward The Upward Call (Philippians 3:12-21)

What is your main aim in life? Each year, we often make new year resolutions which we can't keep. But what is the ultimate goal of the Christian life? A few verses earlier (in wv. 10-11), Paul said his main aim in life is to know Christ and the power of His resurrection. Writing from his prison in Rome (AD 60-62), Paul is encouraging believers outside of prison--to press on toward maturity. So, picking up in v. 12, we're going to see the importance of:- a) Pressing on toward maturity. b) Imitating examples of faith. c) Waiting for the coming Saviour.

The Return Of The True King

The Return of The True King | Matthew 2:13-23

What does living a life in submission to King Jesus look like? Last week, we saw in v. 3 that once king Herod heard about the search for a newborn King he was deeply troubled. Even though Jesus was just a harmless baby, His entry into the world was a threat to wicked rulers. But after the wise men were told in a dream not to return to Herod, they returned to "their own country by another way" (v. 12). And this made Herod very furious! So, picking up in v. 13 we'll see: a) Those who oppose the newborn King. b) Those who are fooled by the newborn king. c) Those who are saved by the rejected King.

The Arrival Of The New King

The Arrival of The New King | Matthew 2: 1-12

How many of you know the Christmas song, "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing"? Four times in that song it says, "Glory to the newborn King!" Here, Matthew tells us that news of the newborn King had brought wise men from the east. But the religious people were indifferent while King Herod was deeply troubled by news of this new born King! So how will we respond to this newborn King? In our passage, we'll see 3 responses to the newborn King:- 1) Those who are troubled by the new King. 2) Those who are against the new King. 3) Those who worship the true King.

The Purpose Of His Coming

The Purpose of His Coming | Matthew 1: 18-25

Do you know your family tree, family history? A few verses before this, we see the family tree of Jesus (in v. 1-17). The family tree of Jesus tells us that Christianity is not a myth or a legend, but rooted in history. Like many family histories, this family tree is filled with beauty, sin and brokenness. Yet, it had long been foretold that a root from that family tree would come and bear fruit (Isaiah 11: 1). So picking up in v. 18, we'll see afresh that: a) Jesus is God who became one of us. b) Jesus is God who came to save us. c) Jesus is God who came to be with us.

Emmanuel | God With Us

Emmanuel: God With Us | Matthew 1: 18-25

Last week, we saw in John 1: 1, how Jesus is the eternal Word. Jesus existed long before creation began. But in Matthew, we see the family tree of Jesus in v. 1-17. The family tree of Jesus tells us that Christianity is not a myth or a legend, but rooted in history. While this story is new to many and familiar to some of us, there is so much about lesus we have yet to see! So picking up from v. 18, we'll see afresh that: a) Jesus is God who became one of us. b) Jesus is God who came to save us. c) is God who came to be with us.

The Theology Of Christmas

The Theology of Christmas | John 1: 1-17

What comes to your mind when you think about Christmas? In Japan, Christmas is a holiday for lovers, illuminations and decorations or anime episodes. But what is your theology of Christmas? Everyone has a theology! When you think about God, you are doing theology. So here in the Gospel of John, we see a grand view of who lesus is and what He has come to do. From our passage we'll see that: a) Jesus existed before time began. b) Jesus came to give us the new birth. c) Jesus became flesh to show us God's glory.

The Promise Of His Coming

The Promise of His Coming | Isaiah 7: 1-14

What do you do when people or circumstances look bigger than God? You feel overwhelmed, isn't it? Today's passage comes right after God calls Isaiah to be a prophet. Here in ch.7, it's around 735 b.c and Israel is in a national crisis. After king Solomon died, 10 tribes from northern Israel formed their own state. And only 2 tribes in the south remained faithful to the house of David. By this time, the cruel Assyrian Empire was flexing its muscles and ready to invade Israel. So, what do you do when fears come knocking? Where do you put your ultimate trust? In our passage, we'll see:- a) The fear that shakes our hearts. b) The faith that stands on God's Word. c) The promise of the coming Saviour.

The Light Of The Saviour

The Light of The Saviour I Isaiah 9: 1-7

Last week, we saw (in ch. 7) Israel facing the Assyrian threat around 735 b.c. Israel had joined forces with Syria to invade Ahaz and Judah. But instead of trusting in God, Ahaz trusted the Assyrian army, which led the nation into a deep darkness. When you look at the problems of the world do you see only darkness? Because Isaiah tells of a glorious future awaiting God's people. So in our passage, we see:- a) Those on whom the light has shone. b) Those who rejoice with increasing joy. c) Those who receive the Prince of peace.

The Inner Life Of A Believer

The Inner Life of A Believer | Luke 10: 38-42

How is your inner life doing? Can your inner life sustain what you do in your homes and workplaces? Here, Luke tells us that as Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem, He entered a village. There a woman welcomed Him and showed Him hospitality. Like the good Samaritan (in wv. 25-37), this woman began to serve her guests. The other woman, however, was simply sitting at Jesus' feet. Why did Luke tell this story? In our passage, we'll discover the importance of: a) Welcoming Jesus in our spaces. b) Serving Jesus with a non-anxious heart. c) Listening to Jesus in the scriptures.