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.

Unlimited Grace In Our Weaknesses

Unlimited Grace in Our Weaknesses | 2 Cor. 12: 1- 10

What do people boast about in this city? What do we boast about the most? In the previous chapter, false apostles were boasting about their national identity, credentials and experiences (ch. 11: 12-21). And so this led Paul to boast reluctantly in order to silence them. But, Paul does this by talking about himself in the third person rather than in the first person. After reluctantly talking about his unusual experiences, he begins to boast in his weaknesses to show where true power comes from. So, in this passage, we are going to discover: a) The experiences that make us proud. b) The thorn that keeps us humble. c) The power that strengthens us.

I Am The Door Of The Sheep

John 10:1-10 | Pastor Ryuta Kimura

Finding the Secret of Contentment

Philippians 4:10-19 | Pastor Matt Dirks

From Mercy To Mercy

Jude 1:21-23 | Pastor Jono Lee

The Sign of The Saviour

The Sign of The Saviour | Isaiah 7:1-14

Isaiah is often called The Fifth Gospel by some of the early church fathers. It's the most quoted book in the New Testament, secondly only to the Psalms. And our text comes right after God called Isaiah to be a prophet (6:1) -around 740 b.c. Here in ch. 7, it's around 735 b.c and Israel is in a national crisis. What do you do when fears come knocking? Where do you put your ultimate trust? In our passage, we'll see:- a) The fears from inside and outside. b) The faith that stands on God's Word. c) The promise of the coming Saviour.

God’s Extraordinary Love Saves Ordinary People

Joshua 2:1-24 | Pastor Shohei Ueki

Welcome One Another

Welcome One Another | Romans 15:1-9

Have you been giving up your Christian freedom for the sake of others? Who are the weaker brothers and sisters God has called you to love? In chapter 14, Paul had talked about freedom of conscience that believers have because of God's grace. He had said that the strong must not be a stumbling block to the weak. Now, he shows that Christian are to use their freedom for the good of their neighbours. So, in this passage, we'll see: a) The selfless example of Christ. b) The true harmony found in Christ. c) The gracious welcome of Christ.