↓Audio link to the sermon: (If you can’t listen on your iPhone, please update your iOS) Among English-speaking Christians there is this phrase called “mountaintop experience.” It means a memorable and high moment in a person’s spiritual life. Usually, it’s an event that caused you to feel unusually close to God. Or receive a significant insight from God. Today’s passage in Mark 9 is about a mountaintop experience for three of Jesus’ closest disciples, Peter, James, and John. They had already seen amazing miracles, but what they see here is another level. Besides thinking about this event through their eyes, I want to think about the question, “Why doesn’t God
“They do not know what they do.”(Luke 23:32-37)
↓Audio link to the sermon: (If you can’t listen on your iPhone, please update your iOS) 32 Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. 33 When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. 34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. 35 The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.”
“Costly discipleship and preparing for Jesus’ return” (Mark 8:27-9:1)
↓ Audio link to the sermon: (If you can’t listen on your iPhone, please update your iOS) Today, my message is not a traditional Christmas sermon that focuses on the birth of Jesus and the theme of joy. Instead, it is the continuation of our series on Mark’s gospel. Our passage today is actually about a heavy topic about the cost of discipleship. It is easy to talk about the blessings that Jesus brings to those who believe in him. But the life of a disciple of Jesus is also challenging. We need the full picture of what to expect: both the joy and the hardship. I believe this topic
“Bread, Yeast, and Blindness” (Mark 8:1-26)
↓Audio link to the sermon: (If you can’t listen on your iPhone, please update your iOS) Today’s message is titled “Bread, Yeast, and Blindness.” In the passage we will read, there is yet another story about bread. In fact, it’s the second time in Mark when Jesus feeds a large crowd with just few loaves of bread. When the Bible repeats something, it’s probably important, so we should pay attention to what is repeated. After the feeding of the crowd, Jesus heals a blind man. So let’s see how these stories connect to important themes in the Bible. Before I start, let us pray. [Read Mark 8:1-26] 5 Lessons on
“Even the Dogs Will Be Shown Mercy” (Mark 7:24-37)
↓Audio link to the sermon: (1st worship service recording) (If you can’t listen on your iPhone, please update your iOS) Personally, I don’t know many dog owners in Japan but I imagine they treat their dogs very well and feed them nutritious pet food. I read that, in the past, Japanese people used to feed their dogs leftover rice with miso soup. Many Malaysians still do that; they give leftover rice and other food. Another interesting fact about dogs in Malaysia is that they are considered unclean by the majority of Malaysia’s population, who are Muslim. If a dog’s saliva touches a Muslim person, they should cleanse themselves using a
“What Makes You Clean?” (Mark 7:1-23)
↓ Audio link to the sermon (1st worship service recording): (If you can’t listen on your iPhone, please update your iOS) During my time at a Christian university in Texas, I encountered an interesting policy—no dancing was allowed at school events, except for cultural dances from other countries. The intent was to discourage unhealthy sexual behavior. While the university eventually relaxed this rule, it may still seem overly conservative to many, including Christians. This memory resonates with today’s sermon. In our quest to please God, we can sometimes veer to extremes, as seen in the Pharisees’ misguided approach. Their misinterpretation of God and the Bible led their religious devotion astray.
“Mystery, Healing, Salvation” (Mark 6:45-56)
↓Audio link to the sermon: (1st worship recording) (If you can’t listen on your iPhone, please update your iOS) After watching a cartoon, my daughter asked, “Are ghosts real? I’m scared of ghosts.” In today’s Bible passage, Jesus’ disciples see him walk on water and freak out because they think he’s a ghost. I mean, humans don’t walk on water, right? Unless they’re Japanese ninjas! Anyway, through this supernatural incident, Jesus shows that he is indeed no ordinary person. Let us pray and then read the story. [Read Mark 6:45-55] Another boat story One of my sermons this year was about a similar story: in Mark chapter 4, Jesus’ disciples