Author: RCCM

↓Audio link to the full sermon The central verse of this sermon is “You give them something to eat” (Mark 6:37). The verse comes from the story of Jesus’ miraculously providing food for a crowd of 5,000 people. When he looked on this crowd, Jesus felt deep compassion for them as they were like sheep without a shepherd, and he taught them many things. Then he challenged his disciples to provide food for the hungry crowd. Their logical response: It would take some 200 denarii (equivalent to today’s 2 million yen) and they didn’t have that kind of money to buy so much food. You can read the rest of

In my last sermon, we read about the woman who had suffered bleeding for 12 years. Jesus had said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering” (Mark 5:34). Compare this with the response Jesus received in his hometown: “What’s this wisdom that has been given him? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing? Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” They took offense at him. And it is written that he was not able to perform miracles there… Jesus was amazed by their

IBF holds its candlelight service on December 24 every year. Through worship songs and a handbell performance, we experience and share the joy of Jesus’ birth 2,000 years ago. Jesus Christ is the Savior and Messiah prophesied by the Old Testament who was born to bear our sins and die on the cross for us. We affirm this each year through the words of the Bible at the candlelight service. The word “Christmas” means the celebration of Christ’s birth (Christ + Mas). Those who believe in Christ will experience freedom of heart and the start of a new life. I hope that we will start 2020 with a renewed heart

Parable of the sower (Mark 4: 1-20) / How to be productive in the kingdom Introduction: Today, we will look at a well-known and familiar parable. Read Mark 4:1-9 first. (vs 13-20 for context) A parable is a teaching method which Jesus uses frequently to teach people who want to follow him. It uses everyday situation to teach life lessons. Teaching from the parable has deep implications for the wide audience – of those who seek and those who follow. From the Gospel perspective, our heart’s readiness to receive the Word is crucial to those who have yet to believe. While in the Christian living perspective – our heart’s receptiveness

Journey to a blessed life with God (2 Peter 1:3-4) I once watched a movie – The pursuit of happiness – with Will Smith as the main character. It is true story about a man’s one year struggle being homeless together with his young son. It showcase the American dream to be successful in the land of opportunity. In the story, Chris Gardner had problems with his wife which ended up in separation. He takes his son on a journey wanting to be a successful stock broker. Before he could do that, he needed to support himself by selling a special machine to doctors while interning at a famous stock

The 2019 Asia Covenant Consultation was held in Pune, India, and we visited the country from October 8 to 12. About 70 participants from Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, South Africa, Nepal, America, and India joined the conference. Pastor Kou gave the main lecture on the theme of “Unity and Diversity in the Church.” Each participating country gave its report, and Taiwan’s Pastor Wu presented on his vision. We also heard presentations on various ministries. Worship was led by Japan’s Pastor Ochiai, Pastor Seino, and Pastor Hiyoshi. During a tour of outreach sites, we visited places in the Equator area where employment training for women and church-based nursery schools were conducted. When the

1 Corinthians 10:27-29 says, “If some unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is put before you without raising questions of conscience. But if anyone says to you, ‘This has been offered in sacrifice,’ then do not eat it, both for the sake of the man who told you and for conscience’ sake–the other man’s conscience, I mean, not yours. For why should my freedom be judged by another’s conscience?” The church is a gathering of people with a common mission. But because it is a gathering of people, interpersonal conflicts tend to arise. Even in the denomination I belong to, there have been