“What does it mean to believe?” (Luke 7:1-10)

↓Audio link to the sermon:(Sunday worship recording) (If you can’t listen on your iPhone, please update your iOS) Sorry, this post is no translate, only available in Japanese. [Luke 7:1-10] 1 When Jesus had finished saying all this to the people who were listening, he entered Capernaum. 2 There a centurion’s servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die. 3 The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. 4 When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, “This man deserves to have you do this, 5 because he loves our

“Come, let us return to the Lord” (Hosea 6:1)

↓Audio link to the sermon:(Sunday worship recording) (If you can’t listen on your iPhone, please update your iOS) My last sermon was on Hosea 3:2. The passage was about God’s work of redemption. Let me briefly summarize it. Hosea 3:2 says, “So I bought her for fifteen shekels of silver and about one-and-a-half homer of barley.” The northern kingdom of Israel was captivated by idol worship and bowed down to Baal; they were unfaithful to God, but God redeemed and saved them. Fifteen shekels of silver was actually only half the price of one slave. That is how unworthy the people of Israel were when God redeemed them. But in

“For true happiness is promised to you.” Luke 6:20-26

↓Audio link to the sermon:(Sunday worship recording) (If you can’t listen on your iPhone, please update your iOS) Sorry, this post is no translate, only available in Japanese. [Luke 6:20-26] 20 Looking at his disciples, he said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. 21 Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. 22 Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. 23 “Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great

キリストにあって　エペソ 1:1-14

↓Audio link to the sermon:(Sunday worship recording) (If you can’t listen on your iPhone, please update your iOS) Today, I would like to talk about the phrase “in Christ.” In today’s passage, the expression “in Christ” appears many times. Do you know how many times? About eight times. Why does it appear eight times? Because it is very important, that’s why it is repeated so often. In Greek, the phrase “in Christ” is “en Christo.” In Paul’s letters, the phrase en Christō is used 64 times. It shows how significant this concept is. “In Christ” means that we who believe in Jesus are in Christ—that is, we belong to Jesus.

“Draw Near to God” James 4:8

↓Audio link to the sermon:(Sunday worship recording) (If you can’t listen on your iPhone, please update your iOS) “Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double‑minded.”(James 4:8) As we all know, we Japanese don’t like to strictly follow just one religion. When I say “we Japanese,” it means “typical Japanese people.” Rather than strictly following a single religion, we Japanese choose different religious practices depending on the situation(or season). For example, in January, here in Japan we Japanese visit a Shinto shrine(初詣) to pray for health and safety in the coming year. In the summer, we