Churches are expected to do good work that serves and takes root in their communities. Some churches advance social welfare; some offer English or music or sport classes. Other churches reach out to the sick, such as cancer patients. Whatever form this may take, pastors and church members can use their unique gifts and backgrounds to serve the community. For example, the posters below promote a cancer support event. Mr and Mrs Fukuhara, members of IBF church, are involved in this support group called “Philosophy of Cancer, Outpatient Care”. With the help of Nagareyama City, their group will run an admission-free event involving discussions with invited speakers and panelists who
Two baptism testimonies
Every year, many Japanese choose to receive baptism during Christmas service. In the church I pastor, we had two young people receive baptism during the Christmas of 2018. We were most thankful for them. Below are their testimonies, which I hope may bring you joy as you read them and see God’s work in their lives. I was raised in a Christian home, so it was natural for me to attend church. But I got very busy in middle school with extra-curricular activities, which took place every day including Sundays. I could barely attend church for those three years in middle school. Looking back on it, I wasn’t close to
1 Kings 19 sermon, Part 2 of 2, “Elisha’s Calling”
From a sermon series on 1 Kings by See Huang Lim, a missionary at IBF. In our last few sermons, we focused on the story of Elijah, one of the greatest prophets in the Old Testament. Today, our story will begin to transition into Elijah’s successor, Elisha. We will be reading from 1 Kings 19:19-21. Here, I would like to draw 3 themes: (1) God’s unique way of calling, (2) the greatness of self-sacrificial service, and (3) the cost of following God. [Read 1 Kings 19:19-21] God’s unique way of calling First, Elisha’s calling is unique. One day, Elijah just happens to come walking across the field and throw
Misunderstandings happen easily
An international student at our church took the initiative to organize fellowship for young people through frisbee. On that day, an elementary school-age boy happened to be at the park and joined in their game. He seemed to have enjoyed himself very much and wanted to keep playing with the group. The organizers said he should ask his parents for permission first, if he wanted to play with them at church. The boy went home and told his parents. Perhaps he told them how fun it was to play frisbee with those nice people, or perhaps he said that the church had English classes and that he wanted to visit.
1 Kings 19 sermon, Part 1 of 2, “God’s Depressed Prophet”
From a sermon series on 1 Kings by See Huang Lim, a missionary at IBF. God’s Depressed Prophet After the climatic competition between Elijah and the prophets of Baal, as readers we might think that the nation of Israel will finally turn back to God. Unfortunately, as we enter 1 Kings 19, we see Elijah losing hope. From this chapter, I want to highlight 3 points: 1) God’s depressed prophet, 2) God’s gentleness, 3) God can restore our hope. [Read 1 Kings 19:1-18] God’s Depressed Prophet First, let’s look at God’s depressed prophet. Some psychologists define depression as loss of hope. As human beings, we need hope to keep living.
1 Kings 18 sermon, Part 2 of 2, “Elijah and Prayer”
From a sermon series on 1 Kings by See Huang Lim, a missionary at IBF. Last month, we saw how God sent a drought to discipline the Israelites under King Ahab who turned away from the worship of God to the worship of Baal. Then, we witnessed the great contest between the 450 prophets of Baal against the prophet Elijah at Mt. Carmel. God demonstrated that He alone was God by bringing down fire from heaven, showing that Baal was a false god. This miraculous sign was meant to draw the Israelites back to God. Today, we continue our story of Elijah, which deals with prayer. [Read 1 Kings 18:41-46]
1 Kings 18 sermon, Part 1 of 2, “Elijah and the Prophets of Baal”
From a sermon series on 1 Kings by See Huang Lim, a missionary at IBF. Today’s story is a dramatic one. 1 Kings 18 is about the fiery contest between Elijah and the prophets of Baal. During this time, Israel had turned away from worshipping the one true God, in exchange for gods like Baal. Elijah’s mission was to bring them back to the God of Israel. [Read 1 Kings 18:1-40] There are 3 characters I would like to reflect on from this passage: 1) Obadiah shows we serve God in diverse ways, 2) Elijah was just a servant of God, 3) God demonstrates his power and judgment. With each