❖ Video
❖ Audio (Message)
A Promise to Live Loving God and Loving Others
(Your Church Covenant)
Mari Yoshino
1. Love and serve God
a. Trust and obey God above all else (Mark 12:29-31, 8:34-37)
29 “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:29-31)
These two commandments spoken by Jesus encompass all three commitments of the Your Church Covenant. However, as Jesus states here—“the first commandment (the most important commandment), the second commandment”—there is an order to the three commitments. The first commitment—“to love God and serve God”—is the crucial foundation upon which the other two commitments rest.
Our journey of faith begins with affirming that our Lord is the one and only Lord, God alone, and that no one and nothing is more precious than God. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul…” means that no matter what you are doing or who you are with, you should consider what God desires and continue doing what you can. This is what it means to live trusting God above all else, and to worship God in every aspect of our lives.
The “Your” in Your Church refers first and foremost to God. We belong to God. Each of us begins our journey by confessing to God, “I am yours,” and asking, “Teach me your will.” Jesus also described what this journey looks like in Mark 8:34-37.
34 Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 35 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. 36 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? 37 Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?(Mark 8:34-37)
Living in obedience to Jesus means living within the grace of knowing His love revealed on the cross. We have come to know that nothing is more valuable than seeing Jesus’ love realized in this world. If our lives can be used for this purpose, nothing could bring us greater joy. Though each of us still faces our own challenges, we have been given a path to live for what holds eternal value, free from being dominated by those challenges.
b. Do not hide weakness and mistakes before God （Luke 18:9-14, Mark 10:13-16）
9 To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ 13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ 14 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Luke 18:9-14)
What God requires of us is not strength or righteousness achieved by our own power, but an attitude that frankly admits our mistakes and seeks God’s mercy. This also means we need not hide our weakness before God, but may boldly ask for help. As it is written in Mark 10:13-16:
13 People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” 16 And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them. (Mark 10:13-16)
We are God’s children, loved by God. We can trust in God without fear or worry, and God delights in this.
In this way, the attitude of trusting God without hiding our weaknesses or mistakes before Him is also the attitude required of us regarding our financial resources. Mark 12:41-44.
c. Make offerings pleasing to God （Mark 12:41-44）
41 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. 43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.” (Mark 12:41-44)
Offerings are part of our worship to God. They are used for church operating expenses. At Your Church, they primarily cover rent, pastor’s salary, utilities, and the purchase of supplies and consumables. I believe most churches are similar in this regard. Your Church’s finances are reported to members monthly, but we are happy to show them to anyone who requests them, even if they are not a member. As Jesus taught, the most important thing about giving is that each person gives cheerfully according to their own circumstances, without comparing themselves to others. Therefore, Your Church does not set aside a specific time for giving during worship services, nor do we provide a space to write names when giving. No one knows how much anyone else gives.
If you feel that Your Church is carrying out God’s work and you wish to be a part of it, please decide how you will give offerings within your own relationship with God. If you are struggling financially, you are not obligated to give. Traditionally, one-tenth of one’s income is considered a guideline, often called the tithe, but please decide on an amount that you believe will bring joy to God. Above all, as we have discussed, the most important offering we can give is not money, but each person’s very presence.
Next, let us learn from Jesus about the second commitment: loving and serving one another. First, Matthew 18:19-20.
2. Love and serve one another
a. Pray for one another （Matthew 18:19-20)
19 “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” (Matthew 18:19-20)
Trusting and loving God is not something anyone can do alone. Everyone first learns God’s love from someone else, and then passes it on to the next person. And there are times when we want to trust God but find ourselves unable to. There are times when praying alone feels like grasping the sky, leaving us feeling empty. But strangely enough, when we honestly share this with someone, even if the situation hasn’t changed at all, we can come to understand that God is truly with us. Jesus teaches us that where two or three gather seeking Him, He is truly present among them. Therefore, I believe the most fundamental and vital aspect of loving and serving one another is listening to each other’s stories and praying together, looking up to Jesus. The experience of praying together, sharing each other’s struggles, and rejoicing together strengthens us.
However, we are also imperfect beings unlike Jesus, so even when we intend to love one another, we sometimes end up hurting each other. That is why it is necessary for us to forgive one another. Let us read Matthew 18:21-22.
b. Forgive one another （Matthew 18:21-22)
21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” 22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. (Matthew 18:21-22)
“Forgive seventy-seven times” means “forgive as many times as necessary.” This does not imply we must endure all others’ mistakes and accept them no matter how painful. We are all beloved children of God; it is not that one person can live selfishly while the other must suppress themselves and endure. Yet at the same time, no one is righteous before God. We are all sinners in need of God’s forgiveness, and God has forgiven us. Therefore, even when problems arise with family or friends and the other person is clearly wrong, we must remember that God forgives and loves them too. It is important to consider what forgiving them means for us specifically—whether to discuss it, whether to continue the relationship or keep some distance—while still acknowledging their mistake.
This idea of “forgiving one another” also connects to “serving one another.” Let’s read Matthew 20:25-28.
c. Serve one another （Matthew 20:25-28)
25 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 26 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:25-28)
We all unconsciously establish hierarchies among people. Before God, we are all equally children of God, nothing more than forgiven sinners. Yet, we hold prejudices and discriminate against each other based on age, gender, gender identity or sexual orientation, education, occupation, marital status, presence of disability or illness, nationality, race, experience, and so on. Furthermore, a common mistake within the church community is creating a divide between long-standing members and new members or recent visitors. If we refuse to listen to newcomers’ opinions simply because “that’s how we’ve always done it,” that is wrong. If we seek to live following Jesus’ example, we must adopt an attitude of trying to understand what we previously refused to know, rather than forcing others to conform to our familiar ways. Only then can we become aware of the unconscious discrimination within ourselves and be transformed.
The first meaning of “Your” in Your Church refers to God, but the second meaning refers to those who are new to Your Church. Your Church belongs to God, not to the long-time members. How should we change for God and for those who are newly joining this church? This is something each member must consider.
In this way, loving and serving one another means reenacting within our relationships how Jesus loved and forgave us. It can also be expressed as seeing Jesus in one another. Let us read John 15:12-13.
d. Seeing Jesus in each other （John 15:12-13)
12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. (John 15:12-13)
Laying down one’s life for a friend has a literal meaning, but applying it to what we’ve discussed so far, I believe it means the following. First, sharing in a friend’s troubles and suffering, praying together, and not sparing our time or effort for them. Next, accepting that God forgives and loves the friend who hurt us, and not allowing ourselves to be ruled by our own hatred or sorrow. Finally, being prepared to give up what we are accustomed to for our friend, and not fearing being changed ourselves. These actions recreate among us the love of Jesus Christ—who, though God, became human, was treated as a sinner, and tasted the despair of being forsaken by God Himself. That is why at Your Church, we treasure the fellowship time after Sunday worship and our weekday mini-church gatherings. We believe we are gathered here to see Jesus in one another and encourage each other. And we believe this fulfills the church’s role as the visible body of the invisible Jesus.
Now, let us consider the third commitment: loving the world and serving the world. First, I would like to read Jesus’ parable from Matthew 25:31-46, but since it is long, I will read only an excerpt.
3. Love and serve the world
a. Treat everyone as you would treat the Lord (Matthew 25:31-46)
…34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ 37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’… (Matthew25:31-46)
Knowing that Jesus was crucified for all people, we have been given the role of bringing that love to places where it has not yet reached. This does not mean becoming missionaries who go to the ends of the earth; it can be fulfilled by respecting and serving everyone around us as we would Jesus. It may bring us no personal reward and may not bring about any particular change in the other person. Yet, by showing concern for someone’s small worries or troubles, the world changes. God truly sees these small acts of love from us and rejoices over them.
Moreover, knowing God’s forgiveness, we have a role to fulfill even amidst the hatred and hostility that abounds in this world. Let us read Luke 6:27-36.
b. Love your enemies (Luke 6:27-36)
27 “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29 If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. 30 Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you. 32 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. 35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. (Luke 6:27-36)
How difficult it is for us to put into practice what Jesus is saying here. No one can avoid feeling fear or anger when met with hostility or hatred. It seems only natural to feel anger when unjustly insulted or exploited. Yet Jesus tells us, “Do not remain caught up in that cycle; you yourselves must break it.”
The love of God that Jesus taught us on the cross is unconditional love—love that bears the sins of sinners and forgives them. God has entrusted even the choice of whether to receive that love to us. It is a love that pours itself out one-sidedly without seeking anything in return, forgiving and accepting us time and time again. From our human perspective, it seems foolish and unfairly fair, a love so vast it defies full comprehension. Yet, through those who have received it, this world has been transformed. We too are part of the line of those who have received it, and God uses us to expand the realm where His love reigns in this world.
Finally, let us read Mark 4:30-32.
c. Seeing God’s Kingdom in this world (Mark 4:30-32）
30 Again he said, “What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? 31 It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth. 32 Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade.” (Mark 4:30-32)
The kingdom of God is where God’s love reigns. Looking at the reality of the world, it might seem like just a fantasy. Yet, the kingdom of God has indeed already begun in this world. A mustard seed, as you might recall from grain mustard, is a tiny seed about 2 millimeters in diameter. Jesus said that the kingdom of God begins like that—small and fragile, like a seed that could be blown away by the wind easily.
Loving this world means precisely that. The slight growth in our hearts or the small changes in our relationships that come from trusting God may seem to have an utterly insignificant impact on this world. Yet, it is indeed the beginning of God’s kingdom. That slight change moves someone’s heart, moves society, and changes the world. It happens over a long time, and we may never see the results in our lifetime. But precisely because of this, we can continue to live loving God and loving people where we are placed, not bound by visible changes, but placing our hope in the growth of God’s kingdom that is not yet seen.
If you wish to join us on this journey and walk together with Your Church, please sign the Covenant to become a member. If you have any concerns or questions, please ask. Let us look forward to what God will reveal to each of us in our lives and to Your Church’s journey over the coming year.
(Prayer) The kingdom of God is where God’s love reigns. Looking at the reality of the world, it might seem like just a fantasy. Yet, the kingdom of God has indeed already begun in this world. A mustard seed, as you might recall from grain mustard, is a tiny seed about 2 millimeters in diameter. Jesus said that the kingdom of God begins like that—small and fragile, like a seed that could be blown away by the wind easily.
Loving this world means precisely that. The slight growth in our hearts or the small changes in our relationships that come from trusting God may seem to have an utterly insignificant impact on this world. Yet, it is indeed the beginning of God’s kingdom. That slight change moves someone’s heart, moves society, and changes the world. It happens over a long time, and we may never see the results in our lifetime. But precisely because of this, we can continue to live loving God and loving people where we are placed, not bound by visible changes, but placing our hope in the growth of God’s kingdom that is not yet seen.
If you wish to join us on this journey and walk together with Your Church, please sign the Covenant to become a member. If you have any concerns or questions, please ask. Let us look forward to what God will reveal to each of us in our lives and to Your Church’s journey over the coming year.
Summary
Your Church membership is not automatically renewed. Each year, we decide individually whether to continue walking as members of this church. Your Church members make three commitments: First, to love and serve God; second, to love and serve one another; and third, to love and serve the world. What these mean concretely is something each person considers and practices within their relationship with God. Love and service can be highly abstract and subjective concepts, carrying the risk of becoming self-righteous. Therefore, this time I will introduce many words of Jesus that relate to the contents of these three commitments. Let each of us, without comparing ourselves to others, consider how we each wish to walk this coming year within our one-on-one relationship with God.