❖ Video ❖ Audio (Message) Listening and Conveying Proverbs 13 Andy Nagahara Today, I would like us to focus on the word “word” in Proverbs chapter 13 and think about how we should live as people who believe in Jesus as God. Let’s begin by reading the central proverb for today, which is verse 13. He who scorns instruction will pay for it, but he who respects a command is rewarded. A. The concept of “words” as conveyed in the Bible The NIV paraphrases the word “words” here as instructions (from God). In addition, many Japanese translations prior to the New Interconfessional Translation use the term “Word of God.” The…

❖ Video ❖ Audio (Message) The Joy and Grief of Living With Jesus John 16:16-24 Mari Yoshino Today, continuing from last week, we will read from the Gospel of John. Today’s passage is 16:16-24. The Gospel of John is now approaching its final stages. For some time now, we’ve been reading Jesus’ farewell message to His disciples, and that will conclude next time. Today’s passage begins with a conversation between Jesus and His disciples that feels a bit roundabout, although there’s probably deep meaning there. Let’s start reading. First, verses 16-20. A. How long is “a little while”? (16-20) 16 Jesus went on to say, “In a little while you…

❖ Video ❖ Audio (Message) The Holy Spirit Guides Us Into God’s Love John 16:5-15 Mari Yoshino Today we continue with the Gospel of John, reading from the latter half of verse 4 through verse 15 of chapter 16. Both Japanese and English Bibles title this passage “The Work of the Holy Spirit,” as it is where Jesus explains the work of the Holy Spirit to His disciples. Today’s message notes are designed so that by following Jesus’ explanation, we can understand the work of the Holy Spirit. “A. In place of the invisible Jesus,” “B. Unveiling the meaning of the Cross,” “C. He guides us into God’s unchanging love.”—that…

❖ Video ❖ Audio (Message) Love defines justice Andy Nagahara Today, I would like to focus on some proverbs from the 12th chapter of Proverbs. Firstly, let me introduce two proverbs. A man cannot be established through wickedness, but the righteous cannot be uprooted. (3)In the way of righteousness there is life; along that path is immortality. (28) These two proverbs are today’s theme. Despite the atrocities committed in the name of “justice” around the world, here is our hope. The justice described here is, of course, not the justice that the tyrants of the world are selfishly claiming today, but the justice that God seeks. It says that even…

❖ Video ❖ Audio (Message) Amidst Conflict and Confusion John 15:18-16:4 Mari Yoshino Today, I’d like to return to our series on the Gospel of John after some time. We’ll be looking at John 15:18–16:4. I believe this passage can be easily misunderstood if not read carefully. Let’s start reading right away. As usual, we’ll read it bit by bit. First, verses 18–21. A. Things to remember when undertaking God’s work 1. The world that hated Jesus was the very world He desired to save.（18-21) 18 “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you…