❖ Video ❖ Audio The Work of the Holy Spirit 1: Leading Us to Eternal Life Romans 8:1-11 Mari Ikeda   We are going to enter into chapter 8 of the Book of Romans from today, and I want to read this chapter as a three-part series titled, “the Work of the Holy Spirit,” as that is the theme of this chapter. So far in Romans, it has been repeatedly emphasized that we are unable to save ourselves by our own strength, but this chapter 8 talks about the Holy Spirit, who can lead us to a right direction. A right direction is the direction of Jesus. Jesus wanted to…

❖ Video ❖ Audio Hallelujah! O My Soul! Psalm 104:24-35 Andy Nagahara A. Human conscience and morals cannot save  1. Both us and the leviathan (24-26) 24 How many are your works, O LORD! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. 25 There is the sea, vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number– living things both large and small. 26 There the ships go to and fro, and the leviathan, which you formed to frolic there. 2. God gives and God takes away (27-30) 27 These all look to you to give them their food at the proper time.28 When you give it to them,…

❖ Video ❖ Audio We Cannot Save Ourselves Romans 7:7-25 Mari Ikeda    Today I would like to talk about the concept that ‘we cannot save ourselves’. Both personal and social problems have the same underlying problem which is our human sin. We all need to take responsibility for our actions; however, we need to know that our underlying problem is so serious that it is beyond our control. In the face of that problem, human conscience and morality are of no help, and trying to fix it with effort and perseverance will not fix it.    The main part of today’s topic is a bit abstract and depressing, but…

❖ Video ❖ Audio Thank you, God! Psalm 104:10-23 Andy Nagahara 1. The blessing of water (10-13) 10 He makes springs pour water into the ravines; it flows between the mountains. 11 They give water to all the beasts of the field; the wild donkeys quench their thirst. 12 The birds of the air nest by the waters; they sing among the branches. 13 He waters the mountains from his upper chambers; the earth is satisfied by the fruit of his work.  2. The good things God gives (15-18) 14 He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for man to cultivate– bringing forth food from the earth: 15 wine that gladdens the…

❖ Video ❖ Audio The Curse of “Needing to Be Loved” Romans 7:1-6 Mari Ikeda   When you hear this title of the message today, some of you may feel it is not your matter of concern. I’m aware of myself being in this curse of “needing to be loved,” but I guess not everyone feels such curse. However, although it depends on the person how much he or she is affected by this curse, we can learn from the Bible that we all as human beings of all ages can easily fall into this curse. Today, I’d like to read the whole text of the today’s Bible passage. Romans…