❖ Video ❖ Audio Joseph’s Solitude ADVENT 1- Matthew 1:18-25 Mari Ikeda Today Advent just started to wait for Christmas. Christmas is a celebration of Jesus’ birth, but I don’t think it’s that easy to celebrate with all of our hearts. The most important meaning of Christmas is Immanuel, that God is with us. But don’t we find ourselves searching for God rather than feeling safe knowing God is with us more often? I think there are times when we know that God is with us, but we can’t feel it. That’s something all people would repeat throughout their lives, and it was the same with the people 2000 years ago…

❖ Video ❖ Audio The Foolishness of Asking: Does the Bible say that  ____   is a sin? Luke 15:11-32, John 8:7-11, 31,32 14:6 Andy Nagahara A. How does the Bible define sin? 1. Sin as a violation of the law 2. Sin in the early church B. How did Jesus view sin? 1. How did Jesus view the law? 2. How has the church defined sin? 3. The right question is “What is sin?” rather than “Is ______ a sin?” Summary We are not under Old Testament law. We also do not follow all of Paul’s teachings from the New Testament. Some people believe that the Bible identifies certain actions…

❖ Video ❖ Audio The Mystery of God’s Choice (Part 2) Romans 9:14-29 Mari Ikeda Continuing from last time, today we will continue with the theme of what God’s choice is and why some are chosen, and some are not. As usual, we will read the second half of Romans 9, verses 14-29, bit by bit. First, verses 14-16. A. God has mercy on whom he has mercy and hardens whom he hardens  1. God’s choice is God’s mercy (14-16) 14 What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all! 15 For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will…

❖ Video ❖ Audio A Steadfast Heart in the Midst of Suffering Psalm 108 Andy Nagahara 0 A song. A psalm of David.1 My heart is steadfast, O God; I will sing and make music with all my soul.2 Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn.3 I will praise you, O LORD, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples.4 For great is your love, higher than the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies.5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens, and let your glory be over all the earth. 6 Save us and help us with your right hand, that those you love…

❖ Video ❖ Audio The Mystery of God’s Choice (Part 1) Romans 9:1-13 Mari Ikeda A. The reality that the people chosen by God are rejecting God (1-5, Deuteronomy 7:6-8) 1 I speak the truth in Christ—I am not lying, my conscience confirms it through the Holy Spirit— 2 I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people, those of my own race, 4 the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption to sonship; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship…