❖ Video ❖ Audio The Friendship of Mary and Elizabeth ADVENT 3-Luke 1:26-56 Mari Ikeda We have entered the third week of advent. Today, from Luke 1, we will read the story of Mary, who became the mother of Jesus, and Elisabeth, the mother of John the Baptist. Mary and Elisabeth were relatives. We don’t know exactly how old they were, but we can say that they were at least as far apart as grandchildren and grandmothers in the sense of that time. Today, through their relationship, I would like to talk about how God gives us friends who look up to Him and walk with us. It’s a little…

❖ Video ❖ Audio Not a Religious, a Revolutionary, a Politician, but a Friend ADVENT 2- Isaiah 11:1-5, 42:1-4 Andy Nagahara A. The Arrival of the Prophesied Savior (Messiah) (Isaiah 11:1-5) 1 A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.2 The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him– the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD–3 and he will delight in the fear of the LORD. He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears…

❖ 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…