❖ Video ❖ Audio (Message) The Peace That Jesus Gives (John14:25-31) Mari Yoshino Today we continue with the Gospel of John, reading from 14:25-31. This passage summarizes the teachings Jesus gave to His disciples, which began in chapter 13. One of the most memorable and well-known statements in today’s passage is Jesus’ words in verse 27: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.” When we hear the word “peace,” we usually think of “ the absence of war.” But the peace Jesus gives us is not merely the absence of war. Even in the midst of war, even in the midst of any suffering, it is an…

❖ Video ❖ Audio (Message) Which invitation will you accept? (Proverbs 9) Andy Nagahara This morning we are reading chapter 9 of the Proverbs series. The book of Proverbs has 31 chapters and can be divided into five major parts, and today’s text is the last chapter of Part 1. One of the features of the first part was the way in which personified wisdom spoke to us, but here, along with wisdom, its opposite concept, “foolishness,” is also personified, and yet it speaks to and invites people in the same way. Chapter 9 begins with an invitation to wisdom and ends with an invitation to foolishness. The book has…

❖ Video ❖ Audio (Message) Because “Love One Another” is difficult (John14:15-24) Mari Yoshino Today we continue with the Gospel of John, reading from 14:15-24. Let’s quickly begin by reading the first verse. John 14:15. A. “Love one another” 1. If we receive Jesus’ love and love Him (15) 15 “If you love me, keep my commands.  Jesus’ commandment was stated a little earlier. It’s 13:34. 13:34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. “Love one another.” This is the command Jesus gave us. I don’t think anyone would oppose this command, whether they believe in Jesus…

❖ Video ❖ Audio (Message) Happy? Lucky? Blessed? (Proverbs 8:32-36) Andy Nagahara Today’s reading of Proverbs in the series is chapter 8, verses 32-36. Today we would like to listen again to what God is telling us from here. This section is a summary of the first part that we have read so far. It may be difficult to understand just by reading this part, so let’s briefly review the content so far and the background. The Old Testament is the Jewish scriptures that existed before Jesus Christ came to this world. The 39 documents are arranged into four types: 1) the history of Judaism and the Israelites, 2) commandments…

❖ Video ❖ Audio (Message) The Meaning of Believing in Jesus and Its Fruit (John14:8-14) Mari Yoshino Today we continue with the Gospel of John, reading from 14:8-14. This passage begins with one of the disciples, who could not quite grasp who Jesus was, asking Him a question. Jesus’ response teaches us what it means to know Him and thereby know God, and what faith truly is. Furthermore, Jesus also reveals what we gain through having faith. As usual, let’s read it bit by bit. First, verses 8-9. A. Knowing God through Jesus 1. We desire to see God’s face directly (8-9) 8 Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father…

❖ Video ❖ Audio (Message) The origin of Wisdom (Proverbs 8:22-31) Andy Nagahara Today in our Proverbs series, we are going to read verses 8:22-31. Throughout chapter 7, Proverbs teaches the importance of listening to Wisdom. And up until the previous part of chapter 8, Wisdom has been introducing itself and teaching us about its nature. Today’s passage continues that introduction, but here he speaks specifically about the origin of Wisdom. 1. Wisdom created before the creation of the world (22-26) 22 “The LORD brought me forth as the first of his works, before his deeds of old;23 I was appointed from eternity, from the beginning, before the world began.24…

❖ Video ❖ Audio (Message) The Fruits of Wisdom (Proverbs 8:12-21) Andy Nagahara Today in our Proverbs series, we will read verses 8:12-21. Last week we talked about how Jesus is the manifestation of God’s wisdom. Today’s passage tells us that this wisdom gives us the power to reap a bountiful harvest, enough to fill our storehouses. It teaches us about the great power we have, the harvest we can expect, and how to use it. 1. The power to live in reality as followers of Jesus (12-16) 12 “I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I possess knowledge and discretion.13 To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate…

❖ Video ❖ Audio (Message) Are you hearing the call of wisdom? (Proverbs 8:1-11) Andy Nagahara 1 Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice?2 On the heights along the way, where the paths meet, she takes her stand;3 beside the gates leading into the city, at the entrances, she cries aloud:4 “To you, O men, I call out; I raise my voice to all mankind.5 You who are simple, gain prudence; you who are foolish, gain understanding.6 Listen, for I have worthy things to say; I open my lips to speak what is right.7 My mouth speaks what is true, for my lips detest wickedness.8 All…

❖ Video ❖ Audio (Message) What To Remember Amid Anxieties About The Future (John 14:1-7) Mari Ikeda Today we continue with the Gospel of John, reading from 14:1-7. The passage we’ve been reading lately is where Jesus foretells that he will soon be arrested and executed, and that his disciples will abandon him and flee. Yet Jesus shows no anger toward his disciples; rather, he is deeply concerned for them. He knew that for these disciples, who had loved him and given up nearly everything to follow him, both his execution and their own betrayal would be a tremendous trial. That’s why, throughout chapters 13 through 17, which we’ve been…

❖ Video ❖ Audio (Message) Seeing the world through a lattice window (Proverbs 7:1-9) Andy Nagahara We are in chapter 7 today in our series on Proverbs. We are going to read the first nine verses. 1 My son, keep my words and store up my commands within you.2 Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye.3 Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.4 Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and call understanding your kinsman; 5 they will keep you from the adulteress, from the wayward wife with her seductive words.6 At the window of…