❖ Video ❖ Audio (Message) Jesus the sower (Psalm 126) Andy Nagahara Let’s listen to the words of Jesus Christ speaking to us through the Psalm today. Today’s text is Psalm 126. Let’s read the whole thing first. 0 A song of ascents. 1 When the LORD brought back the captives to Zion, we were like men who dreamed.2 Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.”3 The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.4 Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like streams in the Negev.5…

❖ Video ❖ Audio (Message) Eternally Valuable (John 6:22-40) Mari Ikeda Today we continue with the Gospel of John, and today we will read 6:22-40. Actually there is only one theme addressed from today’s passage to the end of this chapter 6, but since it is very long, I will divide it into three sermons. After those three sermons, we will enter the Advent, Christmas season. So, starting today, I would like to spend the next three sermons gradually considering the theme that Jesus is the bread of life that God has given to us. The core of the story is what we will read next time, and today’s passage…

❖ Video ❖ Audio (Message) Those who trust in the LORD (Psalm 125) Andy Nagahara Let’s listen to the Lord our God, Jesus Christ, who speaks to us again through the psalm today. Today’s text is Psalm 125. Let’s read up to verse 2 first. 1. The LORD surrounds us (1,2) 0 A song of ascents.1 Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion,which cannot be shaken but endures forever.2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem,so the LORD surrounds his peopleboth now and forevermore. The phrase we want to focus on is the subject of today’s entire message: that of those who “trust in the Lord”, “Those who trust…

❖ Video ❖ Audio (Message) We Meet Jesus In The Storm (John 6:16-21) Mari Ikeda Today we continue with the Gospel of John, and today we will read 6:16-21. This is another famous passage, like the previous one, which records the miracle of Jesus walking on the water during the storm and catching up with the disciples in their boat. While the previous miracle of the feeding of the crowd of 5,000, which we read last time, is recorded in all four Gospels, today’s passage is recorded in three Gospels other than Luke. And since all three Gospels record the previous passage and today’s passage consecutively, it is likely that…

❖ Video ❖ Audio (Message) Jesus Is The Name Of The Lord (Psalm 124) Andy Nagahara Today’s text is Psalm 124. I am going to talk today about three of the most striking statements in this psalm. Firstly, I will read up to verse 5. 1. If the LORD had not been on our side (1-5) 0 A song of ascents. Of David.1 If the LORD had not been on our side–let Israel say–2 if the LORD had not been on our sidewhen men attacked us,3 when their anger flared against us,they would have swallowed us alive;4 the flood would have engulfed us,the torrent would have swept over us,5 the…

❖ Video ❖ Audio (Message) Where Do You Find Your Bread of Life? (John 6:1-15) Mari Ikeda Today we continue in the Gospel of John, and today we will read 6:1-15. This passage records the miracle of Jesus feeding a crowd of over 5,000 people with a meager amount of food. This miracle is the only one of Jesus’ miracles that is recorded in all four Gospels. Therefore, it was probably the most well-known miracle of the early church. It could be said that the story is that significant. However, even though they record the same miracle, each of the four Gospels has a different emphasis, and this Gospel of…

❖ Video ❖ Audio (Message) Lift up your eyes for the mercy of the Lord (Psalm 123) Andy Nagahara Today’s text is Psalm 123. It’s a short verse, so let’s read it in its entirety first. 0 A song of ascents.1 I lift up my eyes to you,to you whose throne is in heaven.2 As the eyes of slaves look to the hand of their master,as the eyes of a maid look to the hand of her mistress,so our eyes look to the LORD our God,till he shows us his mercy. 3 Have mercy on us, O LORD, have mercy on us,for we have endured much contempt.4 We have endured…

❖ Video ❖ Audio (Message) How We Know Jesus (John 5:31-47) Mari Ikeda Today we continue in the Gospel of John, reading 5:31-47. In this passage, Jesus speaks to the Jews who were trying to kill Him. Jesus tells them why they could not believe in Him and what it means to believe in Him, which I think is important for us. How did we, who already have faith, have faith? And what are the reasons why we sometimes lose sight of Jesus and doubt? I also hope that those of you who do not yet have faith, or are confused about your faith, will know through today’s content what…

❖ Video ❖ Audio (Message) From “My Faith” to “Our Faith” (Psalm 122) Andy Nagahara Today’s text is Psalm 122. This psalm has a different feel than the ones we have read so far, in that the psalmist refers to his companions, his friends, and his siblings with joy.Lately, when it comes to others, only those who persecute or oppose him have appeared, and it has been a heavy feeling, but I am relieved here to see that the psalmist also have friends who can be called “us”. Now, let’s think about the importance of thinking from the perspective of “we” rather than “me” and “our God” rather than “my…

❖ Video ❖ Audio (Message) The LORD watches over you (Psalm 121) Andy Nagahara Today’s text is Psalm 121. Let’s read the entire text first, and then take in two verses at a time. The psalmist begins by declaring, “God is the one who watches over and helps me” (1,2) and calls us, “The one who also watches over you and helps you” (3-8). 0 A song of ascents. 1 I lift up my eyes to the hills– where does my help come from? 2 My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.3 He will not let your foot slip– he who watches over you will not slumber; 4…