❖ Video ❖ Audio The Peace and Hope That Comes From Accepting One Another Romans 15:1-13 Mari Ikeda We are now in August. Every year, this is the time for Japanese to remember the mistake of going to war, but I suppose many people have a special feeling this year because we have learnt so well since the war started in Ukraine last February, how difficult it is to end the war, and how fragile the peace is. Also, it was a memorial day for Hiroshima yesterday, and for Nagasaki it will be the day after tomorrow. Although Japan is the only country to have been bombed with atomic weapons,…

❖ Video ❖ Audio Correctness Is Sometimes Wrong Romans 14:13-23 Mari Ikeda Today we’re going to read the second half of the chapter 14 of Romans. Following the first half of the chapter we read last time, the problem of different opinions in the church on what to eat and what not to eat as believers continues to be discussed here, but the point of emphasis is different today from last time. Let’s start reading, first from v.13-16. 1. We need to know our correctness can sometimes hurt others (13-16) 13 Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling…

❖ Video ❖ Audio ד (Daleth)： The Law as Our Way Series: Finding the Gospel in Psalm 119ーA Hymn to the Law　4/22 Psalm 119:25-32 Andy Nagahara The fourth in the series of Psalm 119, called Hymn to the Law, contains the fourth paragraph, verses 25-32, with the fourth letter of the Hebrew alphabet, dalet, placed at the beginning of each line. Although there is another theory, Daret is said to derive from the letter depicting a door (Hebrew: דללת delet).　　 In today’s passage, you may have noticed the repeated use of the expression way (Way, Path). Way is a frequently used expression in the New Testament.　For example, Jesus himself introduced…

❖ Video ❖ Audio We Must Not Control Other People’s Faith Romans 14:1-12 Mari Ikeda      From today we are going into chapter 14 of the book of Romans. Today, we’ll read 14:1-12, which tells us, “We must not control other people’s faith,” as the title says. As usual, let’s read a little at a time. Let’s start with v.1-3  A. Faith is the one-on-one relationship between God and each person 1. Are there people of weak faith and those of strong faith? (1-3) 1 Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters. 2 One person’s faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose…

❖ Video ❖ Audio ג (Gimel)： Essentials for Strangers Series: Finding the Gospel in Psalm 119ーA Hymn to the Law　3/22 Psalm 119:17-24 Andy Nagahara In this third sermon in our series on Psalm 119, which we have characterized as a “hymn to the law”, we will be focusing on the third paragraph that starts with “gimel” the third letter in the Hebrew alphabet. Gimel comes from the Hebrew word gamal, from which some theorize that we get the English word, “camel.” 　Today is election day for the Upper House in Japan. Has the terrifying event from this past week impacted your vote? This should not be the case. The fact…

❖ Video ❖ Audio Guidelines for Life (Summary of Romans Chapter 12 and 13) Romans 13:8-14 Mari Ikeda      Today, we are going to read the book of Romans 13:8-14. This section is a summary of chapter 12 and 13, summering guidelines for life, how we should live our life. Let’s read from v.8-10 first.  A. Paul’s intention (Romans 13:1-7) 8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. 9 The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are…

❖ Video ❖ Audio ב (Beth): What Does it Mean to Live According to Jesus’ Teachings? Series: Finding the Gospel in Psalm 119ーA Hymn to the Law　2/22 Psalm 119:9-16 Andy Nagahara The longest psalm, Psalm 119, is made up of 22 groups of verses separated by eight verses. Twenty-two is the number of letters in the Hebrew alphabet, and each grouping is in alphabetical order, with the beginning of each sentence all starting with the same letter. Since today is the second in the series, the Hebrew alphabet ב (Beth), which stands for B in English, is used at the beginning of each verse. Last time, I told you that…

❖ Video ❖ Audio Our Attitudes Toward Authority Romans 13:1-7, 1 Peter 2:11-17 Mari Ikeda Dear God, this world suffers many pains and sorrows because of our sin. Help each of us understand your love and work on your justice. Give your guidance to our political leaders in order for them to realize your love in our society. Dear our Lord Jesus, we pray this in your name. Amen.  1 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God…

❖ Video ❖ Audio א (Aleph): The Joy of Walking in the Lord’s Way Series: Finding the Gospel in Psalm 119ーA Hymn to the Law 1/22 Psalm119:1-8, Luke 6:20-26 Andy Nagahara Psalm 119 is the longest psalm, even longer than the previous one, which was longer. The Japanese Bible describes it as an alphabetical song.　The eight verses are grouped together, and the same letters are used at the beginning of each of the eight verses. The 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet are used in order, so for example, in today’s section, the letter of א (Aleph) is placed at the beginning of every sentence in all eight verses in…

❖ Video ❖ Audio Let Us Rely on the Holy Spirit Acts chapter 1-10, John 14:15−21 Mari Ikeda It’s Pentecost today, the day to remember and celebrate the first coming of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God and Jesus. While God, the Son Jesus and the Holy Spirit are one and the same, they are all different from each other. So we don’t need to make a strict distinction among three, today I’d like to focus on who the Holy Spirit is, by reading mainly the book of Acts. Let’s read Acts 1:3-11 first. A.We cannot do anything without the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:3-11) Act1:3…