❖ Video ❖ Audio What You Cannot Gain Without Letting Go of Everything Mark 10:17-31 Mari Ikeda A.  Letting go of self-confidence 1) The mistake of trying to win God’s approval with good deeds (17-20) 17 As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud,…

❖ Video ❖ Audio The Greatest Source of Jesus’ Indignation Mark 10:13-16 Mari Ikeda 13 People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” 16 And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them. A. Excluding the weak 1) Children 2) Those who are weak in…

❖ Video ❖ Audio But, God’s Word is Not Chained! Andy Nagahara 1. Why should we be strong? (1-2) You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others. 2. What kind of strength does God want for us? a. The strength of a soldier who carries out Jesus’ will (3, 4) Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs–he wants to please his commanding officer. b.…

❖ Video ❖ Audio The Good that is Entrusted to Us Mari Ikeda A. The joy of inheriting faith (3-5) 3 I thank God, whom I serve, as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. 4 Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. 5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. B. What it means to inherit faith 1. Fan the flame of the Holy Spirit (6-7) 1 Now…

❖ Video ❖ Audio Let’s Journey on Toward God’s House Mari Ikeda A. The place where we need to return (Matthew 11:28-30) 28 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. B. Let’s journey on (Hebrews 11) 1. Believing and hoping in what we cannot see (1) 1 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.…

❖ Video ❖ Audio O Come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord  – From the Christian hymn”O Come, All Ye Faithful” The Fourth Sunday of Advent 2019 (Luke 2:8-20, John1:1-14) Andy Nagahara 8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be…

❖ Video ❖ Audio Seeking Peace and Joy  – From the Christian hymn”The First Noel” The Third Sunday of Advent 2019 (Luke 2:8-21) Mari Ikeda 8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a…

❖ Video ❖ Audio Oh Little Town of Bethlehem  – From the Christian hymn”Oh Little Town of Bethlehem” The Second Sunday of Advent 2019 (Micah 5:1, Matthew 2:1-6) Andy Nagahara (Micah5:2) “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” (Matthew 2:1-6)1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the…

❖ Video ❖ Audio “Immanuel” God With Us  – From the Christian hymn “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” The First Sunday of Advent 2019 (Isaiah 7:1-17, Matthew 1:18-25) Mari Ikeda A. The same human reality in the past and in the present 1. Shaken by unexpected fear (1-2) 1 When Ahaz son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, was king of Judah, King Rezin of Aram and Pekah son of Remaliah king of Israel marched up to fight against Jerusalem, but they could not overpower it. 2 Now the house of David was told, “Aram has allied itself with Ephraim”; so the hearts of Ahaz and his people were shaken, as…

❖ Video ❖ Audio What We Need to Tell Future Generations (Psalm 78) Andy Nagahara A. Learning about God’s grace and human rebellion from the history of the Israelites 1. The Jewish people were committed to telling their children about the grace of God A <maskil> of Asaph. O my people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter hidden things, things from of old– what we have heard and known, what our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his…