In the Rule of God

Genesis 1:3-13
June 24th 2018, 4th Holy Day of the month
Rev. Tadashi Nagae, pastor

Today we will learn from the passage on the creation from the day one through the day three.

Firstly, time began in the rule of God. Time was marked as the first day and the second day. It can be said that time is also created by God. It is not a matter of course that time is given to us.

Secondly, the expanse (sky) was made in the rule of God. The sky is not just a space with nothing in it. It is the space which was created by God in order that humans and living creatures can exist in it.

Thirdly, the water was gathered and the land was made in the rule of God. Water is necessary for us to live, but we are too powerless before floodwaters. However, God gathered the water. With His power, He even rules and changes the situation where we are in.

We are under the absolute rule of God. He is always walking with us. Therefore, we don't have to be afraid!

<The Verse of the Bible>

And God said, "Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear." And it was so.

Genesis 1:9 (NIV)

Matured Churches

Ephesians 4:32
June 17th 2018, 3rd Holy Day of the month
Rev. Tadashi Nagae, pastor

Today, Pastor is preaching at the Tsukuba Mission Church. Whether a church is matured or not is revealed when its pastor is out or something unexpected happens. How do matured churches walk their steps?

Firstly, they have worship service as usual. Since they know it is the utmost blessing, privilege, and duty to worship the LORD, they worship the LORD in spirit and in truth as usual.

Secondly, they keep order as usual. The LORD tells us to walk our steps in orderly way. Since they fear the LORD, they don't do something like disturbing order. They behave so that they will keep order.

Thirdly, they understand the LORD's will and behave as usual. Even if they don't have enough, they don't do like blaming others. They are kind one another and help one another. They think what the LORD's will is, understand it and behave spontaneously.

Is Yokohama Church a matured one? Also, is each one of us a matured Christian? No matter what situation we are placed, let us seek the LORD’s will and understand it and behave as a matured church and Christians!

<The Verse of the Bible>

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Ephesians 4:32 (NIV)

From Darkness to Light

Genesis 1:2-3
June 10th 2018, 2nd Holy Day of the month
Rev. Tadashi Nagae, pastor

We can understand that, at the time of verse two, there was a state of chaos, which was formless and empty. Although there are various theories as for the reason, we cannot be sure. Then from that state, God let light be there by His word. Let us learn what are taught from this portion.

Firstly, there comes a state of chaos if being away from God.

Secondly, God is hovering to secure us. The Spirit of God was hovering in a state of hopeless. Here we can find hope. Even now, God is working in the hopeless places, and trying to give us hope.

Thirdly, God can change darkness into light. He has done the same thing to us who were going to perish.

There might be a case that we have to pass through the difficult places where we cannot find hope. Still, the LORD leads us to the way of hope even now!

<The Verse of the Bible>

Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light.

Genesis 1:2-3 (NIV)

In the Beginning, God

Genesis 1:1
June 3rd 2018, 1st Holy Day of the month
Rev. Tadashi Nagae, pastor

When we know the teachings of Genesis and accept them, our view of life will be changed. We will be able to walk our lives with proper self-awareness of ourselves.

Before all things began to exist, God exists. And God created all things out of nothing. Here, we are taught that absolute God exists. Humans tend to have human-centered ideas like God doesn't exist, or we don't know about God. But Genesis tells us that absolute God does exist.

Next, when we accept this God, our way of life will be changed.
Firstly, we will come to fear God and live for Him. Secondly, we will be able to accept ourselves. This is because we will know that our existence was made not by coincidence but by God, and we will be loved everlastingly.

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Let us also confirm this fact at the beginning of a day, and be such ones who fear God and live for Him!

<The Verse of the Bible>

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Genesis 1:1 (NIV)