To live out our time in reverent fear of God

1 Peter 1:17-21
October 30th 2022, 5th Holy Day of the month
Rev. Tadashi Nagae, pastor

As the ones who have received the wonderful grace of salvation, we are continually taught how we should walk as Christians.

The first is to fear God the Father who judges impartially. God sees everything and judges righteously and impartially. He judges both the good deeds and the bad. He gives rewards for what is good, and deals with what is bad. He is our Father and always guides us. We must fear Him.

The second is to fear God, remembering how great the ransom of redemption was. In order to free us who were slaves to sin, God paid the ransom, the life of His Son. When we remember the greatness of this ransom, we fear the Lord.

The third is to fear God, recognizing that our faith and hope depend on Him. There are many sufferings in our lives, but there is hope in the Lord. We must trust in Him and walk in fear of Him.

Let us walk in fear of the One whom we should truly fear of!

<The Verse of the Bible>

Since you call on a Father who judges each person's work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear.

1 Peter 1:17 (NIV)

Be holy.

1 Peter 1:14-16
October 16h 2022, 3rd Holy Day of the month
Rev. Tadashi Nagae, pastor

We are taught to be holy as the ones who have received wonderful salvation. What should we remember to be holy?

The first is that there is a danger of following the desires we had when we lived in ignorance. We cannot always win the victory over sin just because we are saved or have been believers for a long time. No matter how long we have been believers, we need to recognize and be alert to the danger of following our old desires and sinning.

The second is, when listening to the Word of God, we need to listen and obey like obedient children. The way we listen is important. We are to listen and obey the Word of God with the mind of obedient children, not like stubborn adults.

The third is to conform ourselves to the will of the holy God. We need to be conformed to the Word of the holy God, not to the values of this world or our own thoughts.

Satan is always trying to tempt us and drag us down. Let us be alert and be made holy by the Word of the Lord.

<The Verse of the Bible>

As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do;

1 Peter 1:14-15 (NIV)

Set your hope completely on the grace of God!

1 Peter 1:13
October 9th 2022, 2nd Holy Day of the month
Rev. Tadashi Nagae, pastor

The believers of Jesus Christ were scattered due to the persecution for their faith, but they had the glorious joy which came from salvation. And they were taught here how to walk as Christians.

The first is to have spiritual promptness. It means to keep our hearts alert. The Lord loves us so much that He tells us His will and guides us through His Word. Our steps will be completely different whether we just listen and procrastinate, or we are prompt in obeying.

The second is to be spiritually awakened. Satan is trying to corrupt us and separate us from God and the church. We need to be spiritually awake and alert.

The third is to wait patiently for the blessings of the Second Coming. It is not just to wait in our thoughts, but to put our axis of hope on it. The Lord is coming again. Let us look forward to the time when we will meet Him.

We, even though Christians, tend to set our hope on the things in the world and walk in them, If we are not careful. We must not set our hope on the wrong things. Let us walk our lives setting our hope on the grace given by the Lord of the Second Coming!

<The Verse of the Bible>

Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming.

1 Peter 1:13 (NIV)

As the ones who have been preached the gospel

1 Peter 1:10-12
October 2nd, 2022, 1st Holy Day of the month
Rev. Tadashi Nagae, pastor

Although they were dispersed and suffered from persecution, they had a wonderful joy of salvation. Let us learn how we should walk as the ones who have been preached the gospel.

The first is to eagerly seek the Word of God. Concerning the salvation, the prophets of the Old Testament search intently. It is important for us also to follow their example and intently search the Word of God. The Word leads us to the truth.

The second is to be thankful for the grace that the gospel has been preached. The prophets of the Old Testament could not see the Savior. But the Savior came and fulfilled the work of redemption. Then the gospel was proclaimed to us. We should be thankful for this grace.

The third is to share the gospel with the help of the Holy Spirit. The gospel has been preached not by human power but by the power of the Holy Spirit of God. Now it is up to us to share the gospel to the unsaved by the power of the Holy Spirit.

As those who have been preached the gospel, let us remember that we have a responsibility and a mission!

<The Verse of the Bible>

It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.

1 Peter 1:12 (NIV)