Author: Japanese Congregational Church

Have you ever been in a situation where you want to run away?  Where everything seems hopeless and the future looks bleak? Many people today feel like fleeing and actually move out.

King David was in one of those tough situations in this Psalm. People around him understood the dangers surrounding David.  Their advice?  “Run away!  You’ll be killed.  Fear for your life! There’s no hope in sticking around!  Everything you’ve built is torn down. Run!”

But, David questions their advice.  His first words in response are,

”In the Lord I take refuge.”  In those words, you can see David’s faith.  Those words are also proclaiming that the Lord is:

1. Protector
2. Provider
3. Comfort 
4. Strength
5. Father, God

David then goes on to explain WHY he will trust in the LORD.

• The Lord is Sovereign/Rules

• The Lord sees everything

• The Lord tests the hearts of men

• The Lord will bring about justice in the end

• The Lord is Righteous

These are more than enough reasons to put our trust in Him.  We need to overcome our fears with faith.  Let us:

 “Trust in the Lord with all our hearts and do not lean on our own understanding; in all our ways submit to him, and he will make our paths straight.”

AMEN!

(The above is a summary of the message shared by Richard Nakamura during our worship on September 26, 2021.)

Acts 10:34-48

Can non-Jewish people be saved? Today, we can say with assurance that, “anyone can be saved, through faith in Jesus Christ.”  When the events depicted in Acts 10 were being played out, this was not the case. The New Testament had not been completed yet, and the Old Testament did not give sufficient guidance to overcome traditional beliefs and expectations.  God uses two men to definitively answer this question – Cornelius and Peter. The first part of Acts 10 tells us what happened.

Acts 10:1-8 – Cornelius was a Roman military leader, part of the occupational forces in Judea. He was not a Jew, but a Gentile. We are not told how it came to be, but Cornelius was a devoted believer of the God of Israel spending much time in prayer. God tells Cornelius to send men to Peter, who is in the city of Joppa, so he sends two slaves and a devout soldier.

Acts 10:9-16 – The next day, Peter is up on the roof praying and God sends him a vision. A sheet containing all sorts of creatures which Jews were not supposed to eat comes down and Peter is commanded to kill and eat. Peter refuses, citing the Jewish laws that forbade him from eating these creatures. A voice tells Peter, “What God has made clean, you must not call profane”.  This vision happened three times.

Keeping the old dietary laws was important to Peter and other devout Jews. They were under Roman occupation, and the empire would like nothing more than to get them to assimilate into the culture. For the Jews to keep their identity as God’s people, it was important to keep these laws to differentiate themselves.

Acts 10:17-23a – While Peter was puzzled about the strange vision, the three men Cornelius had sent arrive, looking for Peter. The Holy Spirit tells Peter that He is the one who sent these men, and that Peter should go with them without hesitation.

Acts 10:23b-33 – The next day, Peter goes with the three men to Cornelius’ house. When Peter arrives, Cornelius falls to his knees and worships him. Peter stops him, telling Cornelius that he is a mortal. Peter informs Cornelius that the Jewish laws made it illegal for him to visit a Gentile, but he is doing so because God had told him to not consider the Gentiles as unclean. Cornelius asks Peter to tell them what the Lord commanded Peter to say.

Acts 10:34ff – Peter speaks to them about how Jesus is the Messiah, and that although he was crucified, dead and buried, He was raised on the third day.  Anyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name. The Gentiles then received the Holy Spirit and were baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.

So as the head of the church, Peter now knows that salvation through Jesus Christ is now available to all people, not just the Jews. This indeed is the good news for the whole world.

It is clear from this passage that it is not Cornelius or Peter that are the main actors.  It is the Holy Spirit that is acting on them, and they are just being carried by the current that the Holy Spirit is providing. It is about repentance being available to all that are willing to turn towards God.

Repentance as presented here is not a courageous step we make toward Christ, nor is it a regretful  feeling for our sins. It is the divine gift of being able to be turned toward truth. Turning towards truth is beyond our power to accomplish. Like Cornelius, we cannot repent – turn around – on our own, so God does it for us. Repentance is more than a decision we make or some good deed we offer to God – repentance is the human response to God’s offer of Himself to us.  Repentance is an act of God’s grace.

Society today is populated with many people who are not living according to God’s will, and some of these are believers. Let us be reminded that God desires to give repentance to all people, even to those who are opposed to God.  Let us be open to the prompting of the Holy Spirit to witness to these people, so that they will have an opportunity to respond to God’s graceful invitation to repent and be saved.

(The above is a summary of the message shared by Shun Takano at our worship service on September 12, 2021.)

Psalm 146:1-10

Two weeks ago I spoke on Psalm 84. “Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere.” We saw that the psalmist longed for God’s presence …although he still had not arrived. He was still wandering in the Baca Valley of tears and troubles. We concluded that JCC was on a pilgrimage. That each of us were on a pilgrimage. And that our posture was to desire God more and more in our lives.

Today, the psalm we are looking at is another psalm of praise. It is one of the “final 5” songs in the Psalter…all with the theme of praise.

The outline is as follows:

Opening Doxology                                        verses 1-2

Personal praise

I will praise God with my whole self!  いのちのあるかぎり

Stanza 1                                                         verses 3-4

Don’t trust in human leaders  君主たちにたよってはならない

The fragility / temporal nature of humans  彼のもろもろの計画は滅びうせる

Stanza 2                                                         verses 5-9

Blessed / happy is the one who trusts only in God!

• Creator of everything  主は天と地と海とその中のいっさいを造った方
• Faithful forever  とこしえまでも真実を守る
• Upholds cause of the oppressed　しいたげられる者のためにさばきを行い
• Gives food to the hungry　飢えた者にパンを与える方
• Sets prisoners free　捕らわれ人を解放される　
• Gives sight to the blind　　主は盲人の目をあけ
• Lifts up those who are bowed down　かがんでいる者を起こされる
• Loves the righteous　　正しい者を愛し、
• Watches over the aliens　主は在留異国人を守る　
• Sustains the fatherless and the widow　みなしごとやもめをささえられ
• Frustrates the ways of the wicked　しかし主は悪者の道を曲げられる

Closing Doxology                                        verse 10

Corporate praise to the Lord!    ハレルヤ

It’s been quite a week in the news and in our world hasn’t it?

• Afghanistan – continuing trauma
• American hospital ICUs filled with COVID patients
• Haiti earthquake and politics
• Wild fires across the west
• Hurricane Ida across the South and Northeast

What does it mean to “praise the Lord” in the midst of these crises?

The ancient Israelites were also often in crisis… this psalm teaches us:

Praise is often an act of discipline.

• We do it not because our circumstances are happy or easy…. but in the face of all evidence to the contrary. In a world gone crazy… God is still worthy of our praise.
• All human plans and efforts are temporal – it is God alone that gives us life and breath and what we need.

Praise can be a form of defiance against wordly powers.

• Despite this mess, we will praise
• A decision to focus on the eternal and not the temporary picture

Praise has the power to change us and our circumstances

• Crying, complaining, and lamenting to God is cathartic and deeply meaningful. But Praising God in tough circumstances has the power to change us in ways that nothing else can!
• Praise isn’t for God’s benefit. It’s for our benefit. We are changed. We recognize again who WE are and who GOD is.

An Example:

Paul and Silas in Philippi

Read the account of Paul and Silas in Acts 16. They were beaten multiple times, put in prison, had their hands and feet put in stocks…. but around midnight it says that they began to sing praises – the prisoners around them were listening… and at the end of this account, they are miraculously freed by an earthquake. Not only that, but the account ends with Paul sharing the gospel with the Philippian jailor and his family.

What would cause Paul and Silas to “sing praises” in prison – in the dark, at midnight, while suffering from their beatings and open sores?! What were the other prisoners thinking when they heard these songs and praises? Does something in this account resonate deep within you? Wouldn’t we all wish to live in this power that sees and recognizes a bigger picture…rather than just the reality in front of us?   May we experience the power of praise in our own lives this week.

(The above is a summary of the message shared during worship on Sept. 5, 2021)

Recently Jon gave me these examples of his poetry… during a visit to his apartment. I thought you would all like to read them. Enjoy! – (this is the first part…. there are a few more poems in part 2 that I will post later….) – Pastor Tim

From God to Good, just add an “o”

To evil add a “D”, and there you go

It’s as evident as the letters are

We bear His grace, He bears our scar

The living light awaits the eye

That looks to see it shine

I seek to find that Joy designed

And that decision’s mine

I’ll follow my father, and his before him

For my life is a cup that is filled to the brim

Can you not see it coming?

It is as plain as day to me

The trumpets herald drumming

For the battle come to be

As dark as it appears right now

There’s victory at the end

We can’t discern the when or how

But our brokenness will mend

The Lord is our shepherd

And we’re in his flock

On a journey well worthy

We willingly walk

Beauty for ashes I’m looking toward

My word is my sheath, my faith is my sword

Expectancy grows as I water my hope

And the doubt will depart down it’s slippery slope

I write down my dreams, then, patiently wait

But the answer will come, whether early or late

It comes down to wanting and asking for it

In the knowing which end of the candle is lit

So I ponder my chances I know will arrive

They’re as sure as the promise that love is alive

For this world, in blindness, just stumbles along

It’s ignoring what’s right and embracing what’s wrong

As apparent to me as it should be to you

Our reward will reflect what we willingly do

This may be as clear or as murky to some

But we stand in the knowing an answer will come

It is only a matter of time, take His word

Let His glory reveal what these words have inferred

The ashes we leave for the beauty we’ll find

Is the way it will be, it is heaven designed

I can give you the line but you must take the bait

And you’ll find revelation awaits at the gate

It’s as near as your next breath, it’s certain to be

And a gift to the reader, it’s God’s guarantee

Better late than never is a phrase I finally learned

And is a gift from God, as ever, even a gift I hadn’t earned

But I am thankful for His favor and the chance to know at last

That I may yet tomorrow savor while repenting of my past

I was as willful and as ignorant of all my life in store

Yet, like a child’s heart is innocent, He forgave and gave me more

And then somewhere along the way my path began to change

My ways were wasted anyway, and generally strange

By looking back I found that I was on an errant path

My thinking was unsound and I deserved the coming wrath

But providence was waiting, I thank the Lord that it was so

And it isn’t understating that at last I came to know

That He was always with me, though I seldom gave it thought

Now I see my past more clearly and another chance I got

God moves in ways of wonder, but it’s always for our best

As my “normalcy” was blunder I would have failed the coming test

So I pray you to consider where our former ways would lead

Whether glorious or bitter, like a flower taken seed

If I’d have opened up my eyes when I was young and strong

I would have known how fast time flies, and made my way along

A difference of direction and a finer end to find

And then I gave it my inspection, finally opening my mind

I know that He’d been with me, else, I wouldn’t be here now

My words are my propensity, while He provides the “how”

And what I can say is “Thank You” to the one who gave us all

It is the best that I can do while I am waiting for His call

We’ll make it through these trying days

The seething heat, the smokey haze

We have the will, we’ll find the ways

For blessings come to he who prays

And look back on these times again

We know who runs his race will win

Though now, our hopes seem rather thin

We’ll find our peace and enter in

These are but temporary times

Where the temperature absurdly climbs

Endurance bears climactic crimes

Inviting even heated rhymes

Yet cooler days will follow these

With gentle rains and soothing breeze

The weather will how’ere it please

As only he who bears it sees

So don’t lose hope, we’ll get there yet

With grace we’ll gain the wind and wet

Just wait it out and place your bet

And we will what we pray for get

We’ve seen these calms and storms before

And guaranteed, there will be more

Who knows what waits beyond that door

It’s what we were intended for

So, brace yourself, you’ll pass the test

Today’s a temporary guest

We’ll carry on and do our best

These current trials will turn to bles’t

(August, 2021, 94ºF)

Psalm 10

The recent news in Afghanistan was so difficult to listen to with all the suffering that is taking place. Life has always been full of evil as we consider drugs and human trafficking. It’s overwhelming, and often hard to relate. But through movies and other media, we can catch glimpses of this world, and we realize that the reality is much worse. Real people are suffering from real bad people.

Why God!? Where are you? These are questions that we often ask ourselves. Today’s Psalmist understands our feelings. Verse 1 ”Why do You stand far away, LORD? Why do You hide Yourself in times of trouble?” When we’re suffering, God seems so far. But God IS there. That’s why the Psalms are so important. It brings our real feelings and sufferings…and God. Look at how the wicked are described. They are: (Verse 2) Arrogant, Wicked; (3) Boastful, Greedy, Disrespectful to the LORD; (4) Haughty, with no God; (5) Successful in the world’s ways, (6) Proud; Full of cursing, deceit, and oppression; (7) Murderers; (11) Forgets God

Verses 4 and 11 talk about taking God out of a person’s thinking. Why is that so important for the wicked to do this? Without God, there is no judgement. That is also why they attack the Bible. It is God’s Word. Through it, we not only
know God, but we know His standards, His holiness, His justice, etc. Psalm 14:1 says “The fool has said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have committed detestable acts; There is no one who does good.” The fool thinks they will get away with their wickedness. They are only focused on the now and forget about the future judgement. If this life was all that there is, it would be unfair. But there is an afterlife that is more real and eternal that we look forward to. That is how Christians in the past, and those who are suffering now can endure. Justice will come. Relief will become a reality. We need to start by putting God first in our lives. Proverbs 1:7 says, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

And part of growing in Christ is to put our trust in the future promises of God. In the end, we will be victorious. 1 Cor.15:57  “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58  Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.”

So the Psalmist continues… 12  “Arise, LORD; God, lift up Your hand. Do not forget the humble.” He hasn’t seen justice yet, but he prays for those who are suffering. He helps us to know how to pray. In the midst of hardship, he focuses on God and worships. God hears our prayers. Believe it, even though you don’t feel it. In the midst of trials, it is difficult to feel God’s love. But He is there. Justice will come. The wicked will not be able to hide. And one day, there will be a new heaven and new earth. Jesus promises, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Remember this promise.

I think hard times may come in the near future. There is evil in the world. And there is a movement to take Christ and the Bible out of our culture. Believers must learn to stand in the truth, and trust God. 2 Tim 3:12 “Indeed, all who want to live in a godly way in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” The purpose is not to scare you, but to prepare you.

When things don’t seem fair, and the wicked seems to prosper, remember this Psalm. Know that our LORD hears our prayers. He will strengthen you, comfort you, and use you mightily in the midst of all this.

(The above is a summary of the message shared by Rich Nakamura during our worship service on August 29, 2021.)

Psalm 84:1-12

Psalm 84 is similar to other “psalms of ascent” (Psalm 120-134) that were sung by pilgrims on their way to Jerusalem, as they looked forward to joining in the festival that was being celebrated there. The psalmist longs for God’s presence, for God’s temple (v. 2). But he’s not there yet…. he’s still on the way.

In verse 3 he talks about the birds – the sparrows and the swallows – finding a home in the temple, near the altar. Even the birds find safety and joy in God’s presence! Oh what a blessing it must be to dwell in the house of the Lord 24/7 every day… and be able to sing God’s praises – like those birds! (v.4)

In verses 5-7 the psalmist talks about their pilgrimage…. This journey they’re on.

The pilgrimage to Jerusalem takes them through the valley of Baca – where is this valley? Scholars seem to think the language refers to a “valley of tears”… or an alternate interpretation is “a dry and arid place”. Either way, it is a difficult leg of their journey. Even as they travel towards God, the way is often difficult. Yet, their presence causes the desert to become a place of springs…. The autumn rains come to create pools of water. Perhaps this refers to life’s struggles and difficulties in between the high points… as they proceed toward the presence of God.

And then in verse 10 – the words we sang earlier. “Better is One Day in your Courts, than 1,000 in the tents of the wicked. “ I would rather be a doorkeeper in God’s house than spend time in the presence of greed, wealth, social status, etc.

In verse 11 – God is a Sun and a Shield. This could be many sermons right here! God is our provision and warmth as well as our safety and protection.

And finally, the psalmist finishes with the statement that the one who trusts in God is truly BLESSED.

What does this psalm mean for us today?

• On one level, it could be a picture / image of our last 15 months. We long for the fellowship of our gatherings here at JCC. We remember our weekly lunches, our times together. For months we’ve worshiped over zoom.
  • While I thank God for technology, we miss the physical fellowship and conversations.
  • We’re not fully back yet. But we long for that. We’re not really sure what our future holds yet… but we pray and long for clarity.

• A second level or image of this psalm can refer to each of our spiritual pilgrimages. We are, throughout our lives, on a spiritual journey. We long for, and seek for God’s presence in our lives.
  • Since old testament times the temple, as a center of worship, has disappeared. We know that God was never limited to the temple, nor is He limited to our church building.
  • In the incarnation of Jesus, we are told in John’s gospel that Jesus (The Word that was from the beginning) came and has dwelled among us. Now the focal point of our worship is not a place, but a person. “I am the way, the truth, and the life.”
  • During the pandemic we’ve been reminded of that. Even without our building, we are able to worship because of Jesus Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit.

When I was in preaching class in seminary our professor always encouraged us to summarize our sermon in a single sentence. The idea was that if you couldn’t do that…easily state your sermon in a single sentence – that perhaps you were trying to say too much… or, more likely, that your thoughts were not completely clear yet! Although I try – and usually fail – to write a sermon sentence, this morning I offer you a series of short sentences that describe my heart longings this morning:

JCC is on a pilgrimage.

I am on a pilgrimage.

I desire to know more of God.

I desire to be in God’s presence.

Sometimes I don’t have this desire.

God, please grow this desire in me.

Amen.

(The above is a summary of the message shared during our worship on August 22, 2021)

John 6:51-58

51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.” 52 Then the Jews began to argue sharply among themselves, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” 53 Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. 54 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. 55 For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. 56 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. 57 Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. 58 This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your forefathers ate manna and died, but he who feeds on this bread will live forever.”

For the past couple of weeks we have been looking at events in John chapter 6, where Jesus announces “I am the bread of life.”

Today we continue in John 6 with a somewhat difficult text – also about Jesus as the bread of life. What does Jesus mean by the graphic language – “eating my flesh…. and drinking my blood?”

Each week I read a blog called Journey with Jesus. There is always a good essay on the lectionary texts for the week. This week was especially good. The author, Debi Thomas, talks about today’s text using two stories – two pictures. And through these stories she asks us to consider “How does God feel when we eat of the good bread that he offers us?” and “How does God feel when we reject the nutrition and true food / bread that is necessary to keep us healthy and alive?” While it might seem like a strange exercise to attempt to know or understand what “God is feeling…”, these two stories may give us a hint about the meaning of Jesus’ words in today’s text.

The first image is an example of a nursing child – a healthy child being nourished on the milk of its mother.

• This can be very natural, but it can also be difficult at first and require practice.
• There can be emotional ups and downs…. at first the mother worries if the baby is getting enough nourishment? Later, as it becomes evident that the baby is growing and healthy, there can be a deep sense of joy and satisfaction – a very strong bond between mother and child.
• In our family, our first two babies were adopted and so the feeding process was not breast feeding, but hot water, formula, and lots of bottles. As parents, we shared the feeding task, even taking turns at night. I’ll never forget the deep sense of feeling “left out” when our third child arrived…not by adoption but biologically. Andrea and I were now on completely different playing fields… and little Allegra had absolutely no need for me as a father in regard to her daily nourishment. While it was very different than our first two children, we were amazed at the convenience and efficiency of breast feeding!
• There are many pictures of God as mother in the Bible – does this image help us understand the strong desire God has to nourish us… to feed us and ensure that we are healthy?

The second example that Debi Thomas uses in her blog is that of a child suffering from anorexia nervosa, and relates the fear and pain of her own experience with her 12-year old daughter.

• Anoriexia is a frightening psychological and emotional illness.
• The child – or sometimes adult -for various reasons (pressure, trying to conform to an unrealistic image of what is “beautiful”, etc.) refuses to eat.
• This condition is not something that you can simply talk a child out of. It’s not a logical discussion but a true emotional and psychological illness.
• It’s frightening for a parent, who feels that the very child they love is slipping away from them through a lack of nourishment – such a seemingly easy problem to solve – and yet extremely tricky.
• Does this image help us understand at all how God must feel when the nourishment he offers is so totally rejected and ignored?

Could these analogies help us imagine what Jesus means in today’s text?

“Unless you eat…. You will have no life.“

Jesus is inviting us to a meal, to a lavish meal. To a life that is abundant.

The bread that is offered is Jesus himself.

A relationship with Jesus, a relationship with God.

Are you feeling full, and healthy these days?

Or, is it possible that you have been starving yourself?

Come…. eat….. this bread is for you!

I encourage you to click on this link and read the powerful essay by Debi Thomas, Unless You Eat…

(the above is a summary of the message shared on August 15, 2021 during our morning worship.)