Steps To Gain A New Year／新年迎えるステップ

Welcome to a New Year!

Believer, what do you believe?

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; On the third day He rose again; He ascended into heaven, He is seated at the right hand of the Father, and He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. AMEN.

使徒信条

我は天地の造り主、全能の父なる神を信ず。我はその独り子、我らの主、イエス・キリストを信ず。主は聖霊によりてやどり、処女マリヤより生まれ、ポンテオ・ピラトのもとに苦しみを受け、十字架につけられ、死にて葬られ、陰府にくだり、三日目に死人のうちよりよみがえり、天にのぼり、全能の父なる神の右に座したまえり、かしこより来りて生ける者と死ねる者とを審きたまわん。我は聖霊を信ず、聖なる公同の教会、聖徒の交わり、罪の赦し、身体のよみがえり、永遠の生命を信ず。アーメン

Steps To Gain A New Year／新年迎えるステップ

Four Steps to gain a New Year!

It might be somewhat difficult to start something new every year.  We really should not re-invent the wheel—as it were—but to learn from the past—both the errors and the successes of those who have walked this way before.  New Years is sometimes looked upon as the time to start afresh and do something challenging. 

  New Year’s Resolutions are made—and broken within a few hours-days or, it might be the case, stopped somewhere around March.

  When it comes to Matters of the Faith, how we live and move within the framework of our Belief systems, we might not differ from the past. 

It is like climbing up Mt. Fuji, one step up and slide down two. (a process) It might be an effort that is hard to finish.

 How many of us have tried to make changes in the way we do life only to fall back into the old ways and habits? 

 We try and break bad habits and we succeed for a while but the way is hard and we give in or give up or—in some cases, not even try.  What is the use?

 It is my intention this morning to give us some encouragement and to set the goal WITH you as to how we will get along this year. 

FOUR things to keep in mind. 

 These four action phrases are set in the Old Testament but I can believe that it is also found in the New.  

 As with the People of God—the Hebrew Nation—life was not easy.  In our passage today, we will see one time in their early development as a Nation when certain group (in this case, the people of Jericho) were going to do battle with them. 

 The Hebrews were on their way to the Promised Land after a long time in Egypt and quite a while in the desert wandering around—waiting for the Lord to move them into this Promised Land flowing with Milk and Honey. 

We take up our story from Joshua 1.

(Joshua 1: 1-9) ¹ After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide: ² “Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites. ³ I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. ⁴ Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Great Sea on the west. ⁵ No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.

⁶ “Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. ⁷ Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. ⁸ Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. ⁹ Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

ヨシュア1:1-9

1 さて、主のしもべモーセが死んで後、主はモーセの従者、ヌンの子ヨシュアに告げて仰せられた。2 「わたしのしもべモーセは死んだ。今、あなたとこのすべての民は立って、このヨルダン川を渡り、わたしがイスラエルの人々に与えようとしている地に行け。3 あなたがたが足の裏で踏む所はことごとく、わたしがモーセに約束したとおり、あなたがたに与えている。4 あなたがたの領土は、この荒野とあのレバノンから、大河ユーフラテス、ヘテ人の全土および日の入るほうの大海に至るまでである。5 あなたの一生の間、だれひとりとしてあなたの前に立ちはだかる者はいない。わたしは、モーセとともにいたように、あなたとともにいよう。わたしはあなたを見放さず、あなたを見捨てない。6 強くあれ。雄々しくあれ。わたしが彼らに与えるとその先祖たちに誓った地を、あなたは、この民に継がせなければならないからだ。7 ただ強く、雄々しくあって、わたしのしもべモーセがあなたに命じたすべての律法を守り行え。これを離れて右にも左にもそれてはならない。それは、あなたが行く所ではどこででも、あなたが栄えるためである。8 この律法の書を、あなたの口から離さず、昼も夜もそれを口ずさまなければならない。そのうちにしるされているすべてのことを守り行うためである。そうすれば、あなたのすることで繁栄し、また栄えることができるからである。9 わたしはあなたに命じたではないか。強くあれ。雄々しくあれ。恐れてはならない。おののいてはならない。あなたの神、主が、あなたの行く所どこにでも、あなたとともにあるからである。」

1.  Begin To Possess the Land: 土地を所有するために開始:   

　　　get ready to cross over. 渡る準備をしなさい
。

God has put this land in front of the Hebrews and wanted them to take it.  It will take a fight to get it but His Hand would be on them.  Not much in the world is easy to get.  There is a price on everything. 

  There HAS to be a starting point and God suggests to them—and to us—that there is a beginning.  “Begin to Possess the Land!” 

  What does that look like?  One thing for sure, it took time & energy & yet, it was what the Lord wanted them to do. 

  Possession started with a beginning.  Action needed to be taken. 

Make plans to take it.  計画を立てる。

Get ready to have it.    準備をする。

Prepare your mind to possess it. 

It was also a matter of the heart as well.  あなたの心の準備（そして気持ち）。 

Be encouraged励まされるべきwith the fact that I am with you. "わたしはあなたと共にいる"。  It is MY good pleasure to have you possess that Land.  Now and forever yours.  “Be Strong and Courageous” "強くあれ、勇気をもって"。

In Revelation 3:8, we find “I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept My Word and have not denied My Name.”  ヨハネの黙示録 3:8「わたしは、あなたの行いを知っている。見よ。わたしは、だれも閉じることのできない門を、あなたの前に開いておいた。なぜなら、あなたには少しばかりの力があって、わたしのことばを守り、わたしの名を否まなかったからである。」

As we all look to the Lord’s direction for the on-going ministry of ICCS, please join with me as we look TOGETHER  to our God and be strong and courageous as we seek His plans. 

It will take some work.

It will take some time.

It will take some on going prayer!

Join the Prayer Squad, Prayer Squadron, the Prayer Team. 祈りの集まり、祈り隊、または祈りのチームへの参加  Whenever you meet with others from the Chapel, take some time to ask God for direction.  In your devotions each day, ask God to work in our hearts to prepare us for going into this new land.

(Joshua 1:18b) “… Only be strong and courageous!”

Questions for you this morning: 質問 What ‘land’? It might be a battle to get it but it is promised to be yours.  Not easy to get—just that it was promised to you.  You will need to fight the good fight to begin to possess it.  But possess it, you must. Only be strong in the Lord and not look to your own strategies.   And do this with a courageous heart! 

Another point as we look ahead:

2. Begin To Give The First Fruits得たものを与えることの始まり(Deuteronomy 16:9)  Count off seven weeks from the time you begin to put the sickle to the standing grain.”

·       There is a time to give.  与えるためにの時間。

·       It is planned giving.  与える計画。

·       Not just what is left over but as it is suggested in this verse, start the counting from where you first started the work. &

Don’t forget the Tithe.  十分の一を忘れないでください。

 Give to Him what is His due. 

Last summer, we spoke about this and a number of you were not here to hear it-so, here it is in a nut-shell. 

  Give your offerings to the Lord’s Work…starting with the local assembly.  Support where you get feed.  If you eat at Royal Host—you don’t pay for the meal at McDonalds! 

  If this is your Home Church—support comes here first part of the offering is the tithe and then there is over and above as an offering as unto the Lord.  And give with a hilarious heart!

And with Thanksgiving in your hearts. 

3. Begin To Be Magnified By Our God　私たちの神によって増大する始め lift you up(Joshua 3:7).  And the Lord said to Joshua, “Today I will begin to exalt you in the eyes of all Israel, so they may know that I am with you as I was with Moses.” 「きょうから、わたしはイスラエル全体の見ている前で、あなたを大いなる者としよう。それは、わたしがモーセとともにいたように、あなたとともにいることを、彼らが知るためである。」ヨシュア記　３:7

There is a certain pride that comes to the Family of God.  Just what is our role? 私たちの役割は:

 When people from outside the Fellowship see what God is doing inside our Fellowship, they will …

1.     Want to know more about this God they see working.

2.     They want to join in what God is doing.

 But also, as found in this verse, those from within the fellowship will be seeing what the Lord is doing in our hearts as well and that will bring Glory to Him.  Leaders will arise and take the lead. As they seek the Lord—you hold them up in prayer and supportive words!

 We are to live at peace with each other

§  Love each other お互いを愛して。

§  Care for each other お互いの思いやり。

§  Look after each other お互いの世話し。

§  Serve each other! お互いに仕える。

4.   Begin To Fight His Battles  主の戦いを戦うために始まり 

(Judges 10:18) ¹⁸ The leaders of the people of Gilead said to each other, “Whoever will launch the attack against the Ammonites will be the head of all those living in Gilead.”  みなしごや、やもめのためにさばきを行い、在留異国人を愛してこれに食物と着物を与えられる。申命記 10:18

The battle belongs to the Lord.  It is His Work

§  Done in His Strength  彼の強さで行。

§  Done with His Direction  彼の方向で行う。

§  Done His way.  彼の方法で行うこと。

Conclusion/結論：

How are we going to begin this NEW YEAR? Will it be again making a list of New Year's resolution? My fellow pilgrims, the Bible tells us right now four things to begin with.  Let us begin to have one language, let us begin to possess the land, let us begin to give the first fruits, let us begin to be magnified or used by our Lord, let us begin to fight His Battles. 

This is our goal this new year, to rebuild the Hope of the Year. 新しい始まりの望みを再構築する。

Getting ready for a NEw Year!

END OF THE YEAR EXHORTATION     Dec 30, 2012

The Hebrews have been through a lot of pain in the 400 years of slavery.  The People were broken.  They had almost lost hope. Then, some of them realized WHO they were and called on their God for help. 

They were beginning to asked for a deliver.  From where, they just did not know.  Some remembered the Promise to their forefathers that this was going to last only for 400 years.

Moses tried to be THAT deliver but that was on his terms and in his way. 

He needed to be taught a big lesson: Trust in God.  Exodus 3:15.   _I Am Who I Am_The God of your fathers-the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you.  This is My Name forever, the Name by which I am to be remembered from generation to generation.”

 THIS is the God we trust!  A living God!

Signs for Moses: walking stick into a snake, water into blood.

Response: not good for the Hebrews.  Need to make the same amount of bricks but need to get the straw themselves.

Chapter 6: 6-8 God used I am, and I will-11 times and one “I swore.”

Pharaoh does not listen and ten plagues hit Egypt.  Blood, frogs, gnats, flies, plague, boils, hail, locusts, darkness, death of first born.

It was at this time the Passover first celebrated.

The Exodus: Exodus 12:1-2 "Now the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying, This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you."

New beginnings.  Old things are passing away, behold the New has come.

Cutting with the past.  Old practices, worship, attitudes, old visions, old way of doing life.  A new beginning to be learned and experimented with.  FRESH!

As we look back on the past year, we too can leave the past behind.  We really don’t need to carry last year’s worries into the New Year.  We don’t need to be burdened with the past at all.  We will need to give it to Jesus.

As in Psalms 105:37-45   ³⁷ He brought out Israel, laden with silver and gold, and from among their tribes no one faltered. ³⁸ Egypt was glad when they left, because dread of Israel had fallen on them. ³⁹ He spread out a cloud as a covering, and a fire to give light at night. ⁴⁰ They asked, and He brought them quail and satisfied them with the bread of heaven. ⁴¹ He opened the rock, and water gushed out; like a river it flowed in the desert. ⁴² For He remembered His Holy promise given to His servant Abraham. ⁴³ He brought out His people with rejoicing, His chosen ones with shouts of joy; ⁴⁴ He gave them the lands of the nations, and they fell heir to what others had toiled for— ⁴⁵ that they might keep His precepts and observe His laws.

- They left their sicknesses back there in Egypt!
- They left their weaknesses back in Egypt!
- They left bad memories back in Egypt!
- They left their poverty back in Egypt!
- The Bible said that they spoiled the Egyptians –
- They took most of their silver from Egypt–
- They took most of their gold from Egypt-
- They took finest of fine garments from Egypt -
- They did not leave Egypt sick -
- There was not even one weakling or sickly among their tribe…
In fact, new things were to be theirs, as they gave themselves to the One who is I AM. The one huge thing they could take with them was HOPE.  To look at this, let’s turn to 1 Peter 5:6-14

Written during a time of growing persecution.  As in our Prayer Time each week, we have been praying for the Nations and for the Believers in them.

Peter has set his heart on the good note…no matter how bad things go, there is always HOPE. 

His benediction has five points of giving us HOPE.

o   Doxology  (11) To Him be the Power forever and forever!

o   Summary  (12) Written briefly

o   Few words of greeting  (13)

o   Final command to love each other  (14a)  (kiss)

o   Final prayer for PEACE  (14b)

They--and us--are to press ahead, don't turn back--and press on! 

• Here is our reminder that we HAVE GOD’S GRACE

(10) God is “”the God of All Grace”

o   1 Peter 4:10.

 Each one should use whatever gift He has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s Grace in its various forms.

His Grace has many forms and in various forms.  His diverse and assorted means to show Himself to be Faithful—in many ways—always different yet the same.  There is WONDER all the time!

By using the gifts His Holy Spirit gives to us—ALL of US—we NEED to be using them in the Worship of God.

o   In the Chapel, at home, at work, walking, talking, always being Faithful in our actions and mindset.  Having the Mind of Christ our Savior.

As His faithfulness is shown in the gifts He gives us, He also provided whatever we need in ANY circumstance. 

Look to Hebrews 4:16

Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

• Our dwelling place for this year and into the next is in “THE TRUE GRACE OF GOD”  (12)

Stand fast in life. When the way gets rocky, painful, dark, threatening, gloomy, impossible—it is then we are to stand fast. And we get to do it together!  Not by yourself.  Need for Family.  Need for strength in numbers. 

The salvation we now have is only ours by His Grace. We have tasted that “the Lord is good.”  1 Peter 2:3

Always with us as the “God of all grace”

          Another comforting thought …

For this Benediction to be realized in our walk of Faith, look at what comes first in this section of Scripture.

Verse 6  “Humble yourselves under God’s mighty Hand…”

Verse  7 “Cast all your anxiety on Him BECAUSE He cares for you.”

Be self-controlled and alert

The great need for understanding the times.

The great need for discernment of people’s hearts

The great need for sensitivity to the Lord’s Spirit on matters of Faith and practice.

                  We are to be with self-control BECAUSE our enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

More now than ever before, the world is moving into a graying of issues. 

Compromise is the battle cry and the only ones who will really be hit in the end are those who hold to the Truth.      So…

Hold fast to what you KNOW to be true. More than in a creed--in your hearts!

The Gospel in all it’s implications of life, His way is Light and Life.

But the evil one has different plans for the Church. 

Hit it hard from within, from outside, and shake it up.

Happened in Germany in the 1930 with the religion of the Nazis. 

Replace Christ with Hitler.

Seems obvious to us now but it was a slow process and those who objected to this heresy were killed off.

This passage instructs us to:

Resist him

Stand firm in the faith

Because we know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

We have been praying for over 40 countries around the world who are going through HARD spiritual times and we stand with them.

And then, once we do that, the benediction comes to us. 

First things first. 

Keeping the main thing of the Gospel the main thing.  Christ is our cornerstone and all else is not worth it.  Keeping the Cross in focus, we need to ask ourselves during the course of the week,

“Is what I see of God or not?”  “Does it bring Glory to God or does it not?”  “Is it worthy of my attention?” "...of my time?"

⁶ Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. ⁷ Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.

⁸ Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. ⁹ Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

¹⁰ And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. ¹¹ To Him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

¹² With the help of Silas, whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly, encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it.

¹³ She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you her greetings, and so does my son Mark. ¹⁴ Greet one another with a kiss of love.

Peace to all of you who are in Christ.

Our past is important to remember but not to hold us down.  The past is past and the things that both hurt us then and confuses us now has no hold on us now because of the Cross. 

Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

PEACE TO ALL OF YOU WHO ARE IN CHRIST.